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In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

The Book of Colossians Lesson 1 – 3/26/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
LESSON 1
Chapter 1 Cont.’:
Col. 1:13 He has delivered us from the (assumed) power of darkness and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
 1:13 He rescued us from the dominion of darkness (the sense-ruled world, dominated by the law of (performance) and relocated us into the kingdom where the love of his son rules. (Darkness is not a force, it is the absence of light. [Eph 4:18] A darkened understanding veiled the truth of our redeemed design from us. 2 Cor. 4:4. What “empowered” darkness was the lie that we believed about ourselves! The word, exousia, sometimes translated authority, is from ek, origin or source, and eimi, I am. Thus, I was confused about who I am until the day that I heard understood the grace of God in truth, as in a mirror. (2 Corinthians 3:18, John 1:12.) Mirror
1:13 Our Father Creator through the Great Messenger Comforter Teacher Jesus, delivered us and all people, world without end, with freedom from the force of the many religion laws, and mistaken identity, which the Law produced in causing us to live in a state of blindness, and Father has transferred us from a lower awareness to the higher awareness of our proper royalty, rule and reign as Son, who Himself was affectionally loved (by Father). RERichmond Tree of Life Bible

He Has Delivered (past tense) Us From the (assumed) Power of Darkness

Many are trying to get God TO DO what He has already DONE for us In Christ! Col. 1:13 was and is written to Christians, people who have believed on Jesus and received Him. Notice the tense that is being used. Does it say that we are still waiting for these things to happen? Does it say that when we receive Jesus we now have to look to Him ‘to deliver us’? No, it does not say that, but that is how many Christians see it. Many Christians are walking around ‘waiting’ for God to deliver them, when this passage says He ‘has’ delivered us. Notice verse 12, ‘…the Father who has qualified us…’ and verse 14, ‘in whom we have redemption.’ Is this telling you something God is ‘going to do’ for you, that you have to believe Him for and pray ‘to happen’, or is stating something that we already have?

Assumed power of darkness- satan is an usurper assuming power that is not his.

The first is to understand that the WAR IS OVER. It is FINISHED!

Hosea 4:6, KJV My people are DESTROYED (fail, are silent, cut off) for LACK of KNOWLEDGE (discernment, understanding; to ascertain by seeing)….
Matthew 28:18, NIV Then JESUS came to them and said, “ALL AUTHORITY in heaven AND on earth has been given to ME.”

Colossians 2:15, NIV …having DISARMED (“spoiled” – KJV) the powers and authorities, HE (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the CROSS.

The devil has NO REAL AUTHORITY; REMEMBER HE ASSUMED IT—Jesus STRIPPED him bare! Our Savior vanquished him at the Cross! satan is a defeated foe.

The word for “AUTHORITY” in Matthew 28:18 is exousia, and it means, “executive privilege, capacity, delegated influence; the liberty of doing as one pleases.” Don’t mistake me. If you do not know the Lord, the devil will chew you up and spit you out. But if you are a child of the living God, then “GREATER is He that is IN YOU, than he that is in the WORLD (1 Jn. 4:4 with Jn. 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4)!

Ephesians 4:27, KJV Neither give PLACE (“no opportunity” – RSV; “a foothold” – NIV; “a loophole” – NEB) to the devil (“You must not give a devil a chance” – Goodspeed).

I John 3:8, KJV …For this PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested, that He might DESTROY (luo – loosen, undo, dismantle; do away with) the WORKS of the devil.

I stand back and shake my head when I hear born-again, Spirit-filled believers singing songs about going over to the “enemy’s camp.” There is NO enemy’s camp—Jesus “DESTROYED” and dismantled it! The devil has no “PLACE,” so why do ignorant preachers and people continually try to give him one?

The word for “PLACE” in Ephesians 4:27 is topos (English, “topography”), and it means, “a spot, location; figuratively, condition, opportunity, power, occasion for acting.” Let’s heed the wise words of the seasoned apostle. Stop binding demons that He already bound. Stop praying the problem; prophesy the answer!

Stop worrying about the enemy. He has to FIND you first! We are so high up in Christ that our adversary cannot find our “HIDING PLACE” (Psa. 32:7; 119:114). We are in the Secret Place of the Most High under the shadow of the Almighty! Hidden beneath His wings.

Ps. 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

You have died, and your life is “HIDDEN with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

The strategy for this kind of living is simple. When you think that you hear the enemy knocking (in your thought life) , send Christ to the door! Let HIM fight your battles. He already has! AND WON!!

And Conveyed Us into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love

Notice the kingdom of God is the Kingdom of the Son of His love. Love conquers all.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 Pet. 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Ephesians 2:5 and Colossians 2:13 tells us that when He was quickened WE were quickened together WITH HIM. When He was made alive we were also made alive. Salvation was objectively secured for us over two thousand years ago. In order to EXPERIENCE this salvation subjectively, one simply acknowledges by faith that it IS an accomplished fact already. And all you do is accept that!

Truths:
Col. 1:13 I have been delivered from the power of darkness and I have been translated into the kingdom of the God.
Col. 1:14 I have redemption through His blood.
Col. 1:14 I have the forgiveness of sins.
Col. 1:20 I am reconciled to God having made peace with Him.
Col. 2:3 I have all the treasuries of wisdom and knowledge.
Col. 3:3 I am made complete and perfect.
Col. 3:3 My life is hidden with Him in God.

Col. 1:14 in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
1:14 In God’s mind mankind is associated in Christ; in his blood sacrifice we were ransomed; our redemption was secured; our sins were completely done away with. (The word sin, is the word hamartia, from ha, negative or without and meros, portion or form, thus to be without your allotted portion or without form, pointing to a disorientated, distorted, bankrupt identity; the word meros, is the stem of morphe, as in 2 Corinthians 3:18 the word metamorphe, with form, which is the opposite of hamartia – without form. Sin is to live out of context with the blueprint of one’s design; to behave out of tune with God’s original harmony. See Deuteronomy 32:18, “You have forgotten the Rock that begot you and have gotten out of step with the God who danced with you!” Hebrew, khul or kheel, to dance. Sin distorts the life of our design. Jesus reveals and redeemed our true form.) Mirror
1:14 In our eternal union with our Father Creator, we hold and possess the freedom from missing the mark – mistaken identity. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible

In Whom We have Redemption Through His Blood the Forgiveness of Sins

Says the same in: Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Greek aphesuis- meaning remission of sins. ( Remission is the doing away with, not just covering)

DOCTRINE OF POSITIONAL TRUTH (UNION WITH CHRIST)

Spiritual/Vital Union:

Our union with Christ is not a mere external, legal union which brings about a change of our position before God, but it is also a spiritual union with Christ which is internal and vital. Christ not only works from without, being separate from us, but works spiritually from within. Our position in Christ is an external pronouncement, but the union extends beyond this to include an internal reality. He is in us and we are in Him.

According to Paul our spirit is joined with His Spirit (I Corinthians 6:17). It is an interpenetration of spirits. We not only stand positionally in His righteousness and grace, but we actually partake of it through our spiritual union with Him. Just as the vine gives all things necessary to life to the branches (John 15:1-6), so Christ is our source for of every spiritual blessing and eternal life.

Because of our union with Him we have the same life, united in such a way as if the same blood ran through both our veins. Our spiritual life flows from His. Apart from our connection to Him we cannot bear spiritual fruit, nor can we have life. But by virtue of our spiritual connection with His person and work, whatever can be said of Christ can be said of us.

1 John 4:19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment/crisis; because as He is, so are we in this world.

I am Accepted: a child of God, the friend of Christ, and one spirit with Him— John 1:12; 15:15; 1 Corinthians 6:17. The Father has declared me righteous in His sight, adopted me into His Family, given me direct access to Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ, redeemed my soul and forgiven my sins, and made me complete in His Son— Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:18; Colossians 1:14 and 2:10.

100 LEGALITIES THAT I AM IN CHRIST
In Jesus Christ:

1. John 1:4 I have life and that life is the light of all men.
2. John 3:15-16 I have eternal life.
3. Rom. 3:24 I have been justified by faith.
4. Rom. 5:1 I have peace with God.
5. Rom. 5:8 I am loved of God.
6. Rom. 5:17 I have an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.
7. Rom. 6:17 I reign in life.
8. Rom. 6:4 I walk in newness of life.
9. Rom. 6:11 I reckon myself to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God.
10. Rom. 7:4 I bring forth fruits unto God.
11. Rom. 8:1 I have no condemnation.
12. Rom. 8:2 I have been made free from the law of sin and death.
13. Rom. 8:2 I live by the law of the Spirit of Christ
14. Rom. 8:16 I am a child of God.
15. Rom. 8:17 I am an heir of God.
16. Rom. 8:17 I am a joint heir of God.
17. Rom. 8:32 I freely receive all things from God.
18.Rom. 8:37 I am a more than conqueror.
19. Rom. 8:38-39 There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God.
20. 1 Cor. 1:2 I am sanctified.
21. 1 Cor. 1:5 I am enriched in all knowledge.
22. 1 Cor. 1:30 I have wisdom.
23. 1 Cor. 1:30 I have righteousness.
24. 1 Cor. 1:30 I have sanctification.
25. 1 Cor. 1:30 I have redemption
26. 1 Cor.15:20-22 I shall be resurrected, the same resurrection power that resided in Christ Jesus resides IN ME.
27. 1 Cor. 15:57 I have victory over death, hell and he grave.
28. 2 Cor. 1:20 All promises of God are yes and amen to me.
29. 2 Corinthians 1:21 I am established.
30. 2 Cor. 1:21 I am anointed.
31. 2 Cor. 2:14 I always triumph.
32. 2 Cor. 2:15 I am a sweet fragrance to God.
33. 2 Cor. 3:14 My mind is renewed and enlightened.
34. 2 Corinthians 5:17 I am new creation; old things have passed away; and all things have been made new.
35. 2 Cor. 5:18 I have the ministry of reconciliation.
36. 2 Cor. 5:20 I am an ambassador of God.
37. 2 Cor. 5:21 I am made the righteousness in God.
38. 2 Cor. 13:4 I live by the power of God.
39. Gal. 2:4 I have liberty.
40. Gal. 3:13 I have been redeemed us from the curse of the law.
41. Gal. 3:14 I have the blessings of Abraham.
42. Gal. 4:7 I am a son/daughter of God.
43. Gal. 5:6 I have faith which works by love.
44. Eph. 1:3 I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
45. Eph. 1:4 I have been chosen before the foundation of the world.
46. Eph. 1:6 I am accepted of God.
47. Eph. 2:5 I have the life of God.
48. Eph. 2:6 I now sit together in the heavenly places.
49. Eph. 2:7 I have the exceeding riches of His grace I and His kindness.
50. Eph. 2:10 I am a His workmanship.
51. Eph. 2:10 I am created for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
52. Eph. 2:22 I am being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
53. Eph. 3:12 I have boldness and access with confidence before God.
54. Eph. 5:8 I am a shining light.
55. Eph. 6:10 I am strong in the power of His might.
56. Phil. 3:4 I have the high calling of God.
57. Phil. 4:6 I am anxious for nothing, I do not worry.
58. Phil 4:7 I have the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.
59. Phil 4:7 I have the peace of God which guards my heart and mind.
60. Phil 4:13 I have strength.
61. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
62. Phil 4:19. All my needs are met according to His riches in glory.
63. Colossians 1:13 I have been delivered from the power of darkness.
64. Col. 1:13 I have been translated into the kingdom of the God.
65. Col. 1:14 I have redemption through His blood.
66. Col. 1:14 I have the forgiveness of sins.
67. Col. 1:20 I am reconciled to God having made peace with Him.
68. Col. 2:3 I have all the treasuries of wisdom and knowledge.
69. Col. 3:3 I am made complete and perfect.
70. Col. 3:3 My life is hidden with Him in God.
71. 1 Tim. 1:4 I have abundant love.
72. 2 Tim. 2:10 I have obtained salvation with eternal glory.
73. Heb. 7:25 I am saved to the uttermost.
74. Heb.9:12 I have obtained eternal redemption.
75. Heb. 9:12 I have eternal inheritance.
76. Heb. 13:21 I am made perfect in every good work to do His will.
77. 1 Peter 1:3 I have abundant mercy from God.
78. 1 Peter 1:3 I have a lively hope.
79. 1 Pet. 1:8 I have joy inexpressible.
80. 1 Pet. 2:5 I am a holy priest of God.
81. 1 Pet. 5:10 I am settled.
82. 1 John 1:7 I have fellowship with all believers.
83. 1 John 2:27 I have received the anointing which teaches me all things.
84. 1 John 3:24 I have the Spirit of God.
85. 1 John 4:4 I have overcome the devil, the flesh, and the world.
86. 1 John 4:15 God dwells in me.
87. 1 John 4:16 I have the love that God.
88. 1 John 4:16 I have no fear in love.
89. 1 John 5:4 I have overcome the world.
90.1 John 5:4 I have victory.
91. 1 John 5:20 I have understanding.
92. 1 John 5:20 I know God.
93. Jude 1:24 I am kept from stumbling and falling away.
94. Jude 1: 24 I am sinless, faultless and perfect in His glorious presence.
95. Rev. 12:11 I have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.
96. 1 Sam. 2:26 I grow in favor with the Lord and with men.
97. Ps. 37:23 My steps are ordered by the Lord.
98. Ps. 91:10 The Lord keeps me from evil and from harm.
99. Ps. 103:2-3, Ps. 68:19, 2 Peter 2:24 I have been forgiven and He has healed all my diseases; by His stripes I was healed.
100. Ps. 107:20 I am healed and delivered from destruction.

