Matthew 10: 24 - 26; Mark 4:22; Luke 6:40; 8:17; & 12:2.
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house of Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage shows Jesus' as God, for he spoke on behalf of his disciples at the time He spoke, and all future disciples of His. Jesus again shows us that He could take complex things and explain them simply. The second part of this text, can be confusing without further study. When Jesus said "they have called the master of the house Beelzebub", He is speaking to the Pharisees of His time, and false teachers in the future. If you remember the Pharisees, said that Jesus was getting His power from Beelzebub (Prince of demons). Jesus was representing God, so the Pharisees were saying that the master of the Temple was Beelzebub, according to Jesus. This is not the truth! All throughout history, people have tried to use this line of attack, to attack Jesus, and His followers. Jesus tells us to keep speaking the truth, and it will be revealed. No matter how much they try to destroy or cover the truth, it will be uncovered in the end. This is Jesus promise to us.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
435th Post Jesus Predictions Concerning Persection of His Followers Con't. - Matthew 10: 16 - 23 Cont'd.
Matthew 10: 16 - 23 Continued.
Jesus tells us that He will be there right with us when we are being persecuted, and will stay with us no matter what happens. God the Father will give us the words to say in our own defense. What could be better than that. The Father and Jesus helping us in our hour of need. This is a real promise. With all this good news, we can miss the part that says that you must endure to the end to be saved. This teaching is not dwelt on enough, I believe. The Bible tells us to endure to the end, or stay connected, or finish the race. All of these say the same thing. Once we make a commitment to follow Jesus, we must continue until death, or the Lord comes for you, which ever comes first.
Now the last part of this text, seems not to make sense. The part about not going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Jesus spoke these words at two different times. The first time was 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these words before He sent His disciples out two by two. At that time, the disciples were only gone a short while, this is what Jesus meant when He said, "You will not have gone through all the cities of Israel before they see Jesus again. God's word is Truth and can not lie!
Jesus tells us that He will be there right with us when we are being persecuted, and will stay with us no matter what happens. God the Father will give us the words to say in our own defense. What could be better than that. The Father and Jesus helping us in our hour of need. This is a real promise. With all this good news, we can miss the part that says that you must endure to the end to be saved. This teaching is not dwelt on enough, I believe. The Bible tells us to endure to the end, or stay connected, or finish the race. All of these say the same thing. Once we make a commitment to follow Jesus, we must continue until death, or the Lord comes for you, which ever comes first.
Now the last part of this text, seems not to make sense. The part about not going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Jesus spoke these words at two different times. The first time was 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these words before He sent His disciples out two by two. At that time, the disciples were only gone a short while, this is what Jesus meant when He said, "You will not have gone through all the cities of Israel before they see Jesus again. God's word is Truth and can not lie!
434th Post Jesus Predictions of Persecution of His Followers Con't. Matthew 10: 16 - 23 Con't.
Matthew 10: 16 - 23; Mark 13: 9 - 13; Luke 10: 3, 21: 13 - 19 Continued.
Jesus tells His followers that He is sending them out as sheep among wolves. To be Jesus' representative we are to be like sheep, meaning peaceful and humble. This will be hard for us, because human nature asks us to render in kind the treatment received by us. This is not the teaching of Jesus, we are to meek and humble. This teaching does not say to become the world's door mat for anyone to walk on. Meek does not mean weak; people who are wise, are slow to anger, this does not make them weak. Meek, means you know when to assert strength, and when to be passive. Jesus calls us to be wise as serpents and gentile as doves. This is a good definition of humbleness, and meekness. Jesus tells you to beware of men, and then He says they will deliver you up in councils and in their synagogues. This is a very interesting statement. Jesus is telling us that evil men will use whatever means they have to persecute you. Even places you thought you would be safe in. God is truth and will always stand for truth, so if you are proclaiming God's truth, God will know it and come to your aid. By coming to your aid, may not mean He will rescue you, He may use you to declare His Truth, and allow you to be persecuted for that truth! When you choose to follow Jesus, you put on His "yoke", like an animal of burden. What this means you submit your life to Him, Jesus does not leave you, but will be yoked to you as well. This is a special promise. When you are persecuted for His sake, He will be there right with you through all that happens. Even in death He will not leave you, but will take you where He is. Jesus tells us that we can be persecuted for Him anywhere in the world. If you look at this part of this text, you can follow these words happening to the early church martyrs. Foxe's "Book of Martyrs" is a good book to get the history of these saints.
