Peter Before the Out Pouring - 2

 Reading: John 13:36-38, Luke 22: 52- 62, John21

In spending so much time with Jesus for a few years, Peter knew who Jesus was. And in the most noble place in his heart he just "knew" that no matter what, he would follow Jesus. But Jesus knew Peter, He knew Peter's heart better than even Peter did. The same is true of us today as well. God knows us better than we know own ourselves. He knows everything about us past, present and future; and He knows places in our heart that we don't even see.

Jesus had been predicting His death and that He would be leaving. But the disciples did not understand. One day "Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot not follow Me now, but you shall follow me afterward.' Peter said to Him, 'Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.' Jesus answered him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times." John 13:36-38 NKJ  Peter must have been devastated, hurt that the Lord would think that he was not loyal. Yet at the same time, Peter knew that Jesus knew all things.

Peter Before the Out Pouring

Readings: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 16:13-17, 17:1-9, 2 Corinthians 4:6,7

Peter, a disciple of Jesus was a guy that so many of us can relate to. He was very honest and sincere; but also very human. He embodied the best in us, and fell short as well. Let's look back to a day when Peter was first getting acquainted with Jesus. He working as a fisherman along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when Jesus came by. Peter was on the shore washing his nets. Jesus stepped into his empty boat and asked Peter to push the boat out a bit. From there Jesus taught the people. After ward He said to Peter,

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes James Tissot

"Now go out where it is deeper, 

and let down your nets to catch some fish." 

"Master," (Peter) replied, 

"we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. 

But if You say so, I'll let the nets down again." 

Luke 5:4, 5 NLT

Wow! Was Peter ever surprised! There were so many fish that the nets were beginning to tear! They had to get extra help. When Peter realized what had happened, he was awestruck and fell to his knees before Jesus, saying:

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphael

"Oh, Lord, please leave me... I am too much of a sinner to be around you." 

Luke 5:8 NLT

Peter had very humble beginnings with the Lord. From early on, he began to see that Jesus was different from him. What kind of a person could do miracles like this? In the light of Jesus' glory, he recognized his own sin. His understanding would continue to grow as he witnessed more and more of the glory of Christ.

Later, Jesus asked His disciples "'Who do men say that I am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'"

At this point, "Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven..." Matthew 16:13- 17 NKJ

Wow! God, the Father Himself revealed who Jesus really was to Peter! Peter was seeing that Jesus was not an ordinary man, not even a prophet, but Christ... Messiah... the SON of the LIVING GOD!

Transfiguration by Carl Bloch

Six days later, "Jesus took Peter, James and John... led them up on a high mountain by themselves and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him... behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a  voice came out of the cloud, saying 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, 'Arise, and do not be afraid.'" Matthew 17: 1-7 NKJ

After this day, not only Peter, but James and John knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who Jesus really was. In fact "as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them 'Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead'" Matthew 17: 9 NKJ

What a treasure they beheld that day with their eyes, ears, their whole being; lit up by such an amazing experience! And yet they could not tell anyone until later. They must have felt so full of the Glory of God and yet humbled in their own humanity. It reminds me of a verse that Paul (who also experienced the glory of Christ) wrote:

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, 

who has shone in our hearts the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (jars of clay), 

that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 

2 Corinthians 4: 6, 7 NKJ

As amazing as the transfiguration was, there was more, much more to come. The verse above was written after the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. A little side note... in the background of this blog is an antique amphora from Turkey that I have. It represents us, as human beings and the treasure of Christ that we hold in earthen vessels... simple jars of clay.

This is a three part message. Next, in part 2 we will cover more of Peter's humanness when Jesus predicts Peter's denial of Him, then Peter denies Christ and after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection He goes fishing. The third post we will look at Peter after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

Acts 1: 1-11, I Corinthians 15,

For forty days after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead, he appeared to his disciples. What does the word of God tell us about that time he remained with his followers? in previous posts we looked at that time he spent on earth, as the Risen Christ and attempted to answer this question.

The apostle Paul speaks eloquently about this time that Jesus walked the earth as the Risen Lord:

"Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 

He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 

He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 

After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time... 

Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles." 

I Corinthians 15: 3-7 NLT

If the gospel message could be put in a nutshell these few verses above speak the message. It continues with the eyewitness evidence of the truth of the scriptures. He was seen by His 13 apostles and then by over 500 followers!!!

Christs Charge to Peter by Raphael

Lets look at his last day to walk on the earth among His disciples as a human being before he ascended to his Father. Luke writes in the book of Acts:

"In my first book (the Gospel of Luke) I told you, Theophilus, 

about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven 

after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 

During the forty days after his Crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, 

and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. 

And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God." 

