408th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - John 13:21.

John 13: 21.
Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.
Spoken by Jesus the night He was to be betrayed. Here again, we have proof that Jesus was more than just a man. If Jesus was only a man, how would He know that someone would betray Him, and that He knew who that person was who would do it; and then allow it to happen. A regular man would try to preserve his life and foil the attempt, if he knew before hand it was to happen. Jesus being God, knew the big picture; and knew His life was part of the plan. Jesus told His disciples, so that when it happens, and later when they thought about the events and how they unfolded. They would remember that Jesus told them He would be betrayed before the event actually happened.
Jesus knew that His disciples still did not believe that He was the Son of God. He did everything in His power to prove to them that He is the Promised Messiah. We should remember this when we are out trying to witness to others for Christ. If the disciples had a hard time believing, and they witnessed the miracles and teachings, how much more should we have understanding when people do not believe us. God opens the hearts of unbelievers not us, or our message. We need to get the message out. That is our job.

407th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - John 13: 18 - 19.

John 13: 18 - 19
I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, "He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me." Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.
This was spoken by Jesus the night He was to be betrayed in the upper room. The Gospel of John was written, by John to show that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Messiah. This account should help prove that Jesus was not just an ordinary man. If you read the text, Jesus is fulfilling prophecy and proclaiming prophecy at the same time. Jesus mentions the lifting up his heel against Me; this comes from the book of Genesis starting with Chapter 3: 15. This text is also prophecy by Jesus, and we know this by looking at the phrase "Now I tell you before it comes... ." This prophecy in Genesis was over 3,000 years old at the time of Christ. The Bible is the Word of God, and God does keep His Word! If you look at this text, Jesus says "He knows whom He has chosen." Judas is the one who will betray Jesus. Notice Jesus ties him to the Old Testament Prophecy. This is why Jesus had to let him join His group, Jesus being God, had to know that Judas would ultimately betray Him.

406th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - John 12: 31 - 32.

John 12: 31 - 32.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of ministry on earth before His crucifixion. Look at the words of this text, were they the words of a simple preacher? He would not be interested in the judgment of the world, or casting out the current ruler. Why would He talk about being lifted up and drawing all peoples to Him. What exactly did He mean by these words? Jesus' reason for coming here was larger than taking out just one ruler. There was a ruler of the world at that time, and he still rules today. This ruler is Satan. The whole Bible is the struggle of good and evil. When the fall happened in the Garden of Eden, evil got a toehold and has been growing ever since. Jesus had to come into the world and pay the debt we owe because of our sin. This is what Jesus was going to do by dying on the cross. When Jesus died, He paid the debt owed God for our disobedience. When Jesus died, He defeated Satan, Jesus has to come again to cast Satan out for good. In the mean time Jesus has been drawing all peoples to Him. He is given us the opportunity to be drawn to Him as well. Have you made a decision yet??

405th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - John 12: 7 - 8.

John 12: 7 - 8.
Let her alone, she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.
This was spoken by Jesus two weeks before He was to suffer and die. This retort from Jesus, came as result of the disciples commenting on the lavishness of this display from Mary, Martha's sister. Judas commented on how expensive the perfume was, and that it could have helped many poor people. The last line of this text, is very important. Jesus was saying that the poor you will always have time to take care of, as we have them with us today. When Jesus said "But Me you do not have always." He was saying that He will not be here in this capacity again. When Jesus comes again, He will be in charge, and not as a servant. This is another indication that Jesus was more than just a religious leader. He always knew His place and that He would come again; and in what capacity He would be in. Jesus taught us "That the last will be come first, and the first last." Jesus came the first time as a servant and when He comes back, He will be the King of Kings!" This is part of what Jesus meant, when He asked us to watch and pay attention to the signs. The Bible is full of signs, have you been finding them and watching? This is what we are asked to do, if we are follower's of Jesus. Are you watching??

404th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - John 3: 14 - 15.

John 3: 14 - 15.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
This was spoken by Jesus very early in His earthly ministry; He did not have all of His disciples called yet. To understand this passage you need to know this Old Testament passage Jesus was referring to (Numbers 21: 4 - 9). In the Old Testament passage, the serpents were killing the Jews, because of their unbelief. They called out to Moses to ask God to deliver them. When Moses did, God told him to fashion a bronze serpent and place it on a pole (Standard) in the middle of camp, when the Jews were bitten by the snakes they were to look upon this serpent on the pole for healing. Jesus likens Himself to the serpent in this story. The only difference, Jesus grants eternal life. As the Jews of the Old Testament had to look to something that they detested, so the Jews of the New Testament would have to look to the cross something they detested to gain eternal life. At this point in Jesus ministry, they could not make the connection between the serpent in the wilderness of Moses, and the Son of Man be lifted up. We can better understand this, because we have these stories written down and have the ability to study them over and over. How is your study and walk?? You and God are the only ones who know the truth! There is still time to make a change.

403rd Post Jesus Said On His Own Rejection and Death Con't. - Luke 13: 32 - 33.

Luke 13: 32 - 33.
Go, tell that fox, "Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly ministry. Some Pharisees came to warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus replies that He is about His Father's business, and that He will continue to do so, until His time has come. The Pharisees, that warned Jesus were ones that have come to believe that Jesus is Lord. They remembered that Herod, was the one who captured John the Baptist and killed him. They were trying to keep Jesus from suffering the same fate. Jesus was telling them that His path leads to Jerusalem where He will be killed. This is what Jesus meant when He said "on the third day I will be perfected." In this study, we have been looking at the words of Jesus very carefully, and have seen just how many times Jesus foretold His death. Then when the time came for these things to come to pass, it took them by surprise. "God's ways are not our ways". This is why we don't all follow the teachings of God. If you are truly seeking the truth, you will find it. Have you found it yet??

402nd Post Jesus Said On His Rejection & Death Con't. - Luke 9: 22.

Luke 9: 22.
The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
This was spoken by Jesus to his disciples about 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. In Luke's Gospel this account comes just after Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ of God. Christ is from the Greek word Cristo which means the anointed, the Messiah. So Peter tells the disciples correctly that Jesus is God's anointed. Jesus tells the disciples here, in clear language, that He will be rejected by the elders, and then tells the disciples who they are, He will be killed and raised the third day. It is interesting, how many times Jesus told them He would suffer and die; and they still would not believe when He was captured and killed. Jesus had to die in this fashion, it was foretold by God's prophets in the Old Testament, and by Jesus Himself. Some of the Old Testament prophesies were over 600 years old. God had this planned before chapter 3 of Genesis ever took place. God knew what would happen if He allowed man to have free choice. The Apostle Paul rightly said "That while we were still in sin, Jesus died for us." All you have to do to be saved is believe and start living for God instead of the world. Have you made the change yet??

401st Post Jesus Said On His Rejection & Death Con't. - Matthew 13: 57.

Matthew 13: 57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4: 23 - 27.
You will surely say this proverb to Me, "Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country." Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1.2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. If you don't have a very good understanding of the Old Testament, you may have trouble unlocking this passage. Knowledge of locations in Israel would also help. Capernaum is located in the north part of Israel on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Elijah and Elisha were the prophets raised by God to witness to the Northern Kingdom of Samaria. Zarephath and Naaman, were both pagens (unbelievers). Each one was taught by Elijah and Elisha. God sent the prophets and also Jesus, God had different jobs for the prophets and for Jesus. Jesus was fulfilling God's plan, God's way.
We all have free choice, and have to make a commitment to follow God. God is asking us to make the same choice.

400th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 26: 45 - 46.

Matthew 26: 45 - 46; Mark 14:41 - 42.
Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.
This was spoken by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed. Jesus had asked them to watch and pray with Him, during this difficult time. Jesus had been struggling with drinking the cup God had given Him to drink or not. Jesus spoke these words to the disciples after He had made the decision to fulfill His destiny. The mob was approaching that was going to arrest Jesus. This was all going by God's plan. The disciples realized that Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus! They did not know up to that moment. The disciples had spent all afternoon and evening with Jesus and had learned a lot from Jesus on that night. Now the time comes for them to stand with Jesus, and they scatter like lost sheep. How much like them are we? It is very easy, to say how you will act, before you are put into a similar situation; and when it comes, instead of rising to the occasion, we cave and run. We have to remember, that when we walk with God, it is no longer by ourselves, if we are acting according to God's will, we will be succssessful. Are you walking with God??

399th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 26: 31.

Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27.
All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: "I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered."
This was spoken by Jesus the night He was betrayed. When this actually happened, in the Garden of Gethsemane, it fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 13: 7, written over 500 years before the fact. Notice the part of the text in quotes, God says that He will strike the Shepherd, and the flock will scatter. This is another sign that all that happened to Jesus, was designed by God. This is a hard concept for us to understand, why it was necessary for God to reconcile us back to Him in this way. This whole concept is spelled out throughout the Bible from beginning to end. The more you study the Bible, the clearer, this message becomes. This is why we don't hold one group of men more responsible than another group of men. We are all guilty, because we are men. Sin is something we all struggle with, and keeps us from achieving the prize of eternal life. This is why Jesus said "wide is the road that leads to destruction, and narrow the path that leads to eternal life; and few find it." The Bible teaches that we need to persevere to the very end, in order to gain the prize. This is what is required. Are you hot? Or lukewarm?

398th Post Jesus Said On His Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 26: 21 - 24.

Matthew 26: 21 - 24; Mark 14: 18 - 21; Luke 22: 21 - 22.
Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me. He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.
This was spoken by Jesus on Maundy Thursday, in the upper room at the Last Supper Table. When you just read this passage in the Bible, you might ask yourself why Judas continued to eat, after Jesus spoke those words. Remember that Jesus and the disciples did not eat at the table, like they were pictured in Leonardo Di Vinci's famous painting of the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples were lounging on the floor, and leaned against each other for support. If you re-read the story you will notice that John asked Jesus "who would betray Him." John was leaning against Jesus at the table. Jesus did not speak loud enough for the whole group to hear him. Then there is Jesus warning "Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!" We all have free choice, and Judas was no different, but like us he chose the wrong decision. Judas heard the truth, and refused to listen to it. The same is possible for you, if you are exposed to the truth, it can count against you if you choose the wrong choice later on. This is why Paul told us to run the race and finish the race strong. How are you running??

397th Post Jesus On His Own Rejection and Death Con't. - Natthew 26: 10 - 13

Matthew 26: 10 - 13; Mark 14: 3; John 12: 1 - 8.
Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.
This was spoken by Jesus two days before His crucifixion. Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and sister of Lazarus, (who was raised from the dead.) Judas took issue with the extravagance, of Mary's choice of perfume. You need to realize that Mary was very happy Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. They lived in Bethany, and were rich, so she could afford to give the gift. You have to remember that this takes place two days before Jesus is to be put to death. This is not the same anointing, of Jesus where a woman washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried His feet with her hair. Jesus knew the hearts of the people who were in attendance, that is why He said "For you have the poor always, but Me you do not have always." Jesus was telling them that soon He will suffer and die; and He will be returning to Heaven. Jesus is still telling His followers that He is about to leave.

396th Post Jesus On His Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 26: 2

Matthew 26: 2
You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.
This was spoken two days before He was to be crucified. Jesus again foretells His coming death. Jesus is about to become the perfect Passover Lamb, whose suffering and death will save mankind from their sins. Jesus is now tying His death to Passover Festival. Jesus has spent His whole earthly ministry in telling the people Who He was, why He came, and why He would come again. The Passover Feast was to remind the Jews that when they were in Egypt, they were delivered by God through Moses. Moses delivered the children of Israel from the tyranny of man. Jesus will deliver all men from the tyranny of Satan. God gave all men this gift. All they have to do to receive it is believe in Jesus. Moses' deliverance was one time. Jesus, because He is God and man delivered all people forever! Passover, is just another prophetical proof that Jesus was Who He said He was. Those of you reading this blog from the beginning, have seen the times Jesus cheated death, because the timing was not right. When the timing is right, Jesus will come again! Praise God!!

395th Post Jesus On His Own Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 20: 18 - 19.

Matthew 20: 18 - 19; Mark 10: 33 - 34; Luke 18: 31 - 33.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.
This was spoken by Jesus after the raising of Lazarus, and before His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem; about three weeks before He was to die. This is the third post on Jesus' predictions concerning His rejection and death. Notice each post was spoken by Jesus closer to the coming event, and Jesus provides more and more detail, each time. This is how Bible prophecy is written, the older the prophecy, the more general, the information. As prophecies are written closer to the event, the more information they contained. In this post, Jesus tells that the chief priests and the scribes will also be part of the plot to kill Him. The Jesus says that He will be turned over to the Gentiles to mock, scourge and to crucify Him. Jesus said "He would rise on the third day." It is interesting that Jesus tells the disciples here that He will die and rise again, and He even tells them in how many days after they crucified Him. They did not remember these words spoken by Jesus. Do you believe yet?? It is up to you to look at the evidence and decide for yourself.

394th Post Jesus On Predictions on His Own Rejection and Death Con't. - Matthew 17: 22 - 23.

Matthew 17: 22 - 23; Mark 9:31; Luke 9: 44; John 2: 19.
The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.
This was spoken by Jesus 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus gives people more insight as to His death and resurrection. Jesus predicts that He will be betrayed, and the third day He will rise again. If Jesus was not who He said He was, why would He allow Himself to be treated this way?? Then there is this question, if Jesus was Who He said He was, why would He allow Himself to be crucified? God promised a deliverer in Genesis Chapter 3. It was for this purpose that Jesus was Born into this world. Man could not on his own bring himself back in favor with God. Isaiah tells us that God looks on our good works as filthy rags! This is why we can not count on our works to save us! How, then must we be saved?? God created us, God told us how to live, and God has reconciled us back to Him! God has done it all, all we have to do is believe! Still, we will not accept this! This is why, we don't understand how Jesus would save the thief on the cross. The thief at the beginning, was with the crowd, then something happened that made him change his position, and ask Jesus (God) for forgiveness, and asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus comes into His Kingdom. Jesus replied "Today, you will be with Me in paradise." What is your position? Do you believe Jesus Is Who He Said He Is??

393rd Post Jesus Said About His Rejection an Death Con't. - Matthew 17: 11 - 12.

Matthew 17: 11 - 12; Mark 9: 12 - 13.
Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. This text takes place after the beheading of John the Baptist, and the Transfiguration. The disciples just asked Jesus why the scribes say the first Elijah must come? Jesus was explaining to them that the prophet Malachi prophesied in his book chapter 4:5; "Behold, I will send you Elijah before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." Then Jesus went on to say that Elijah had come already, Jesus was referring to John the Baptist, the people rejected him and killed him. Jesus is now prophesying that the Messiah is about to suffer a similar fate. It is important for you to remember that the disciples still did not understand who Jesus was. They knew Him to be a great teacher, healer, and compassionate person, but they still did not understand why Jesus had to die, or the importance of His death. This is what I am trying to point out here. For Jesus death to be the greatest death ever, He had to be Who He said He was! What do you think??

392nd Post Jesus Said About His Rejection and Death - New Section of Study.

Rejection and Death.
If Jesus was just a carpenter turned itinerant preacher. How could He have known so much about Sacred Jewish Scriptures, and God. The fact that He worked in a carpenter's shop, would tell a Jew, that Jesus was not taught by the Religious Authorities. How could He possibly know the things He taught about! The Religious Authorities, were the only people who could read and study Sacred Scripture. This was the big question, and the reason many did not take Him serious while He lived on earth. Jesus never waivered from His Story. We are in a better position now to decide if Jesus Is Who He said He was. We have access to Old Testament Scriptures, all the prophecies written concerning Jesus the Messiah, and through the New Testament accounts, have a written account of fulfillment of these prophecies. Jesus did not fulfill all the prophecies yet, but He will when He returns. Jesus foretold His death, He talked about how, how could He have known He would Die as a criminal of the Roman Government. Jesus was not guilty of crimes against the Roman Government, so how could this happen? All of the prophecies concerning His death have come true. How could He possibly known and fulfilled these things, unless He Is Who He Said He is! That is the only explanation that makes sense. Do you believe??

391st Post Jesus Words from the Cross Con't. - John 19: 30

John 19: 30
It is finished!
This was spoken by Jesus the day He was crucified. These three small words, have spoken volumes through the years. Many people who call themselves Christians, do not understand these words. When Jesus spoke these words, He meant every word. Jesus paid the whole bill. He fulfilled the whole covenant. He purchased us from the wages of sin! This is why He alone can say, "No one comes to the Father, except through Me!" Sounds very narrow minded, but of all the gods out there, He is the only One who cares enough for you; to have died for your sins. All that is necessary in claiming your freedom from sin, is believing in Him! Believe, and follow His words and teachings. When you begin to follow Christ, your life will change. You will be taking off the ways of the world, and will start to put on the ways of God. People will start to see a change in you, this change should continue until you die. When you die you will be the most like Christ, you can be until God finishes the work He started in you. To a Christian, God takes a personal interest in you, and is always with you. This is God's Promise to you. Are you ready to Accept it?? It is up to you!

