Week of 14 Pentecost - Odd
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Podcast Download: Week of 14 Pentecost - Odd
Sunday 14 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted
Podcast: Sunday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 17:1-23 - Ahithophel’s Counsel Rejected;
Galatians 3:6-14 -
Salvation by Faith, not Works;
John 5:30-47 -
Jesus’ Authority;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
Ahithophel was
the royal counselor and prophet, who joined Absalom’s conspiracy
to usurp the throne of David. Ahithophel advised Absalom to
allow Ahithophel to select and lead twelve thousand men to
pursue and attack David that night, while David and his men were
exhausted and discouraged by their flight from Jerusalem.
Ahithophel said that he would kill only David, and all David’s
people would return and submit to Absalom’s kingdom.
Absalom asked for a second opinion from
Hushai, a royal counselor whom David had sent to join Absalom’s
people in order to spy and oppose Ahithophel’s council. Hushai
heard what Ahithophel had advised, and Hushai advised Absalom
not to follow it. Hushai said that David and his mighty men were
experts in battle and their experience and their anger at
Absalom’s conspiracy would prevail. Also, since David was a
skilled tactician he would hide himself apart from his army, so
Ahithophel’s plan to kill only David would fail.
Hushai suggested an alternate plan, which
called for assembling a vast army from all the tribes of Israel,
with Absalom leading, and they would destroy David and all his
expert soldiers. In case David and his men took refuge in a
walled city, Absalom would have sufficient forces to tear down
the walls and destroy the city. Absalom and the elders of Israel
accepted Hushai’s plan instead of the counsel of Ahiphophel.
Hushai gave word to Zadok and Abiathar, the
priests, who sent their sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, to warn
David not to camp on the west bank of the Jordan, but to cross
over, so as not to be trapped between the river and Absalom’s
forces. The sons of the priests had stayed outside the city so
as not to be seen, but a young boy saw and reported to Absalom.
The sons knew they had been spotted, so they hurried to a house
in Bahurim (between Jerusalem
and the Jordan River) and hid
in a well, which was covered with a cloth and concealed by the
woman of the house.
When Absalom’s men came looking for the sons, the woman gave them false directions, and when the men couldn’t find Jonathan and Ahimaaz, they returned to Jerusalem. The sons of the priests went to David and gave him the message, so David and his forces arose and crossed the Jordan River. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel had been rejected he went to his home and hanged himself.
Acts Paraphrase:
Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 to show that
Abraham’s righteousness was by faith in God, rather than by
keeping the law, and thus it is people of faith who are his
spiritual sons and daughters. God’s Word foretold that the
Gentiles would be saved through faith, by declaring that all
nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis
12:3). Those who rely on works of law for their righteousness
and salvation are under a curse (Deuteronomy 21:23).
God’s Word says that the righteous shall live (daily and eternally) by faith (Habakkuk 2:4), but the Covenant of Law is not based on faith, because it is those who do the law who will live by them. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13). Christ took that curse upon himself on the Cross (as the sacrifice once for all time, for all people, for all sin; Hebrews 9:26), “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the (indwelling Holy) Spirit through faith” Galatians 3:14).
John Paraphrase:
Jesus did nothing in his own human will and
authority; his purpose was to do God’s will and fulfill God’s
purpose entirely. Jesus’ judgment is that of God’s, without
partiality or error. Jesus’ authority is not by his own
testimony, and Jesus’ authority is not based on what humans
think and say about him. God has testified to Jesus’ authority
through the witness of John the Baptizer (John 1:29-34), through
the miracles Jesus’ did, and through the scriptures.
Commentary:
No one has ever seen God or heard his voice.
Those who believe God’s Word will recognize that Jesus is the
Messiah (Christ; both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek,
respectively). Those who think they know and understand God’s
Word but who do not accept Jesus demonstrate that they have not
accepted and applied God’s Word in their lives. Those who study
the scriptures and think they have eternal life through the
scriptures apart from faith in Jesus Christ are mistaken (the
scriptures testify that Jesus is God’s only provision for
salvation and eternal life (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
Those who reject Jesus demonstrate that they do not love God, regardless of what they may claim. People accept those in worldly authority but reject Jesus who comes in the name and power of God; they seek worldly status and approval, but not God’s approval (which is eternal). Those who trust in their good deeds, apart from faith in Jesus, will be condemned by Moses (the Old Testament Scriptures) because Moses foreshadowed and prophesied of Christ. Those who don’t believe Moses’ testimony to Christ won’t be able to believe Jesus either.
Absalom was next in succession to the throne
of David. Absalom didn’t want to wait to receive the kingdom,
and he didn’t want to live by the rules in order for that to
happen. He didn’t love David, who was the Lord’s anointed and
Absalom’s father. He tried to seize the kingdom by force.
Ahithophel was regarded by both David and Absalom as a prophet of God (2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithophel had formerly spoken God’s Word, but he abandoned his loyalty to the legitimate king who had been anointed by the Lord, and joined the conspiracy of the illegitimate worldly king trying to usurp David’s throne. The fact that Ahithophel advocated killing the Lord’s anointed proved that he was not speaking God’s Word. Absalom followed the counsel of Hushai, who was loyal to the Lord’s anointed, rather than the counsel of Ahithophel, the traitor who, like Judas Iscariot, had betrayed the Lord’s anointed. God is in control and it was not God’s will for Absalom to succeed (2 Samuel 17:14b).
This scripture is also a parable and
metaphor. David foreshadows and illustrates the Messiah, God’s
anointed eternal Savior and King. Worldly people and authorities
try to usurp the throne of the Lord’s anointed, Jesus Christ.
The Jewish religious authorities tried to usurp Jesus’ throne by
crucifying him, and they tried to pervert God’s Word to
accomplish their worldly agendas. This same thing happens today,
not only by Jews, but by all who reject Jesus as the Christ.
There are many false prophets and false teachings in the world and within the Church. Legalists (including those who claim to be “Christians,” who teach salvation by “works,” “keeping the Law,” or “good deeds,” rather than by faith in Jesus), are one example of human attempts to seize the kingdom of God by some way other than God’s way. The other extreme is the doctrine of “Cheap Grace”* which is an attempt to seize the kingdom of God without discipleship and obedience to Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only provision for salvation and eternal life in God’s kingdom (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Paul showed by scripture that God’s plan of
salvation has been based on faith (obedient trust) from before
the Law was given to Moses. God’s Law was given to teach us the
knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20), and to keep God’s people safe
until the Messiah came (Galatians 3:21-26). The Law demonstrates
that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and declares that the
penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).
