Holy Week - Even
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Podcast Download: Holy Week - Even
Palm Sunday - Holy Week - Even
First posted
04/03/04;
Podcast: Sunday - Holy Week - Even
Zechariah 12:9-11, 13:1, 7-9 - The Day of the Lord;
1 Timothy 6:12-16 - Christian responsibility;
Luke 19:41-48 - Jesus is coming;
Zechariah Summary:
On the Day of the Lord, the Lord will destroy all those who come against
Jerusalem. The Lord will pour out on the house of David and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so
that when they behold the one they have pierced (i.e. Jesus) they will
mourn for him as one mourns for an only child or the death of the
first-born. The mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning
in the plain of Megiddo for Hadadrimmon (a popular fertility god whose
death was mourned annually).
1 Timothy Summary:
Christians are to shun all ungodliness and all materialism; “aim at
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight
the good fight of the faith…” (1 Timothy 6:11-12) Believers are urged to
grasp and hang on to the eternal life to which we’ve been called when
we made the good confession (i.e. that Jesus is Lord) before many
witnesses (in baptism in the presence of the congregation, and in the
secular world). We are to keep Jesus’ teachings unstained and free from
reproach until his Second Coming, which God will manifest in his perfect
timing. God alone, whom no man has ever seen or can see, has
immortality and dwells in unapproachable light. He is Sovereign; the
King of kings and Lord of lords. To him be honor and eternal dominion.
Luke Summary:
When Jesus drew near to Jerusalem (on his way to what he knew would
result in his crucifixion), he wept over the city, saying, “would that
even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid
from your eyes” (Luke 19:42). Jesus prophesied that days were coming
when Israel’s enemies would surround her and attack her and hem her in.
The enemies would kill many and cause great destruction, because they
did not realize the time of Christ’s earthly ministry.
Jesus entered the Temple and began driving out the merchants (those who
sold animals acceptable for sacrifice, and those who changed Roman coins
for Jewish coins which were required for use in the temple), saying
that they had made a den of robbers out of God’s House, which God
intended to be a house of prayer. Jesus taught daily in the Temple, and
the chief priests, scribes (experts in Jewish religious law) and the
leaders of the people sought to destroy Jesus, but they could find no
way to accomplish that, because “all the people hung upon his words”
(Luke 19:48).
Commentary:
The Jews were called to be God’s People. God had promised to send them a
Messiah (Christ). They were expecting the coming of Messiah. When Jesus
came in the flesh in his earthly ministry, those who acknowledged Jesus
as Lord, both Jew and Gentile, became God’s People, the Church, the
body of Christ. The favor and protection of the Lord has passed from
Israel to the Church (see Luke 19:43-44). In that sense "Jerusalem"
refers to the Christian Church.
Not just the Jews, but all humans are guilty of crucifying Jesus because
we have all sinned (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:10). Jesus has promised to
return to judge the earth. On that Day of the Lord, those who have
trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in the New Jerusalem
in Heaven, but those who have rejected Jesus and not obeyed his teaching
will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2
Thessalonians 1:5-10). God is faithful. God’s not finished with the
Jews and the Nation of Israel (Romans 11:13-32).
The Church is in much the same position today as that of Jerusalem at
the time of Jesus' earthly visitation. The same call and commission is
upon believers today as Paul taught Timothy to teach believers in his
day. We’re to shun ungodliness and materialism; to grasp and hang on to
eternal life in faith; to make the good confession in the marketplace
and secular society as well as in the Church; we’re to put into practice
in our daily lives what Jesus taught; we’re to be watching and waiting
for Jesus’ Second Coming.
As Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem, he wept over her unpreparedness
for his coming. He prophesied coming persecutions that would result when
God withdrew his favor and protection of her as a result of her
unbelief. The Temple which existed at Jesus’ time had been built by
Herod the Great to replace the five hundred year old Second Temple which
had been built on the return of the exiles from Babylon. Herod began
the building in 18 B.C., and it wasn’t completed until 65 A.D. It was
totally destroyed, as Jesus predicted (Matthew 24:1-2), in 70 A.D. by
the Romans, and has never been rebuilt.
Please visualize the replacement of the Temple, built on the lessons and
experiences of the Exile in Babylon, which had stood for five hundred
years, now replaced by a lavish new building built by Herod the Great as
political “pork” (to win the favor of his subjects); Herod the Great,
who wanted to kill Jesus as a new born baby, and who did slaughter all
male children under two years of age in Bethlehem and the surrounding
region in the attempt (Matthew 2:16).
Isn’t the Christian Church in the same situation today? (I’m referring
to the visible, nominal Church which includes all those who profess to
be Christians, in contrast to the true, invisible Church, which is
composed of those who truly believe and obey Jesus, and have been
anointed with the Holy Spirit.) In many cases the lessons and
experiences of hundreds of years of faith are being discarded for
luxurious new buildings, where instead of sending disciples to take the
gospel out into the secular society, we are allowing politically and
materialistically motivated people to come in and take over.
