Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....February 19, 2018
We began a series of teachings last week on belief in our salvation. In that teaching I hope I got through to you, family, that you have to KNOW you are saved or it does you no good. If you do not truly believe that Jesus Christ is Who He says He is than you are living a lie. A lie to not only yourself, but to God. In Johns Gospel and in his letters, he gives us some tests to take to make sure we are sure, we are sure:)
The Commandment Test
And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked (1 John 2:3-6).
I wonder if John had been in a testimony meeting where somebody was bragging about being saved—saying he was, but his walk and his talk did not get together. If you say you are saved, it is absolutely going to show up in your life. You are going to be keeping the commandments of God. You do not keep the commandments of God in order to be saved; you keep the commandments of God because you are saved.
This presents a serious problem, because not one of us has always kept all of God's commandments. I have not since I've been saved, and you have not since you've been saved. Yet the Bible says that we know we are in Him in that we keep His commandments. What bothers me, and should you also, is when I see "Christians" acting like worldly people. Cheating, scheming, lying, stealing, etc. You get the picture. Do you know someone that acts worldly but "claims" to be a Bible Believing Christian? I fear for that person. When I act worldly, I worry about myself but not for long because I know my Lord is a forgiving God and will show His mercy. However when the worldly behavior is continual...I worry for the Sunday Christian.
Both the problem and the solution are found in the word keep. It is actually a mariner's word. In the apostles' day, sailors navigated by the stars. And a sailor setting his course by the stars was said to be "keeping the stars." It was his intention to sail by the stars.
To keep God's commandments, then, means to use the Word of God as the Guide for our lives. It is the desire of every child of God to live by His Word. While we may be blown off course, distracted, or confused, the goal of our lives is to keep the commandments of God.
Ever since I gave my heart to Jesus, there has been a deep, divine, radical change; and there is in me a burning desire to live for God. And there should be in you, too, if you are saved.
This is not to say that I donot sin anymore. The difference is that before I got saved I was running to sin; now I am running from it. And if I fail, I turn right around and start running away again.
The commandment test says: if you can willfully and knowingly sin against the will of God with no conviction, no compunction, and no remorse, you need to get saved. A lot of people say, "Well, I walked down an aisle somewhere, and I got saved. I know I'm just an old backslider now, but I'm still saved and going to heaven."
No, you are not. If you are living that way—high, wide, and handsome—and it does not break your heart, then you do not know the God of the Bible.
The Companion Test
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). When I am saved, I want to be right with my Father, and I want to be right with my brother.
But there are some who would say, "Well, I'm saved, but I have no use for the church." But the Bible says if we love Jesus, we are going to love what Jesus loves; and Jesus loves the church.
The word saint (singular) appears in the Bible only five times. The plural appears nearly 100 times. Now, going to church will not make you a Christian any more than going to the garage will make you an automobile. But when you realize that you have been bought by the blood of Christ, when the Spirit of God comes into you, you receive a new nature, and you are going to keep His commandments and love your brothers and sisters.
The Commitment Test
The greatest and strongest test is the commitment test. All of the others grow out of it. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. . . . These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:10, 13).
In the Bible, the words believe and commit are the same word. Concerning Jesus, it says, "Many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men" (John 2:23-24). They said they believed in Him, but He did not believe in them. He knew that they were just miracle-mongers. He knew that they were not true believers.
Biblical faith is not just an intellectual exercise. You do not believe about Jesus, you believe in Jesus. You commit yourself to Jesus.
I did not believe about the plane that I fly on; I believe in it. I commit myself to that airplane. I do not just say, "Those things can fly. I'm going to Memphis. I believe it can fly. I believe that man is a good pilot. I have confidence in the airline." No, I get on board and entrust that pilot and that aircraft with my life. He who commits himself to that plane flies to Memphis. And he who commits himself to the Son of God lives forever with Him. I commit myself to that plane. He who commits himself to the Son of God is the one who is saved.
Have you done this?
Notice it does not say, he who has believed; it says He who believes. It is always present tense. Have you ever asked someone, "Are you saved?"
They say, "Yes, I'm saved. I remember standing in a trailer, 20 years ago, giving my hand to Dr. and Mrs. Graham and my heart to Jesus Christ. Now, I may not always be living for God right now, I'll admit. But I know I'm saved, because I remember what I did in San Diego in 1998. I remember believing on Jesus Christ." The Bible never uses such an experience as proof of salvation. It never points back to some time when you believed on Jesus Christ.
I even hear people say, "If you cannot show me the place and the moment when you received Jesus Christ, you are not saved." That is not biblical. The Bible never says you know when or if you are saved by something you remember in the past. It says, "He that believes."
I am not saying there is not a time when you received Christ. There was a day. Absolutely. But that is not the test. The test is, do you believe in Jesus Christ now? Are you trusting in Him today? Is there evidence in your life today that you are the offspring of the living God? That is the proof of your salvation.