The Jews, although physical descendants of Abraham who kept the Law of Moses, failed to receive the promise of the Spirit because they didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Gentiles, however, inherited the promise through faith in Jesus, although they were not physical descendants of Abraham or under the Law of Moses.
God’s intention from the beginning of
Creation has been to create an eternal kingdom of his people,
who will trust and obey him. This life is our opportunity to
seek and come to personal fellowship with the Lord (Acts
17:26-27). Jesus has been God’s plan of salvation from the very
beginning of Creation, and has been “built into” its very
structure (John 1:1-5; 14).
Receiving the fulfillment of the promised Holy Spirit (being “born-again;” John 3:3; 5-8) through faith in Jesus is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
Salvation is not by keeping God’s Laws, but
by God’s grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), to be received by
faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10). Note that
obedience is a necessary component of faith; faith is obedient
trust. Faith is not getting whatever we believe, if we believe
hard enough. If we truly believe in Jesus we will trust and obey
what Jesus says (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; James 2:17-18). The
kingdom belongs to God, and if we want to enter God’s kingdom we
must follow God’s plan.
Only Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal
Savior and King, not by his own will but by God’s eternal
purpose. Jesus is Lord, whether we accept him as our Lord or
not. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation from
eternal death (Acts 4:12). No one can know and have fellowship
with God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), by the gift of
the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy
Spirit (John 1:32-34), which he gives only to his disciples who
trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Any other way to enter
God’s eternal kingdom is false, and will lead to eternal
destruction.
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)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963
ISBN 0-02-083850-6
First Posted 08/21/05;
Podcast: Monday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 17:24-18:8 - David’s exile;
Acts 22:30-23:11 - Paul before the Sanhedrin;
Mark 11:12-26 - Fig
tree cursed;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
King David had fled from Jerusalem to avoid being
trapped there by his son Absalom’s attempted coup. David made
Mahanaim, east of the Jordan River,
his headquarters during his exile. Shobi, an Ammonite,
Barzillai, and Machir, Gileadites, supplied David’s men with
food and equipment in the wilderness. David divided the command
of his army between three loyal commanders: Joab, Abishai,
Joab’s nephew, and Ittai, the Gittite.
David planned to go into battle with his army, but his men told him not to; David’s life was worth tens of thousands of ordinary men, because of his office (as the Lord’s anointed king). David accepted their advice and stayed in the city as his army marched out. David specifically told the three commanders to treat Absalom’s life with care, and everyone knew David’s order.
David’s army went against the army of Israel led by Absalom at the forest of Ephraim;
David’s army defeated Israel and
slaughtered twenty thousand men. “The forest devoured more
people that day than the sword” (2 Samuel 18:8).
Acts Paraphrase:
Paul had been attacked by a mob outside the
temple in Jerusalem,
and had been taken into custody by the Roman garrison until the
facts could be determined. Paul was about to be interrogated by
scourging (torture) and had invoked his Roman citizenship, which
did not allow punishment without a trial.
The next day the commander arranged for Paul to be examined in the presence of the Sanhedrin (Jewish court) so he could determine the facts. Paul declared that he had done nothing contrary to God’s Word. Ananias, the high priest, ordered Paul struck on the mouth, and Paul rebuked Ananias for presuming to judge Paul, while blatantly disregarding the law himself by ordering Paul struck without cause. The others rebuked Paul for reviling the high priest, and Paul apologized for having inadvertently violated God’s Word to refrain from speaking evil of a ruler of the people (Exodus 22:28), since he had not realized that Ananias was the high priest.
Paul perceived that the Sanhedrin was
composed of Sadducees and Pharisees, so he declared that he was
raised as a Pharisee and that he was being tried for preaching
the hope of resurrection of the dead. This caused dissension
among the Sanhedrin, because the Sadducees did not believe in
resurrection, angel, or spirit, and the Pharisees did.
The Pharisees sided with Paul and declared that he was innocent, which caused the disagreement to become violent. The Roman commander had to remove Paul by force and return him to the barracks. The following night the Lord came to Paul and revealed that Paul would have to testify in Rome as Paul had testified in Jerusalem.
Mark Paraphrase:
Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem, knowing that he
would be crucified. He had stayed overnight in Bethany (about
two miles away, where close friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus,
lived; John 11:1). When he returned to Jerusalem in the morning he
was hungry and saw a fig tree in leaf, but there were no figs
since it was not the season. Jesus said, in the hearing of his
disciples, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark
11:14).
In Jerusalem,
Jesus entered the temple and began driving out the moneychangers
(changing Roman coins for Jewish coins required for
contributions in the temple) and vendors of animals for
sacrifice. Jesus told the crowd that God’s Word designated the
temple as a house of prayer, but it had become a den of robbers
(the venders and moneychangers were exploiting it for their
profit). The priests and teachers of scripture were furious and
began to seek a way to destroy Jesus which would not cause a
riot of the people, who were impressed with Jesus’ teaching.
Again Jesus and his disciples went to Bethany
overnight, and returning the next day, as they passed the fig
tree, the disciples were amazed to see that it had withered.
Jesus told them to have faith in God. Whatever disciples ask in
prayer in faith without doubting will be done for them (see
Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right, home). When
we pray we should pray for forgiveness for anyone who has
wronged us, so that God will also forgive us our sins.
Commentary:
David was living according to God’s Word and
the calling God had given him, but he was opposed by his own
son, Absalom, who was only interested in fulfilling his own
will. God’s Word divided the people into two kingdoms: those who
followed the Lord’s anointed king, and those who followed the
worldly king. The worldly king was able to seize control of Jerusalem
for a time, but his kingdom ultimately was destroyed because it
is contrary to God’s will and purpose.
Paul was obedient to God’s Word and was
following the calling the Lord had given him. The Pharisees and
Sadducees were more interested in pursuing their own will than
God’s. The Pharisees only sided with Paul when they saw that it
was advantageous to their worldly interests.
