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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW #A-1

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THE GENEALOGY

GenealogyMatthew 1:1-25

The four gospels have one theme, that theme is Jesus Christ. The theme is divided into two major divisions. 1. The proclamation of the Kingdom, and the King. (4:12-16:20). 2. The rejection of the King and the Kingdom. (16:21-26:35).

The four gospels are still under the Law of Moses, and there is nothing in any of them about the church of this dispensation. Neither is there any preaching, or understanding of the coming death, burial, and resurrection. The present church and gospel was a mystery, and was unknown until revealed to the Apostle Paul.

The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the last Adam, stands in contrast to that of the first Adam. In genealogy of Genesis five, we see nothing but death and the curse. In the genealogy of Jesus, there is no mention of death, but the promise of the removal of the curse is seen.

It is very significant that Jesus is called the son of David and Abraham. Both received a covenant. David is promised that through his seed, a king would sit on his throne and rule Israel forever. (Isa. 9:5-11; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15).

The Abrahamic covenant not only involved a Seed, it involved the Promised Land. (Gal. 3:16; Gen. 13:15). When Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice, he was a type of God the Father offering His suffering Son. Thus, in Matthew, you have the first half of the book where Christ is the son of David, and in the last half, the suffering son of Abraham.

One must not overlook the four women mentioned in the genealogy. These are Thamar, Rachab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Three of these were immoral. Two were Gentiles, and two were Israelites. This speaks volumes of the humanity, the humility, and the compassion of our Lord.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It should be noted that Jesus was not begotten by Joseph. He was the only begotten Son of God, and Israel’s King and Messiah.[/pullquote]

It is important that we understand events concerning Jechonias. (Jer. 22:30).

  • “Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah”. The curse upon Jehoiachin or Coniah was that he should be childless as far as having a son to reign on the throne of David was concerned. No man of his seed was ever to reign in Judah anymore. Thus the Davidic line of kings came to an end in him; and yet the Messiah, the eternal king of David’s seed and of the royal family, came to be King of the Jews and this He will be at His second coming. How would Christ succeed Jeconiah as King of the royal line if no man of that seed could ever reign anymore in Jerusalem and Judah? The answer is simple: Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom the Christ was born, was of the seed of Coniah or Jehoiachin and the direct heir to the throne of David which a son of his own begetting could not occupy, because of the curse. However, Christ, who was not begotten of Joseph but of God through Mary (who herself was of another line of David — Nathan’s line), could rightfully, in the reckoning of both God and man, occupy the throne (Mt. 1:1-18; Lk. 1:23-38). See note, Mt. 1:6. Coniah had seven sons and his descendants continued until Joseph, the foster father of Christ, was born, and also thereafter (1Chr. 3:17-18; Mt. 1:1-18). So “childless” here could only mean as far as the throne was concerned.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible:

It should be noted that Jesus was not begotten by Joseph. He was the only begotten Son of God, and Israel’s King and Messiah.

The word “espoused” has the same meaning as our word to be “engaged.” She was joined to Joseph is a promise of marriage. When Joseph discovered that she was pregnant, he was contemplating giving her a bill of divorcement, rather than have her stoned. (Deut. 24:1-4). God revealed to Joseph that she was the virgin mother of the coming Messiah. He was told that the child would be named JESUS, and that He would save Israel from their sins. Consistent with the book of Matthew, he quotes Old Testament prophecy to validate what was revealed to Joseph. (Isa. 7:14).

The name Jesus means Jehovah Saves. However, the name Emmanuel, means God with us. This name, Emmanuel, is never used again in Scripture. It will become a fulfillment in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after Jesus was born. Thereafter, they had a regular marriage relationship, which resulted in half brothers and sisters to Jesus. “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

Mary had other children:

