Life doesn't always go the way you expect it to go. While evil people do meet the justice they deserve, all too often true justice, in this World, gets perverted. How many times have we seen the innocent die young at the hands of evil people who get away with it. You will remember that John the Baptist was born six months before his cousin, Jesus, to Zechariah the priest and his wife, Elizabeth. Like the birth of Christ, John's birth was also announced by an angel.
Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Part 4
(The Dragnet & The Destiny Of The Wicked)
The parable of the dragnet is a story about God's kingdom and the end of the age. The lesson explains what will happen at that end of times when Jesus returns. Especially to those who reject the Jesus and HIS gospel message, with are the called "the wicked." Like the parable of the wheat and the tares, we see a great separation is destined to happen as the angels separate the good fish from the bad, which indicates that the righteous will be separated from the wicked. To which the wicked will be cast into the furnace of fire for the final death, where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Part 3
(Hidden Treasure & Pearl of Great Price)
There are many people who know there is “something", “some purpose", “some meaning", that is worthy of diligent search. Some will spend their whole lives trying to find it. When by the grace and providence of God they come to learn of Christ and His kingdom, they are willing to give up all to obtain it! These examples, and the parables above confirm the truthfulness of Jesus' teaching about those "who hunger and thirst for righteousness".
Those who "hunger", those who "search", will indeed find what God has for them! It might be that we may "stumble" across the blessings God has in Christ and His kingdom (as in "The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure"). But do we want to risk our salvation on a lucky chance of "stumbling" across it? What can we do to ensure that we will find what God has for us? Well, we need to be like that merchant who is "searching" for that "Pearl of Great Price".
Kingdom of Heaven is Like....
Part 2
(A Mustard Seed and Leaven)
With an understanding of these two parables ("The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven"), we can take heart in knowing that the work of Christ, in regard to His Kingdom, will not be for naught.
Kingdom of Heaven is Like....
Part 1
(Parable of the Tares)
We learned in last week’s study that only those with good and noble hearts, who receive the Word with patience and keep it, will bear the intended fruit in their lives. Thus the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" will be received only by some, and not all. This truth was illustrated further when Jesus taught about the parable of;
As Jesus traveled around the land, HE healed many who became HIS followers. Yet not all who followed HIM were those HE healed. Some followed HIM to see the miracles of healing HE performed, while others followed for the food HE fed them. Eventually Jesus began teaching in parables to separate the truth seekers from the curiosity seekers. Jesus knew their hearts, so by speaking in parables one would have to truly listen and learn. Many times HE would later explain the parables privately to His disciples.M
In today’s lesson, I will reverse the order of the Scripture, to first explain what parables are and why Jesus used them. (Matthew 13:10-17) Then I will get into the first parable (Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23) of seeds being dropped onto four types of soil. Wayside, Stony soil, Thorny soil, Good rich fertile soil.
God regards Jesus as a family member. As born again believers are told that we, too, are members of this family. This is what Jesus tells those around HIM as HIS family comes to take HIM away. When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus we are then born into GOD’s kingdom, As HIS children we become heirs with Him for eternity. As heirs we inherit rewards which non believers can never enjoy. The rewards of our inheritance include the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which empowers us to live for Him in the present, and the knowledge that our salvation is secure for eternity.
While our physical family is the most important building block in human society, our relationships with other Christians is even more important. Our Christian family is a spiritual family which makes up the body of the Church. All people who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are members of this family which is drawn from every nation, tribe, people and language.
In the last study, we read about the Jesus healing a man possessed with by an evil spirit that made him blind and dumb. When the pharisees heard about it they accused him of casting out demons by Satan's power. Earlier they watched HIM heal a man's withered hand. Yet in todays study we read about them asking Jesus for a sign that would prove he is the Messiah. So Jesus answers them by saying,
With HIS answer HE rebukes the Pharisees for their insincerity and promotion of a false religion centering around their traditions. Learn the difference between the letter and the Spirit of GOD's undying Law!
In today's lesson, Jesus begins by rebuking the Pharisees, something HE does a lot. This time it's over their inability to distinguish between that which is good, and that which is truly evil. Most of the study relates around the statement Jesus makes in the middle of the study on how we can whether someone is really following HIM or not. The proof is in their fruit. A good tree bears good fruit, a bad tree bears bad fruit.
We do not have to cut open the trunk of an apple tree to figure out whether it is an apple tree or not. We just need to taste its fruit. Someone who is following Jesus, while still a sinner, will still stumble and fall from time to time, but we will still bear the fruit of repentance, and faith in Jesus. These words, such as the words the Pharisees had uttered, and such as our confession of faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, matter; they reveal what is really going on inside our hearts.
