15 Pentecost – Sunday
first posted 08/27/05
2 Samuel 24:1-2, 10-25, The Census, Plague and Altar
Galatians 3:23-4:7, The Purpose of the Law
John 8:12-20 The Light of the World.
King David decided to conduct a census of
The Word of the Lord came to Gad,
the
prophet who was David’s spiritual advisor. The Lord asked David through
the
prophet to choose one of three alternatives of punishment for
David told Gad that he preferred to be punished by God,
rather than
by his human enemies, because God’s “mercy is great” (2 Samuel 24:14).
So the
Lord allowed a plague to sweep through the land, and seventy thousand
died, but
the Lord restrained the Angel carrying out God’s command as the angel
prepared
to strike
Gad told David to raise up an altar to the Lord at
the
threshing floor of Araunah, and David went to Araunah to do what the
prophet
had said. Araunah went out to meet David, bowed to him, and asked David
why he
had come. David said he wanted to buy Araunah’s threshing floor to
build an
altar to the Lord and offer a sacrifice so that the plague would end.
Araunah offered
to give the threshing floor to David, along with a yoke of oxen for the
sacrifice and the wood for the fire. But David would not accept his
offer,
because David refused to offer an offering to the Lord which had cost
him
nothing. So David paid for the threshing floor and the yoke of oxen for
fifty
silver shekels. David built the altar and offered the burnt offerings
and peace
offerings. The Lord heeded the supplications for
Paul taught the Galatians that the Old Covenant of
Law
was
intended as a “guardian,” a “babysitter” to restrain us until the New
Covenant
of grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9) was revealed. By
faith in Christ, we are now “grown up,” spiritually mature, and no
longer need
the guardianship of the Law (provided that we are filled with and
guided by the
Holy Spirit of Christ; Romans 8:1-11).
By faith in Christ we have been
adopted
as God’s sons (and daughters; but note that Jesus is the first-born,
and only
begotten Son; John 1:14, 3:16 Matthew 1:18, 20-21 KJV, also the Second
Article
of the Nicene Creed). Those who have been baptized into Christ, by
water and
the Holy Spirit, have been “clothed” in Christ. We are no longer
divided by
race, class, or sex; we are united in Christ by his Holy Spirit. And if
we are
in Christ we are Abraham’s spiritual offspring, and heirs to God’s
promise.
An heir under guardianship has no more rights than a slave until the age of inheritance set by his father. Likewise with us; we were enslaved by sin and death under the law until, in God’s perfect timing God sent his son, born to a Jewish woman, under the Law of Moses, so that we might receive adoption into God’s household. “Because you are sons (and daughters) God has sent the (Holy) Spirit of his Son into our hearts,” who bears witness with our spirits that God is our father (Abba is the Aramaic word for "father"). So we are no longer slaves but children and heirs.
Jesus had gone to
The Pharisees accused Jesus of testifying falsely
in his own
self-interest. Jesus replied that his testimony was true because only
Jesus
knew his origin and destiny. Jesus told them that they judged according
to
worldly standards and human weakness. Jesus did not come to judge
people (John
3:17-21), but Jesus’ judgment would be true because Jesus would judge
according
to God’s will and righteousness.
According to Jewish law, the testimony
of two
people is sufficient, and therefore Jesus’ testimony is verified by
God’s
testimony (in scripture, and in the miracles Jesus did). The Pharisees
asked
where Jesus’ father was, and Jesus told them they knew neither Jesus
nor his
Father; if they had recognized who Jesus was, they would have known the
Father
also. This discourse had occurred in the temple treasury (where
monetary
offerings were collected), but he was not arrested because it was not
in God’s
timing for that to happen.
David had led his nation to commit sin against the
Lord.
David was asked to choose the punishment, and David chose to trust in
the mercy
of God’s judgment. David’s intercession on behalf of his nation
foreshadows
Christ’s intercession for us. David, the shepherd-king offered to
sacrifice
himself for the “sheep” of
All of us have sinned (disobeyed God’s Word) and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10, James 2:10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). We get to choose whether to fall into the hands of our enemy, Satan, who has the power of sin and death or into the mercy of God through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, who has already paid the price for our forgiveness and redemption by his sacrificial death on the Cross.
In order to receive the promise, the inheritance of forgiveness and salvation through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, we must grow to spiritual maturity. We must claim the fulfillment of the promise of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “To all who believed in his name (Jesus) he gave the *power* (or “authority;” the promise and the ability to claim it by obedient trust) to become children of God,” who are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), not by human flesh or human will, but by God’s indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13 RSV). We are freed from slavery to the law which convicts us of sin and sentences us to eternal death, provided that we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11).
Jesus is the only one who baptizes with the Holy
Spirit
(John 1:31-34). Jesus only gives the anointing with the indwelling Holy
Spirit to
his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit
is the
seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2
Corinthians
1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The indwelling Holy
Spirit
testifies with our spirit that God is our Father, and that we are the
spiritual
descendants of Abraham, and heirs to God’s promise. It is possible for
one to
know with certainty for oneself whether one has been anointed and
filled with
the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
Jesus is the light of the world, and he promises that those who follow him in obedient trust will have the light of eternal life within them; they will be “reborn” by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Jesus, the Spirit of the triune God (the Trinity; see Romans 8:9) opens the minds of Jesus’ disciples to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:32, 45; 2 Corinthians 3:13-17 RSV), healing their spiritual blindness. Jesus’ disciples who are filled and guided by his Holy Spirit won’t walk in darkness, not only by spiritual enlightenment but by spiritual obedience.
The Pharisees thought they knew God and knew scripture, but they didn’t, or they would have recognized Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. The fact that they didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God prevented them from coming to a personal knowledge and experience of God, through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can know enough about God (and Jesus) from scripture to recognize, accept and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As we begin to trust and obey Jesus we will receive the promised Holy Spirit, through whom we have intimate fellowship with Jesus and with the Father.
