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JESUS' EARLY YEARS
3 Angelic Visits
Gabriel to Zacharias – John to prepare for the Lord
Gabriel to Mary – chosen to bear Son of God, Jesus
Gabriel to Joseph – her child is of the HS
Lk.1:13-17; 5BC
Lk.1:31-36; 4BC
Mt.1:20-21; 4BC
3 Praise God
Mary
Zacharias
Simeon
3 Uplifting Events
Census – takes Mary away from ridicule in Nazareth
Shepherds – words confirm Jesus is Messiah
Simeon – confirms Jesus to be the Christ
3 Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled
Born of a Virgin Isa.7:14
Born in Bethlehem Mic.5:2
Death of Babies Jer.31:15
3 Enlightening Actions of the Magi
Star seen in the East – Num.24:17; study scriptures
Magi to Jerusalem – build a caravan, invest money
Magi to Bethlehem – worship Jesus, leave gifts
3 Angelic Warnings
To Magi – do not return to Herod
To Joseph – flee to Egypt
To Joseph – don’t live in Judea (1 AD)
3 Proofs Jesus Born at Passover
Custom of Feast – all men (age 13) to attend feasts
Speaks with Teachers – only a man can speak
Causing Parents Grief – man no longer a child
Lk.1:46-55; 4BC
Lk.1:67-79; 4BC
Lk.2:28-35; 3BC
Lk.2:1-7; 3BC
Lk.2:8-20; 3BC
Lk.2:21-32; 3BC
Mt.1:23; 4BC
Mt.2:6; 3BC
Mt.2:16f; 3BC
Mt.2:1; 3BC
Mt.2:1-8; 2BC
Mt.2:9-12; 2BC
Mt.2:12; 2BC
Mt.2:13; 2BC
Mt.2:19F; 1AD
Lk.2:42; 10 BC
Lk.2:46,47; 10 BC
Lk.2:48; 10 BC
JESUS BIRTHDAY - 10th OF ABIB
Luke 3:23
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He was about 30 years old when He began His ministry.
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Notice Luke 2:43; when He became 12
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John 2:1–12
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His first miracle was water to wine then He went to Capernaum, then to Jerusalem for the Passover where He cleared the temple beginning His ministry at a Passover.
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Luke 2:41-52
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His first miracle was water to wine then He went to Capernaum, then to Jerusalem for the Passover where He cleared the temple beginning His ministry at a Passover.
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Deuteronomy 16:16
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Custom is all men must worship at three feasts every year – Passover; Pentecost; Tabernacles;
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A child becomes a man at his 13th birthday (bar mitzvah) Jesus must have celebrated His birthday at the feast because He was only 12 when He went up.
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Mother is your teacher until your 2 years. Your father is your teacher until your 13 years old.
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BAR = son; MITZPAH = commandments. A child cannot speak or ask questions to a Rabbi and we see Jesus’ conversing with them for 5 days. “Amazed at his understanding”
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If He was a child He disobeyed His parents by not returning with them, but if a man, no sin.
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Notice His mom’s response, “Son why have you treated us this way?” Jesus’ response – “I had to be in My Father’s house” vs.49.
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No longer a PAIDION – CHILD Luke 2:17,21,27,40
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Now a PAIS – YOUTH, BOY, SERVANT. Luke 1:54,69; 2:43; 8:51,54
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Exodus 12:1-13
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Law of the Passover – on the 10th of Abib pick a lamb unblemished, 1 year old, male.
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Jesus is the Lamb of God, John 1:36; a perfect 1 year old lamb would be born on the 10th of Abib, thus Jesus the perfect Lamb of God was born on the 10th of Abib.
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Passover is set by the first full moon after the spring equinox March 21st. The full moon is the 14th and counting backwards you find the 10th, Jesus’ birthday. Which would have been the day of His triumphal entry which was Monday not Palm Sunday.
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Luke 1:36
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Jesus’ cousin was 6 months older than Him which would make John’s birthday the 10th of Tishri, the day of Atonement, The day the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies for the forgiveness of the people, Leviticus 23:26 This was the day John began baptizing in the Jordan for the forgiveness of sins Luke 3:3
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This would be about Sept./Oct. then Jesus would have been baptized in Feb. – 40 days in wilderness, tempted by Satan.
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John 2:1-12
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Off to Cana to say good-bye to His mom for it was time to begin His ministry. His first miracle at the wedding
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John 2:12ff
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Pick up the guys fishing, then off to the Passover where He kicks off His ministry clearing the temple right after His birthday as He turned 30 years old.