Acts 1:1-3 NLT

This is more proof that Jesus Christ raised from the dead. The whole Christian Gospel rests on this. There were hundreds of eyewitnesses and many went to their deaths, because they refused to recant their testimony of the risen Lord. Only for the truth are people willing to die. This is very strong proof of the TRUTH of the Christian Gospel.

"Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, 

"Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, 

as I told you before. John baptized with water, 

but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

Acts 1:4, 5 NLT

 In  The Promise to Come and the next three upcoming posts will speak of the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The apostles kept asking Jesus about the timing of when he would free Israel from the Romans and restore the kingdom? Jesus answered them,

"The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, 

and they are not for you to know. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. 

And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me every where... in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

Acts 1:7,8 NLT

Jesus tells them that when they receive the Holy Spirit that they would be his witnesses even to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit will make a huge impact in the lives of the disciples. We will look at that in future posts.

Watercolor Painting by James Tissot

"After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud 
while they were watching,

 and they could no longer see him. 

As they witnessed Him rising into heaven, 

two white robed men suddenly stood among them. 

'Men of Galilee', they said, 
'why are you standing here staring into heaven? 

Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, 

but someday he will return from heaven 
in the same way you saw him go.'" 

Acts 1:9-11 NLT

What an amazing site... Jesus taken into heaven. No wonder they just stood there staring into heaven. And it was the last time they would actually, physically see him. And then the hope... 

"He will return from heaven." 

And now here we are, on earth today still waiting for his return. A long time yes. Though, in God's Sovereignty He does not want anyone left behind.  Then God will reconcile everything to himself through Christ and peace will be complete in heaven and earth.  

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."  Colossians 1:20

Jesus Christ, "the Prince of Peace... will rule with fairness and justice... for all eternity." 

Isaiah 9:6, 7 NLT

 

Note: There is an excellent movie called "Risen" that covers the 40 days between Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. It is well done and puts your imagination into the Bible times of Jesus and His disciples. We like to watch it after Resurrection Day, (Easter)

Baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire

Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5, 8 2:

After Jesus ascended into the heavens, I can't help but wonder what the disciples must have been thinking. They must have reminded one another of the things that He said.

"Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, 

"Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, 

as I told you before. John baptized with water, 

but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

Acts 1:4, 5 NLT

He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father... that they be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Something new was going to take place. Imagine their anticipation of what that would be like. Why did Jesus reference John the Baptist?

John the Baptist by Harold Copping

Before Jesus began His ministry, John the Baptist came to

"Prepare the way for the LORD'S coming! 
Clear the road for him!" 

Matt. 3:3 NLT 

John preached the message of repentance to prepare the hearts of the people for the LORD. As the last Old Testament Prophet, He foretold about Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit:

"I baptize with water those who repent of their sins 
and turn to God. 

But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am - 

so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave 
and carry his sandals. 

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." 

Matthew 3:11 NLT

John Baptized with water to those who repent of their sins. Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Spirit. But he had to go away, so that the Holy Spirit could come. And a whole new age and covenant would begin. What did John mean when he prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire? In the coming posts we will look to the Word and ask the Lord to open our minds to understand the scriptures.

Clothed with Power

Luke 24:49, 2Kings 2:6-13,

Since Easter, Resurrection Sunday we have looked into the 40 days that Jesus spent with his disciples after he died and resurrected from the dead. He appeared to them in a physical, glorified body. He talked to them and gave them instructions. Then the day came that He ascended into the heavens. His last instructions for them before His Ascension are found at the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts. The account of  in Luke 24 is very tender and insightful. It says in verse 45 that "He opened their minds to understand the scriptures." Wow, the prayer of our hearts "Lord, open my mind to understand the scriptures."  In the last statement Luke records Jesus saying:

"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; 

but stay in the city until you have been  
clothed with power from on high." 

Luke 24:49 NIV

Recently, I read the story of Elijah leaving his mantle (cloak) to Elisha. It reminded me of this verse because it says "clothed with power from on high". But in checking other versions I was disappointed that the word clothed is not there. Both NKJ and KJV read like this:

"And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:

but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem 
until ye be endued with power from on high." 

Luke 24:49 KJV

The King James uses beautiful meaningful words we don't often use anymore, let alone grasp the depth their meaning... behold, tarry and endued. For this reason, I often do word studies as they open up the scriptures and help bring us greater understanding. The word endued was really worth looking up! Check it out:

 

Endued #1746 enduo means to wrap, sink into a garment; to array with clothing; be clothed with. It is used metaphorically of power in Luke 24:49.