  • It is plainly stated that Jesus had four brothers (i.e., half brothers), James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. He had at least three half sisters also: “are not his sisters here with us?” These are referred to as “his own kin.” His mother, brethren, and sisters are used literally (Mt. 13:55-56; Mk. 6:3).
  • The Lord is called Mary’s “firstborn” (Mt. 1:25; Lk. 2:7), and the natural inference is that she had other children. The Greek: prototokos is used only in Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:6; 11:28; 12:23; Rev. 1:5 of the first of many others. Had He been her only son, the word would have been monogenes which occurs in Lk. 7:12; 8:42; 9:38; of human parentage of the “only son,” “only daughter” and “only child”; and of the Lord Jesus as “the only begotten of the Father” (Jn. 1:14,18; 3:16,18; 1Jn. 4:9).
  • It was predicted by God that Mary would have other children and the Messiah would have brothers: “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children” (Ps. 69:8-9).
  • “His mother, and His brethren” are mentioned as following Him to Capernaum and seeking to hinder His work (Mt. 12:46-50; Mk. 3:31-35; Lk. 8:19-21; Jn. 2:12). The children of some other woman would not be following Mary as “His brethren.”
  • “His brethren” are mentioned as not believing on Him until after the resurrection (Jn. 7:3-10; Acts 1:14).
  • James is called “the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). See note, Mk. 6:3. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

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THE RESURRECTION, THE COMMISSION #56

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THE RESURRECTION, THE COMMISSION #56

lion and lambMatthew 28:1-20

Although Sunday began at 6 P.M. on Saturday, it appears that the women were at the tomb before Sunday, sunrise. There is little doubt that Jesus arose early Sunday after 6 P.M. otherwise He would have been in the grave another night, making four nights in all. It was early that morning the women, Peter and John came to the tomb.

This is the second earthquake within three days. An angel rolled the stone back to allow them to see that Jesus was not there. He instructed them to go and tell the disciples that Jesus was alive, and would meet them in Galilee. They left with fear and great joy.

As they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. They came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him. Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Sometime during the night Jesus ascended to heaven and presented Himself to His Father. He may have put blood on the mercy seat. Time is not a factor when the speed of Deity is concerned. Those who had been at the tomb met Him on their way. They fell at His feet and held them as they worshiped Him.

The soldiers had a dilemma on their hands. The tomb was empty and there wasn’t a body to account for. This derelict of duty would normally cost them their lives. But the priest were also caught in the web of lies. Thus they paid the soldiers to say the body was stolen by the disciples while they slept.

o   Seven points proving their story absurd:

  •  That so many guards under a death penalty would all fall alseep.
  •  That they could remain asleep during the moving of a big stone and body.
  •  That several disciples needed to move such a stone and body could be quiet enough not to rouse a single guard.
  •  That disciples could accomplish this in secret working among soldiers stationed at the very door of the tomb.
  •  That if the guards were all asleep they could know who took the body.
  •  That their word was contradicted by hundreds of godly men who were eyewitnesses and would not lie or be bribed like pagan soldiers.
  •  That the miraculous events from the day of Pentecost on confirmed the truth of Christ’s resurrection. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible:

We might add that no one would be willing to die for a known lie. Yet, all the disciples were more than willing to die. They knew the truth.

Dr. Reese correctly says, this is not the great commission, but the great omission. No church or Christian keeps this command. In fact, they cannot. In addition, the other gospels gives added details to the commission. Mark says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20.

Jesus had commanded His disciple to teach their converts to “observe all things whatsoever I have command you.” Now, that creates a serious problem for our brethren who refuse to rightly divide the Word of God. I know of no fundamental church that prays the Lord’s Prayer. These Bible correctors desperately try to make the gospels fit the Pauline Epistles.  It won’t work. See Galatians 2:7 to 9. What about observing or teaching others to observe all that the Lord commanded His disciples, by parable, precept, example and other teaching?

Finally, the resurrected Lord told His disciple that they would be endued with power after the Holy Ghost came upon them. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. I have been around the greatest (?) of preachers, and I am yet to meet one with any power remotely close to that given the disciples. Most people today confuse applied psychology as power of the Holy Ghost. I have had men preach who could fill the altar (?) only to discover they were practicing gross immorality in secret. They did not have the power of God, they were simply skilled speakers. No church or pastor obeys the great (?) commission, nor can they.