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John 2:13–22
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He clears the Temple, His first run in with the Jews. Now they know Jn.3:2;
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Galatians 4:4
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But when the fullness of time came… God does not do anything randomly.
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When was Quirinius the governor? Lk.2:1-2;
Fact – Quirinius did govern Syria from 6-12 AD and did take a census of Syria and Judea in 6 AD which caused a small uprising – Ac.5:37
But Matthew has Jesus born before the death of King Herod which was 3BC or 1 BC. So was Luke wrong?
The Greek word for governor literally translates to command, leader, authority not title.
Quirinius could have been given responsibility to oversee the census from the authority assigned to him in Syria. He also could have been governor in 11-8 or 4-1 BC.
But in Lk.2:2 – “This was FIRST census taken when Quirinius was governing Syria. Not to mention Luke has been accurate in everything he has written to date, no errors. Josephus has had many errors pointed out in his writings, even death of John the Baptist.
Josephus records that Herod died after an eclipse of the moon and before the Passover.
This is how historians set the date for Herod’s death by Josephus’ writings!
4 BC – partial eclipse of the moon on March 13th
1 BC – full eclipse of the moon on Jan.10th
If Herod died in 4 BC, killed babies in 5 BC Jesus born in 6 BC. Started ministry at 33 years old
If Herod died in 1 BC, killed babies in 2 BC Jesus born in 3 BC started ministry at 30 years old.
Lk.3:23 Jesus was about 30 years old when He began His ministry.
If Herod died in 1BC, Jesus was born in 3 BC the census could have been in control of Quirinius in 4-3 BC, as a leader in charge or as governor for the first time.
Wikipedia gives arguments for both dates for Herod’s death and historians argue from both sides.
Not that Wikipedia is an authoritative source, but we know the Bible is!
2Tim.3:16 all scripture is inspired by God…. Gen.1:1f God created the world in 6 days…
When was Jesus born? Dec. 25th 6 BC as world says or Abib 10th 3 BC as the Bible demonstrates?
TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE WITH JESUS' PARABLES
A parable is a true story that teaches a moral or spiritual truth.
LOVE
Salt of Earth Truthful
Light World Transparent
Wise Builders Trustworthy
New wineskins Transformed
Two Debtors Tender Heart
PATIENCE
Lost Sheep Noticer
Unmerciful Slave Negotiable
Good Samaritan Neighbourly
Friend in Need Nonnegotiable
Rich Farmer Negligent
FAITHFULNESS
Rich Man/Lazarus Outcome
Master/Servant Obligations
Persistent Widow Objectives
Pharisee /Taxman Observing
Ten Minas Output
JOY
Sower 4 soils Receptive
Mustard Seed Ratify
Leavened Dough Radiate
Tares & Wheat Responsible
Hidden treasure Research
KINDNESS
Slaves Watchful Sensible
Wise/Fool Slaves Sound
Unfruitful Fig Tree Supporting
Lowest Seat Submitting
Invitation Banquet Sensitive
GENTLENESS
Workers in Vineyard Resentment
Two Sons Responsive
Wicked Tenets Respectful
Wedding Banquet Reverence
Signs of a Fig Tree Recognition
PEACE
Costly Pearl Acquire
Dragnet Assist
Owner of House Apportion
Lampstand Acknowledge
Growing Seed Aid
GOODNESS
Cost of Discipleship Factor
Lost Sheep Friendships
Lost Coin Fervent
Prodigal Son Fellowship
Shrewd Manager Finesse
SELF CONTROL
Watchful Slaves Mayday
Faithful/Evil Slaves Mature
Wise/fool Virgins Model
Talents Mission
Sheep and Goats Ministering
PARABLES OF JESUS WITH SONGS
1Cor.14:15; …I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding
Eph.5:19; speaking to one another in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to one another and making melody
in your heart to the Lord.
Col.3:16; Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
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1st Passover 27 AD - Love – Trusting God’s Word
1. Salt of the Earth Mt.5:13 Truthful # 315 The Precious Book Devine
2. Light of the World Mt.5:14-16 Transparent # 250 Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
3. Wise Builders Mt. 7:24-27 Trustworthy # 311 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
4. New wineskins Mt. 9:17 Transformed # 351 A New Creature
5. Two Debtors $50 & $500 Lk. 7:41-43 Tender Hearted # 354 I Gave My Life For Thee
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LOVE flourishes in a TRUTHFUL person who is TRANSPARENT in all that he does and is TRUSTWORTHY in what he endeavors to do because he has been TRANSFORMED by receiving a new TENDER HEART.
