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THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS, AND BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY. A-4

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THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS, AND BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY. A-4

 

lion and lambMatthew 4:1-25

Jesus was always led by the Spirit. It was necessary that He be tested by the devil to show that a sinless man with a free will could resist his temptations. The first Adam had every comfort which Jesus did not have, yet Adam willing sinned and plunged all creation under a curse and into death.

Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness without food or water. Although the hunger would have an effect on His strength, He was able to resist the temptation which involved food. The temptation in Eden also involved food. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:6. Adam and Eve had every food imaginable, yet ate of the one commanded to not eat. She also misquoted God’s Word, whereas, Jesus quoted it and defeat the devil thereby. (Deut. 8:3). This temptation was an appeal to the lust of the flesh.

The devil now appeals to the pride of life. “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matthew 4:5-6. “Josephus describes as of tremendous height (Antiq. xv. 11.5)” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. The suggestion by the devil was that angels would carry Jesus into the Temple area proving that He was their Messiah, and the people would willing accept Him as sent from God.   

Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12, rather, he totally misuses the verses. The context will show that the verses have nothing to do with this temptation. They were written to Israel by Moses to encourage them as they wondered through the wilderness. It is interesting that the devil did not quote verse 13. It predicted his own doom. See Deut. 6:16 for our Lord’s response. We note that the devil purposely misused the verse. Sadly, many preachers do the same thing today. They may not do it to deceive, but they do have an agenda, and if they find any verse that will accomplish it, they will completely ignore the true intention of the context in order to get people to “buy into” their plan.  

The devil has many wiles, and he will use all of them if necessary. The next recorded temptation was directed to the lust of the eyes. The devil gave Jesus a panoramic view of all the kingdoms of this world in a moment of time. Satan knew from Genesis three, that there would be an end to his kingdom, and the Son of God would take it. Thus, he offers Him a way to have the kingdoms, in an attempt to avoid his loss of all, and his confinement in hell. Again, Jesus defeats this temptation by obeying the Word of God. (Deut. 6:13).

Although the devil left Him, it was only for a season. If one follows the life and ministry of Jesus, he will see the devil at work on every page. I would recommend every Christian read the account of the temptation as described by John Milton in his Paradise Regained. It is a classic, and will open one’s eyes to the possible extent of the full forty days of testing.

Matthew 14 explains why John was in prison. Jesus leaves Galilee and dwells for a season at Capernaum by the sea. The reason is given in verses 14-16. The reader should consult a good map of Bible lands to follow the travels of Jesus. The great light that was seen was Jesus, the Light of the world. (Isa. 9:1-2).
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(17)

  • Literally, “kingdom from the heavens.” It is headed by Jesus Christ for the purpose of re-establishing the kingdom of God over this rebellious part of God’s realm. Only found in Matthew because it is the gospel of Jehovah’s King. It is a dispensational term and refers to Messiah’s kingdom on earth. Offered by both John and Jesus (Mt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). Because it was rejected, it was postponed until Christ comes to set up the kingdom (Mt. 11:12,20-24; 27:22-25; Lk. 19:11-27; Acts 1:6-7; 3:19-26)… At the end Christ will come and set up a literal earthly kingdom forever (Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 19:11 — Rev. 20:10; Zech. 14; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Lk. 1:32-33). During the first 1,000 years of His eternal reign He will put down all rebellion and rid the earth of all rebels. Then God will become “all in all” as before rebellion (Rev. 20:1-10; 21:1 — Rev. 22:5; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10). Anything said of the kingdom of heaven can also be said of the kingdom of God, because the former is only the earthly dispensational aspect of the latter. There are many things said of the kingdom of God, however, which cannot be said of the kingdom of heaven.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

There is no doubt that these men had heard and observed the ministry of Jesus prior to this event. When called, they immediately followed Him. They were called to preach the Kingdom of Heaven, and get the nation to accept Jesus as their Messiah, and King.

The word gospel means “good news.” “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:8. Every dispensation had its gospel, and all of them differ. Sadly, many pastors cannot see or understand this truth. The common saying that “people in the Old Testament looked forward to the cross” is not true. Not one person in Matthew through John understood or believed that Jesus was going to die for our sins.  

Jesus was and teacher and a preacher. He spent most of His time teaching the disciples, and the other, preaching to the multitudes. His message in Matthew was “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” His healing ministry was part of the Kingdom gospel, and it confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures concerning Himself. The Kingdom and the King were offered. The reactions will be the rejection of the King and the Kingdom.

 

JOHN INTRODUCES ISRAEL’S MESSIAH AND KING. A-3

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Matthew 3:1-17

lion and lamb“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”

The events take place about thirty years after the birth of John. He has spent most of His life in seclusion in the wilderness, and Jesus spent much of His life in seclusion at Nazareth.

The common people believed John’s message and wanted to be ready for the Messiah. John’s ministry was preparatory. Those who wanted to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, repented, were baptized and confessed their sins. John knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees were a bunch of vipers. They rejected John’s message because they did not believe it, nor did they see themselves as sinners. The fact that they were descendants of Abraham meant absolutely nothing. 