390th Post Jesus Words from the Cross Con't. -John 19:28.

John 19: 28.
I thirst!
This was spoken by Jesus on the day He died on the cross. The Romans offered condemned men to drink a mixture called gall, this was a mixture of myrrh and sour wine, meaning a cheap quality of wine, or vinegar. This was given to the condemned, as a way to deaden the pain. This looks on the surface to be a compassionate thing to do. The Romans were experts in torture and inflicting pain. The gall would prolong their death, not hasten it. Jesus refused it at first. Jesus did this, so He could keep His promise that He would lay down His life and take it up again; by keeping His head clear. It would be a good idea when reading Jesus words from the cross, to have Psalm 22 handy to read along. When Jesus said "I thirst!" He was going to fulfill another prophecy, Psalm 69:21. "They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink." There are a lot of prophecies, fulfilled while on the cross. No other person has fulfilled so many prophecies during His lifetime. When Jesus returns, He will fulfill the rest of the prophecies still left unfulfilled. Many New Testament scholars believe that the Old Testament is already fulfilled and not relevant today. I hope you are seeing that this just is not so.

389th Post Jesus Words from the Cross - John 19: 27.

John 19: 27.
Behold, your mother!
This was spoken by Jesus the day He died from the cross. In the previous post, Jesus told His earthly mother that John, His disciple would take care of her. In this post, Jesus completes this obligation by charging His disciple to behold your mother. John honored this, by taking Mary the mother of Jesus to his home from the crucifixion. He took care of her for the rest of his life. John was the youngest disciple, so he would outlive Mary, the mother of Jesus. Jesus showed that He was a Jew, since this was a Jewish custom. Many Christians forget, that Jesus was Jewish. God proves here that He keeps His word to the Jews, by sending them a Messiah, that will also save the world. Why the Jews are Promised, has been a mystery to Christians and non-Christians alike. This is one of the things that makes God, God! God is over all and can give mercy to whoever He wants. That is what mercy means, granting mercy to those who do not deserve it. Some Christians believe that mercy is only given to them. They do not understand the Old Testament, or what it teaches. We need to remember that God is the Creator, and is in control of all things, even when it looks like He does not care. God is still on the Throne!

388th Post Jesus Words from the Cross Con't. - John 19: 26.

John 19: 26
Woman, behold your son!
Jesus spoke these words the day He died. Jesus was looking down from the cross and sees His disciple John and His earthly mother standing at the foot of the cross. In Israel, widows had no rights under Jewish law. They would have to go to the fields, and glean their food. Widow's had no where to live. They would have to go to their family for their needs. Jesus, being the oldest of Mary's family, took it upon Himself to make arrangements for Mary's future. Jesus told John, the youngest disciple to treat Mary as his mother from today on. John made good on his promise to Jesus and took care of Mary for the rest of her life. John took Mary from the cross to his home. Jesus showed that He really cared for His Mother, by making sure she would be looked after, after He died and left the earth. We as Christians, sometimes forget that Jesus was born a Jew, lived by their laws and their commands. We tend to think that God changed his mind about the Jews and made Christians, His new promised people. This is wrong, there is no Bible verse or teaching that says this. Christians should look to the blessings of the Jews as proof that God will bless us as well.

387th Post Jesus Words from the Cross Con't. - Luke 23: 46.

Luke 23: 46.
Father, into your hands I commit My Spirit.
This was spoken by Jesus on the day of His crucifixion. Jesus was always in charge of His destiny. This is clearly shown here, that Jesus knew when He was going to die, and directed His Spirit into His Father's hand, (His control). Jesus allowed Himself to be captured, tortured and killed. We as Christians need to remember this, this is why when we look for someone to blame for Jesus' death, we need look no farther then our own sin. Adam brought sin into the world, and we needed a second Adam to take sin out of the world. Jesus accomplished this. This is why we need a Savior. The Bible is the story of how God created the world, and we in our selfishness fell into sin. God would not let us to fall into eternal damnation, He (God) provided His Son to come to earth to rescue us. The first step to coming to Christ is belief, then we must mature in our faith, by living our faith. When we do this, we start to take on the attributes of Jesus and applying them to our own lives. This is our command from Jesus, to deny ourselves and to take up our cross and follow Him. How are you doing with your walk??

386th Post Jesus Words from the Cross Con't. - Luke 23: 43

Luke 23: 43.
Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.
This was spoken by Jesus the day He died. Jesus was crucified between two thieves. At first the two were taunting Jesus along with the crowd at the foot of His cross. During the time spent on the cross, one of the thieves, stopped taunting and rebuked the other thief; saying we are paying for our crimes, but this Man is innocent. And then the thief asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus then uttered the words of our text listed above. This short phrase spoken by Jesus speaks volumes. Jesus forgave this man's sins. The Jews believe that Only God has the power to do that! Jesus went on to say today, you will be with Me in Paradise. Faith and works, have long been a debate in Christian circles. Faith in God must come first, then works become a proof of that faith. Jesus proves that here, clearly the thief was dying on the cross and could not perform any works before he died. This is what is meant by a death bed conversion. John 3: 16, is called the Gospel in a nut shell. If you check this verse, works are not mentioned at all. God gave us free choice, so that we could come to Him on our own. This passage shows that God forgives us unconditionally. Have you made up your mind yet??

385th Post Jesus Words From the Cross Con't. - Luke 23: 43.

Luke 23: 43.
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
This was spoken by Jesus on the day of His crucifixion. Of all the people the Roman soldiers crucified, these simple words, they would remember. The Romans had just nailed His hands and feet to the wooden cross, and then lifted the cross up and dropped it into its place, between two thieves. This was also a fulfillment of prophecy. Look at our text again, see how soft and caring these words are. I am sure the Romans had heard plenty of words from many people they crucified, that included thought of their gods! But I would bet this was the first time, forgiveness was asked for on their behalf! I know forgiveness would be the farthest thing from my mind at a time like that. This is something I have to work on myself. Christ is the model, and I hope I remember this when it is my time to suffer for Him. We are all called to do that you know. Think of that Jesus is the Son of God, all He had to do is ask, and legions of Angels would have been at His disposal. I wonder if the taunts from the crowd, would have been as bad if the people knew just how much power He could summon to save Him. Jesus had to die for us to atone for all our sins. That was His purpose for coming into this world!

384th Jesus Words From the Cross Con't. - Matthew 27: 46

Matthew 27:46; Mark 15: 34.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?
This was spoken by Jesus on the day He died. Those of you that are familiar with the Old Testament, may look at these words and know they were quoted by Jesus from Psalm 22. Psalm 22 was written by Jesus' 28 times great Grandfather, King David. What makes this Psalm even more interesting is that David wrote this Psalm, 3-500 years before crucifixion was invented by the Persians. When you read the rest of this Psalm, you will notice that King David wrote about what it must have felt like to be crucified. Old Testament prophecies, are fulfilled by Jesus death, several in this Psalm 22. Can you find them? Jesus said these words when the sins of the world were placed on Him. God the Father, being Holy could not look on sin, so when He turned His back, the Shekinah Glory; (This is God's natural radiance), left, it left the crucifixion scene in near darkness. It was darker that day, than most from noon to three. The Bible teaches us that God never leaves us, so when we feel far away from God, it is us that have moved. God the Father would never forsake His Son. It was the Shekinah glory (light) that left their view, not God the Father.

383rd Post Jesus Words from the Cross - New Section.

There are many people who say, Jesus never lived or never died on the cross; or was not the Son of God. I ask you how many itinerant preacher's that were murdered by capital punishment down through the ages, had their last words on earth collected and remembered? Even in death, this man acted different then any other man. It is my hope that you will come to this same conclusion during this study. This one life has done more to change the face of history, than any other. Jesus was born of a virgin, 100% man, and 100% God! How He could be 200%, is part of God's mystery!
We have tried to show through His words, that He was very different from any other man. He performed many signs and wonders to show through them, that He acted through the will of His Father in Heaven. He told us over and over that He was not of this world. He commands us as His followers to be in the world but not of it. Even in death, there were signs in Heaven, that showed that He was not just an ordinary Man. It has been over 2,000 years since He walked the earth, and there are many that say He will never come back. The Bible said that there would be a Redeemer born, and that He would come again. Jesus spent 3.1/2 years trying to tell the people that He is this Redeemer! They rejected Him and had Him killed. The world is still rejecting Him. Where do you stand? Maybe this study might help change your mind.