Notice that the people “hung on Jesus’ words” (Luke 19:48). That’s
because for the first time in a long time they were hearing Holy
Spirit-inspired preaching of God’s Word. We can be absolutely certain
they weren’t hearing it from the chief priests and the scribes. Today is
Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus' first triumphal entry into
Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11). Are you ready for Jesus’ triumphal return?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple
(John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you
received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts
19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to
obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with
certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians
1:13-14)?
Monday - Holy Week - Even
First posted
04/04/04;
Podcast: Monday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentation 1:1-2, 6-12 - The desolation of Jerusalem;
2 Corinthians 1:1-7 - Suffering and comfort in Christ;
Mark 11:12-25 - Unfruitful fig tree cursed; Temple cleansed;
Lamentation Summary:
This is a dirge (a song of grief), mourning the desolation of Jerusalem
and the burning of the Temple by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. when they
carried Israel off into exile. The city is compared to a widow, bereft
of her people. She who was a princess has become a vassal. She is bereft
of lovers to comfort her; her friends have become her enemies. Her
princes have become like deer that find no pasture and are hunted to
exhaustion by their pursuers. She remembers with bitterness what
blessings she has lost; when the enemy came there was no one to help
her. Her enemy gloated and mocked at her downfall.
Her downfall is because of her grievous sin. She has become unclean;
despised; her nakedness is exposed. Even she herself despises and cannot
bear to look at what she has become. The enemy has seized all her
precious things and invaded her sanctuary; the unholy have entered the
congregation. The people trade their treasures for bread. “Is it nothing
to you, all you who pass by?” (Lamentations 1:12; another rendering is
“O, that you who pass by would take notice!”). This sorrow has been
inflicted by the Lord on the day of his fierce anger.
2 Corinthians Summary:
This is a letter to the Church at Corinth from Paul, an apostle (a
messenger; one who is sent) of God. Paul had needed to correct some
problems in the Church in Corinth and had thereby caused the members
some suffering. He had paid them a painful visit (2 Corinthians 2:1
RSV). He had subsequent news that the Congregation had reformed their
ways. He was relieved and comforted by this report, and gave thanks to
God.
Paul was personally suffering for the Gospel. He realized that believers
must endure suffering for the Gospel, just as Jesus did, but that God
is able to comfort us when we patiently suffer for Jesus’ sake. Paul
endured suffering so that the Corinthians could hear the Gospel and come
to salvation, and was comforted by God so that he could comfort the
repentant Corinthian congregation as they endured suffering patiently.
The same is required of all who follow Christ.
Mark Summary:
After Jesus had entered Jerusalem on the donkey (Mark ll:1-10), he
stayed overnight in nearby Bethany (Mark 11:11). In the morning he was
returning to Jerusalem when he passed a fig tree. He was hungry, and so
he went to the tree looking for figs but found nothing but leaves, since
it was not the season for figs. Jesus said to the tree, “‘May no one
ever eat fruit from you again’ and his disciples heard it” (Mark 11:14
RSV).
Jesus entered into the temple and began to drive out those who bought
and sold animals suitable for sacrificial offering in the temple, and he
overturned the tables of the venders and moneychangers (Roman coins had
to be exchanged for Jewish coins to be acceptable for offerings and the
temple tax). Jesus declared, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be
called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a
den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17).
When the chief priests and scribes (authorities on Jewish religious law)
heard this, they wanted to destroy Jesus. They feared Jesus because the
people were astonished by his teaching. At evening Jesus and his
disciples returned to Bethany.
The next morning they passed by the fig tree again, and it had withered
to its roots. Peter remembered Jesus had cursed it, and pointed it out.
Jesus replied, “Have faith in God.” Jesus also told them that nothing is
impossible for God to do on our behalf, if we ask in faith and in
accordance with God’s will.
When we ask God to do something for us, we need to be certain that we’re
doing what he wants us to do, by forgiving others who sin against us,
and by repenting of our own sins. God won’t forgive our sins if we don’t
forgive others, if we don’t repent of our own sins, or if we don’t obey
his will.
Commentary:
God withdrew his favor and protection from Israel in 587 B.C. and
allowed his people to be carried off to captivity in Babylon because
they had continually disobeyed his Word and had ignored repeated
warnings by his prophets. It was also a prophetic warning to Jerusalem
over five hundred years later, which was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the
Romans destroyed the Temple because the people had forgotten the lessons
that had been learned in the past, and had repeated the mistakes of
their ancestors (see journal entry for yesterday, Palm Sunday, above).
It is also a prophetic warning to the Church in our day.
The young congregation that Paul had founded in Corinth already needed
reformation after only a short time. Although it was painful for both
Paul and the members, Paul corrected them and made them accountable, and
they accepted his criticism, repented and reformed their ways.