It is interesting that John ask who had warned them of the wrath to come. John has the Tribulation in mind. The Scriptures were clear that the Day of The Lord must precede the Kingdom. The axe laid at the root of the trees, the baptism with fire, and the purged floor, all pointed to that day.

John baptized those who repented, Jesus would later baptize the repentant nation with the Holy Spirit. “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:” Isaiah 44:3. A foretaste of this took place on Pentecost when the Spirit was poured on the Apostles. Since the nation refused to repent, the fulfillment of that promise has been postponed until the remnant repents in the Tribulation. John was attempting to turn the nation to the coming Messiah so Isaiah could be fulfilled.

John was the last of the Old Testament prophets to announce the coming of Christ. The fact that the Law and the Prophets were “till John” does not mean the Law of Moses ended at the coming of John, or that there were no prophets after his coming. The meaning is, the former days foretold Christ’s coming, John was now in the days of His coming. 

John lived as a poor man. His home was in the wilderness. He came in the manner of Elijah, and would have fulfilled in type his ministry, had the nation receive his ministry. John did no miracles, and was not in the Kingdom of Heaven. He did not start a church, Baptist, or otherwise. His message and ministry concerned the Kingdom of Heaven only. The statement by Jesus that John was greater than all prophets, spoke not of his character, but his ministry. They all told of His coming, John introduced Him to Israel.

John was not a Baptist, he was the baptizer. The church at Corinth had its factions. “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12. It is significant that none claimed to be of John. It is unfortunate that there is a church denomination named “The Church of Christ,” and one called “The Church of God” simply because believers were designated as such. Thus, many have made the same error with the name Baptist. The early church had no denominational name, even though believers were call by many names. John’s message, nor his baptism had nothing to do with the death, burial, or resurrection of Christ. That event never entered the mind of John or the Twelve. John’s gospel was the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, and was not what we preach, or what Paul preached.

Jesus was also about thirty years of age when He came to be baptized. There is more significance in His age than most think. Also, for those who affirm that the follow Christ to the letter, why do they not wait untill they are thirty?

Jesus was baptized, not that He needed repentance, but to identify Himself, and make Himself known as Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus kept the Law, and did what was expected of those who followed the truth. John’s baptism introduced, and made known Israel’s Messiah and King. Jesus was declared to be that, and more, at His baptism.

THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. HEROD SEEKS TO KILL JESUS. THEIR FLIGHT TO EGYPT. THE RETURN TO NAZARETH. A-2

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THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. HEROD SEEKS TO KILL JESUS. THEIR FLIGHT TO EGYPT. THE RETURN TO NAZARETH. A-2

lion and lambMatthew 2:1-23

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in accordance with prophecy. We are not told specifically what part of the East these wise men came from, or how many there were. They may have been from the area of Babylon where Daniel was a captive. They uttered prophecies, explained omens, interpreted dreams, and practiced divination (Dan. 2:2, 48; 4:9). Balaam attempted to curse Israel, but God overruled, and he spoke this prophecy. “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” Numbers 24:17. The “Star” here is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Herod the king was troubled at the thought of another king. Jerusalem was troubled because they knew the cruelty of Herod. Dake gives the following note about Herod.

  • “Herod the Great, son of Antipater (an Idumean) and Cypros (an Arabian woman). Antipater was made Procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar in 47 B.C. Herod was made governor of Galilee when he was 25 years old and was made king of Judea in 37 B.C. He rebuilt the Jewish temple (Jn. 2:20). At his death in 4 B.C. his kingdom was divided. His son Herod Antipas reigned over Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 (Lk. 3:1-2). He killed John the Baptist (Mt. 14:1). Another son, Archelius, was made ruler of Judea and Samaria (Mt. 2:22). He is called “Philip” in Mt. 14:3. Philip was succeeded by Herod Agrippa I in A.D. 37. In A.D. 40 he took over all the original territory of Herod the Great. He is mentioned in Acts 12. He was succeeded by Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13; 26:32).”Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

A major indictment of the religious leaders was, they knew where their Messiah was to be born, and what His office was.  Knowing all this, they willingly and knowingly rejected and killed Him.

Herod pretended he wanted to worship Jesus, but his plan was to kill him. All this was plotted by the devil to destroy the Son of God. The star that led the wise men, not to a manger, but to the house where the young child was. He was about two years old at this time. The star that led the wise men was an angel. (Rev. 1:20).

The important thing is that they were seeking the King. His mother has no preeminence in their search and worship. They “fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” God warned them not to let Herod know where the child was. Thus, they returned home without going back to Jerusalem from Nazareth.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Matthew shows how New Testament events were a fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture.[/pullquote]

Joseph is warned in a dream to take the child to Egypt for protection from Herod. After the death of Herod, Joseph was instructed to return to Israel. Two prophecies were fulfilled in this action. One, “out of Egypt have I called My Son.” The second prophecy, although not written down, was His return to Nazareth.

While Joseph and his family were in Egypt, Herod went on a killing spree, and murdered all babies two years old and younger. Again, Matthew shows how all events were a fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture.  The text quoted from Jeremiah 31:15 is a Tribulation passage. Ramah is a city about five miles north of Jerusalem. This shows the extent of Herod’s wrath. Thus, the worship by the wise men, the flight into Egypt, and the return to Nazareth, was all fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

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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.