Corinth was a major seaport and trade center, the capital of Achaia (present day Greece). The city was very prosperous with great cultural and religious diversity. It was ripe for corruption, filled with immorality. Idolatry flourished with more than a dozen pagan temples employing more than a thousand prostitutes. The temple of the love goddess Aphrodite was there. Sex was a part of the worship ritual.

The church at Corinth had been established by Paul on his second missionary journey, made up largely of Gentiles. The Christians there were struggling with the corruption all around them and felt the pressure to adapt. Paul wrote this letter to offer solutions to the many concerns and to answer the questions that had been raised.

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift…”
The body of Christ as a whole does not lack any spiritual gift. In any body of Christ, truly seeking Him, there will be no lack of gifts. It may be that one spiritual gift may be enhanced over another if there is a need for that particular gift in that particular body.

Paul didn’t seem all that too concerned about baptism. He said Christ didn’t send him to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with his own words. Be baptized (immersed) in the Holy Spirit.

Paul tells the Corinthian church that he did not come to them with eloquence or superior wisdom, but with a personal testimony of the Spirit’s power. He was demonstrating a characteristic of the gift of evangelism. Paul was thoroughly educated in the scriptures and could have spoken with superior wisdom, yet he spoke from personal experience.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him…”
In our wildest imaginations, we can never imagine what God has prepared for us!

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”
Paul told them of salvation through Jesus. Apollos nurtured, educated, and encouraged them. But when all is said and done, it is up to God to produce the growth. We can do what we have been gifted to do, then leave it in the Lord’s very capable hands.

If we are “servants of Christ” then as servants we must do what the Master tells us to do. We are servants who have been “entrusted with the secret things of God”. It is up to us to prove faithful and share those “secret” things with others. As we learn more and more about Him, through Bible study, prayer, devotions, we must witness for Him. We must be faithful to His word and be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Therefore I urge you to imitate me…”
This appears on the surface and taken out of context to be arrogant on the part of Paul. We must read the previous passages to understand what Paul is referring to in this instance. He just told the Corinthians that he and his companions in the gospel were hungry, thirsty, in rags, brutally treated, homeless, cursed, persecuted, and slandered. And that his response to this was to bless, endure, and answer kindly.
In other words, Paul is saying that everything we do as Christians is the opposite of human logic when it comes to dealing with the enemy.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
Talk is cheap! Do all of us as Christians walk the talk?

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians was a bit different from his first one. The first was full of thanksgiving and exhortation. The second letter was a bit more somber. Apparently between the two letters, the church there had come under some persecution.

Paul wrote this second letter less than a year after writing the first one. There was some confusion among the people concerning the second coming. Many thought it was imminent and so were just waiting without doing much. He wrote this letter to clear up the confusion concerning Jesus’ second coming. Read I Thes 4:16-17 and then read II Thes 2:1-12. Paul made it very clear what things MUST take place BEFORE Jesus returns.

The events before the second coming include a “falling away” and the man of lawlessness revealed:
1. falling away
2. anti-Christ is revealed,
3. anti-Christ will declare he’s God in a temple not yet built.

The lawless one will display counterfeit signs, wonders, and miracles and deceive many people. People will perish because they do not love the truth. If we love the truth we will study and search for it. If we don’t know the truth we will be deceived.

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
We should have no fear of the evil one or the powerful forces of evil because we will be protected from spiritual harm if we trust in Him. We do need to stand firm with all the armor of God in place. (see Ephesians 6)

We must understand that spiritual warfare is real. We must take spiritual attacks seriously. How do we know when something is a spiritual attack? We must know our enemy the devil, his tactics and his style. How do we know our enemy? We must study, memorize, and apply scripture. We must be in communication with the Lord through prayer. We must be in fellowship with other believers.

As humans we think of attacks as something that hurts. In reality the attacks from Satan may feel good. He whispers in the ear such things as, “you don’t really need to go to church today, or you’re too tired to read your Bible, or you’re running late this morning so you don’t have time to pray", etc. He helps us rationalize away spiritual disciplines, (devotions, prayer, Bible study, worship and praise, fellowship with other believers) things that draw us closer to God.

Some of the devil’s deadly “Ds”:
Doubt, when unchecked leads to disbelief. Disappointment leads to discouragement, which leads to despair. Distraction, delay, discord, deceit, all lead to division.

If the things that happen to us push us away from God, then it’s from Satan. If things pulls us to God and gives glory to Him, then it’s from God no matter what it feels like to us, even if it’s painful.

What is Paul’s distinguishing mark? Could it be the large letters he uses as he writes because his vision is poor?

Apollos “was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.”

Apollos knew about Jesus but didn’t know Jesus. He, along with the Old Testament people believed in the Messiah, the Redeemer, in advance of His coming. Apollos was teaching about the Messiah.

A similar thing occurred with Paul and some followers in Ephesus. They received only the baptism of John, the baptism of repentance. Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus and they received the Holy Spirit.

Why were the seven sons of Sceva not able to drive out the evil spirit? Could it be that they were just saying words and weren’t given the power or authority to drive out demons? Notice what happened when the people heard about it. They were seized with fear and openly confessed their sins. Many who practiced sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them publicly. These scrolls were very valuable, just for the paper itself, not to mention what was inscribed on them. The parchment itself was expensive. The scripture tells us that the scrolls were worth about 50,000 days wages. That’s the equivalent of about 137 years wages. Talk about selling out!

Thessalonica was the capital and largest city in Macedonia, a Roman province. It was one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers, due mostly because of its location on the highway from Rome to the Orient. There was also a thriving seaport located there. The city was exempt from most restrictions placed by the Romans because they were allowed self rule there. It was the site of many pagan religions.

Paul tells us that faith comes first, and then works. From our faith we are motivated to do good works. Work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, endurance inspired by hope. Work is a deed or act, labor is work involving pain. We make a progression from a deed to real work that involves some sacrifice or pain, leading to endurance which is cheerful waiting.

“We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts…”
We can please men by saying what they want to hear and be a Christian, but we can’t be content to just please men, saying what they want to hear and be a servant of Christ. To be a servant of Christ we are compelled to bind or knit ourselves to Christ.

Paul mentions that the Thessalonians had suffered from the Jews. "They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they many be saved."
We couldn't help but think about the Messianic Jews in Israel, recipients of the hostility from the Orthodox Jews. The Messianics are not proselytizing the Jews but yet the Orthodox Jews don't want the Messianics to witness to the Gentiles or atheists either. Paul tells us how God feels about that. "they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last."
The same demons are at work today. The demons know the truth and want to stop it.

“…let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet…”
Again we have the faith, love, and hope as Paul gave us at the beginning of this letter. The helmet and breastplate defend the two vital parts, the head and the heart respectively. The head needs to he kept from error, the heart from sin.
Work and labor paired with faith and love. Cheerful waiting paired with salvation – the hope of eternal rest.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Remember, God is the perfect parent! It’s appropriate for us to say, “This is God’s will so it must be good for me.” We may never know how we’ve witnessed to others simply by the way we react to difficult circumstances. Look at what happened with Paul and Silas and the jailer. The saved ones are the product of our witness – our glory and joy – great is our reward!