THE CONDEMNATION AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST #55

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THE CONDEMNATION AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST #55

Matthew 27:1-66

lion and lambJesus was arrested on a Tuesday evening. He was abused and interrogated throughout the night. The chapter opens on a Wednesday morning. Those who condemned Him, and bound Him had no idea they might as well have attempted to bind the universe. He was willingly led as a sheep to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Isa. 53).

Conscience is not a sufficient guide, when free will is unable to produce godly sorrow and repentance. Judas was now fearful and showed remorse that he was plagued with self-condemnation. He brought the thirty pieces of silver and cast them down at the feet of the chief priest and elders. He confessed to them that he had betrayed innocent blood. Had he gone to Jesus, he, no doubt would have been forgiven. However, he could not repent. He was bound by the cords of sin, of his own making. Judas went to a place called the potter’s field and hanged himself. The rope broke and he fell to the rocks below and his bowels burst out. His next stop was hell.

The hypocrisy and cruelty of these religious leader is so repulsive, one finds it hard to deal with. They were violating every religious and civil law of the Scriptures, yet they strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel in the matter of how to dispose of the thirty pieces of silver. (Zech. 11:12).

As Jesus stood before Pilate, He was ask if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus respond, “Thou sayest.” Jesus was saying He was the King of the Jews. Then the chief priest and elders brought all manner of accusations against Him. Jesus did not answer their questions, nor did He open His mouth. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7.

It was a custom that a prisoner be released each year at that feast. The question was put to the people if he should release Jesus or Barabbas. Barabbas was a noted criminal. Pilate knew who they would release, he was playing the crowd, and attempting to absolve himself.

Pilate has now receive two witnesses as to the innocence of Jesus. Judas said, “I have betrayed innocent blood,” and Pilate’s wife warns him to have nothing to do with this just man. God had revealed to her in a dream that Jesus was innocent.

The crowd was determined to kill Jesus, and Pilate was too weak to make a right decision. So, he washed his hands in their presence in an attempt to absolve himself of the blood of this “just” person. Sadly, that washing was not enough to keep Pilate out of hell.

The Jews responded “… His blood be on us, and on our children.” How little did they know they were giving their nation a death sentence. There is no rational answer as to why the Jews have been the object of hatred till this very day. The history of the Jew is a trail of their own blood. Sadly, the worst is yet to come. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22

Mockery is one of the cruelest forms of torture and humiliation. It is compounded when you know you have unlimited power to silence your critics. Again, Jesus shows total restraint, and He willingly drank the cup given by His Father. Matthew is careful to show the Jews that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of their Scriptures. Here, he quotes Psalm 22. “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:18. It was common to post the crime on the cross. The crime of Jesus read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” This not only added to their condemnation, it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. (Luke 23:38).

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus. This is another prophecy. “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12. One thief understood that Jesus was innocent, and that He was the Messiah. He request that Jesus remember him when He established His kingdom. He was assured a place in it. It is noteworthy, that one thief was saved and one was lost. Someone said the lesson is, none should presume, and none should despair.

Jesus could find no sympathy from His Father, or from man. He was made sin for us. However, creation trembled to its very foundation with a great earthquake. Also, the sun was so grieved that it refused to shine on Israel for three hours. Satan had receive his death blow by the death of the woman’s Seed. I am sure millions of angels stood ready to assist the Son of God. But they were not permitted to intercede.

The cry of Jesus was not for Elijah, and they knew it. This was just one more form of mockery. Elijah is to come as a forerunner of the Messiah. They were mocking Him by pretending they misunderstood Him. Jesus had said, no man takes My life from Me. I can lay it down, and take it up again. He was is full control of His faculties, and was aware that all required of Him had now been fulfilled. Knowing this, He bowed His head and dismissed His spirit.

At the death of Christ, God took hold of the veil in the temple and rent it from the top to the bottom. This was God’s testimony that the blood shed on the cross fulfilled all Old Testament sacrifices, and that sin was forever paid for. The way to God was now open to all men, and an earthly priest was no longer needed.

