Harmony of the Gospels

184. Jesus’ ascension- Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53

 

-The book of Acts gives us more detail into the ascension of Christ Jesus, but two of the gospel writers make short mention of it for our edification and knowledge (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50, Acts 1:6-12). Mark makes note that He gave them some final instructions and the commission to go into the world with His message to all creation with great power and signs (Mark 16:14-18, 20). He was taken up into Heaven and sat down at the Right Hand of God. After the ascension the disciples went out and preached everywhere just as God had commanded. He was with them in Spirit just as He had promised (Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17). Luke speaks of the blessing He bestowed upon the disciples as He left earth. He was carried up into Heaven at this point. Afterward, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the Temple area blessing God and expressing His truth living lives of worship (Luke 24:52-53). *Application* The Lord’s ascension completes His first journey to earth, and the mission for the remission of mankind’s sins was made possible by His gracious and sacrificial work. His return allowed for the sending of the Holy Spirit in this current age of the church, His body, who is to proclaim His good news and spread the Kingdom of God in this generation, or age, until His return (Acts 1:10-11). We are to always live our lives in Him on purpose and on mission to fulfill His will, His way. We are to lay our lives down, as He did, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is our spiritual act of worship. Our minds are to be transformed with the renewing of His continual presence. We are not to be conformed to this world with its evil practices and its death. In doing this we fulfill and prove the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen (Philippians 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11, Jude 1:25, Revelation 1:6)!

 

Verses to Memorize- Luke 24:51-53

Harmony of the Gospels

183. The great commission- Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15

 

-Incredible truths on how we are to go about our business as believers are revealed as Jesus gives His disciples, and us, His great commission. He was sent by the Father, called to do a work, which He completed. He was about to send His Hoy Spirit in complete fullness to indwell the believer for amazing power and work in the spreading of the Kingdom. Let’s take a careful look into the aspects of this commission so that we can obey the Lord’s directives and commands.

-As He concludes with the fact that all authority in earth and Heaven had now been given to Him as He had completed His task in saving the world from sin (Matthew 28:18), He tells us what and how to increase His Kingdom the proper way. He begins with the word therefore. This indicates that we are fighting for His purposes through the victory and authority He has already won. The word “go” is a participle and should have the connotation “while you are going.” *Application* This refers to the manner in which we should be operating our lives as believers. We should never put our Savior on the shelf and act like He doesn’t fit in with our lives in any way. We always represent the King in every place. There is to be no dichotomy between the secular and the sacred in our lives. We are to be totally His everywhere we go and in everything that we do. You are just as much a minister in the grocery store or at work as you are in the church building.

-The imperative command in this commission is “to make disciples of all nations.” Disciple making is the key ingredient to building His Kingdom on this earth. *Application* Discipleship is hard work and will take time. We must use the principle laid out by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2 to his young learner, Timothy. We must invest in people that will take the Word and train others for the perpetual increase of the knowledge of the LORD. Pour into people for the purpose of making them disciples of Christ Jesus and followers of the true Way. In time all the world will know of Him and then the end of the age will come (Matthew 24:14).

-The manner we are to make disciples is by baptism in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is immersion. They must not only be baptized by water in obedience to His command, remembering though this is not a requirement for salvation (Luke 23:39-43), but also baptized into His Spirit as a believer sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). We are also instructed to teach them to observe everything that the Lord commanded. This all revolves around loving the Lord with all the heart, mind, soul, strength (every ounce of everything), and loving our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. All else supernaturally flows out of these two commands.

-Christ Jesus finally taught us that He is always with us in this commissioned work in which He sends us. He will never leave us or forsake us in the mission (Hebrews 13:5). He is the paraclete, the “One who comes alongside” through His Spirit.

-*Application* Be renewed and energized by this ancient by very relevant commission today. While you are going along life’s way, make disciples everywhere you can by doing the works of Christ who is with you and gives you the strength to do His perfect will. You can make a difference for His Kingdom!

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 28:19-20

Harmony of the Gospels

181. Appearances to the disciples- Matt. 28:16-20, Mark 16:12-18, Luke 24:13-50, John 20:19-29

 

-We see in the Scriptures a myriad of appearances by the risen Lord Jesus that are in the resurrected state. He has unique abilities and powers not normally associated with flesh as we see Him disappear from places and come into locked rooms with His coming. He is of flesh and bone by His testimony and He walks, eats, and talks just like He did before His death. At times He is unrecognizable, but suddenly He is recognized. *Application* What could this mean? It is interesting to contemplate the possibilities of the resurrected body, which Paul discusses more about in 1 Corinthians 15. This we know is an imperishable body that is put on the believer by God and will glorify Him without sin or corruption any more. We shall be like Christ in our resurrected bodies one day! Not that we are gods or anything like that, but we have the promise of resurrection (John 11:25-26, Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 15:40-50, Philippians 3:10-12).

-Jesus speaks peace over those He comes in contact with in these passages. He rebukes unbelief once again we can also see as we read these accounts. Thomas is a major doubter, and his story is told. But there are others that Matthew mentions that saw Him in Galilee, but were still having a hard time coming to grips with this risen Lord. *Application* It is always difficult to believe in the supernatural. We in our flesh have a tendency to attempt to debunk these realities and rationalize the given facts to the point of unbelief. This is always going to be a temptation in the modern-naturalistic age in which we live. Fight this temptation and trust God!

-The Lord also made it a point to instruct in His resurrected state. How awesome it must have been to be those men walking alongside Him to Emmaus or the disciples whom He taught all the Old Testament insights from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:27, 44-47). His primary teaching though looked forward. He commissioned them as He was about to leave earth and initiate this current church age, or dispensation. His principal imperative command was to make disciples in all the nations (people groups) by 1) baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), and 2) teaching them to observe everything He commanded (Matthew 28:20). His promise was His Holy Spirit that would be with us all always as believers until the end of the age. In Mark we see some additions in the power that the Lord says we will have over the enemy and nature itself (Mark 16:17-18). Miracles and signs will follow the true believers in this venture to acclimate the Kingdom in this earth to His Word and the Lord’s Way. *Application* The power that was endowed upon the original believers is still readily abundant to us today. It is sad that lack of belief throughout the church age has quenched and grieved the Holy Spirit from doing more at times. The Lord has promised us His Spirit and all that goes along with it if we will simply tap into His authority. Let nothing hold you back from accomplishing all that He has planned for you. It is more than you can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). You are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37); therefore, build His Kingdom as you go!