382nd Post Jesus On Judgment Con't. - Luke 13: 2 - 5.

Luke 13: 2 - 5.
Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will likewise perish.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage is hard to understand if you don't have the following information. First, our text starts with verse 2, and I think verse 1, should also be included. Pontius Pilate is not spoken of much in the New Testament, so it is hard to know how ruthless he was. When you look at the account the Bible tells concerning Jesus' Roman trial, Pilate looks timid and maybe even afraid of the Jews. Pontius Pilate would do anything he could to make the Jews life miserable. Pilate came across some Jews Worshiping in the Galilee area and killed them. The Jews were supposed to be sacrificing in the Temple, they were wrong but did not deserve death for that. Jesus then talks about a tower is Siloam falling and killed 18 Jews. Were their sins bad enough to die this way? The answer on both is no. Jesus was telling them that if bad things happen to you, it does not mean you were being judged for you sins in this way. Jesus was saying that the wages of sin is death, it will not necessarily come any sooner if you sin. It is like if you know someone who is a bad person and they come down with cancer; the sin did not cause the cancer.

381st Post Jesus on Judgment New Section.

Judgment in the New Testament where Jesus is concerned has become a very sticky issue. Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, not to judge. Then in the rest of the Gospels He tells us to discern people's fruits and leaven. The problem is that many so called Christians have no idea where Jesus weighed in on the subject of judgment. We have church's that allow abominations to become ordained as pastors. We have become a group that feel that Capital punishment is wrong. Jesus died on a Roman Cross (capital punishment)! God invented it!! Read your Bible, hint, read Deuteronomy.
We say Jesus would accept all people regardless of what they do. The problem is that all of these things only reflect half-truths of what Jesus taught. We as Christians have started to teach the same way the Pharisees taught, according to our own understanding instead of God's. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, not to judge. If you read the context of that passage, the judgment Jesus was talking about was the condition of their hearts. Only God can see the condition of our hearts; this is not our job. Jesus asks us, that when we become Christians, we are to start taking off the attributes of the world, and start putting on the attributes of God. This is our life's work until God calls us home at death. During this time, we are to become the most Christ-like, we will; until God completes the work that He had started. We need to remember that the word Christian means Christ Like! Who do you look like??

380th Post Jesus On Laments for the Cities of Israel Con't. - Luke 19: 42 - 44.

Luke 19: 42 - 44.
If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.
This was spoken by Jesus near the very end of His earthly ministry. Jesus had just come into the City of Jerusalem, He had gone into the temple and had been rejected by the Religious Leaders. This is why Jesus starts this passage with the phrase "If you had known." They had rejected the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, and the Son of God! The Religious Leaders had no idea what they had just done. They had fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel, which said that Messiah would be rejected, and then cut off. (Daniel 9: 26). This set up the destruction of the Temple, that will be fulfilled by Rome in 70 A.D.. This prophecy by Jesus is like an eyewitness account, spoken almost 40 years before the fact. Of course this pales with the prophecy of Daniel spoken more than 600 years before the fact. No other book is as accurate as the Bible. God's Word is True!

379th Post Jesus On Laments for the Cities of Israel Con't. - John 8: 43 - 47.

John 8: 43 - 47.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly ministry. Jesus reminded the people that their ancestors killed or stoned all the prophets God sent to correct their understanding of God. Jesus talks about how a hen gathers her chicks to save them from harm; so He, as God forgives them of their past sins, but they would not listen. Now they have rejected Jesus, and so rejected God to His face, and would not repent; because of this their house has been left desolate. Jesus then tells them that they will not see Jesus in Jerusalem until He returns on Palm Sunday ( the triumphant entry). Jerusalem was where the Temple was located, all of Israel was to come to the Temple at least 3 feast days each year. To whom much is given, much is required. Jerusalem had seen many mighty works of God in the past, but had forgotten them. Are you like Jerusalem??

378th Post Jesus On Laments for the Cities of Israel Con't. - Matthew 11: 23 - 24.

Matthew 11: 23 -24, Luke 10: 12, 15.
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.
This was spoken by Jesus early in His earthly ministry. The first 1.1/2 years, Jesus primarily taught in the territory of the lost 10 tribes of Israel. Jesus used Capernaum as his home base, when He was ministering here. The Bible teaches that if more is given, more is required. This is why Capernaum's rebuke is stronger than Chorazin and Bethsaida. Notice, there is a praise enclosed in the rebuke. This is explained in the fact that not all of the people of Capernaum did not remain in unbelief. The sins of Sodom were greater than Capernaum, but the fact that Jesus as God ministered there, it made their unbelief worse. Capernaum had a Synagogue, this meant that they had access to Religious Teaching. Since Jesus lived here, He would have many chances to meet different people in their homes and in their place of business. Jesus' impact should have been very great here. The trouble is, God gave us free choice, and we always seem to choose the wrong one. We have that same choice today. Which one will you choose??

377th Post Jesus Laments for the Cities of Israel Con't. - Matthew 11: 21 - 22, Con't.

Matthew 11: 21 - 22, Luke 10: 13 - 14 Continued.
Unbelief, has always been a stumbling block to the Jews, and to us as well. Our whole life we are exposed to two ways of looking at things, God's way, and Satan's. We have to make a decision, which of these two we will follow. It was the same for these two cities Jesus was lamenting. They heard and saw Jesus' teaching, but did not take the teaching to heart. They would go and listen to Jesus, bring their sick to be healed, but go on with their life as usual after. How many of us go to Church, hear the message and then go back home to business as usual? Jesus was telling these people that if He taught or did miracles in Tyre and Sidon, they would recognize it as coming from God and repent. This is what Jesus meant by saying they would put on sackcloth and ashes. How come would these cities repent and the cities in Israel would not? They knew and liked living in sin because they knew no other way to live. They had lived as their forefathers had for generations. To prove this, you might look at the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,ooo. Both of these miracles were done by Jesus, but to two different crowds, with two different out comes. Sinners recognize the words and miracles of God. Those who are comfortable with their life, will be harder to change. If you are looking for God, you find Him! Even if you are looking the wrong place, God will find you! God will find you, because He knows your heart!

376th Post Jesus On Laments for nthe Cities of Israel Con't. - Matthew 11: 21 - 22.

Matthew 11: 21 - 22, Luke 10: 13 - 14.
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre ans Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
This was spoken by Jesus 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. People who teach only, that Jesus taught love, have never read this passage, or don't understand the meaning. The cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, were the places Jesus did a lot of His teaching and healing while He was up in the Sea of Galilee area. Both of these cities were near the shore, and Bethsaida was said to be the home of Peter. Jesus did a lot of preaching and teaching here in these two cities, but not very many of those living there had come to believe His words or signs. Jesus says if the mighty works were done in Tyre and Sidon, the people of these cities would put on sackcloth, ashes and repent. This is interesting that Jesus would pick these two cities Tyre and Sidon. If you know the Old Testament, you would know that all throughout their history, the Jews had had trouble with these two cities. These two cities, were the center of idol worship and all kinds of debauchery. They were practicing all the things God warned Abraham about in Genesis chapter 15. I am running out of space on this post will continue next post.

375th Post Jesus On Laments for the Cities of Israel - New Section of Study.

Laments for the Cities of Israel.
Jesus talked about various cities and their reaction to His teaching. Most of the cities Jesus talked about were not huge populated cities. Jesus mentioned these cities because they hosted Jesus and His teachings, but did not come to believe in Jesus. This is a trap many of us can fall into even today. We think that because we go to Church, we will automatically go to heaven. This is not so, this is exactly the same mistake the Pharisees made. They kept the Temple Laws, but did not know the Laws of God. God wants you to live your faith. You will notice that Sodom will be used by Jesus, as a city that was judged by God, and their judgment will be better than these newer cities. Jesus did not list the sins of Sodom, people point to this to say that Jesus accepted their sins. This is not what Jesus meant. Jesus did not list Sodom's sins, because all Jews knew what their sins were. There are people today that say Jesus would allow their sins. This would mean that Jesus was teaching another teaching other than what God the Father taught in the Old Testament. This would make Jesus statements about being the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) false. How can God hold both of these teachings, and still be absolute truth. This is not possible. The fact that Church's are moving in this direction, proves that the world is going by God's Book, and sets up the rise of an apostate church. This issue divides God's House. Where do you stand??