Alternative Entry
first posted
09/20/03
2 Sam. 24:1-2, 10-25 Building an Altar
Galatians 3:23-4:7 The Purpose of the Law
John 8:12-20 The Light of Life
David had ordered a census of the people, but
after it was
completed he felt guilty and prayed for forgiveness. On the following
morning,
David’s seer (prophet; spiritual advisor) told David to choose one of
three
possible punishments to atone for his guilt: Three years of famine,
three
months of war, or three days of plague. David did not choose, but left
it to
God, trusting God’s mercy. Immediately a plague swept the land (killing
about
five percent of the population). David felt guilty that the evil had
not fallen
on him personally.
The prophet Gad told him to build an altar at the
threshing
floor of Araunah the Jebusite
(where David had seen a vision of the Angel of the Lord restrained from
further
punishing of the nation. This site was later the location of Solomon’s
Paul taught the Galatian Church that the Law of Moses was intended to be a “guardian” for the people of God until the coming of the Messiah (or Christ; the Anointed). Once Jesus had come, we were no longer bound to fulfill the law in order to be reconciled with God, but in Christ we are saved by faith in Jesus, not by works of the law. Paul gives an example of minor children under a guardian until legally old enough to receive and handle the estate for themselves. He also uses an analogy of adoption, that in Christ we who once were servants (or slaves) under the law are now adopted as sons (and daughters) and thus heirs, free from servitude to the law (though not free to do what the law forbids).
Jesus declared that he was the light of the world; the light of life. The Jewish religious leaders challenged his statement as self-serving and therefore unreliable. Jesus answered that his Father (God) bore witness to him, and that the religious leaders did not know God because they did not recognize Jesus.
Under the Law of Moses, it was impossible to
please God,
because it was impossible to keep the Law. The Law, anticipating our
failure,
had provisions for offering sacrifices for sin (failure to keep the
law) as a
way of forgiving and restoring us to a right relationship with God. God
would
later provide himself the lamb for the sacrifice for sin in the death
of his
Son, Jesus, on the cross. That sacrifice was once for all time and
people for
the remission of sin.
David prayed for forgiveness, but still didn’t
have
reconciliation. A plague wiped out five percent of the population, but
David
still didn’t feel at peace with God. He built the altar and had to pay
for the
sacrifice with his own money in order to feel restored to a right
relationship
with God. But was even that enough? The problem with the Law is that
one must
keep all of it all the time. Fail any moment at any point, and one is
guilty of
all of it. (See James 2:10.)
In Christ we can have peace with God by
trusting
in Jesus, who died on the Cross once for all as an offering for our
sin! Jesus
paid the price of our sin for us! “For
the wages (price) of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal
life in
Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23). We can trust in Jesus or we can pay for
our sins
for ourselves, by our own eternal death and separation from God. All we need to do to receive God’s free gift
of salvation and eternal life with God
is to believe in Jesus!
15 Pentecost – Monday
Monday, September 22, 2003
posted
09/21/03
1 Kings 1:1-4) 5-31 Struggle for Succession
Acts 26:1-23 Paul’s Testimony before Agrippa
Mark 13:14-27 On the End of the Age
David was now old (and probably bed-ridden) and Adonijah the Son of Haggith, David’s oldest living son, was making plans to assume the throne of his father, with the support of Joab, David’s nephew and once commander of his army, and Abiathar, the priest. Adonijah held a large sacrifice and invited everyone in David’s Court except Nathan the Prophet, Benaiah, David’s mighty men, and Solomon, the brother of Adonijah by Bathsheba, who was David’s intended successor. Nathan counseled Bathsheba to tell David of Adonijah’s intentions, so she went into the king’s bedchamber and discussed it with David. While she was talking, Nathan also came in, and he told David the same thing. So David swore to Bathsheba that Solomon would be David’s successor.
Paul, awaiting trial before Caesar on false
charges brought by
the Jewish religious leaders, had an opportunity to present his
testimony
before King Herod Agrippa, who was visiting Governor Festus. Paul
testified
that he had been raised a devout Jew, a Pharisee (the strictest
sub-category,
who believe in the Resurrection of the dead). He was so zealous for
Judaism
that he had persecuted Christians as heretics.
On his trip to
Jesus told his disciples that at the end of the age there would be great tribulation, greater than anything ever before, and that false Christs and false prophets would arise to lead many astray. There will be great disturbances in the natural world. Then all will see the return of Jesus (the Son of man) with his angels, who will gather his elect “from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:27b).
Adonijah thought that
his father
the King was old and feeble, and that Adonijah
was
free to pursue his own interests. Since he was David’s oldest living
son, he
just naturally assumed that he was entitled to inherit the throne. He
didn’t
consult with his Father. Adonijah just
went ahead and
started making his own plans, but the King had different plans which he
had
sworn to accomplish.
Paul had been very zealous for God. Paul was doing
what he
thought God would have wanted. But Paul was missing an important piece
of
information: Jesus is God’s anointed King. God has sworn that Jesus is
going to
return in Glory to reign eternally as King. Have we heard this
important
information? Have we been pursuing our own plans, or are we working in
harmony
with God’s plan?
15 Pentecost – Tuesday
first posted
08/29/05
1 Kings 1:32-2:4 (5-46a) 46b, Solomon Anointed King
Acts 26:24-27:8, Agrippa’s Verdict
Mark 13:28-37 The End of the Age
King David was old and in declining health. He
summoned his
loyal servants, Zadok, the priest, Nathan the prophet, David’s
bodyguards, and
Benaiah, the commander, and told them to take Solomon, David’s son by
Bathsheba, mounted on David’s mule, to Gihon (the natural spring on the
western
bank of the
Then they were to come up in procession to the
palace in
Adonijah, David’s son who was trying to seize the
throne for
himself, had been feasting at En-rogel (a spring south of Gihon
apparently not
within sight of Gihon because of the terrain, but within hearing
distance),
with his invited guests which included all the royal officials of Judah
except
the men loyal to David and Solomon. They heard the trumpet and the
noise and
wondered the reason for it.