Paul circumcises Timothy. This appears to be a contradiction. Paul had just established at the Jerusalem Conference the importance of not imposing circumcision upon the Gentile converts. He even had the decrees of the council at Jerusalem with him. Yet he circumcised Timothy. Possibly Paul thought that if Timothy remained uncircumcised he would be considered unclean by the Jews to which he would minister and that they might be prejudiced against him and his message. Paul was using circumcision in Timothy’s case, not as necessary to salvation, but conducive to the building up of the church. Timothy was to be Paul’s assistant and constant companion and might not be accepted if he were uncircumcised. (“to the Jews he became as a Jew, that he might gain the Jews”)

The slave girl in today’s passages was inhabited by a spirit. Paul commanded the spirit to leave the girl. Even though the things she was saying were true, they were not from God. This is an example of Satan’s deceit and craftiness. He will tell just a little bit of truth so that some will believe and be drawn to a particular person or group. That’s the hook. Then he will be able to teach falsehoods and so deceive people. He tells just enough truth so that people are easily fooled.

The owners of the slave girl were angry that Paul and Silas had stopped their intake of money from the girl fortune teller. That’s why they had Paul seized claiming he and Paul were advocating unlawful customs. The magistrate ordered them to be stripped and beaten. KJV says the magistrates rent off their clothes, ordering the lectors to tear them off, expressing the roughness done to prisoners, preparatory to whipping.

They were severely flogged and then placed in prison in stocks. This was the inner prison (pestilential cells) damp, dark, and cold where chains rusted on the prisoners. During the time of Paul’s journeys, many died from flogging. Many died from the stocks.

The stocks were instruments of torture, made of wood bound with iron, with holes for the feet, which were stretched apart according to the severity of the punishment or torture. Yet the response to this persecution??? Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God. The Greek words here mean “as they prayed they kept singing praises unto God”. The word for hymn is the one used for the Paschal hymn (Psalm 113 - 118) which might have been the hymn sung by Jesus and the disciples after their last supper together.

The prisoners kept listening to Paul and Silas instead of sleeping. They were awake and listening. A violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, the prison doors opened; all the prisoner’s chains were loosed. But no one escaped. What a great witness to the jailer! It was so great a witness that the jailer and his whole household were saved. When the magistrates sent for their release, Paul responded with. “No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” WAY TO GO PAUL!!!

Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s house and encouraged the brothers. Interestingly it was Paul and Silas, the ones who were tortured and imprisoned that encouraged the brothers, not the other way around.

In Athens the people had many gods and objects of worship, even an altar “To An Unknown God” just in case they had missed one. KJV says the city was wholly given to idolatry (covered with idols).

Epicureans were a well-known school of atheistic materialists, who maintained that the universe is the product of chance, and that pleasure was the chief end of human existence. Sounds a bit like humanism among other false religions today.

When they called Paul a babbler they were insulting him. It was a general term of contempt for any pretend teacher.

When Paul came to Corinth he devoted himself exclusively to preaching to the Jews. After Paul left the synagogue he left the Jews and went to the Gentiles. Then the Lord spoke to him in a vision. He was told to stay in the area and to continue speaking and that he would be protected. “So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.” It’s as if God were giving Paul a much needed time of rest, relief, and rejuvenation. Preaching vs. teaching. Paul was preaching to the perishing, teaching to the believers.

Paul writes to the church at Galatia giving them some of the most stinging words in all of his letters.
Gal 1:9-10
As we said before, and now I say again, If anyone preaches a gospel to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed. For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

He makes it perfectly clear how he feels about someone preaching another gospel. He says let them be eternally condemned. Phew!

He also writes to the church there giving his credentials to be called an apostle. He defends his position in several of the other letters as well. He wanted people to know that his revelations from God didn’t stop at his “flash bulb” experience on the road to Damascus. He let them know that he spent other time with Jesus. He also relates how he persecuted (tried to kill) the church.
He says that he was "set apart from birth." Our understanding of the English word "birth" is that it means when a child is born and makes the entrance into the world. This is not the definition of the word "birth" in the Greek or Hebrew. The origin of a living being is at conception. So Paul acknowledges that he was "set apart" at his conception.

Peter, James (Jesus' brother, not the apostle), and John were appointed to go to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles.

“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.”
Paul didn’t beat around the bush!

“What is the purpose of the law?”
The law was given as an illustration that a sacrifice must be paid for sin. Sacrifice of the animals was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice that Jesus would make for the remission of sins. The provisions of the old law were never enough. Sacrifices had to be continually made. Complete remission of sins was never satisfied. That can only come through Jesus alone. We don’t receive eternal life through strict adherence to the law. Until Jesus came people were held in bondage to the law.

“Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”
Now that Jesus has come, we aren’t bound to the strict observance of all the laws. Being given an understanding of all the laws give us better insight into the good news of salvation through Jesus, and not salvation through the law.

Some more stinging words from Paul are these:
"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?"
This is truly something to contemplate. What are some things that can "cut in" on us? When we know the truth, are we sometimes reluctant to obey the truth for fear of what others might think?

Paul speaks about an “illness” when he first preached the gospel and that it was a trial to them.
“…you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me…”

Is Paul’s vision not completely restored? Did the blinding light on that road to Damascus still have lingering affects? Did the beatings and stoning have residual affects? Did the marks on his body include a visual reminder?
“See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand.”

“…for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus…”
Paul was experiencing the many persecutions that he himself had inflicted on Jesus’ followers.

REMINDER
Discussion Session - our home 
7:00 pm Monday night, November 26

Paul and Barnabas were “sent on their way by the Holy Spirit…” What does it mean to be sent by the Holy Spirit?

“…all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
This is the foreknowledge of God, not predestination. God knew ahead of time whose names were written in the Book of Life.

Persecution was stirred up against Paul and Barnabas, “So they shook the dust from their feet…”
Often the Jews would shake the dust off their feet when leaving a Gentile town, so this was a familiar phrase. It symbolized cleansing themselves from the contamination of those who did not worship God. Jesus told his disciples to do this if any town would not accept them or listen to them. What does that mean for us as Believers today? If we have faithfully, carefully, and sensitively presented the message of Jesus Christ we are not held responsible for the decision the other person may make. Being filled with joy is a great indicator of being in God’s will and knowing when to “shake the dust”.

When Paul delivered his first recorded sermon, he was speaking to the Jews in the synagogue. They were accustomed to the old law of sacrificing animals for the forgiveness of sins. Paul introduced the new order of things. Paul says, "I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses."
This was a totally new concept. To stop animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins was a radical move for them.

Paul was stoned and dragged outside the city where he was left for dead. After the disciples gathered around him, Paul not only got up and went back into the city but he preached the good news and won a large number of disciples. The stoning itself could have killed Paul, the dragging certainly could have. Yet he was able to return to his mission, almost immediately. What happened when the disciples gathered around him????

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Previous to that they were called “Followers of The Way”. We read a book called "The Ways of the Way" by Bob Fisher, a Messianic Jew from Israel. It gives details about the early church and how we can apply their "ways" to our worship services today.  It is this model on which we base Wednesday Worship.

Cornelius, the centurion was told by the angel, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." This is exactly how we should view all our good works - as offerings to the Lord, not as something to make us feel good.

When the Holy Spirit came to those people gathered with Cornelius, Peter spoke these words, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."
These words tell us that they had already received (or were baptized into) the Holy Spirit before they were baptized in water. Peter makes sure that they understand that the water baptism is their outward demonstration to others. Remember they were witnessing to the Gentiles.