When Jesus was with them he spoke about everything written about him prophetically in the Old Testament and "He opened their minds to understand the scriptures." I wonder if He spoke of Elijah and Elisha? I say this because it is a perfect picture of what was about to happen to Jesus' disciples.

Jesus was at times compared to Elijah. He asked his disciples "Who do men say that I am, the Son of Man? They answered, "Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah..." Matt. 16:16. They probably thought this because of the many miracles that both Elijah and Jesus did. But so did Elisha. What did that mean for the disciples? Let's get into the story of Elijah and Elisha:

"And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha to Gilgal. Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they went down to Bethel..." The LORD sent them also to Jericho and finally to Jordan.

"... the two of them stood by the Jordan. Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. And so it was, when they has crossed over that Elijah said to Elisha 'Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?' Elisha said, 'Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me...' ' You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah replied. 'If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't." 2 Kings 2:1-11 NKJ, NLT

Elijah apparently would not promise what God alone could give. Would God reveal to Elisha and give him "eyes to see" what was about to happen to Elijah? That would have meant that the anointing of God would rest upon him.

"As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, 'My father! My father! I see the chariot and the charioteers of Israel! And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. 

As Elijah ascended into Heaven, his cloak drifted down.  Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak (mantel). He returned to the bank of the Jordan River and struck the water with Elijah's cloak and cried out, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah? Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, 

'Elijah's spirit rests upon Elisha!'" 

2 Kings 2:11-15 NLT

Wow! Elijah was taken up into heaven and his mantel fell to Elisha; who would now walk in the same power of the Spirit of God working miracles as Elijah had done. 

Jesus Christ was taken up into heaven as his disciples watched in amazement. "Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives... they went into the upper room where they were staying... these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication... " Acts 1:12, 14 NLT, NKJ
They prayed as they waited for the promise of the Father to receive power from on high. What would happen in the days to follow? Would the Spirit and power of Jesus Christ rest upon them as the spirit of Elijah rested upon Elisha? Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. What did Jesus say about the works his disciples would do?
 

"I tell you truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done,

and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, 

so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 

Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." 

John 14:12-14 NLT 

As I type this, I feel inadequate to speak of the power of the Spirit of God. I am not walking in the power of Elijah, Elisha, Jesus Christ and the early apostles. But neither are many other Christians in the world today. Miracles are rare and most perhaps miracles are in areas of the persecuted church. I asked a dear friend about this and I posted her comment on this blog. It is called Words from a Friend.

Here is her sensitive reply:

"As I have sought the Lord, I have seen this time we are in as one of purging and testing, a time of reckoning--He is drawing those that will to Himself in a way that will bring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf.  A time that will bring understanding of His Word and the ability to KNOW God.  This awakening, if you will, is a work of His Spirit in the willing heart, a quiet work between God and His Beloved... the passionate, persistent, pursuer of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior by His Holy Spirit which brings His transformation in the inner man.

Do you see the church His Body transformed like Peter was?  He has called us to new birth in Him.   Jesus Christ is the author of a faith which purifies and gives victory over sin.

His timing is perfect, who can hold the Glory of the Lord that brings forth the anointing which will bring His signs and wonders that will follow His Word (truth)...  We see in Acts, as they all waited in one accorded seeking the Lord, having relinquished all to Him, the Lord brought to them the baptism of fire that brought forth the power of God through them.

With all my heart, I believe that we shall see the powerful, anointed move of God through His Body, His Church, the question is to all of us is... what or who has your heart?"

This is not only for you today, dear reader; it is for me as well.

Next post... "On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together..." Acts 2:1 NLT 
 

Some additional thoughts:
I see more parallels in the story of Elijah/Elisha and Jesus/His disciples:

1) Elijah taken up to heaven is similar to Jesus being taken up to heaven:

"Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind... And Elisha saw him no more." 

2Kings 2: 11, 12 NIV

"Jesus... was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him." 

Acts 1: 6, 9 NLT

2) Wind and fire, both types of the Holy Spirit are seen in each account:

"...suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, 

and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." 

2Kings 2: 11 NIV

"Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house... They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each one of them. 

Acts 2: 2, 3

3a) After Elisha picked up Elijah's mantel and parted the Jordan river, the prophets said,

"The spirit of Elijah is resting upon Elisha." 

2 Kings 2:15 

3b) After the wind and fire in the upper room, it says, 

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit." 

Acts 2:4

Yes, similar to the spirit of Elijah resting upon Elisha, 

the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ rested upon those gathered in the upper room.
 It is my hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit of God 

will rest in power on those who passionately, persistently, pursue Him 

in our day and age that we live in, 

that His Word will go out in power and might, 

bringing many sons and daughters into the kingdom.

