Category: Gospels
Conquered the grave!
Scripture reading for February 14th: Matthew 28:1-20, Psalm 34, Proverbs 9:9-10
“Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph over His foes! He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His Saints to Reign! He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! ” (Robert Lowery–1826-1899) (Low in the Grave He Lay)
This old hymn captures the essence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on that cross and was buried in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man. The prophet Isaiah had written about this very thing over 700 years earlier, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) As He hung on the cross, He was numbered with the wicked. He was made sin with our sin. But when it was “finished”, His precious body was put in a “rich man’s” tomb! He had purchased great riches in His death. The souls of all who would believe on Him by faith were His Father’s riches! (Psalm 2:7-8) The wealth of nations would be brought to Him!
Isaiah also predicted that this suffering servant would not stay in the grave after fulfilling the Lord’s purpose for His suffering. “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied; by His knowledge My righteous servant will justify many and He will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11) God the Father sent His Son to suffer as a guilt offering for the sins of the world. After the suffering, He would again see “the light of life!” Many would be justified and God’s will would prosper through Him forever!
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has rise, just as He said. Come see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6) This good news has encouraged those who believe for nearly 2000 years! We serve a risen Savior who is alive! All who believe on Him can have eternal life!
King of the Jews
Scripture reading for February 13th: Matthew 27:35-66, Psalm 33, Proverbs 9:7-8
“When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Two robbers were crucified with Him, on on His right and on on His left. Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:35-40)
It was the custom to place the charges against the criminal above their heads on the cross where they were crucified. Pilate had ordered that the charge be “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. The chief priests argued with Pilate and told him not to write “King of the Jews” but only that Jesus had claimed to be “King of the Jews”. Pilate was resolute and left the sign in place. (John 19:19-22) It is ironic that the sign was the truth, Jesus was and is still the King of the Jews as well as “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”! (Revelation 19:16)
The charge was taken as a joke by the people and soldiers as well as the chief priests. They mocked and ridiculed their King, taunting Him and hurling insults at Him! As they had asked for His blood to be upon them and their children, they further incriminated themselves with the mocking. Little did they understand that this was God’s Son, and their King and Messiah. They were hardening their hearts before the one who was offering His life to save them! “He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.” (Matthew 27:42) Even the robbers who were crucified with Him, heaped insults on Him!
One of the robbers finally did humbly ask Jesus to remember him when he came into His Kingdom. Jesus promised him he would be with Him in Paradise that day! Jesus also prayed for those who had crucified Him and taunted Him. He asked the Father to forgive them. This King of Kings is full of mercy and will save any who call on Him! Have you?
Let His blood be on us and our children!
Scripture reading for February 12th: Matthew 27:15-34, Psalm 32, Proverbs 9:1-6
Jesus was tried before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate was a politician that tried to please the people. The day of Jesus’ trial, Pilate’s wife sent him a message, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him.” (Matthew 27:19) Pilate gave the crowd an opportunity to have one of those to be crucified released. He secretly hoped it would be Jesus but the crowd, whipped up by the chief priests, asked for Barabbas instead. When he tried to reason with the crowd, they shouted that Jesus should be crucified. Instead of standing for justice, Pilate washed his hands symbolically, stating that he was innocent of Jesus’ blood.
“All the people answered, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25) This statement was given by the crowd as they were worked up by the chief priests. It is ironic that the blood that Jesus shed was the very thing that they needed to cleanse them from their sins. It is the only thing in the entire universe that can atone for or cover the stain of guilt that comes from sin. They invited the judgment of God against them for shedding innocent blood when the very innocent Son of God, Jesus Christ was going to give His blood as the price for their murderous deeds!
Jesus had wanted to gather all these people under His covering as a hen would gather her chicks, but they were unwilling. (Matthew 23:37-37) There house would be left desolate. These who rejected Jesus would also bring judgment on their children. Parents have an influence on children and their decisions often affect their offspring.
As I think about “Let His blood be on us and our children”, I want the blood of Christ to cover all my sins and my children’s too. I know that as a parent I must pray for my children and live in such a way that they see Christ in my life. I also have personally taught all my children about their need for repentance and faith in Christ’s blood as the only remedy for sin. My prayer is for all my children and grandchildren to be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ! Have you asked for Christ’s blood for your family?
Remorse and repentance!
Scripture reading for February 11th: Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 31, Proverbs 8:33-36
In our passage for today we have the personal stories of two of Jesus’ close disciples. Peter had denied Jesus three times, even calling down curses on himself! Just hours earlier, Jesus had predicted that Peter would do that. (Matthew 26:33-35) Peter had faithfully sworn that he was willing to die with Jesus rather than deny Him. He failed miserably. (Matthew 26:74-75) Judas was the treasurer of the band of disciples. He had betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and had brought the soldiers and religious leaders to the Garden of Gethsemane, kissing Jesus to identify Him.