 

Verse to Memorize- John 20:29

Harmony of the Gospels

180. Soldiers paid to lie about Jesus’ resurrection- Matt. 28:11-15

 

-We see in this intriguing account the cover up to the resurrection that was perpetrated by the religious elders and counselors when some of the guard came to them with the news of what had taken place. These guards were paid off with a sufficient sum of money to keep up the front of a lie in spreading false information that the disciples had come by night and stolen the body while they slept. The guards knew that if they had not taken the money and been found to have not done their job, they would have been in immense trouble quite possibly (Acts 16:27-30). This was a good deal for them to escape possible punishment and make themselves a profit at the same time. To them it must have seemed a win-win situation, but this heresy infected the Jewish people. Who knows how many were affected from hearing the truth of the gospel in a clear-unadulterated fashion even to this day. These guards were more than likely dazed and confused over the appearance of the angel at the tomb and never actually got to see the risen Savior as far as we know. The Scriptures state that they fell as dead men in total shock and fear (Matthew 28:4), so they could have easily convinced themselves that what they experienced was a hoax I suppose. Nevertheless, they had been privy to the most incredible miracle of all time, yet they denounced it for pay.

-Therefore, we see in this passage two parties that were in the wrong. The religious leaders who wanted to cover up the propagation of the revelation and resurrection of Christ were certainly at fault. But also, the guards were of ill character to choose financial gain over the truth in a matter. *Application* There are times in our lives when we also face decisions of this kind. What kind of character do you have? Would you be willing to lay down your job and family’s stability to do the right thing in your place of work? My perception today is that there are cowards everywhere who will not stand up for the things of God for the benefit of the almighty American dollar. Just this morning I heard a man cower under the threat of not being able to share his faith and defend Christianity because he was an employee of the state. It makes me sick to think of where our country is headed because we simply will not take a stand for what is true and right because we are afraid of losing a job and financial security with health benefits. Before you go and judge these guards for selling out, make sure you are not doing the exact same thing. Christ’s Kingdom wants sold-out soldiers willing to leave family and die for the cause, not weak money loving cop-outs who care too much for the pleasures of this world (Matthew 13:22; 19:29, Acts 21:13, 2 Timothy 2:3-4). This may seem radical, but it is certainly what Jesus taught and the early Christians lived out. What are we going to do with that? God wants you to live boldly and speak as you ought (Ephesians 6:20).

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 28:15

Harmony of the Gospels

179. Jesus’ resurrection- Matt. 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-10, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18

 

-There are different accounts of the events of the resurrection that are difficult, but not impossible, to coordinate. Matthew and Mark speak of only one angel, and it is sitting in different places. Luke and John tell of two angels that are standing in Luke and sitting in John at the place where Jesus’ Head and Feet were. It is apparent that Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, was, along with James and John’s mother Mary, there first to bring anointing spices for His body. They were wondering how they would get in to the tomb with the large stone in front of it, but they found it had been rolled away. An angel of the LORD came with a great earthquake and rolled the stone away, and the guards who were protecting the site, according to Matthew’s gospel, became incapacitated from fear and were in the state of comatose like dead men. Since they went out it stands to reason they never actually saw the risen Christ and could go along with the deception they were paid off to keep in confidence (Matthew 28:11-15).

-Luke and John focus on the disciples a little bit more with Peter and John running to the tomb finding it empty. This discrepancy of who got there first is best concluded by this. Peter and John both ran to the gravesite. John wins the race and looks in the opening, but it is Peter who first stoops into the tomb to see that no body was present, which John later observes. Luke does not include John in his account.

-This all happened in the early morning hours of the first day of the week after the Sabbath, which was Sunday. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene there in the garden according to John and Matthew’s gospels, but she is told not to cling to Him (a statement meant to say there is much to be done) as she and the other Mary worship at His feet (Matthew 28:9, John 20:11-18), but to go and tell of this resurrection and coming ascension to the Father to the disciples. This is what will initiate the Kingdom eventually in all its fullness with the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. If Mary had kept clinging onto this earthly, incarnate One of the Godhead, the Kingdom would be stuck to a single location. But, and this was Jesus’ point, the message must now be spread all over not being contained in one spot.

-The recognition is slow and fear abounds, but the Savior’s appearances begin to erase the unbelief and skepticism as Jesus’ predictive words start to be remembered and joy abounds in this miracle of miracles. He is no longer in the tomb! He is raised and will go before them to Galilee as well as have other appearances in Jerusalem!

-*Application* The resurrection makes all the difference in the world to our faith. If we believe that God is raised from the grave we can be saved (Romans 10:9). Without the resurrection our faith is worthless (1 Corinthians 15). With the resurrection, however, we have eternal hope and joy forever no matter what the situation is here on this earth. We have multiple and detailed accounts of the events of Christ Jesus’ resurrection. Over 500 people witnessed the risen Savior before His ascension back to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:6) including the disciples that surrendered their lives and well-being for the King. They would have never sacrificed so much for a fraud. They had nothing to gain by a deception in this matter. What changed them was real and should strengthen our faith to live boldly for the risen Lord!

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 24:7

Harmony of the Gospels

178. Guards placed at the tomb- Matt. 27:62-66

 

-The religious leaders, the chief priests and Pharisees, went on the Sabbath to Pilate with concerns about the disciples stealing the body of Jesus due to His claims that He would rise in three days. From this statement we can see that the message Christ gave before His death on resurrection was clear, even to the pompous and arrogant leaders of the Jewish manmade traditional system of the time. Jesus had effectively and accurately perpetuated His true gospel so that there was no doubt as to what He had said and what He meant. Christ’s ultimate sign was obvious (Matthew 12:38-42, Luke 11:16-32, John 2:18-21) and these doubting men wanted to make every effort to avoid heresy and fraud by what they thought to be an impostor, which is understandable.

-Pilate gave them a group of guard soldiers, presumably the same military guard assigned to oversee the temple area security, to make the tomb as secure as possible. So they went and sealed the stone over the grave of the Lord and set guards over it (Matthew 27:66; 28:4). After the resurrection, these men were paid off to keep the raising of Jesus a secret, which was widely reported in the region (Matthew 28:11-15).

-*Application* The incident with the guards is yet another opportunity missed to receive the truth of the gospel for the religious leadership. It is kicking against the pricks and foolish to be faced with such an obvious truth, yet reject it. We should not have stubborn hearts in pride that are hard and inflexible. When God reveals Himself to you, don’t rationalize and talk yourself out of His miracles. It is easier to do than we think. Receive all His Spirit has for you and accept His Word spoken over you for fullness of joy. Don’t be like these religious leaders who never could understand the ways of the Lord and made excuses until it was too late.

