Showing posts with label jesus' death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jesus' death. Show all posts

Tuesday 7 April 2020

The night before Jesus his execution

These coming days we make time to think about what Jesus has done.

Lots of Christians do forget that God can not die, but that Jesus really has put his own will aside to do the will of God (when Jesus would be God he naturally would always have done his own will). Jesus really found his death at the stake and after his resurrection could show the wounds of his torture at the stake, proving he is no spirit, like his Father is Spirit.

In the Scriptures we also can find how Paul describes the true Christ or Anointed of God and not God the Anointed, something totally different. As a devout Jew Paul was convinced that in Jesus could all people receive salvation or redemption through Jesus and not through God His blood, because Paul knew that God has no bones, flesh or blood Him being a Spirit. John and the other apostles believed the same as any other Jew would believe. (Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:50; John 4:24)

Paul does not say Jesus is God but defines Jesus to be in the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of every creature. You seem to forget we all are made in the image of God. God is invisible but Jesus not and was seen by many who did not fall death when they saw him. No man can see God and live (Exodus 33:23; John 1:18; 1 Tim 1:17).
Paul like the apostle John also considers Jesus as the instigator of the New World, a new creation of which all followers of Jeshua shall become inheritance.

Paul writes that it was for it pleased the Father (i.e. Jehovah God) that in Jesus should all fulness dwell because we may count on it that peace is made through the blood of his death at the stake (please also do not forget that God can not die). This giving of his own body and soul as a ransom was to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, Paul says, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

In the Olive Garden the night before his execution when Jesus prayed the scripture uses phrases like,
“My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death”…
”he went forward an little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: never the less not what I will, but what thou wilt”.
Jesus expresses that he wants God Will to be done and not his will. In case Jesus is God, naturally than it would always be his own will which would happen.

In this Olive Garden we find the son of man praying to his heavenly Father, and not praying to himself, which he would have done when Jesus is God.  See Jesus did exactly what we are expected to do.  Pray for our need, but submit to the will of the Father.  Know that what he is asking us to do is needful and necessary.

  If Jesus would not have suffered for us, then his sacrificial offering would not benefit us. When Jesus is God and if he as God having come to this world would have faked his temptation, his praying to the Most High and faking his death (because God cannot be tempted nor die) then we would not know the Father.
  If you do not have times of suffering, someone else who may have come to know Jesus by the example of your faith, might also die  but not in their sins when he or she accepted Jesus Christ.  We have to trust in his will and continue spreading the message of Christ, calling people to come to God having Jesus as the way to God, that is faith.  Standing in that hope and knowledge of the love of God towards you is exercising that faith.

  So then the disciples awoke Jesus in some vague hope that he just might be close enough to God to do something. But fear did overcome them and it took until the day that the Holy Spirit came over them before they dared to come out in public again to tell others they were followers of Jesus Christ.

Are you a real follower of Jesus Christ?
Do you dare to tell others that you believe that Jesus is the son of God and not god the son?
do you dare to tell others that you worship the same God that was worshipped by Jesus Christ and his disciples, namely the Only One true God Who is One, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah?

Or is their fear in  you, not willing to admit yet that you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, sent by God?

Or you still in a stadium of being 'in the night before Jesus his execution'?

Saturday 9 April 2011

Day of remembrance coming near

A Ransomer and a free Gift of God to remember

"Every good gift and every perfect present" comes down from God, our heavenly Father. (James 1:17)

The Greatest gift that God has given to fallen mankind is provision for their recovery by means of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus' death as our Ransomer makes possible everlasting life on a paradise earth. At Luke 22:19, we are commanded to memorialize his death.

This day of remembrance is coming near. Shall we be able to meet you?

On the 13th of Nisan lots of people were busy making final arrangements for the Passover, also Jesus and his disciples. Early in the afternoon, Jesus had send Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles met them there for their last Passover celebration.

Jesus had greatly desired to eat this passover with his close friends and told them he was going to suffer. (Luke 22:14, 15)
Jesus knew that one of these men—Judas Iscariot—had already arranged to betray him to the religious leaders. Understandably, he became very distressed. "One of you will betray me," he revealed. The apostles were highly grieved at this. (Matthew 26:21, 22) After celebrating the Passover, Jesus told Judas: "What you are doing get done more quickly."(John 13:27).