The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28- 34, I John 4:7-, 12, John 3:16, John 15: 9-14

In this post continuing the 40 days that Christ appeared to His disciples, we will look once again at His Great Commission, specifically on this verse:

"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you."

 Matthew 28: 20 NLT

What was the most important thing that Jesus wanted His disciples to obey and teach others to obey?

On one occasion when the Jewish leaders were trying to figure out a way to trap Jesus by asking Him questions. A Pharisee asked Him this question:

"Teacher, which is the most important commandment 
in the law of Moses?" 

Matthew 22:36 NLT

As you look through the books of the law of Moses, (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), you realize that there were a lot of commandments they had to obey. So much to think about and do. Is there a simpler way? Jesus gets right to the heart of the issue:

"You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, 

all your soul, and all your mind. 

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

A second is equally important:  

'Love your neighbor as yourself. 

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets 

are based on these two commandments." 

Matthew 22:37-40 NLT

Think of that! All of the hundreds of laws and commandments could be summed up with just two. How much more simple! And wouldn't the world be such a better place if people did just those two things. The teacher who asked Jesus the question made a thoughtful reply that is found in the book of Mark:

"Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth 
by saying that there is only one God and no other. 

And I know it is important to love Him with all my heart and all my understanding 

and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. 

This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law."

"Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, 

'you are not far from the Kingdom of God." 

Mark 12:28- 34 NLT

Our church uses a simple statement to describe our mission:

"Love God and Love people."

That sums up what Jesus said and makes it easy to remember. While it is simple, it isn't always easy. How do we love like this? Where does this love come from? The apostle John says this in an epistle.

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love- not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us so much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and His love is brought to full expression in us." I John 4:7-12 NLT

This love comes from Him, God Himself. It is His own nature living in His true children and expressing His own love to others. When He lives deep within our being, then His nature and His love finds expression through us as we love one another. Here are a couple more quotes about love from Jesus:

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, 

so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." 

John 3:16

"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in His love... This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."John 15: 9-14 NLT

Read each of His thoughts slowly and let them sink in... We are loved... just as the Father loved Jesus! What could be more important for us than to obey what He commands.

Obey the Commandments

Matt. 28, Matt. 5 through 7, Hebrews 10

After Jesus rose from the dead and He had met with His eleven disciples, He told them to go to Galilee and to meet Him on a certain mountain. When they got there and saw Him, they worshiped Him. Then He spoke to them and gave this message that we call the Great Commission. (The first part of the verses below were covered a post called His Great Commission):

"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. 

And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 

Matthew 28: 18-20 NLT

One of the things in this post that you don't hear about very often is:

"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you."

Have you ever wondered what commandments He wants us to obey? How did Jesus feel about the law and all the commandments that the Jewish people were required to obey? Did He bring us a new perspective on the laws?

In His Sermon on the Mount, He said:

Sermon on the Mount - Carl Bloch

"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until it's purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."

But I warn you - unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the Pharisee's, 

you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven".  

Matthew 5:17-20 NLT

Very strong words Jesus gives us!!! We should take them seriously. Have you read the Torah, the five books of the law written by Moses? It is in the beginning of the Bible. I finished listening to them a while back as part of a daily walk through the Bible's chronological reading plan. Wow! Most of the law is really important for society and in fact much of laws for the US government were originally written from the law of Moses; as it builds a civil society when people respect one another's rights. There are many parts to the law of Moses especially the sacrificing of animals to show sorrow for their sin. That was a very burdensome system to pay for their own sins. And I feel sad for the animals. But I find it interesting that Jesus said in the verses quoted above that:

"Don't misunderstand why I have come. 

I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. 

No, I came to accomplish their purpose..."

So during the time Jesus was alive on earth; there was a sacrificial system of sacrificing an animal to pay for their sins. It had to be perfect, without any blemish on it. It was killed on an altar much like what Abraham did in Genesis 22. This is when the sacrificial offering began. "...God tested Abraham, and said to him '"Abraham!", And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer Him there as a burnt offering." Abraham set up to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac... And Abraham took his knife to slay his only son. But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am".  And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me." clips from Genesis 22:1-19... It is worth reading it all.

When the ANGEL of the LORD stopped Abraham, he saw a ram caught in a thicket. Then Abraham sacrificed the ram in place of Isaac. This was the beginning of animal sacrifice that was practiced for over a thousand years.  These animal sacrifices eventually were of no value. Why? Because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice to save all of humanity who believed in Him. He achieved the law's purpose of sacrifice through His own sacrificial death. No longer do human beings need to sacrifice animals to deal with their sins. Thank You LORD. Jesus Christ, once and for all accomplished this for us. His sacrifice should move us to the depth of our hearts. Check out what it says in Hebrews about this

"The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come... The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing... But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins...