Paul hadn’t realized that Ananias was the high priest, because Ananias wasn’t behaving like one. Paul was willing to accept correction from his adversaries because he acknowledged it as true, although his error had been inadvertent. The Sadducees and Pharisees weren’t seeking truth; they were seeking to have their own way.
The religious authorities in Jerusalem
were more interested in the appearance, in human judgment, of
obedience of God’s Word than actual obedience according to God’s
judgment. They were more interested in personal benefit from
their calling than in truly serving the Lord. They hated Jesus
because he threatened the worldly system they had established.
They were looking for ways to get rid of Jesus without making
themselves look bad to the public. Jesus expected to find the
temple a house of prayer, but instead found it full of greed and
corruption.
The fig tree is intended to be a visual
“parable,” representing the congregation of God’s people,
Judaism, at the time of Jesus’ first advent (“coming;” his
physical life on earth) and also the Church, at the time of
Jesus’ second advent, his return in glory and power on the Day
of Judgment. Fig trees bear fruit before they produce leaves.
From a distance the fig tree looked as though it had produced
fruit, but up close it was apparent that it had none.
Judaism effectively ended at Jesus’
crucifixion. The curtain of the temple separating God’s presence
in the Holy-of-Holies from the congregation was torn in two from
top to bottom (Mark 15:38), symbolizing that Jesus has opened
the way into God’s presence through the gift of the indwelling
Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John
14:15-17; Acts 2:1-12).
Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. and the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world. Israel ceased to exist as a nation until the Jews began returning after World War II. The temple (essential for the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant of Law) has never been rebuilt.
The Church is the New Israel,
the new People of God. Jesus has promised to return on the Day
of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), looking for people who have
produced the fruit of the Gospel; the fruit of the Holy Spirit;
people who are truly disciples who have trusted and obeyed Jesus
and have been “born-again” by the gift of the indwelling Holy
Spirit (John 3:3, 5-8), not people who just “look good,” who
look like “Christians,” from a distance.
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 14 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 08/22/05;
Podcast: Tuesday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 18:9-18 - Death of Absalom;
Acts 23:12-24 -
Plot to assassinate Paul;
Mark 11:27-12:12 -
Jesus’ authority;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
Absalom, David’s son and usurper of David’s
kingdom, was mounted on a mule during the battle against David’s
army in the forest of Ephraim, and Absalom’s head was caught in
a branch, causing him to be pulled from his mount and suspended
by his head (or by his hair). One of David’s men saw and
reported it to Joab, one of the commanders of David’s army.
Joab rebuked the soldier for not killing Absalom when he had the chance. Joab said he would have been happy to reward him, but the soldier replied that he would not have killed Absalom for any amount of money, because David had ordered his army to spare Absalom. The soldier said that if he had killed Absalom he would have borne the blame and Joab would not have protected him from punishment. Joab considered arguing with the soldier a waste of time, and went to where Absalom was still hanging, and killed Absalom, and Joab’s armor bearers also participated.
Once Absalom was dead, Joab sounded the
trumpet to signal David’s army to stop pursuing Absalom’s
soldiers, and Absalom’s men returned to their homes. Joab had
Absalom thrown into a pit in the forest and covered with a great
heap of stones. During his lifetime, Absalom had built a
monument to himself to memorialize himself in the King’s Valley
(thought to be the junction of the Kidron, Hinnom and Tyropoeon
valleys south of the “City of David”
in Jerusalem).
If
Absalom
had
sons
to
carry
on
his
name (apparently; see 2 Samuel 14:27), he wasn’t satisfied with
that.
Acts Paraphrase:
Paul had been accused of desecrating the
temple and teaching Jews to break the Laws of Moses. He had been
taken into custody by the Roman garrison. Jewish religious
authorities had conspired with a group of forty Jews who had
vowed to assassinate Paul as he was brought from the garrison to
the Jewish religious court.
The son of Paul’s sister heard of the plot and went to Paul in prison and told him. Paul summoned his guard and asked the guard to take Paul’s nephew to the commander of the garrison. The commander took the nephew aside and was told of the plot. The commander told the nephew not to tell anyone else that the commander knew of the plot.
The commander summoned two Roman officers and
told them to prepare, at 9 PM, to transport Paul, with a guard
of four hundred and seventy soldiers and cavalry, to the Roman
Governor of Judea, Felix, at Caesarea.
Paul was to be provided with a mount to ride.
Mark Paraphrase:
After having thrown the vendors out of the
temple the day before, Jesus returned, and was walking in the
temple. The religious authorities came to him and demanded to
know Jesus’ authority for doing these things. Jesus replied that
he would also ask them a question, and if they answered Jesus he
would answer them.
Jesus asked them if John the Baptizer’s authority was from God or men. The religious leaders argued among themselves, realizing that if they said John’s authority was from God, they would be guilty of not heeding John, but if they said John’s authority was worldly they were afraid of public reaction, because the people considered John a genuine prophet. They decided not to answer Jesus, and Jesus refused to answer them.
Then Jesus told the parable (a common life
experience used to teach a spiritual truth) of the vineyard. A
man planted a vineyard with a winepress and a tower and rented
it to tenants while the owner was traveling in a distant land.
At the proper time, the owner sent a servant to receive his
portion of the fruit of the vineyard, but the tenants beat the
servant and sent him away without payment.
The owner sent other servants to collect, and they were similarly mistreated and injured, and some were killed. Finally the owner sent his son, thinking that the tenants would certainly respect the owner’s son. But the wicked tenants realized that the son would inherit the vineyard, and they killed the son, so that when the owner died the tenants would possess the vineyard. Jesus told his hearers that the owner would have no choice but to come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.
Then Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23: “The very
stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the
corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our
eyes.” (Mark 12:11). The religious authorities realized that
Jesus had told the parable against them, and they wanted to
arrest Jesus but were afraid to, because of the crowd.
Commentary:
Joab disobeyed David’s order to spare
Absalom. Joab was outwardly subservient to David, but did
whatever served his own interests. The issue was who was in
authority. David’s authority was from God. Joab’s authority was
his own self-interest, and Absalom’s usurpation had been
Absalom’s attempt to establish his own authority. Absalom was
vain and self-centered. He was handsome and had beautiful hair
(2 Samuel 14:25-26).