We are told that many who were in the graves were resurrected after His own resurrection. Since their resurrection was after His, they too could have had glorified bodies, and taken to heaven with Him. Or, they could have raised in natural bodies like others under His ministry and died again. Lazarus is one example.

 

This is a third witness to the person of Christ. “Now when the centurion …feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
This rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph begged for the body of Jesus to bury it. Mark says he was a “… counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.” Mark 15:43. We are once again reminded that the ministry of the four gospels, and the message, and expectation was the earthly Kingdom of Heaven. It had nothing to do with the church of this dispensation.

Although the body was wrapped in a clean linen cloth, it had not been prepared for a proper burial. Certain women observed where He was buried. After the Sabbath, they came to properly prepare the body. “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.” Luke 24:1. This is just one more proof that the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven did not contain the message of His death, burial, and resurrection. Had they expected His resurrection, all would have gathered at the tomb for His appearing. Such was not the case. It is a scandal that pastors cannot, or will not acknowledge the difference between the gospel of the Kingdom, and the gospel of the grace of God which was revealed to Paul.  

Dr. Dave Reese has a chart in his commentary of the events concerning the three days and three nights Jesus was in the grave.

Crucifixion Days

   Number of Days             Day of the week     Number of Nights
  Crucified on Wednesday and died of a Wednesday. c. 3 P.M.   
  Wednesday 6 P.M.-Thursday 6 A.M.                        1
                   1 Thursday 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. `
  Thursday 6 P.M.-6 P.M.                         1
                   1 Friday 6 A. M. – 6 P. M.  
  Friday 6 P. M. – Saturday 6 A. M.                         1
                   1 Saturday 6 A. M.-6 P. M.  
Total Days: 3 Saturday c 6 P.M. Resurrection(First day of the week begins 6 P.M.) Total Nights:  3

 

THE PASSOVER, THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND THE BETRAYAL #54

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THE PASSOVER, THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND THE BETRAYAL #54

lion and lambMatthew 26:17-75

The time had come for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. The betrayer sat at the table with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus kept the Passover in order to teach His disciples, and to keep the Law of Moses.

  • Dake says, “Preparation for the passover (Mt. 26:18-19). Peter and John, who represented the company of disciples, went, as was customary, to the temple with the paschal lamb. There, taking turns with others who thronged the temple on the same errand, they killed the lamb. The nearest priest caught the blood in a gold or silver bowl and passed it down the row of priests to the one nearest the altar, who instantly sprinkled it toward the altar’s base. The lamb was then flayed and the entrails removed, to be burnt with incense on the altar. This was done in the afternoon. When evening came the lamb was roasted with great care. Unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs, and sauce were also provided for the supper.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

 At the table, Jesus stated that one of them would betray Him. They were sorrowful at that saying and began to ask “is it I?” Judas dared not keep silent, so he ask the same question. Sometimes silence cries guilty as loudly as confession. Jesus said it was one to whom He gave the sop. He then gave it to Judas. Judas left immediately. The others thought he was leaving to purchase something. So much for spiritual discernment. 

Jesus blesses the bread and brake it. He then gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body.” Then He took the cup and said “This is my blood of the new testament.” He stated that He would not drink it again until He drank it with them in the Kingdom of Heaven.

One thing was evident, it was not His body or His blood. He was in His flesh at the table. Any amount of understanding and common sense will understand that the bread and wine were symbols of His body and blood which He would give on the cross.

Concerning the New Testament, it must be understood that a testament is not a covenant. A covenant is made between two or more people, and does not require blood. One example is in Geneses 6:18 where God made a covenant with Noah. Another, is the covenant between God and Abram in Geneses 15:18. There are too many examples for us to list. None required blood. However, a testament requires blood. See Hebrews 7:22; 9:15-20. A testament was provided in the shed blood of Christ. However, the covenant between God and Israel was not fulfilled because they rejected the testament and the covenant when they rejected the One who would provide both. The events have nothing to do withe the “Lord’s supper, or the church of this dispensation. This is a Jewish Passover and all is Jewish. 