A Closing Plea
Family, have you given your life to the Lord? Do you have the assurance that if you were to die right now, you would go straight to heaven? If not, please let me tell you how you can be saved.
Admit Your Sin
First, you must understand that you are a sinner. The Bible says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Abandon Self-Effort
Second, you must understand that you cannot save yourself by your efforts. The Bible is very clear that it's "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).
Again, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Acknowledge Christ's Payment
Third, you must believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins. The Bible says, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). That means He died in your place. "Your sin debt has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ, which "cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Accept Him as Savior
Fourth, you must put your faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone for your salvation. The blood of Christ does you no good until you receive Him by faith. The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
Have you ever taken this all-important step of faith? If not, I urge you to do it right now. Why? Because Jesus is the only way to heaven!
Speaking of Jesus, the Apostle Peter said in Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). It could not be any clearer than that.
Are you willing to offer the following prayer to God today? I still remember the prayer I prayed with the Grahams in that trailer:
"Oh, God, I'm a sinner, I'm lost, and I need to be saved. I know I can't save myself, so right now, once and for all, I trust You to save me. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and make me Your child. I give You my life. I will live for You as You give me strength."
I pray this series has in some small way, touched your hearts. If it has, please let me know how I can pray for you. I love you all:)
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
Someone mentioned a few days ago to me that there are many more people now days that are just not nice. Hatred, scorn and contempt for others have taken over the world. I thought for a minute and said...
Don’t let anyone bring you down so low as to hate them. Release them from the hold they have on you and continue on with peace in your heart. Life is short and is not worth wasting your time trying to figure people out or prove anything to them. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself.
Strive to be the best person you can possibly be, be strong, and walk away. Holding on to bitterness and anger will only hinder your happiness. Your life is much too precious to spend another minute worrying about someone that doesn’t bring you happiness. Say goodbye and wish them well. After all, they’ve made you a stronger person. They’ll see the light someday.
I am going to try to take my own advice and approach "angry" people in a different way....how about you??
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
As we wind down the Gospel of Matthew, we continue....
The Plot to Kill Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Judas to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 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.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
The plot against Jesus
(26:1–5)
The plan to kill Jesus comes from the high priest and other Jewish leaders. The fact that Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover festival gives them the opportunity they seek. But Jesus has the support of the common people, and his arrest could cause rioting and bloodshed.
Jesus is anointed at Bethany
(26:6–13)
While the Jewish leaders plot to take Jesus by surprise, we see that he is already preparing himself for death.
Jesus stays in the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, as the guest of Simon the Leper. Simon may be someone Jesus has healed in the past, but whose disease has lingered on as a nickname. Bethany is the village where Lazarus lives with his sisters, Martha and Mary, and where Jesus raised Lazarus from death (John 11).
As Jesus reclines on a couch at supper, a woman pours a jar of perfume over his head. This is the action of anointing, and she may intend it as a sign that Jesus is Christ, the Anointed One. Mark and John in their Gospels tell us that the perfume is nard or spikenard, which comes from India and is used for embalming dead bodies. It is extremely expensive. When the disciples protest at the waste of money, Jesus says that the woman has prepared his body for burial.
Judas turns traitor
(26:14–16)
Judas now goes to betray Jesus to the authorities. He agrees to do so for thirty pieces (or shekels) of silver—about 120 denarii, or four months’ wages. In the prophecy of Zechariah it is a paltry sum of money. It is used to pay off and dismiss the shepherd who has tended the ungrateful sheep of Israel (Zechariah 11:12–13).
Judas has not been at all prominent among the disciples until now. Matthew does not tell us why Judas betrays Jesus. The most likely reason is that Jesus is failing to seize power by force and become the Messiah that people expect. Judas may be trying to save his own life, or simply trying to make some money. John gives us a glimpse of Judas’ character. He tells us that Judas keeps the common purse and steals from it (John 12:5–6).
The Last Supper
(26:17–30)
Jesus has arranged to borrow a room in Jerusalem. This is the ‘upper room’, where he plans to eat the Passover with his disciples.
This is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—the day before the lambs are killed in the temple. It may be that Jesus knows his arrest is imminent, and decides to share the Passover meal with his disciples a day early. If this is so, there is no roast lamb—but the true Lamb of God is with them.
During the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray him. They are shocked, and protest. When Judas asks if it is him, he calls Jesus ‘Rabbi’ (‘teacher’), rather than Lord. Jesus responds that Judas is indeed the one. Judas is fulfilling a prophecy of betrayal by a close friend (Psalm 41:9), but there is still no excuse for his action.
Jesus, as the host, takes the unleavened bread and blesses God. The traditional prayer is: ‘Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.’ On this occasion Jesus departs from the Passover tradition and gives a new meaning to the bread. He says to his disciples, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ This is a stunning reinterpretation of the broken bread. It becomes a symbol of the broken body of Jesus—the central focus of the Holy Communion, or Eucharist, in the Christian church.