It is ironic that Absalom was killed by his enemy as Absalom hung between heaven and earth by his head (or his hair), and was buried in obscurity in the forest under a pile of rocks instead of his memorial in the cemetery of Kings in Jerusalem (which no longer exists; “The present monument called ‘Absalom’s Tomb,’ still standing today in the Kidron, valley is of Hellenistic or Roman date, and has no connection with the original ‘Absalom’s monument’”*).
The authority of the Sanhedrin (Jewish
council of elders) was ostensibly from God, but they used their
authority to accomplish their own interests, contrary to God’s
will, and contrary to the Roman civil authority. The Jewish
leaders were in direct conflict with God’s will, and Romans were
(unwittingly) cooperating with God’s will.
The Jewish religious leaders challenged and resisted Jesus’ authority. Where had they gotten their authority to do that? They expected Jesus to answer them while they refused to answer him. Their consideration of their answer was not to find the truth but to serve their own interest. They were using their authority to accomplish their own purposes and were more interested in popular opinion than the will and approval of God.
How are we doing? In a sense we are all
tenants in the Lord’s vineyard, whether we are Christians or
not. The purpose of this creation is to create an eternal kingdom of God’s
people who trust and obey the Lord. This life is the selection
process and we make the choice for ourselves.
We have been given use of the "vineyard" in order to produce fruit for the Lord. We will be accountable to the Lord for our fruitfulness. Jesus is God’s only “anointed” eternal King (Christ and Messiah both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; see also John 1:32-34; Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
If we claim to be in the King’s army we will be accountable for knowing and obeying the King’s orders. Are we seeking and doing the Lord’s will or are we pursuing whatever we perceive as our own self-interests. Are we building eternal lives on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ (compare Matthew 7:21-29), or are we settling for a worldly monument to ourselves? Are we building the Lord’s kingdom or our own empire?
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)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised
Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger,
2 Solomon 18:16-18n, p. 400, New York, Oxford University
Press, 1962.
First Posted 08/23/05;
Podcast: Wednesday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 18:19-33 David mourns Absalom;
Acts 23:23-35 - Paul
transferred to Caesarea;
Mark 12:13-27 - The
resurrection;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
Joab, commander of David’s army, had killed
David’s son, Absalom, contrary to David’s direct order. Ahimaaz,
the son of the high priest, Zadok, volunteered to tell David
that Absalom’s conspiracy to usurp the throne had been defeated.
Joab wouldn’t allow him to do that errand, and assigned a
Cushite (an Ethiopian slave) to take the report to David.
Ahimaaz asked for permission to go with the Cushite. Joab asked him why he insisted on going; there would be no reward for the news. Regardless how the message would be received, Ahimaaz insisted on going, so Joab let him. Ahimaaz took an easier route and arrived before the Cushite at Mahanaim where David was staying.
David was sitting by the gate to the city,
and the watchman called out that a runner was approaching. David
knew that a lone runner would be bringing a message. Then the
watchman reported another runner. The watchman recognized
Ahimaaz as the first runner, and since David knew Ahimaaz was a
good person, he assumed he was bringing good news.
Ahimaaz reported the good news that David’s army had defeated Absalom’s men, but when David asked about Absalom, Ahimaaz denied knowing Absalom’s outcome. Then the Cushite arrived and gave the good news of the enemy’s defeat, and when David asked about Absalom, the Cushite replied that he hoped all David’s enemies might receive the same fate as Absalom. David was deeply grieved for his son and went to his chamber to mourn for him in privacy, saying that he wished he had died instead of his son.
Acts Paraphrase:
A plot to assassinate Paul had been
discovered, and Claudius Lysias, the commander of the Roman
garrison in Jerusalem, had Paul
transferred secretly at night, with a large number of soldiers
protecting him, to the headquarters of the provincial governor,
Antonius Felix, at Caesarea.
Paul was given a mount so he didn’t have to walk.
The commander sent a letter explaining to the governor that the commander had saved Paul from being killed by the Jews, after learning that Paul was a Roman citizen. The commander said that he had brought Paul to the Jewish court (Sanhedrin) to hear the charges against Paul, and found that Paul had done nothing deserving execution or imprisonment. Having discovered a Jewish plot to assassinate Paul, the commander was sending Paul to Felix, and had ordered Paul’s accusers to present their accusations to Felix.
The soldiers took Paul by night to
Antipatris, on the way to Caesarea.
The next day the unmounted soldiers returned to Jerusalem, and the mounted soldiers took
Paul on to Caesarea, where
they presented Paul and the letter to Felix.
After reading the letter, Felix asked Paul which province he was from, and on hearing that he was from Cilicia, he told Paul he would hear the case when Paul’s Jewish accusers arrived. Meanwhile he had Paul under guard at Herod’s Preaetorium (the governor’s residence).
Mark Paraphrase:
The Jewish religious authorities sent some
Pharisees and Herodians (Jews who supported the Roman civil
government of Israel) to try to
get Jesus to say something they could use to destroy him. They
told Jesus that they knew Jesus’ teachings to be true, and that
he was not partial toward any human individual or group, so they
asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not.
Jesus was not fooled by their insincerity, and asked them why they were testing him. Jesus asked them to show him a coin, and then asked whose likeness it bore. It had Caesar’s likeness, as they said. Then Jesus told them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s, and they were amazed by Jesus.
Sadducees came to Jesus and asked about the
resurrection (existence after physical death). Sadducees did not
believe in a resurrection. They posed a hypothetical question in
which seven brothers had all been married consecutively to one
woman. Each had died while married to her, and the surviving
brothers had fulfilled the custom of taking the widow as wife in
order to raise children for the deceased brother. Since she had
been the wife of each, whose wife would she be in the
resurrection?
Jesus suggested that they were wrong because
they didn’t know the scriptures, and they did not know God’s
power. Jesus said that marriage is not a part of resurrected
life; the resurrected are like angels. Jesus also cited
scriptures from Exodus 3:6, where God said, “I am the God of
Abraham …Isaac, and …Jacob. He is not the God of the dead but of
the living” (Mark 12:26-27) and those who do not believe in the
resurrection, like the Sadducees, are wrong.
