Lesson 1578

(Lesson 1578)(01-31-16) Matthew 20:17-19

"And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again."

In this quote, Jesus told His apostles that he had, in essence, come to Jerusalem to be crucified and sacrificed for all the sins of mankind.

What a horrible thing for Jesus, the man, but what a glorious and wonderful thing for those of us whom have placed our faith in Him.~

Lesson 1577

(Lesson 1577)(01-30-16) Matthew 20:1-16

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

By the example in today's quote, Jesus established that when we inter into a contract, no matter how unfair that contract might appear in the end, we should abide by it with a happy heart.

I would imagine that today's "Christians", contrary to the will of God, would react just as those in this example whom had worked all day.

In the last verse, Jesus separated the true Christians in this quote from the pretenders, by saying; "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."~

Lesson 1576

(Lesson 1576)(01-29-16) Matthew 19:27-30

"Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."

In today's quote Jesus promised His apostles that they would, at the end time, sit in judgment over the twelve tribe of Israel. Jesus also further promised everlasting life to all of those who will abandon all else him and follow Him, He assured us a glorious return on the investment of our time and diligence.~

Lesson 1575

(Lesson 1575)(01-28-16) Matthew 19:16-26

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

In today's lesson, it is worthy to note that when the young rich man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus simply told him to obey the commandments.

We should keep in mind that during the time of His New Testament ministry, Jesus Himself, being a Jew, could only teach the rules of the old law, seeing that the new law of faith could not and would not be established until He had completed His soul saving sacrificial ordeal on the cross and had returned to the Father in heaven.

After the young man had professed that he had always kept the law, he was saddened when Jesus told him he must also sell all that he owned because the young man was very rich, he had more interest in His own physical wealth than he had in the welfare of his eternal soul.

Also in this lesson, Jesus went further to say; "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Even today those who have more than an abundance of wealth tend to give themselves to the worship of that wealth over the worship of our Savior who holds the keys to heaven and life everlasting.

Jesus closed this lesson by telling Peter that salvation it is impossible for mortal man to accomplish his own salvation, but with God ALL things are impossible.~

Lesson 1574

(Lesson 1574)(01-27-16) Matthew 19:13-15

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence."

In today's quote, Jesus made it very clear that children are to be an important part of Christianity.

The innocence of children is representative of the justified innocence of those whom have be born again through faith in the divine, virgin born, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Paul said in Romans 6:4; "Therefore we are buried with him by *baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." That "newness of life" carries with it the same un-defiled innocence as that of a child.

*NOTE: The term baptism, as it is applied in this passage, has nothing to do with being immersed into or sprinkled with water. In this application, the term baptism, simply defined, means 'immersion' by faith, nothing else.

In today's plain English and in essence, what Paul said in the above passage would be; Therefore we are buried with him by faith in His death, burial and resurrection, so we also, like Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father to walk in newness of life.~

Lesson 1573

(Lesson 1573)(01-2612-16) Matthew 19:1-12

"And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

Today's lesson makes it very clear that when a man and woman are scripturally married they are no longer to be considered two separate people, rather, they become one individual and in the sight of God, inseparable by a writ of divorce.

This lesson is very often ignored by today's society, both those who claim the mantel of Christianity and those who don't. It's a sad commentary for the so-called churches of God when they so readily ignore one of the most basic tenets of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. That is, the union of a man and woman in scriptural and eternally intended marriage.~

Lesson 1572

(Lesson 1572)(01-25-16) Matthew 18:23-35

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Today's quote is all about forgiveness. Since by the grace of God, those of us whom have been eternally saved, have been forgiven all our sins, we, by the same token, are commanded to forgive those who do wrongly toward us.

Sometimes its very hard to forgive someone who has grievously harmed us, but we must, as Jesus Christ did, be willing to suffer whatever comes in order to forgive.~