That needs to be a continual process in the Church. We have to start
with authentic apostles who are willing to hold the members accountable
to biblical standards, rather than false apostles who are mere peddlers
of God’s Word (2 Corinthians 2:17). Next we must concentrate on making
disciples who are willing to hear criticism, to persevere in discipline,
and to endure suffering themselves in order to reach others with the
Gospel, instead of having membership recruitment drives making
“fair-weather Christians” who leave the Church the minute the preacher
starts making them uncomfortable by talking about money or sin.
We need to bear fruit in season and out of season; to proclaim the whole
Gospel whether it’s popular to do so or not; (2 Timothy 4:2). We’re to
use the scriptures to convince, rebuke, and exhort; “All scripture is
inspired by God and is to be used for doctrine, reproof, correction, and
training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We need to be disciples in
order to make disciples.
The fig tree is symbolic of Israel’s spiritual condition at the time of
Jesus’ earthly ministry. From a distance it looked good, but when one
got up close, it was obvious that it wasn’t bearing the fruit God
intended it to bear. Jesus cursed it because it was worthless. Notice
that Jesus could have cursed the buyers and sellers (the people who
bought were just as guilty as the ones who sold) in the Temple and they
could have suffered a fate similar to that of the fig tree, but instead
he drove them out; his purpose in coming was not to destroy but to
restore and save (John 3:16-17).
Eventually the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. The withering of the fig
tree should be a warning to the church today. Jesus has promised to
return to judge the whole earth. He will be coming, not as the suffering
sacrificial Lamb of God, but as the victorious King of the Universe and
Righteous Judge. He will be looking for spiritual fruit. If there isn’t
any then, it will be too late; there won’t be any more opportunity to
repent and change our ways.
What will Jesus’ think about our Churches? Will he find that we,
individually, have produced spiritual fruit? Are you ready for Jesus’
return?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple
(John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you
received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts
19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to
obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with
certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians
1:13-14)?
Tuesday - Holy Week - Even
First posted
04/05/04;
Podcast: Tuesday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentations 1:17-22 - The sorrows of Zion;
2 Corinthians 1:8-22 - Total reliance on God;
Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus’ Authority;
Lamentations Background:
Lamentations is a dirge (song of grief), mourning the fall of Israel to
the Babylonians in 587 B.C.. Jerusalem is portrayed as a widow bereft of
her people. Zion is the southeastern hill of several on which Jerusalem
was built. It also denotes Jerusalem and God’s people in general.
Lamentations Summary:
Zion mourned but had no one to comfort her. God had allowed Israel’s
neighbors to be her enemies, because Israel had rebelled against God’s
Word. The people had been carried into captivity. The priests and elders
had perished. Zion is in great anguish and distress while her enemies
gloated over her downfall. Zion cried out to the Lord to hasten the Day
of Judgment, when her enemies will come under God’s punishment as she
was then; that the evil doings of Zion’s enemies would be dealt with by
the Lord as the Lord has punished Zion for her transgressions. (Compare
Lamentations 1:21-23 with 1 Peter 4:17)
2 Corinthians Summary:
Paul had been discussing suffering for the Gospel. He had caused the
Corinthian congregation some suffering in order to correct some faulty
practices within the congregation, and he himself had suffered in doing
so, because of his genuine love and concern for them. Paul reminded them
that he had suffered greatly in Asia, to the point of despair of life
itself; that he felt like he was under a death sentence.
He had come to understand that out of that suffering he had learned to
rely not on himself but totally on God who raises the dead. God had
delivered Paul from that affliction and Paul had complete confidence
that God would do so again. Paul asked them to partner with him in
prayer for his ministry.
Paul is proud to have behaved with holiness and godly sincerity toward
the Corinthians, relying not on earthly wisdom but on the grace of God.
Paul’s efforts have been so that the Corinthians grow to spiritual
maturity at the day of the Lord’s return, so that the Corinthians can be
unashamed, and that Paul will be proud of them.
Paul hoped to visit the Corinthians both on his way to Macedonia and on
his return. Paul did not make his plans capriciously, based on his
personal feelings at a given moment, but instead was led by God’s
Spirit. God’s Word isn’t arbitrary either. God is faithful; His promises
all are fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It is God’s initiative which
establishes us in Christ; God commissions us for ministry, and puts his
seal and guarantee in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Mark Summary:
In the days immediately preceding Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, Jesus
and his disciples stayed overnight in Bethany, and “commuted” to
Jerusalem daily. When they returned to the Temple the Jewish religious
leaders came to him and asked him who had given Jesus authority to do
the teaching and works that he was doing. Jesus agreed to tell them
where he got his authority if they would first answer a question from
Jesus: Was John’s baptism from heaven for from men?