Once Judas had left, Jesus introduced a meal to commemorate his impending death. He took a loaf of the unleavened bread, expressed thanks in prayer, broke it, and instructed the 11 to partake. "This means my body," he sayd, "which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." He then took a cup of red wine. After saying a blessing, he passed the cup to them, telling them to drink out of it. Jesus added: "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins." (Luke 22:19, 20; Matthew 26:26-28).

During that momentous evening, Jesus taught his faithful apostles many valuable lessons, and among these the importance of brotherly love. (John 13:34, 35) He assured them that they were going to receive a "helper," the holy spirit. (John 14:26)
Later in the evening Jesus said a fervent prayer in their behalf. (John, chapter 17) After singing songs of praise, they left the upper room and followed Jesus out into the cool late-night air.

Sunday, April 17, we shall remember those moments and all the events of that night, when Judas Iscariot arrived with a crowd carrying swords, clubs, and torches in the the garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:1, 2; Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:47-52)
Jesus was arrested and bound, led away to Annas, the former high priest. Then he was taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, to be tried. In the early hours of the morning, the Sanhedrin falsely charged Jesus with blasphemy.

Caiaphas had him taken to Roman governor Pontius Pilate who got him send to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus were after they sent him back to Pilate, who confirmed Jesus innocence. But the Jewish religious leaders pressured him to condemn Jesus to death. After considerable verbal and physical abuse, Jesus was taken out to Golgotha where he was mercilessly nailed to a torture stake and suffered an agonizing death. (Mark 14:50-15:39; Luke 23:4-25)

It would have been the greatest tragedy in history if Jesus' death had brought a permanent end to his life. Happily, that was not the case. On Nisan 16, 33 C.E., his disciples were amazed to find that he had been raised from the dead. In time, more than 500 people were able to  verify that Jesus was again alive. And 40 days after his resurrection, a group of faithful followers saw him ascend to heaven. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Luke 22:14-71:
14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with YOU before I suffer; 16 for I tell YOU, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And, accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves; 18 for I tell YOU, From now on I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the kingdom of God arrives.” 19 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”
20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf. 21 “But, look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table. 22 Because the Son of man is going his way according to what is marked out; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” 23 So they started to discuss among themselves the question of which of them would really be the one that was about to do this. 24 However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. 2
5 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.28 “However, YOU are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; 29 and I make a covenant with YOU, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, 30 that YOU may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have YOU men to sift YOU as wheat. 32 But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, when once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Then he said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” 34 But he said: “I tell you, Peter, A cock will not crow today until you have three times denied knowing me.” 35 He also said to them: “When I sent YOU forth without purse and food pouch and sandals, YOU did not want for anything, did YOU?” They said: “No!” 36 Then he said to them: “But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. 37 For I tell YOU that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, „And he was reckoned with lawless ones.‟ For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.” 38 Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.” 39 On going out he went as customarily to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. 40 Having come to the place he said to them: “Carry on prayer, that YOU do not enter into temptation.”
41 And he himself drew away from them about a stone‟s throw, and bent his knees and began to pray, 42 saying: “Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44 But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 And he rose from prayer, went to the disciples and found them slumbering from grief; 46 and he said to them: “Why are YOU sleeping? Rise and carry on prayer, that YOU do not
enter into temptation.” 47 While he was yet speaking, look! a crowd, and the [man] called Judas, one of the twelve, was going before them; and he approached Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” 49 When those about him saw what was going to happen, they said: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 A certain one of them even did strike the slave of the high priest and took off his right ear. 51 But in reply Jesus said: “LET it go as far as this.” And he touched the ear and healed him. 52 Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and older men that had come there for him: “Did YOU come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?
53 While I was with YOU in the temple day after day YOU did not stretch out YOUR hands against me. But this is YOUR hour and the authority of darkness.” 54 Then they arrested him and led him off and brought him into the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting in among them. 56 But a certain servant girl saw him sitting by the bright fire and looked him over and said: “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying: “I do not know him, woman.” 58 And after a short time another person seeing him said: “You also are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.” 59 And after about an hour intervened a certain other [man] began insisting strongly: “For a certainty this [man] also was with him; for, in fact, he is a Gal·i·le´an!” 60 But Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And instantly, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter recalled the utterance of the Lord when he said to him: “Before a cock crows today you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. 63 Now the men that had him in custody began to make fun of him, hitting him; 64 and after covering him over they would ask and say: “Prophesy. Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they went on saying many other things in blasphemy against him. 66 At length when it became day, the assembly of older men of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they haled him into their San´he·drin hall, saying: 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them: “Even if I told YOU, YOU would not believe it at all. 68 Moreover, if I questioned YOU, YOU would not answer at all. 69 However, from now on the Son of man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God.” 70 At this they all said: “Are you, therefore, the Son of God?” He said to them: “YOU yourselves are saying that I am.” 71 They said: “Why do we need further witness? For we ourselves have heard [it] out of his own mouth.” (NWT)