Jesus knew beforehand about how each of these men would react during His appointment with Passover. He was compassionate toward both of them, but knew how they would ultimately respond. Some people struggle with how Judas was left to kill himself and Peter was ultimately restored. They feel that God is somehow unfair. We must understand why our personal response to God must be real repentance and not just remorse!
Judas walked with Jesus for over three years. He was treasurer of the group and Scripture records that he was a thief, often stealing from the bag for his personal needs. He betrayed Jesus for the thirty pieces of silver. At the final Passover meal, Jesus announced that one at the table would betray Him. Judas asked if it was him and Jesus identified him as the one who would betray him. (Matthew 26:20-25) He did betray Him and when He saw that Jesus was condemned, Judas was filled with remorse and threw the money back into the temple. He then went out and hanged himself.
Both Peter and Judas were disciples who followed Jesus and experienced the miracles and great teaching. Both failed the Lord, along with all their fellow disciples. Peter wept bitterly over his denials but found true repentance and restoration, going on to become one of the great leaders of the early church. Judas was full of remorse, but failed to trust God for forgiveness and restoration. He instead took his punishment into his own hands and committed suicide. Remorse and repentance sound similar, but are very different. Remorse is only sorrow over sin, often just sorrow over being found out. Repentance is sorrow that produces a change in behavior and attitude. (2nd Corinthians 7:8-11) One leads to hell, the other to heaven!
Fulfilment of Scripture
Scripture reading for February 10th: Matthew 26:47-68, Psalm 30, Proverbs 8:27-32
“Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” ” Matthew 26:50b-54)
Immediately after Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, the soldiers and religious leaders stepped forward and arrested Jesus. Peter reacted boldly by drawing his sword and nearly did away with a man, cutting off his ear. Luke records that Jesus touched this servant’s ear and healed him immediately. (Luke 22:51) Jesus rebuked his disciple, telling him to put the sword away. Jesus assured Peter and the others that He had the power and ability to call for angelic help at any time. However, Jesus had spent the night in prayer and had wrestled through his own fears and desire to have the cup of sin and suffering removed. He had submitted to God’s will. (Matthew 26:36-39) How else would the Scriptures be fulfilled? Jesus was the “Word” made flesh and honored His Father by keeping and fulfilling the sacred and holy Scriptures. (John 1:14)
After addressing the crowd there in the Garden and rebuking those who came at night to arrest Him, He finished by telling them all that “this all had taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (Matthew 26:56) Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12) Zechariah 13:7 is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 26:31, concerning striking the shepherd and the sheep being scattered. False witnesses were brought to accuse Him. (Psalm 27:12, 35:11) Jesus was to be offered as the sacrifice for our sins, remaining silent before those who accused Him. (Isaiah 53:4-12) He would be given a grave with the rich in His death. He would be resurrected–seeing the light of life! He would bear the sins of many and be numbered with the transgressors! Scripture must be fulfilled!
Aren’t you thankful that Jesus did not call the legions of angels? Take time today to thank Him for His faithfulness!
My appointed time is near!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 26:14-46, Psalm 29, Proverbs 8:14-26
Jesus was in total control and had full understanding of what would happen. Judas had already gone to the chief priests and inquired of what they would be willing to give him for handing Jesus over. The agreed upon price was thirty silver coins. ( Zechariah wrote about this about 500 years earlier in Zechariah 11:12)
Jesus instructed the disciples to go and prepare a place for the Passover meal. He told them to tell a certain man that His appointed time was near and He wanted to celebrate the Passover at his house. Evidently this man would understand what that meant. Jesus knew He had an appointment to keep. He was going to be the final Passover sacrifice for the sins of the world.
At the Passover meal, Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him. (Matthew 26:20-31) He then identified Judas as that very one when Judas asked if it was himself. I believe that Jesus was trying His very best to give Judas the opportunity to repent of his reprehensible deed. What mercy our Lord showed toward one who would betray Him!
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29) Jesus was again teaching His disciples about the nature of His coming death. He would give His body to be beaten, bruised, and crucified for their sake, as well as for all mankind. Jesus would give His blood as a covenant with those who would believe on Him for the forgiveness of their sins. This cup would be His final cup with them until the fullness of the Father’s Kingdom came.
Today we know that the appointed time of Jesus’ return is near. We must be fully trusting in His broken body and shed blood as our only hope of eternal salvation. Are you ready to drink this cup with Jesus in the Father’s kingdom?
A beautiful thing!