Abiathar, the priest, supported Adonijah,
and his
son, Jonathan, had served as a royal spy and messenger for David during
his
exile. Jonathan arrived and reported that David had arranged for Zadok
and
Nathan to anoint Solomon King at Gihon and seat him on the royal
throne; this
was the explanation for the noise.
Adonijah’s guests trembled with fear and fled. Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he went into the temple and took hold of the horns (raised corners) of the altar (claiming sanctuary). Solomon heard that Adonijah was claiming sanctuary, and declared that if Adonijah proved to be of good character, Solomon would spare him. Adonijah was allowed to return to his home.
On David’s deathbed, he charged his son Solomon to
obey God’s Word, and the Lord would prosper him in all his
undertakings, fulfilling
the Lord’s promise of an eternal dynasty on the throne of David. David
gave
Solomon instructions to execute those who had been disloyal to David,
such as
Joab, and Adonijah. Abiathar, the priest, was expelled to his home and
was
replaced by Zadok. Benaiah became Solomon’s commander-in-chief of the
army in
place of Joab. Shimei was spared on condition that he not leave
Paul was giving
testimony of his
conversion to King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II), and Governor Festus, the
Roman
authorities, in
Paul asked King Agrippa if he believed the prophets (their prophecy recorded in scripture). Agrippa replied that Paul was only imagining that he could, in such short time, convert Agrippa to Christian faith. Paul answered that however short or long it took, his hope was that all his hearers would become as Paul was (“born-again;” with a personal relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and assurance of eternal life in God’s kingdom), though not in chains. Festus, Agrippa and Bernice left the hearing, and privately agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving execution, and Agrippa told Festus that Paul “could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32)
Jesus had been telling his disciples the signs which would precede the end of the age (the end of this present Creation). Using a fig tree as an example he said that when it puts out leaves one realizes that summer is near, and likewise, when the signs which Jesus had described appear, Jesus’ return and the Day of Judgment is near. “This generation (which sees these signs) will not pass away until the end of the age, Jesus’ return, and the Day of Judgment, have taken place. Jesus declared that heaven and earth (this present Creation) will pass away but Jesus’ words will not pass away; Jesus’ words are eternal.
Jesus warned that, except for God the Father, no one, including himself, knew when that day would be. So we are warned to watch and be ready for Jesus’ return at any moment, so as not to be caught by surprise. Like a man going on a long journey leaves his servants in charge of his house and commands his doorkeeper to be on alert for his return, so must we be ready and not be caught napping, no matter at what hour he returns. Everyone is warned to be ready!
The image of King Solomon, the “Son of David,” riding up from the Kidron Valley on the King’s mule and entering Jerusalem, with David’s loyal servants shouting and singing in celebration of his reign foreshadows Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion (Mark 11:1-10; Matthew 21:1-11). The entries of both Solomon and Jesus also point to Jesus’ Second Coming when he will return in great power and glory on the Day of Judgment.
Jesus is the Lord’s anointed; that’s what “Christ” and “Messiah” each mean. Adonijah and his supporters represent those who have opposed Jesus’ Kingship. Adonijah wanted to seize the throne from God’s anointed eternal king and reign over the kingdom of this world himself; and his supporters represent non-Christians. They’ve been partying at En-rogel, thinking they had it made; their lives were going just the way they wanted. Their party was interrupted by news that the Lord’s anointed King has returned in power and glory and has established his kingdom.
The enthronement of the Lord’s anointed King is
bad news to
those who tried to seize his throne, and to their supporters. Adonijah,
who
attempted to usurp the throne, was given a second chance because he
begged for
sanctuary at the altar of the Lord (1 Kings 1:49-53). The King told
Adonijah
that he would not be executed if he began living a life worthy of his
repentance; if he gave up wickedness, disobedience, and opposition to
the King.
But Adonijah didn’t fulfill his covenant with the King (his promise to
live
according to what the King had said). He coveted Abishag, the
Shunammite, a
beautiful woman of King David’s harem, for his wife. Abishag represents
carnal
(worldly, but not just sexual) temptation to aspire to the King’s
property. She
was one of the prerogatives which belonged to the King and was to be
passed on
to the heir to the throne. Adonijah’s unwillingness to exercise any
self-discipline, or to surrender any part of his own will to his king,
cost him
his life (1 Kings 2:24-25).
The Lord’s anointed King has orders and authority from his Father, to destroy those who were disloyal to his Father and himself. Jesus has the authority to forgive those who truly repent and begin living in ways that demonstrate repentance and obedient trust, but only until the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment it will be too late.
Paul is an example of an authentic, modern,
“post-resurrection,” (coming, like all of us us, to know Jesus only
after his
death and resurrection) “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple
and
Apostle (messenger of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ.
King Agrippa and
Governor
Festus are example of worldly people who are pursuing worldly ambitions
of
power, wealth, success, comfort, and pleasure. Neither was willing to
do or
even make the offer to do what they agreed was justice in Paul’s case;
both
dodged the responsibility, and passed it on to someone else. They were interested in hearing what Paul had
to say, if it was enjoyable and entertaining (Acts 24:24; 25:22), but
when it
got personal or frightening they wanted to hear no more (Acts 24:25;
26:27-28).