"He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 

For God's will was for us to be made holy 

by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time." 

Hebrews 10: 1-10 NLT

Amazing what God has provided for us through Christ! We should never tire of being in awe of Him and what He has done for us. It is His love that compels us to no longer live for ourselves, but to live for Him who died and was raised for us. And this actually means that we who belong to Him are actually new creations, like new Adam and Eve's. In Him we can live a whole new life beyond the power of sin. (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)

So, back to our original text; how else did He come to fulfill the purpose of the law? 

As Jesus continues in the Sermon on the Mount, He gives them a higher calling of the Ten Commandments. He makes the point that murder begins in the heart, with anger and broken relationships. Adultery also begins in the heart with lust. (See Matt. 5: 21-32, 15:19) He teaches us to rise above vengeance and retaliation and to respond with love. Then He teaches how to be honest before God, not as hypocrites, seeking admiration from people. Our prayers and acts of righteousness should be to please God alone. Rather than stand on street corners, go into a secret place to approach God in private and in that place pray before God alone. He teaches us to be loyal to God, not divided in pursuing wealth. Rather we should pursue Him, to trust Him in everything. (Matt. 6:19-34) He teaches us to not be critical of others, but to be honest and deal with our own faults. This is all about our hearts. Then He makes obeying the law very simple, by giving us The Golden Rule:

"Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 

This is the essence of all that is in the law and the prophets." 

Matt. 7:12 NLT

What did the disciples think, when Jesus said:

"But I warn you - unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the Pharisee's, 

you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven".  

Matthew 5:17-20 NLT

How could their righteousness ever exceed that of the "holy" Pharisee's, their "spiritual" leaders? He begins to teach them how to recognize a true follower of God by giving an illustration of recognizing the type of a tree by the fruit it produces. (Matt. 7:15-20) The book of Matthew continues with helping His disciples "see" the difference between true discipleship and hypocrisy, by using the Pharisees as an example NOT to follow. Some of His strongest words are against the Pharisees are in Matthew 23. It is all about the heart.

So in summery, what commandments should we obey and teach others to obey? How do I apply this today? Remember this is all about your heart, and mind. Have I fully given my heart to Him, so that He can change it? No one can just obey all the commandments in their human ability. It takes a changed heart that is given to us through God's own heart. What does the heart of Christ look like in our life? We will look at this more in the next post. For now, be honest in your relationship before God, not a hypocrite... seek Him alone and not the praise of others. And then to treat other people like you want them to treat you. The next post will be:

The Greatest Commandment.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40

His Great Commission

Matthew 28

What DID Jesus do after the resurrection? The story does not end here. And yet most of us, move on after Easter. Did you know that Jesus spent 40 Days with His disciples AFTER He resurrected? How much even more were His last words to His Apostles? Yet I have heard very little about what happened during these 40 Days taught from the pulpit. What did He do? Christ to His disciples?  

 

What were His Final words as the Resurrected Christ to His disciples? What was He doing to prepare them for what was to come? We are looking at each of the four gospels and the book of Acts.

Today we start with the gospel of Matthew in chapter 28. In the first part of the chapter, the women  go to the tomb and they experienced... an earthquake, an angel came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it! His face shone like lightening. The guards shook with fear and fell into a dead faint. The angel spoke to the women and told them not to be afraid.  "Jesus has risen from the dead... go and tell His disciples that He has risen... and is going ahead to Galilee." So the women ran quickly from the tomb... frightened, yet filled with great joy... Then they met Jesus and He said "Don't be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there."

His eleven disciples met Him at the mountain. When they saw Him they worshiped Him... and then this is what He said,

"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. 

And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 

Matthew 28: 18-20 NLT 

What Jesus said and did with His disciples in His last days before He was crucified was of great importance. Now how much more significant are His final words as the Risen Lord!

Now, Jesus has been given ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH! Wow! Just let that soak in. Not a little, not some, but ALL AUTHORITY in both the heavenly realm and here on earth.  What did that mean for His disciples then? What about for you and I today? I believe that He wants us to know that we can trust Him no matter what happens in our life on this earth. But a question I ask is; what needs to happen within the church today that we would move in greater authority of Christ, as His disciples did after Pentecost? See Words from A Friend

And next He says "therefore". When ever there is a "therefore; we can ask"; "what is it there for? Why did He tell His disciples that He has been given ALL AUTHORITY? Because He wanted them and wants us today to have faith to go and make disciples of all nations, to baptize them... and teach them to obey all the commandments that He gave while He was on this earth. This is to be our mission; to make disciples, not just tell people about Christ, but follow through and mentor people. His commandments were meant to bring a whole new change into this world through His disciples obeying them. All of His commandments stem from one word, LOVE. When He walked among His disciples as a human being, a Pharisee lawyer ”asked Him a question, testing Him and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to Him,

“You shall love the LORD your God 

with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. 