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 27:66

Harmony of the Gospels

177. Jesus’ burial- Matt. 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

 

-The veracity of Jesus’ burial is important for us to consider, because if there is no physical death the resurrection could be considered a hoax. The details of the entombment of the Lord are chronicled by all four gospel writers as witnesses to the fact that Christ was officially declared dead and a genuine burial was indeed conducted. Here we summarize the specifics given as to where, when, and how Jesus was laid to rest in His deceased state.

-First, we see the intriguing figure of Joseph of Arimathea (a small Jewish village thought to be 20 miles or so northwest from Jerusalem). He was a rich man, who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9. He was described as a good and righteous member of the Sanhedrin council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50). He was a secret disciple of Jesus who did not consent with the religious leaders decision and action with the Lord, and he was looking for the Kingdom of God (Matthew 27:57, Luke 23:51, John 19:38). He was rightfully sacred for fear of the Jews, but he took courage by the will of God and asked Pilate’s permission to bury Jesus in his newly hewn tomb in which no one had ever been laid (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:53). He and Nicodemus anointed the Lord for His burial and wrapped Him in a clean linen shroud and placed Him in the tomb quickly because it was the day of Preparation for the Sabbath. Nicodemus was also a ruler of the Jews in the Sanhedrin, and he was the one who came to Jesus seeking how to be saved in John 3 (John 19:39). Here we see evidence of his trusting in Jesus and the coming Kingdom that was not of this world.

-In addition, Pilate, we see from the Scriptures, is surprised that Jesus was already dead in a matter of hours. With all the events of the day, which he more than likely witnessed, including the time of darkness, the earthquake, and the torn veil, he was probably wondering how they could have so quickly carried out an execution. Mark is the gospel writer who gives us the perplexity of Pilate when asked for permission for the body of Jesus. This gospel writer states how Pilate even questioned the centurion as to the genuineness of Christ’s death, which is even more proof of the physical passing of Christ from this earth.

-Jesus was laid in the garden tomb, which was very close in proximity to the place where He was crucified again for the reason of expediency due to the coming Sabbath (John 19:42). The stone was rolled to cover the grave to complete the process. This whole sequence was orchestrated and carried out ultimately by the Hand of God in amazing fashion to fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures prophetically. It is as if God had seen the whole drama play out beforehand (which He actually did). Here we see the transcendent nature of the LORD at this pivotal time in human history. God, who is outside of time, works in our earthly order to bring about His plans and purposes for salvation. The fulfillment of these prophecies to the exact degree gives us reliable reason to have faith and trust in His authority over all things. *Application* When we actually sit and contemplate how amazing all this is, we should be astonished and amazed with a heart of worship for this incomparable God of glory.

-The women, particularly Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and John), were watching to see where they laid the Savior. They along with other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee had been watching the whole scene at a distance and returned to prepare spices and ointments for His deceased body. They rested on the Sabbath and would return on the first day of the week to find the most incredible event of history! *Application* Consider the facts of Christ’s actual death today and believe in the supernatural. This was the power of God to save the world and we must believe in His work.

 

 

Verse to Memorize- Mark 15:46

Harmony of the Gospels

176. Jesus’ side pierced- John 19:31-37

 

-John gives us further evidence, as if we needed it at this point, that this was indeed the Messiah who fulfilled all of the Old Testament predictions of the prophets. He records two events: 1) The breaking of the bones of the two criminals, but not Jesus’ (Psalm 34:20, Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12), and 2) The piercing of His side (Zechariah 12:10), in fulfillment of the ancient Scriptures that foretold of His passion and foreshadowed His coming with the Passover requirements.

-Ritual cleanness on this significant high day was the reason the Romans customarily broke the bones of the crucified, but when they got to Jesus, they observed that He was obviously already deceased and therefore did not need the breaking of the bones. This was done to expedite the death process by asphyxiation since they would no longer be able to push their bodies up to breathe, or take in air, with broken legs. It was a sick and demented torturing process that gratefully is no longer used for executions. The Jews had to get the bodies down and prepared for their burial before sundown on the Friday before Sabbath to keep the requirements of the Law.

-The spear that pierced Jesus’ side indicates that He fully died as a genuine human body. This spear would have been a wooden pole about 6 feet in length typically with an iron point, or spearhead. John again uses this phraseology of the water and the blood in 1 John 5:5-8 to depict the unity in the incarnation between the Spirit of Christ as God and His human make up as the Messiah who must be trusted in. There was great debate in the early church as to constitution of Christ Jesus as the God-man. Some were saying He was really just Spirit as Divine nature without having true physical qualities. This came from the Platonic philosophy that all matter was evil and the spirit world was the only higher good. John wrote in a time where these heresies would have already been circulated, and he was fighting for the truth about the human nature of the Christ. The blood and water would have been the natural bodily fluids that would have collected in the Savior’s abdomen area where He was pierced as he hung on the cross.

-*Application* John gives us more proof of the humanity of Christ as the living sacrifice for our sins. God made Himself flesh so that payment could be made for the wrongs we have done against our God (John 1:9-14). He has purchased us with His blood and given up His life that we can be set free from the curse of sin and live a life unified and reconciled to the Father forever (Acts 20:28, Romans 5:10, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Colossians 1:22, Hebrews 9:22). While He was fully human, He was also fully Deity and proved His power and innocence by the resurrection in glorious victory. This gives us hope for our own resurrection and eternal glory with Him. Praise His Holy Name!

 

Verses to Memorize- John 19:36-37

Harmony of the Gospels

174. Jesus dies- Matt. 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46-49, John 19:30

 

-The Scriptures describe Jesus’ final few moments in great detail before He gave up His Spirit and returned to the Father victorious without sin or blemish in His earthly mission to rescue and saved mankind. He received the sour wine (John 19:30), uttered a loud cry, claimed “It is finished,” said “Father into Your Hands I commit My Spirit (Luke 23:46),” bowed His head, and gave up His Spirit.

-The centurion who had been taking care of the crucifixion process, much like the penitent thief, turned in his demeanor and attitude based on Luke’s testimony (Luke 23:47). He praised God and claimed Jesus’ innocence, which was a drastic turn from the mockery he inflicted, or at least allowed under his command as a Roman authority. For this to have happened we must conclude that the supernatural events that were taking place (earthquake, darkness, Temple veil torn, graves opening, etc.) and Jesus’ calm and steadfast Spirit as a testimony must have won him over to see what he hadn’t seen before. He had an up close and personal vantage point of all these incredible events, and it changed him radically it appears by his confession that this was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39).