374th Post Jesus On Harsh words for the Religious System Con't. - John 9:41.

John 9: 41.
If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, "We see." Therefore your sin remains.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. This is the most telling observation Jesus made concerning the religious leaders. The leaders were supposed to be leading the people in the way of righteousness, but Jesus calls them blind. They can not see or understand the truth. In the previous chapter of John, Jesus was exposing all the faults of the religious leaders. Jesus called them blind because they were teaching the people to act contrary to what God teaches. They were in a position of authority, and were using this position to lead the people in the wrong direction. So when the Pharisees said that they are not blind, they were saying that they know the truth and just refuse to lead the people in the right direction. This is why Jesus said that your sin remains. They admitted to willfully leading the people astray. The Pharisees believed that if you taught the Scriptures, you could not sin. This was their stumbling block, they believed they were right and Jesus was wrong. If this was true, we would not need a Savior. We are in a better position to understand the words of Jesus than the Pharisees of Jesus' day. This is not an excuse but an observation. If their heart was in the right place, they would see the truth. Can you hear the truth??

373rd Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - John 8: 43 - 47.

John 8: 43 - 47.
Why do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell you the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.
Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees about 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. This is Jesus' strongest rebuke of the Pharisees yet. Remember Jesus started off telling them that they could not be of Abraham's descendants, because they do not believe God, while Abraham did. Then Jesus said that because you do not follow father Abraham, you have to be following their other father Satan. He is the murderer that Jesus was talking about and the father of lies. God and Satan can not be equal. God can only tell the truth, and Satan can only lie. The truth is stronger than any lie, so there is no equality. Good will always win out in the end. Whose your father??

372nd Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - John 8: 37- 41.

John 8: 37 - 41.
I know you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. To understand this passage, you need to know Abraham's story. Abraham heard and listened to everything God told him to do. Abraham loved God and would never think of killing Him, if that were possible. You can see the disconnect between Abraham's descendants and Abraham. Jesus has been telling them about Godly things, but they are choosing not to believe Jesus. Abraham was a Godly person and tried to do what is right in God's eyes. Abraham's descendants are living and listening to Satan and following him. Jesus says you either live for God, or you live for Satan. There is no middle ground. Where do you find yourself? If you don't like where you are, there is still time to change your position. The discision is up to you.

371st Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - John 8: 23 - 24.

John 8: 23 - 24.
You are from beneath, I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
This was spoken by Jesus 1.1/2 to 2 years into His earthly ministry. It is interesting that we are looking into this passage. This is a similar argument we are using today; people are trying to say Jesus was not God but only a man. This is the same argument the Pharisees made to Jesus. The Pharisees saw that Jesus looked like them so He had to be like them. They could not understand what Jesus was saying here. Jesus says "You are from beneath, I am from above." Jesus was saying I have come from Heaven, from My heavenly Father. You on the other hand are from this world. Jesus implies that He is different, because of the miracles He can perform. There are people saying that we can become just like Jesus. This is not true! Since Jesus is different, He can forgive sin. Humans can not do this!! Jesus told them flat out, "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Jesus was telling the that He is the Messiah and the Son of God." How else could He have been born of a virgin, if He was not part of God?? We can never be like Jesus Christ! Jesus wants us to try to live His example, that is the closest we can come to be like Jesus. We will never become Him!! Where are you in your walk??

370th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - John 5: 41 - 47.

John 5: 41 - 47.
I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you don't have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, notice Jesus accuses them of not having the love of God in them. He was really telling them they do not have the love for God in them. Then Jesus goes on saying that I came in My Father's name; and you received Me not. But you will receive another who comes in his own name and receive him. Jesus is saying that I come as a messenger from God and you don't receive Me. But you will receive anyone else. The one who accuses them is Moses, but they don't believe the words of Moses, so it is Moses who accuses them. The Love of God, that seems to be the stumbling block even today. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ? Or are you a Pharisee? Which one are you??

369th Post Jesus On Harsh Words to the Religious System Con't. John 3: 10 - 13 Con't,

John 3: 10 - 13. Jesus meets with Nicodemus - continued.
Look at the passage in John that I posted #368. Pay attention to the capitalized words We, and Our. These were capitalized, to call attention to the people Jesus was talking about was Jesus Himself and the Father - God. John the Baptist told the people that the one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he needed to be born again in the spirit. This happens when you believe that Jesus is your Messiah and Savior. Baptism is a symbolic and public admission of your belief in Jesus Christ. Nicodemus knew the Old Testament, that pointed to the Messiah, but he needed further teaching from Jesus to make his belief whole. If you lived before Christ and died, if you believed in the promise of the coming of the Messiah, you would be justified by your faith. Jesus has now revealed the Spirit, and because of that, you need to believe in Christ to have eternal life.

368th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - John 3: 10 - 13.

John 3: 10 - 13 Jesus Night Meeting with Nicodemus.
Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify that We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
This meeting was at the very beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, several days after the Wedding in Canna, but this meeting is in Jerusalem. Nicodemus gets a lot of negative press for coming to Jesus at night; hopefully this post will make you cut him some slack. Jesus was teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem, Nicodemus was there and heard what He said. False Messiah's had already been plentiful up to this time. I believe Nicodemus, being a Pharisee had a lot to lose if he was seen with Jesus. This is why Nicodemus came to Him at night. Nicodemus calls Jesus a teacher, because no one could do and say what you do unless the Lord be with Him. This shows that Nicodemus thought Jesus was somebody special. Our text starts right after Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again. Clearly Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant, Nicodemus was old and he thought he would have to crawl back into his mother's womb. I am running out of room so I will continue next post.

367th Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 19: 46

Luke 19: 46; Matthew 21: 13; Mark 11:17; John 2: 16
It is written, "My house is a house of prayer,"but you made it a "den of thieves."
This was spoken by Jesus, but when? Luke, Matthew and Mark's Gospels; put this at the end of Jesus' Ministry during His last week before His Crucifixion. John's Gospel, puts it at the very beginning of Jesus' Ministry, right after Jesus talks to Nicodemus. You would think John would have to have this story listed twice in his' gospel; but he does not. When this happened, or whether it happened once or twice is not what is important. What is important is why did Jesus say this at all? Exodus 30:11, says that a Temple Tax of 1/2 Sheckel was due for every male 20 years and older as payment as ransom for their life. This was to remind them that they were bought by a price. This points to the price paid by Jesus Christ the Messiah. As the Jews were dispersed from Israel because of their unbelief, the Temple started to change their currency into sheckels as a courtesy. The Religious leaders added the selling of animals to increase their business. God setup the tax, but He did not condone the fact the the Religious leaders were charging a fee for this service. Since God instituted this tax and Jesus His Son paid the price, this was all the authority Jesus needed. You see just how far from the truth we will go when we rely on our own understanding instead of God's. Are you straying? You can come back. It is up to you.

366th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 16: 15 - 17

Luke 16: 15 - 17, Matthew 5: 18, 11: 12 - 13.
You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fall.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. We tend to think that Jesus was only talking to the religious leaders of His day. If you read this text you will notice Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away easier than one tittle of the law to fall. It is strange that Jesus would say that, He being God would know the end of the world would not come till these people He was talking to were long dead. This begs the question, why did He say that? The only answer that makes sense, is to provide us with the understanding that the way the Religious leaders (of His day) were teaching us is wrong and we need to pay more attention to what Jesus Said. This is the point of this study. To follow God, you must humble yourself, repent and take up your cross and follow Jesus. Jesus is a hard act to follow, but that is what He requires of us. Look at your life. Who is getting the Glory? You or God? There is still time to make things right. It is up to you.

365th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 13: 15 - 16..

Luke 13: 15 - 16.
Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound - think of it - for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. On the surface, this looks like what we have been discussing til you get to the part of the story that mentions 18 years. To understand this better you need to go back to verse 10 of Luke 13. Jesus was teaching in the Temple on the Sabbath when He saw this woman come into view who was crippled, Jesus had compassion and relieved her suffering. Jesus has made it a point to be in Jerusalem and in the Temple on the Sabbath; now Jesus appeals to the Religious leaders to admit that they water their beasts of burden on the Sabbath. Then Jesus reminds them that this woman He healed was a daughter of Abraham. Then Jesus mentions that Satan is involved. The Sabbath is the Lord's Day of the Old Testament, this makes it God's problem as well. God is always greater than Satan, and it was right that Jesus would be about His Father's Business. The fact that the Religious leaders did not understand this shows the depths of their hypocrisy.