Jesus has promised to return in power and glory to judge everyone who has ever lived on earth (Matthew 25:31-46). We are all of the generation who will see the Day of Judgment, whether we are living or have physically died (John 5:28-29). None of us has any assurance that we’ll live to see another day, and Jesus warns us that no one except God the Father knows the day of Jesus’ return on the Day of Judgment. Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2; See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). For anyone who has not come to faith in Jesus Christ and personal fellowship and spiritual rebirth through his Holy Spirit, today is the day to go to the altar and beg for sanctuary and forgiveness. Today is the day to begin living according to Jesus’ example and words.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Alternative Entry
first posted
09/22/03
1 Kings 1:32-2:46 Solomon’s Kingdom Established
Acts 26:24-27:8 Paul
Sent to
Mark 13:28-37 Watch for Jesus’ Return
King David, old and bed-ridden, had Solomon
anointed king at
Gihon by Zadok
the priest,
Nathan the prophet, and Beniah (who was
later to
become Solomon’s commander of the army) to thwart the attempt by
David’s oldest
living son, Adonijah, to make himself
king. Adonijah had held a sacrifice and
feast, with most of the
members of David’s Court attending, as he prepared to assume the
throne, and
while he was feasting, the sound of the anointing celebration for
Solomon was
heard, and news of the anointing was brought by messenger.
Knowing that
Solomon
had been made King, Adonijah became afraid
for his
life, and sought sanctuary, grasping the horns (projections on the
corners of
the altar resembling horns) of the altar, which was provided by the Law
of
Moses for pardon from death. King Solomon granted him conditional
amnesty,
provided that he behave with good conduct, thus demonstrating that he
had had a
true change of heart-attitude.
David charged Solomon to keep the
commandments
of the Lord, so that the Lord’s promise to perpetuate the throne of
David might
be fulfilled. David also instructed Solomon to eliminate enemies of
Solomon’s
reign, and Solomon carried these instructions out. David died,
Solomon’s
Kingdom having been firmly established.
King Agrippa, who ruled a portion of
Jesus concluded teaching his Disciples on the signs of the end of the age with the exhortation that the appearance of those signs indicates the nearness of the end, just as the leafing of the fig tree heralds the approach of summer. He warned his disciples to be alert and not to become complacent, so as not to be caught by surprise.
Adonijah thought that
he deserved
to be king; he was the oldest living son of David, and therefore the
natural
heir to the throne. He didn’t bother to seek his father’s will. While
he was in
the act of pursuing his own selfish ambition, he was caught by surprise
at the
announcement of the anointing of King Solomon. Adonijah
realized that his behavior would be recognized as treasonous and his
life thus
in danger, now that King Solomon was in power, so Adonijah
fled to the altar and claimed amnesty by laying hold of the horns of
the altar,
according to the provision of the law.
Solomon granted him a conditional pardon, depending on his
subsequent
good behavior, but Adonijah violated the
conditions
by coveting and conniving to obtain Abishag,
the
beautiful young concubine of David’s final years. Access to the
concubines was
a symbol and prerogative of the office of King, and demonstrated Adonijah’s continued ambition to be king (and
lack of a
true change of heart-attitude). As a result, Adonijah
was destroyed.
Paul had appealed to Caesar in order to save his life
from the
plot by the Jews, in order to pursue God’s will, which was to preach
the gospel
to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit had told him that he must testify also
in
Our own natural
inclination
is to want to be king. We want to be on the throne of our own lives. We
don’t
want to bother to consider our Father’s will. Will we be surprised in
the midst
of our selfish pursuits at the sudden return of Jesus? Those who oppose
Jesus
Kingship will be destroyed. Do we claim amnesty in Jesus name, because
we fear
eternal death, but then think we can continue to pursue our own plans,
not
subjugating our will to His?
Jesus said: “Why do you call me ‘Lord,
Lord,’ and
not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). “Not every one who says to me
‘Lord,
Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of
my Father
who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The King is coming! Be ready!
15 Pentecost – Wednesday
first posted
08/30/05
1 Kings 3:1-15, Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
Acts 27:9-26 Paul Prophesies Shipwreck
Mark 14:1-11 Jesus Anointed
King Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter to secure
a
political alliance. They lived in the “City (citadel) of David” (within
Solomon loved the Lord and obeyed him as his
father, David,
had, except that Solomon sacrificed to the Lord at Gibeon, the great
high place
(about five miles northwest of
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom to govern, rather than for long life, wealth or vengeance against Solomon’s enemies. The Lord promised that he would give Solomon wisdom beyond any other person who ever lived and he would also give him what Solomon hadn’t asked for: wealth and honor beyond any other king. God also promised to give Solomon long life, if Solomon trusted and obeyed the Lord in everything.
Solomon awoke and realized this had been a dream.
He
returned to
At Caesarea, Governor Festus and King Agrippa had
agreed to
send Paul to
The wind was unfavorable,
and they had been delayed so that the voyage was now dangerously late
in the
season. Paul told the centurion, the captain, and the owner of the ship
that
the vessel would suffer loss of life and cargo if they continued on,
but the
harbor was not suitable to winter in, and the centurion accepted the
decision
of the owner and captain to sail for a winter harbor at
When a favorable wind arose the ship sailed for Crete, but a storm developed and the ship was blown south of Cauda where they managed to adjust the rigging for the storm, but they continued to be driven southwest by the wind, fearing that they would driven onto a dangerous shoal west of Cyrene (in modern Libya). As the storm increased they were forced to throw the cargo overboard. The third day of the storm the crew threw the ship’s tackle overboard, and all hope of survival was abandoned.
No one had eaten for a long time. Paul encouraged those onboard by assuring them that all would survive, although the ship would be lost. Paul had been assured by an angel of the Lord during the night that it was God’s will that he should testify before Caesar in Rome, and that God would spare all those onboard. Paul had faith that God’s promise would be fulfilled, although the ship would have to run aground on some island.
Jesus was in
As Jesus was at dinner, a woman brought a jar of
expensive ointment of
pure
nard (imported from
Some were
indignant at
this extravagance and rebuked her, saying that the ointment could have
been
sold and the money used to help the poor. But Jesus told them to leave
her
alone; she had done a beautiful thing for Jesus.
Jesus told them they
could
help the poor anytime they chose, but they would not always have the
opportunity to show their love for Jesus directly as she had. She had
done what
she could, and had anointed Jesus in preparation for his burial. Jesus
said
that her act of love would be remembered throughout the world wherever
the
Gospel is preached.