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman world. The first Gentile church was founded there. It was also the center of worship for several pagan cults that promoted sexual immorality. Antioch was a vital commercial center. Paul used Antioch as his home base during his missionary journeys.

Fascinating story of Peter’s rescue from prison by the angel. Someone once said, “Prayer moves angels.” God certainly overrides the natural order of things. When Rhoda announces that Peter is at the door, the people said, "It must be his angel." Do our guardian angels look like us?  Our little 3-year old grandson thinks so.

Notice the way that Herod died. Usually flesh is eaten by worms after death. In this case Herod was eaten by worms first, and then he died. As our granddaughter, Kylie might say, “Gross!”

It has been brought to our attention that we got a little behind in the posting.  (Thanks Jackie!)
And while you are reading this, we'd like to remind you of the e-study discussion session Monday night, November 26 at 7:00 pm - our home.

The day that Stephen was stoned a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem. This caused many to scatter and thus they preached the word wherever they went. If the persecution had not broken out would the word have spread so rapidly?

We took an interesting journey while reading the account of the people in Samaria and Simon the Sorcerer. A careful reading lets us know that the people believed what Philip was saying and doing, but they didn't necessarily believe in Jesus "because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus".
They probably had only been water baptized and not Spirit baptized. A clue hidden away in the little word "in"speaks volumes.

These people had been baptized "in" or "into" the name of the Lord Jesus. This word "in" comes from the Greek word "eis" and means "a going through, expressing motion". In other words, they went through the motions of baptism. Contrast this word with the word "in" from Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The word "in" in this verse is the Greek word "epi" and means "superimposition" in relation to "distribution". So while the word eis means going through the motions, Epi means a distribution as in the distribution of the Holy Spirit. Who would have thought a tiny word like that could make such a difference in our understanding. It's just one of those little jewels hidden away just waiting for us to dig it out, polish it up, and admire it!

What a responsibility for those who have been given the gift of teaching! The Ethiopian eunuch depends on Philip to give him understanding of the scriptures. This man was most likely very dedicated to God because he had traveled a long distance from Ethiopia, located in Africa south of Egypt. His conversion took Christianity into another government.

What happened to Philip after the baptism of the eunuch? Seems as if he was spirited away.

We made another interesting journey concerning Acts 8:37. Check it out. That verse may not be in the Bible you are using. Why???

In our e-sword, there are 24 Bible versions. Of those 24 versions, nine of them did not have Acts 8:37. Of those nine, seven are fairly contemporary versions. Most of the other 15 versions included Acts 8:37 and are much older versions. The verse follows the verse in which the eunuch asked to be baptized in water.
Act 8:37
Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
When Philip said baptism by water was lawful (Greek word exesti), he was saying that this water baptism was a "completion of the act" of believing and carries the figurative idea of "being out in public". In other words, this act of water baptism was an outward sign of an inward change. This Ethiopian eunuch was most likely traveling with an entourage of people. He was after all an important official in charge of the treasury of the queen. He wanted all to know that he was a believer in Jesus. Obviously, the baptism of the Holy Spirit had already occurred in the chariot when he first believed.

Saul, the great persecutor of the Followers of “The Way” becomes a changed man. He was going to Damascus with letters in hand giving him authority from the chief priests to arrest any of the followers of Jesus. Since Damascus (located about 175 miles northeast of Jerusalem in Syria) was a commercial city that linked many other cities throughout the Roman world, Saul may have thought he could prevent the spread of Christianity to other major areas.

Does Jesus still come and go as He did when Saul had his conversion experience on the road to Damascus?

What must Anannias have thought when the Lord told him to go and ask for a man named Saul of Tarsus? What must the disciples have thought when Saul tried to join them? Saul was well known as a persecutor of the Followers of the Way.

God says He will show Saul how much he must suffer. Did Saul know ahead of time what persecutions he must endure for the cause of Christ?

The first recorded martyrdom was that of Stephen. When he appeared before the Sanhedrin Stephen’s face “was like the face of an angel.” What does an angel look like?

When he gave his defense he gave a summary of Abraham through the death of Jesus. He obviously was well taught in the scrolls and scripture or he had been supernaturally empowered with knowledge and understanding. Look at what he said about educated Moses. Yet what excuse did Moses give God at the burning bush? Didn't Moses offer up the excuse that he didn't speak very well???

When Stephen was stoned, he “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
What a tribute to Stephen! Jesus STOOD to receive him into the “great cloud of witnesses”, the martyrs.

Too often in our churches today, some parts of the Bible are ignored. The Scriptures in today’s reading are among them. Many times, we want to focus only on the passages that make us feel good and not on the passages that tell us about hardships, trials, and sufferings. The apostles and followers of Jesus risked everything to testify to Jesus. They were imprisoned and tortured and yet Luke records that they never stopped testifying about Jesus. In today’s culture we, as Christians in the United States may never be imprisoned and tortured. We don’t have to experience the consequences that the followers of Jesus in the early church did when they testified to Jesus. Since we are not under that kind of fear, shouldn’t we be all the more willing to testify to Jesus?

Gamaliel, a Pharisee probably wanted to prevent a division in the council and even to prevent a riot with the people who supported the disciples’ teachings. Paul was one of Gamaliel’s students. After the trial the apostles were flogged and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus. But look what they did.
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

“So the word of God spread…”
Aren't we glad they never stopped teaching and proclaiming? Should we do any differently today?

Seven men were chosen who were full of the Spirit and wisdom to help the apostles so that they could give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word of God. This task was not taken lightly. Those selected had requirements of being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Laying hands on someone was an ancient Jewish practice and was done as a way to set a person apart for special service. Hannah Sturm (2003) in our second grade class described it this way, “It’s like laying your hands on somebody with God laying his hands on top.” AMEN Hannah!

In keeping with the fulfillment of the prophecies through the ordinations of the Old Testament once again symbolism comes alive in the Christian world. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) was celebrated in the Old Testament as a praise and thanks to God for the wheat harvest. The Holy Spirit came to dwell within the Christian workers at Pentecost to begin the new harvest. Jesus was very clear that the apostles were to wait in Jerusalem until they had been baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost, this second of the great Jewish national festivals was observed on the 50th day, or 7 weeks, plus one day past the Saturday Sabbath that occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Old Testament describes this celebration as The Feast of Weeks. In the New Testament it is called Pentecost.

At Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, the ripe wheat was presented as a thanksgiving offering before the Lord. This was done early in the morning of that day by 9:00 am., which incidentally was around the same time that the Holy Spirit came to those believers in Jesus.

Peter begins to teach the people from the prophecies of Joel and clearly points to the return of Jesus. Very soon after Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers were looking for His return.

"About three thousand were added to their number that day". They were baptized but it says nothing about water. They needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

In the Chronological Bible there are a few details concerning the resurrection that are out of order. When you compare all the gospel accounts, it flows better.

There are a couple of astounding things that happen at the resurrection. A question for you…when Jesus appeared to Mary, she was not allowed to touch Him. Yet when Jesus appeared to the other women they were allowed to clasp His feet. Why the difference? What happened between the time of Jesus appearing to Mary and the time He appeared to the other women?
Details on the website.
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek
Part 4

What a picture of Jesus cooking breakfast on the beach! Using original meanings of the Greek words, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter responds with, “Yes, Lord, I like you.” Jesus asks the same question a second time. Peter responds the same way. The third time Jesus asks, “Peter, do you like me?” not "Peter, do you love me?" Jesus meets Peter just where he is in his faith journey. Then Jesus gives Peter some strict instructions as shepherd of the flock. Feed my lambs. (nourish and teach the babes in the faith). Take care of my sheep. (take care of the mature ones in the faith). And finally, feed my sheep. (even those who are mature in the faith still need to be nourished).