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2nd Passover 28 AD - JOY – Obeying God’s Word
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6. Sower 4 Soils Mt.13:3-23 Receptive # 220 Sowing the Seed of the Kingdom
7. Mustard Seed Mt.13:31-32 Ratify # 279 Give Me The Bible
8. Leaven in Dough Mt.13:33 Radiate # 378 Trust and Obey
9. Tares Among Wheat Mt.13:24-43 Reassured # 567 There’s a Great Day Coming
10. Hidden Treasure Mt.13:44 Research # 477 Earth Holds No Treasurers
A JOYFUL person is one who is fully RECEPTIVE to God’s Word, RATIFYING it in their life by allowing the Word to RADIATE in all that they do, REASSURED because they have done their own RESEARCH.
PEACE – Sharing God’s Word
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11. Costly Pearl Mt.13:45-46 Acquire # 736 Seek Ye First
12. Dragnet Mt.13:47-50 Assist # 682 Bind Us Together Lord
13. Owner of a House Mt.13:52 Apportion # 347 Standing on the Promises
14. Lamp on Stand Mk.4:21-22; Lk.16:16-18; Acknowledge # 61 Blessed Assurance
15. A Growing Seed Mk.4:26-29 Aid # 527 Bringing in the Sheaves
PEACE is dependent upon ACQUIRING the pure word of Truth and using it to ASSIST others in the kingdom, APPORTIONING old and new properly ACKNOWLEDGING to all who hear its beauty and AIDING by nurturing the lambs.
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3rd Passover 29 AD - PATIENCE – Trusting God’s Blessings
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16. Lost Sheep Mt. 18:12-14 Noticing # 218 Seeking the Lost
17. Unmerciful Servant Mt. 18:23-34 Negotiable # 745 A Common Love
18. Good Samaritan Lk. 10:30-37 Neighbourly # 242 Soldiers of Christ Arise
19. Friend in Need Lk. 11:5-8 Nonnegotiable # 398 How Sweet, How Heavenly
20. Rich Farmer Builds Lk. 12:16-21 Negligent # 461 Be Not Dismayed
PATIENCE happens when you NOTICE brethren in trouble, being quick to NEGOTIATE on their behalf, the NEIGHBORLY thing to do, which is NONNEGOTIABLE. Never being NEGLIGENT to the needs of others.
KINDNESS – Obeying God’s Blessings
21. Watchful Servants Lk. 12:35-40 Sensible # 546 Troublesome Times Are Here
22. Wise or Foolish Servant Lk. 12:42-48 Sound # 560 I Am Resolved
23. Unfruitful Fig Tree Lk. 13:6-9 Supporting # 243 Rescue the Perishing
24. Lowest Seat at Feast Lk. 14:7-14 Submitting # 437 Remind Me Dear Lord
25. Invitation to big Dinner Lk. 14:16-24 Sensitive # 584 Whosoever Heareth
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KINDNESS happens when you live a SENSIBLE life, by being SOUND in your service to God, striving to SUPPORT unfruitful brethren, SUBMITTING to others and always being SENSITIVE to the leading of our Master.
GOODNESS – Sharing God’s Blessings
26. Cost of Discipleship Lk. 14:26-35 Factor # 585 What Will You Do with Jesus
27. Lost Sheep Lk. 15:4-7 Friendships # 225 The Ninety and Nine
28. Lost Coin Lk. 15:8-10 Fervent # 218 Seeking the Lost
29. Lost Son Lk. 15:11-32 Fellowship # 595 God Is Calling the Prodigal
30. Shrewd Manager Lk. 16:1-8 Finesse # 270 My Task
GOODNESS is when you FACTOR into your life, time for FRIENDSHIPS and being FERVENT to keep those relationships, dedicated to FELLOWSHIPING as often as you can, FINESSING opportunities for that to happen.
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FAITHFULNESS – Trusting God’s Blessings
31. Rich Man & Lazarus Lk. 16:19-31 Outcome # 492 Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All
32. Master & Slave Lk. 17:5-10 Obligations # 359 None of Self and All of Thee
33. Persistent widow Lk. 18:1-8 Objectives # 309 Tell It To Jesus
34. Pharisee / Taxman Lk. 18:10-14 Observing # 466 I Need Thee Every Hour
35. Ten minas Lk. 19:12-27 Output # 221 We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes
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FAITHFULNESS provides a good OUTCOME when I live up to my OBLIGATIONS, sharing with God my OBJECTIVES, all the while OBSERVING personal behaviors. As I supply the best OUTPUT I can muster.