Thursday 10 June 2010

Separation from God in death, the antithesis of life


"My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

We know the passages that describe death in the Old Testament. It is sleep (Dan 12:2). It is total unconsciousness (Eccl 9:5). Death is the antithesis of life.
But there is something else of the greatest importance that was central to the thinking of faithful men like David and Hezekiah:
"My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD — how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?" (Psa 6:3-5).
"Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?" (Psa 88:10-12).
"O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live! Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness" (Isa 38:16-19).
Death completely separates man from fellowship with God. For the faithful man or woman, this is the worst possible thing that could happen. Nothing is of greater consequence. Fellowship with God is the essence of life itself.
Life derives all its meaning from our relationship with God.
The faithful man or woman, for whom fellowship with God is life’s greatest joy, shrinks from anything that severs this holy relationship. Death is an enemy indeed.
No one knew this better than the Lord Jesus Christ. His life was fellowship with the Father in a degree that we can only try to contemplate. He walked with his Father every moment of every day. And His Father walked with him. It was an earnest of the eternal joy that God set before him.
Jesus knew, of course, that he must die to put away the sin of the world. He knew that the grave would not hold him; that he must rise to life again. But this did not diminish the full awfulness of death that loomed before his face.
His words as he entered Gethsemane were an echo of Psalm 6:
"Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’ " (Matt 26:38,39).
May I suggest that the cup that Jesus prayed might pass from him was not just the cup of physical suffering? It was the bitter cup of death that would separate him from his Father and his God.
Where now would be his remembrance of God? Where now would be his life of praise? Could not God transfigure him, as He had once done on the holy mount, and give him immortality without the horror of even a moment’s separation between them?
Do not holy men and women think this way?
Then the ninth hour of the next day drew near: the hour of his death on the cross, the end. Jesus must have felt the last vestiges of life slipping from him:
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ " (Matt 27:46).
Why have you abandoned me to this end? You are everything to me, even life itself!
Is it not possible that this cry of Jesus simply expressed the anguish of his soul as the darkness that had settled over the land turned into the reality of his death? Heaven must have cried, too. God derives no pleasure from the death of a sinner, let alone the death of the righteous man.
In Psalm 22, the opening words of which anticipated the anguish of Jesus’ soul, the immediate context is separation from God:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest" (vv 1,2).
In David’s case, the experience was some living death when he had sought but received no help from God; when he had prayed but gotten no answer. For Jesus, it was about to become the complete separation of death itself.
How thankful we can be that reassurance follows. God has saved the faithful before. He will do it again. He will yet be enthroned on the living praises of His people:
"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame" (Psa 22:3-5).
God is now forever enthroned in the praises of the Son whom He delivered from the darkness of death. But for a little while their fellowship was severed. The separation of the Father and the Son by his death was a tragedy of the ages. It was not because of anything he had done. Our sins made it happen. Hear his cry from the cross and be ashamed. God forgive us!
Jim Harper (Meriden, CT)
The Christadelphian
TIDINGS
OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Monday 31 May 2010

The radiance of God's glory and the counsellor


“David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "‘The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."’ {Psalm 110:1}” (Mr 12:36 NIV)

   “they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’" {Psalm 91:11,12}” (Lu 4:11 NIV)

   “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (Lu 10:21 NIV)

   “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Lu 24:27 NIV)

   “He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."” (Lu 24:44 NIV)

   “and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—” (Ac 1:16 NIV)

   “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” (Ac 2:33 NIV)

   “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Ac 10:38 NIV)

   “They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:” (Ac 28:25 NIV)

   “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,” (Heb 1:1 NIV)

   “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Heb 1:3 NIV)

   “So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,” (Heb 3:7 NIV)

   “For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." {Psalm 34:12-16}” (1Pe 3:10-12 NIV)

   “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pe 1:21 NIV)

  “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (Joh 14:26 NIV)

   “I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you. "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt {Or will expose the guilt of the world} in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (Joh 16:4-13 NIV)

   “until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.” (Ac 1:2 NIV)

   “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Ga 1:12 NIV)