This is not an all inclusive list.
We will continue with Les.1 next week.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

David & Mary Sue

In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES, Uncategorized

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS LESSON 1 – 3/19/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
LESSON 1

Chapter 1 Cont.’:

Col. 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
1:12 We are grateful to the Father who qualified us to participate in the complete portion of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (The light of the Gospel reveals what God accomplished to transform the sinner into a saint; from hagos, an awful thing to hagios, a consecrated object: “call no-one unholy or unclean.” Acts 10:28). Mirror
1:12 as the image of our Father, who has enabled us to co-sharer this birthright with the Whole of humanity, as the True Light of the World. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible

Thanks to the Father

Eph. 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 136: 1-3 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

There are many ways to praise and thank God for what he has done for us, such as praying: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). We should continually remember to thank God for all things through prayer. Another way to give praise is by “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

Partakers of the Inheritance

Inheritance as Sons of God

Rom. 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

WE ARE MOVING FROM SPIRITUAL BABES OF HIS HOUSEHOLD TO MATURE HEIRS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD!

If we want our inheritance, then we have to grow up. Only sons receive inheritance, not babes. What is our inheritance? Our inheritance is to eat of the solid food of heaven; divine and secret mysteries, great power and anointing from the Holy Spirit, and the very glory of God as our own atmosphere! To bear much fruit and that fruit remain.

PERFECT MEANS MATURE
Ephesians 4:11-14a:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children.”

Over the last several decades the Lord has worked diligently to restore the five-fold ministry within the church. Now it’s time for the body to be equipped, mature into a man/woman, operating in the fullness of Christ, and no longer be children!

Characteristics of the Manifested Sons of God:
1. are the elect of God
2. those who have aligned themselves with God
3. who listen to His voice
4. who put on His mind
5. who obey His commands
6. who walk in His nature
7. who do His will
8. who do His divine purpose
9. who are faithful, loyal subjects
10. true citizens, under His rule and authority
11. ambassadors for Christ
12. heirs & joint heirs with Christ
13. who carry His glory
14. know and practice that Jesus is Savior and Lord
15. also know who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us

Inheritance as Saints/Sons of God

Whatever Christ inherits, the saints/sons of God will inherit also. What do Christ and the saints inherit together?
All Things (The Universe)
In Heb. 1:2, we learn that Christ has been “appointed heir of all things”. The saints will share in this inheritance, for in the book of Romans, we read:
Rom. 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Thus, with Christ, the saints inherit the universe.
1. The World
As the Seed (Christ) of Abraham, the saints inherit the world:
Rom. 4:13: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world (Greek: kosmos) was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
Gal. 3:16: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds’, as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed’, who is Christ.”
Gal. 3:29: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Why is “the world” stated as the inheritance of the seed of Abraham? The Greek word “kosmos” means “orderly arrangement” (Strong’s Concordance); and thus refers to the world as an ordered system in all its variety of created things (both animate and inanimate), and including all of its inhabitants. The original promise made to Abraham is noteworthy:
Gen. 22:17: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore;” … [KJV] Thus, it is only in Christ that Abraham’s seed will be so multiplied. This vast number refers to those redeemed in Christ, which in the fullness of time will include all humanity (1 Cor. 15:22). There is a connection here with Christ’s words as recorded in John’s gospel:
John 3:16: … “for God did so love the world, that his Son — the only begotten — He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.” [Young] God so loved the people of the world that He sent his Son to save them from sin and death. In context, this mention of the world — the kosmos — refers to all the people of the world throughout the ages, and confirms God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind. As heirs of the world, the saints will judge the world (1 Cor. 6:2). Thus, the first-born saints participate in God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind.
We are not talking about the world system as it is now but, when the The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ
(Rev 11:15) And the seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.
2.The Kingdom of God
The saints inherit the kingdom of God. The inheritance of the kingdom is directly connected with the inheritance of incorruption and immortality:
1 Cor. 15:50,53: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. … For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Incorruption and immortality are related to eternal (aeonial) life. Incorruption and immortality refer to endless life. Aeonial life refers to the quality of this endless life; for aeonial life is that life which God imparts in accordance with his purpose or plan of the ages:
Rom. 2:5-7: … “righteous judgment of God, who shall render to each according to his works; to those, indeed, who in continuance of a good work, do seek glory, and honour, and incorruptibility — life age-during;” … [Young] Thusly we children of the King and are kings under the King of Kings;
3.Eternal Life (Aeonial life)
In many translations of the Bible (KJV, NKJV, NIV, etc.) we read of “eternal life”. Robert Young (Young’s Literal Translation) speaks of “age-during life”; R.F. Weymouth (New Testament in Modern Speech) speaks of “life of the ages”; and Andrew Jukes (The Restitution of All Things) speaks of “aeonial life”.
In scripture, God is called both the “King of the Ages” (1 Tim. 1:17; Weymouth) and the “God of the Ages” (Rom. 16:26; Weymouth). As such, He has a “purpose of the ages” (Eph. 3:11; Weymouth; footnote). According to this purpose, He imparts Life of the Ages to the saints.
Titus 3:5-7: … “He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been declared righteous by His grace, heirs we may become according to the hope of life age- during.” [Young] Andrew Jukes, in his Restitution of All Things, (pp. 65-68), speaks of “aeonial life”:
“Aeonial or eternal life therefore is not, as so many think, the living on and on for ever and ever. It is rather, as our Lord defines it, a life, the distinctive peculiarity of which is, that it has to do with a Saviour, and so is part of a remedial plan. … Nor does this affect the true eternity of bliss of God’s elect, or of the redeemed who are brought back to live in God, and to be partakers of Christ’s ‘endless life’ (Heb. 7:16), of whom it is said, “Neither can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:36); for this depends on a participation in the divine nature, and upon that power which can ‘change these vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue even all things unto Himself'” (Phil. 3:21).
4.Salvation ( sozo, soteria)
By Christ’s sacrifice, the saints have been saved from sin and death (Rom. 8:2), and thus inherit salvation:
Heb. 1:14: “Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
What is our salvation inheritance?
5.The Promises
Paul refers to the saints as “heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). The saints inherit the promises:
Heb. 6:12: … “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
There are many promises mentioned in the New Testament, and all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ:
1 Cor. 1:20: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
The Holy Spirit has come by promise (Eph. 1:13). The eternal (aeonial) inheritance of the saints has been promised also (Heb. 9:15).
6. The Seal of Approval, Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Eph. 1:12-14: … “for our being to the praise of His glory, even those who did first hope in the Christ, in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth — the good news of your salvation — in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.” [Young] The indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee (earnest) which secures the inheritance of the saints “to the redemption of the acquired possession”. Peter refers to the saints as a “people acquired” (1 Pet. 2:9; Young). The saints, then, are the “acquired possession” who will be redeemed “at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:51-54). The saints have been both purchased and redeemed by the blood of Christ:
1 Cor. 7:23: … “with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men” … [Young] Eph. 1:6-7: … “He did make us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have the redemption through his blood” … [Young] (Php 4:1) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
We are His………
Beloved, longed for brethren, joy, crown, crown of creation, own special kin, special people, chosen generation, holy nation, possession (bought with a price),elect, precious……….
Just to name a few
What is Jesus’s inheritance? …same as ours except He paid the price.
(Heb 12:2) looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

His inheritance is a community of redeemed people made one in Him. John 17
In the Saints- Saints – NT:40 hatios, sacred, perfect and pure.

I have the Ephesians/Colossians personalized prayers for you of you would like a copy. Please request a copy at: ms_davis@bellsouth.net

We will continue with Les.1 next week.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