The leaders argued among themselves about how to answer. If John’s
baptism was from heaven then they were condemned for not believing him;
if they answered that it was from men they were afraid that the people
would riot because the people regarded John as an authentic prophet.
They told Jesus they did not know, so Jesus refused to answer their
challenge to his authority.
Commentary:
Israel mourned the conquest and captivity by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.
Their plight was because they had repeatedly disobeyed God’s Word, and
had repeatedly ignored the warnings and attempts to call them to
repentance by God’s prophets. The Israelites were later allowed to
return, and within a few years began to rebuild the temple in 535 B.C..
They forgot the lessons that they had learned “the hard way” in the
exile, and as a result, the Temple was again destroyed in 70 A.D.
Lamentations is a warning to people in every era of the consequences of
disobeying of God’s Word and ignoring his prophets.
Paul had come to understand that God allows suffering so that we can
learn to totally rely on God. Paul had learned the lessons God wanted
him to learn. Paul knew the goodness and faithfulness of God. Even death
had no power over Paul, through Jesus Christ. Paul had learned to seek
God’s will and be obedient to him through the Holy Spirit.
Paul is the example of a modern (post-resurrection) Christian disciple.
He was a disciple making disciples; he was a maturing Christian leading
others to grow to spiritual maturity. His authority was from God through
the indwelling Holy Spirit, who God gives to those who trust and obey
Jesus. The Holy Spirit was the mark which identified him as belonging to
God and it was the assurance to Paul that he was going to live
eternally in God’s kingdom of Heaven (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians
1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). All this is available only through
Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority. They were in exactly
the same dilemma over Jesus’ authority as they were regarding John the
Baptizer’s. They had to decide for themselves whether Jesus was of God
or not, and if they believed that he was of God they were obligated to
obey Jesus. Not deciding is a decision against Jesus. Claiming not to
know is no excuse. The religious leaders hadn’t remembered the lessons
of the exile.
The authority of priests and elders of Judaism effectively ended when
Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:38). Jesus has become the High Priest of
the people of God (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus is God’s only provision for
forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6)
Jesus has promised to return with ultimate, sovereign power and
authority to judge every person who has ever lived on earth (John
5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will
receive eternal life in God’s kingdom in Heaven. Those who have refused
to accept Jesus as Lord and to obey him will receive eternal
destruction and death in Hell. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Have we learned the lessons of the Bible? Do you know the Lord of the Universe?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple
(John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you
received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts
19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to
obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with
certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians
1:13-14)?
Wednesday - Holy Week - Even
First posted
04/06/04;
Podcast: Wednesday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentations 2:1-9 - The destruction of Zion;
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11 - Paul’s concern for the Church;
Mark 12:1-11 - The parable of the vineyard;
Lamentations Summary:
The prophet laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the
Babylonians when Israel was carried off to exile in 587 B.C. Israel was
under a dark cloud because of the Lord’s anger. Her splendor, which had
been as high as heaven, had been cast down to earth. The Lord had
destroyed all the habitations and strongholds of the people of Israel,
and brought down the kingdom and its rulers. Israel’s might had been cut
off, because God had removed his right hand from her.
The Lord had set his hand against Israel like an enemy. He had
multiplied mourning and lamentation in Israel. The Lord had broken down
the Temple like a ruined field-shelter (temporary hut made of branches).
The Lord had laid in ruins the place of his appointed feasts, bringing
an end to appointed feast and Sabbath, and had spurned king and priest,
palace, altar and sanctuary. The Lord measured the wall of the daughter
of Zion with a plumb-line, and destroyed it (because it did not “measure
up;” see Amos 7:7-8). Israel’s gates were ruined; her kings and princes
were scattered; the Law was no more; her prophets received no vision
from the Lord.
2 Corinthians Summary:
Paul had needed to correct some problems that had developed in the
congregation at Corinth. After Paul had written the first letter to the
Corinthian Church and had made a “painful visit” (2 Corinthians 2:1) the
relationship had been strained. Paul hadn’t wanted to make another
painful visit. Now he had received a favorable report from Titus. Paul
hadn’t wanted to hurt the very people who were Paul’s joy. He had
written to correct problems so that when he came to visit them, they all
might have joy in one another, rather than be further pained.
It had caused Paul pain to discipline them, but he had done so because
he loved them. Paul gently and graciously said that those who had caused
the problems had hurt not only Paul but the whole congregation, and the
knowledge of that was sufficient punishment. Therefore he urged the
congregation to demonstrate their obedience to Paul’s leadership and
forgive, comfort and reaffirm their love for them, so that they would
not be overcome by excessive sorrow. Paul also promised to forgive for
the sake of the congregation’s relationship with Christ, so that Satan
would not have an opportunity to divide and separate them from Christ’s
presence.