   “which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” (Eph 3:5 NIV)

   “because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” (1Th 1:5 NIV)

   “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2Ti 2:2 NIV)

  “that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph 3:3-12 NIV)

   “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.” (Col 1:25-26 NIV)

   “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognise the Spirit {Or spirit} of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1Jo 4:6 NIV)

  “He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables” (Mr 4:11 NIV)

   “No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"— {Isaiah 64:4} but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1Co 2:7-10 NIV)

   “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire any more, or we will die." The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.” (De 18:15-19 NIV)

   “Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" {Deut. 8:3}” (Mt 4:4 NIV)

   “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (De 8:3 NIV)

   “Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’" {Deut. 8:3}” (Lu 4:4 NIV)

   “Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" {Deut. 6:16}” (Mt 4:7 NIV)

   “Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah.” (De 6:16 NIV)

   “Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" {Deut. 6:13}” (Mt 4:10 NIV)

   “"You shall have no other gods before {Or besides} me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,” (Ex 20:3-5 NIV)

   “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Ex 34:14 NIV)

   “Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;” (De 6:13-14 NIV)

   “Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.” (De 10:20 NIV)

   “Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’" {Deut. 6:13}” (Lu 4:8 NIV)

   “Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? {Exodus 3:6} He is not the God of the dead but of the living." When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ {Deut. 6:5} This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ {Lev. 19:18} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."” (Mt 22:29-40 NIV)

   “He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."” (Mt 26:42 NIV)

   “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, {Some manuscripts Eli, Eli} lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" {Psalm 22:1}” (Mt 27:46 NIV)

   “"But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female’. {Gen. 1:27}” (Mr 10:6 NIV)

    “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Ge 1:27 NIV)

   “the LORD God formed the man {The Hebrew for man (adam) sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for ground (adamah); it is also the name Adam (see Gen. 2:20).} from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Ge 2:7 NIV)

   “So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam {Or the man} no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs {Or took part of the man’s side} and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib {Or part} he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’, {The Hebrew for woman sounds like the Hebrew for man.} for she was taken out of man."” (Ge 2:20-23 NIV)

   “"Abba, {Aramaic for Father} Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."” (Mr 14:36 NIV)    “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" {Psalm 22:1}” (Mr 15:34 NIV)

  “"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."” (Lu 22:42 NIV)

   “When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.” (Joh 4:3 NIV)

   “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” (Joh 5:30 NIV)

   “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (Joh 6:38 NIV)

   “After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (Joh 17:1 NIV)

   “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (Joh 17:3 NIV)

   “Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’"” (Joh 20:17 NIV)

   “so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro 15:6 NIV)

   “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,” (2Co 1:3 NIV)

   “The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised for ever, knows that I am not lying.” (2Co 11:31 NIV)

   “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph 1:3 NIV)

   “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit {Or a spirit} of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Eph 1:17 NIV)

   “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." {Psalm 45:#6,7}” (Heb 1:9 NIV)

   “Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’" {Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)}” (Heb 10:7 NIV)

   “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1Pe 1:3 NIV)

   “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Re 2:7 NIV)

   “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” (Re 3:2 NIV)

   “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.” (Re 3:12 NIV)    



For text and comments in Dutch, please see Dutch version with Nieuwe Bijbel Vertaling/ Nederlandse versie met commentaren en NBV aanhaling > De uitstraling van God en zijn pleitbezorger
English / Dutch = Engels met Nederlandse versie met Naardense Bijbel Vertaling > Revealed Truth

Friday 28 May 2010

How is it that Christ pleased God so perfectly?

Why was God so happy with His son?

It is because Jesus was the ultimate example of the faith God calls us to in Hebrews 11. Jesus’ faith in God was so strong that he was willing to give over his entire life in complete trust to his Father. Jesus states,

    “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life.” (John 10:17)

Jesus understood what it meant to have complete faith in God. As a result he spent his life sacrificing his own will to the will of his father.

Most crucially, Jesus had faith enough to submit to God’s command that he give up his life on the cross. Jesus had the faith to believe God could raise him up again from the dead and that God would reward him for his faithfulness. He said,

    “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Acts 2: 25 – 28, quoting Psalm 16:8-11)

God calls us to follow Jesus’ example. The Bible tells us,

    Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

    Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

In order to please God, we need to sacrifice our own lives to God just as Christ did. And how do we live our lives as a sacrifice like Christ did for us?
We need to sacrifice our own will to the will of God. We need to stop thinking of what is best for us and think instead of fulfilling God’s larger purpose with the Earth. Jesus’ faithful life of service and willing crucifixion are the perfect living examples of the faith God is calling us to have. It isn’t until we give ourselves fully to God, rather than our own selfish desires, that we will begin to understand what it is God wants from us.