It must be understood that there are no covenants given to the church of this dispensation. The covenants were given to Israel. “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:3-5. “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” Romans 15:8. The following is the promise of the new covenant made to Israel. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34. This will become a reality for Israel in the Kingdom of Heaven; the Millennium. All believers can be saved because of the blood which was the testament, and not because of any covenant. 

Peter was confident that he was ready to die for Christ, and later he would. But, not at this time. The Shepherd would be killed and the sheep would be scattered.

Jesus prayed the same prayer three times. This is a familiar reoccurrence in Matthew. Jesus was not praying that He would not die. His overwhelming burden was taking on the sin of the world. While the Lord agonized, one disciple sold Him for the price of a slave, while the others slept.

Judas gave those who came to apprehend Jesus a sign. It was a kiss. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:6 . Peter attempted to defend Jesus with his sword. The Lord told him to put it away. He could call, and more than twelve legions of angels would be sent. Again, we note Dake’s comment on this.

  • “A legion was 6,000 so 12 legions would be 72,000 for Himself and the eleven apostles, or 6,000 for each of them. Each angel could slay 185,000 in a night, as one did in Isa. 37:36. On this basis, over 13 billion men could easily have been killed.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible:

Although many accusations were brought against Jesus, none could agree on their testimony. Finally the priest, no doubt in frustration said, ” I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said…” In other words, yes. He also told him that he would see Him sitting on God’s right hand, and coming will clouds. The clouds could be a host of angels. This was enough to demand His death. “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”

Peter learned the truth about Jesus, and himself. When faced with three charges that he was one of Jesus disciples, he denied it all three times. It is one thing to say what we would do while setting in the safety of others. It is quite another when faced with reality.

 

THE PREPARATION, THE ANOINTING AND THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS #53

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THE PREPARATION, THE ANOINTING AND THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS #53

lion and lambMatthew 26:1-16

Jesus continues to teach His disciples and prepare them for His death. His public ministry has ended, and He now enters into His suffering. They knew the date and time for the Passover. However, they did not know that He would be betrayed and crucified. Even though He had told them repeatedly, they had no room in their preconceived concept for the death and resurrection of their Messiah King.

The Passover began in Egypt when the blood of a lamb was put over the door, and the Lord passed over all who applied the blood. Those Jews and Egyptians who did not put the blood above the door were judged by the angel of death. The firstborn of every family died. 

The Jews celebrated the Passover on the 14th day of the month of Nisin or abib, which is the month of April, and was the beginning of the new year for Israel. “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Exodus 12:2. Thousands would be in Jerusalem for this celebration. Jewish leaders were determined to kill Jesus, but they were hesitant because of the celebration and the number of people present.

In the interim, Jesus was in the home of Simon, who had been healed of leprosy. An unnamed woman came in and anointed the head of Jesus with an expensive anointment. This is the second anointing in the week preceding His death. The difference in the two events is evident. The first was in the house of Lazarus six days before the Passover (Jn. 12:1-8). This event was in the house of Simon the leper two days before the Passover (Mt. 26:7-13; Mk. 14:3-9). The ointment was contained in an alabaster box, which was of marble. These containers were of various shapes and sizes. 

There is little doubt who spearheaded the indignation amount the disciples. Judas was the one who gave the appearance of caring for the poor. This is always the war cry of religious and political leaders. Our Lord rebuked them, and said she was anointing His body for His burial. This does not mean that she understood that He was to be crucified. This is the application He gave to her act.

The meaning of the following statement is not easy to understand. “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” It was not mentioned in the early Act period when the gospel of the Kingdom was being preached. Nothing is said in the Pauline epistles of this. This may be fulfilled in the Tribulation, or the Millennium. The true meaning will be known in time.

One wonders how Judas could be blinded by thirty pieces of silver after spending three years with Jesus. Perhaps Judas picked up on Jesus speaking of death, and began to doubt that He was the Messiah, if he ever believed it. We should never underestimate the power of deception residing in the Devil. He is a liar and the great deceiver. Judas had a free will, and he choose money over the Savior. The price he paid was a trip to hell.