As one rises from the watery grave of baptism, they are freed from the burden of sin through the precious blood of Christ. As they continue to observe all that He commanded, their burden becomes even lighter as they apply to their lives the wisdom Jesus taught. Have you accepted the yoke of Jesus? HE is calling you, and are you willing to come?
When Jesus sent HIS Disciples out in pairs, HE told them whoever will not receive them that they are to shake off the dust under their feet as a testimony against them. HE also told them, "Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city”. (Mark 6:7-13) When we share the Gospel with people, we pray they will accept the LORD, yet most will reject the Gospel, just as those who lived in the 3 Galilean cities of Today's message.
Jesus gives us a lesson on why so many reject the Gospel, and it is not because you are a terrible evangelist, it is GOD they reject. They reject GOD, because their own Worldly education says the things of GOD are foolishness and thus they would rather trust in man’s wisdom and man’s knowledge. Jesus tells us that it will be worst for them on the day of judgement, than it will be for the Indians of the old West who followed strange gods, before they heard the Gospel.
In today's study we see Jesus confronted by John the Baptsit's disciples, whom he sent with a question. In the process Jesus expounds upon the greatness of the last Old Testament prophet, and how those in the Kingdom of Heaven are greater than.
“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
(Matthew 11:3)
I understand that many scholars are divided upon this question. Did John truly doubt that Jesus was the Messiah? Or as I believe, was he himself sure, but wanted his disciples to hear it from GOD's own words? In this study I come from the belief that John knew, but desired for his disciples to hear it from Jesus, and then become HIS followers. Since John himself told them earlier that he must decrease in importance and that Jesus must increase, because HE is the ONE john foretold would come. (John 3:30)
That being said, Jesus tells us the John was Elijah to come, and like Elijah ran in fear from Jezebel's threats to kill him, so too did John have a bullseye on him by an evil wicked woman, Herodias. John spent the last 2 years of his life in prison, and would eventually be executed. While languishing in prison, there is a chance his faith in who Jesus was may have wavered, as some scholars believe. I myself do not believe it wavered so much as he wanted his disciples to now follow the ONE he pointed to.
The lesson we should all take from this study is to know what lies ahead, and be prepared by being as wise as a serpent. Do not fear what man can do to you, but also understand that you should not needlessly put a target on yourself. However, in avoiding needless persecution, do not endanger your own salvation by denying Jesus just to save your skin. As preachers or simply disciples, as churches or as individuals, success in evangelism can only be increased by remembering what our Lord told His twelve apostles before He sent them out to preach the good news of the kingdom.
In todays lesson and one to follow, I want to point out at least ten principles that Jesus applied in sending out His apostles. They are principles that I believe can prove successful today. Understand that this is a trial run for them to get an idea of what will be expected of them after HE leaves. Eleven of these men will change the World, the lessons they learned, have been handed down to us to follow. For we stand on th shoulders of giants when it comes to spreading the Gospel, and their recipre has worked for 2000 years. As long as we follow their example we will succeed in spreading the Word. Ultimately though, if we do not have the same conviction as they had, then we will fail.
The apostles of Christ were the foundation stones of His church. In Revelation 21:14 we are told that the twelve foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have in them the names of the twelve apostles. It is evident, therefore, that our Lord attaches great importance to these men. As we study these courageous first century lives, and what apostleship meant in the time of Christ, we may expect to be aided in developing a Spirit directed twentieth-century (twenty-first) discipleship as Christ must have meant it to be, along similar lines of vital experience, responsibility, consecration, and achievement. The information compiled herein utilizes the New Testament accounts of these men, and the most respected legends and traditions. We do not mean to infer, thereby, that legend and tradition constitute historical fact. We do feel, however, that they do have value in the study of the lives of these men who “...turned the world upside down...”
Throughout the Bible, the harvest carries spiritual significance. Jesus used it as a metaphor in todays lesson for finding the lost sheep. Not that they were physically lost like a lamb that wondered from the flock, but more in Spiritual way. The harvest has always been a beautiful and important part of life on earth, the time when the year’s work bears fruit and the people are fed. It is symbolic of bounty, health and abundance. Israel celebrated the time of the harvest with a feast, appropriately called the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16).
As Jesus traveled with His disciples, He saw the crowds and had compassion for them, because they were weary and scatted like sheep having no shepherd. So He tells them the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so they must pray for workers to join the harvest. Todays lesson refers to the many souls needing to be brought to repentance and faith as a harvest waiting to be realized, but He does so to let them know harvesters need to get out in the field to collect up those belonging to Him.