Then Judas Iscariot went to the religious authorities and arranged to betray Jesus to them. They were pleased and offered to pay him, and Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Solomon asked God for the wisdom he needed to
faithfully
fulfill the calling God had given him, and God was pleased to give him
wisdom
and to abundantly bless him with riches and honor as well. Solomon was
living
in obedience to the Lord in every area of his life, except that he was
using
the sanctuary at
After his
experience
of the Lord’s presence in the dream, Solomon returned to
The Captain and the owner of the ship had not listened to Paul when he advised them not to sail, and the Centurion had listened to the Captain and owner rather than Paul. When the ship got into trouble as Paul had predicted, all aboard had abandoned hope of survival, except Paul. The Lord had spoken to Paul during the night in a vision, assuring him that, for Paul’s sake, none of those onboard would die.
Paul was a “born-again” Christian disciple and apostle (“messenger;” of the Gospel; formerly known as Saul of Tarsus; Acts 9:1-22). Paul was a prisoner; he wasn’t going to Rome by his own choice, but by God’s will, which the Lord had revealed to Paul, during the night, in Jerusalem, when Paul had first been arrested (Acts 23:11) . He just trusted in the Lord to accomplish God's will.
According to the Gospel of John, it was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (whom Jesus had raised from the dead) who anointed Jesus with the ointment (John 12:1-8). It was Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ betrayer, who rebuked her for “wasting” it on Jesus, instead of selling it and giving the proceeds to the poor. Judas didn’t care about the poor; Judas was the treasurer of the disciples’ money, and was stealing from their funds.
Jesus was going to pour out his blood at the Cross for our salvation (from eternal death). Mary was pouring out her love for Jesus in the way that she could, and Judas was selling his salvation for money.
It was God’s plan (from the very beginning of
Creation; John
1:1-5; 14) for Jesus to die on the Cross, but it was Judas’ choice to
betray
Jesus; Judas “volunteered.” Jesus is God’s one and only provision for
forgiveness and salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see
God’s
Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Through obedient trust in Jesus
Christ,
we are “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of his indwelling Holy
Spirit,
which only Jesus gives (John 1:32-34), only to his disciples who trust
and obey
him (John 14:15-17).
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are guided
and
encouraged through the spiritual “darkness” and storms of this life,
and have the
certain
assurance that we will survive physical death. The Holy Spirit is the
seal and
guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians
1:22;
Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The Lord is pleased to give
his
Holy Spirit to those who ask in obedient trust.
By the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples are guided into greater trust and obedience; to spiritual maturity. By the Holy Spirit we are guided and empowered to share God’s Word of salvation and eternal life and our testimony of his love and faithfulness with our fellow “shipmates,” warning them of the spiritual dangers and offering them hope in the midst of the storms and shipwrecks of life.
How do you respond to Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
first posted
09/23/03
1 Kings 3:1-15 Solomon Prays for Wisdom
Acts 27:9-26 Facing Shipwreck
Mark 14:1-11 Jesus Anointed
Solomon took Pharaoh’s Daughter as wife in a
politically arranged
marriage, and brought her into the city of
Paul was under guard on his way to
When a favorable wind arose they set sail, but
then the
weather changed and a storm arose. After many days and the loss of the
ship’s
cargo and tackle, everyone but Paul was ready to abandon hope. Paul had
had a
visit from an angel of the Lord in the night who had assured him that
there
would be no loss of life but only of the ship. Paul encouraged all to
trust in
God that the outcome would be exactly as Paul had been told.
It was now just two days before the Passover, the
Last
Supper before the Crucifixion. Jesus and the disciples were staying in
Solomon had a personal experience of fellowship
and
communication with the Lord. Solomon asked the Lord for something which
would
benefit others, rather than asking selfishly for his own satisfaction.
Because
Solomon was obedient to God’s will and put the good of others ahead of
his own
benefit, the Lord was pleased to give him not only what he had asked
for, but
for Solomon’s own need as well, not sparingly, but in abundance!
Paul also had a personal relationship with
the Lord, beginning with his conversion on the road to
Jesus
knew, when
he headed for
Some are
unwilling to
believe what the Lord is saying, because they have placed their trust
in
worldly wisdom, and God’s Word doesn’t fit their “world-view”.
Sometimes we
have to get into a storm before we realize that we need the Lord. The Lord is warning that judgment is coming.
Now is the time to heed God’s Word. Don’t assume that God will always
give us
another chance. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to turn to Jesus. The
Day of
the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (Matthew 24:42-44).
Unless we’re
awake and on watch, we will be surprised and devastated! If we trust in
Jesus
and walk in obedience to him he will bring us through every storm and
we will
keep our lives for all eternity!
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus
Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1
John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Thursday
first posted
08/31/05
1 Kings 3:16-28, Solomon’s Wisdom
Acts 27:27-44, Paul Shipwrecked
Mark 14:12-26 The Last Supper
Two prostitutes lived together, and both got
pregnant about
the same time, and delivered within a few days of each other. One’s
child died
during the night because the mother had lain on it. While the other
mother
slept, the woman switched babies. When the other woman awoke she was
holding
the dead child, and she noticed that it was not the child she had
borne. The
woman with the dead child accused the other of making the exchange, and
the
other woman denied it, so they came to Solomon for judgment.
Since
neither
woman would admit guilt, Solomon ordered the living child to be cut in
two with
a sword so that each woman could have half. The mother of the dead
child was
willing to divide the living child, but the real mother told Solomon to
give
the living child to the other woman, rather than having it killed.
Solomon
rescinded his order to divide the child and gave it to its real mother
who had
been willing to give up her claim to the child to save its life. “And
all
Paul was a prisoner on his way to
As day was dawning, Paul told the people onboard
to eat
something to gain strength to help them survive the shipwreck. When
they had
eaten, they cast off the rest of the food, to lighten the ship. In the
daylight
they did not recognize the coastline, but they spotted a bay with a
beach which
seemed like a good place to land. The crew cast off the anchors, raised
a
foresail and headed for the beach.