4th Passover 30 AD - GENTLENESS – Obeying God’s Guidance
36. Hiring Workers 1 Price Mt. 20:1-16 Resentment # 443 Purer In Heart O God
37. Two Sons, Mt. 21:28-32 Responsive # 610 Can He Depend On You
38. Wicked Tenants Mt. 21:33-44 Respectful # 546 Jesus is Coming Soon
39. Wedding Feast Mt. 22:2-14 Reverence # 608 Come To The Feast
40. Signs of a Fig Tree Mt. 24:32-35 Recognition # 693 Have You Seen Jesus My Lord
GENTLENESS grows when I get rid of RESENTMENT, by RESPONDING to God’s calling and showing the RESPECT and REVERENCE that is due to our Master, and RECOGNIZING the danger signs of the times we live in.
SELF CONTROL – Sharing God’s Guidance
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41. Be on the Alert Mk. 13:31-37 Mayday # 567 There’s a Great Day Coming
42. Faithful or Evil slave Mt. 24:44-51 Mature # 592 What shall It Be?
43. Wise/Foolish Virgins Mt. 25:1-13 Model # 315 The Precious Book Devine
44. Talents Mt. 25:14-30 Mission # 602 Prepare to Meet Thy God
45. Sheep and Goats Mt. 25:31-46 Ministering # 382 God’s Family
# 693 Have you seen Jesus my Lord
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SELF CONTROL – is when we realize everyday can be MAYDAY so MATURITY becomes a reality and I live a life MODELING my faith being MISSION minded, while always MINISTERING to the family of God.
JESUS' LAST WEEK - PASSION WEEK
10th
Sunday
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11th
Monday
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12th
Tuesday
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13th
Wednesday
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14th
Thursday
AM
PM
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PM
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PM
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PM
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AM
PM
Mk.10:46f; Left Jericho – Bartimaeus Mt.20:29f
Jn.12:1f; Bethany-dinner Mary, Martha, Lazarus.Mount Olivet
Mk.11:1-11; Triumphal Entry Mt.21:1f; Lk.19:28f; Jn.12:12f
Mk.11:11; Bethany, Mount Olivet Lk.21:37; 22:39
Mk.11:12f Cleanses Temple Mt.21:12; Lk.19:45f
Mk.11:19; Bethany, Mount Olivet
Mk.11:27-14:1; Convicting the False Teachers Mt.21:23-26:2; Lk.20-21
Mk.14:3f; Bethany – Simon Leper’s Home, Mt.26:6f; Mount Olivet
Mk.14:12f; 2 Disciples Sent to Prepare Table Mt.26:17f; Lk.22:7f
Mk.14:17f; Passover – See Last 18 hours of Jesus’ Life Mt.26:20f; Lk.22:14f
Jesus and the disciples always went back up to Bethany but slept at Mount Olivet Luke 21:37;
in the garden of Gethsemane? So Judas knew where to find them.
JESUS' LAST 18 HOURS
Passover
3 Lessons on Servant-hood
3 Prophecies at Passover
3 Warnings to Judas
LT/Washes Feet/?Greatest
Betrayal/Scattering/Denial
Mt.26:23; Lk.22:22; Jn.13:19;
Garden
3 Events in the Garden
3 Events at His Arrest
3 Prophecies Fulfilled
3 Sleeping/3 Prayers/Angel
Kiss, kneel/Cut, heal/ Scatter, naked
Betrayal/Scattering/Denial
Courts
3 Trials before Jews
3 Trials before Gentiles
3 Times Found Innocent
Annas/Caiaphas/Sanhedrin
Pilate/Herod/Pilate
HP no charges/Herod/Pilate 3x
Abuse
3 Guards Mock Him
3 Articles Given Christ
3 Tortures By Pilate
Temple/Herod’s/Pilate’s
Purple Robe/Crown Thorns/Reed
Scourged/Beaten/Crucified
To Cross
3 Events on Way to Cross
3 Events of Judas
3 Crosses 3 Lang 3 Ident
Barabbas/Simon of Cyrene/Don’t Weep
Betrayal/Returns $/Hung himself.