But it wasn’t just in Jesus’ death on the piece of wood that he sacrificed his life to God. Jesus’ entire life was an act of sacrifice. He spent his days caring for others and teaching them God’s word. He put the needs of everyone else above his own. His entire life was an act of faith in God as he exchanged his own will and desires for those of his Father.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Hoe heeft Jezus zulk een plezier voor God gedaan

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Wednesday 23 December 2009

Message from the family tree in the Tanakh

From Adam to Noah, ten generations. At the time of Noah there was made an end to a world. The ten generations of this world view, if we translate the names, show us the whole message of the gospel.

(Some words have more than one translation. Not all translations are listed here.)
1. Adam = Man
2. Seth = Is placed
3. Enosh = Mortal
4. Kenan = Sorrow
5. Mahalalel = Blessed God
6. Jared = Shall come down
7. Enoch = teaching / Anointed
8. Methuselah = His death brings
9. Lamech = Flavors / Taste
10. Noah = Rest / Comfort

Man is as a mortal placed (in) pain
but the blessed / praised God
shall His teachings / Anointed / Messiah do come down.
His death will bring peace and comfort and will let it taste.

Dutch original > Nederlands origineel > Boodschap van de geslachtslijn in de Tenach

Thursday 17 September 2009

Yesterday He died for me


"Yesterday He died for me ...
Today He lives for me ...
Tomorrow He comes for me ..."
- Jack Wyrtzen

"For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus:
that if One died for all, then all died;
and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves,
but for Him who died for them and rose again."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

God I am grateful that you have given us your son
and that he has found himself willing to die for us.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

This month's survey question: Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

This month's survey question:

- Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
- Jesus died instead of us to appease the wrath of God for all time.
- Jesus is God so he never REALLY died.
- He didn't actually die. His staged death was an elaborate plot.
- He did NOT die as our substitute but rather as our representative.
- Don't know.

Go to www.thisisyourbible.com to submit your answer!

To read more...  click on "The Cross of Christ" below:  
Click here to read the entire booklet  "The Cross of Christ

Sunday 19 April 2009

The redemption of man by Christ Jesus

"The redemption of man by Christ Jesus has been tearfully contemplated, angrily debated, reduced to mathematical equations, abandoned as incomprehensible, and, sometimes, made a matter of scorn. Some have thought that the Lord Jesus succeeded in placating a fiercely angry Deity and caused Him to turn His face toward us when hitherto He had been wrathful and unforgiving. Others have regarded redemption like a system of weights, pulleys and strings by which the redemption of man was, as it were, mechanically contrived. Yet others have taken it as a spiritual business transaction whereby the inestimable value of Christ's blood was paid to a being known as the Devil in order to secure the release of sinners from his evil grasp. Some have found it helpful to look upon Christ's death as substitutionary: that is, that Christ went to the cross instead of us, paying in this way the price for our personal sins. And some have regarded his death as a tragedy, an accident of wicked circumstances, and in no way of itself redemptive.

What is the truth? How can one find a way through this maze of speculation? As in everything else, there is only one sure way, and that is to let the Bible do the teaching and guiding, and to submit humbly to the discipline of this instruction.

Let us start by dismissing the notion that Jesus was pleading on bended knee to a God whose anger had caused Him to turn His face away from us. The secret of the cross is love, the love of God and the love of His Son. Whatever else we may have to consider, let us lay down this foundation: The motivating force for redemption is love:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"The Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Love is the reason for redemption. Love flowed first from God, and therefore from the Son whom He sent into the world. Love cannot be and must not be reduced to law or considered in terms of rights and earnings. Love is above and beyond all considerations. Love owes nothing to any goodness or merit in us. Love comes from God who is "merciful and gracious"."
--------------------------
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Brother Harry Tennant
The Lord who Bought Me
The Christadelphians - What they Believe and Preach

Saturday 11 April 2009

Risen With Him

RISEN WITH HIM

“If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” - Col. 3:1

      Soon the whole Western world will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Such a celebration will call for inspiring music, altars decked with lilies, and sermons from pulpits proclaiming the victory of life over death. The pageantry of Easter attracts millions to their respective churches. Unfortunately, a day or two later, all will be more or less forgotten by most in their renewed pursuit of the various needs, wants, and ambitions of this present life.