The ship ran aground on a shoal, and
the
waves began to break up the stern. The soldiers were going to kill the
prisoners to keep them from escaping, but the centurion wanted to save
Paul,
and prevented the soldiers from carrying out their plan. He ordered
those who
could swim to do so, and the rest used pieces of the wooden ship to
carry them
ashore, and all survived.
On the day of Passover, his disciples asked Jesus
where they
should arrange to prepare for the feast. Jesus told them to go into the
city (
That evening Jesus came with the twelve, and as he was eating, Jesus told them that one of the twelve would betray him. The disciples were sad and began to ask, one by one, if Jesus could have meant them. Jesus said it was one of the twelve, who was dipping in the same dish with Jesus. Jesus said that the scriptural prophecy regarding Jesus would be fulfilled; but the one who facilitated the fulfillment by betraying Jesus would come to great disaster. The betrayer would have been better off if he had never been born.
During the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed, and
broke it. He
gave some to each disciple, saying “Take; this is my body” (Mark
14:22). He
took a cup and gave thanks, and then passed it to each disciple and
said “This
is my blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark
14:24).
Jesus told them, “Truly, I say to you , I shall not drink again of the
fruit of
the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God”
(Mark
14:25). They sang a hymn, and then they went out to the
Solomon, the Son of David and the Lord’s anointed King of Israel, prayed for divine wisdom so that he could rule wisely, and the Lord gave him wisdom generously, and wealth and honor as well. Solomon used his wisdom to render justice. The people recognized that his wisdom was of God and he was using it to achieve justice.
Paul was a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple and apostle (messenger of the Gospel). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he had guidance by the divine wisdom of God. At first the ship’s crew and passengers chose to follow the worldly wisdom of the captain and the owner. But as Paul’s advice proved to be right, they began to follow him; their own worldly wisdom had left them with no hope. Because they listened to Paul all onboard were saved.
Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus for guidance in
preparing for
the Passover meal, and as they followed his directions they found them
just as
he had said. The Lord’s guidance is absolutely true and reliable. If
we’re
willing to trust what he says and obey, we will grow in faith as we see
his
word fulfilled.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrated divine,
supernatural
wisdom. He knew he was going to be crucified that week in
Jesus demonstrated by his life, death and
resurrection that
divine wisdom is the true wisdom; contrary to what the world falsely
considers
wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:8). Jesus is the power and wisdom of
God (1
Corinthians 1:24).
Paul is the prototype and example of a "modern,"
“post-resurrection,” “born-again” disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ,
guided
by the wisdom of God through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Jesus came
to make it possible for us to receive the gift of the indwelling Holy
Spirit,
so that we could have personal fellowship with the Lord and be guided
and
empowered by his divine wisdom (John 16:7).
Jesus instituted the New Covenant [of salvation by
grace
(unmerited favor; free gift) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus
Christ; Ephesians
2:8-9)] and the Eucharist (the “Lord’s Supper;” “Communion”) on the
night of
his betrayal. Communion commemorates the sacrifice which established
the New
Covenant.
The Old Covenant of the Law of Moses prohibited drinking
blood or
eating meat with its blood, because it was believed that an animal’s
blood
contained its spirit. The Lord doesn’t want us to be filled with the
spirits of
animals but by his Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9b).
[But note
that Communion does not automatically confer the gift of the Holy
Spirit, nor
does water baptism.]
Communion is intended to be a visual parable as
well as
commemoration. Jesus gave his physical body and shed his blood so that
we could
receive forgiveness, cleansing and spiritual rebirth through the gift
of his
indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus’ body and blood are the spiritual
sustenance we
need to survive “shipwreck” on the Day of Judgment.
Judas decided to follow worldly wisdom rather than
divine
wisdom. He “sold” his chance for forgiveness and eternal life in
paradise for
thirty pieces of silver, which he never got to spend. His choice
brought
physical and spiritual, eternal death. Jesus declared that Judas’
eternal
destiny was worse than non-existence.
Worldly wisdom says that when we
die we
cease to exist; God’s Word says that mankind is appointed to die once,
and then
comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27), not reincarnation, and not nothingness!
God’s Word says that there will be a judgment of the just and of the
unjust;
the
living and the dead (in both the physical and spiritual senses); a
resurrection
to eternal life in Heaven or eternal condemnation and destruction in
Hell (John
5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Each of us must
choose for
ourselves whether to follow worldly wisdom or to follow Jesus in
obedient
trust.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Alternative Entry
first posted
09/24/03
1 Kings 3:16-28 Solomon’s Wisdom
Acts 27:27-44 Paul Shipwrecked
Mark 14:12-26 The Last Supper
Two harlots, living in the same house, had given
birth a few
days apart. One child had died in the night and the mother of the dead
child
had switched her dead child for the other woman’s live child. The other
woman
recognized that the dead child was not her own, and so both women
appeared
before Solomon to have him judge and settle their case.
Since both
women
claimed that the living child was hers, Solomon suggested dividing the
living
child in half, so they could each have half, knowing that
the real mother of the child would love
it and not want to see it killed, and
would be willing to let the other woman have it, for the child’s sake.
The
mother of the dead child would care more about her own vindication
rather than
the welfare of the child. Solomon was thus able to determine who the
real
mother was. “All
Paul had been falsely charged by the Jewish
religious
leaders with teaching against the Law of Moses, and was being
transported under
guard to
The ship’s crew attempted to abandon ship
in a
small boat, but Paul alerted the Centurion who had the boat cut adrift
empty.
Paul had had a promise from the Angel of the Lord that there would be
no loss
of life, which he had told those on board, and now he encouraged them
to eat so
that they might have strength for what lay ahead. After they had eaten,
they
dumped the rest of the food into the sea to lighten the ship and
attempted to
land, but the ship went aground and broke up in the surf.
The soldiers
intended
to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but the Centurion,
wanting to
save Paul, prevented it. Those who could swim set out for the shore
first, and
then the rest came using boards and whatever floated, from the ship, so
that
all managed to survive.