Lat./Heb./Grk – Jesus/Naz./King
At Cross
3 Groups Mock at Cross
3 Acts of Compassion
3 Miracles, at this time.
People/Chief Priests/Robbers
To Guards/To Robber/To Mom
Darkness/Earthquake/Veil torn
After His Death
3 Prophecies Fulfilled
3 Responses to His death
3 Days and 3 Nights
Gambled/Vinegar/Broke Not His Bones
Centurion/Joseph & Nicodemus/Crowd
In Hades Mt.12:40;
THE RESURRECTION DAY
3 Visits to the Empty Tomb Women/Peter & John/Mary M.
3 Visits to the Eleven Women/Mary M./2 Emmaus
3 Visits of Jesus to Mary M./2 Emmaus/Eleven
3 POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES
Jesus visits Thomas and the eleven John 20:20-26
Jesus visits Peter and disciples gone fishing John 21:1-25
Jesus visits the Eleven on a mt. in Galilee Matthew 28:16-20
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3 TIMES THE ASCENSION IS RECORDED
Mk.16:19–20; Lk.24:50–53; Ac.1:3–11;
JESUS' PRAYING IN THE GARDEN
I wish to bring your attention to Jesus’ intensity in prayer. Luke uses the word “agony”, He was wrestling with God in prayer and to such an extent, so fervently that His sweat became like drops of blood. Luke 22:44
My sweat can be like drops of blood, dripping off my face, when I am in the middle of playing an intense sport, in the heat of the day. You bend over and the sweat drips off your face, big drops, soaking the pavement as they hit.
But here is the wonder, Jesus quietly on His knees in prayer, in the cool of the night, yet His sweat was like drops of blood, Why? How? He was so intense in His communication with His Father, His thoughts alone were over heating His physical body, from such agony and fervency, He was sweating profusely.
Paul describes Ephaphras’ prayer as one where he “agonizes” for the brethren in Colossae, though the NAS translates it as “worked hard for” this is the same word describing Jesus prayer as an agony”. Colossians 4:13
Jesus also challenges us in Luke 13:24; to “Strive” to enter the kingdom. Same word used here for “agonize” to enter the kingdom. Give it your very best effort not only to get through the door but stay in the kingdom.
When was the last time I worked up a sweat in prayer? Is my prayer life on cruise control or am I getting the full potential I can get from talking with God? When was the last time I found myself agonizing over the Word of God to find the true meaning of the text? Are we fervent in our walk with God? Are we the zealous people of God Paul describes in Titus 2:14?
WHAT DAY WAS JESUS CRUCIFIED?
What day was Jesus crucified – Wednesday or Friday?
To save reading this entire post my wife pointed out to me, how simple it really is by referring to Matthew 20:19; Luke 9:22; 18:33; Acts 10:40; and many other verses which simply, say, “on the third day He will be raised.” If Jesus was raised on the first day of the week, Sunday, then Saturday was day 2, and Friday was day 1. If He didn’t die on Friday then He wasn’t raised on the third day. Do we need more, I wish my wife had come in sooner, the rest of this post is my reasoning.
A few people state that the 14th of Nissan fell on the Wednesday because of the full moon, therefore Jesus was crucified on Wednesday. But astronomical calculations show that the 14th could have fallen on Friday, making Thursday night the Passover meal and the crucifixion on Friday. See the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol.1 p.689 to confirm this.
The gospels do say Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Sabbath, which is always a Friday. Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14,31,42; Some people make the mistake by saying you can have multiple Sabbaths in one week. They err because they call the 14th of Nissan (Friday) a Sabbath when it can only called a holy assembly, or holy convocation. Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7; Numbers 28:16-18; It cannot be a Sabbath for Sabbath means 7 referring to 7th day of the week. You cannot have two Sabbaths in one week, but you can have a holy convocation as taught in the Old Testament.
Now if you accept the 14th of Nissan to be Friday, then the 15th of Nissan falls on the Saturday, falls on the Sabbath that year, thus making that Sabbath a GREAT Sabbath because it is also a holy convocation as John claims in John 19:31; John also calls the Friday, John 19:14; “day of preparation for the Passover.” Passover refers to the whole religious feast, Luke 22:1; And in John 19:42; “he calls it the day of preparation”, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.’
In John 12:1; Six days before the Passover they came to Bethany. Counting backwards from Friday the 14th, puts you on Sunday, the day they traveled from Jericho to Bethany and had a dinner that night at Lazarus’ home. If Thursday was day He was crucified then they traveled on the Sabbath. Since He had dinner at Lazarus’ home on Sunday, it was Monday that Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on the donkey, not Palm Sunday but really Palm Monday. Since Friday was the 14th, Monday was the 10th which was Jesus birthday, the day all Israel picks a lamb for the slaughter and in rides Jesus as they shout Hosanna! They have selected their Lamb of God. Exodus 12:3-6
Finally many struggle with the 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40; and they place the crucifixion on Wednesday to try and obtain a perfect 72 hours for Jesus to be in Hades. To the Jews a partial day equals a whole day. Jesus died when the darkness was on the land, one historian claims the stars came out it was so dark, night? He died at 3 PM and went straight to Hades. what does Jesus say to the thief, Today you will be with Me in Paradise! Luke 23:43; That Friday afternoon, sun comes back, day again, then Friday at 6 we have Sat. night, Sat. Day, then 6pm Sunday night and Jesus rises Sunday morning.