Jesus tells His followers that He is sending them out as sheep among wolves. To be Jesus' representative we are to be like sheep, meaning peaceful and humble. This will be hard for us, because human nature asks us to render in kind the treatment received by us. This is not the teaching of Jesus, we are to meek and humble. This teaching does not say to become the world's door mat for anyone to walk on. Meek does not mean weak; people who are wise, are slow to anger, this does not make them weak. Meek, means you know when to assert strength, and when to be passive. Jesus calls us to be wise as serpents and gentile as doves. This is a good definition of humbleness, and meekness. Jesus tells you to beware of men, and then He says they will deliver you up in councils and in their synagogues. This is a very interesting statement. Jesus is telling us that evil men will use whatever means they have to persecute you. Even places you thought you would be safe in. God is truth and will always stand for truth, so if you are proclaiming God's truth, God will know it and come to your aid. By coming to your aid, may not mean He will rescue you, He may use you to declare His Truth, and allow you to be persecuted for that truth! When you choose to follow Jesus, you put on His "yoke", like an animal of burden. What this means you submit your life to Him, Jesus does not leave you, but will be yoked to you as well. This is a special promise. When you are persecuted for His sake, He will be there right with you through all that happens. Even in death He will not leave you, but will take you where He is. Jesus tells us that we can be persecuted for Him anywhere in the world. If you look at this part of this text, you can follow these words happening to the early church martyrs. Foxe's "Book of Martyrs" is a good book to get the history of these saints.
433rd Post Jesus Predictions Persecution of His Followers Con't. - Matthew 10: 16 - 23.
Matthew 10: 16 - 23; Mark 13: 9 - 13; Luke 10: 3, 21: 11 - 19.
Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
This was spoken by Jesus at least twice during His earthly ministry,the first time about 1.1/2 years into His ministry (Matthew 10: 16 - 23; Luke 10: 3); and again toward the end of His ministry (Mark 13: 9 - 13; Luke 21: 11 - 19). As usual, Jesus says a lot in a few words. I am running out of space in this blog so I will have to continue next post. It would be a good idea to have your Bible handy when looking at the continuing posts as this one will be the only one I post the text.
Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
This was spoken by Jesus at least twice during His earthly ministry,the first time about 1.1/2 years into His ministry (Matthew 10: 16 - 23; Luke 10: 3); and again toward the end of His ministry (Mark 13: 9 - 13; Luke 21: 11 - 19). As usual, Jesus says a lot in a few words. I am running out of space in this blog so I will have to continue next post. It would be a good idea to have your Bible handy when looking at the continuing posts as this one will be the only one I post the text.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
432nd Post Jesus Predictions Persecution of His Followers New Section - My Comments.
We will be looking at a new section of the Words of Jesus that Predicts the Persecution of His followers. Jesus told us from the beginning that if we follow Him we will be persecuted just like He was. Unfortunately, we try to play down this truth. Jesus taught us how to be in the world, but not a part of it. It is this change in our behavior, that causes friction between us and the rest of the world. When we are living for the world, doing as it likes; things go better for you. The world does not pick on its own. People still have problems when they live in the world, because there are consequences for living contrary to God. When you are in the world, you are alone, even when you have friends. This may not change when you decide to become a Christian, but you gain a Friend, that will never leave you, or forsake you. This is the comfort you have as a Christian, that you do not have when you are living in the world. If Jesus told us that we would be persecuted for following Him, why would any of us in our right minds still follow Him? Understanding this, puts you on the road to "Discovering the Joy" of being a Christian. When you follow Christ, your life does not suddenly get easier, it may get harder; but your outlook and understanding changes. Your joy comes from your understanding of God, Who He is; and Why He wants a personal relationship with you. Think about that for a minuet. The Creator of all things wants a personal relationship with you. You need to take time to get to know Him better. The more you know Him, the greater the change in your life. Are you changing??
431st Post Jesus Predictions Concerning His Ascension and Glorification Con't. - John 20: 17.
John 20: 17
Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."
