“And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, ‘Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.'” Acts 15:6-11 (KJB)
Christian Living
The Good News For All Who Will Hear
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God the Judge of quick and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.’
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts 10:34-44
He Read From the Prophet Isaiah
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, ‘Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.’ And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, ‘Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.’ And Philip ran thither to and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, ‘Understandest thou what thou readest?’ And he said, ‘How can I, except some man should guide me?’ And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the Scripture which he read was this, ‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth: in His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.’
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, ‘I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this of himself, or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?’ And Philip said, ‘If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8:26-40 (KJB)
God Answers Prayer
“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, ‘Lord, Thou God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, ‘Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.’ For of a truth against Thy holy Child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy Child Jesus.’
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:23-31 (KJB)
Letting the World Know
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.
For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:22-36 (KJB)
Scripture and the Resurrection
“For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” John 20:9 (KJB)
How well do I know Scripture? How well do I think I know Scripture? Those are two very different questions. I am pretty confident that I do not know Scripture as well as I ought to know them. I think sometimes that I am pretty intelligent concerning the Bible.
It is not, however, until a trial of faith or a real life situation comes along that I understand the value of things I have learned from God and His word.
The events leading to the verse above was the death, burial, and then the bodily resurrection of Jesus. These were not ignorant of the Scriptures teaching of the resurrection, but now all those times Jesus had spoken of His death and resurrection they had that “OH YEAH!” moment. Peter and John entered the empty tomb, and saw it was empty – the body of Jesus was gone.
At the crucifixion Scripture was fulfilled. In the burial Scripture was fulfilled. In the resurrection of Jesus Scripture was fulfilled.
Read the Scriptures. Hear them, know them, and understand.
Jesus’s Prayer – Not of the World
“I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14 (KJB)
The following was first posted on July 26, 2010. You may follow this link to study chapter 17 of the Gospel of John.
It is important for us to realize that His Word has been given us for a reason. It has been entrusted to us not for secrecy, secret interpretations, or secret organizations. It has been given us to take into all the world. Even though the follower of Jesus is hated by the world, we are called to live in the world, and show forth the glory of Jesus Christ.
We show forth His glory by showing forth the power of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to change our lives. What has Christ Jesus wrought in you? If you have been saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, then He has given you a New Life; you have been born again. You have been born into His kingdom; which is an everlasting kingdom which shall never perish.
The world is that which is perishing. The ones who are fearful and unbelieving. The ones who hate God and all that is godly. Yet, the Word is given to us to share with the world. We have been called out from the world of the flesh and the devil. We are called to live in the world, but not to be of it.
“Come out from among them and be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17) is not a command to have nothing to do with the people of the world, but rather to not have anything to do with their ways of worship; their gods. We are to show forth only the glory of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. The only way we do that is going about our daily lives in the presence of the world; loving God, one another and those who are dying in this world.
Show Us the Father
“Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.’
Philip saith unto Him, ‘Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou, ‘Shew us the Father?’ Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.’” John 14:6-11 (KJB)
Jesus is the only way to God, His presence, and His throne. Because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus anyone who calls on the name of Jesus for mercy and grace will find help in the time of need; at the throne of grace.
Philip has said to Jesus, “Show us the Father…” and Jesus said, “He that has seen Me has seen the Father.” When a believer sees Jesus for who He is we see the Father. We stand before the very presence of GOD. In Christ Jesus we are seated in heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 1:1-5).
Through Christ Jesus we can know God the Father. Hear the words of the Master. “I and My Father are One.” (John 10:30).
Division
“Therefore said some of the Pharisees, ‘This Man is not of God, because He keepeth not the sabbath day.’ Others said, ‘How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?’ And there was a division among them.” John 9:16 (KJB)
This division started over Jesus giving sight to a blind man on the sabbath day. Once again the Pharisees accuse Jesus of breaking the sabbath law. Jesus has addressed this foolish accusation several times before, but these accusers refuse to listen.
When we do not hear what our Lord says, and choose to believe wrongly there will continue to be division and discord. This is so in groups, churches, and the individual’s own personal life.
The answer to that? Hear what Jesus says, believe Him and do it.
The Prophet from Galilee…
…And much more than the Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15).
“Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Of a truth this is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’ But some said, ‘Shall Christ come out of Galilee?’ Hath not the Scripture said, ‘That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’ So there was a division among the people because of Him.” John 7:40-43 (KJB)
In my math I was taught 2 plus 2 equals 4. I do not understand what people, when it comes Jesus Christ, cannot put two and two together. All of these thoughts are correct.
Jesus was and is that Prophet. Jesus did come from Galilee. He is from the seed of David, and born in Bethlehem (Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4).