Commentary:
Ahimaaz was the son of the high priest, and
had been appointed a messenger by King David. He was anxious to
give David the good news, and he said that he wasn’t seeking any
reward and that he would accept the consequences of David’s
response to his message. But when the time came, he failed to
give David the full message, the bad as well as the good news.
Ahimaaz took the “easy road” geographically and morally. Joab was responsible for Absalom’s death, contrary to David’s order, but he preferred to send the news by a Cushite (Ethiopian; black) slave. Joab was willing to defy David’s command, but he wanted someone else much more “expendable” to deliver the news.
David had a reputation for killing messengers
who brought bad news. The Amalekite (Saul's armorbearer; 2
Samuel 1:8) claimed (falsely; compare 1 Samuel 31:4)
responsibility for killing Saul, thinking it would be good news
to David, but David had him killed for it (2 Samuel 1:5-16). The
murderers of Ish-bosheth suffered a similar fate (2 Samuel
4:1-12).
The Cushite messenger gave the complete
message, but he very carefully phrased it so that David
understood, but was unlikely to hold the messenger personally
responsible for the bad news.
Claudius Lysias, the commander of the
garrison in Jerusalem, sent a
very diplomatic letter to Governor Felix, his superior in Caesarea, presenting the facts in a way
to make himself look good, and leaving out details that didn’t.
The Jewish religious authorities were not
interested in telling the truth. Their message was a lie
fabricated to accomplish their own agenda. The insincerity of
their message should be obvious to anyone who is seeking truth.
They certainly didn’t deceive Jesus, who knows our innermost
thoughts. He answered them in a way that was completely
truthful, and beyond reproach.
The Sadducees were not looking for truth;
they were trying to justify their error. They considered
themselves authorities on the scriptures and about God, but they
ignored the parts of the scriptures and the aspects of God’s
character which didn’t suit their ideology. When Jesus revealed
their errors, instead of accepting the truth and changing, they
became more determined to destroy Jesus.
Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal king,
the heir to David’s throne (Christ and Messiah both mean
“anointed, in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus is the Word
of God in human flesh (John 1:1-5; 14). God has given us his
Word in the Bible and in Christ. The scripture contains both
promises and warnings; good news and bad news.
All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s
righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1: 8-10). Sin is disobedience
of God’s Word, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans
6:23). Salvation from eternal death is by God’s grace (free
gift; unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus
Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what each has done in this life (Matthew 25:31-46). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have been guided by his indwelling Holy Spirit will receive eternal life, but those who have rejected Jesus and refused to obey him will receive destruction eternally.
In a sense we are all guilty of crucifying
Jesus, because we have all sinned and made Jesus’ sacrifice on
the Cross necessary. Without Jesus, we’re all, like Absalom,
guilty of rebelling against the Lord’s anointed Savior and King.
Without Jesus Christ, we are all, like Joab, guilty of
disobedience of God’s Word and of killing God’s Son. We won’t
have the option of sending someone else to face the Lord’s
judgment; we’ll have to do it ourselves.
The only way to escape eternal destruction is to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) through obedient trust in Jesus Christ by his indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Jesus is the way, the truth and the (real, eternal) life (John 14:6).
Are you willing to hear and proclaim the
whole truth? 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)?
Thursday 14 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 08/24/05;
Podcast: Thursday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 19:1-23 - Restoring a divided nation;
Acts 24:1-23 - Paul
tried by Felix;
Mark 12:28:34 - The
great commandment;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
King David was mourning for his son Absalom,
although Absalom had tried to usurp David’s throne. Because
David was mourning, his army was not able to celebrate their
victory in ending Absalom’s conspiracy. Joab, the commander of
David’s army, came to David and told him that by his actions he
was causing his loyal followers shame.
David’s army had saved the lives of David and all his sons, daughters, wives and concubines, but instead of appreciating and rewarding those who loved and were loyal to him, David chose to mourn Absalom, who had hated and betrayed David. David’s actions revealed that David cared nothing for his loyal followers in comparison to Absalom. Joab told David that if he continued to ignore his followers, they would abandon David. David heeded Joab and got up and sat at the city gate, and his people gathered around him.
The men of Israel who had
followed Absalom had fled to their homes, and there was
considerable worry and stress among the people. The people
realized that King David had delivered them from the Philistines
and the other enemies of Israel, but had
been driven out by Absalom’s rebellion. The people had anointed
Absalom as their king, but he was dead. They realized that they
needed to bring David back as their king.
David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar
suggesting that they lead and help the elders of Judah
to restore David’s kingdom. David also promised that he would
give Amasa (David’s nephew) command of David’s army in place of
Joab. By appealing to tribal loyalty, David persuaded the people
of Judah
to ask him to return. David returned to the Jordan River, and
the people of Judah came out to
meet and welcome him.
Shimei, of the tribe of Benjamin, of the
family of Saul, had cursed and thrown rocks at David when David
was fleeing Jerusalem
during Absalom’s revolt. Ziba, Saul’s servant, who David had
made custodian of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, and
sole survivor of Saul’s family, had lied to David, saying that
Mephibosheth had joined Absalom’s conspiracy.
Shimei and Ziba wanted to be the first to welcome David to make amends and seek forgiveness for their misconduct. Shimei brought with him a thousand men of the tribe of Benjamin to join David. Abishai, David’s nephew and one of three commanders of David’s army, thought Shimei should be executed for cursing the Lord’s anointed (David), but David wanted to unify Israel under his kingdom, not divide it. David forgave Shimei and gave his word that Shimei would not die for his sin.
Acts Paraphrase:
Paul was awaiting trial before Felix the
Roman Governor if Judea. After
five days, Ananias, the high priest, and some elders and a
spokesman, Tertullus, came and presented the case against Paul.
Tertullus told Felix that Paul was a ringleader of the “sect of
the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), and an agitator among Jews in Israel
and throughout the world. Paul was also accused of an attempt to
profane the temple in Jerusalem.
Paul was given the opportunity to speak. Paul
asserted that he had not been agitating in the temple or in the
synagogues. Paul said that his accusers could not substantiate
their charges. Paul admitted only that he worshiped the God of
Israel, believed in the Jewish scriptures and in the
“resurrection of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15) which his
accusers also believed. Paul therefore was careful to obey God’s
Word, so as not to sin against God or people.