This was spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb on the first Easter Sunday. When Jesus told Mary not to touch Him because He had not ascended to His Father in Heaven. This seems to contradict what Jesus told the thief on the cross when He said "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." God does not make mistakes, or contradict Himself. When it looks like this is the case, it is our small minds where the contradiction lies. To better understand this passage you need to have an understanding of the Tabernacle and Temple worship. These were built by man, but according to God's blueprint and design. You have to remember that Jesus dying on the cross was a type of "Sin Offering". The blood of the sacrificed lamb has to be offered on the altar of incense in the Most Holy Place. Since the High Priest must be clean before entering the Most Holy Place, this might account for Jesus telling Mary to release Him. This is hinted at here, but the Bible does not say exactly. These are mysteries that God has chosen not to reveal to us. God is God, and can do whatever He wants. We can never know as much as God, or ever take His Place. This is true, and we can not make this untrue by shouting our untruth over and over. Jesus will call His Own and you may not be called even if you believe you are good enough to be included. God knows His Own! Are you true? Or are you faux (fake)! Measure yourself against what the Bible says, not any other book!
Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."
This was spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb on the first Easter Sunday. When Jesus told Mary not to touch Him because He had not ascended to His Father in Heaven. This seems to contradict what Jesus told the thief on the cross when He said "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." God does not make mistakes, or contradict Himself. When it looks like this is the case, it is our small minds where the contradiction lies. To better understand this passage you need to have an understanding of the Tabernacle and Temple worship. These were built by man, but according to God's blueprint and design. You have to remember that Jesus dying on the cross was a type of "Sin Offering". The blood of the sacrificed lamb has to be offered on the altar of incense in the Most Holy Place. Since the High Priest must be clean before entering the Most Holy Place, this might account for Jesus telling Mary to release Him. This is hinted at here, but the Bible does not say exactly. These are mysteries that God has chosen not to reveal to us. God is God, and can do whatever He wants. We can never know as much as God, or ever take His Place. This is true, and we can not make this untrue by shouting our untruth over and over. Jesus will call His Own and you may not be called even if you believe you are good enough to be included. God knows His Own! Are you true? Or are you faux (fake)! Measure yourself against what the Bible says, not any other book!
Friday, March 2, 2012
430th Post Jesus On Predictions On His Ascension and Glorification Con't. John 16: 19 - 28 Con't.
John 16: 19 - 28 Continued.
In the last post be were looking at Jesus' prediction concerning the joy His disciples will have once He is Glorified. Up to this point in time Jesus has prayed everything in His Father's name; now Jesus is telling His disciples that they may pray directly to Him in the future. This is new, Jesus is now telling the disciples that they can pray directly to Him, instead of the Father. Here you have proof that Jesus Himself said that He is God, and it did not take three hundred years for Jesus' follower's to elevate Him to that position. This fact is also pointed out in the Letter of Hebrews, as proof that Jesus was greater than the angels, because they could not accept direct worship. The fact that Jesus is Lord, makes Him greater than all the prophets, and teachers before or after Jesus. Only Jesus can claim to be the Son of God! The Glorification of Jesus is proof that He is God! No one else has been killed and then raised their body from the dead. This is why Jesus alone can say "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." He paid the price to be able to claim this. Jesus is the Only God that Claims This!! The end of this passage says that Jesus will come from the Father and then go back to Heaven. This seems to be confusing, but if you reason it out, Jesus came the first time when He was born, He went back to the Father after His death, and then came to earth again to spend time with His follower's before He will ascend into heaven, He will not come back again until He comes again at the end of the world. This will be told the disciples by angels when Jesus ascends into Heaven.
In the last post be were looking at Jesus' prediction concerning the joy His disciples will have once He is Glorified. Up to this point in time Jesus has prayed everything in His Father's name; now Jesus is telling His disciples that they may pray directly to Him in the future. This is new, Jesus is now telling the disciples that they can pray directly to Him, instead of the Father. Here you have proof that Jesus Himself said that He is God, and it did not take three hundred years for Jesus' follower's to elevate Him to that position. This fact is also pointed out in the Letter of Hebrews, as proof that Jesus was greater than the angels, because they could not accept direct worship. The fact that Jesus is Lord, makes Him greater than all the prophets, and teachers before or after Jesus. Only Jesus can claim to be the Son of God! The Glorification of Jesus is proof that He is God! No one else has been killed and then raised their body from the dead. This is why Jesus alone can say "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." He paid the price to be able to claim this. Jesus is the Only God that Claims This!! The end of this passage says that Jesus will come from the Father and then go back to Heaven. This seems to be confusing, but if you reason it out, Jesus came the first time when He was born, He went back to the Father after His death, and then came to earth again to spend time with His follower's before He will ascend into heaven, He will not come back again until He comes again at the end of the world. This will be told the disciples by angels when Jesus ascends into Heaven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)