This is the first and great commandment. 

And the second is like it: 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” 

Matthew 22:35- 40 NKJ

When you look at each of His commandments they all stem from love, loving God with your whole heart and loving people. Very simple, yet impossible in our own human nature without His Spirit dwelling within. His words are just as powerful and important today, 2,000 years later as they were for His disciples then. Stay tuned and we shall continue to seek Him to see what He had in store for His disciples then and for us today. I love how He ends His Great Commission with a Promise... He will never leave us:

"... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 

Matthew 28: 20b NKJ

I wonder how often His disciples then remembered Him saying this when they were in difficult circumstances... when they were being tortured and/or martyred? What a comfort to them! This promise is not only for His disciples then; but for us now as well. He is with us modern day followers always, not sometimes, but always, even to the end of the age!!! Hallelujah! Remember this when You need Him most.

The story and quotes above were summarized and quoted from the New Living Translation, except where otherwise specified.

Breakfast By the Sea

After the resurrection, the disciples went to Galilee, as Jesus had instructed them. Several of the disciples were there and Peter said, "I'm going fishing." They went with him. All night they fished and caught nothing. As the sun was coming up, a man on the shore called out "Throw out your net on the right side of the boat and you'll get some!" So they did, and the net was so full of fish they couldn't haul it in. Then they realized it was the Lord... He was cooking breakfast for them on the shore, fish and bread.

After breakfast Jesus asked Peter, "'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?', 'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, 'you know that I love you.' ' Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him". But then Jesus repeated the question two more times... "do you love me?" Peter was hurt the third time and said "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Then Jesus told him to feed his sheep. John 21
It was important that the Lord bring reconciliation with Peter, to let him know that he was still to lead the church. So, He gave him the authority to shepherd the people that God would bring into the church. His strength to do this would spring out of his love for Christ and the promise that would soon follow. (Stay tuned for the Promise, as it is part of this series)

But Jesus' question to Peter... "'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?', could be asked of each of us as well and is probably the most important question we could ask ourselves.

Do I love the Lord Jesus? Do I love God? I mean, really love God? How much?
This is the purpose to life... LOVE... to love God and to love people. Where does this love come from? How do I know if I have it?

"Dear friends, lets continue to love one another,  for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God has loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other, since God lives IN us, and his love is brought to full expression IN us."  First John 4:7-12 NLT

The final question is where does this love lead? After Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep He hinted to what kind of death Peter would glorify God. It would be crucifixion, according to church history. (See Foxxes book of Martyrs). Then Jesus told him, "Follow Me." It is as if He was saying, follow Me in life and follow Me in death. He asks for us to deny our self interest in life, to die to self and follow Him where ever He leads us. Here in His own words as recorded by Mark:

"If anyone who desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Mark 8:34

Do You Love Me?

Reading: Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22: 31-34, 52-62, John 21, I john 4:7-12

Have you ever let someone down to the point of great sorrow? Have you ever been in need of reconciliation in a relationship? Have you ever let the Lord down? Are you in need of reconciliation? The apostle Peter did let the Lord down in a way he never thought could ever happen. And it left him in deep anguish and sorrow. Jesus knew that Peter needed to be reconciled to Him and their relationship restored. This story actually begins before Jesus was taken away by the soldiers at Gethsemane. Then we will see what He did after He was risen from the dead. In His final hours of life as a natural human being, like us all, He told His disciples:

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.  Mark 14:27-31 NLT

In Luke, Jesus is recorded as saying:

"' Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'" Luke 22:31, 32 NKJ

Peter denies Jesus by Carl Bloch

  Peter said he would die for Jesus. He believed that within  his strength, his determination, his love for Jesus that he would never fall away. But, in that terrible night, all the disciples ran away for fear of being beaten and killed. Peter at least followed along at a distance.Yet, when surrounded by soldiers and those who did not like Jesus, He denied Him three times. On the third denial, a rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me.' And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly." Luke 22: 52- 62 NLT

Oh, the anguish Peter must have felt for not standing up for the Lord in that moment. In all the human strength and determination that Peter had, it all evaporated and he let Jesus down and denied that he even knew Him. Jesus knew ahead of time that this would be a great moment of testing for Peter. Satan must have known something of Peter's potential and determined to attack him. But Jesus knew this and prayed for him ahead of time, that his faith would not fail. That brings us to another visit with the Risen Christ. I call it "Breakfast By the Sea"

My Lord and My God

John 20:24-29

Have you ever been in such a time of anguish or grief that the truth of the gospel was more than you could believe at the moment? Maybe you lost someone you dearly loved? If so, perhaps you can relate to Thomas. He lost Jesus. When Jesus died, all the wonderful things he said and did seemed meaningless now that Jesus was dead. Perhaps Thomas thought he would restore His Kingdom and rescue them from the occupation of Rome... that Jesus would rule with fairness and justice. But now that he is dead, all hope is lost. What about his teachings and his promises? Where is God when I need him the most?