Much of the division over Jesus Christ. even in 2019, is because many do not put it all together from Scripture. Jesus is everything Scripture says. He is in fact the central Character of Scripture.
Rejoice in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
My Father and I Work
It was a constant battle which Jesus fought. Accusations of blasphemy by saying things which, according to the religious leaders made Himself equal with God. Jesus constantly confirmed in His own words that He was indeed what He claimed, and that He and His Father worked together; that He did not do anything except what the Father did. Hear the following words…
But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.’
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him. John 5:17-24 (KJB)
Let me leave you with these thoughts from others.
First from the Geneva Bible Translation notes:
“The work of God was never the breach of the sabbath, and the works of Christ are the works of the Father, both because they are one God, and also because the Father does not work except in the Son.” From the Geneva Bible Translation notes on John 5:17
Finally from the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary:
“My Father worketh hitherto and I work — The “I” is emphatic; “The creative and conservative activity of My Father has known no sabbath-cessation from the beginning until now, and that is the law of My working.”” From the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary
To honor the Son [Jesus Christ] is to honor the Father too. To honor the Father is to honor the Son.
The Word Was God
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5 (KJB)
Why is there such a concerted effort by some to disavow the truth of Scripture that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh? It is stated clearly in the first fourteen verses of John chapter one.
Jesus Christ is the word that became flesh, and dwelt among us.
One reason I think that certain organizations of religion try to argue against His deity; or to be more clear on it; co-equal with the Father, is that they have a doctrine of their own to protect. That is why they constantly are changing their own translation of the Bible, and the verses which clearly testify of Christ true identity, and relationship to the Father, to read in a way that makes Jesus deity, but not co-equal with Him.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Son of Man, who is God the Son. Scripture, untwisted by man, constantly unveils the truth that Jesus Christ is indeed Deity alongside, equal with the Father [YHWH].
Rise and Pray
“And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, ‘Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.’” Luke 22:45-46 (KJB)
“And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly…” says verse 44. He was in agony because of what lay before Him. His flesh was growing weak because of the agony. He longed with all His heart to fulfill the task which lay before Him, and He prayed.
The disciples were sleeping, due to sorrow, yet needed to pray. Peter needed to pray for strength in what lay ahead for him in a few short hours; for then he would deny he even knew Jesus. He needed to pray, rather than sleep.
It is with all sincerity I say this, I do not believe that any human being has experienced the agony equal to that Jesus was suffering on the Mount of Olives that night. We could not have born that sorrow, that agony. I too would probably just go to sleep.
O how I need to pray. We need to be in agony for our lost, condemned, and dying neighbors. Are we willing to pray for them? Are we willing to do what it takes to see that they hear the message of Jesus Christ; that He died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again? Are we willing to share with others what He has done and is doing for us?
Let us rise from our stupor of sleep, and pray.
All Things That are Written by the Prophets
“Then He took the twelve, and said unto them, ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again.’
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke 18:31-34 (KJB)
One of the great things we can learn in the gospels is that Jesus the Son of God, the Son of Man; who is God the Son; had a great admiration, love, for the prophets, and desired to see that those prophecies concerning Himself were fulfilled.
Even after His resurrection He spoke with two on the road to Emmaus about believing the words of the prophets (Luke 24:25-26). Consider Isaiah 53 as an example of the prophecy of His death, and our salvatiion.
Jesus speaks of His impending suffering, crucifixion, and death; and the disciples do not know what He is speaking about. They were still dreaming of living in splendor, authority, and power reigning with Him on earth.
Why should the Christian of 2019 read the writings of the Prophets? As a matter of fact why should we read the whole Old Testament? My answer to both of those questions is “Because they are the only Bible Jesus had to read, and know; as well as the apostles.” Those Scriptures are the ones that testify of Jesus. That is why.
Without Observation
“And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, ‘Lo here!’ or, ‘Lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.’” Luke 17:20-21 (KJB)
The coming kingdom of God is more than an event that is celebrated with pomp and circumstance. For many years the religious leaders of Israel had been pronouncing the coming of Messiah as an event where He would show up in power and glory and give the land of Israel back to the people of Israel.
The Person of the kingdom of God was standing in front of them. He had done many mighty deeds; giving sight to the blind, making the lame walk, healing lepers, raising the dead, calming storms, walking on water; and yet they could not see.
Jesus tells the disciples in the following verses how it will be. Even that He will be killed.
The coming of the kingdom of God was without much notice at all. If they would not believe Moses and the Prophets they would not believe even though One would rise from the dead.