After the breaking of bread comes the sharing of wine. There are four special cups of wine at a Passover meal, and this is the third of them. Jesus takes the cup, gives thanks to God and offers it to his disciples. He declares that this is his blood, which is poured out for many. This pouring-out was predicted by the prophet Isaiah in his description of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53:12). The life of Jesus, poured out as he dies on the cross, will seal a new covenant between God and humankind.
The old covenant was sealed with the blood of a bull sprinkled over the people (Exodus 24:8). It was a covenant that depended on the keeping of the law, and it was broken almost immediately. Now Jesus is making a new covenant, which is a covenant of forgiveness. This forgiveness is secured by offering his own life as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
The fourth cup of wine at the Passover meal looks forward to the Messiah’s banquet in the kingdom of God. Jesus says he won’t drink it until that great day comes. Having finished the meal, they sing a hymn—the last part of the Hallel (Psalms 115–118). Leaving the upper room, they walk together to the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem.
Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him
(26:31–35)
A saying of the prophet Zechariah is in Jesus’ mind:
Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered (Zechariah 13:7).
This is a description of a rejected Messiah, and Jesus knows that the words refer to him. Even so, he is able to promise his friends that they will meet again in Galilee, after his resurrection. He warns the disciples that they will all desert him in the next few hours. Peter swears that he won’t, but Jesus is certain he will. Peter will deny him three times before the cock crows to herald the dawn.
Jesus prays at Gethsemane
(26:36–46)
Jesus and his disciples come to Gethsemane. This is an olive grove or garden on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. It is a favourite place with Jesus. At any other Passover they might spend the night there, camping out as pilgrims at the festival.
Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to pray. These are his closest friends. Each of them has insisted he will stand by Jesus whatever happens. As Jesus is seized by horror and grief, he asks them to keep him company.
Falling prostrate on the ground, Jesus prays. He begs his Father that the dreaded cup of suffering might be removed from him. But, just as he has taught others, he submits to his Father with the words, ‘As you will.’
The disciples are unable to keep awake. Jesus lets them sleep, only rousing them when he hears Judas approaching with an armed mob.
Jesus is arrested
(26:47–56)
In the darkness of the olive grove and amid the confusion of the torches, it would have been easy for Jesus to escape. Instead, he stands his ground and allows Judas to approach him and greet him with a kiss. Such a kiss would be a sign of honor—except that it is the signal for the temple police to arrest him.
One of the disciples tries to fight. John’s Gospel tells us this is Peter, who draws a sword and severs the ear of one of the high priest’s servants. Jesus intervenes to stop him and Luke tells us that he heals the servant’s ear.
Violence is not God’s way. Jesus has all the protection he needs, should he care to call on the legions of angels at his command. But now the prophecies of his rejection and death must be fulfilled.
The trial and death of Jesus
Jesus is tried by the Jewish Council
(26:57–68)
Jesus is put on trial before the Sanhedrin. This is the ruling council of Israel. It has seventy-one members and is presided over by the high priest, Caiaphas. It is illegal to hold a trial at night, but it may be that the Council stays within the letter of the law by reaching its verdict in the morning.
Caiaphas seeks to convict Jesus of blasphemy. He has a difficult task, because the evidence offered by the witnesses is confused and conflicting. Eventually two witnesses are found with the same story, which is that Jesus said he was able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.
It is true that Jesus had said something about the temple being destroyed and raised up again. John records the saying in his Gospel, but explains that Jesus was referring to the temple of his body (John 2:19–22).
Throughout the trial, Jesus is silent. He has nothing to apologize for, no guilt to confess and no need to defend himself. Eventually, the high priest puts him on oath to answer whether he is the Christ or not. Jesus replies that he is.
The Council might have many reasons to doubt that the man from Nazareth standing before them is the Messiah. Jesus assures his accusers that they are about to see him in his true glory. He is the Son of man, seated in the place of supreme honor in heaven. He is the Son of man, with God’s authority to judge the world.
Jesus has not uttered any blasphemy, but the high priest reacts as though he has. He tears his clothes—a gesture kept for the most extreme circumstances—and declares that no further witnesses are needed. The other council members agree that Jesus should be executed. They show their true character by assaulting and abusing him. The silence of Jesus in the face of such injustice again reminds us of Isaiah’s suffering servant (Isaiah 53:7).
Peter fails badly
(26:69–75)
While Jesus maintains his dignity and integrity before the high priest, Peter is questioned by a servant girl. He immediately denies all knowledge of Jesus.
A second girl picks up Peter’s northern accent, which links him with Galilee. Peter adds oaths and curses to his denials. When the cock crows—which might be as early as 1.30 in the morning—Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction that he would betray him. He goes outside and weeps bitterly. Other Gospels tell us that Peter is restored to his place of leadership among the disciples, but Matthew doesn’t mention him again.
Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., pp. 437–439). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 26:1–75). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
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