There you have 3 nights and 3 days, I totally accept his 3 hours on Friday as a full day (not needing the darkness explanation) and rising on the first day of the week as a full day as well. But some are literalist so they will demand placing His crucifixion on Wednesday making Him, Thurs, Fri. Sat. Sun. making Him to be 4 days and 4 nights which if that was the case, why didn’t God just say so? That would also make Jesus rise on the 4th day, which really goes against scriptures as we saw earlier.
A perfect 72 hours demands you accept His burial to be at 6 PM Wednesday so as not to count Wednesday denying Jesus statement to the thief. And Jesus had to rise at 6PM early Sunday night, Late Sat. afternoon so as not to count Sunday. I think there is a reason it has always been accepted that His death was on Friday, because the Bible points to the fact that He did die Friday and rose on the 1st day of the week. Once you demand literal interpretation of the text, where do you stop?
Can we use multiple cups or is only one cup sanctioned by God. Do we all have to sell everything, give to the poor and to be faithful Christians or was that only commanded to that one rich man? Who here hasn’t sinned with his eyes or with his hands and yet you have not cut them off, have you? No I certainly hope not. We have to reason with the text.
Is proper interpretation of scripture important, lets just say the reason there are so many denominations is because people didn’t care about how important interpreting the Bible really is. There is but one Truth, not two. And the logic and reasoning of innocents is the best way to discover that Truth. Mt.18:3 “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
EVIDENCES FOR RESURRECTION
IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION
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A. Christianity Stands on the Resurrection
Mentioned 104 times in the New Testament
If Christ was not raised then: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
1. Our preaching is in vain
2. Your faith is in vain
3. You are still lost in your sins
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B. All hope of life after death is based on Resurrection
1. Declared to be Son of God by – Romans 1:4
2. First gospel based on – Acts 2:23-24
3. Gospel is centered on – Acts 13:32-33
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THE EMPTY TOMB - THE WORLD'S EXPLANATION:
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A. Swoon Theory – Jesus did not die, only fainted.
Counter points:
1. Surviving Crucifixion Impossible – see http://brainshavings.com/supplements/crucifixion/death2.htm
2. Stone too large for one man Mark 16:4
3. What happened to the body?
4. Why leave the burial clothes? John 20:5-7
5. How did He get pass the guards? Matthew 27:62-66
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B. Friends Stole the Body while guards slept.
Counter points:
1. Guards suffer penalty of death if fail. Matthew 28:13-19
2. How can one sleeping, be a witness?
3. The disciples all died testifying to resurrection.
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C. Legend Theory – nothing more than a myth.
Counter points:
1. Not enough time for a myth to develop.
2. Legends do not have eye witnesses. Luke 1:1-2; John 19:35
3. Myths increase, Jesus’ appearances decreased.
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D. Hallucination Theory
Counter points:
1. 500 witnesses at one time, impossible! 1 Corinthians 15:6
2. No one expected the resurrection, John 20:24-28; Luke 24:11
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EVIDENCE FOR RESURRECTION
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A. Changes in People
1. Peter – from 3 denials to dying for Christ.
2. Thomas – from skeptic to “My lord and my God.” John 20:28
3. Saul of Tarsus
– Persecutor of church Galatians 1:13-14
– Who converted Saul? Jews? Christians?
– Was he unstable? he was a trained scholar. Acts 22:3-4
– Was he mad? read his writings 2 Peter 3;15-16
– He claims he saw the risen Lord 1 Corinthians 15:8
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B. Historical Witnesses
a. Honesty of Witnesses
No contradictory evidence, ever proven.
Motives of men is usually fame, fortune, fear.
Lived poor men, Acts 3:6
Suffered through persecution 2 Corinthians 11:23-26
b. Competency of Witnesses
They were eye witnesses to the resurrection.
Mentally capable, their writings prove that.