David & Mary Sue

In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS LESSON 1 – 3/12/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
Chapter 1
Col. 1:10-11
Col. 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
1:10 Go on a walkabout tour to explore the extent of the land that is yours under his Lordship. Now you can conduct yourselves appropriately towards him, pleasing him in every harvest of good works that you bear. Meanwhile, you continue to increase in your intimate acquaintance with that which God knows to be true about you. This results in the most attractive and fulfilled life possible. (The word, peripateo, means to walk about everywhere. The knowledge of God is not our perception of him, but his knowledge of us; to know even as we have always been known. [Jer 1:5, 1 Cor. 13:12) Mirror
1:10 That you might tread around in life, equal to our Father Creator in your entire being, being agreeable in every effort producing good fruit and waxing strong in the full discernment and fellowship with Father, the supreme Divinity in and as all. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
Walk Worthy of the Lord–What is it to walk worthy of the Lord?
1. Walk in love.
2. Walk in purity.
3. Walk in peace.
4. Walk in faith.
In other words, walk in the Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” (John 6:63).
The flesh being led by the 5 senses as discussed earlier. But just a bit of review:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1, 2, NKJV).
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:13-15, NKJV).
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
The mind must be renewed to this fact. We can choose to live in the flesh ( led by the 5 senses) really the law of sin and death or we can live and walk in the Spirit, the law of life in Christ Jesus. Instead of realizing the spiritual potential that God has intended and which empowers saints to walk in His steps, a belief in this illusion guarantees that one will continue to struggle needlessly and live far beneath his calling. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to all who come to Him. Accompanying that power is an ability to walk free from all the elementary things to which one was bound before. It is not as though the world, the flesh, and the devil no longer exert any influence or carry an ability to tempt.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV). The marvelous promise of the New Covenant is that Jesus Christ has paid for our release from the prison of sin–NOW. The sentence against us has not just been suspended; it has been cancelled altogether. We are not merely emancipated from the penalty of sin, but also from its power.
Fully Pleasing Him
Related Scriptures:
“Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10
“We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1
“Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:22
What pleases God? You do. For on the 6th day God said after creating mankind: Gen.1:31, KJV: “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
And when we displease Him. He is a person. He has moral sensitivities. We please him, and we displease him, moment by moment. Within the gospel framework of his grace, inside the relationship of his fatherly acceptance, he is fully capable of confronting us. Not rejecting us, not casting us off, but correcting us. Because He’s a Good Father.
Fruitful in Every Good Work–If we are to live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing unto him, we must know God and his will (intimacy), be strengthened in our innermost being (character), and bear fruit in every good work (contribution). The word “work” in this passage means “work, task, employment, deed, action.” God does not desire for us to grow in intimacy and Christ-likeness (who we ARE) while not actively engaging with the world around us (what we DO). He wants us to also be productive.
Out of my being comes doing. James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Works here is corresponding action of the Holy Spirit.
Work-2041 érgon (from ergō, “to work, accomplish”) – a work or worker who accomplishes something. 2041 /érgon (“work”) is a deed (action) that carries out (completes) an inner desire (intension, purpose) of Holy Spirit.
Increasing in the Knowledge of God–The knowledge of God is like a garment we put on that is way too big for us. We need to continue to grow into it. But the interesting thing is that for a Christian, the growing process never stops. The knowledge of God is a garment that you could never possibly grow all the way into. The knowledge of God is so vast, and deep, and wide, and high that you could spend a hundred lifetimes growing in your knowledge of God, and you would still have an incredible amount of growing yet to do. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in Romans chapter 11:33-34: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?’ ‘Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?’ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Yet, we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor. 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Col. 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
1:11 You are empowered in the dynamic of God’s strength; his mind is made up about you! He enables you to be strong in endurance and steadfastness with joy. (His glorious power, or doxa, comes from dokeo, to recognize for what it really is, true opinion; God’s intention—his mind made up). Mirror
1:11 In this state of being, with miraculous power to enable great vigor Himself, we can continue in permanent bliss. RERichmond Tree of Life Bible
Strengthened with All Might–“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom. 12: This is similar to what Paul is writing to the Colossians. He wants us to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding and strengthened with His Might. Here we are renewed in our minds – made new in our minds – so that we might prove, test and discern what the will of God is.
It takes a power beyond your own to walk in a manner worthy of God and that is pleasing to Him in all respects, We are not able to live lives that are pleasing to God in our own strength. We are not able to live lives that accomplish God’s purposes in our own strength. We must be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. There is a repetition of words here. The first two words strengthened and power are forms of the same word. We have in English dynamite, dynamo/ dunamis, from this Greek word. We might say strengthened with all strength or empowered with all power to get the idea of the same words used but strengthened with all power gives you that sense. “…according to His glorious might….” The word might is a word used of the power of God in the Old Testament. His might, His power, His strength.
According to His Glorious Power–Many times in Scripture God is referred to as Almighty. In other words, He is the God of not just some might or a lot of might, He is the God of ALL might. He is only able to strengthen us with all might because He is almighty. Our ability to walk in accordance with the will of God is only through the almighty God living in and through us and working in us according to His glorious power!
Almighty- having absolute power over-all.
Related Scripture: Eph. 1:19-21 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality[a] and [b]power and [c]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
I. Three Greek Power words
  A. Vs 19 Greatness of His POWER
    1. Def Power: #1411 dunamis: miraculous power
  B. Vs 19 mighty POWER
    1. Def POWER: #2904 kratos: dominion / a ruling power
  C. Vs 21 POWER
    1. Def Power: exeusia #1849: authority, influence
II. Vs 19 Dunamis /dynamite power: exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.
  A. Speaking of the power God manifests toward believers of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    1. Rom 1:16 the gospel of Jesus Christ” for it is the power (dunamis) of God unto salvation.
    2. Dunamis power does not stop with salvation, but is toward us setting us free from strongholds:
      a. John 8:31 truth (you know) makes your free.
      b. Acts 10:98 anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and power (dunamis) …. healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
  B. This same dunamis power is to flow through our life as we witness and minister:
    1. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power (dunamis) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.
      a. We are to operate in the same dunamis power that Jesus flowed in: Mark 16:15-18.
III. Eph 1:19 Kratos power: is described as mighty power.
  A. Def Mighty: strength Def Power: dominion, ruling power
    1. This dominion was first given to man in the garden of Eden: Gen 1:26.
  B. Through the New Birth ( realizing we are born from above) we can retake our kratos power to rule:
    1. Rom 5:17 reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
      a. Def Reign: king, to rule
  C. With our spiritual weapons of warfare: we activate kratos dominion / power to rule:
    1. Eph 6:10 Be strong in the Lord, and in the power (kratos) of His might.
      a. Eph 6:11 teaches us how to be strong in The Lord: Put on the whole armor of God.
IV. Eph 1:21 POWER exusia: authority and influence.
 Eph 2:2 in times past you walked according to the course of this world, living in the sense realm, according to the prince of the power (exusia) of the air.
    1. That enemy influence has been broken off of the life of the believer:
      a. Col 1:14 Who (Jesus) hath delivered us from the assumed power (exusia) of darkness.
  B. Now the Lord expects each of us to operate in exusia / authority / power as He did:
    1. Jesus ministered the Word of God with exusia / authority / power: Luke 4:31-32.
    2. The early Apostles ministered the word in exusia / authority / power: 1 Thess. 1:5.
    3. Jesus has given us the same exusia / authority / power He ministered in:
      a. Luke 10:19 I give unto you power (exusia) … over all the assumed power (dunamis) of the enemy.
    4. The Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ has been given unto us as a source of delegated authority exusia power.
      a. Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power (exusai) and might, and dominion, and Every name that is named..
        a. It does not matter what its name may be: sin, addiction, defeat, sickness, poverty, or whatever demon, you have POWER /DUNAMIS over it.
For All Patience and Longsuffering with Joy
Patience is the Greek word hypomone (Strong’s #5278) which is a compound word made up of two other words: hypo (a preposition meaning ‘under’) and moneo (a verb meaning to ‘remain’ or ‘abide’). Thus, the idea is to ‘remain under’ or ‘abide under’ difficult circumstances – as when it is not possible to escape or avoid them. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, an excellent resource for those who want to dig further into the meaning of the original language, gives the meaning as ‘to bear up courageously (under suffering).
Longsuffering is the Greek word makrothumia (Strong’s #3115) which is related to another compound word made up of makros (‘long’ or ‘far’) and thumos (‘wrath’ or ‘fierceness’). Although thumos can mean wrath or fierceness, its usage in this compound form carries the idea of ‘temper.’ Thus, makrothumia denotes remaining in a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances.
As one can see, these words are very close in meaning and it is impossible to make a hard and fast distinction between where one or the other might be used to denote the idea of endurance and patience. Within the context of Colossians 1:11, the word translated by patience emphasizes endurance in the midst of difficult circumstances whereas the word translated by longsuffering emphasizes the attitude or frame of mind we are to have during the difficult time.
We will continue with Les.1 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue
In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS LESSON 1 – 2/19/2022

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS

LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION 

Colossians is named for the city of Colosse, where the church it was addressed to was located. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at Laodicea (4:16).

 Author and Date–Paul is identified as author at the beginning (1:1; cf. v. 23; 4:18), as customarily in his epistles. The testimony of the early church, including such key figures as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius, confirms that the opening claim is genuine. Additional evidence for Paul’s authorship comes from the book’s close parallels with Philemon, which is universally accepted as having been written by Paul. Both were written (ca. A.D. 60–62) while Paul was a prisoner in Rome (4:3, 10, 18; Philem. 9, 10, 13, 23); plus the names of the same people (e.g., Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas) appear in both epistles, showing that both were written by the same author at about the same time.

 Background and Setting–Colosse was a city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mi. E of Ephesus in the region of the 7 churches of Rev. 1–3. The city lay alongside the Lycus River, not far from where it flowed into the Maender River. The Lycus Valley narrowed at Colosse to a width of about two mi., and Mt. Cadmus rose 8,000 feet above the city.

Colosse was a thriving city in the fifth century B.C. when the Persian king Xerxes (Ahasuerus, cf. Esth. 1:1) marched through the region. Black wool and dyes (made from the nearby chalk deposits) were important products. In addition, the city was situated at the junction of the main north-south and east-west trade routes. By Paul’s day, however, the main road had been rerouted through nearby Laodicea, thus bypassing Colosse and leading to its decline and the rise of the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.

 Although Colosse’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223–187 B.C.). Colosse’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.

The church at Colosse began during Paul’s 3-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19). Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (2:1); but Epaphras (1:5–7), who apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus, then likely started the church in Colosse when he returned home. Several years after the Colossian church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it—one not identified with any particular historical system. It contained elements of what later became known as Gnosticism: that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus Christ was merely one of a series of emanations descending from God and being less than God (a belief that led them to deny His true humanity), and that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation. The Colossian heresy also embraced aspects of Jewish legalism, e.g., the necessity of circumcision for salvation, observance of the ceremonial rituals of the OT law (dietary laws, festivals, Sabbaths), and rigid asceticism. It also called for the worship of angels and mystical experience. Epaphras was so concerned about this heresy that he made the long journey from Colosse to Rome (4:12, 13), where Paul was a prisoner.

 This letter was written from prison in Rome (Acts 28:16–31) sometime between A.D. 60–62 and is, therefore, referred to as a Prison Epistle (along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon). It may have been composed almost contemporaneously with Ephesians and initially sent with that epistle and Philemon by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21, 22; Col. 4:7, 8). See Introduction to Philippians: Author and Date for a discussion of the city from which Paul wrote. He wrote this letter to warn the Colossians against the heresy they faced, and sent the letter to them with Tychicus, who was accompanying the runaway slave Onesimus back to his master, Philemon, a member of the Colossian church (4:7–9; see Introduction to Philemon: Background and Setting). Epaphras remained behind in Rome (cf. Philem. 23), perhaps to receive further instruction from Paul.

Historical and Theological Themes

 Colossians contains teaching on several key areas of theology, including the deity of Christ (1:15–20; 2:2–10), reconciliation (1:20–23), redemption (1:13, 14; 2:13, 14; 3:9–11), election (3:12), forgiveness (3:13), and the nature of the church (1:18, 24, 25; 2:19; 3:11, 15). Also, as noted above, it refutes the heretical teaching that threatened the Colossian church (chap. 2).

 Interpretive Challenges

Those cults that deny Christ’s deity have seized upon the description of Him as “the firstborn over all creation” (1:15) as proof that He was a created being. Paul’s statement that believers will be “holy, and blameless, and above reproach” if they “continue in the faith” (1:22, 23) has led some to teach that believers can lose their salvation. Some have argued for the existence of purgatory based on Paul’s statement, “I … fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” (1:24), while others see support for baptismal regeneration (2:12). The identity of the “epistle from Laodicea” (4:16) has also prompted much discussion.