Notice that Jesus brings Peter full circle with these words, “Follow me.” Good instructions for us too, eh?

“It was the third hour when they crucified him.” This was when the act of crucifixion started.
Normally those who were crucified were left on the crosses, according to some commentaries as long as nine days. Jesus suffered pain, thirst, torture, insects, crowd insults…it was supreme torture and humiliation.

There were many, many prophecies fulfilled in the crucifixion. You can read all about them in Psalm 22. It reads like an eyewitness account.
Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Ps 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

When Jesus spoke these words from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", He was telling those who were listening to look at Psalm 22.

“Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”
“..they did not break any bones.”
The breaking of bones was a way to hasten death. When they pierced Jesus’ side with a spear bringing a flow of blood and water it was proof of death. There was no need to break His bones.

Who were these holy people that were raised to life? Could they be the prophets who were allowed to see the fulfillment of their prophecies??? Scripture says they longed to see what the disciples saw. And why did they not appear to people in the holy city until after Jesus' resurrection? Could it be that they were buried in other places in Israel? It doesn't say that the tombs were in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

For details concerning the trials and a physician’s view of the crucifixion see
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek
(Part 2 and Part 3)

Crucified bodies became the property of the state and were dumped in the garbage pile at Gehenna. Only by permission could the bodies be taken for proper burial. Joseph of Arimathea was rich, had great influence and many connections. He was also Mary’s great uncle, possibly a kinsman redeemer. This gave him legal standing to go to the Roman authorities and claim the body. He and Nicodemus were both members of the Sanhedrin.

Jesus was taken from the cross; His body was hurriedly anointed with some spices that Nicodemus had brought. The preparation that Joseph and Nicodemus did was an intended temporary measure.

They quickly placed Jesus in Joseph’s tomb before the Sabbath began at 6:00 pm. When
unembalmed bodies were placed in tombs, spices, ointments and wrappings were temporarily put in place. Three days later the stone would be rolled back and people could inspect the body to insure that the person was really dead and not just comatose. (the odor after three days would be more than enough to indicate death.) It was and still is customary for a permanent preparation to be made three days after death. After the permanent preparations are taken care of the tomb is resealed and about one year later it is reopened. The bones are then gathered and placed in ossuaries. The tomb can then be reused for another year with another body. This is why the women were in no hurry to go to the tomb before three days had expired. As another example of how this process worked we can read about what happened with Lazarus. Jesus planned the delay of four days to raise Lazarus. That is so there would be no doubt that Lazarus was indeed dead. The body would have been inspected and permanently prepared a day earlier, when three days had passed, the normal custom of the day.

It is only through learning of the burial customs of the day that we understand a great truth. Jesus was in the tomb three full days and three full nights validating proof of His messiahship, His only sign.
Mat 12:38-40 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet: for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus' validating proof of three days and three nights matters for only one reason. When there appears to be a conflict between what Scripture says and what tradition says, Christians should always be prepared to give an answer from the Bible to clear up any confusion.

The Jews did not enter into the palace of Pilate because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover meal. They couldn’t go into Gentile property after 6:00 pm. This is confirmation that THE Passover meal had not been eaten yet.

“…it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.”
Pilate knew what they were doing and that they set Jesus up, using the political powers to do their dirty work. Pilate was under investigation by Rome for cruelty. He may have been in fear of Rome if he killed an innocent man. They were envious of Jesus. People were following after Jesus and listening to Him instead of the religious establishment of the day.

Pilate asked Jesus what crime He had committed. Jesus tells Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world. Many or most of His followers thought His kingdom WAS of this world. They were looking for a conquering Messiah who would usher in a political kingdom.

Jesus said, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Those people who are seekers of the truth want to know the truth even if it contradicts what they want to believe.

When Pilate asked the people what crime Jesus committed, they never answered his question, they just shouted to crucify him.

Pilate asks again and again trying to get Jesus released, he fails again and again. Finally he gives up and “washes his hands”.

The people answer “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” Curses are called down and the suffering continues to this day.

For more information on the six illegal trials of Jesus see the website.
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek
(Part 2 and Part 3)

Gethsemane was a garden in the Mount of Olives. Jesus had been going there with the disciples when they left Jerusalem, at least for several nights. It was quite possibly inside a gated garden spot. John records that Jesus "went out" from the garden spot to address the soldiers who had come to arrest Him.
John 18:4
Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to them, Whom do you seek?

In the garden, Jesus asks his disciples to wait with Him. Their normal routine was probably to go to sleep. This is what they had been doing.

“…and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled…”
"Deeply distressed" means "struck with terror". "Troubled" means "to be ill at ease, uncomfortable on the inside". Jesus began falling to the ground and praying continually. This is a verb tense that means he repeatedly did this.

Luke says sweat came as great drops of blood. Doctors have said it is possible to be in such agony that a person can sweat drops of blood. That beautiful painting of Jesus praying in the garden…was it really serene? Jesus was in agony, so much that an angel was sent from heaven to strengthen him. Luke says Jesus knelt down, Matthew and Mark say he fell down on the ground. Luke records, “Father”. Mark records, “Abba, Father.” Abba is the Hebrew word, a more familial term, much like “Daddy”.

We made the observation before that Jesus spoke repeatedly about the Father, more so the closer He came to the time of the crucifixion. At this point He no longer called Him “Father”, but “Abba”, the more familiar term. Jesus was calling God, the Father, "Daddy".

When they came to arrest Jesus, he clearly demonstrated who was in control. He went willingly.

When Peter used his sword to strike the soldier he was using it as an offensive weapon (not the way Jesus wanted him to) and chances are he wasn’t going for the ear.

The young man in the linen garment...just who was he? Ponder this...suppose that this young man lived in the house where Jesus and the disciples ate their last meal together, the upper room. Suppose that he was curious and after dressing for bed (often people, especially wealthy ones, slept in a linen garment) decided to listen in on what Jesus and the disciples were doing. Looking at the accounts in the Chronological Bible for Nov. 14 reading, immediately following the display of the swords, they all left. Suppose this young man was still curious and decided to follow them, not taking the time to go and dress in anything other than the linen garment. Still being curious, he continued to follow them on to the garden and got caught up in the arrest of Jesus. Many think this young man could have been Mark, whose mother was wealthy and who had provided necessary supplies for Jesus and the disciples. The upper room could have been in her house. Anyway, just some points to ponder....

Peter disowns three times being one of Jesus’ disciples. The other times he answers the questions of being with Jesus. There is a difference between being “with” Jesus and being one of Jesus’ own. It’s being with Him vs. knowing Him.

When Peter denies Jesus for the third time “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.”
The look in Jesus’ eyes was a confirmation of what He had told Peter earlier. Can we even begin to imagine how Peter must have felt? Peter was grieved and wept. In Scripture there are at least two meanings for the word wept. This one is the most sorrowful. It means to "wail aloud bitterly". But the good news is…keep reading for the answer!