The kingdom of God shows up in the soul that is redeemed. Do we notice? He is present within us.
I realize that this is so much deeper than I can know. The whole thought is that Jesus can be missed if those who desire Him are looking for signs rather than Jesus Himself.
To the Little Flock
The verse we are about to read, study, and contemplate is to the small group of 12 of Jesus Disciples, and to all the Church of the Lord Jesus down through the years.
Jesus said,
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 (KJB)
This fits well with and for a small local congregation [local Church, Body of Christ] of believers joined together; a people who loves God through His Son Jesus, loves His word, and endeavors to live for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ; also having a burden for others who are lost in their sins.
The following is commentary from the late Matthew Henry on this verse…
“They have better things to expect and hope for: Fear not, little flock, Luk_12:32. For the banishing of inordinate cares, it is necessary that fears should be suppressed. When we frighten ourselves with an apprehension of evil to come, we put ourselves upon the stretch of care how to avoid it, when after all perhaps it is but the creature of our own imagination. Therefore fear not, little flock, but hope to the end; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. This comfortable word we had not in Matthew. Note, [1.] Christ’s flock in this world is a little flock; his sheep are but few and feeble. The church is a vineyard, a garden, a small spot, compared with the wilderness of this world; as Israel (1Ki_20:27), who were like two little flocks of kids, when the Syrians filled the country. [2.] Though it be a little flock, quite over-numbered, and therefore in danger of being overpowered, by its enemies, yet it is the will of Christ that they should not be afraid: “Fear not, little flock, but see yourselves safe under the protection and conduct of the great and good Shepherd, and lie easy.” [3.] God has a kingdom in store for all that belong to Christ’s little flock, a crown of glory (1Pe_5:4), a throne of power (Rev_3:21), unsearchable riches, far exceeding the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces. The sheep on the right hand are called to come and inherit the kingdom; it is theirs for ever; a kingdom for each. [4.] The kingdom is given according to the good pleasure of the Father; It is your Father’s good pleasure; it is given not of debt, but of grace, free grace, sovereign grace; even so, Father, because it seemed good unto thee. The kingdom is his; and may he not do what he will with his own? [5.] The believing hopes and prospects of the kingdom should silence and suppress the fears of Christ’s little flock in this world. “Fear no trouble; for, though it should come, it shall not come between you and the kingdom, that is sure, it is near.” (That is not an evil worth trembling at the thought of which cannot separate us from the love of God). “Fear not the want of any thing that is good for you; for, if it be your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, you need not question but he will bear your charges thither.”” MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
I love hearing Jesus say to us “Fear not…” Here He is saying it to His little flock. Let us be very encouraged, and live for the cause; the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The Plough Man
I grew up on a farm. A small farm by some’s reckoning; and large to others thinking. It was mostly a Dairy farm, and we had beef cattle too for some of the time. It still required plowing ground once in a while to sow Alfalfa hay, and certain others types of grass hay.
To plough [plow] in a straight line requires looking ahead. If you look back, for whatever reason, you will end up with a crooked row. Having said that let us look at our Bible text for today:
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.’ And He said unto another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.’ Jesus said unto him, ‘Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.’ And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:57-62 (KJB)
For the two men in the text, they wanted to follow Jesus, but they had other things to do. The first would have had to wait for his father to die, then bury him. The second evidently had guests in his home, and saying their farewells would have taken much time away.
The lesson of the story, of these two men, and their desire to follow Jesus is this; If you are going to follow Jesus, then follow Jesus, preach the kingdom of God – and that is Jesus – and do not look back.
Let me leave you with the commentary of John Gill on the “is not fit for the kingdom of God” closing of verse 62…
“is not fit for the kingdom of God: that is, to preach the kingdom of God, as in Luk_9:60. He cannot serve God and mammon, his own interest, and the interest of Christ; he cannot rightly perform the work of the ministry, whilst his thoughts and time are taken up in the affairs of the world.” John Gill’s EXPOSITION OF THE BIBLE
They Watched Him
Jesus had a way, His way of aggravating the religious crowd of His day. That religion was steeped in legalism, and little mercy or grace. It seemed they knew nothing about grace for their people; but allowed much, with loopholes around some of their traditions for themselves.
When the disciples with Jesus were walking through a field of grain, and they were scooping their fingers through the heads freeing the grains seeds from the tops, rolling the grain in their hands to free the good from the chaff, then blowing the chaff away with a strong breath; and they were doing it on the sabbath day [Saturday]; then, the scribes and Pharisees considered that a violation of the sabbath.