-The crowds who had come together for this, as the Bible describes, spectacle returned home beating their breasts (Luke 23:48, cross reference Luke 18:13) as a demonstration of possible grief and repentance. As Jesus had stated, they knew not what they did, and it was now too late at least in their finite-natural minds (Luke 23:34). Perhaps this was a realization of the truth and deep Godly sorrow. Christ had come in peace and they violently put Him to a horrific death on the excruciating cross. He had gone innocently as the Lamb of God to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7) and now these people may have felt deep regret for their actions. His acquaintances and the women who had followed Him from Galilee stood at a distance watching all these things (Luke 23:49).

-*Application* The death of our Lord and Savior should have the same impact on us as it did for those who stood by witnessing the scene in all its terror, sadness, and ultimate glory unto God. We in this thanksgiving season should reflect deeply on the cost of Christ’s sacrifice for us and the opportunity it gives us to have new life in Him abundant and free. By His wounds we are healed (1 Peter 2:24)! Glory unto our Great and Awesome King forever! I am reminded of the words of a song”

“This is life.
It's mine to waste or use.
But it's time that I decided.
It's time for me to chose.
Cause who am I?
That You would die to prove.
That the worthless are all worth it.
The curse has been removed.
So this is life.
Although I'm passing through...
I wanna live as if I'm dying.
Dying to get close to You!”

Closer by Philmont

 

Verse to Memorize- John 19:30

 

175. Veil of Temple torn, earthquakes & graves opened- Matt. 27:51-54, Mark 15:38-39, Luke 23:45, 47

 

-At the moment of Christ’s departure, some supernatural events took place that the gospel writers included in their biographies. The earth shook violently (earthquakes are common in this region, but the timing of God was impeccable here as to only be of Him). The veil of Temple tore in two from top to bottom at this time, which was very thick. In fact it was too thick to even be separated by an earthquake or the falling of the lintel (for more precise commentary on the veil a great source is: http://www.reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/20%20Split%20Veil,%20etc.htm). *Application* This event has incredible theological implications as the legalistic dispensation is concluded and the age of the indwelling Holy Spirit is in many ways initiated by the access to the Holy of Holies, which Jesus’ death provided. We cannot minimize the significance of this moment. Jesus had claimed that He would destroy the Temple and in three days rebuild it (John 2:19-22). This tearing of the veil from top to bottom was God’s opening up of Himself to every nation and tribe for the spreading of His glory. He would be concealed no longer. His death made a way for the simple plan of salvation to be disseminated across the globe. This was only the beginning. This visible manifestation to the religious leaders would have and should have been a real wakeup call that Jesus was who He claimed to be. The sad thing is even this could not awaken the faith of many of these hard hearted religious stalwarts of tradition.

-We also see the dead resurrected in part and coming into the Holy City being seen by many witnesses after the resurrection of Christ on the third day, Sunday (Matthew 27:53). This is a mystifying and perplexing event that only one biblical author describes in only two verses of Scripture. There is no other biblical or historical account of this event, and Matthew treats it topically out of the order of events here for a theological purpose of emphasizing the resurrection in the midst of the crucifixion. These individuals were no doubt Old Testament believers who had looked forward to the Messiah and His promise and were now resurrected along with the risen Savior (Matthew 27:52 uses the term “raised” to indicate a difference from resuscitations like with Lazarus in John 11:44). We may have some other Scriptural evidence and some shedding of light on this occurrence in Isaiah 26:19, Ezekiel 37, and 1 Peter 3:18-21; 4:6. These resurrected bodies that appeared to many in Jerusalem from their tombs more than likely ascended to Heaven near the time of Christ’s ascension if not simultaneously. Of course this is conjecture because it is not clear in the biblical account. *Application* This resurrection account provides the biblical motif for our own resurrection in Christ, which is best delineated in 1 Corinthians 15. Christ Jesus is the first fruits of the eternal life we can all have in Him by placing our faith in His gracious work on the cross (Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20, James 1:18). This is what makes the gospel so impactful for us concerning the hope of glory. This theme is also foreshadowed in the Old Testament by Moses (Exodus 23:16-19; 34:22-26) and other prophets (Nehemiah 10:35, Ezekiel 44:30). (For more on this topic see: http://christianthinktank.com/oddrise.html.)

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 27:54

Harmony of the Gospels

172. Darkness falls over the land- Matt. 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44

 

-This darkness that enveloped the area for three hours from about 12:00pm to 3:00pm would be presumed to be a solar eclipse, but this is not possible since the Passover only occurred during a full moon and a solar eclipse can only occur during a new moon phase. Rather, this was a supernatural act of the Sovereign LORD having a physical manifestation (the sun’s light failed) with spiritual implications for us to consider. Darkness in Scripture represents lament (deep, agonizing sorrow, Amos 8:9-10) and Divine judgment (Exodus 10:21-23, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6, 13). It is often the sign of an eschatological (last things) event taking place (Isaiah 60:2, Joel 2:1-2, 31, Amos 5:18-20, Zephaniah 1:15). These spiritual implications are figurative representing the fact that Jesus was bearing God’s wrath for His people, and it was also expressive of the LORD’s displeasure for crucifying His One and Only Begotten Son when we think about it. *Application* While there was darkness in the death of the Christ, we see the end result as His children who have received His grace. This vibrant biblical theme comes alive in us as we realize that in Him we step into marvelous Light (1 Peter 2:9, John 12:46, 1 John 1:5; 2:8). He overcomes the darkness of wrath and sin to give us victory and eternal life! Jesus has overcome the grave, which is awesome news for us. He gives us His Spirit to light and illuminate our way (Daniel 2:22, Matthew 5:16, John 1:9; 14:16-18; 16:13), and His Word as a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 23:44

 

173. Jesus cries out to the Father, given vinegar- Matt. 27:46-49, Mark 15:34-36, Luke 23:46, John 19:28-29

 

-Jesus now cries out to the Father because He has been forsaken. God could not look upon the sin, which Jesus was taking on in the spiritual realm, and this separation (which was momentary) frazzled (exhausted and in a very confused or irritable state) the Lord to the point of desperation. This was understandable under His mental and physical duress. We also must consider that this was a new, and undeserved, sensation as He had always been One with God the Father, and now was experiencing, in some way, disunion as a sacrifice for all of mankind. He was taking the penalty as the Just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18).