We would urge you to read the passages in John 15 again and really ponder the message of staying connected to Him and being able to bear much fruit.
Secrets of the Vine is an excellent little book to read that explains this passage beautifully.

John 16:11
and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Satan may be prince of this world now, but he stands condemned at judgment.

Read John Chapter 16 again.
John 16:23
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
If you read this in full context, it becomes clear what Jesus is talking about in regards to what we are to ask for. (See James 1:5)

James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.

When Jesus speaks to the disciples about sending the Holy Spirit, they didn't have a handle on exactly what that meant. They understood about the Holy Spirit "coming upon" someone temporarily but they really didn't understand about the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within. They didn't quite get the personal relationship that they could have with God, the Father and God, the Holy Spirit.
Join us for a short study on the Holy Spirit during Thursday night Bible study beginning this week, Nov. 15 at 7:00 - Christ United Methodist Church, Indianapolis.

Jesus prays for Himself. He prays for the disciples. And lastly this…
John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
That’s us!!! Jesus is praying for US! In His last hours on earth, He was praying for US! What an awesome and humbling thought!

The last supper…not THE Passover supper, simply the last supper the disciples would have with Jesus before the crucifixion. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, meals together were called Passover meals. Notice in this passage the disciples are now called apostles. Disciples are learners. Apostles are the “sent out ones”. They are being prepared by Jesus to be sent out.

When Jesus announces that one of them would betray Him, the disciples didn’t automatically think of Judas. This lets us know they didn't suspect Judas of any wrongdoing or at least they didn't suspect him of anything this wrong.

The passage about washing the disciples’ feet is so much deeper that just Jesus setting the example of servitude. It’s all about forgiveness. Jesus set the example of forgiveness of sins. He forgave their sins, they were in turn to forgive each other. We need to come to Jesus daily for the removal of the dirt of sin from our lives. If we are saved we are clean but our feet get dirty living in a sinful world.

John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
Whatever prayers we lift up should bring the Father glory!

Mark 14:26
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Go to this link for more information on just what that hymn might have been.

http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek

If ever there was a doubt concerning the Son of God appearing to the Old Testament people, this one lays that to rest.
John 12:41
Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

As you continue reading, start paying close attention to the frequent mentioning of the Father by Jesus. He begins to mention the Father more and more the closer He gets to the crucifixion. I (Patti) tend to wonder how Jesus felt. When I was younger (before I met Phil) I always had a very loving relationship with my parents. Whenever I was hurt or upset or scared, I always sought the comfort of my parents, especially my daddy. Wonder if the human part of Jesus was feeling that way and He was longing for the comfort of the Father. Something to think about…

There is so much to say about the Scripture in today’s reading and we have tried to keep things short…but this reading can’t be kept short. With so much talk from so many places today on the events of these last days, it is easy to get caught up in what people are saying. The question for us as Christians is this:
What Did Jesus Say?

Jesus words are written in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 concerning the signs of His coming and the events of the last days. Considering that at the time Jesus spoke these words He had only a few more days with the disciples before the crucifixion, we can logically conclude that the things Jesus would tell the disciples at this time would be extremely important. If they were important enough for Jesus to tell in His remaining few days before the crucifixion, shouldn’t they be important enough for us to pay close attention to today?

Jesus’ lessons had gotten progressively more intense than when He first began teaching. The heart of His teaching began to move away from taking care of the physical needs, the miraculous healings and the feeding of the multitudes, and became more focused on the coming kingdom.

This conversation took place three days before His crucifixion. Jesus and the disciples left the temple in Jerusalem. They journeyed on to the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus privately what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age.

Matthew 24:3
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
These inner four disciples are asking, “When are you coming back to establish your kingdom to stay forever? What supernatural occurrence is going to happen to tell us that you are coming?” That’s what they were really asking.

Jesus answers their question with a warning to watch out and not be deceived. He tells His disciples that false prophets will come claiming to be the Messiah or claiming they know who and where the Messiah is. Some false prophets will also acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah but will pervert and distort the gospel. False prophets will claim, without using evidence that the end is near. They will misquote Scripture. Many will be deceived. Jesus warns His disciples that if anyone claims that they know where He is, to not believe it because He says He will come so that no one can miss it. There will be wars and rumors of wars. Nations will rise up against nation, kingdom against kingdom, not necessarily against each other in battle but will just rise up beside each other. There will be new nations and kingdoms formed, greedy for power and wealth. There will be earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Jesus tells them not to be alarmed. These things will happen. They are the beginnings of birth pains but the end is still to come. As the time gets closer to Jesus’ coming, the events of these last days will be on an ever increasing scale. As time progresses, they will become more severe. They will increase in intensity and frequency, just as labor pains.

Next Jesus tells the disciples what will happen to them before all this takes place. Jesus tells them that they will be handed over to local councils and flogged in synagogues. They will stand before governors and kings and those in authority. They will be put in prison. They will be betrayed by parents, children, brothers, relatives and friends. They will be hated by all nations for no other reason than their faith in Jesus. They will be persecuted and even put to death. He warns them to be on their guard. He tells them not to worry beforehand about what they are to say in their defense. The Holy Spirit will be speaking for them with words and wisdom that none of their adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Jesus tells His disciples that when they see these things happen, they will know that the end is near, right at the door. Jesus also reminds the disciples that no one knows the day or hour, not the angels in heaven, or even Jesus Himself, only God the Father knows. And while we cannot know the day or hour, we can know the "season".

Jesus compared events of the last days to labor pains. As birth pains increase, become more frequent and closer together, so will the frequency and intensity of events that lead up to Jesus’ coming. Then many more false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-- if that were possible. There will be more wars and rumors of wars. More nations will rise up against nations, more kingdoms against kingdoms, greedy for power and wealth. There will be many more earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful events and great signs from heaven.

When all these things happen that Jesus predicted many people will be leading normal lives in their unbelief, eating, drinking, marrying, etc. just like they were in Noah’s day before the flood. They will be unaware that Jesus’ return is imminent. And they will not care. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

The events of these last days will be startling when they take place to those who don’t know what to be watching for. Those who are learning about the events leading up to these last days will know the signs so that those days will not catch them by surprise. They will not be “comatose”. The day of the Lord will not come upon believers like a thief in the night. We are watching because we are children of light.

The events of these last days are nothing to fear. When we read of devastating events going on around us it can be very frightening. But in many ways it can be very comforting to know that these things must take place. We must endure these things as we wait for His glorious appearing.

The following verse leaped off the pages of the Bible for us when we read it. This is what could be referred to as a "rhema" word from the Lord.  That is when the Holy Spirit "quickens" a word or phrase or verse and gives new understanding.

Matt 22:2
"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

God is the King who is preparing a wedding banquet for His Son, Jesus and Jesus’ bride (that would be us!) This gives us a foretaste of the banquet that is to come, the heavenly banquet as we prepare to take up residence in our eternal home. Our temporary life here should be lived in anticipation of our eternal life to come. In light of the uncertainties and uneasiness of the political climate of today, the most important thing is to keep our eyes on eternity. For additional writing on how to live our lives as Christians in a fallen world email us for the writing Kingdom Living in a Foreign Land.

See the book These Last Days for other details on the heavenly banquet to come.