Scripture reading for February 8th: Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 28, Proverbs 8:11-13
Jesus finished His teaching on the signs of the end of the age and again reminded the disciples of the coming Passover and His pending crucifixion. There should have been no doubt as to what He meant as He again emphasized the fact that He would be handed over to those who were plotting to kill Him. (Matthew 26:1-4) The high priest, Caiaphas, assembled the chief priests and elders in his home to find a way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. It is amazing that those who taught the Law of God could so violate the commandments in order to crucify the Son of God.
Jesus was visiting the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany when a woman came and paid Him a visit. This woman had a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on His head. “When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why the waste?’ they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:8-13)
Even though Jesus had again reminded these disciples that He would soon die, there thoughts were on the money that the perfume would buy. They had a good motive, giving to the poor! Jesus rebuked them and stuck up for the unnamed woman. He felt that she had done a beautiful thing to Him. She was evidently more sensitive to the coming events than those who walked with Him every day.
Worship and honoring Jesus should always take priority when He is in our midst. Good works at the neglect of giving the Lord the honor He deserved was a poor choice. What the woman did is now mentioned around the world as Jesus promised her. Another example of His total understanding of future events.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Matthew 25:14-30, Psalm 28, Proverbs 8:1-10
Everybody likes the reward of a job well done! We all long to have significance and recognition for making a contribution with our efforts. Much of our lives are spent in doing things that often have no one to commend us. In fact, often there are many who criticize us for our decisions or efforts. The world values that which is popular or exciting. God has told us in His word about the things that will bring us rewards and commendation. Let’s look at this today and evaluate our obedience to God’s commands.
Jesus finished His message about what it would be like when He returned at the end of the age with a final parable. This was a story of a rich man going on a journey and placing his servants in charge of his property. Each of of three servants were given talents (property or money) according to their ability. One got one talent, another got two talents and another got five talents. Each servant chose how to use the investments. The one with five, gained five more. The one with two gained two more. The one with one talent hid his in the ground and made no profit.
After a long time, the master returned and asked for an accounting. The two servants that had wisely invested got a well-deserved commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things! Come share in your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:21) The last servant got a stern rebuke and thrown out into the darkness. (Matthew 25:28-30)
Jesus summed up what he was looking for in order to give rewards. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:34-36) Jesus told them that when they did these things to the least of these, they did it to Him! Go for the reward!
The midnight cry!
Scripture reading for February 6th: Matthew 25:1-13, Psalm 26, Proverbs 7:24-27
As Jesus was closing out this last message and answering His disciples questions about the end of the age, He told a parable about ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to come for them. This story would have resonated with those in His culture immediately because of the customs there surrounding a wedding. When we understand what they did, this parable opens up another emphasis on being prepared and the perils of lack of preparation.
It was the custom of the day for the bride and her bridal party to prepare for the wedding day for up to a year prior to the actual wedding. The bridegroom was busy preparing a house for his bride and would come to get her when it was ready. The exact time was not set because this was part of the mystery and excitement of the wedding. As the date approached, the bridal party knew that the bridegroom could come at any time and take them to the wedding feast. The bridal party in the story knew that the bridegroom would come soon and went out to meet him. He delayed his coming and the virgins fell asleep. (Matthew 25:1-4)
“At midnight the cry rang out; ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil’ our lamps are going out.’ “‘No;’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said, ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.'” “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:6-13)
Five foolish virgins were not prepared. The delay had exposed their lack of preparation and consequent need for oil for their lamps. At that late hour, there was no time to get what they needed. When seeking entrance to the banquet, the bridegroom refused them entrance! Not all the visible church will attend the wedding!
Get ready for the trumpet!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 25, Proverbs 7:6-23
“When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, When the morning breaks eternal bright and fair, When the saved diverse shall gather over on the other shore, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.” (Gray)
This old hymn has a lot of theology in it from Matthew 24 and Jesus teaching His disciples what it would be like at the end of the age. “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn. they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:30-31)
Jesus told the disciples that He would come back on the clouds of the sky in power and great glory. When this happened, the people of the nations of the earth would mourn. This event would happen suddenly and many will mourn because they know that they have not made preparations that they could have made. Those who were ready would be gathered by the angels from all over the earth. This event is what we call the “rapture” or “catching up” of believers.
It is described in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 in more detail. The trumpet will sound and first the dead in Christ will rise. Those who believe and are living on the earth will be caught up next to meet the Lord in the air. This will all happen in a moment, “in the twinkling of an eye” at the last trumpet. (1st Corinthians 15:51-53) We will then always be with the Lord.
Jesus warned His followers that they must be ready because this would happen suddenly and at a time when no one expected. No one would know the day or hour, but those who knew the Lord would live in a state of readiness. They would be trusting in Christ and doing what God had asked them to do. (Matthew 24:42-46) Those who were not ready and doing what Christ asked them to do when this event occurred would be left out! They would suffer with the hypocrites! Get ready for the trumpet!