 Outline

  1. Personal Matters (1:1–14)
  2. Paul’s Greeting (1:1, 2)
  3. Paul’s Thankfulness (1:3–8)
  4. Paul’s Prayer (1:9–14)
  5. Doctrinal Instruction (1:15–2:23)
  6. About Christ’s Deity (1:15–23)
  7. About Paul’s Ministry (1:24–2:7)
  8. About False Philosophy (2:8–23)

III. Practical Exhortations (3:1–4:18)

  1. Christian Conduct (3:1–17)
  2. Christian Households (3:18–4:1)
  3. Christian Speech (4:2–6)
  4. Christian Friends (4:7–18)

 Mirror Introduction

In this marvelous work, Paul continues to eloquently celebrate the perfection of God’s work in Christ in redeeming his likeness in us. His aim is to make the mystery of the gospel known in its most accurate context; the unveiling of Christ in us completes our every expectation. Paul sees the whole world as his audience! He has no other agenda but to reveal Christ in the nations! Col 1:28 This is the essence and focus of our message; we awaken every person’s mind, instructing every individual by bringing them into full understanding (flawless clarity) in order that we may prove (present) everyone perfect in Christ. Col 1:15 In him the image and likeness of God is made visible in human life; in order that every one may recognize their true origin in him; he is the firstborn of every creature. (What darkness veiled from us he unveiled. In him we clearly see the mirror reflection of our original life. The son of his love gives accurate evidence of his image in human form. God can never again be invisible!) Col 2:9-10 Christ reveals that there is no place in the universe where God would rather be; his fullness physically resides in Christ! Jesus proves that human life is tailor-made for God! Jesus Christ mirrors our completeness; he is I am in us. Any teaching that leaves you with a sense of lack and imperfection rather than completeness is a distraction from the truth. Col 2:16 Do not let anyone therefore bring a restriction to your freedom by reviving religious rules and regulations pertaining to eating and drinking; all Jewish festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths have come to an end in Christ! The religious facade that disguised the law of works as a means of defining a person’s life, was openly defeated. The success of the Cross will never be silenced! Col 3:1 Since you are in fact raised together with Christ, relocate yourselves mentally; engage your thoughts with throne room realities! Col 4:4 My sincere desire is that my message will accurately unveil the mystery of Christ in its most complete context. You! This is the mission of my life! (Eph 3:9)

 Toit, Francois Du. Mirror Bible: A selection of key New Testament texts paraphrased from the Greek (p. 393). Mirror Word Publishing (Kindle Edition by Ten10 Ebooks). Kindle Edition.

 THE PREDOMINATE THEME IN THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS IS “CHRIST IN YOU” MUCH AS IT WAS IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS!

 Here is a visual, artistic summary of the book of Colossians: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc

 Overview of Colossians:

We will continue with Les.1 next week.

 The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

 David & Mary Sue

In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

The Gospel Of Matthew – Lesson 8 2/12/2022

LESSON 8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
CHPTRS. 25-28

Chapter 28 Cont.’:

Explanations Matt. 28:1-20

A. The risen Jesus.
1. (1-3) Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany find an angel at the tomb.
a. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb: They came to finish the preparation of Jesus’ body, which was cut short by the Sabbath (Luke 24:1-3). So, after the Sabbath on Sunday (the first day of the week), they came to the tomb – fully expecting to find the dead body of Jesus.

b. There was a great earthquake: Matthew alone notes this earthquake. The earthquake did not cause the stone to be rolled away; if anything, the angelic rolling of the stone prompted the earthquake.

c. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it: When the women came to the tomb, they saw the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on the stone. The door to the tomb was wide open.
2. (4-6) The angel’s message.
a. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men: The Roman soldiers responsible for guarding the tomb were terrified. The angelic presence made these professional soldiers tremble and faint.

b. He is not here, for He is risen: For the first time, the followers of Jesus – these faithful women – heard what they did not expect to hear. They heard that Jesus was not in the tomb but risen to resurrection life.

c. Come, see the place where the Lord lay: The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out. John 20:19 tells us that Jesus, in His resurrection body, could pass through material barriers. It was rolled away so that others could see in and be persuaded that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.

· When we see the place where they laid Him, we see that the Father did not forsake Jesus.
· When we see the place where they laid Him, we see that death is conquered.
· When we see the place where they laid Him, we see that we have a living friend in Jesus.

3. (7-8) The angel’s instructions to Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany.
a. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead: The angel commanded them to be the first messengers of the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. Since these women were some of the few people courageous enough to publicly identify themselves with Jesus, it was an appropriate honor.
1). Not first to them who were the heads of the Church, as it were, but first of all to lowly women, did the Lord appear; and the apostles themselves had to go to school to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to learn that great truth.

b. He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him: This assured the women they would see the resurrected Jesus. He wasn’t simply raised from the dead; He was raised to continue His relationship with them.

4. (9-10) Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany meet a risen Jesus.
a. As they went to tell His disciples: The women met Jesus as they obeyed the command to tell the news of the resurrection.

b. Jesus met them, saying Rejoice! What else could Jesus say to these women? What else could they do other than rejoice?

c. So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him: When the women met Jesus, they felt compelled to worship Him. An hour before, they thought everything was lost because they thought Jesus was dead. Now they knew everything was gained because Jesus was alive.

d. Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me: Jesus told the women to do the same thing that the angel told them to do.

5. (11-15) The cover-up of the resurrection begins with the bribery of the guards.
a. Tell them, His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept: This cover-up attempt shows the darkness of these priests. They knew the truth of the resurrection, yet they rejected that truth.

b. While we slept: The cover-up also shows their foolishness. If it was true that the guards were asleep, they could not know that it was His disciples that stole the body of Jesus.

c. This saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day: Through the years, there have been many objections suggested to the resurrection of Jesus. Some say He didn’t die at all, but just swooned or fainted on the cross and spontaneously revived in the tomb. Others say He really died, but His body was stolen. Still others suggest He really died, but His desperate followers hallucinated His resurrection. A plain, simple understanding of these evidences of the resurrection of Jesus answers all of these theories, and shows they take far more faith to believe than the Biblical account does.

B. The great commission meet.
1. (16-17) The disciples meet Jesus at Galilee.
a. The eleven disciples went away into Galilee: Matthew doesn’t tell us about the Jerusalem appearances of Jesus to His disciples, as John does. Matthew was more interested in showing that the promise of Jesus in Matthew 26:32 was fulfilled.
b. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him: This was not their first meeting with the risen Jesus; but it was an important one. At this meeting, they received their apostolic commission.
c. They worshiped Him; but some doubted: The natural reaction to encountering the risen Jesus is worship, even if some had to overcome uncertainty and hesitation – probably from feeling it was too good to be true, and lingering shame from having forsaken Jesus during His suffering.

Matt. 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
28:18-20 THE FINAL MISVAH OF YAH SHUA And Yah Shua approaches and words with them, and words, All sultanship is given mein the heavens and on earth. And as my father apostolized me, I apostolize you. So go and disciple all peoples, baptizing them in the name* of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: doctrinating them to guard all — whatever I misvahed you: and behold, I am with you — I — every day until the shalam of the world. Ame.: Exodus 3:3—15; Aramaic NC

C. THE GREAT COMMISSION
1.(18-20) Jesus instructs His disciples regarding their duty after His departure.
a. All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth: This commission that follows is given in light of the authority of Jesus. This indicates that this is an authoritative command, not a suggestion. It is the same idea as if an officer reminded a private of his rank before he gave the order. Because He has this authority, He can send whomever He wills to do whatever He pleases. That authority he has given to us.
· We do not seek any other power.
· We defy every other power.
· We know our powerlessness will not hinder the progress of His kingdom.
· We give all our power unto Him.

Restoring the Dominion Mandate.

Gen.1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [a]moves on the earth.”

b. Go therefore: Because Jesus has this authority, we are therefore commanded to go. It is His authority that sends us, His authority that guides us, and His authority that empowers us. His work and message would continue to the world through His disciples.

c. Make disciples of all the nations: The command is to make disciples, not merely converts or supporters of a cause. The idea behind the word disciples is of scholars, learners, or students.

d. Of all the nations: In His previous ministry, Jesus deliberately restricted His work to the Jewish people (Matthew 15:24) and previously sent His disciples with the same restriction (Matthew 10:6). Only in rare exceptions did Jesus minister among the Gentiles (Matthew 15:21-28). Now all of that is in the past, and the disciples are commissioned to take the gospel to all the nations. There is no place on earth where the gospel of Jesus should not be preached and where disciples should not be made.

e. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Significantly, when Jesus told them to go to all the nations, He did not tell them to circumcise those who became disciples. Instead, they were to baptize them, suggesting the break with traditional Judaism.

f. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: Disciples are made through teaching. This teaching is not with words only, but with the power of the always-present Jesus. He will be present with His people until the job of making disciples is done – until the end of the age.

g. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age: Jesus sent His disciples with a mission to fulfill, but He did not send them alone. The promise of His constant presence was more than enough to strengthen and guide the disciples as they obeyed Jesus in making disciples of all the nations.
1). His presence means privilege, because we work with a Great King. Paul understood this principle well in 1 Corinthians 3:9, where he wrote: For we are God’s fellow workers. Since Jesus promised, “I am with you always,” then we work together with Him in all our service. We certainly work for Jesus, but more than that, we work with Jesus. We are co-laborers with Him.

Notice the Word says to make disciples and teach. (not just evangelize)

JESUS HAS GIVEN HIS AUTHORITY TO US; WE ARE TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES. LET US FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION!!

References:

Barclay, William. The Gospel of Matthew, Volume One (The New Daily Study Bible)

Albert Barnes from Barnes Notes on the New Testament

New Testament Commentary Survey: Carson

Adam Clarke Commentary

Dr. Tim and Theresa Early Apostles, Ministry Father, Life Coach & Founders of the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets International

The Gospel of Matthew – R. T. France

G. Campbell Morgan’s Exposition on the Whole Bible

Wade Taylor, Parousia Ministries –

Spurgeon’s Commentary on The Bible

Kelly Varner Ministries

This concludes our lessons of the Book of Matthew teaching. We will begin next week with the book of Colossians.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

David & Mary Sue

 

 