-The observers were confused themselves over the words of Christ Jesus, which were probably moaned in His agony and pain. They thought that He may have been calling on Elijah and wanted to see if he would come in a supernatural event. Someone offered Him sour wine as He thirsted (John 19:28), and Jesus offered up His Spirit proclaiming that “Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit (Luke 23:46),” and “It is finished (John 19:30)!”

-*Application* It is finished! Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross covers our every sin when we accept His great salvation through repentance and faith. Jesus, through taking on the sinfulness of man, has given us all the unique opportunity to reconnect to the Father and His amazing grace, which gives us all of His benefits in earth and eternity! He has taken pity on us and considered our depraved state and actually done something in love to correct it. Praise the LORD for His compassion and receive His bountiful and abundant gift in this Thanksgiving season.

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 23:46

Harmony of the Gospels

171. The penitent thief on the cross- Luke 23:39-43

 

-“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise (A place of blessedness above the earth, the same word is used for the Garden of Eden in the Septuagint and indicates complete, intimate, and personal restoration and unification with the Father, Luke 23:43).” What better words could a dying man hear from the Savior of the world and the Sovereign Lord? The penitent thief began, as we see in another gospel account (Matthew 27:44), denouncing and ridiculing Jesus, but he was observant and began to spot the innocence of the Man and power of His message that he no doubt had heard before. He was aware of the Kingdom proclamation and the Lord’s eternal value as we can see in his comments (Luke 23:42). This was a confession of faith in Jesus, a fear of the Lord, and a turning away from his personal sins that he owned up to (Luke 23:40). This, as we conclude from this theologically important passage, is all that is required for a man to be saved eternally. Notice what is not required: water baptism, circumcision, obedience to all the Law, self-works, synagogue attendance, etc. What was required was a humble heart change. This was all it took to include this new born saint of the Spirit into God’s Heavenly Kingdom. So then, we can see from the passage even in Christ’s death there are two types of people: 1) those who reject His message with hard hearts, unbelief, selfish-ambition, mocking, and  ridicule, and 2) those who with deep contrition receive the gospel and trust in Him for forgiveness and remembrance before the Eternal Judge. *Application* What hope and encouragement this should give all of us who have believed in the One and Only Son of God for salvation! It is never too late while you have breath on this earth to inherit eternal life and be with the Savior forever! Give it all to Him and live! Keep sharing the message of the Kingdom to all those around you for you never know whom the Lord may be saving. In Jesus’ final moments before leaving earth in this incarnation, He was still seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10).

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 23:43

Harmony of the Gospels

170. Jesus mocked on the cross- Matt. 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39

 

-Jesus is derided and rudely mocked while on the wooden cross dying by passers by coming in and out of Jerusalem, the religious leaders led by the chief priests, and by Roman soldiers who participating in the ridicule of the Lord of lords. Amazingly, Christ took all the bad mouthing and making fun of without responding or getting angry with revenge. He focused on the mission to save the world in love and did not stray off His course set by the Father in Heaven.

-Some of the remarks reveal what these people thought of Him. They took Him to be a blasphemer who made bold claims about destroying and rebuilding the Temple physically. They misinterpreted the significance of the New Covenant and the Spirit filled age, which was about to be initiated for the spreading of the gospel unto the whole world for the salvation of many lives that were separated from the knowledge and love of the Lord. They scoffed at His claims that He could save, and wanted to see a sign of Him saving Himself as proof of His Divinity. This was a trap and temptation of Satan to get Christ off His mission of an atoning sacrifice, but it didn’t work. Jesus endured and overcame despite every effort to thwart Him. These mockers clearly heard His message that He claimed to be the Son of God, but they were unwilling to accept this message because it seemed so absurd to them. In their minds the Messiah could never humble Himself enough to take this abuse and suffering. They didn’t see Him as the suffering Servant, but the mighty King who would change their own nation for selfish motivations and with self-indulging signs and wonders. They totally missed the point of the Messiah’s incarnation. The blinders remained on and the ears were still deaf. For the Roman soldiers, their arrogance in imperialistic power kept them from realizing that God had visited them. They thought it to be foolishness that a King would be defeated by a humiliating death on a cross (1 Corinthians 1:21-25). Even the thieves on the cross hurled taunts at the Savior, though one would come around and fear the Lord receiving salvation in the end.

-*Application* Don’t take lightly the abuse of the Lord’s Name. This is the third commandment given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, and it is sometimes an easy temptation to fall into. These people we have studied today had no clue what they were actually doing and saying about the King of the universe. We also will face temptations to go along with the crowd and deny the Name of the Lord and His power in our lives. This is dangerous and will lead us into unbelief if we are not careful. The world still thinks little of the Lord Jesus Christ and will try to pull you away from Him and His humble wisdom. Don’t succumb to peer pressure and deceit. Seek His truth and live.

 

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 27:40

Harmony of the Gospels

169. Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes- Matt. 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23-24

 

-First, a word about the initial part of this verse concerning the crucifixion. Crucifixion was widely practiced by the Roman Empire during this era of human history, mostly for the purpose of exposing and ridiculing those who rebelled against their authority. There were stories of Roman soldiers’ exploits of cruelty in different postures and tactics for crucified victims (see Josephus, Jewish War 5.449-551). The use of nails and a crossbar appear to have been common. Modern medical explanations for cause of death by the cross conclude that asphyxiation or shock is the determining factor in killing a hanging victim in this manner. This was widely believed to be the most painful form of death execution style due to the excruciating pain and the public shame it caused. Hanging suspended by one’s arms eventually caused great difficulty in breathing, which could only be alleviated by pushing up with one’s feet to take the weight off of the arms. But that motion itself would cause severe pain in the nailed feet and hands, arms, legs, and back, causing the exhausted victim to slump down again and again unable to breathe in a slow and agonizing death. Eventually, the crucified would succumb to suffocation if the physical trauma hadn’t already killed them. *Application* Magnify the Name of Christ Jesus who suffered a tremendous amount of pain to purchase the believers’ salvation! By His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

-For what seems to be an unimportant side note to the biblical writers in the area of the soldiers obtaining Christ’s clothes, we should notice that every single gospel writer includes this part of the crucifixion. This casting of lots for Jesus’ clothes is a fulfillment of the great crucifixion prophecy of David in Psalms 22 around a thousand years before the time of Christ Jesus. This dividing up of the garments is prophesied in Psalms 22:18, and is one of the many exact fulfillments that Christ providentially achieved under the sovereignty of God’s plan. *Application* Things like this help our faith when we realize that such coordination is impossible without the mighty Hand of God in these Divine circumstances. God is at work to fulfill His overarching will and plan in this world. Praise the LORD who works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

