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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.

THE WARNING TO WATCH, TALENTS FOR INVESTMENT, AND THE JUDGMENT OF GENTILE NATIONS #52

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THE WARNING TO WATCH,  TALENTS FOR INVESTMENT, AND THE JUDGMENT OF GENTILE NATIONS #52

lion and lambMatthew 25:1-46.

This chapter is a continuation of the instructions in the previous chapter. The word “Then” connect the two, and the time frame is at the end of the Tribulation.

The scope of the book is the Kingdom of Heaven. It has nothing to do with the body of Christ. The parable is “likened unto…” It depicts those who watch and those who ignore the Word, and the signs of Christ’s return and the coming judgments.

It is difficult to identify the meaning of the number ten.  It is a number of “completeness of order. Some think the ten virgins represent the the Gentile Bride of Christ and Although I am not certain of the significance of the number ten, if any, there is no doubt as to the meaning of the parable. It parallels the days of Noe, and the warning to watch. All, had lamps and oil, and all were warned to watch. While the bridegroom tarried, half did not adequately prepare. When the bridegroom came, those who were negligent, and indifferent, were shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” This, without a doubt, is the point Jesus is stressing. There is nothing in the parable about the church of this dispensation. The church of this dispensation is not the bride. Neither will any of the saved run out of oil or be lost. It is a warning. Those who do not watch will be deceived and shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Concerning the number ten, it’s significance must be determined according to its use. However, it need not have any other interpretation than the number itself. For instance, in the following parable, we see five talents, two talents, and one. Shall we focus on the numbers individually, and collectively, and them place significance on the number eight? All this my be overkill, and lead one into a faulty interpretation. 

The following parable is similar to the others. It differs in this fact, those who would enter the Kingdom of Heaven are expected to use the abilities and opportunities given them. One can see that all is a works salvation. Money and banking will not be important in the Tribulation, so the issue in no investment of dollars and cents. We are reminded of the laborers who were hired a different hours of the day. Faithfulness was the key. The man with the least ability was given less responsibility. However, he was wicked and lazy, and found fault with his lord.  

The moral is clear. Those who are faithful to the Lord in the Tribulation will receive abundance in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who fall away, or are unfaithful, will forfeit what they would have received. Others will possess it. The five virgins will be “shut” out, the unprofitable servant will be “cast out.”

When Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation, there will be a period wherein the Lord will set up His government at Jerusalem for the Kingdom of Heaven. Dake has a helpful note on these additional days.

  • “3. The last period is 1,335 days, an addition of 45 days to the second period. The extra 75 days (the 30 days and 45 days) added to the 1,260 days will complete the 1,335 days of Dan. 12:7-13, the last day of which will be the actual day of the proclamation of the kingdom, when men who have lived through the tribulation will be blessed. It is the actual time when Christ will say to the sheep nations: “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:34). These extra 75 days will be taken up by certain events necessary to the actual proclamation of the kingdom.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

At that judgment, gentile nations will be judged according to their treatment of Jewish believers in the Tribulation. Those who are compassionate and merciful to the Jews will be rewarded and welcomed into the Kingdom. Those who are indifferent are judged accordingly. The promise made to Abraham comes to mind here.

Again, this is a works situation, and those who did the good works were not aware of the reward they would receive. Nor, were the nations who refused to help the Jews aware of the judgment awaiting them. These nations will be assigned their place in hell.

There is nothing in the chapter about the church, the body of Christ. Although illustrations, and applications can be made, the teacher must first give the true meaning of the text, or people be misled. Right division must always come first, if there is to be right understanding.

 

THE TEMPLE, THE TRIBULATION, AND TIME OF SECOND COMING OF CHRIST #51

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THE TEMPLE, THE TRIBULATION, AND TIME OF SECOND COMING OF CHRIST #51

lion and lambMatthew 24:1-51

The Lord continues His instruction of the disciples. Three questions are ask, two of them are answered in Matthew’s gospel. It is noteworthy that the questions are grouped in threes. The student would be amazed to find how often that number is found in this gospel. The question as to when the temple would be destroyed has been answered, and is given great detail in the gospel of Luke. (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24.) The destruction of the temple happened in 70 A. D.