In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

The Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 8 2/5/2022

LESSON 8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
CHPTRS. 25-28
Chptr. 27 Cont.’: and Matt. 28
Explanations of Matt. 27: 50-66
Review: Did God forsake Jesus?
In scripture we find quite a few verses in the Old Testament that seem to indicate that while God promised not to forsake Israel Deut. 4:31 he then goes back on his word and does forsake them. But does he actually forsake them or does their sin have consequences; are they are reaping what they have sown? WE ANSWERED THIS IN THE LAST LESSON. Here are some of those verses for you to check out – Deut. 31:16-18; 1Ki 6:11-13; Neh. 9: all esp.30 ,31; Is. 59:2; Is. 54:8.
Let’s look at how God dealt with Jesus because that has a huge significance for us and our lives. Throughout his lifetime Jesus made some interesting claims.
John 10:30, I and my Father are one. That reality was never rescinded before, during or after the cross.
In John 14:9 -11 Jesus says four times that he and the Father are in each other. v9 He that has seen me has seen the Father. 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. In speaking of his coming death, Jesus believed the Father would not leave him to face it alone.
John 8:28,29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself…. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone.John 16:32, Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.Then we come to those famous words on the cross… My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me (Matt 27:46)
Did God really turn his back on Jesus and forsake him or was something quite different from what the words seem to imply actually happening. I believe that something different was happening. Scripture confirms it: I will never leave you or forsake you. Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5. Absolutely not.
d. This man is calling for Elijah: Sadly, Jesus was misunderstood and mocked until the bitter end. These observers thought it was all an interesting test case to see if Elijah would actually come.
1). As Jesus hung on the cross, His listeners misunderstood Him by taking the part for the whole. He said, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? Not only did they get wrong what they heard (Jesus said, “Eloi” not Elijah), but they also only heard one word of what He said. This will not do for the true follower of Jesus; we hear not only one word from Jesus, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.
e. Jesus cried out again with a loud voice: Most victims of crucifixion spent their last hours in complete exhaustion or unconsciousness before death. Jesus was not like this; though tremendously tortured and weakened, He was conscious and able to speak right up to the moment of His death.
1). The Fathers found in the loud cry a proof that Jesus died voluntarily, not from physical exhaustion. Some modern commentators, on the contrary, regard the cry as the utterance as one dying of a ruptured heart.
2). John 19:30 tells us that Jesus said, It is finished, which is one word in the ancient Greek – tetelestai, which means, paid in full. This was the cry of a winner, because Jesus fully paid the debt of sin we owe and finished the eternal purpose of the cross. EVERYTHING!! Note in the book of Revelation the Word says, It is done! Rev. 21:5.
A Brief Scriptural Synopsis of the Finished Work of Christ:
FOREVER!!!
* We are already cleansed and perfected by virtue of the finished work! (Hebrews 10:14) “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14 Amplified Bible) “For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.”
* We are already sanctified by virtue of the blood of the finished work! (Hebrews 13:12) “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
In the past I have always thought of sanctification as a process, however the Word clearly states that I am sanctified by one offering of the blood of Christ. So, the process involved is not a process of being sanctified, but rather a process of renewing my mind to the fact that I am already sanctified!
* The work was finished before it even started (in a sense)! (Hebrews 4:3) “…although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8) “..the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
* We must appropriate the finished work by faith! (Hebrews 4:1-3) “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest…”
f. And yielded up His spirit: No one took Jesus’ life from Him. Jesus, in a manner unlike any other man, yielded up His spirit. Death had no righteous hold over the sinless Son of God. He stood in the place of sinners, but never was or became a sinner Himself. Therefore, He could not die unless He yielded up His spirit.
1). As Jesus said, I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. (John 10:17-18)
2). He gave up his life because He willed it, when He willed it, and as He willed it. (Augustine)
4. (51-56) The immediate results of Jesus’ death.
a. The veil of the temple was torn in two: The veil was what separated the holy place from the most holy place in the temple. It was a vivid demonstration of the separation between God and man. Notably, the veil was torn from top to bottom, and it was God who did the tearing.
1). Acts 6:7 says that in the days of the early church, a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Perhaps this torn veil demonstrated to them the greatness of the work of Jesus. It is also probably how the torn veil became common knowledge.
2). “It is not a slight rent through which we may see a little; but it is rent from the top to the bottom.
g. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split: Nature itself was shaken by the death of the Son of God.
1). There should probably be a break between the end of Matthew 27:51 and the start of Matthew 27:52. We aren’t to suppose that the earthquake that happened and split rocks during the crucifixion also opened graves of some of the righteous dead; who waited in those open graves for three days until coming out of the graves after His resurrection. It is better to understand that Matthew intended us to see that the earthquake happened on the day Jesus was crucified. Then, on the day He was revealed as resurrected, the radiating power of new life was so great that it resuscitated some of the righteous dead.
h. Coming out of the graves after His resurrection: This is one of the strangest passages in the Gospel of Matthew. We don’t know about this event from any other source, and Matthew doesn’t tell us very much. So. we really don’t know what this was all about, but apparently these resuscitated saints died once again, because they were raised from the dead in the sense that Lazarus was – not to resurrection life, but to die again.
i. Truly this was the Son of God! The scene at the crucifixion of Jesus was so striking that even a hardened Roman centurion confessed that this was the Son of God. This man had supervised the death of perhaps hundreds of other men by crucifixion, but he knew there was something absolutely unique about Jesus.
k. And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar: Jesus not only made an impact upon rough and hardened men like the Roman centurion, but He also made an impact on women, even women like Mary Magdalene (the formerly demon-possessed woman who followed Jesus from Galilee, according to Luke 8:2).
1) Think of who was there at the cross.
· Men and women.· Jews and Gentiles.· Rich and poor.· High class and no class.· Religious and irreligious.· Guilty and innocent.· Haters of Jesus and lovers of Jesus.· Oppressors and the oppressed.· Weepers and mockers.· Educated and uneducated.· The deeply moved and the indifferent.· Different races, different nationalities, different languages, different classes.
E. The burial of Jesus.
1. (57-61) Joseph of Arimithea sets Jesus in his own tomb.
b. He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth: Joseph followed the burial customs of that day – the best he could, considering that they had very little time because the Sabbath drew near (Luke 23:54).
c. Laid it in his new tomb: He came into the world from a virgin’s womb; He came forth again from a virgin tomb. No body had ever been set in that tomb, so that when a body came forth and the tomb was empty, there was no possible confusion as to which body came forth.
d. He rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb: This was the customary way to seal an expensive tomb. A rich man like Joseph of Arimethea probably had a tomb carved into solid rock; this tomb was in a garden near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41). The tomb would commonly have a small entrance and perhaps one or more compartments where bodies were laid out after being somewhat mummified with spices, ointments, and linen strips. Customarily, the Jews left these bodies alone for a few years until they decayed down to the bones, then the bones were placed in a small stone box known as an ossuary. The ossuary remained in the tomb with the remains of other family members.
1). The door to the tomb was typically made of a heavy, circular shaped stone, running in a groove and settled down into a channel, so it could not be moved except by several strong men. This was done to ensure that no one would disturb the remains.
This is a suspected tomb site outside Jerusalem. There are many. No one knows the exact spot.
Israel Trip 2019
2. (62-66) The tomb is sealed and guarded.
a. Sir: They gave Pilate a title of honor and respect. But the day before these same religious leaders rejected the King of Kings. They mocked and despised Him, putting Jesus to open shame, but they honored Pilate.
b. We remember…how that deceiver said, After three days I will rise: Ironically, the enemies of Jesus remembered His promise of resurrection better than His own disciples remembered.
c. While He was still alive: In this, the enemies of Jesus admit that Jesus is dead. They did not believe the Swoon Theory, a conjecture that denies the resurrection, saying that Jesus never really died, but just swooned on the cross, and then somehow wonderfully revived in the tomb. Not truth.
d. Lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away: They couldn’t have been afraid of the disciples. They knew they were terrified and in hiding. They knew they were gone from the crucifixion scene. Their intelligence sources and informants let them know the disciples were terrified. Instead, they were afraid of the power of Jesus.
f. Sealing the stone and setting the guard: This describes the measures taken to secure the tomb of Jesus.
· Material obstacles don’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.
· Human authority doesn’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.
· Human strength doesn’t stand before the resurrected Jesus.
CHAPTER 28
Matthew 28:1-20
Matt. 28:1-17 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.6 “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.7 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to bring His disciples word.9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’14 “And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.”15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
28:1-17 AH SHUA RESURRECTED And in the evening of the Shabbath until the dawning of the First Shabbath, Maryam the Magdelaita and the other Maryam see the tomb: and behold, a great quaking: for the angel of Yah Veh descends from the heavens and approaches and rolls the stone from the portal and sitting upon it and his semblance having been as lightning and his clothing being white as snow: and the guards are quaking in fear of him, and become as dead. And the angel answers the women, wording, You — frighten not: for I know you seek Yah Shua the staked: he is not here: for he has risen as he worded: come, see the place where our Lord had been lying: and go quickly and word to his disciples that he has risen from the house of the dead: and behold, he precedes you into Gelila— there you see him: behold, I have worded to you. And they go quickly from the tomb with fear and great cheer: and race to word to his disciples. And behold, as they go to word to his disciples, Yah Shua meets them there, wording, Shalom to you! — and they approach, hold him by the feet, and worship him. Then Yah Shua words to them, Awe not: go word to my brothers to go to Gelila and see me there.
WARRIORS BRIBED TO DENY THE RESURRECTION And when they go, behold, some of the humans of the custodians come to the city, and word to the Rabbi Priests all that became: and they assemble with the elders and take counsel: they give not a little silver to the custodians, and wording to them, Word that His disciples came and thieved him by night, when we were sleeping: and if this is heard in front of the governor, we convince — we to him, and we work that you not be anxious. And when they take the silver they work as they are doctrinated: and this word goes among the Yah Hudaya until this day. And the eleven disciples go to Gelila— to the mountain where Yah Shua appointed them — and when they see him, they worship him— and some are doubting. Aramaic NC
We will continue with Les.8 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue
In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

The Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 8 (Continued) 01-29-2022

LESSON 8

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

CHPTRS. 25-28

Chptr. 27 Cont.’:

Explanation Matt. 27:35b- and text Matt. 27:36-66, plus explanations for Matt 27:36-49

b. Then they crucified Him: It is significant to remember that Jesus did not suffer as the victim of circumstances. He was in control. Jesus said of His life in John 10:18, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” It is terrible to be forced to endure such torture, but to freely choose it out of love is remarkable. Can we ever rightly doubt God’s love for us again? Has He not gone to the most extreme length to demonstrate that love?
5. (35b) The Roman soldiers at the crucifixion of Jesus.
A. Divided His garments, casting lots: Jesus lost even His clothing at the cross. He was nailed to the cross as a naked, humiliated man.
1). Jesus came all the way down the ladder to accomplish our salvation. He let go of absolutely everything – even His clothes – becoming completely poor for us, so we could become completely rich in Him