Paul was in Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings to his nation, and was in the temple in the process of ritual purification, not stirring up a crowd or causing a tumult. Paul said that Jews from (the Roman Province of) Asia (modern-day Turkey) had stirred up the trouble and should have brought their accusations before Felix themselves. Paul said that the reason he was on trial before Felix was only because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead.
Felix had an accurate knowledge of “the Way”
(as Christianity was then called; Jesus is the Way; John 14:6).
Felix put off the verdict until Lysias, the commander of the
Roman garrison in Jerusalem,
could be present. Meanwhile he had Paul detained in custody,
with some liberty and with access to provisions by his friends.
Mark Paraphrase:
A scribe asked Jesus which commandment was
first in importance. Jesus replied that the first Commandment
was that the Lord God is the only God, and that one shall love
God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is
that one shall love one’s neighbor as oneself. Those two
commandments are the greatest. The scribe agreed, declared that
Jesus had answered correctly, and said that obedience to those
two commandments was more important than any religious ritual
(offering or sacrifice). Jesus recognized that the scribe knew
the truth of God’s Word, and told him that he was not far from
God’s kingdom.
Commentary:
The Lord loves us and doesn’t want any to
perish eternally (John 3:16), but he gives us the freedom to
choose whether to follow him or not. Jesus was driven out of Jerusalem
and physical life in this world by his crucifixion. In one sense
he is in exile in heaven, awaiting his return as the triumphant
king.
We may have cursed him and thrown “stones” at him; we may have lied to him and tried to use him to gain personal advantage. We may have fallen away from loyalty to the Lord’s anointed king. We may have joined with and worked for the worldly king who was trying to usurp the throne of the Lord’s anointed king, Jesus Christ).
The worldly king (Satan) has been defeated at
the Cross of Jesus Christ. The worldly king can’t save us from
the “Philistines,” the enemy of our souls (the part of us which
is eternal). Only Jesus can save us from eternal destruction
(Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right,
home). Jesus is going to return in victory and power to reclaim
his throne and establish his eternal kingdom. We should think
seriously about inviting him to return and be our Savior and
King.
All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). If we realize that we have sinned against him, we should be wise enough to seek his forgiveness before he comes. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Once Jesus has “crossed the river” which separates this world and life from the next, it will be too late.
Paul (formerly named Saul of Tarsus) had
approved of the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr
(Acts 7:59-8:1). Paul had persecuted, arrested and participated
in killing the followers of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:3; 9:1-6). Paul
heeded the risen and ascended Jesus’ call to repentance, was
forgiven and spiritually healed (Acts 9:10-20).
Paul could honestly testify that he had a clean conscience before God. He was in Jerusalem bringing spiritual gifts to his nation. Paul worshiped the God of Israel, the one true God, believed the Jewish scriptures, and in the resurrection to judgment of the just (saved) and unjust (unsaved; see John 5:28-29). The indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ within him made the difference in Paul, compared to his Jewish accusers. It wasn’t Paul who was profaning the temple; it was his accusers (Mark 11:17).
God’s Word can be fulfilled by obedience of
two commandments: to acknowledge and love God with every aspect
of our life and being, and to love others as we love ourselves
and want to be loved. No religious ritual can substitute for
obedience to those commands. Jesus is God’s Word in human flesh
(John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God made visible in human form
(Colossians 2:8-9). The scribe demonstrated that he understood
God’s Word; all he needed to do to enter God’s kingdom was to
recognize that Jesus was God’s anointed savior and king and ask
Jesus to forgive him and be his king.
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)?
First Posted 08/25/05;
Podcast: Friday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 19:24-43 - David returns to Jerusalem;
Acts 24:24-25:12 -
Paul appeals to Caesar;
Mark 12:35-44 -
Teachings on piety;
2 Samuel Paraaphrase:
After Absalom’s revolt had been put down,
King David returned to Jerusalem
from exile. Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson through Jonathan, was
crippled. He was the only survivor of Saul’s family, and David
had made arrangements for him to live in David’s household.
Mephibosheth’s steward, Ziba, had lied to David that
Mephibosheth had joined Absalom’s revolt, and David had awarded
Ziba Mephibosheth’s share of Saul’s estate. Mephibosheth came to
meet David upon his return. Mephibosheth had not had any
grooming or change of clothes the entire time David had been in
exile.
David asked Mephibosheth why he had not joined David in exile, and Mephibosheth told David that Ziba had refused to get Mephibosheth a donkey, so that he could accompany David, since Mephibosheth was lame. Ziba had slandered Mephibosheth to David. David rescinded his decision to transfer Mephibosheth’s portion of Saul’s estate to Ziba, but Mephibosheth was willing to let Ziba keep it; Mephibosheth didn’t need it as long as he could continue in David’s household.
Barzillai, a resident of Rogelim (probably
near Mahanaim, David’s headquarters in Gilead during his exile)
had accompanied David to the Jordan River.
Barzillai was eighty years old and very wealthy. He had provided
for David and his men in exile, and David invited him to join
David’s household, as a way of repaying him. Barzillai preferred
to stay in Rogelim; at his age he could no longer taste food or
drink, and did not want to be a burden. He wanted to die among
his family and friends.
Barzillai suggested that David take Chimham (assumed to be Barzillai’s son) instead. David agreed to do for Chimham everything that would please Barzillai, and would be happy to do the same for Barzillai. David and Chimham went on to Gilgal, accompanied by most of the people of Judah, and half of the people of the northern ten tribes of Israel.
The people of Israel
accused the people of Judah of
attempting to get special favor with David. The people of Judah
replied that it was because David was of their tribe that they
had shown greater support for him, and they had not sought or
received any gift or benefit by their support. The people of Israel asserted that they had
more interest in David than Judah,
because they represented ten tribes, and they had been first to
ask David to return to his throne, but the people of Judah
prevailed in the argument with the people of the northern ten
tribes.
Acts Paraphrase:
Paul had been imprisoned in Caesarea awaiting a verdict by Governor
Felix. After a number of days, Felix brought his wife Drucilla,
a Jewess, and had Paul brought to talk with them about faith in
Jesus Christ. As Paul talked about justice, self-control and
future judgment, Felix became alarmed, and sent Paul back,
saying he would send for him again later. Felix also hoped that
Paul might offer him money, and conversed with him often. After
two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus, and Felix left
Paul remain in prison as a favor to the Jews.
Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea,
he went to Jerusalem, and the
Jewish religious leaders told him about Paul and asked that Paul
be returned to Jerusalem,
secretly intending to assassinate Paul on the way. Festus
declined their request, and told them to come and present their
case before Festus in Caesarea.
After ten days, Festus returned to Jerusalem
and summoned Paul. His Jewish accusers were present and made
many serious charges against Paul which they could not prove. In
defense, Paul said that he had done nothing contrary to Jewish
Law or against the temple, or Caesar.
Festus wanted to please the Jews so he asked if Paul would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried by Festus there. Paul said that he was being tried by Roman tribunal, which was the proper jurisdiction. The Jews had not proved their accusations. Paul wasn’t trying to avoid justice, but he wanted (as a Roman citizen) to be tried by a Roman court. So Festus decided to send him to Rome to be tried by Caesar.
Mark Paraphrase:
Jesus had come to Jerusalem, knowing that he
would be crucified. He went daily to the temple to teach, and
the people were glad to hear his teaching. Jesus said that the
scribes (teachers of scripture) taught that the Christ is the
son of David, but David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
called the Christ his Lord (Psalm 110:1). No one was able to
explain the apparent contradiction.
Jesus warned his hearers to beware of scribes who liked public distinction by the clothes and title of their profession, and the public recognition which gave them preferential treatment at public gatherings, who make elaborate prayers as pretence of piety, and who steal from widows. Their outward pretense of piety will result in greater condemnation (at the Day of Judgment).
Jesus watched people as they placed their
offerings into the temple treasury. Many rich people were
putting in large sums, but a widow gave two copper coins (the
smallest denomination in circulation, about a half cent each).
Jesus told his disciples that the widow’s contribution was
greater that the all the others, because while the rich
contributed from their abundance, she had given sacrificially
everything she had.
Commentary
The ten northern tribes which became the
Northern Kingdom, Israel, after the
death of Solomon (1 Kings 12:16-20) was already showing signs of
schism. They were arguing with Judah (which
later became the Southern Kingdom), over who deserved special
favor with the Lord’s anointed king. Judah’s claim was genealogical;
Israel’s
claim was “democratic” (first; and most, respectively), although
in terms of commitment, Judah
supported David one hundred percent, and Israel’s
support
was only fifty-fifty.
Felix was more interested in popular support
than in justice; instead of rendering a just verdict, he let
Paul languish in prison as a favor to the Jews. Although he
sought Jewish favor for political purposes, he was willing to
grant Paul special favor for a price. He was also more
interested in personal comfort than in truth; he was interested
in hearing about faith in Jesus Christ, but didn’t want to hear
about sin, judgment and Hell, just like a lot of modern
(nominal) “Christians.”
Paul was seeking justice, not special favor.
Paul knew that God’s will was for him to testify to the Gospel
in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem (and in Caesarea;
Acts 23:11). Paul knew that the Jews were planning to
assassinate him (Acts 23:12-16). He was not guilty of any of
their charges or of anything deserving death. Paul had to appeal
to Caesar to get a fair trial. He wanted a Roman tribunal, not
necessarily Caesar himself, but Festus “passed the buck” to
Caesar. Festus was happy to duck his responsibility, whether to
Jerusalem or to Rome.
The Jewish authorities were more interested
in the approval of humans than the approval of God. They were
more interested in looking holy than being holy. Scribes sought
preferential treatment. Their actions did not match their
professions. Outward pretence of faith will receive greater
condemnation on the Day of Judgment.
The Lord is not deceived by ostentation. The
Lord’s judgment will be just and impartial. Do we expect special
favor because we’ve been born into the Church, or into faith? Do
we give to the Lord only what we must?
As Christians, we’re citizens of the Kingdom of God
and we can appeal to the King. Our judge is not subject to
political manipulation, or motivated by self-interest. He has
just one standard, by which he judges everyone the same way:
Jesus Christ. We can receive not just justice, but forgiveness.
Jesus already died for our sins; they’ve been paid in full. All
we need to do is appeal to God for forgiveness in the name of
Jesus.
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)?
First posted 08/26/05
Podcast: Saturday 14 Pentecost - Odd
2 Samuel 23:1-7, 13-17 - David’s last words;
Acts 25:13-27 -
Paul’s hearing before King Agrippa;
Mark 13:1-13 - Signs
of the end of the age;
2 Samuel Paraphrase:
David was a shepherd boy whom God raised up
and anointed to be the King of Israel. David was also a highly
regarded musician and poet to whom many of the Psalms, the hymns
of the religion, were attributed. He was also a prophet; the
Spirit of the Lord spoke through David, as Jesus declared in
Mark 12:35-36. The Lord had shown David that he blesses and
prospers nations whose leaders rule justly in the fear (awe;
respect; obedience) of God.
The Lord has established an everlasting
covenant with the house (dynasty, and spiritual family) of
David. In that covenant all things have their proper order and
are secure. The Lord provides all help and satisfies every need
for those who abide in his covenant. But godless people are like
thorny weeds; they threaten and damage everyone they come in
contact with. They are worthless and good for nothing but
destruction by fire, and those who must deal with them need
armor and weapons.
When David was being pursued by Saul, David
gathered an army of those who were dissatisfied with Saul’s
reign, and they took refuge in caves at Adullam, about 13 miles
west of Bethlehem.
At that time the Philistines had a garrison at Bethlehem,
and a band of them was encamped in the Rephaim valley. It was a
difficult time for David, and he spoke longingly, wishing he
could drink water from the well of Bethlehem, his hometown.
David had a group of military heroes who were his personal bodyguards, and three of them, at great personal risk, broke through the Philistine encampment, drew water from the well at Bethlehem and brought it back to David. David wouldn’t drink it, because of the risk the men had taken. He poured it out, as an offering to the Lord.
Acts Paraphrase:
Governor Festus had decided to send Paul to Rome for
trial before Caesar. King Herod Agrippa II, ruler of Galilee and
Perea (the eastern bank of the Jordan
River) and his sister Bernice visited their sister
Drusilla, Festus’ wife, for many days. While there, Festus told
them about Paul’s case, and The Jews had asked Festus to turn
Paul over to them, but Festus refused to pass sentence upon Paul
without a trial.