Mark Summary:
Jesus had come to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified. In the
days immediately preceding his arrest, he taught, in parables, in the
Temple. He began the parable of the vineyard, saying that a man planted a
vineyard and put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, built a tower,
and then rented it to tenants to operate while he was in another
country.
At the harvest season he sent a servant to the tenants to get some of
the fruit of the vineyard, but the tenants beat the servant and sent him
away empty-handed. The owner sent another servant, but the tenants
wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. So the owner sent
many others, repeatedly, and some the tenants beat and some they killed.
Finally the owner sent his beloved only son, thinking that the tenants
would at least respect his son. But the tenants thought that if they
killed the heir, then the vineyard would belong to them, so that’s what
they did.
Jesus asked, “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and
destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others” (Mark 12:9). Jesus
quoted Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone which the builders rejected has
become the head of the corner (corner stone). This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Mark 12:10-11).
Commentary:
The prophet’s lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
and the exile of the people to Babylon is also a prophetic warning to
people in every time, especially in the last days before Jesus returns
on the Day of Judgment.
The Lord had allowed the destruction and exile because the people had
repeatedly ignored and disobeyed God’s Word. When the people of Israel
were released from captivity and allowed to return to their land, they
rebuilt their city and the Temple. But then they ignored or forgot the
lessons of the exile.
Jesus is the plumb-line against which we will all be judged. Jesus is
going to return to judge the earth (John 5:28-29, Matthew 25:31-46).
Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in
Heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus and have not obeyed him will
receive eternal death and destruction in Hell. Jesus is God’s only
provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
When Jesus came the first time, in flesh, nearly six hundred years after
the exile, the Jewish religion had become merely an outward ritual; it
had the form of religion but not the substance. They outwardly kept the
Law and rituals, but they were not obeying God’s will; they were far
from God. The result was that they rejected and crucified the Messiah,
their savior. The consequences were that the exile of Lamentations
happened all over again to them.
The Temple was destroyed (and has never been rebuilt). Jewish religion
effectively ended at the Crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:38). The old
Covenant of Law ended at the Cross. The Jews were dispersed all over the
world. The prophesies of Lamentations had been fulfilled, but they are
still going to be fulfilled again! The Jews began to return to the
Promised Land after World War II. The cycle is repeating, and will
culminate with the Second Coming of Christ on the Day of Judgment.
Paul was a "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle (messenger)
of the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved his congregation enough to suffer
personally to discipline and reform what was not right in the Church. He
was willing to cause the members pain, and risk the loss of their
affection so that they would not lose their participation in the Spirit
of Christ, and their salvation.
The Church is in continual need of reform. Pastors must be willing to
discipline their flocks, and members must be willing to be disciplined.
Pastors must be disciples, not "visionless prophets" (Lamentations
2:9d), and the mission must be to make disciples. Compare the state of
Jewish religion at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry with the
condition of the Church today. Isn’t the “visible” Church today (all
professing “Christians,” as contrasted with the “invisible” Church of
all the truly born-again disciples) in the same condition that Judaism
was in at the time of Christ. Wake up, Churches!
The parable of the vineyard described the situation of Judaism in the
time of Christ’s first appearing. It also describes the situation of the
World and the Church today. God has sent many prophets. Are we
listening? The time of the harvest draws near; will there be any fruit
when God sends his Son to inspect and collect it? We will each be
individually accountable to God through Jesus Christ.
Will you be ready for Jesus’ return? Do you realize that Jesus is the
Messiah (Christ), the Lord of the Universe; the Righteous Judge, the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple
(John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you
received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts
19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to
obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with
certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians
1:13-14)?
Maundy Thursday - Holy Week - Even
First posted
04/07/04;
Podcast: Thursday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentations 2:10-18 - Jerusalem’s lament;
1 Corinthians 10:14-17;11:27-32 - The Lord’s Supper;
Mark 14:12-25 - The Last Supper;
Maundy is from the Latin mandatum (command) of Jesus' words of John 13:34, to love one another.
Lamentations Summary:
Lamentation is a dirge (song of grief) of mourning for the desolation of
Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews to Babylon in 587 B.C.(see
preceding journal entries beginning with Monday, above). Jerusalem is
portrayed as a widow mourning the loss of her husband and children. The
elders are in sackcloth and mourning; maidens are bowed down to the
ground. Jerusalem’s eyes are spent with weeping, her soul is in tumult;
her heart poured out in grief because of the destruction of her people.
The Children faint in the street (with hunger) as they cry “Where is
bread and wine?” (Lamentation 2:12b).
The ruin of Jerusalem is as vast as the sea; who can restore her? “Your
prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not
exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you
oracles false and misleading” (Lamentation 2:14).
“All who pass along the way clap their hands at you; they hiss and wag
their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem; is this the city that was
called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth? All your
enemies rail against you; they hiss, they gnash their teeth, they cry:
‘We have destroyed her! Ah, this is the day we longed for; now we have
it; we see it!’