Matt. 27:36-66 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.43 “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar,56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’64 “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
27:36-66 And they are sitting and guarding him there: and they place, over by his head, the cause of his death in a scripture, This is Yah Shua The Sovereign of the Yah Hudaya. Then they stake two robbers — one by the right and one by the left. And those passing over are blaspheming over him shaking their heads and wording. You who razes the nave and builds it in three days, deliver your soul! If you are the Son of God, descend from the stake! Likewise, also the Rabbi Priests with the scribes and elders and the Pherisas mocking him, wording, Others he enlivened: his soul he is not able to enliven. If he is the sovereign of Isra El, have him now descend from the stake: and we trust in him. He confides upon God: have him rescue him now — if he wills: for he words, I am the Son of God. Likewise, also the robbers whom they staked with him are also reproaching him. And from hour six, darkness being over all the earth to the ninth hour: and about the hour nine Yah Shua shouts with a resounding voice, wording, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, El, El, Why forsake you me? Psalm 22:1 Some of humanity — of those standing there, when hearing that word. This one calls to Eli Yah. And within the hour one of them races and takes a sponge and fills it with vinegar and places it on a reed and is watering him. Those remaining are wording, Allow! We see if Eli Yah rescues him. And he — Yah Shua again shouts with a resounding voice and releases his spirit. MATERIAL AND PHYSICAL REACTIONS  
And straightway, the face of the portal of the nave splits in twofrom above until below: and the earthquakes and the stones split and the tombs open and many bodies of the sleeping holy rise and come from the tombs after his resurrection and enter the holy city and manifest to many. And the centurion and those with him guarding Yah Shua when they see the quaking and all that become and they are frightening greatly, wording, Truly, this Son be of God. And there also have been many women observing from afar who had been following Yah Shua from Gelila who had been ministering to him — one of them, Maryam the Magdelaita, and Maryam the mother of Yaaqub and Yausi, and the mother of the sons of Zabedai. YAH SHUA ENTOMBED And when, being evening, a rich man of Ramtah named Yauseph comes — he also, being discipled by Yah Shua: approaches toward Philataus and asks for the body of Yah Shua: then Philataus misvahs to give the body to him: and Yauseph takes the body and binds it in pure linen: and places it in his own new tomb that was quarried in the stone: and he rolls a great stone placing it over portal of the house of the tomb and and goes: and there have been Maryam the Magdelaita and the other Maryam sitting toward the tomb. THE TOMB SEALED AND GUARDED And the day tomorrow having been after the lowering the Rabbi Priests and Pherisas congregate unto Philataus, and wording to him, Our Lord, we remember that deceiver wording, when living, From after three days I rise. So misvah to heed the tomb until day three — lest his disciples come and thieve him by night and word to the people, He rose from the house of the dead! — and the final deception being more evil than the first. Philataus word to them, You have a custodian: go and heed it as you know. And they go and heed the tomb — sealing the stone with a custodian. Aramaic NC
5. (36-37) The Roman soldiers at the crucifixion of Jesus.
A. That it might be fulfilled: Yet even in all this sin, pain, agony, and injustice God guided all things to His desired fulfillment.
a.It may seem that Jesus has no control over these events. Yet the invisible hand of God guided all things, so that specific prophecies were specifically fulfilled. 48 fulfilled –Here are a few: See Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11
• Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend.
See Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21
• Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver.
See Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3
• The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house.
See Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7
• Messiah is to be hated without cause.
See Isaiah 49:7; Psalm 69:5; fulfilled in John 15:24-25
• Messiah is to be silent before His accusers.
See Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12
• Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion, by having His hands and feet pierced.
See Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in John 19:28
• Messiah is to be given vinegar to quench His thirst.
See Psalm 69:21; fulfilled in Matthew 27:34
• Messiah is to be executed without having a bone broken.
See Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:21; fulfilled in John 19:33-36
• Messiah is to be buried with the rich when dead.
See Isaiah 53:9; fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60
• Messiah is to be raised from the dead.
See Isaiah 53:9-10; Psalm 2:7; 16:10; fulfilled in Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:23-36;13;33-37; 1 Corinthians 11:4-6
• Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief.
See Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5, 12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 5:27, 28
b. Sitting down, they kept watch over Him: This was to prevent someone from rescuing Jesus from the cross. Men were known to have lived after being taken down from a cross.
c. THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS: In John 19:21 we read that the religious leaders among the Jews objected to this title. They felt it was false, because they did not believe that Jesus was the King of the Jews. They also believed it was demeaning, because it showed Rome’s power to humiliate and torture even the King of the Jews. Yet Pilate would not alter this, and when asked to take down the inscription he answered, What I have written, I have written (John 19:22).
1). The written charge (or titulus) was normally carried before a criminal on the way to execution, or hung around his neck, and would then be fixed to the cross, thus reinforcing the deterrent effect of the punishment.
6. (38-44) Jesus is mocked on the cross.
a. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left: In His crucifixion, Jesus stood right in the center of sinful humanity. With the mockery of the criminals, the rejection of Jesus by His people is complete. Even criminals rejected Him.
1)The Jews placed him between these two, perhaps to intimate that he was the worst felon of the three.
2). One of these robbers trusted in Jesus, and one did not (Luke 23:39-43). He simply made a request. Luke 23: 42-43 And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when You come [d]in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
b. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads: In the midst of His staggering display of love, Jesus was not honored. Instead, He was blasphemed and His enemies sneered, saying, “Save Yourself. If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
1). Significantly, they mocked Jesus for who He really was and is.
· They mocked Him as a Savior.· They mocked Him as a King.· They mocked Him as a believer who trusted in God.· They mocked Him as the Son of God.
c. Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing: There were many low points to Jesus’ ordeal on the cross, but this is surely one of the lowest. Even among the three crucified men, Jesus was put in the “lowest” position.
D. The death of Jesus.
1. (45) An unusual darkness on the land.
a. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour: From the Roman reckoning of time, this was approximately from 12:00 noon until 3:00 in the afternoon. This unusual darkness lasted for some three hours, much longer than any natural eclipse.
1). This was not the entire time Jesus was on the cross, but the later part of that time. According to Mark 15:25 and 15:34, we can surmise that Jesus hung on the cross for about 6 hours (approximately between 9:00 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon).
2). This darkness was especially remarkable because it happened during a full moon – during which time Passover was always held – and during a full moon it is impossible that there be a natural eclipse of the sun.
b. There was darkness over all the land: The remarkable darkness all over the earth showed the agony of creation itself in the Creator’s suffering.
1). There was contemporary evidence for this unusual darkness. “Origen (Contra Celsus, ii,33) and Eusebius (Chron.) quoted words from Phlegon (a Roman historian) in which he made mention of an extraordinary solar eclipse as well as of an earthquake about the time of the crucifixion.” (Geldenhuys in his commentary on Luke)
2). Phlegon, Roman historian wrote: “In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was an extraordinary eclipse of the sun: at the sixth hour, the day turned into dark night, so that the stars in heaven were seen; and there was an earthquake.” (Cited in Clarke)
2. (46-49) Jesus cries out to the Father in agony.
a. My God, My God: In quoting Psalm 22, Jesus declared His fulfillment of that prophecy, in both its agony and in its exultation. The Psalm continues to say, You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You (Psalm 22:21b-22).
b. Why have You forsaken Me? Jesus had known great pain and suffering (both physical and emotional) during His life. Yet He had never known separation from His Father. At this moment, He experienced what He had not yet ever experienced. There was a significant sense in which Jesus rightly felt forsaken by the Father at this moment.
c. Why have You forsaken Me? The agony of this cry is significant. Did God separate Himself from Jesus? Some scholars say yes God did forsake Him and others say no.
Was Jesus Really Separated from God on the Cross?
He said: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus’ cry from the cross has for centuries been interpreted by the church to mean that the Father forsook Jesus, turned his face from him and left him to face the cross by himself. But is that true? Did the Father actually forsake Jesus and turn his back on him? As we read those words of Jesus in scripture a seed question becomes planted in our minds – if he forsook Jesus will he turn away from us? Did he forsake Jesus and will he forsake us? If we take the words of Jesus at face value, we might believe that God abandoned Jesus on the cross, however if we look at other scriptures and understand some cultural things we actually begin to see something different.
If we take the words of Jesus at face value we might believe that God abandoned Jesus on the cross, however if we look at other scriptures and understand some cultural things we actually begin to see something different.
In scripture we find quite a few verses in the Old Testament that seem to indicate that while God promised not to forsake Israel Deut. 4:31 he then goes back on his word and does forsake them. But does he actually forsake them or does their sin have consequences; are they are reaping what they have sown? Here are some of those verses for you to check out – Deut. 31:16-18; 1Kings 6:11-13; Neh. 9: all especially 30 ,31; Is. 59:2; Is. 54:8.
(Is. 54:8) In a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says Jehovah your Redeemer.
Let’s look at how God dealt with Jesus because that has a huge significance for us and our lives. Throughout his lifetime Jesus made some interesting claims.
John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” That reality was never rescinded before, during or after the cross.
In John 14:9 -11 Jesus says four times that he and the Father are in each other. v9 “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.”
In speaking of his coming death, Jesus believed the Father would not leave him to face it alone.
John 8:28,29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself…. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone.
John 16:32, Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Then we come to those famous words on the cross… My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me (Matt 27:46) Did God really turn his back on Jesus and forsake him or was something quite different from what the words seem to imply actually happening. I believe that something different was happening.
Why? Because God is good (Mark 10:18), He is love (1 John 4:8) He is faithful (Deut. 7:9) cannot be false to his word or who he is and his mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
Jesus perfectly fulfilled all the law and obeyed all Gods commandments so God couldn’t go back on his word and forsake Jesus. God said to the children of Israel that if they obeyed his laws then he would never leave nor forsake them (see verses earlier in article). Jesus himself believed the Father would not leave him or forsake him as seen earlier in this article.
Paul says in 2 Cor 5:19 …God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. God was IN Christ, they were one, and so he hung there too. The Amplified Bible says it like this “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).”(AMP)
Although mankind has felt abandoned or forsaken by God since the fall he was not. Even before mankind was created God made provision for the possibility of the fall, even then he decided he would never forsake us. Scripture tells us that Jesus was the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8)
Jesus, as fallen man, was identifying with us, taking on our sin; our grief, our confusion and the inaccurate feeling of abandonment by God that mankind had suffered since the fall. He was not speaking out of his feeling of abandonment, he knew God was with him, he was speaking out of ours. You might be thinking but the Bible says our sins have separated us from God and hidden his face from us (Is 59:2) Note here it is sin that does the separating, sin that hides Gods face from us making us not able to see him not God hiding himself from us because of sin. It is sin that is the bad guy not God. God has not forsaken or abandoned us because of our sin.
Col 1:21 says it all. Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.
Another thing that was happening at that point was something that would be yet another indicator to all present there at the cross, that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, the long awaited one. A teaching practice in those days was that the teacher / rabbi would say the first verse (as we know them) of a Psalm or passage and the listeners would know what was coming, where the teacher was going by quoting that verse.
Those words “My God, my God why have you forsaken me” are a quote of the first verse of Ps 22 – the prophetic, messianic, psalm of deliverance written by David that begins with that cry but goes on to say that God hasn’t despised him or his cry, he has not hidden his face from him, he has heard when he cried to him; and the passage ends with the declaration “they shall come and proclaim his righteousness because he has done it!“ In other words “It is finished” he has delivered us! David is telling us ahead of time that the Father will not turn his face from Jesus and Jesus refers the Jews back to that passage of deliverance by using this phrase.
Most of those Jews listening would know that Jesus was referencing the entire passage especially any Pharisees or Sadducees there. They knew their scriptures and were familiar with the Messianic prophecies. For those that heard this cry aright, they would have heard that Jesus did not feel forsaken; they would have heard that he was proclaiming hope and deliverance.
Yes there were some who did not get that, who thought he was crying out to Elijah but those possibly were not even Jews and while we can’t know that for sure we do know that there were many people there from different nations. Any Jew listening would have known that Eli means “My God” not “Elijah” so they would not be likely to have made that comment.
I conclude that God never forsake Jesus. Jesus’ cry from the cross has for centuries been interpreted by the church to mean that the Father forsook Jesus, turned his face from him and left him to face the cross by himself. But is that true? Did the Father actually forsake Jesus and turn his back on him?
Throughout his lifetime Jesus made some interesting claims:
John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” That reality was never rescinded before, during or after the cross.
In John 14:9 -11 Jesus says four times that he and the Father are in each other. v9 “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.”
In speaking of his coming death, Jesus believed the Father would not leave him to face it alone.
John 8:28,29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself…. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone.
John 16:32, Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Now to the other question – will God forsake us? As his children, does God get angry with us and forsake us? No, He doesn’t ever forsake us, not for any reason!
So ,my question is: When did He ever leave or forsake us? Never!!
From our conception as little spirits in Gen 1:26 to our being born in our mother’s womb. Did he forsake us, no! Think on that.
We will continue Explanations of Matt. 27: 50-66 next week. And beginning of Matt. 28.
We will continue with Les.8 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue
In MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES, Uncategorized

The Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 8 (Continued) 01-15-2022

LESSON 8

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

CHPTRS. 25-28

 

Explanations Matt. 26:47-75

 

  1. (47-50) Judas betrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
  2. With a great multitude with swords and clubs: They clearly regarded Jesus as a dangerous man and came to take Him with great force.