 

  • “The Jews were crucified in such numbers before the walls during the siege that the Romans wanted more room for crosses. Multitudes in the city died of famine until the valleys outside were filled with them. Titus himself groaned and threw up his hands in horror and called God to witness that he was not responsible. No fewer than 600,000 who were thrown out the gates were counted by the Romans. Altogether 1,100,000 Jews died; 97,000 were sold as slaves for trifling prices; 40,000 were freed because no one bought them; and 347,490 more, plus multitudes not counted, perished in many other ways.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible

The other two questions are prefaced with a warning about deception. They might be deceived by false prophets, by wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. These are only the beginning of sorrows for the Jews. They would be afflicted, killed, and hated of all nations because they believe the Messianic promises and covenants. This would include the promise of the land to Israel, and the Kingdom given to the Son of David.

Most of Israel reject their own Scriptures, and do not believe the promises of God. Thus, the secular and atheistic Jews will betray and hate those of their own nation. “Nevertheless… it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. “Luke 13:33.

The Tribulation will center on the destruction of the Jewish nation. The Antichrist, Satan, and the false prophet will target them. Two thirds of the nation will be destroyed. One third will remain to fight the Antichrist, and a new nation will be born again. (“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Zechariah 13:9.) These who endure to the end of the Tribulation will be saved, physically, to enter the Kingdom.

The fourth sowing of the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached by the remnant in all the world. The content will be that the return of Jesus, the Messiah and King is imminent. Then the end of this age will end.

The Lord now gives added details to the Tribulation. Concerning the signs of His coming, none is more evident than that which was spoken by Daniel the prophet. This is none other than the Antichrist who will set up his headquarters at Jerusalem in the last half of the Tribulation. His goal is the final solution, he thinks,to rid the world of the Jewish problem. He will enter the temple and desecrate it. Whatever it is, the Lord warns the Jews to get out of Jerusalem when they witness this abomination. These are probably the Jews who flee as recorded in Revelation 12:6. “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” Revelation 12:6.

Satan returns to Jerusalem to pour his wrath on those who failed to flee. Jesus says, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” The elect are righteous Jews.

One should never believe sighs and wonders unless they are validated by Scripture, and confirmed by the dispensation in which they appear. The only thing that will keep the informed Jews from deception is a knowledge of the Scriptures. One can understand why the masses will be deluded. Most are ignorant of the Bible and right divisions.

We are not sure what this sign is. It may be the appearing itself. Once Jesus comes to Jerusalem, He send his angels to gather His elect throughout the earth back to Israel. The signs mentioned are their clear warning of His coming. The generation at that time will witness all until all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth will ultimately pass away, but the words of Christ will never fail.

As man, Jesus deprived Himself of the knowledge of the day and hour. This is a mystery. He was very God, and very man. Only His Father knew the exact time of His coming.

Jesus did know the conditions that would exist. The world attitude will be exactly as it was in the days Noe entered the ark. They were indifferent to the preaching of Noe, and were ignorant of the time and signs. Such is it today. Most of the world refuses to believe the Scriptures, or the moral condition of the times. They are busy with their plans, their families, and their comfort. “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

The ones taken are taken in judgment, as the flood waters took away the wicked. Those left, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The parable in Matthew 13 clarifies this event. The tares are gathered into bundles and burned. The wheat is gathered into the barn. The bad fish are gathered up and cast away, the good are kept. This has nothing to do with the rapture of the church. It will have been raptured long before this event. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:43. After the wicked are taken in judgment, the righteous will enjoy the thousand year Kingdom of Heaven.

The reward and warning is for that generation. Those who are wise will not be negligent nor taken by surprise at His coming. This is a works salvation. The faithful will be rewarded. Those who begin to doubt His coming and mistreat his brethren, and backslide into the world will be cut asunder and appointed a portion with the hypocrites.

A right division of the Word, will help anyone see that the church, the body of Christ, is not the subject of Matthew. The theme is the Kingdom of Heaven. It is earthly, literal, and conditional. The church of this dispensation is heavenly, has not earthly promises, and unconditional.