His birth in Bethlehem ( Luke. 2:1-7 )
a.) Bethlehem means “House of Bread” Christ is “The Bread of Life”
b.) Bethlehem is about 5 miles from Jerusalem
c.) More songs sung, more poetry written, more photographs taken, and more trips have been made to the little town of Bethlehem then any other town in the history of the world, because our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ was born there.
d.)He was pre-ordained (prophesied) to be born in Bethlehem by in Micah 5:2 which was written 650 years before He was born
The Coming Messiah
(Micah 5:2)
2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
The adoration by the shepherds ( Luke 2:8-20 )
Martin Luther wrote in his commentary of the message to the shepherds
"He (the angel) does not say simply, Christ is born, but to you He is born; neither does he say, I bring glad tidings, but to you I bring glad tidings of great joy. Furthermore, this joy was not to remain in them, but it was to be to all the people.
Shepherds caring for sheep owned by the priests used for sacrifice in the Temple ministry kept at Bethlehem
Shepherds and women could not testify in court as witnesses, no rights in society
Shepherds were Religious outcasts, considered too unclean to enter the Temple for cleansing of their sins
In Chapter 11 of the Jewish Mishnah, Rabbi Meir writes of
“The Jewish Views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades Guilds”
Abba Gurjan of Zadjan said, “In name of Abba Gurja. Let not a man bring up his son to be a donkey-driver, nor a camel-driver, nor a barber, nor a sailor nor a shepherd, nor a peddler; for their occupations are those of thieves.”
Usually transients looking for any kind of work
Uneducated social misfits
Odd hours prevented them from obeying religious feasts that made up the Jewish religious calendar
Spent all their time watching the sheep even sleeping with them ( John 10:2-4 )
When anything came up missing the shepherds were usually accused of stealing it
Modern day equivalent would be carnival workers or migrant farm workers, no family near
People you would expect to get a notice of the birth of Christ.
Kings
Governors
Magistrates
Caesar
Priests
Rabbi’s
Synagogue Officials
Head of the Jewish Ruling Council
Military Leaders
Wealthy Merchants
Men and Women of distinction
In fact, many passages of Scripture indicate that God loves to lift up the lowly and humble, while at the same time bringing down the proud and self-satisfied Various scripture that states point;
(2 Samuel 22:28)
"You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low."
(Psalm 149:4)
"For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."
(Isaiah 66:1-2)
"This is what the LORD says: . . . "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."
(Matthew 23:12)
"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
(1 Peter 5:5-6)
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
God does not discriminate by class or status or knowledge as Paul so eloquently states in his first letter to the Corinthians:
(1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
(26) For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; (27) but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, (28) and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, (29) so that no man may boast before God. (30) But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, (31) so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
The worship by the wise men ( Matthew 2:1-12 )
Greek word used here is “magoi“ which translates astrologers as in (Dan 1:20 and Dan 2:2)”
Other places in the NT it is more loosely a translation of “kashaph” which means “sorcerer” (Acts 13:6)
Babylonians and Persians used them as priests and advisors for the King to interpreting dreams
High respect for Daniel and so they followed stars waiting for the Jewish Messiah
About two years to make trip
Could have been hundreds of people that accompanied them
Gifts were meant for a highly respected individual
Gold indicates they acknowledged Jesus as a King
Frankincense was an ointment used by priests in religious ceremonies, they saw Jesus as a Priest
Myrrh was a spice used in burials, these men acknowledged that they Jesus would be martyred
Warned in dream to go home a different and not let Herod know of His location8.)
Flight to Egypt ( Matthew 2:13-23 )
a.) Joseph did not delay, but arose immediately and left for Egypt
Egypt being a type of the world, Jesus journeyed into Egypt that He might free us from Egypt
b.) With large Jewish population Egypt would be a good place for the messiah to be amongst friends
Slaughter of the innocents, ( Matthew 2:16-18 ) ( Jeremiah 31:15 ) ) Last time this happened Moses was raised up by God to deliver His people from Egypt
Herod’s legacy of death
At 4’4” Herod saw conspiracies everywhere and did all he could to squelch them
In 40 BC had all but two of the Sanhedrim put to death upon taking control of Judea
Herod had whole masses slaughtered for rebelling in 37 BC, people in the alleys, people crowded in their houses, and even people who took refuge in the temple. There was no mercy for either young or old, not even the weakest women were spared.