364th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 12: 1 - 3.

Luke 12: 1 - 3.
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage deals with hypocrisy, and when we read these words we can see the faults of the Pharisees easily; but we forget that we can also fall into the same trap as the Pharisees. And like the Pharisees, we can easily overlook our short comings as they did. We need to remember, that like the Pharisees, we need to be sure our walk matches our talk, or we too will fall into the same trap. God will not be mocked, and His truth will always come to the surface, no matter how hard we try to hide or bury it. Pride is our biggest enemy. When we are full of pride we are fast to accuse others, and expose their faults. We forget that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and there is no health in any of us. This is the whole reason we need a Savior; and Jesus Christ is He because He paid the price of out salvation.

363rd Post Jesus Said Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 11:52 s

Luke 11: 52
Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Read this passage carefully, Jesus is making His strongest rebuke yet. He is exposing the religious system for knowing the truth, and yet leading the people in the opposite direction, because of their unwillingness to do what is right in the sight of God. Notice Jesus said that they did not enter themselves; and they became a stumbling block to others whom they were teaching. This is the cost of hypocrisy. We are being taught to speak of Christian values, but not so much about actually living what we speak. Jesus tells us to expose evil by examining their fruits. We also have to have our actions match what we teach. We call ourselves a Christian nation, but look at what we are allowing to be done in this nation and our Churches. We will be held accountable by God for this. Contrary to popular belief, revival starts with us, not others. For revival to happen, we need to confess our sins and repent and pray, and God will hear from Heaven and heal our land. We need to make sure we are leading in the right direction, and not hindering others looking to us for direction.

362nd Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Cont'. - Luke 11: 46.

Luke 11: 46.
Woe to you also lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
This was spoken by Jesus to the scribes in particular. You have to remember that the word scribe means person who reads,writes and interprets the law. The law is the Law of God, and the Law of the state. There are three groups that could be scribes. Of the religious types you have the Pharisees, and the Sadducees, and the scribe could be an unbeliever as well. In the previous posts, Jesus has been picking on the Pharisees only. Now He is including the Sadducees' as well, along with the lawyers who just interprets the "State" law. The Sadducees were primarily interested in running the Temple. However, this was done on rotation basis. Levites living in all parts of Israel would be called upon to serve in the Temple in Jerusalem. It took a lot of man power to run the Temple, and all Levites, would help in the running of the Temple in their different capacities. They were divided into a 24 group rotation, so each group would serve in the Temple twice a year. According to this, the Sadducees would have to have another source of work and income to feed their families. The religious leaders and the lawyers believed that they were above the law. They believed that they were exempt because they were interpreting the law for the common folk. Jesus was telling them that the Law was written for all men and should be kept by all men not just others you feel are below you. We have all sinned and fallen short of the Kingdom of God, this is why we need a Savior!

361st Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 25 - 26.

Matthew 23: 25 - 26.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of earthly Ministry before He was to be crucified.
Jesus was talking from the Temple along the colonade of Solomon, on the east side of the temple, where He could look across the Kidron valley and see the Mount of Olives. Notice how carefully Jesus worded this passage. It takes more trouble to wash only the outside of a cup and dish than to wash the whole thing. Jesus was telling them that they take great care to wash only the outside (outward appearance) instead of cleaning their inside as well. Jesus goes on to say if you cleanse the inside the outside will be clean also. If you have done dishes, you know that concentrating on cleaning the inside you wash the out side at the same time. The Pharisees, acted the part of a pious religious leader, but they lived quite differently. Look at the words Jesus used to describe their behavior, extortion and self indulgence. These are not the attributes Jesus was teaching the people. Jesus taught to be humble, and be empathetic to the rest of the group. Think of your self last. Where would you weigh in on this passage?

360th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 23 - 24.

Matthew 23: 23 - 24.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of Ministry on Earth, before He was to be crucified.
The Pharisees prided themselves with how well they kept the Law. They kept the letter of the Law, but did not see that the Law also was meant to protect the weaker ones by modifying the Law to match a weaker one's situation. An example would be throwing a widow out of her house because she could not pay all of the temple costs. Justice, mercy and faith. Justice in that situation mentioned above would be to cast her out of her house. Mercy, would be to accept whatever she could pay, and count the account closed. Faith, would be believing that the Lord would see and make up the difference. The Pharisees, in keeping the letter of the Law, forgot that God is a loving and compassionate God. This was going to be shown the whole world later in the week when Jesus would be crucified. Even, this did not cause the Pharisees to repent! How do you treat other people? Like the Pharisees? Or with more compassion? Do you need to make a change??

359th Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 16 - 22.

Matthew 23: 16 - 22.
Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold in the temple, he is obliged to perform it." Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, "Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it." Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the temple, swears by it and Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.
This was spoken by Jesus during the last week of His earthly Ministry; before He was to be crucified. This passage shows the disconnect between what the Scriptures say and the Pharisees believed. The Pharisees believed you could swear, one of two ways. One way you were held accountable for that oath, and the other way you were not. The problem with the oath, was that God in the Scriptures told us not to do it at all. Our yes, was to be yes. And our no, No!. Why did God not want us to swear by oaths? If you have to swear that you are telling the truth, that means you lie the rest of the time. Swearing an oath in a court of Law, is not the same, because you are entering your testimony into the court record. Do you tell the truth? Or do you use oaths?

358th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 15

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week on earth before He was to be crucified. This is a very stern warning from Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees, but it can apply to people in our own day. The scribes and Pharisees, were the main teachers of God at the time of Jesus. Their view of God, did not match the view Jesus was teaching the people. Both messages came from God, so both messages should have been the same. Why did not this happen? The scribes and Pharisees, placed themselves above the Law, meaning it was OK for them to tell others to keep the Law, but they did not have to themselves. This is why Jesus called them Hypocrites! To understand the last part of this passage, I will explain it from a Godly position, the scribes and Pharisees did exactly the opposite. Jesus said the a student can never be greater than his teacher. The teacher teaches, but can never teach the student all he knows. The teacher has spent years studying and gives the student the benefit of that study. When the student starts to teach, he uses the knowledge already given him and builds on it, but he will never have the foundation of knowledge that his teacher has. Negatively speaking, Jesus was telling them that as they are teaching different position, that position gets further and further from the truth with each new student. If you apply your lessons on Scripture, and keep it in the context of God's Word, you will teach correctly.

357th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious Leaders Con't.- Matthew 23: 13 - 14.

Matthew 23: 13 - 14
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of Ministry, before He was to die on the cross. As we mentioned in our previous posts, Jesus was very critical of the scribes and Pharisees; they were supposed to be leading the people to God, but instead were leading the people astray. They were hindering the work of Jesus, they would sit in the back and to the side of the group, and intimidate new believers from joining Jesus. They did this through their false leadership. The second part of this passage shows the ways that the scribes and Pharisees, showed their Godlessness, by taking advantage of widows' and stealing their possessions, under the pretext of doing God's work. The Scriptures tell us over and over we are to protect the widows' and orphans' and all the less fortunate. The Pharisees would hide their evil with long prayers. Jesus taught us to pray in secret and not to keep repeating meaningless words and phrases that have lost their meaning. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. Contradiction is never a good thing. This is what Jesus was calling the scribes and Pharisees on. How is your walk??

356th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 2- 7 Con't. 3rd Post

Matthew 23: 2 -7 Continued 3rd post.
The scribes and Pharisees enjoyed the best places etc. The Religious Leaders enjoyed the notoriety of their positions. They enjoyed the best places at feasts, meaning the best seat at the table. The best place in the marketplace, and to be made a fuss over no matter where they went. This is contrary to what Jesus said and did. Jesus was teaching humility, while they taught "Its all about Me"!! Who was getting the glory here? Who is supposed to be getting the Glory? What did Moses teach? The same exact thing Jesus taught. The Pharisees enjoyed being called "Rabbi", teacher. Everything the Pharisees did was in contradiction to what Jesus taught. Before you start pointing your finger at the Pharisees, remember that Jesus also taught, that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees in order to get into Heaven. This means we have to study as hard as them, and remain humble like the example Christ gave us. You can do that by remembering Who Gets the Glory. It is not us who have been given the opportunity to bring God's Word to you, whether in Church or Sunday School, Bible Class, or even by blog. The reason, we do it is to spread God's understand to you through our efforts. It is always God who should be getting the Glory, not us! Praise God!