1). Judas knew where to find them. Jesus could easily have foiled his plan by choosing a different place for this night, but this was not his intention.

 

  1. Greetings, Rabbi! Judas warmly greeted Jesus, even giving Him the customary kiss. But the kiss only precisely identified Jesus to the authorities who came to arrest Jesus. There are no more hollow, hypocritical words in the Bible than Greetings, Rabbi! in the mouth of Judas. The loving, heartfelt words of Jesus – calling Judas friend – stand in sharp contrast.

1). And kissed Him: Kissed Him heartily. What a tremendous contrast between the woman in Simon’s house (Luke 7) and Judas! Both kissed Jesus fervently: with strong emotion; yet the one could have died for Him, the other betrays Him to death.

 

  1. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him: This happened only after they had all fallen to the ground when Jesus announced Himself as the I am (John 18:6).

 

  1. (51-56) The arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane.
  2. One of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear: Matthew doesn’t tell us, but we know from John 18:10that this unnamed swordsman was Peter.

1). But how came Peter to have a sword? Judea was at this time so infested with robbers and cut-throats that it was not deemed safe for any person to go unarmed. He probably carried one for his mere personal safety.

 

  1. He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels: Had Jesus wanted Divine help at this moment, He could have had it. There were more than twelve legions of angels ready to come to His aid.

1). A legion is judged to be six thousand foot and seven hundred horse. And this great army of angels is by prayer dispatched from heaven in an instant. The number is impressive, especially considering that one angel killed up to 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35.)

  1. All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled: With all power at His disposal, Jesus was in total command. He was not the victim of circumstance, but He managed circumstances for the fulfillment of prophecy.
  2. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled: At this point, all the disciples scattered, running for their own safety. A few (Peter and John, at least) followed back to see what would happen at a distance. None of them stood beside Jesus and said, I have given my life to this Man. What you accuse Him of, you may accuse me of also. Instead, it was fulfilled what Jesus said: All of you will be made to stumble because of me (Matthew 26:31).

 

  1. The trial before the Sanhedrin.
  2. (57-61) Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas.
  3. Before Jesus came to the home of Caiaphas (the official high priest), He was led to the home of Annas, who was the ex-high priest and the power behind the throne of the high priest (according to John 18:12-14and John 18:19-23).
  4. Where the scribes and the elders were assembled: Caiaphas had gathered a group of the Sanhedrin to pass judgment on Jesus.

 

  1. Peter followed Him at a distance to see the end: Peter was determined to prove wrong Jesus’ prediction that He would deny and forsake Him at His death.

 

  1. (59-61) The first trial before the Sanhedrin.
  2. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council: This nighttime trial was illegal according to the Sanhedrin’s own laws and regulations. According to Jewish law, all criminal trials must begin and end in the daylight. Therefore, though the decision to condemn Jesus was already made, they conducted a second trial in daylight (Luke 22:66-71), because they knew the first one – the real trial – had no legal standing.

1). This was only one of many illegalities made in the trial of Jesus. According to Jewish law, only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid. The first trial was held at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest.

 

  • According to Jewish law, criminal cases could not be tried during the Passover season.
  • According to Jewish law, only an acquittal could be issued on the day of the trial. Guilty verdicts had to wait one night to allow for feelings of mercy to rise.
  • According to Jewish law, all evidence had to be guaranteed by two witnesses, who were separately examined and could not have contact with each other.
  • According to Jewish law, false witness was punishable by death. Nothing was done to the many false witnesses in Jesus’ trial.
  • According to Jewish law, a trial always began by bringing forth evidence for the innocence of the accused, before the evidence of guilt was offered. This was not the practice here.

 

  1. The council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but found none: This is a remarkable testimony to the life and integrity of Jesus. For having lived such a public life and performed such a public ministry, it was difficult to find even false testimony against Him.
  2. This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days: After all the false witnesses had their say, Jesus was finally charged with threatening to destroy the temple (as in a modern-day bomb threat). Clearly, Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). But this glorious prophecy of His resurrection was twisted into a terrorist threat. John 2:21makes it clear that He was speaking of the temple of His body.

 

  1. (62-64) Jesus testifies at His trial.
  2. Do You answer nothing? Jesus sat silently until He was commanded by the office of the high priest to answer the accusations against Him.
  3. And the high priest answered and said to Him, I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God! Seeing the trial going badly, Caiaphas confronted Jesus, acting more as an accuser than an impartial judge.

1). I adjure you is a rare and formal expression (cf. 1 Kings 22:16 ) for a similar Old Testament formula), invoking the name of God in order to compel a true answer. This is therefore the climax of the hearing.

 

  1. It is as you said: Instead of defending Himself, Jesus simply testified to the truth. He was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. He answered as briefly and directly as possible.

 

  1. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power: Jesus added this one word of warning. He warned them that though they sat in judgment of Him now, He would one day sit in judgment/justice of them – and with a far more binding judgment/justice.

1).Power is a typically Jewish reverential expression to avoid pronouncing the sacred name of God (which might have laid Jesus open to the charge of blasphemy, though ironically it was precisely that charge on which he was condemned, Matthew 26:65.

 

  1. (65-68) The Sanhedrin react with horror and brutality.
  2. He has spoken blasphemy! The accusation of blasphemy would have been correct, except that Jesus was whom He said He was. It is no crime for the Christ, the Son of God, to declare who He really is.
  3. He is deserving of death: Their verdict reveals the depths of man’s depravity. God, in total perfection, came to earth, lived among men, and this was man’s reply to God.
  4. They spat in His face and beat Him: They spit on Him; they hit Him with their fists; they slapped Him with their open hands. It is easy to think that they did this because they didn’t know who He was. That is true in one sense, because they would not admit to themselves that He was indeed the Messiah and the Son of God. Yet in another sense it is not true at all, because by nature carnal man is an enemy of God (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21). For a long time man waited to literally hit, slap, and spit in God’s face.

 

 1). Some ways that men still spit in the face of Jesus.

  • Men spit in His face by denying His deity.
  • Men spit in His face by rejecting His gospel.
  • Men spit in His face by preferring their own righteousness.
  • Men spit in His face by turning away from Jesus.

 

  1. (69-75) Fearing association with Jesus, Peter denies his relationship with Jesus three times.
  2. A servant girl came to him: Peter was not questioned before a hostile court or even an angry mob. Peter’s own fear made a servant girl and another girl hostile monsters in his eyes, and he bowed in fear before them.
  3. I do not know the Man! Peter’s sin of denying his association with Jesus grew worse with each denial. First, he merely lied; then he took an oath to the lie; then he began to curse and swear.

1). And, as if it would help distance himself from association with Jesus, Peter began to curse and swear. To call down curses on himself, sign of irritation and desperation; has lost self-control completely.

 

  1. Peter remembered the word of Jesus. So, he went out and wept bitterly: Peter finally remembered and took to heart what Jesus said, but in this case he did so too late. For now, all he could do was to weep bitterly. Yet Peter would be restored, showing a significant contrast between Judas (showing apostasy) and Peter (showing backsliding or as some say falling from grace). OT word is backsliding and the NT word/s are falling from Grace. But how can you fall from Grace?

 Good news Jude 1:26!!

1). Apostasy is giving up the truth, as Judas did. Judas was sorry about his sin, but it was not a sorrow leading to repentance. Or perhaps he was when Jesus went to the lower parts and set the captives free. Something to consider.

2). As said backsliding is an Old Testament term: a decline from a spiritual experience once enjoyed. Peter slipped, but he will not fall; his bitter weeping and turning around will lead to repentance and restoration.

  1. And wept bitterly: This was the beginning of Peter’s repentance. Several things brought him to this place.

 CHAPTER 27

Matthew 27:1-66

Matt. 27:1-35 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,10 “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” So Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. 32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: 1 “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Taken from Ps. 22:18

27:1-35 YAH SHUA FACES PHILATAUS And when, being dawn, they take counsel concerning Yah Shua — all the Rabbi Priests and elders of the people so as to deathify him:and they bind him and take him and shelem him to Philataus the governor. THE REGRET OF YAH HUDA-Then Yah Huda the shelemer, when he sees he is condemned, repents, and goes and returns the thirty silver to the Rabbi Priests and elders, wording, I sinned in sheleming innocent blood. And they word to him, what is that to us? You know — you. and he throws the silver in the nave and departs and goes and strangles his soul. And the Rabbi Priests take the silver, and word, it is not allowed to cast the qurbana into the house because it is the price of blood. And they take counsel, and they merchandise there the field of the potter as a house of a tomb of strangers: because of this that field is called, The field of blood until this day.— then to fulfill what was worded through the hand of the prophet, who worded, And I take the thirty silvers the price of the precious that the sons of Isra El agreed: and I give them for the field of the potter as Yah Veh misvahed to me.  John 11:12,13 And Yah Shua stands in front of the governor: and the governor asks, wording to him, Are you the sovereign of the Yah Hudaya?  And Yah Shua word to him, You worded. — and when, in his being accused by the Rabbi Priests and elders ,he replies not a word. Then Philataus words to him, Hear you not how much they witness concerning you? And he gives him not a word — not one word so concerning this, the governor marvels greatly. And at every feast the governor has been accustomed to release one captive to the congregation — being whom they will: and being bound, is a famous prisoner called Bar Aba: and when they congregate Philataus words to them, whom will you that I release to you? Bar Aba? Or Yah Shua, called the Meshiah? — for Philataus knows they shelem him of envy. And when the governor sits upon his bamah, his own woman apostolizes to him, wording, You — have naught to do with that just man: for I suffered much this day in a dream because of him. And the Rabbi Priests and elders convince the congregation to ask for Bar Aba and destroy Yah Shua. The governor answers, wording to them, who of the two will you that I release to you?  And they word, Bar Aba. Philataus words to them, And with Yah Shua called the Meshiah — what work I to him?  They all word to him, Stake!  And the governor words, Indeed, for what evil has he worked?  And they shout excessively, wording, Stake!  And when Philataus sees he gains naught whatever, but rather, a riot being excessive, he takes water, washes his hands in the eyes of the congregation, wording, I absolve of the blood of this just person: you acknowledge. And all the people answer, wording, His blood — upon us and upon our sons.  BAR ABA RELEASED, YAH SHUA SHELEMED – Then he releases Bar Aba to them: and tortures Yah Shua with whips, and shelems him to stake. Then the strategists of the governor lead Yah Shua into the praetorium, and congregate all the squad to him: and they strip him and clothe him in a scarlet robe and they braid a wreath of thorns and place it upon his head and a reed in his right and they eulogize upon their knees in front of him, and mocking therein, wording, Shalom, sovereign of the Yah Hudaya! And they spit upon his face and taking the reed and wounding him on the head and when mocking within, they strip his robe and cloth him in his own garment and lead him to stake him.  And when they go, they find a man — a Qurinaya, Shimun by name, and they compel him to bear his stake: and they come to a place called Gagulta — clarified, Skull: and they give him vinegar to drink mingled with gall and he tastes, and wills to not drink. YAH SHUA STAKED – And when they stake him and divide his garments by loto fulfilling shalam what the prophet worded, “They divided my garments among them and upon my garment they cast lots.” Aramaic NC

 We will continue with explanations for Matthew 27:1-66 next week

 We will continue with Les. 8 next week.