On another sabbath day Jesus had entered a synagogue to worship, and there was a man there with a withered right hand. The Pharisees and the scribes watched Jesus to see what He would do. Our verse today…
“And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, whether He would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against Him.” Luke 6:7 (KJB)
They watched Him with ill intent. They watched Him to bring harm. They watched Him to eventually kill Him. Why? They hated Him, His life, His teaching, and probably His boldness and authority with which He spoke. He put religion on notice as well.
Those who follow Jesus, are faithful to Him, and His teaching- His doctrine will be watched too. Sometimes for the same reasons as those who were watching Jesus. What are we to do? Live faithfully for Christ. Put Him on daily (Romans 13:12; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24; 6:11) all the things of Christ Jesus. Do not fear; be faithful.
I will leave with you a quote from the Matthew Henry Commentary on Luke 6:7…
“Among those who were the hearers of Christ’s excellent doctrine, and the eye-witnesses of his glorious miracles, there were some who came with no other design than to pick quarrels with him, Luk_6:7. The scribes and Pharisees would not, as became generous adversaries, give him fair warning that, if he did heal on the sabbath day, they would construe it into a violation of the fourth commandment, which they ought in honour and justice to have done, because it was a case without precedent (none having ever cured as he did), but they basely watched him, as the lion does his prey, whether he would heal on the sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him, and surprise him with a prosecution.” From the MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
What Fishermen and Fishers of Men Need to Know
Now, just for your information, I am no fishermen. In other words, I am not an expert on the topic of fishing, with a net or a line. I am seeing this in my reading of Scripture for today. Which was Luke 3 – 5.
In the first three verses of chapter five we see Jesus being crowded by people, and wanting to hear more of His teaching. He borrows Peter’s boat, is rowed off the shore a bit, and teaches them. Peter and the others had been fishing all night, and had caught nothing. The place in the text is called the Sea of Gennesarat; also called the Sea of Tiberius (John 6:1; 21:1), and the Sea of Galilee. It is a large, inland freshwater lake.
Let us hear our text for today…
“Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.’ And Simon answering said unto Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.’ And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, ‘Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.’
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:4-11 (KJB)
What do Fishermen and Fishers of Men need to know? Simply this. We must have our net (or line) in the water; and we must hear the words of the Master; and we must know that it is the Master who gives the catch.
The Ministry of the New Born Prophet
“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” Luke 1:67-80 (KJB)
The ministry of the prophet John was strong and in the Spirit of the Lord heralding the Lord Jesus as the Messiah of Israel; and preparing many in Israel to receive Him.
That is the ministry of the Biblical preacher and pastor in 2019; declaring the Lord Jesus, His life, His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection. If we let ourselves stand in the way… Well you finish the sentence.
Lift up the Dayspring. He is Jesus.
Temple Thrown Down
“And as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples saith unto Him, ‘Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings!’And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ And as He sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?'” Mark 13:1-4 (KJB)
From the past…
This was the last time that Jesus would be in the temple. He had just applauded the widow as she gave all she possessed, and chided the religious leaders because they had only given according to their riches. What matters to God is the attitude of one’s heart not the amount one gives or their prestige, or position.
There was nothing in all the world like this temple in its grandeur. It had beautiful marble stones with gold ornamentation which reached a height of 100 feet, there were colonaded walkways, courtyards, and stairways that filled 20 acres of the most prominent landscape in Jerusalem. From our human perspective it is no wonder the disciples made such a statement.
“These buildings” were those of the temple and probably surrounding area which were marvelous architectural wonders. They would not be able to endure the “wrath” that would come showing God’s disapproval of the Hebrew’s rejection of their Messiah. When the temple would fall their sacrifices would cease, and they [the Hebrews] would be scattered to the “ends of the earth”.
When looking at this time and the situation they were in we must ask ourselves, “What is important in life?” Is it buildings and lands? Is it money and finances? Maybe it is science and technology? Wilfred Hahn a global portfolio manager has dubbed these as MOFI and SCITE. There is a third one called GLOBO, which is a growing desire for global unity and tying of all nations to one another in the above things. To explain these names are an acronyn for MOFI = Money/Finance; SCITE = Science/Technology; GLOBO = Global orgainization and unity.
The Jewish leaders; religious and otherwise; would learn in the years to come that what they held so dear would not stand. What about us? Can we learn from their foolishness? I pray so.