Paul’s accusers had come to Caesarea for Paul’s trial before Festus. Festus told Agrippa that the Jews could not prove any criminal charges; the only basis for their dispute was over “superstitions” ("religion") and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Festus felt unable to determine the facts of such matters, and had suggested returning Paul to Jerusalem for trial. But Paul had asked to be tried by a Roman court, so Festus had decided to detain him until he could send him to Caesar. Agrippa wanted to hear Paul for himself, and Festus arranged it the next day.
Festus and his royal guests were in a large
hall with military officials and prominent men of Caesarea. Paul was brought in, and
Festus told the assembly that the Jewish people had brought
charges against Paul and demanded Paul’s execution. But having
examined Paul, Festus found Paul not guilty of anything
deserving death. Paul had appealed to Caesar, and Festus had
decided to send Paul to Rome, but he wanted to
examine Paul so that he could decide what to charge Paul with to
justify his trial by Caesar.
Mark Paraphrase:
Jesus was in Jerusalem the week before
his crucifixion, knowing what would occur. He spent the days
teaching in the temple. As he and his disciples were leaving the
temple one of them commented on the beauty of the buildings and
their adornment. (The temple had been built by Herod the great,
and was not yet finished.) Jesus replied that those great
buildings would be utterly destroyed.
As they sat on the Mount of Olives, in sight
of the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus
privately when the destruction Jesus had prophesied would
happen, and what would be the signs that it was about to happen.
Jesus warned them to be careful not to be led astray by false
messiahs and false prophets. “Many will come in my name, saying
‘I am he” and they will lead many astray” (Mark 13:6). His
disciples must not be alarmed by wars and rumors of wars, of
earthquakes, and famines, because these things will occur before
the beginning of suffering.
Disciples can be expected to be punished and
examined by rulers and kings for Jesus’ sake, and it will be an
opportunity for disciples to testify to the truth of the Gospel.
The Gospel must be preached to all nations before the end of the
age.
When disciples are required to give their testimony before officials, they are not to worry beforehand about what to say, because the Holy Spirit will speak through them at that very moment. (I personally testify to the truth and fulfillment of that promise.) Disciples will be hated and killed for Jesus’ name’s sake, even by their own families. “But those who endure to the end will be saved” Mark 13:13).
Commentary:
David had been anointed by the Holy Spirit
when God chose him to succeed Saul as King of Israel (1 Samuel
16:13-14a). David is an example of the fulfillment of Jesus’
prophecy that the disciples would be persecuted for the Gospel
and would be given what to say by the Holy Spirit in testimony
about Jesus before worldly officials. The Lord taught David by
his Word and experience, as David was guided by the Holy Spirit,
that the Lord blesses and prospers nations whose leaders rule
justly in the fear (respect and obedience) of God.
In David, God was creating a New Covenant of
grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) through faith (in Christ;
Ephesians 2:8-9) to replace the Old Covenant of the law of sin
and death (Romans 8:2). David was the forerunner and
illustration of the “Lord’s anointed” perfect eternal King,
Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whom God had promised (2 Samuel
7:1-17).
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of
an eternal king, and of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13; 1
Corinthians 11:23-25). Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah (both
words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus
is the Son of David (Matthew 1:1, 17; 21:9), the eternal heir to
David’s throne (Mark 11:10). Jesus was born in Bethlehem
(Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7), David’s birthplace.
Jesus is the “living water” (John 7:38-39) through his Holy Spirit, which gives his disciples life and hope in even the most desperate circumstances; Jesus is the water from the well of Bethlehem, obtained for us at the cost of Jesus’ life (compare Isaiah 12:2-3). Jesus is the only one who baptizes (“anoints”) with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34). Jesus provides, by his indwelling Holy Spirit, the spiritual armor and weapons we need to stand against the godless people and rulers of this world (2 Samuel 23:6-7; Ephesians 6:10-18).
The Roman rulers were more just than the
Jewish religious rulers at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, and Felix, Festus and Agrippa
at Caesarea were unwilling to
execute Paul without a fair trial on unsubstantiated accusations
by the Jewish religious rulers, but the Jews weren’t willing to
give him a fair trial; they wanted to assassinate him at the
first opportunity. The Jewish leaders claimed to know, respect
and obey God, but were blatantly disobeying the Fifth
Commandment, not to kill, the Eighth Commandment to not bear
false witness, and the First Commandment to fear, love, trust
and obey God.
Jesus predicted the destruction of the
temple. The Jews fulfilled the prophecy of David that unjust and
godless rulers bring disaster upon nations. Their temple was
beautiful and grand, but their leadership was corrupt. They had
allowed the temple to become a den of robbers (Mark 11:17-18).
They thought they were authorities on scripture, but failed to
recognize Jesus as the Messiah and fulfillment of God’s Word
(John 1:1-5; 14). They wanted to destroy Jesus, but they
destroyed themselves instead.
Judaism effectively ended at Jesus’ crucifixion. The veil (curtain) of the temple, separating God’s presence in the Holy-of Holies from the congregation, was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom, signaling that Jesus had opened the new way into God’s presence, through the gift of his Holy Spirit (Mark 15:38).
Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice once for all time and all people for forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant of Law, which was dependant upon the temple sacrificial system, no longer applies; Jesus’ sacrifice is the only sacrifice acceptable to God.
The temple was completed in 65 A.D.. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., and the Jews were scattered throughout the world. The nation of Israel ceased to exist, until reestablished following World War II, when the Jews began returning. The temple has never been rebuilt.
The history of God’s dealing with Israel
should be a warning to nations and also to the Church. In many
ways, America
and the Church are each in much the same condition as was Israel
and Judaism at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Our Churches
and Government buildings look grand, and our spiritual and
political leaders claim to know the Lord but don’t obey or teach
obedience to God’s Word.
God’s Word is absolutely true and reliable. God’s Word is eternal, and is fulfilled over and over, as conditions for its fulfillment are met. Just because it was fulfilled once doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t be fulfilled again. Jesus has promised to return to judge everyone who has ever lived (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Are we ready for Christ’s 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)?