-Luke’s gospel reveals the enormity of the Lord’s love for us all as He hung on the cross. His overriding thought was our forgiveness, which we can see based on His words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).” *Application* His love is sufficient to cover all our sins. Trust in the crucified Lord to receive His abundant and free gift of salvation and restoration. The compassion of Christ is never failing and always available even when we mistreat our Sovereign. Turn to Him and realize how great a love He has for you. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 23:34

Harmony of the Gospels

168. Jesus hung on the cross- Matt. 27:31-38, Mark 15:20-28, Luke 23:26-34, John 19:16-22

 

-Jesus is led out to be crucified with a procession of followers mourning and lamenting His plight. Some were hurling insults and mockery at Him and were pleased to see the Son of Man dying in front of their very eyes. Simon of Cyrene is an interesting aside to the crucifixion drama as he is compelled to carry the cross of the Lord for what was probably a good distance more than likely because Jesus was too weak to go on with this load. Mark’s gospel even includes the names of Simon’s sons, Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). From this we may infer that at some point Simon became a believer and in some way gave testimony to the crucifixion accounts for its written account by the gospel writers. *Application* Simon of Cyrene was an illustration to us as believers of Christ’s command to pick up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This is a load to bear, but it is worth it to know that we are in partnership with the Lord and doing His will His way. Die to yourself and follow the Master wherever He leads.

-Jesus was taken outside the city gates to a place called Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17).” Some time later Jerome, translating the Scriptures into Latin, used the term which we now translate as Calvary for the Skull (Latin for skull is calvaria).

-Along this Via Dolorosa (the way of suffering, or grief) He told the women who followed and were lamenting and mourning not to do that over Him, but for themselves and their children. He foresaw terrible times coming upon His people prophetically, which is taken up in more detail other passages of Scripture (Zechariah 12:10-14, Matthew 24:15-22, Luke 23:28-31, Revelation 6:16-17). There are two sites held by tradition to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The traditional site is west of the Antonia Fortress, built by Herod to oversee the Temple Mount area. It is a steep journey up a mountain; an arduous task for a man who has been beaten and abused such as Christ was. This journey ends at what is now known as The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The other site is known as the “Garden Tomb” and is north of the city outside the ancient gates. This place would have been a high traffic area, was in a garden area near the tomb, had a rock formation cut out of the side of the mountain that looked like a skull (this is from the building projects quarried by Herod’s administration). There are convincing proofs that this could very well be the location of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, but the exact location is unknown and inconclusive.

-Christ’s inscription read that He was the King of the Jews from Nazareth, written by Pilate (John 19:19). The Jewish leaders were upset with this, but Pilate would not change his sign. This may have been a form of mockery, and it was certainly used as a deterrent to further insurrections by the populace as a sign of Roman domination and authority. The Lord, in His Providence, allowed this appropriate message to be displayed as He died for the sins of mankind upon the wooden cross.

-*Application* Again we are brought to the point of decision when we read accounts of the Lord’s suffering and pain on our behalf. If you never have, receive the Lord’s sacrificial death for the atonement of your personal sins and be set free from the guilt and penalty of separation from God. Trust in Him and His work on the cross for forgiveness.

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 23:34

Harmony of the Gospels

166. Jesus’ trial before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate- Matt. 27:1-2, 11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-7, 11-25, John 18:28-40; 19:1-16

 

-Of all the gospels, John is the one who gives us the most interaction between Jesus and Pontius Pilate during the period when He was delivered over to this governor and prefect over Judea in the time of Caesar Tiberius (a marker was found in 1961 in Caesarea Maritima indicating this historical fact). Pilate and Herod both were in Jerusalem at this pivotal moment for the Passover of the Jews. Pilate, we can observe, is respectful of the Jewish customs and traditions. By this demonstration and some of the words of the Gospel writers, we see in many respects his fear of the people and his desire to please them in order to keep a spirit of expedient tranquility. His desire was to release Jesus with some punishment, but he certainly did not want to condemn Him to death based on the charges that were levied and his conversations with the Lord. He was seeking truth, but he never could fully realize that Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, was standing right before him. What a sad description for this man of the world who found himself at the spiritual climax of history with a major decision. This trial had all the intrigue one could ever want with crucial choices and rushed deliberation that typified the chaos of the hour and the mob mentality of group think. In the midst of it all, we are to understand that Jesus had all authority of the situation, but yielded His authority to the Father’s will and went to His death sacrificially without a fight because His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36; 19:11). The cries for crucifixion in the end prevailed as Barabbas was released and Jesus was punished and scoffed at.

-*Application* God always gives us choice in the matter of spiritual things. Although He is still sovereign and His will prevails, we have a major part in the drama of this world. Make your decisions carefully realizing the eternal impact of them. Let God use you in your generation as He wills for His glory (Acts 13:36). Follow His Word and submit to His authority just as our Savior did.

 

Verses to Memorize- Matthew 27:25, John 18:36

 

167. Jesus beaten and mocked by soldiers- Matt. 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3

 

-Jesus was flogged in the back, beaten with a reed on His head, spit upon, crowned with thorns twisted together and crushed down on His head, and was arrayed in a purple robe to be mocked as a defeated king by the Roman soldiers. He suffered immense verbal and physical torture as He went to His sacrificial death for the sins of mankind. Satan filled these mockers and they acted out in brutality against the King of kings and Lord of lords. *Application* This scene makes most, if not all, of our persecution that we receive pale in comparison to the torment that Jesus endured on our behalf. We should notice His response to every insult and blow. He returned blessing and love for every evil thing done against Him (Luke 23:34). This is the Law of Christ that we love our enemies and bless those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, 35, Romans 12:14).

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 27:29

Harmony of the Gospels

164. Jesus’ trial before the high priests- Matt. 26:57-68; 27:1, Mark 14:55-65, Luke 22:54, 63-71, John 18:12-14, 19-24

 

-Jesus is led by the officers from Gethsemane to Annas and then to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, as we can ascertain from the Scriptures. He is taken in for questioning in an attempt to garner testimony that would condemn Him before the chief priest, the scribes, and the elders. This was an illegal gathering according to their laws of the Sanhedrin (prominent Sadducees and Pharisees). Many were brought forward to give accusation against the Lord, but they did not concur and were proven false again and again because of disagreements in their witness. It finally came down to a direct question from the high priest as to if He was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61). When Jesus claimed that, “I Am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right Hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of Heaven (Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69-70),” it was enough to draw the ire of the council and condemn Him for blasphemy. His fate in the eyes of the Jewish leaders was sealed at that point, but they could not crucify Him without permission from the governor, which would be the next step in the passion of Christ Jesus. *Application* When we stand against the accusers in our life, how do we react? We learn from Jesus here that our testimony needs to be true and accurate with no deception or lies. We don’t need to make up stories or excuses when confronted, and we don’t have to say all that much. Christ really made no defense. His life backed up His testimony. He would come with Power from on High, which was not a lie fabricated in His mind with falsehood. He simply spoke the facts and left the results to God. So should we when accusation arises. Live with integrity.