In 29 BC Herod had favorite 25 year old wife, Mariamne, put to death for trumped up adultery charges
Later he had Mariame’s mother, who testified against her daughter in the adultery trial, put to death
In 28 BC he had his sister Salome’s first husband Kostobar put to death for conspiracy
In 7 BC Herod puts on trial and convicts two sons Alexandros and Aristobulos for conspiracy and executes them. This act prompts Augustus Caesar to say of Herod
“It is safer to be Herod’s pig then his son.”
Herod orders the death of all male children from the age of two an under
Just a few months before his death Herod ordered Judah ben Sariphai and Matthias ben Margaloth (two Scholars of the Torah) and their followers burnt at the stake for insurrection in 4 BC
Five days before his death he ordered his eldest son Antipater and his heir to be executed
Just before his death Herod ordered thousands of Noblemen and religious leaders to be confined in the hippodrome in Jericho. Upon his death he wanted his sister Salome and her husband Alexas to execute theme so that there would be great mourning upon his death in Judea. He knew no one would weep upon his death otherwise.
Jeremiah 40:1 tells us that when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judea, Ramah was the deportation headquarters. A town about five miles north of Bethlehem was the location where all the captives were taken to before they were deported to Babylon in 586 BC. Once again the mothers of Israel would weep for her children.
A blessing for those prodigal children in Jeremiah
(Jeremiah 31:16-17)
(16) Thus says the LORD, "Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD, "And they will return from the land of the enemy. (17) "There is hope for your future," declares the LORD, "And your children will return to their own territory.
Return to Israel and ultimately Nazareth ( Matthew 2:19-23 )
Nazareth means “Bean Town” or “Sprout Town” today “Hick Town”
Is 11:1 “A rod out of the stem of Jesse” ie.. “A sprout out of the stem of Jesse from “Sprout Town”
(Isaiah 11:1)
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The reign of the Herod’s and how they relate to the Scriptures
Herod’s sons and grandsons who ruled after his death
Herod Archelaus (4 BC-6 AD) (Son) Matthew 2:22
Herod Philip the Tetrarch (4 BC–39 AD) (Son) Luke 3:1
Herod Antipas (4 BC–39 AD) (Son) Married his sister-in-law, John the Baptist condemned him for it Matt 14:4; Mark 6:17-18; Luke 3:19. Had John beheaded Mark 6:19; Matt 14:6-12; Mark 6:21-29. He wanted to kill Jesus, Jesus called him a fox, Luke 13:31-32. He finds no reason charge Jesus with crime deserving death though he and his guards treat him with scorn and dress him in a purple robe and sends him back to Pilot, Luke 23:6-12.
Herod Agrippa I (37 AD–44 AD) (Grandson by Aristobulus) As punishment for not giving glory to God for a great speech, he was consumed by worms. Acts 12:20-23
Herod Agrippa II (50 AD-100 AD) (Great grandson by Herod Agrippa) He Listened to Paul but once Paul appealed to Rome He had no power to set him free
14 "When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, and you possess
it and live in it, and you say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations who are
around me,'15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God
chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves;
you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman.
47 BC Julius Caesar made Antipater, a “wiley Idumaean,” Procurator of Judea.
Upon his death Antipater had Judaea divided into 2 territories with his sons as the governors, Galilee falling to Herod. Upon his fathers death he shrewdly aligned himself with Mark Anthony who appointed him tetrarch of Judaea, while the Roman Senate made him king of all Judea in (40 BC). Herod thus ruled as a puppet king under Rome. Herod was last king to have complete control over Judaea, upon his death Rome had Judaea split into 3 districts with Herod’s sons appointed tetrarchs over theses areas, but with significantly less authority then their father had.
The word aster may mean a comet; the star of the Magi was a comet. But we have no record of any such comet.
The star may have been a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn (7 B.C.), or of Jupiter and Venus (6 B.C.).
The Magi may have seen a stella nova, a star which suddenly increases in magnitude and brilliancy and then fades away.
Ancient historians Virgil, Horace, Tacitus, and Suetonius bear witness that, at the time of the birth of Christ, there was throughout the Roman Empire a general unrest and expectation of a Golden Age and a great deliverer about to be born.
The Magi would have been curious enough to keep an eye out for any sign that would lead to their discovering where and when this event would take place, it is what they lived for.
Finally, I believe that the star was similar to the fire that hovered over the tabernacle at night throughout the Israelites wondering in the desert in Exodus 40:38. Created by God then for the Israelites direction and safety, and now so the Magi could be directed to the Messiah.
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