Yet strange things were happening. It is described in John's gospel, beginning in chapter 20, verse one. On Sunday morning, the first day of the week some of the women said they went to His tomb and His body was gone. Peter and John ran to the tomb and went in. There was nothing there but the grave wrappings.

The Lord Worked Through Them

Mark 16

This post is continuing a series of asking the question "What did Jesus do on earth for the forty days that He was still here after He resurrected? So I am looking at each of the four gospels and Acts. In the gospel of Mark beginning in chapter 16 verse 9 that early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene saw Him and afterward He appeared to two of His other followers as they were walking and later He appeared to the eleven disciples. As each gospel is written by different witnesses, each one remembered what was impressed in their minds and hearts. Here is the version of the Great Commission in Mark:

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These Miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drank anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.

And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs." Mark 16: 15-20 NLT
 

The apostle Paul got bit by a poisonous snake when he was on the island of Malta, after being shipwrecked. When he did not swell up or suddenly drop dead, the people of the island thought he was a God. While he was there, he healed many people. All through out the book of Acts, people were healed and miracles took place. This gave the gospel message the authority of being from God. People were in awe and listened to the message.

As believers today, we hear of some miraculous signs in our time, yet this is not common place in our churches today. Why is this not happening today as it did then? If miraculous signs were accompanying the preaching of the gospel today, as it did then; I believe the message would be better received here in our country. What is missing? Does God have gifts for us to accompany His gospel that we are missing? How should we pray?

I asked all these questions to a dear friend and have included her thoughtful response below this post. I pray you will be inspired as I was.

Words from a Friend

After posting The Lord Worked Through Them I sent an email to a friend asking her to read the above post.
Here is her sensitive reply:

"As I have sought the Lord, I have seen this time we are in as one of purging and testing, a time of reckoning. He is drawing those that will to Himself in a way that will bring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. A time that will bring understanding of His Word and the ability to KNOW God.  This awakening, if you will, is a work of His Spirit in the willing heart, a quiet work between God and His Beloved... the passionate, persistent, pursuer of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior by His Holy Spirit which brings His transformation in the inner man.

Do you see the church, His Body, transformed like Peter was?  He has called us to new birth in Him.   Jesus Christ is the author of a faith which purifies and gives victory over sin.

His timing is perfect. Who can hold the Glory of the Lord that brings forth the anointing which will bring His signs and wonders that will follow His Word of truth? We see in Acts, they all waited in one accorded. In seeking the Lord, they relinquished all to Him. The Lord brought the baptism of fire that brought forth the power of God through them.

With all my heart, I believe that we shall see the powerful, anointed move of God through His Body, His Church, the question is to all of us is... what or who has your heart?"

40 Days Jesus Appeared

Did you know that for 40 Days Jesus Christ appeared at various times to His disciples AFTER He was crucified and rose from the dead?!! Let's journey with Him through the eye witness accounts found in the gospels of the New Testament. Imagine you are actually there seeing the events unfold. What did the disciples experience that changed their lives forever? How can that change your life today and forever?

You will find the eyewitness accounts beginning with the Resurrection and continuing to the Ascension recorded in:

Matthew 28:1- 20
Mark 16:1- 20
Luke 24: 1- 53
John 20: 1- 25
Acts 1:1- 11

However before we open these amazing texts, let's ponder these two questions:

 

Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ important to all people? What is so significant about the forty days He appeared to His disciples and many more people?

As human beings most of us have a sense of value of our own individual life and the thought of death is unthinkable... we simply don't like to think about it. We find death to be an uncomfortable, troubling reality. When a loved one dies, we are shaken to the core. Our hearts are broken, knowing that we will never see or talk to our loved one again in this life. Furthermore, it is a reminder that our death will come someday as well. This fact of life has impacted people for thousands of years. Is there a religion or philosophy that could answer that troublesome question of  "What happens to me when I die?"

More Prophecies Foretelling of His Suffering

Sunday

Later after Jesus was resurrected and walked with the disciples in Emmaus. They offered Him to Abide with them as it was toward evening. And He went to stay with them. When they recognized them Him, He vanished from their sight.  Later He met with His disciples Sunday evening. He said to them: 

"When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.   