They were not gullible Luke 24:22-25; John 20:24-29
c. Number Of Witnesses
1 Corinthians 15:3-8; can’t believe 500, won’t believe 10,000
Too much evidence to disregard their writings and it’s reliability.
d. Historicity of Writings
AUTHOR
Plato
Aristotle
Thucydides
Tacitus
DATE WRITTEN
350BC
350BC
410BC
100AD
EARLIEST COPY
900AD
1100AD
950AD
860AD
SPAN
1200yrs
1400yrs
1400yrs
760yrs
New Testament Manuscripts
Sinaiticus
Alexandrius
Vaticanus
Ephraemic
Bezae
75AD
75AD
75AD
75AD
75AD
340AD
425AD
350AD
450AD
500AD
250yrs
350yrs
275yrs
375yrs
425yrs
5 of 500 manuscripts of the New Testament dating within 400 yrs of events.
Nelson Glueck, Palestinian Archeologist, wrote: “It may be stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference. Scores of Archeological findings have been made which confirm in exact detail, historical statements in the Bible.”
F.F. Bruce, Historian “There is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoys such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament.”
JESUS TUNIC - WHY DID THEY WANT IT?
Why did they gamble for Jesus tunic at the cross? Matthew 27:35; Why would Roman soldiers want the blood stained clothes of a Jewish criminal. I think the answer goes back to the trial before Pilate after Jesus came back from being abused by Herod.
Pilate finds Him not guilty 3 times and has Jesus scourged. Matthew 27:24-26; Jesus does not break during the scourging, He does not cry out. 1 Peter 2:21-23; This must have infuriated the Roman guard witnessing His composure, that afterwards they take Him aside and privately lay a beating on Him. Matthew 27:27-31; Three things, robe, crown of thorns, reed in His hand, then beat Him on the head, driving the crown of thorns deeper into his skull and some taking turns slapping Him on the face, trying to break Him. Isaiah 53:7
After nailing Him to the cross, they knew the kind of man He was, one who did not break under their torture and torment, they must have been so impressed, that they gambled for His tunic because it belonged to this Man Jesus. Romans were very superstitious especially in their religion, did the clothes contain some of His power? We see this belief in the OT when Elijah told Elisha to be there when I go, Elijah left his mantle and Elisha took it and parted the Jordan 2 Kings 2:9-14
I believe the Romans saw the power in the clothes and wishing to have what this Man had, they gambled to obtain the tunic. Not saying there was power in the clothes but I believe that was how they saw it. Jesus so impressed these Roman soldiers, by the way He received their abuse, they respected Him for the Man He was. When He died, the Centurion and those with Him believed “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54
The world looks for its hero’s today in men who are muscular, athletic and killers but they miss the only example of a True Man when they refuse to see Jesus as the true measure of a Man. Not to understand this is to never know what a real man is. John 15:13
NEW TESTAMENT TIMELINE
4 BC – 10 Tishri – Birth of John – on Day of Atonement – Sept./Oct. Feb. 7 – Jesus immersed, anointed with Holy Spirit, Luke 3:21-22
3 BC – 10 Abib – Birth of Jesus – 4 days before Passover Mar./Apr. Feb. 8 – Off to wilderness 40 days, tempted by Satan, Luke 4:1-12
2 BC – Visit of the Magi – Egypt – Herod babies. Matthew 2:1-18 Mar. 21 – John says, “Behold the Lamb of God” John 1:35-42
1 BC – March – Death of Herod Matthew 1:19
1 AD – Jesus returns to live in Nazareth, Matthew 1:20-23 Mar. 22 – Jesus & disciples go to Galilee, John 1:43-51
10 AD – Jesus turns 13 and celebrates first Passover, Luke 2:41-52 Mar. 26 – Jesus & disciples go to wedding in Cana, John 2:1-11
26 AD – 10 Tishri – John turns 30, begins ministry, John 1:29-34; Luke 3:1,2 Mar. 27 – Jesus, disciples & Mary go to Capernaum, John 2:12
Mar. 31 – Jesus & disciples go to Jerusalem, John 2:13
7 AD – approximate dates used to give a picture for the timing Apr. 5 – Jesus celebrates 30th birthday, 10 Abib, Luke 3:23
Apr. 6 – Jesus clears Temple, official start to ministry? John 2:14-22
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27 AD – Apr 11 Friday – 1st Passover of Jesus ministry, John 2:13
28 AD – Apr 28 Wednesday – 2nd Passover of Jesus ministry, John 5:1 Jesus has perfect 3 year ministry April 11, 27 AD – April 6, 30 AD
29 AD – Apr 18 Monday – 3rd Passover of Jesus ministry, John 6:4
30 AD – Apr 7 Friday – Last Passover, end of Jesus ministry, John 11:55
JESUS COMING IN THE CLOUDS
Does Jesus coming in the clouds even/always refer to the judgement day?