355th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23:2 - 7 Con't.

Matthew 23: 2 - 7 Continued 2nd post.
The scribes and Pharisees placed these burdens on the people, and felt they did not sin, so they were exempt from having to comply with these extra laws. This is what was behind their arguments with Jesus about His authority; by their standards Jesus had no authority. Every time the Religious Leaders did something good, they made sure they were seen doing it. Jesus taught that you were to do in secret, and God would reward you in secret. Contrary to what the leaders taught. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. The laws pertaining to these are found in Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy says that the phylacteries (Prayer Boxes) should be small, they are attached to the body with black leather strips. These boxes could be worn on your finger or on your forehead. The prayer boxes contained small strips of paper with pieces of Scripture written on them. The reason for placement on your finger or forehead, was so that they would be seen in the case of your finger when reading the scripture. Forehead to be felt and reminding you to keep the verses inside the box close to your mind and heart. In Israel today, you can see people wearing both styles near the Wailing Wall. The borders of their garments, is talking about their Prayer Shawls, this also is explained in Deuteronomy. The Pharisees introduced more colors and elaborate fringe to their garments to set them apart from the rest of the people. The word "Pharisee" means set apart.
I see I am running out of space again. Continued next post.

354th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 23: 2 - 7.

Matthew 23: 2 - 7
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the boarders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and be called by men, "Rabbi, Rabbi."
This was spoken by Jesus during the last week of His earthly Ministry. It may take more than one post to explain this passage.
The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; but unlike Moses, they thought themselves above the law, and did not sin. Moses on the other hand knew every mighty thing he did came from God and not him. Moses always gave god the glory! Moses lived under by the same laws that God told him to give to the people. And did not see himself above the law of God. This is what the second sentence of this passage is talking about. That was why they were telling others to do and they themselves did not do. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, these were the added laws that they told the people to keep that were not in God's Word. The classic example is their laws concerning the Sabbath and work. I will continue this next post.

353rd Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religiou System Con't. - Matthew 21: 42 - 44.

Matthew 21: 42 - 44.
Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes"? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of earthly ministry. Jesus quotes Psalm 118: 22-23. Telling the people this is the Lord's doing. What Jesus meant by this that His authority was given by God rather than from man. Verse 44 of Matthew combines the Scriptures of Isaiah 8:14, and Daniel 2: 34, 44. Jesus claims to be the destroyer of earthly kingdoms, and the founder of God's Kingdom. These passages prophecy that the Jewish Leaders will oppose the Messiah (Jesus), and will be crushed by Him. This is the meaning of the stone quote used frequently in the rest of the New Testament. Old Testament prophecy is alive and well throughout the New Testament, and is especially there in Revelation. Daniel and John both saw the end of the world. Daniel could not understand it and it frightened him. In order to understand Revelation, you need to bring the whole Bible to the study, not just your pet verses. The Bible is God's Word, from Genesis to Revelation, and God's Word interprets God's Word.
Do you believe Jesus is the Savior? We have been establishing the facts from Scripture, are you convinced yet? If you are, what are you going to do about it??

352nd Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious Systems Con't. - Matthew 21: 31 - 32.

Matthew 21: 31 - 32.
Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believed him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
This was spoken by Jesus during the last days of His earthly ministry. Jesus had just told the Parable of the Two Sons. This is part of the on going lessons concerning who will enter the Kingdom of God. Notice Jesus tells the Religious Leaders, that the tax collectors and harlots will enter the Kingdom of God before them. In the eyes of the Religious Leaders, tax collectors and harlots have no chance of entering the Kingdom of God because they are sinners. Jesus is telling them that the sinners will get into the Kingdom ahead of the Religious Leaders. Jesus points out to the Leaders that they rejected the teachings of John the Baptist while the tax collectors and harlots believed him. Their belief was counted as righteousness. Jesus was telling the Leaders that their unwillingness to listen to the Words of the Lord will be counted against them. The Leaders were given the best opportunity to get to know God, but they were stuck in their traditions and own understanding that they rejected God. The tax collectors and harlots came with childlike faith, and they recognized they had a need to be saved, and believed the truth. Have you made a decision yet? Only you can make this decision. It is up to you!!

351st Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 16: 8 - 11.

Matthew 16: 8 - 11.
O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? - but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 - 2 years into His earthly Ministry. Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the four thousand. The Pharisees and Sadducees had just demanded another sign from Jesus. This passage takes place the next day after the feeding, and the Disciples and Jesus were in a boat going across the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were thinking among themselves they had brought no bread with them. Jesus tells the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The disciples thought of physical bread, Jesus was talking about Spiritual Leaven. The Leaven Jesus was talking about was unbelief. Unbelief like faith, does not take very much to affect the whole lump or batch. The people Jesus had reached through His miracles, had little knowledge to go with that faith, and because of that were very fragile and could either strengthen or weaken because of the force of unbelief. The new believer's needed to be protected from the unbelievers until they could receive more teaching to make them strong to stand on their own. I believe this is a big problem in our Church's today. We turn new believer's into workers too quickly, and then we stop feeding them, and we justify it by saying we gave them the tools to feed themselves. Providing the tools, and not providing the instruction in how to use the tools is worthless!! This is shown by the huge turnover provided by our so called new believers, when put into a leadership or teaching role.

350th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 15: 13 - 14.

Matthew 15: 13 - 14
Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind teachers of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. Jesus is talking to the disciples after being harassed by the Pharisees in Jerusalem. The disciples had come to Jesus to tell Him that He had offended these influential Pharisees. Every plant in this passage stand for Doctrine of mere human tradition verses the Doctrine of God. The Pharisees had a long history of creating Doctrine and passing it off as God's Doctrine. A Classic example is concerning the Sabbath.
The Scriptures say, "Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy". Nowhere in this passage does it say, how many steps you can take before it becomes work, or even defines work. That all came from man's interpretation of the Scriptures. Notice, Jesus tells His disciples to leave them alone, they are blind teachers of the blind, and only blind will follow them. Consentrate then on teaching the truth. The people will come to hear the truth. Look at the first part of this passage. "Every plant that my Father has not planted will be uprooted." These blind teachers will be uprooted, because the Father did not plant them. This is quite serious. We as Bible Teachers are called to keep our message based on God's Doctrine Only, and not create our own Doctrine. This is very clear. If you teach, remember this!!

349th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 15: 3 - 9 Con't. - 2nd Post

Matthew 15: 3 - 9 Continued, 2nd Post.
The last part of the commandment of God was, that if you did not Honor your father or mother you were to be put to death. The Pharisees' totally disregarded this part of the commandment, we did not curse them so this part of the commandment does not apply to us. Withholding money in this way was was a form of cursing, in God's eyes. This is why Jesus called the Pharisees Hypocrites! We are guilty of this today, we are allowing the government to take care of our aging parents, and not helping to our full ability. A lot of our seniors are losing their houses, and forced to live on the streets. We like the Pharisees, will be called to account for this sin.

This is just one area, where we have made our traditions greater than the commandment of God. We will be called in account for all these breeches in following God's true direction. We are dumbing down God's Word in our Churches to the degree, that some of our beliefs run the complete opposite of God's. Like the generations before us we have trusted in the Lord according to our own understanding instead of God's. And like them, we may find ourselves on the wrong side of the door when it is closed. It is our personal job to make sure that we are following God, and not men. Reading the Bible, will keep you on the right path. Are you reading the Bible daily?? No one can do this for you!

348th Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Matthew 15: 3 -9.

Matthew 15: 3 - 9.
Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, "Honor your father and your mother"; and, "He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death." But you say, "Whoever says to his father or mother, 'Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God' - then he need not honor his father or mother." Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophecy about you saying: "These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. The Pharisees were guilty of this practice. Jesus told them the Scriptures state "Honor your father and mother." This means the children were to take care of their parents in their old age, as payment for the parents taking care of the children's needs while they were growing up. The Pharisees would shift the responsibility to God, by saying that everything the parents did was a gift from God; then they would only have to tithe to the Temple and disregard their parents needs. This is not what God had intended. You were to tithe to God, and take care of your parents to keep this commandment. This is what Jesus meant when He said "Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. This will be continued next post.

347th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious Leaders Con't. - Matthew 11: 7-10 - Con't. - 2nd Post.