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...

And He said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die 

and rise from the dead on the third day..." Luke 24:44-48 NLT

Have you ever wondered what scriptures Jesus told His disciples as they walked along to Emmaus and later to His Apostles in the evening? The Law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets who were foretelling His life, His suffering, death and resurrection? I have wondered and offer what I could find. They are so poignant.  I am in awe as I type them and pray these verses will bless you, as you realize the truth of God's Word from beginning to end. In the previous blog, you'll find the stories of Adam and Eve, as well as Abraham.

In summary here; In the beginning Adam and Eves sinned, and the sacrifice for forgiveness is found in the previous post. It starts with scriptures foretelling right from the beginning that Adam and Eve sinned and that an animal had to be sacrificed and die. God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. A  fig leaf was not enough to cover their sin and nakedness. From that point on all humanity needed a sacrifice to cover for their sins.

Continuing in summary to Abraham and the sacrifice of his son. He was willing to do whatever God asked him to do. When they came to the place which God had told him, he built an altar... Then the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham! Here I am."... God provided the sacrifice of a ram, so Isaac was saved. Genesis 22:1-19

"And then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures".   Lord I pray that You will open our minds, me and this dear reader, to understand the scriptures, the Old Testament verses that foretell of Your suffering, death and resurrection. Help us to see You Lord in all of our reading of Your Word. 

Continuing from the previous post, here are more verses prophesying about the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

He Opened their Minds to Understand the Scriptures

Our Launching Verse: Luke 24:44-48

In a previous post, Our Hearts Burned Within Us, Jesus walked along the road with two disciples on their way to Emmaus. Not knowing who He was, they sadly told Him what had recently happened to Jesus in Jerusalem. They were confused when He died; because they thought the Messiah was going to rescue them as a people. He said, "'Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?'" Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from each of the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24: 26, 27 NLT Later, when they recognized them, he vanished. They said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while... He opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24: 32 NKJ

These two men got up immediately and went to Jerusalem to find the 11 apostles and others who gathered with them. They were marveling that Jesus really has risen from the dead. Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus appeared to them along the road. Just as they were telling the story, Jesus was suddenly standing there with them. "Peace be with you." He said. After reassuring them that He was not a ghost, allowing them to touch Him, and even eating some broiled fish; then He said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day..." Luke 24:44-48 NLT

Have you ever wondered what these scriptures were that Jesus told His disciples foretelling His suffering, death and resurrection? I have wondered that. Here are a few that may have been some that He told them.

Our Hearts Burned Within Us

Sunday 

Luke 24: 13-32

After Jesus was crucified, the disciples were confused and deeply in grief; even though Jesus told them this would happen, they still were not prepared. So on Sunday morning when the women came and told them that Jesus had raised from the dead it seemed like idle tales, some kind of nonsense to them. "However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again wondering what had happened."  Luke 24: 12 NLT

Later that same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus. It was about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem. As they continued along the road, they were in an intense discussion about what had just happened. Then Jesus Himself came along side of them; though God kept them from recognizing who He was. "He asked them, 'What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?' They stopped short, sadness written across their faces." Luke 24: 17 NLT "You must be the only person who does not know all the things that has happened in Jerusalem in the last few days." 'What things?' Jesus asked." Luke 24: 19 NLT

 
They proceeded to tell Him about Jesus of Nazareth, who "was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests... handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. We had hoped He was the messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago." Luke 24: 20, 21 NLT Then they told Him about what the women said that morning and some of the men went to the tomb to see and the body was in fact gone.

Jesus Christ is Risen

Sunday

 

The Tomb is Empty!  

Christ Jesus is Alive!!! 

Reading John 20: 1-18

Very early in the morning, while still dark on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. When she arrived she saw that the stone covering the entrance had been taken away. She ran to Peter and John and said to them "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and I don't know where they laid Him." Peter and John ran to the tomb. John arrived first, stooping down he looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there. Peter came behind him and entered the tomb. John followed him in and he believed. Then they went away again to their own homes.

But Mary lingered, totally distraught over the death of her Lord and now His body is gone. Standing outside of the tomb weeping, she stooped down and looked in to see two angels in white sitting where the Lord had laid. They said to her "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

After she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Him. He said to her, “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?” She, thought He was the gardener and said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, "Teacher". Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her." John 20:11-18 NKJ

"...these things are written that you may believe 

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 

and that by believing you may have life in His name." 

John 20:31 NKJ

The tomb is empty! Christ Jesus is Alive! 

What does this mean to you, to me?

We are free and forgiven, heavens gates are open wide!

Enter in to the empty tomb and believe.

You will have life in His name.

More Eye Witness Accounts to come