The Lord has done what he purposed (intended), has carried out his
threat; as he ordained long ago, he has made the enemy rejoice over you
and exalted the might of your foes." (Lamentation 2:15-17). “Cry aloud
to the Lord! O daughter of Zion! Let tears stream down like a torrent
day and night! Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite!"
(Lamentation 2:18).
1 Corinthians Summary
Paul had earlier taught that eating food sacrificed to idols (it was
common at the time to sell the meat from such sacrifices in the markets)
was no sin and that idols have no real existence (Corinthians 8:4-10),
but here he reminded them that it is quite another matter to actually
participate in any pagan worship. Paul warned them not to worship idols.
He compared the Sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist; the Sacrament of
the Altar) with corresponding pagan rituals. The cup of blessing (the
sacramental wine; the name comes from the Jewish Passover feast*) is a
participation in the blood of Christ. The bread which is broken (the
sacramental bread) is a participation in the body of Christ. There is
one bread (Jesus); therefore the many individual Christians are one body
through their participation in the one bread.
Therefore, whoever participates in the Sacrament of Holy Communion in an
unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the
Lord Jesus Christ. So a person should examine himself, so as to
participate without unworthiness. “Anyone who eats and drinks the
Sacrament without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment
(condemnation) upon himself” (1 Corinthians 11:29). Paul attributed
illness and death within the congregation to unworthy participation in
the Sacrament.
If we examine ourselves and make the appropriate corrections, we will
not have to be judged by the Lord. When the Lord examines us and finds
us needing correction, he chastises us so that we can reform our ways
and avoid being condemned along with the world.
Mark Summary:
On the first day of Unleavened Bread (the beginning of Passover), when
they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples asked Jesus where they
should prepare the Passover feast. Jesus directed them to go into
Jerusalem, saying that a man carrying a jar of water (water was used for
washing as part of the Jewish Passover observance) The disciples were
to follow the man with the jar, and where he enters, the disciples were
to ask the householder to show them the guest room where the “Teacher”
and his disciples were to eat the Passover meal. They would be shown a
large upper room, where they were to make the necessary preparations.
The disciples followed his instructions and found it just as Jesus had
said.
That evening as they were eating, Jesus told them that one of the
Twelve, eating with him, dipping bread from the same dish with Jesus,
would betray Jesus. The disciples became sorrowful and began to ask
individually, “Is it I?” Jesus said that what was about to happen was
going to happen just as it had been prophesied in scripture, but woe to
the one who betrays Jesus. It would have been better for that person
that he had never been born.
Commentary:
God’s Word of prophesy in Lamentations has been fulfilled over and over
again. The Jews in the time of Jesus' earthly ministry (his first
appearing) had forgotten the lessons of the Babylonian captivity. As a
result, they were unprepared for Jesus’ coming, and God’s prophecy was
fulfilled: The Temple was destroyed (and has never been rebuilt).
Jewish religion effectively ended at the Crucifixion of Jesus (Mark
15:38). The old Covenant of Law ended at the Cross. The Jews were
dispersed all over the world. The prophesies of Lamentations had been
fulfilled, but they are still going to be fulfilled again.The Jews began
to return to the Promised Land after World War II.
The Church is the New House of God, the New Jerusalem, and the New
People of God. The Church today is in the same situation that Judaism
was at the time of Jesus' first coming. The cycle is repeating, and
will culminate with the Second Coming of Christ on the Day of Judgment.
On the Day of Christ’s return, it will be too late to seek the bread and
wine of the Lord’s Supper (Lamentations 2:12b) and salvation through
Jesus' sacrificial death. Have the ministers of Christ’s Church been
faithful prophets, or are they declaring false and deceptive visions?
(Lamentations 2:14). Have they been willing to expose our sins in order
that we might repent and be restored? (Lamentations 2:14b). Notice that
Lamentations 2:15a & b and v. 16 describes the scene of Jesus’
crucifixion (compare with Matthew 27:39-44; Psalm 22:7-8; Mark
15:29-32). God’s Word has its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22); we
disobey and ignore it at our eternal peril. Now is the time to repent
and cry out to the Lord for forgiveness!
The Church and its members need to examine themselves individually and
collectively. Are we profaning the Body and Blood of Jesus by tolerating
unrepented sin within the Church; within our individual lives? Are we
participating in the Sacrament without a personal relationship with
Jesus?
Jesus’ disciples sought Jesus’ word on arrangements for the Last Supper;
they followed his instructions, and found that Jesus’ words were
fulfilled exactly as he had said. Jesus’ words are faithful; are we
faithful to Jesus’ words? Are we faithful disciples; or are we betraying
our Lord?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple
(John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you
received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts
19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to
obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with
certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians
1:13-14)? *There is a lot of rich significance to be discovered in an
examination of the Lord’s Supper in relationship to the celebration of
Passover. (See also journal entry for 19 Pentecost - Tuesday odd year.