A very crucial verse is the one that tells us that Mary anointed Jesus in Bethany six days before the Passover. This little verse establishes the entire timeline of Holy Week. Scripture tells us the next day (Saturday, not Sunday) was the triumphant entry.
For clarification see the website writings A Biblical View of Holy Week.
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek

Bethany was the home of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and also Simon the Leper. It was about two miles from Jerusalem.

Many in the crowd that met Jesus and shouted Hosanna to Him were expecting a conquering Messiah. 

John 12:16
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

The disciples still do not understand. Many people think of the disciples as being well versed in Jewish law and scripture but they may not have been. They may not have been regular worshipers at all and may have know very little of the prophecies of the Messiah. That may explain why they did not understand so many things, even after Jesus explained things to them. They didn’t understand many things until Jesus was glorified.

The Pharisees were worried that "the whole world has gone after him!" Since there were people from all over the known world, they perceived Jesus to be a real threat to them.

"The next day as they were leaving Bethany...". Jesus and the disciples left Jerusalem on that Saturday (the Triumphal Entry) and traveled back to Bethany. The next day would have been Sunday when they arrived back in Jerusalem and Jesus cursed the fig tree.

Jesus was very indignant when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. He did the same thing at the beginning of His mission. Since Jesus lived a perfect life, His actions tell us that righteous indignation is not a sin.

When Jesus quoted scripture, He was quoting from the law which the chief priests and teachers of the law knew very well. They knew the law. Jesus knew they knew the law. That’s why He quoted it!

The crowd said they had heard in the Law that the Christ must remain forever. This is why they were confused when Jesus said He must be crucified. The Law in this case means all of the Old Testament writings, not just the first five books of Moses or just the Ten Commandments.

When Jesus say “Father, glorify your name!” a voice spoke from heaven. Some said it thundered, others said an angel had spoken. Why the difference? Could it be that non-believers heard thunder, believers heard an angel? Why would people have thought they heard thunder? Was there a presence of dark clouds? Are we as believers listening for the voice from heaven? If we are, maybe, just maybe we may hear it!

Since we could write a “book” on each day’s reading, we are going to try to pick out only a few selected verses to write about.

Jesus left no questions on this one A "no-fault" divorce is not scriptural. Modern day Jews however have something known as a "get" which is basically a "no-fault" divorce. 

The rich young man was keeping the old law. Jesus tells him, there's more.

When Jesus talks about the "renewal of all things", He is speaking of the Millennial Kingdom when the earth will be renewed. That is when the disciples will rule the twelve tribes of Israel. Couldn't help but think about missionaries concerning leaving everything behind. Not only will they receive eternal life, but will receive a hundred fold.

When speaking to the disciples about His soon-to-come crucifixion, Jesus said men would condemn Him to death and...
Mark 10:34
who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."

Jesus makes it pretty clear that He will rise in three days (three full days and three full nights), not three “parts” of days.

Mark 10:38
"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

This baptism has nothing to do with water. Salvation happens when a person becomes a believer in Jesus. Being water baptized is an outward symbol of an inward change. The real baptism is baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus asked the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” Kind of a rhetorical question, don’t you think? But it illustrates an important point. Even though God knows what we need before we ask Him, He still wants us to ask. Amazing!

For details concerning the parable of the minas, see Parables to Ponder on the website.
http://www.philandpatti.com/biblestudies

One of the most important verses in Scripture for understanding the timeline of the last week of the life of Jesus is the following:

John 12:1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

For details concerning the timeline of Holy Week and the anointing of Jesus by Mary, see A Biblical View of Holy Week on the website.
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek

Let's ponder this verse today, the question that Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” and think about all we ask Jesus to do for us. How about directing that verse to Jesus and ask Him what He wants us to do for HIM!

When Jesus learned that Lazarus was sick, he delayed two more days. Why? By the time Jesus reached Lazarus' tomb, he had been in the tomb for at least three days. Mary and Martha would have already been back after the customary three days to permanently anoint his body. They knew Lazarus was dead. See the website writing A Biblical View of Holy Week for details on the importance of the three days. 

KJV says he “tarried”. How often when we are in distress and call out to God, does He “tarry” in His answer? But look at why He tarried. He tarried so that they would believe. Could He tarry with our answers to prayer to bring about an even deeper faith or that we may grow spiritually?

When Jesus was returning to raise Lazarus, the disciples knew that He was in danger by going there, yet they said they were willing to die with Him. What happened later when Jesus was arrested? Were they willing to die for Him then?

When Jesus saw them weeping over Lazarus, he was deeply moved in spirit. KJV says he “groaned in the spirit”. He was troubled not only because they were sorrowful, but also troubled that they didn’t understand the “cocoon”. We can equate our life on earth as the life of a “caterpillar”. It isn’t until we go into the “cocoon” of death and spend a time that we are able to emerge as beautiful “butterflies” in the resurrection. Too often we want to remain a worm! Stay tuned for Phil's newest book - Butterfly Living in a Caterpillar World.  Maybe next year....

When the Sanhedrin met, they were concerned about what Jesus was doing and wanted to stop Him. Notice what Caiaphas prophesied.

Jesus avoided them after that and retired to Ephraim, a city sixteen miles northeast of Jerusalem on the borders of the wilderness. 

Jesus rebuked the disciples concerning the children. In fact, He was indignant! He said they should not hinder them. Does that tell us how Jesus feels about little children? Does that tell us how important is the teaching of children?

Even adults should enter into salvation with the innocence and faith of little children and with the temper and spirit of a child with a teachable, mild, and humble spirit, free from prejudice.

The rich young ruler had been keeping the old law, but Jesus is telling him there is more.
“Jesus looked at him and loved him”. Put your name in there. See how it sounds?

Love of possessions. Having wealth won’t keep you from heaven, making wealth your god, (instead of making Jesus your God will).

There is much debate on the camel and eye of the needle. Many think camel may have been mistranslated and it should have read rope instead of camel. It would be harder for a rope to go through the eye of a needle. Others think the eye of the needle was a small gate going into the Jerusalem wall. In order for a camel to get through this gate, all the baggage heaped upon the camel would have to be removed and the camel to go down on it’s knees to get through. This sounds like we must get rid of all the “baggage” of sin that we carry with us, or anything that hinders us and get down on our knees to enter heaven. Or Jesus may have meant it exactly as it is written, for a camel to go through the eye of needle, a profound and comical illustration.

Jesus tells the disciples they will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

James and John, the sons of thunder, the bold and the loud, want Jesus to do whatever they ask of Him. They were thinking earthly. They were asking to be on either side of Him in His kingdom. How they must have felt to know about the two criminals on either side of Him at the crucifixion.

“…you will drink the cup I drink…”
Jesus is telling His disciples that “the cup” is His death and that they will also drink of “the cup”.

When blind Bartimaeus shouted out to Jesus to have mercy, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Jesus knew what he wanted! The man was blind! Jesus wanted him to ask. Just as God wants us to ask even though He already knows what we want before we ask Him.

In response to the question, “Are only a few people going to be saved?”, Jesus responded by telling them that it is a narrow door and many will try to enter and not be able to. Many say, “I came to church, I took communion, I served, I listened.” But did they really? Was it just “lip service”? Delusional involvement? What does God say about that? 

Each one of us must weigh in our hearts what God wants us to do. “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” We speak and act from an attitude of our hearts.