Matthew 11: 7 -10 Continued 2nd post.
Jesus went on to talk about children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, didn't we play the flute for you, and you did not dance. Here Jesus was making the point, that John and the prophets that came before, did all in their power to get the people to come to a true understanding of God. But the religious leaders told the people that John the Baptist was demon possessed. Jesus comes along, with a softer, kinder message, and they discount Him also, calling Him a winebibber, and one who hangs out with protitutes, tax collectors and sinners. Jesus was telling them that God's prophets had done everything in their power to get the people to believe, but to no success. Clearly, here Jesus is very upset with the Jews and the condition of their hearts.
You have to remember that this is in the time of the Gentiles, and during this time the Jews will be very stiffed necked people. They will be this way until the time of the Gentiles is over. This will not happen until the anti-christ goes to the temple mount and tells the people he is god and to worship him. Jesus ends this passage with "But wisdom is justified by her children." Jesus has told us that when we have faith like children, we will receive the Kingdom of God. Believer's have this kind of faith. What sort of faith do you have? Only you can do something to change it, with God's help.

346th Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System - Con't. - Matthew 11: 7 -10.

Matthew 11: 7-10.
What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You." And from the days of John Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, it is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you and you did not lament." For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by her children.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry; as the disciples of John the Baptist were departing from Jesus after they asked if Jesus was the Christ, or should they look for another. Jesus starts out by asking the people who they went out into the wilderness to see, a reed shaken by the wind? This was is direct response to John's disciples coming to ask Jesus that question. Jesus answer was No! Clearly, Jesus knew John's heart. If you look back in Scripture, you will see that the prophets wavered a little after they had been used by God. John the Baptist was looking for a Messiah, more on the apocolyptic side, and Jesus was more on the grace and teaching side. The apocolyptic side will be the way Jesus comes back to earth. Jesus then asked the people if they went out in the wilderness seeking a man dressed in fine clothes? No! You found a rugged man dressed in camel hair with a large belt around his waist. Seems there was someone else that fit that discription, his name was Elijah. Jesus said that John the Baptist was more than a prophet. He did the job of Elijah. This opens the door for an Elijah, type to be one of the witnesses during the Tribulation period. I am running out of space, will continue next post.

345th Post Jesus On Harsh Words for the Religious System Con't. - Luke 13: 28 - 29..

Luke 13: 28 - 29.
And I say to you that many will come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This was spoken by Jesus late in his earthly ministry. We had looked at this passage already as part of the study on the broad and narrow road; at that time we were looking at regular people rejecting Jesus Christ and His message. Now we are looking at this same passage from the stand point of rejection of Jesus from the religious leaders. If you have read the Bible both Old and New Testaments, you will have read about false teachers, and prophets before. These people were responsible for leading the people away from God. There is consequences for this behavior. To whom much is given much is required. The Religious Leaders of Jesus day were no different, just like the common folks, they had to make a decision concerning Jesus. They unlike the common folk, had the Scriptures to refer to, to help to make this decision. They chose not to accept Jesus and will pay the full price for their unbelief. Part of this price is watching others, non Jews taking the places at the feast that they should have had. They lost their seats when they rejected Jesus. These people studied the Scriptures to be found worthy to teach, but instead applied the teaching according to their own understanding, and not God's. This is why they were rejected. It is important to keep the faith, all of it. Not just parts that you are comfortable with. God's Word is God's Word! And Jesus told us to keep it! Where will you be at this feast? Going in? Or on the outside looking in? It is up to you where you end up. Only you can change you.

344th Post Jesus on Harsh Words for the Religious System - New Subject - Introduction.

This next series of Bible passages, will deal with Jesus and the disconnect between Him, and their understanding of the Scriptures. It is important to understand, that the Sadducees and the Pharisees did not understand Scripture in the same way as Jesus. The Old Testament says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3: 5 - 6. Jesus was preaching the very same message that was given to the people by Moses. The religious leaders mentioned above were supposed to be teaching the people this same information. If the message is the same, then why is there a disconnect between the religious leaders and Jesus? This is a very good question, these leaders should have been at the head of the line of believers in Jesus and what He taught. The truth was that they were His greatest opposition, and worked together to cause His death. If this is true, why don't Christians hate the Jews? This also is a good question. If you are a Christian and hold no annomosity against the Jews, it is because you know that it was sin that caused Jesus to be crucified, their sin combined with ours. Paul tells us "that while we were still in our sin Jesus died for us." Christians need to remember that Jesus was born a Jew and God held the Jews in a position of Promise. This did not change when the religious leaders caused the death of Jesus. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just Jews and Christians. To be included, all you have to do is believe that Jesus died for you, and you will be saved! If you have not made this decision, the time is now!!

343rd Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - John 20: 21 - 23.

John 20: 21 - 23.
Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room after Jesus has been raised from the dead. Jesus has just entered the room with the doors and the windows locked, without someone opening a door or a window to allow Him to enter. Jesus is commissioning the disciples to carry on His work. The last part of this passage seems a little strong. You have to remember that Jesus was calling them to grow the Church. This is the second time Jesus used this word. The first time was when he placed his hands on Peter and said "upon this rock I will build this Church." Notice Jesus did not use the word Temple. The Church did not have to meet in the Temple in Jerusalem anymore. Why is this? The Temple and its rituals pointed to the coming Messiah. Jesus Christ fulfilled those rituals, so it was not necessary to continue to worship there. The disciples were given the power to forgive, or not sins. How is this possible? Belief that Jesus came and died for your sins, and was raised as acceptance for that sacrifice is what is required for your sins to be forgiven. If you have asked your sins to be forgiven, but do not believe that Jesus Christ died and rose for your sins, you are still in your sin!

342nd Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - John 15: 9 -15 Con't.

John 15: 9 - 15 Continued 3rd post.
Jesus tells His Disciples that they are no longer servants, but friends. Servants don't know what the master is doing or thinking, they only do what he says, blindly following orders. Jesus tells the disciples that they have been elevated to a higher position, friends. As friends, they are more in formed to what the plans and duties are. Jesus adopted us. What does this mean? We are not related by blood, but we are part of the family through adoption. At the time of Jesus, adopted children could not be disowned by the adopted parents. This means once you are adopted, the parents had to keep you as part of the family. The parents could disown their own natural children, but could not do the same for their adopted family. See the symbolism here. You are not blood relations, but you are treated with the same perks as a blood relation. Plus you could not be cast out. That's pretty good. Some church's teach that you and Jesus are of the same family, meaning blood relations. Clearly this is not what the Bible teaches. This is why it is important to keep your nose in the Bible, and to continue to read it. The Bible is the Word of God and is Truth!! To know the truth, you must read the Bible.

341st Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - John 15: 9 - 15 Con't.

John 15: 9 - 15 Continued 2nd post.
Jesus went on to say that just as He had kept His Father's commandments, Jesus abides in His love. Jesus is telling His disciples, that just as Jesus kept His Father's commandments, the disciples are held to those same teachings. Jesus did not come into the world to give us a new teaching. It looks new, because the Old Testament was taught by men, and they were leaning on their own understanding of the Word of God instead of God's. This is due to our sinful nature. You can see the disconnect today as our church's profess things that Jesus clearly did not teach. Wide is the road that leads to destruction, but narrow is the way of truth, and few find it. Jesus mentions love a lot in this passage. But look at the type of Love Jesus is talking about. Jesus was to go to the cross in a few hours. Why was Jesus going to die?? Adam broke God's law in the Garden of Eden, allowing sin to come into the world. Jesus had to die according to God the Father's Law. Jesus being perfect, would be the perfect sacrifice needed to save the people from their sins. This is what the Old Testament Sacrament of Passover symbolizes. This is what Jesus means when He tells the disciples, greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends. Love means more than sharing good feelings, Jesus was going to endure the pain of the cross and death for our salvation. Jesus knew the cost, and paid it willingly, and happily. We are to remember this and live our lives in the same way. This gives the term living for others a new meaning. We are to die if need be for our friends. Are you ready to do that?? That is the goal.

340th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - John 15: 9 -15.

John 15: 9 - 15
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. Many people in the Church today, ask what am I to do? Or they just come to Church on Sunday, looking to be entertained, and then go home and continue with their life as usual outside of Church. Clearly, this is not what Jesus wanted the Church to become. Jesus starts out saying as the Father loved Me, so I have loved you. Jesus goes on to say if you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love. Jesus is telling the disciples they must keep His commandments, not just listen to them. They are to make them a part of their lives. This is what the word abide means, to remain. I will continue next post.