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 26:64

 

165. Peter denies Jesus- Matt. 26:58, 69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-18, 25-27

 

-Peter, and one other disciple unknown to the high priest (probably John), follow the Christ into His custody hearing before the high priests, the scribes, and the elders at the house of Caiaphas. There are different accounts of how things happened in the gospels, but we see the Word of Christ coming to fulfillment in the life of Peter, the man who claimed just hours earlier he would never leave or forsake the Lord even to death (Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:29, Luke 22:33). Peter is with Him, but denies even knowing the Man three times before the rooster crowed twice. His response was remorse and bitter weeping knowing that he was not the man he thought he was in light of all that had just happened. He had not yet received the Holy Spirit and the power that would later characterize his life as we read in Acts. Satan had desired to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31), but Christ prayed for him and he would be restored in faith and turn back to the Lord to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). He had cursed the very association with Christ Jesus and denied Him flatly and plainly. However, this was not the end and he would receive the grace and forgiveness every person needs from the Savior. *Application* O how sweet restoration is! We have it in Christ, who is our great Intercessor before the LORD (Romans 8:34). Please realize how great a God we have that cares for us in our weakness and restores us, and our weak constitutions in depravity, through the remission of sins. Even when we have great intentions, we like Peter, fail and don’t stand for God at times. Turn back to Him and let Him fill you with His strength and power through the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 26:75

Harmony of the Gospels

162. Arrest of Jesus- Matt. 26:50-56, Mark 14:46-52, Luke 22:49-53, John 18:10-12

 

-The band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews lead the crowd that arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane near the base of the Mount of Olives, just to the east across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. It was in the dark of night, and Jesus commented concerning this power of darkness and the underhanded way that these had come to Him undercover rather than openly (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:48-49, Luke 22:53). This was in fulfillment of the prophets in the Scriptures (Isaiah 53:1-12, Daniel 9:25-26). The Lamb must go to the slaughter without a fight sacrificially and carrying the load. No one took Jesus into custody. He could have called down twelve legions of angels (72,000) to deliver Him if He had appealed to the Father (Matthew 26:53), but He didn’t. He suffered, the just for the unjust for the purpose of our salvation if we turn to Him in faith (1 Peter 3:18). Again, He refrained from violence and denounced it commenting that, “…all who take up the sword will perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52).” This was not the way of the Kingdom of God. It would be won through love, faith, and sacrifice, not by force (Luke 16:15-16, John 3:16, 1 John 5:4-5). The Christ will drink from the cup that the LORD had given Him (John 18:11) *Application* Christ’s teaching here seems to our natural minds so antithetical to the normal manner of operation. In other words, He goes against the flow of this marred, diluted, and depraved world and radically alters our perception of how things should be. We would never think naturally that to give up would gain the greatest victory, but in the end it is God’s power that conquers through sacrificial obedience. This is the revolutionary message of the cross and it is still transforming lives today! For an excellent example see the movie To End All Wars.

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 26:52

 

163. A disciple lashes out and cuts guard’s ear- Matt. 26:50-53, Mark 14:46-47, Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11

 

-Peter, still living in the worldly mentally of force, unsheathes his sword and cuts off the servant of the high priest’s, Malchus, ear. Luke, who was the physician (Colossians 4:14), is the only one to record the healing which Jesus performed on this wounded soldier (Luke 22:51). It is interesting that under all the stress and duress that the Lord was under He cared enough to touch this man’s ear and heal him. This demonstrates the love of our Savior and His care even when He was in agony. We can easily see Jesus’ calming effect on the situation that could have easily turned chaotic and violent, which would have undermined the will and plan of God. *Application* Let the Spirit of the Lord control your life in the same way that Christ demonstrated here. Be the calming influence in the storms that swirl around your life. This is self-control demonstrated at the highest level and should be indicative of our walk in Christ every day. Stay cool, calm, and collected. Bring peace and reconciliation to the situation.

 

Verse to Memorize- John 18:10

Harmony of the Gospels

160. In Gethsemane- Matt. 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46, John 18:1

 

-Jesus, in the night, takes His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray earnestly for the cup of the Lord’s wrath on Him to be removed. Nevertheless, the Christ wanted the Father’s will over His own will in this matter and was obedient to the plans of God. He brought Peter, James, and John into the area about a stone’s throw away from where He was praying. They were tired, weary, and sorrowful at this point and could not resist sleeping in their physical bodies even though the Lord said their spirit was willing (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38). This happened three times as Jesus went to pray, came back, went to pray, came back and went to pray and came back a third time. He was deeply grieved and sorrowful to the point of death, the Word tells us, in His final hours before His crucifixion. The stress was enormous as we read about as the perspiration of blood dripped from His body while He knelt in prayer. Luke tells us that an angel came to strengthen Him in these moments. Jesus was in the presence of the Lord, but He was suffering terribly. The realization that His disciples were sleeping probably caused Him even greater rejection sorrow because He knew the supreme significance of this hour and the spiritual warfare that was present. He warned them to pray so that they would not be overcome with temptation. The truth was, Peter would draw a sword and cut off the ear of a servant of the High Priest (Malchus, John 18:10), and the rest of them would scatter in fear. They succumbed to the temptation of the moment, but God eventually restored them and not one of them was lost other than Judas Iscariot (John 17:12; 18:9). *Application* How often does the Lord call on us to do difficult things for His Kingdom and His purposes here on earth? The answer is all the time if we are sensitive enough to hear His voice and obey. It is never easy to completely follow the will and the direction of the Lord, but it will yield the harvest of righteousness and goodness in the end when you do. There is always sacrifice in the offering, but the reward is tremendous as we see in the final victory of Christ Jesus after He had gone through His torture and death but resurrected with power and glory. Obey the Lord in all that He is asking you to do in His Name. Answer the call willingly as Jesus did and put aside your own will. The Lord’s example should inspire our complete devotion (1 Kings 8:61, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 12:1-3).