For many of us, serving may not mean serving inside the walls of the church, it may be serving and witnessing on the job, in our homes, in our families, in our neighborhoods.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 118 is the center chapter of the Bible – the heart of the Bible you might say. It is a prophecy of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the beginning of Holy Week. He enters through the east gate of Jerusalem. Jesus calls Himself the gate. Psalm 118 says we will enter the gates of righteousness which Jesus will open for us.

In the parable of place of honor Jesus is teaching basic humility.

Jesus says to invite the poor, etc. and you will be blessed. If we give expecting something in return and get it we have already received our reward, but it is better to give not expecting anything in return, then our reward will come later.

Parable of the Great Banquet
Jesus is making the illustration of salvation and the invitations given to us. We have all received the invitation. The master of the banquet says to the servant to go to those who have been invited (the Jews) and tell them to come, everything is ready. But they are too busy with things of this world. Then the master says to go into the streets and bring in the poor, etc. (the tribes of Israel). The servant does so and they come to the banquet but there is still room for more. The master says to go into the country lanes (everybody else, the rest of the world) and make them come in until his house is full.

The first invitation was to those who were directly and selectively invited- the Jews. The second invitation was to bring in (to lead into) the people in the streets and alleys (the other tribes of Israel). This invitation was a little more persuasive. The third invitation was to make them come in. This word "make" means "to compel, to necessitate with an implication of distress". In other words, this invitation came with an exclamation mark! The objective was to fill the house. There is a certain number of souls to be saved. There is a finite number written in the Book of Life. John 1:35-51. 

What did Jesus mean when He said we must hate our family or we can’t be His disciple?
To hate in this case means to love less. Compared to our love for God it should be so much greater than our love for anything else that is off the scale. We must love everything else less than our love for Jesus.

What does it mean to carry his cross?
We may not be called to die for Jesus, but to live for Him!

Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
Jesus says there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, and there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of heaven over one sinner who repents. The only time the Bible says the angels sing is when they sing the new song. (KJV records the angels say)

Parable of the Lost Son
The son wanted his reward now. He still is the son of his father and will inherit but his rewards will be less. Our salvation is secure. We can store up treasures in heaven or use them up here on earth. The lost son was not removed from the family, even though the older son thought he should be. The older son could be compared to “cradle” Christians who have been Christians most of their lives and have lived for Him and served Him.

Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man - also known as a midrash

There are a couple of lessons to be learned:
1. There is no second chance! When the door is shut, the door is shut!
2. Someone needs to go evangelize those who are not saved and are facing eternal death.
3. There are some who will not believe even if someone rises from the dead to tell them about it.

…the kingdom of God is within you.” The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer.

Parable of the Persistent Widow
Jesus is telling the disciples they should always pray. God will bring about justice for his chosen ones who pray to him.

Parable of the Vineyard Workers
Many come to salvation at the 11^th hour, but still receive salvation. “Cradle” Christians should not look down on “criminal on the cross” conversions.

When all is said and done, what matters is that we find that narrow gate to eternal life with Him!

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. His entire being was focused on the job He had to do in Jerusalem.

When the people in a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus, the disciples James and John (the sons of thunder) wanted to call down fire from heaven but Jesus rebuked them. Jesus had no problem rebuking even His disciples.

The ten lepers according to Jewish law had to go show themselves to the priest to be declared to be officially clean, by going through ceremonial washing. This declaration of being was not made easily or quickly. See the Leviticus rules. They are specific and lengthy.

The man who came back to thank Jesus was the only Samaritan of the group. Isn’t it ironic that the only one who came back was a Samaritan? It was a Samaritan village who had not welcomed Jesus and the disciples.

When the 72 returned they were filled with joy.
“…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ spirit testifies to their spirits. Their joy was genuine for all the right reasons. They had been obedient!
Just imagine, if we are full of joy through our obedience, then Jesus is full of joy because of it and He praises God, the Father. Filled Jesus with joy lately???

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This sounds like a contradiction. Didn’t He earlier say that we must take up our cross and follow Him? How then can it be easy and light? The word "easy" means it is "well fitted". Whatever He asks us to do is a job well fitted just for us. He never asks us to do anything that He doesn't "fit" us to do. If we are well fitted for a job, the burden is not burdensome. It is light. 

In the story of Mary and Martha, what was it that Jesus valued most? Martha was busy “doing”. Mary was devoted in her "listening" to the words of Jesus. We do that today through worship, Bible study, and prayer.

“…everyone who asks receives…”
What was He referring to in the asking? Later on He says “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Asking doesn't always mean physical, earthly things.

Solomon’s Colonnade was a two-story roofed portico (porch) on the east side of Herod’s Temple. It was a part of the outer courtyard. This was most likely the place where Jesus later stood during His trial before the crucifixion when He looked at Peter when Peter denied Him.

“…no one can snatch them out of my hand…”
Praise God our salvation is secure with Him!

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
We should go to the well (the Bible) to be filled, and then spill ourselves out for others.
Just as a tree soaks up water and produces luscious fruit, if we soak up God’s word, we’ll bear fruit. The more we delight in God’s presence the more fruitful we are. If a tree is planted by streams of water, it survives when drought or bad times come. If we “plant our tree” by God’s word, we will survive when bad times come.

Who was The Prophet the people were looking for?
Is The Prophet John the Baptist? Or Jesus? Who?

The woman caught in adultery…the Law of Moses commanded both parties be put to death. Where was the man?
What did Jesus write on the ground when the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him? Could it be that Jesus was writing the men's names in the dirt when He bent down the first time? When He wrote the second time, immediately after asking them about their own sins, could He have written down some secret sin they had each committed?
When Jesus said he didn’t condemn her, He also admonished her to go and sin no more. There are conditions to "no condemnation".

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus was the light of the world at the beginning as He will be at the end. “And God said, ‘Let there be light…”
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Jesus tells us that while He was walking on this earth, He was the light of the world. He no longer walks on the earth as a human man. When He left earth He promised His disciples He would send them the Holy Spirit. When we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we are the light of the world.

Jesus had no problem telling the Jews the way things really were with them. He rebuked them openly, even saying to them that they belong to their father, Satan.
“When he lies, he speaks his native language.”

“…before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus establishes himself as the Divinity. He has no past tense, no future tense, but always the present.
“I AM” of the Old Testament. Jesus is not the “I was” or the “I will be”. He is the “I AM!” And always will be!

Jesus heals the blind man but notice the man doesn’t believe in Jesus at first. In fact he seems to not really know who Jesus is. When he is questioned by the Jews he is beginning to believe. “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” The Jews threw him out of the temple. They not only threw him out of the building, but by implication, excommunicated him. When Jesus finds the man he asks if he believes. This is the first time the man has actually seen Jesus. When Jesus healed him, the man had to go to the pool to wash before his sight was restored. The man’s response to Jesus’ question, “Lord, I believe.” Not only did Jesus open the man’s eyes, but He opened his “eyes” of understanding as well.

“…the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” Only through Jesus is salvation. He makes it pretty plain!

“The watchman opens the gate for him…” God, the Father, is the watchman.

“…He calls his own sheep by name…” He knows us and calls us by name.

“…his sheep follow him because they know his voice…” We know Him and know His voice and follow Him. If we really know Him, we will be able to recognize false teachers and false teaching.

Jesus identifies himself as the gate. He tells us that He has come that we might have life abundant. That doesn’t just mean everlasting life. He has come so that we may have an abundant life here on this earth.