On the first day of the Passover, Jesus sent the
disciples
to prepare for the Passover meal. Jesus knew where he would eat the
Last
Supper, whether by prior arrangement or by foreknowledge. That evening
at the
table, Jesus knew and disclosed that one of the twelve disciples would
betray
him, and the disciples began to question who it might be. As they were
eating,
the Lord took bread, blessed and broke it and gave some to each one
saying
“this is my body” (v.22). He also took the cup, and when he had given
thanks,
he passed it to them, saying “this is my blood of the (new) covenant,
which is
poured out for many” (v.24), and they all drank of it. Then, after
singing a
hymn, they went out to the
The people of
Paul had a personal
relationship with
the Lord. The Lord told him what lay ahead. On the way to
Jesus had promised to give his disciples “a mouth and wisdom which none
of your
adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Luke 21:12-15),
and we
can see that promise fulfilled in Paul in separate testimonies before
the
people, the Jewish religious council, Governor Felix, Governor Festus,
and King
Agrippa (Acts ch.22-26). When Philip brought Nathanael
to Jesus, Jesus told him that he had seen him under a fig tree before
Philip
had called him, and Nathanael was amazed
(John
1:48-49). Jesus knew where to find a donkey for his entry into
Jesus is God’s Anointed King who is going
to come
to judge the earth. “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus
Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1
John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Friday
first posted 09/01/05
1 Kings 5:1-6:1, 7,
Preparing to Build the Temple
Acts 28:1-16,
Survivors at
Mark 14:27-42
Jesus in
King Hiram of
Hiram was glad to hear of Solomon’s plans, and
acknowledged
that God had anointed a wise son of David to reign over the great
people of
King Solomon conscripted thirty thousand forced
laborers
from all over
The building of the temple was begun in the fourth
year of
Solomon’s reign (about 660 B.C.*), four hundred and eighty years after
the
Exodus from
Paul was a prisoner on his way to trial in
The ruler of the island was named Publius, the landowner, who treated the survivors as his guests. The father of Publius was sick with fever and dysentery, and Paul visited him and healed him. At the news of this all the people of the island began bringing the sick to Paul and were healed. The people were very grateful and gave many gifts to the group, and supplied them with provisions when the group later departed.
After three months the survivors boarded an
Alexandrian ship
that had wintered there. The ship stopped at
On the night of Jesus’ betrayal, after celebrating
the
Passover, the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples went to a place
called
Gethsemane, an olive grove at the foot of the
Jesus went off a short distance and fell to the ground, praying that,
if
possible, his hour of suffering and death might be avoided. He prayed
acknowledging that nothing is impossible for God the Father (Abba is
the
Aramaic word for “father”). Jesus asked this “cup” (his destiny) might
be
removed from him, but Jesus accepted God’s will rather than his own.
When he
returned to the three and found them sleeping. Jesus asked Peter why he
was
sleeping; couldn’t he manage to stay alert for one hour? Jesus told
Peter to be
alert, and pray that Peter might not succumb to temptation. “The spirit
is
willing but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38).
Again Jesus went and
prayed, and
returned to find them again sleeping. They had no explanation except
that their
eyes were heavy. A third time Jesus went off and prayed and returned to
find
them still sleeping. Jesus said “Are you still sleeping and taking your
rest?
It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the
hands of
sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” (Mark
14:41-42).
The Lord had anointed a wise “Son of David” to reign over God’s people, and the people and their Gentile neighbors benefited. Their neighbors had peace and prosperity as a result.
The passengers and crew of the ship were saved
because they
listened to Paul. (Acts 27:24). The people of
Jesus obeyed God’s will even though he would have preferred not to, and as a result, we have been blessed with forgiveness of sins, spiritual healing, and eternal life in him. Jesus is the wise “Son of David,” who has been appointed to reign over God’s people, and all can have peace and spiritual prosperity in him. Those who receive and welcome Jesus receive spiritual healing and blessing in him
Building the temple was a huge undertaking. As the neighboring people were open to the plan they were blessed, and they prospered as they cooperated with it. Solomon committed his resources to it and trusted the results to the Lord
Paul’s journey to testify to the Gospel in
Jesus faced a terrible ordeal. He faced betrayal, persecution, suffering and death, but he set aside his own will and trusted in God’s plan. Those who welcome and receive him are blessed with forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Kings 6:1n, p. 422, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
________________________________________________________________________
Alternative Entry
first posted
09/25/03
1Kings 5:1-6:1,7 Preparing
to Build the
Acts 28:1-16 Paul
arrives in
Mark 14:27-42 At
King Solomon was on friendly terms with King Hiram
of
Paul had been falsely accused of teaching against
the Law of
Moses and was being taken to
The chief man of the
After Jesus’ Last Supper celebrating Passover, he
and the
disciples went out to
Solomon made the preparations necessary to begin
building
the
Paul’s journey to
God has been working on his plan of redemption for a long time,
beginning at
the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God
(Genesis
3). One can glimpse that plan unfolding in every book of the Bible.
God’s
people had been prepared to look for the coming Messiah. Finally, in
God’s
perfect timing God sent his Son, Jesus Christ. Still the plan was
unfolding, as
Jesus was born, grew up, carried out his earthly ministry and prepared
his
twelve disciples. His enemies tried to destroy him, but they were
powerless
until, at this moment, in God’s timing, everything was ready. Jesus
awaited the
arrival of his betrayer, who would set the plan in motion.
The victory
over sin
and death was won at the Cross, and verified by Jesus’ Resurrection. We
can
receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus. Jesus was
the
fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah, the Anointed one, the
eternal
heir to the throne of David. The rest of the plan is still to unfold:
God has
promised that Jesus will return to judge the earth. Everything is now
ready;
just as the betrayer was at hand at that moment in Gethsemane, so Jesus
could
come again now at any moment. Those who have believed in Jesus will be
forgiven
their sins and will receive eternal life. Those who have not believed
and have
rejected Jesus will receive eternal death and separation from God.