Tonight is the night the Church commemorates The Last Supper (which was also the night Jesus was betrayed).
(See sidebar for God’s Plan of Salvation)
Good Friday - Holy Week - Even
First posted 04/08/04;
Podcast: Friday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33 - Personal lament and prayer;
1 Peter 1:10-20 - Appeal for holiness;
John 13:36-38 - Denial predicted;
Lamentations Summary:
This lament describes the feelings of a man who has experienced affliction. He has been driven into deep darkness. He has been opposed by God’s hand the whole day long. His flesh and skin waste away, and his bones are broken. Bitterness and tribulation have besieged and enveloped him. He has been walled in so that he cannot escape. He is in heavy chains. Although he calls for help, God shuts out his prayer, blocks his way, and frustrates his path. He prays, “Remember my affliction and my bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!” (Lamentations 3:19)
His soul is continually thinking of it and is downcast, but he remembers God’s character, and that gives him hope. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). “The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore I will hope in him (Lamentation 3:24). “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentation 3:25-26).
It is good for a person to bear the discipline of the Lord in his youth. When the Lord disciplines, one should bear it in silence, acceptance and humility, for there may yet be hope; “let him give his cheek to the smiter (striker), and be filled with insults” (Lamentations 3:30). The Lord will not abandon (ignore) forever. Although he causes (or permits) grief, he will have compassion according to his abundant steadfast love. He doesn’t willingly afflict or grieve us.
1 Peter Paraphrase:
The prophets foretold the grace of salvation by the Spirit of Christ within them; they searched and inquired by what person and time this was to take place, when they predicted the suffering and subsequent glory of Christ. The prophets would have been glad to see the fulfillment of their prophecies, which we are able to know through the proclamation of the Gospel by those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit. So pay attention, be sober, and focus your hope fully on the grace that is coming to believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ (the Second Coming).
Be obedient children, not following the worldly passions as you did before you heard the Gospel; instead be holy, as the Lord is holy (see Leviticus 11:44-45). If you claim as your Father the Lord who judges all men impartially according to their deeds, be careful of your conduct during your time on this earth. We were ransomed from futile worldly ways and our fallen human nature, not with perishable things like gold and silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a perfect lamb, unblemished in any way. Christ was God’s plan from the very beginning of creation (John 1:1-3, 14), but has been manifested now for our sakes.
John Paraphrase:
At the Last Supper, Jesus had told his disciples that he would be going away from them (John 13:33). Peter asked him where he was going, and Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward (John 13:36b). Peter asked why he couldn’t follow where Jesus was going now, and declared; “I will lay down my life for you (John 13:37). Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny Jesus three times that night before the cock crowed.
Commentary:
Lamentations expresses the feelings of a man experiencing afflictions. It also describes what Jesus must have felt as he was crucified. [Jesus’ bones were not broken (John 19:31-34), but they were pulled out of joint (Psalm 22:14b); he was not in heavy chains, but he was nailed to the cross, and he had to keep lifting his body up against the pull of gravity in order to breath; his flesh and skin were wasted away from beatings and lashings.] His crucifiers offered him wine mixed with gall, but when he tasted it he refused it (Matthew 27:34).
Jesus expressed his feeling of being forsaken by God, quoting Psalm 22:1 (and fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:1-16). He was walled in by the tomb and death; its exit blocked with a stone. But he committed his soul to God; he endured his tribulations patiently (he could have refused, but chose to go through with it because he knew it was necessary for our salvation) in obedience to God’s will. He gave his cheek to the smiter and suffered insults, but trusted that although he felt abandoned at the moment, that God was not taking pleasure in his affliction, and would not ultimately abandon him.
Jesus Christ was God’s plan for our salvation from the beginning of creation. The prophets foretold it by the Spirit of Christ. The prophets (and angels) longed to see what has been proclaimed to us through the Gospel. Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God, and ransomed our lives from eternal death by his blood. If we call God our Father, we should act like his Son. We should be come obedient to God’s Word and will.
When Jesus was arrested, Judas betrayed him with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-49), his disciples forsook him and fled (Matthew 26:56b), Peter, although he had told Jesus he was willing to die for him, denied Jesus three times that very night (Matthew 26:57-75).
Jesus died for us on the cross, not because it felt good, but because it was necessary so that we might be saved from our sins, and have fellowship with our Lord and eternal life in the family of God in heaven. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Do you call God your Father? Have you come to know the Savior the prophets and angels longed to see? What kind of “Christian” are you?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Saturday - Holy Week - Even
First posted 04/09/04;
Podcast: Saturday - Holy Week - Even
Lamentations 3:37-58 - Repent and seek forgiveness;
Hebrews 4:1-16 - Seek fulfillment of God’s promise;
Romans 8:1-11 - Life in the Spirit;
(Please do not rely solely on my paraphrase of these texts; read them carefully for yourself)
Lamentations Paraphrase:
Man can only accomplish what God allows. “Why should a living person complain about the punishment of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:39-40). Let us turn to the Lord and seek his forgiveness; God will not forgive us unless we seek his forgiveness in repentance.