      Nevertheless, to every true believer, the death and resurrection of our Lord is a very fundamental truth, for it holds a promise of eternal life. “As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Christ’s resurrection is therefore the guarantee of our resurrection. The Apostle Paul, in this connection, prayed that the eyes of our understanding be enlightened in order that we might understand and appreciate the superlative height and glory to which we are called, a call to glory, honor and immortality (Romans 2:7).

      The resurrection of our Lord, then, is significant to us, for it is a reminder of the glorious hope, based on precious promises, of one day living and reigning with the Lord in His Kingdom and being with Him for all eternity. This should stimulate us to set our affections on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. It should cause us to focus our eyes of faith steadily on this lovely vision, being the  goal of our lives, despite the afflictions, setbacks, disappointments, and losses, which befall all the children of God.

      What does it mean to be “risen with Christ?”  This means that we are now dead to self, and are alive as new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). We are walking in a newness of life (Rom. 6:4). Col. 1:12, 13 tell us, “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.”

      This,  then,  is the Easter message to us who are  following  in the footsteps of our beloved Master.  Remembering  His  resurrection increases our faith and brightens our hope, and thus the things of this earth become dim in our sight and unattractive to us. Thus inspired, we seek first and foremost the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. We redeem the time that God has allocated us and remind ourselves of the Apostle Peter’s words, “What manner of  persons ought you to be in all conduct and godliness?” (2 Pet. 3:11), seeing that we are risen with Christ and are seeking to lay up all our treasures in heaven and are no longer concerned for the things of this earth.  

      Let us also remember that one of the first instructions that the angel gave the women who had come to the tomb was to go and tell others the Good News that He was no longer dead, but risen (Matthew 28:7). What a great and wonderful message it was for them to share this “good news” with the others.

      The Risen Lord tells His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). This command is still in effect today and thus it is still appropriate for us to carry this wondrous message near and far. The joy, which the knowledge of the Risen Lord brings to our hearts, will be greatly increased if we share these glad tidings with others. Yes, our Master is still saying to His disciples, you and me, “Go…and tell.”  Are we doing this for Him? If we have been slack in sharing the Good News, why not make a fresh start, beginning with this Easter Sunday? There could be no better time.
                                                                                           G. Boccaccio
So Send I You
“…As the Father hath sent Me, so send I you.” - John 20:21

                        So send I you to bind the bruised and broken,
                        O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake,
                        To beat the burdens of a world so weary,
                        So send I you to know My love alone.
                          So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred,
                        To eyes made blind because they will not see,
                        To spend, though it be blood, to spend and spare not
                        So send I you ~ to taste of Calvary.
                                                                            E. Margaret Clarkson

From
Christian Millennial Fellowship's
New Creation Magazine
A Herald of Christ's Kingdom

Holy Sabbath

Dutch version / Nederlands > Stille zaterdag

Beginning of the Sabbath

“It was Preparation Day, so in order to prevent the bodies’ hanging on the cross during the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a great day) the Jews begged Pilate to have the legs broken, and the bodies taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who had been crucified with him. But upon coming to Jesus they saw that he was already dead, and did not break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out. And he who saw it has borne testimony, and his testimony is trustworthy, and he knows that he is telling the truth in order that you may believe. For this happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Not one of his bones shall be broken. And again another Scripture says, They shall look on him whom they have pierced.” (Joh 19:31-37 MONTNT)

 Jesus in the grave

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good man and a righteous, he who came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and who was on the watch for the kingdom of God. He had not concurred in the designs and deed of the council. This man went to Pilate, and begged for the body of Jesus. Then taking it down, he wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb hewn in the rock, where no man has ever been laid.” (Lu 23:50-53 MONTNT)
“Nicodemus also (the one who visited Jesus by night, at first) came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing nearly a hundred pounds. So they took the body of Jesus and wound it in linen with the spices, according to the Jewish mode of burial. There was a garden near the place where Jesus had been crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Here, because of its being Preparation Day, and as the tomb was near by, they placed Jesus.” (Joh 19:39-42 MONTNT)
“And it was the day of preparation and the Sabbath was near at hand. Then the women who had accompanied him out of Galilee followed after, and noted the tomb, and how his body was placed. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.” (Lu 23:54-56 MONTNT)
“and Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching to see where he was laid.” (Mr 15:47 MONTNT)