God’s Word
is utterly dependable. Jesus is the only way!
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and
obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you
first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus
Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1
John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Saturday
first
1 Kings 7:51-8:21, Dedication of the Temple
Acts 28:17-31,
Paul and the Jews of
Mark 14:43-52 Judas’ Betrayal
When the temple construction was complete, Solomon
brought
the gold and silver vessels which David had dedicated for sanctuary use. In the seventh month, at the autumnal
new-year festival, Solomon assembled all the elders of
There were so many sheep and oxen sacrificed that
the altar
in the temple was not adequate. The courtyard of the temple was
consecrated and
used for that purpose (2 Chronicles 7:7), and the Ark of the Covenant
was
placed there for the sacrifices; then it was brought into the inner
sanctuary,
the “holy-of-holies.” The ark was placed under the cherubim, whose
wings formed
a covering over the ark and mercy seat. The ark contained the two stone
tablets
of the Covenant of Law (the Ten Commandments), given to Moses by God on
Solomon addressed the congregation, quoting from
the Book of
Jashar (a book of Hebrew poetry, now lost), to the effect that God has
given us
the light of the sun, but he is invisible. Solomon blessed the
congregation of
Three days after Paul arrived in
The people said that they had no reports against
Paul from
the religious authorities in Judea, or from visitors from
They set a day when everyone could come, and Paul
spent the
entire day explaining the Gospel to them, trying to convince them from
the
Jewish scriptures (the Old Testament; the Law: the first five books of
Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; and the
prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah,
Jeremiah,
Ezekiel, and the “Twelve;” the minor prophets). Some were convinced but
others
disbelieved. As they departed, arguing among one another, Paul quoted
Isaiah
6:9-10 (the same text Jesus had used to account for the Jews' rejection
of the
Gospel; see Matthew 13:14-15; but note that Paul became a disciple only
after
Jesus’ resurrection and ascension).
The Jews heard without
understanding and
saw without perceiving, because their hearts had grown dull, their ears
had
grown weary and they had closed their eyes because they didn’t want to
see,
understand and turn (repent) and be healed by Jesus. The salvation the
Jews
have rejected will be given to the Gentiles, because the Gentiles are
willing
to listen.
“And [Paul] lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31)
Jesus had told his disciples that his betrayer was
at hand,
and while he was still speaking Judas, one of the Twelve original
disciples,
came with a crowd armed with swords and clubs, under authority from the
Jewish religious
leaders. Judas had told them that he would identify Jesus for them by
kissing
him, so when they arrived Judas went up to Jesus, addressing him as
Master, and
kissed him. Immediately the mob seized Jesus, but one of the bystanders
(Simon Peter; John 18:10)
wielded
his sword and cut of the ear of the slave of the high priest.
Jesus
asked them
if they thought he was a dangerous criminal like a robber, that they
considered
it necessary to arm themselves with swords and clubs. Jesus pointed out
that he
had been in the temple every day that week, but they had not arrested
him
there. But Jesus was willing to accept the fulfillment of scripture.
All his
disciples abandoned him and fled.
A young man wrapped in a sheet followed Jesus and the mob. They grabbed his clothing, but he let go and ran away naked (It is possible that the young man was John Mark, the evangelist of this Gospel).
“The Lord has set the sun in the heavens, but has
said that
he would dwell in thick darkness” (1 Kings 8:12). God is invisible. The
meaning
and purpose of life in this world is to seek and come to a personal
fellowship
with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). He is not far off. “But if you shall
seek the
LORD your God…, you shall find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart
and
with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). “If
you seek
Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will cast you
off
forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).
It isn’t so
much that God dwells in darkness (1 Timothy
6:16); it is we who dwell in spiritual darkness. It is Jesus Christ,
the “light
of the world” who gives us light (John 8:12; John 1:4-5). Jesus
delivers us
from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13) and he is the image of the
invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
The Jews
didn’t recognize Jesus because they refused to
see; they didn’t want to repent, and become obedient to Jesus. The
salvation
which the Jews rejected was received by Gentiles who were willing to
listen and
see.
The Jewish
religious authorities could have arrested Jesus
anytime in the temple during daylight, but they chose to arrest him in
an
isolated spot in the darkness of midnight. They didn’t want their deed
witnessed by the public in the light of day.
Is Jesus your
Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you
trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy
Spirit since
you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus
Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)?
Do you
know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1
John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Alternative
Entry
first
1 Kings 7:51-8:21
Solomon Dedicates the
Acts 28:17-31 Paul
Preaches in
Mark 14:43-52
Jesus Betrayed and Arrested
The
When Paul was settled in
Jesus had been waiting in
One of those with Jesus drew his sword and
struck
and cut off the ear of the slave of the high priest, but Jesus said:
“Have you
come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day
after
day I was with you in the temple teaching and you did not seize me. But
let the
scriptures be fulfilled” (v.48-49). All those with Jesus fled,
including the
young man clothed in nothing but a sheet (who may have followed Jesus
from the
house where Jesus celebrated the Passover “Last Supper.” It has been
suggested
that the house may have been that of Mary, the mother of John Mark, and
therefore the young man was possibly John Mark himself, to whom the
authorship
of the Gospel of Mark is ascribed.)
The occasion of the dedication of the
Jesus
checked on them three times, trying to keep them alert. Finally Jesus
knew the
moment was at hand and called his disciples to rouse themselves.
Suddenly,
while he was still speaking, the moment was at hand and everything
started
happening so fast! Jesus was betrayed and arrested, and his followers
were
scattered. [Jesus had just told the disciples on the way to
God’s promises seem to take a long time
to be
fulfilled, but then suddenly they happen, just as the Lord has said.
The Lord’s
promises are absolutely reliable! Jesus has promised that he’s going to
return
to judge the world. We will all have to face that judgment. He could
come at
any moment! Are we awake and ready?