God, in anger, pursued and slayed without pity; God has hidden himself from our prayers; He has made us as refuse and garbage among the peoples. Our enemies revile us. Panic and pitfall, destruction and devastation have befallen us. Our eyes shed rivers of tears; they will flow without ceasing, without relief until Lord looks down and sees. “I have been hunted like a bird by those who were my enemies without cause; they flung me alive into the pit and cast stones on me” (Lamentations 3:52-53). I was ready to give up. Then I called on the Lord from the depths of the pit. God heard my cry. When I cried to God, he drew near; he calmed my fears. The Lord has taken up my cause; he has redeemed my life.
Hebrews Summary:
The author has been discussing the testing and rebellion of Israel in the wilderness, and God’s judgment against the rebellious by preventing them from entering into the Promised Land (Hebrews 3:7-19). While the promise of a Sabbath rest remains, let us not fail to individually appropriate it. The Israelites had God’s Word, just as we do, but the message did not benefit those who died in the wilderness, because they did not respond to it in faith. It is only believers who enter that rest.
When God finished the work of Creation, he rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). God rested, and it is possible for some to enter that rest. But those who died in the wilderness failed to enter it because of disobedience (Psalm 95:11). Long afterward, God again declared, through the Psalmist, a certain day, “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7-8).
If Joshua had given God’s people that rest when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God would not have afterward spoken of another day. So the promised rest remains to be appropriated individually by God’s people. Thus we are to strive to enter that rest by obedience to God’s word. “For the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him, no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (i.e. to Jesus, the Righteous Judge to whom we will be held accountable; Hebrews 4:13; see John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46).
Since believers have Jesus as our great high priest (to intercede for us) let us hold fast to our faith. Jesus has experienced every temptation in the flesh that we face, but without sinning, so he can sympathize with our temptations (and help us to resist and overcome our own temptations). “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we can receive mercy and grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Romans Paraphrase:
There is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set believers free from the Law of sin and death (the Old Covenant). God accomplished what the Law, because of the weakness of human flesh, was unable to accomplish. God sent his Son in human flesh, sharing our sinful nature, as a sacrificial offering, condemning sin in the flesh, so that we might fulfill the just requirements of the law, provided that we walk according to the Holy Spirit, rather than according to our sinful flesh. Those who live in the flesh pursue the things of the flesh, but those who live in the Spirit pursue the things of the Spirit. Living to gratify the flesh is death; but living to please the Spirit is life and peace. “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
Commentary:
We live by the grace of God. As long as we have life on this earth there remains the opportunity to repent and return to the Lord. Let us examine ourselves honestly and turn to the Lord in repentance, seeking his forgiveness. When we disobey God’s Word, he disciplines us; he allows adversity in our lives so that we can realize that his way is in our best interest. When we acknowledge our disobedience and call out to him in repentance He will hear, forgive and restore us. (I personally testify to this reality in my own life.)
The wilderness experience of the Israelites is a metaphor for life in this world (as well as historical fact). If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8: 9; the Spirit of Christ; Spirit of God) in obedience, he will bring us into his eternal rest in the Promised Land of his kingdom in Heaven. If we rebel and disobey his Word and refuse to follow Jesus, we will die eternally in the wilderness of Hell. All of us have sinned and have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). If we say we have not sinned we call God a liar, and his Word is not in us (1 John 1:10). Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 3:16-18). Today, when you hear the Lord speaking to you, is the time to repent and turn to him in obedience. Don’t think that you have plenty of time later.
If we have experienced spiritual rebirth through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of the risen Jesus, we are no longer under condemnation by the Law. God gives the gift of his Spirit to those who are obedient to Jesus (Isaiah 42:5). The gift of the Spirit makes it possible to be obedient to Jesus (Ezekiel 36:27). If we are willing to be obedient to Jesus, he will make obedience possible, through his indwelling Spirit. All believers receive the promise of the Holy Spirit at their baptism (water baptism). It remains for baptized believers to appropriate the fulfillment of that promise for themselves, by obedience to Jesus.
The physical Promised Land of Israel prefigures the Heavenly Promised Land of the Kingdom of God in Heaven. The Church is the heir and the new Promised Land on earth. Church members are the new People of God; the new Israel. The prophet calls all people to self-examination and repentance. His call is especially relevant to the Church and individual Christians today. Just because we’re members of the earthly Church, the People of God, doesn’t mean we’re going to the Heavenly Kingdom, unless we’re walking in obedience to God’s Word and his Spirit in Jesus Christ.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*Today the Church commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and entombment.