 The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

 David & Mary Sue

 

 

In Equipping the Saints, MARY SUE DAVIS – ARTICLES

The Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 7 (Continued) 09/25/21

LESSON 7

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

CHPTRS. 20-24

Explanations Matt. 23:1-36

Matthew 23:1-39 WOES TO THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES

A. Jesus rebukes the scribes and the Pharisees.
1. (1-4) They lay oppressive burdens on others.

a. Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples: Jesus spoke to these groups, but He spoke about the scribes and Pharisees. Of course, these hardened opponents of Jesus listened; but in a sense Jesus was finished speaking to them. Instead he intended to warn the people and His followers about them.
1). The true target of the whole discourse is the crowds and disciples who need to break free from Pharisaic legalism.

. The Talmud describes seven different types of Pharisees; six of the seven are bad.
· The Shoulder Pharisee, who wore all his good deeds and righteousness on his shoulder for everyone to see.
· The Wait-a-Little Pharisee, who always intended to do good deeds, but could always find a reason for doing them later, not now.
· The Bruised or Bleeding Pharisee, who was so holy that he would turn his head away from any woman seen in public – and was therefore constantly bumping into things and tripping, thus injuring himself.
· The Hump-Backed Pharisee, who was so humble that he walked bent over and barely lifting his feet – so everyone could see just how humble he was.
· The Always-Counting Pharisee, who was always counting up his good deeds and believed that he put God in debt to him for all the good he had done.
· The Fearful Pharisee, who did good because he was terrified that God would strike him with judgment if he did not.
· The God-Fearing Pharisee, who really loved God and did good deeds to please the God he loved.

b. Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do: Jesus said that respect was due to the scribes and the Pharisees; not because of their conduct, but because they sit in Moses’ seat. They should be respected because they hold an office of authority, ordained by God.

c. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders: The scribes and Pharisees were bad examples because they expected more of others than they did of themselves. They set heavy burdens on others, yet they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

d. Heavy burdens: The burden of the religious leaders contrasts sharply to Jesus’ burden. His burden is light, and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). These religious leaders were burden bringers; Jesus was a burden taker.

2. (5-10) They do their works to be seen, and they live for the praise of men.
a. All their works they do to be seen by men: The religious leaders were guilty of advertising their righteous deeds. They acted out the religious spirit Jesus spoke against in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-6).

Reminds me of the Widow’s mites. Luke 21:21-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

She did this not to be seen of men.

b. They make their phylacteries (a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law)
broad and enlarge the borders of their garments: Both the phylacteries (small leather boxes with tiny scrolls with scriptures on them, tied to the arm and head with leather straps) and the borders of their garments were worn in the attempt to conform to the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 11:18, Numbers 15:38-40).

c. They love the best places… greetings in the marketplaces: Not content to display their supposed spirituality, the religious leaders loved it when people admired their supposed spirituality. They coveted the seats of honor at banquets and at the synagogue, and they loved the honoring titles such as Rabbi and father.

d. But you, do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren: Jesus warned the people that they should not imitate the scribes and the Pharisees at this point. His followers should always remember that “you are all brethren” and that one should not be exalted above others by titles that are either demanded or received.
1). “An exhortation which today’s church could profitably take more seriously, not only in relation to formal ecclesiastical titles (Most Reverend, my Lord Bishop, even as called today Master Prophet and Chief Apostle etc.)

e. Do not be called Rabbi. Do not call anyone on earth your father ( source) do not be called teachers: Jesus warned His listeners and us against giving anyone inappropriate honor. One may have a father or teachers in a normal human sense but should not regard them in a sense that gives them excessive spiritual honor or authority.
1). All titles and honors which exalt men and give occasion for pride are here forbidden.

· Jesus was called Rabbi: Matthew 26:25 and 26:49; John 1:38 and 3:26.
· Paul called himself a father: 1 Corinthians 4:15, Philippians 2:22.
· Paul called other Christians his children: Galatians 4:19.
· Paul called himself a teacher and an apostle, but you don’t see a title in front of his name in the Bible. 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11.

2). That which he forbids is,
1. An affectation of such title and hunting after them, 2. the exercise of an absolute mastership, or a paternal, absolute power.

3. (11-12) The way of Jesus: service and humility.
a. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted: This promise is absolutely true, but sometimes is only known in the measure of eternity.

B. The eight woes to the religious leaders.
These woes stand in contrast to the eight beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11. Jesus spoke harshly here, yet this was not the language of personal irritation but of divine warning and condemnation. Such series of woes are familiar from the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Isaiah 5:8-23; Habakkuk 2:6-19), where the tone is of condemnation, and that is the emphasis here too.

1. (13) Woe to those who shut up the kingdom.

a. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Literally, the word hypocrites refers to an actor, someone playing a part. Jesus exposed the corruption covered by the spiritual image of the scribes and Pharisees.

b. You shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: The religious leaders kept people from the kingdom of heaven by making human traditions and human religious rules more important than God’s Word. This was clearly seen in the way that they opposed and rejected Jesus; if they had opened the kingdom of heaven to men, they would have welcomed and received Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.

c. You neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in: It is bad for someone not to enter into heaven themselves, but it is far worse to prevent another person from entering in (Matthew 18:6).

2. (14) The religious leaders steal from the vulnerable.

3. Even if it does not belong in Matthew 23, it is certainly present in the Mark 12 and Luke 20 passages.

a. You devour widows’ houses: Using clever and dishonest dealing, the scribes and Pharisees stole widows’ houses – careful to cover it up in the name of good business or stewardship.

b. For a pretense make long prayers: Their long, falsely spiritual prayers were used to build a spiritual image, often for the sake of big donations.

c. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation: The greatness of their sin demanded a greater condemnation than others will endure. Under this concept we can say that no one will have it good in Hell, but we can trust that some will have it worse than others will.

4. (15) The religious leaders led their converts on the wrong path.
a. You travel land and sea to win one proselyte: Their zeal in evangelism did not prove they were right with God. These religious leaders went to great lengths to win others, but they brought people to darkness, not light.
b. Through their great energy they could win some, but to no lasting good to those who were won.

5. (16-22) The religious leaders made false and deceptive oaths.
a. Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing: Out of obedience to God’s Word they refused to swear by the name of God (as commanded in Exodus 20:7). Yet they constructed an elaborate system of oaths, some of which were binding and some were not. It was a way of making a promise while keeping fingers crossed behind one’s back.

b. For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Here Jesus emphasized that the altar itself is greater than the sacrifice made upon it. The altar is the established meeting place between God and man, and our altar is Jesus Himself and His finished work on the cross.
1). It is worthy to think of the greatness of the Old Testament altar: But, the Finished Work declares the altar now in your heart.

c. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it: Jesus reminded them that every oath is binding and God holds the oath-maker to account, even if they excuse themselves.

5. (23-24) The religious leaders are obsessed with trivialities, and ignoring the weighty matters.

a. You pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin: Their tithing was meticulous and noteworthy; but hypocritical because it served to sooth the guilt of their neglect of the weightier matters of the law. It is both possible and common to be distracted with relatively trivial matters while a lost world perishes.
1).The weightier matters do not refer to the more difficult or harder but to the more central, most decisive.

b. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel: Jesus illustrated their folly with a humorous picture of a man so committed to a kosher diet that he would not swallow a gnat because it was not bled properly in accord with kosher regulations. Yet the same man would swallow a whole camel instead. (camels are hooved animals, unclean according to Levitical law)

6. (25-26) The religious leaders are impure both inside and out.

a. You cleanse the outside of the cup: The scribes and Pharisees were satisfied with a superficial cleansing and the appearance of righteousness.

b. Inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence: While greatly concerned with their outward appearance of righteousness, they were unconcerned with an inside full of sin and corruption.

c. First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also: Jesus did not call them to choose between outer righteousness and inner righteousness. He called them to be concerned with both, but to first address the inside. True outward righteousness starts on the inside.

7. (27-28) The religious leaders have the appearance of good, but without spiritual life in the inner man.

a. You are like whitewashed tombs: It was the custom of the Jews of that time to whitewash the tombs in the city of Jerusalem before Passover so that no one would touch one accidentally, thus making themselves ceremonially unclean. Jesus said these religious leaders were like these whitewashed tombs – pretty on the outside, but dead on the inside.

b. You also outwardly appear righteous to men: Men might see them as righteous, but God did not. God is never fooled by what we show on the outside. He sees what we actually are, not what we appear to be to other men.

God looks on the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7

8. (29-36) The religious leaders honor dead prophets but murder the living prophets.

a. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous: They professed to venerate dead prophets, but they rejected living prophets. In doing so they showed that they really were the children of those who murdered the prophets in the days of old (you are sons of those who murdered the prophets).

b. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt: Jesus prophesied about how these leaders would complete the rejection of the prophets their fathers began by persecuting His disciples, whom He would send to them.

c. Serpents, brood of vipers: This phrase has the idea of family of the devil. These religious leaders took an unmerited pride in their heritage, thinking they were spiritual sons of Abraham. Instead, they were more like sons of the devil, not of Abraham.

Paul admonished us: Eph.

d. From the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah: Jesus here spoke of all the righteous martyrs of the Old Testament. Abel was clearly the first, and in the way that the Hebrew Bible was arranged, Zechariah was the last. 2 Chronicles is the last book of the Hebrew Bible, and Zechariah’s story is found in 2 Chronicles 24.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE PHARASAICAL SPIRITS

Pharisaical Spirit: “The letter kills, but the spirit gives life” (2Co 3:6) who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.

1. The Pharisees were a self-righteous group.
There are still those today who measure themselves by others, rather than by the Word of God. They seem to think if they are just a little better than someone else, then they are right with God. They may be right with God, but it is not because they are more righteous than someone else, but rather because they know the Truth and are obeying the commands of the Father. The Pharisees elevated themselves above all others; they were a self-righteous group.

2. The Pharisees were desirous of doing their religious acts to be seen of men. (Matthew 23:5). (Matthew 6:2). The Pharisees wanted someone to pat them on the back and pronounce them righteous. They wanted the praise of men. There are a lot of showmen in the religious area where I live., those who love the praise of men. Jesus said the Pharisees, “said and did not do.” Hear Him in Matthew 23:3, “all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe; but do not ye after their works; for they say and do.

3. The Pharisees had made the commandments of God of none effect by their traditions. The Pharisees had placed their own ideas over and above the revealed truth of God’s Word. Their traditions had made void the word of God.

Mark 7:13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.

4. Another error of the Pharisees was that they drew near to the Lord with their mouth, but their hearts were far from Him. (Matthew 15:7-9).

5. The Pharisees loved the titles and the chief seats in the Synagogues.

6. Lastly, the Pharisees rejected the counsel of God, “But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him” (Luke7:30).

Counteracting the Pharisaical spirit
1. Put on His righteousness.
2. True and pure hearts of humility.
3. Grace, mercy, forgiveness, yielding to the Holy Spirit, not traditions or law. See Gal. 1:13-14
4. True worshippers in Spirit and in Truth.
5. Take the last place; be a servant.
6. Take up the full counsel of God (walk in love).

We release the apostolic and prophetic anointing/utterance, discerning of spirits, and the spirit of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. We release revival, the move of God, a visitation of God and the Spirit of Truth. We are His habitation and out of that comes signs, wonders and miracles.

Explanations for Matt 23: 37-39 next week.

We will continue with Les.7 next week.

The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

David & Mary Sue