“…but I lay it down of my own accord…”
Jesus willingly allowed himself to be arrested and crucified. Are all of us as Believers in Jesus willing to lay down our own lives in service to Him?

It is at Caesarea Philippi that Jesus asks the question of a lifetime. “Who do you say that I am?”
Our entire destiny depends on how we answer that question.

Matt 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
To better understand this passage we must look at the Greek words and their meanings.
Peter (petros- a piece of a rock) rock (Petra – a mass of rock) When Jesus says He will build His church on this rock, He is speaking of Himself (Jesus) as the foundation. Jesus is saying that Peter is a part – a piece of the rock.

When Jesus spoke of the "gates of Hades" He was referencing gates as being somewhat of the courthouse of the day. Jesus is saying that Satan's rulership of eternal death will not prevail against believers.

Jesus gives the "keys of the kingdom", He gives the power and authority so that all things that we bind or loose on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven. If we have the power and authority of the kingdom, we will be only operating in righteousness.

Peter rebukes Jesus telling Him that His crucifixion will never take place. John Wesley says that this was the deadliest advice that could ever be given. If Jesus had not gone to the cross, where would we be? Notice Peter goes from being the ROCK to being a stumbling rock.

Jesus says that some of them will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power. He is telling them that some of them will see Him transfigured. John got a “double dose”, once on the mountain and once on the Isle of Patmos.

While on the mountain, a bright cloud enveloped Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This word "enveloped" is the same Greek word used concerning Mary at the conception of Jesus, except it is translated overshadow in that gospel account. "Overshadow" means "to envelop in a haze of brilliancy". 

Jesus said, "Elijah comes and will restore all things." The word "restore" in this passage was a bit confusing to us until we looked at the Greek word. It means that John completed the prophecies concerning the Messiah and ushered in a new order of things.

Immediately following the transfiguration. Scripture says the people were overwhelmed with wonder when they saw Jesus. Why? Could it be that He still glowed somewhat from the transfiguration? Remember Moses’ face when he came down from the mountain?

In the epileptic boy episode, we can see a micro model of Satan and his inter action and demise in the world. The man who brought his son to have demons cast out, told Jesus that the disciples had tried and could not drive the demon out. Was it the man’s lack of faith that may have contributed to the failure? He asked Jesus, “… if you can do anything…”
Jesus responds with, “If you can?”
When Jesus rebukes the evil spirit he commands it to come out and never enter again. The spirit shrieks and convulses the body before it comes out. If we compare this to Satan’s reign on earth, he knows he has been defeated, but he is convulsing us now. He will shriek at the end!

Jesus tells the disciples that they were not able to drive out the spirit because they have so little faith. And these were His disciples! They had seen Him perform many signs and wonders. Was it their lack of faith in Jesus or their lack of faith in God’s ability to work through them? They had been given the power but maybe they had turned the spigot off. Or were they trying to do it in their own strength. "This kind can come out only by prayer." Some manuscripts add the words "and fasting." The Greek word for prayer is "proseuche" and carries the idea of abiding in an intimate relationship with God as we present our prayers and are willing to sacrifice something back to God in thanksgiving for answers to those prayers. This adds a bit of a different perspective to praying doesn't it?

Jesus tells the disciples they should become like little children, with a childlike innocence, to believe without question.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones…”
How little is little? Is it as little as two cells at conception? The words "look down on" means "to entice to sin, to cause to distrust, to fall away, to place a stumbling block in front of". With that definition in mind, the meaning of the verse reads quite deeper.

“thrown into hell, where their worm does not die…”
Hell in this instance is the Valley of Hinnom, ghenna, a valley outside Jerusalem where garbage is burned. The fire never goes out. It smolders and burns all the time. Worm here means grub, maggot, earthworm, all those things that go along with dead, rotten things. 

“Everyone will be salted with fire.”
Everyone will be salted. Will we be salted in hell’s fire and make it burn better or will we be salted with His Divine grace?
Fire is brought into our lives to make them better. It stings and smarts but it often takes us in a new and better direction.

Jesus explains about the testimony of two or three witnesses. This is important when studying the Bible as well. Check scripture to see if it confirms itself.

Jesus explains to Peter about forgiveness. This was a whole new concept for Peter. How about all of us Believers? Do we have a handle on the importance of forgiveness? It isn't always easy is it?

At the beginning of the reading today it is recorded that Jesus withdrew from the people and tried to keep His presence a secret.  Later on we read these words:

“He looked up into heaven and with a deep sigh…”
Jesus seems tired because all the people want physical healing and not spiritual healing. Could it be Jesus was demonstrating to the Father and to the people around Him how exasperated He was?

Jesus feeds 4,000 with seven loaves and some fish, with seven baskets left over. What was different this time from the feeding of the 5,000? There must be something significant in this because Jesus spoke to His disciples about it.  For one thing, the people consumed more this time than the previous time with the 5,000.

Jesus warns them about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Leaven (yeast) is not a good thing in this case.  We need only read in Matthew 22 and 23 about the religious leaders of the day.  Just read about all the "woes" Jesus pronounced on them.

Why did Jesus perform this miracle of restoring sight to the blind man in two parts?
This blind man was brought by friends. The friends begged Jesus to touch him. Could it be the man didn’t have the faith himself? Was his belief or knowledge of Jesus confused or fuzzy at first (like the man saw fuzzy shapes at first). As knowledge and faith grows, things are seen more clearly. Faith is active. It requires action on the part of the person being healed. This man at first didn’t act. It was the action of his friends. Faith is personal!

Is our faith and knowledge in Him growing so that we are beginning to see more clearly like the blind man that Jesus healed? Is our faith active?

When Jesus fed the 5,000 men (not counting women and children, the number was much higher) He was moved with compassion. This means he was full of tenderness and concern at their plight. Notice Philip immediately told Jesus how much food it would take to feed this many people. Andrew on the other hand immediately brought Jesus the loaves and fishes, knowing that He could somehow make it work.

The people thought the Prophet had come. They wanted to make Jesus king. They wanted their physical needs met.

Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him with the promise that He would join them later. It was between the hours of 3 and 6 am when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter wanted to come to Him, so Jesus commanded him to come. Peter did just fine until he took his eyes off Jesus. Does that happen to us? When we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to sink. When the winds of life thrash around us, do they beat us down and make us afraid?  If so, time to look to Jesus!

Jesus rebukes the people who are looking for miraculous signs. Even though they had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the multitude and they knew the crossing to the other side of the lake was a miracle, they still seemed to pay little attention to it and only wanted the miracles of God in ways to satisfy the physical needs, namely the demands of their appetite. Few were looking for the spiritual blessings. 

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”
If we bury ourselves in the Word, we will eat and drink the Word, something we must do every day! Just as we must eat every day or we will get weak. If we don’t internalize the Word every day we will get weak in our faith.

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
Did they turn back to their sinful ways? To remember the parable of the soils, did the birds come and eat the seeds? Did they turn back because of hard teaching or because they didn’t believe? Check out the address of this scripture. Its John 6:66.

Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave too. Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.”
Indeed! Only Jesus! 

Jesus condemned many of the traditions, such as the ceremonial washing of dishes.
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Can you think of some ways that we hold on to the traditions of men and ignore the commands of God? How about the way we celebrate Jesus’ birth? Do we celebrate according to the traditions of men? Or do we honor His birth as fulfillment of prophecy?