He Looked Around
“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, He went out unto Bethany with the twelve.” Mark 11:11 (KJB)
This was during the week of His presentation, and the giving of His gift from God to Adam kind; the gift of His life. His public presentation as King was received by many, as He came in on the donkey; with people singing and saying
“Hosanna: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Mark 11:9-10
We are told in verse 11 that He came to Jerusalem, and entered the temple. He looked around. Of these words John Gill wrote…
“and when he had looked round about upon all things; that is, in the temple, as the Lord and proprietor of it; and made a thorough visitation of it, and search into it, and corrected what was amiss in it:” John Gill
Jesus is Lord and Proprietor of the temple. Today the temple of the Lord is each individual who has been redeemed by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and secured by the resurrection of Christ from the grave (1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19).
He is in you. He is in me. He is in us who confess Him as our Lord and Savior. He has every right and authority to look around in His temple. He will lead us in the paths of righteousness as we yield to His word and Holy Spirit.
Believe Him
He Shall Rise Again
In a great mountain top experience Jesus and three of His disciples had on the Mount, came down, and found a man with a demon possessed son had asked the other disciples of Jesus to deliver the child. They could not. Jesus did.
Now they are going through Galilee, and Jesus is teaching them, reminding them of a perilous time ahead. It was in motion. It was going to happen. Nothing could stop it.
“And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it. For He taught His disciples, and said unto them, ‘The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day.’ But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask Him. Mark 9:30-32 (KJB)
We can see what Jesus means. We have twenty twenty vision; because it has happened just as He said. Let us not judge the disciples too harshly. They loved Jesus and could not stand the thought of His death, because they did not understand that that is why He came. They were still of the mindset that He was going to overthrow the Romans, and be King of the Jews at that time. Jesus was reminding them otherwise.
As Christians in 2019 we need to remember that this same Jesus who died on the cross, was buried, and rose again just as He said; that He will come again, take those who are His unto Himself, and will, after much tribulation set up His kingdom on earth.
Believe Him. Call on His name.
Calming the Storm(s)
“And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’ And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, ‘Master, carest Thou not that we perish?’ And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, ‘Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'” Mark 4:35-41 (KJB)
Jesus calls on the disciples to go to the other side in a boat, with others with them. He sleeps in the “hinder part” with perfect peace, and continues to sleep as a storm comes up and rages. The Master completely at peace while the disciples rage with their own personal storm of fear.
There once was a boy, awakened by a horrendous thunderstorm. He was very frightened by that storm, but remembered the words of Jesus, and spoke them to the storm. Following the speaking of those words, “Peace, be still” that boy went back to sleep.
Jesus is the one who calms all the storms of life when we place them in His hands.
Let me give you a few words from F. B. Meyer on these verse…
“The stilling of the storm, Mar_4:35-41. They that bear Christ’s company must prepare for squalls. Yet, why should we fear, when the Master is on board, who can impress His commands on wind and sea-to the wind, Peace; to the sea, Be still! “The Lord on high is mightier than the waves of the sea.” A moment ago he was so weary as to sleep amid the storm, but at a word of appeal from those He loves, He shows Himself able to save to the uttermost.” from F. B. Meyer’s THROUGH THE BIBLE DAY BY DAY
Remember the One who was sleeping, getting the rest He needed, was also the One who would go to the cross, and face the greatest storm of His life, dying for the sins of the world; yours and mine; was buried, then three days later came out of that grave alive. He lives forever more. Call on His name. Believe Him.
When the New Comes
“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto Him, ‘Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Thy disciples fast not?’ And Jesus said unto them, ‘Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.’” Mark 2:18-22 (KJB)
The religious leaders of Jerusalem, of Israel, had made traditions laws; and those traditions were in many cases loopholes around the law of Moses. Of course the Pharisees held the law of Moses in high esteem, but then violated it; and that is what Jesus is confronting.
The question was asked about fasting. From the previous verses we see that it was the scribes and Pharisees who were asking Jesus this question. They needed the confrontation. O, if only they would have heard.
There are two New things which Jesus mentions; the first is a “New cloth”. The old garment was the old religion of the Hebrews which had been tainted by their traditions which provided loopholes; which was mostly for those in the know about the loopholes which would have been the priests and the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus confronted their sin. You cannot sew a new piece of cloth onto a old piece of clothing with a good outcome. When you wash the garment the new piece will shrink, and tear the old garment, because the old does not shrink. Jesus brought in, brought us the new way of faith and life, fulfilling the law to the max.
The second New thing is “New wine”. Old wine skins have reached their max with the fermentation process, so new wine skins would be needed for new wine. The Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) is given to all who are born again in Christ Jesus and His finished work on Calvary. The New wine is a picture of that work of the Spirit of God making us new in Him. He is not available for those who refuse to repent of their sins, and refuse to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Like the New wine needs in a new wine skin, so too does the Spirit of God work in a new heart given to Christ.
The Fire and Hammer 