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 26:39

 

161. Judas’ betrayal by a kiss- Matt. 26:47-49, Mark 14:43-45, Luke 22:47-48, John 18:2-9

 

-The crowd of people from the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people came at night with Judas Iscariot, swords, clubs, and torches to possibly do battle with the people of Jesus and bring Him into custody. Several, if not many, of the disciples probably thought at the time that the Kingdom of God would have to be won by force such as is common to man and the natural order of things on this earth. The Lord turns this potentially violent scene into a virtually harmless event with His words and healing action after the cutting off of the ear of Malchus by Peter (Luke 22:51, John 18:8-11). Judas Iscariot betrayed His Lord with a kiss as a sign in the dark night as to who His Rabbi was for all the throng of captors. The Christ asked him the question, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48)?” The Lord, as we see in the book of John, was willing to go with them without a fight and readily identified Himself to the shock and awe of those around (John 18:6). The falling to the ground and back may have been proof of some Divine revelation, which is not uncommon in the Scriptures (Ezekiel 1:28; 44:4, Daniel 2:46; 8:18; 10:9, Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14, Revelation 1:17; 19:10; 22:8). Jesus was now in the hands of evil men for the purpose of humanity’s salvation. *Application* I doubt many of us have been in a physical situation like this where people are coming to capture or detain us. The presence Christ had in this tense moment, however, should give us confidence in stressful situations we sometimes face in life. I’m sure we can identify with altercations with mean spirited and angry people who intend to disrupt our peace in stressful environments or situations. Let the serenity of Christ overwhelm you in those moments and put on the Spirit-filled fruit of self-control when these temptations arise. Don’t freak out, stay cool under pressure! It will be a testimony to all.

 

Verse to Memorize- Luke 22:48

Harmony of the Gospels

158. Peter’s fall foretold- Matt. 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:33, 36-38

 

-After the disciples had sung a hymn, they were at the Mount of Olives when Jesus told them that the Shepherd would be struck down and the sheep would scatter. Peter, speaking for the entire group piped up and said that he would go to the death with Christ promising to never leave Him or forsake Him. However, Jesus, knowing the heart of man once again, predicted that in that very night before the rooster crowed (Mark says twice, Matthew gives three times) he would deny Him three times. This in fact happens as Jesus is taken into custody, and Peter realizes the truth of the Lord’s claims to the point of immense grief (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62). However, just as Jesus also predicted, Peter is restored and his faith turns again to the Christ (Luke 22:32). His faith ultimately does not fail and he becomes a tremendous leader in the church as the gospel goes out to the world. *Application* The Lord deals in reality and truth. Optimism without reality and truth produces no hope. The reality in Peter’s life was that there were deficiencies, which he was not even aware of. Jesus pointed out his condition and brought His beloved disciple to the point of brokenness and the realization that he wasn’t as faithful as he thought. Allow the Lord to shape your life in the same way. Ask Him to expose the weaknesses and reveal all to you for the purpose of repentance and restoration in Him. You will arise a spiritual giant once the Lord has refined you for His purposes. This is a difficult process, but absolutely rewarding. It is the death to self and the resurrection in His power that we need.

 

Verse to Memorize- Matthew 26:34

 

159. The true vine- assurance for the disciples- John 15:1-27; 16:1-33

 

-Christ Jesus’ discourse with His disciples brings assurance for them in the midst of this time of coming tribulation and scattering. The promise of the Holy Spirit is given as an advantage of His physical incarnation due to the wide ranging possibilities through this manifestation of His goodness. *Application* The key theme for us to ponder here is that we are not alone. God is always with us and gives us His continuing presence to obey His commands and walk in His love without compromise no matter what the situation.

-The Lord gives beautiful figurative language in comparing us to branches in the vine. He is the vine and we are extensions of His grace and mercy to the world bearing much fruit. This is where our joy is. It is in Him. The Vinedresser is key for us to understand as well. The Father prunes us as believers to purify and complete us in Christ. There are those who spring up alongside the vine that appear to be branches, but are unproductive and need to be cut off for the health of the plant. These reference the unbelievers that the Vinedresser gets rid of that were never really part of the plant. *Application* Jesus reminds His disciples, and in a greater sense us, that we are His children in all of His love and care. He answers our requests as done, and He gives us joy to the full. He calls us friends rather than servants at this point because we know Him and are called according to His purposes. This will bring on the hatred of the world, which we should expect. Jesus said this hatred is without cause, just like He experienced, which was prophesied in the written Word (Psalm 35:19; 69:4). However, throughout the passage there is hope, peace, and reassurance that all will be well in the resurrection, which overcomes this world that has in it intense tribulation (John 16:33). Jesus becomes more and more plain to the disciples and us as He makes His will and plan known as the only begotten Son of God. Victory is in Jesus!

 

Verses to Memorize- John 15:5, 11, 13; 16:7, 33

Harmony of the Gospels

156. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet- John 13:1-17

 

-Jesus gives a teaching to His disciples and all of us in humility and service unto others by washing His disciples feet at the Last Supper. Peter, wanting to show Him respect, told Him not to wash his feet ever, but the Lord told him he would have no share (part) with Him if he didn’t allow this. Peter recanted his demand at this point, and Jesus declared His disciples clean except the son of perdition (John 17:12). Jesus at the end asked them if they understood what He did to them and then instructed them as their Lord and Teacher to do the same for others. He had given them and us an example of servitude to follow unto all generations. Some denominations have gone so far as to make this a church ordinance in their liturgical practices (The Church of God is one). *Application* Whether or not your church practices feet washing as a sign of humility and a servant’s heart should make no difference in your attitude towards helping others just as Jesus did. This teaching should prick our consciences to look for needs in our brothers and sisters and to be self-sacrificing to the point of meeting those needs that we perceive. We are not our own in the body of Christ. Serve one another (Galatians 5:13-14).

 

Verse to Memorize- John 13:17

 

157. A new commandment- John 13:34-35

 

-Jesus gives His disciples and all of us who follow Him a new commandment, which is really an ancient one (Leviticus 19:18) that summed up what the LORD was all about (1 John 4:8). He told them to simply love one another just as He had loved them. He instructed that if they do this, all people will know that we are His disciples. *Application* This is simple, straight-forwarding teaching, but it has proven difficult to carry out for us stubborn, hard-hearted, and self-seeking people. Too often we want our own way and don’t care enough about our brothers and sisters here in the world, especially of the household of faith. Let love be your overriding emotion and action throughout the course of your journey through life. It is what the Savior commanded, isn’t it? Love brings healing, hate and selfishness brings hurt. Let your forbearing spirit be of love (Philippians 2:1-2).

 

Verses to Memorize- John 13:34-35