Isiah 19:1; Behold the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and coming to Egypt. The fulfillment of this was the Assyrians coming from the north to attack Egypt. God uses one army/people to punish another army/people.
Matthew 24:30 – …the sign…they will perceive…Son of Man coming on the clouds…. This is fulfilled in 70 AD as we see in vs.34 it will happen to this generation. Matthew 26:64; the HP will perceive (understand) as well // God uses one army/Romans to punish another army/Jews. See also Ezekiel 38:1ff (9,16)
Revelation 1:7 Behold He is coming in the clouds… This is fulfilled in 313 AD, Constantine comes from the north and captures the position of Caesar and legalizes Christianity, ending Roman persecution. God uses one army/Constantine to punish another army/Rome.
1 Thessalonians 4:17; this says we will be caught up together to be with them in the clouds. Not apocalyptic as previous three events but it does fulfill Acts 1:9.10; He will return coming out of the cloud, it doesn’t say riding on a swift cloud. Not apocalyptic.
Danger comes when we force the apocalyptic language to be speaking of one event ie 2nd coming of Christ, but the context determines the event not the language. The Lord riding on a swift cloud represents three events,
1. Assyrians/Egyptians 2. Romans/Jerusalem 3. Constantine/Rome.
It doesn’t refer to the 2nd coming at all. The same misuse can be seen elsewhere.
Matthew 24:21; there will be a great tribulation, yes 70 AD the end of Judaism, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans. No Christians died in this event because they all fled as they were told to do, Matthew 24:15-20; Thus fulfilling vs.31 He will send forth His messengers… the fleeing Christians. Their trumpet being the fulfillment of Jesus prophecy.
But in Revelation 7: 14; we have another great tribulation, the Roman persecution. We know it is different because those who died in this one were all Christians, for we see them dressed in robes of white, washed in the blood of the Lamb, standing in the throne room of God. But people err and make the two the same event ignoring the context.
Just because the writers use the same phrases does not mean they refer to the same events, one must examine the context and determine the meaning or else one will be forced to change the context to fit his definition of a simple phrase, destroying the meaning of the word of God.
Look forward to your critiques. Iron sharpens iron. Brothers sharpen brothers. Thanks.
DO YOU LOVE ME? - JOHN 21:15-17
Peter has taken 6 other disciples, back to their old profession of fishing John 21:1-3; It seems they have abandoned their mission to meet with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee Matthew 28:7,16; So Jesus appears on the beach to confirm with Peter what it means to really love Christ. John 21:15-17
“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
“Simon” means hearing, Jesus renamed him Peter, which means ‘little rock’ Peter did not listen well, he had rocks in his ears. The one who sank when trying to walk on water, willing to die for Christ but instead denied Him 3 times. Quick to talk slow to listen. And now Jesus is saying “Simon – are you listening?”
“Son of Jonah” – some translate John but it is Jonah in the original text. Jonah the prophet who ran away from obeying God by sailing off in a boat. What did Jesus just find Peter doing, sailing away from his responsibilities in a boat? God created a great storm and to calm the storm the sailors THREW Jonah in the sea. Jonah 1:15; Peter sees Jesus on the shore and he THROWS himself into the sea, calming the storm in his heart? vs.7
“More than these?” Peter always tried to be first in everything and would have declared a superior love for Jesus than the other disciples but it seems Peter is showing signs of slowing down and truly listening to what Jesus has asked him. Maybe his denial of Jesus 3 times has humbled him.
“Do you love Me?” Love = AGAPA – seek the best for another, expecting nothing in return.
“Yes I love You” Love = FILEO – friends love; STORGA = family love; EROS = sexual love;
“Yes Lord You know I FILEO You.” Peter is speaking the truth. No more boasting.
“Tend My lambs.”
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2nd time – “Simon, son of Jonah, do you AGAPA Me?”
“Yes Lord, You know I FILEO You.”
“Shepherd My sheep.”
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3rd time – “Simon son of Jonah do you FILEO Me?” Peter was grieved because now Jesus asked, “Do you FILEO Me?” “Lord You know all things; You know that I FILEO You.”
“Tend My lambs.”
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​What a realization for Simon, that “Jesus knew all things”, especially what’s in our heart and He knows if we truly AGAPA Him or if we truly FILEO Him. When you examine yourself, which is it you identify yourself with AGAPA or FILEO and are you honest with yourself before God? So how do I go from FILEO, friendship love to AGAPA sacrificial love for Christ, the same way Peter did, obey the Lord and Tend the lambs, shepherd the sheep, tend the sheep.
John 13:34; A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By putting into practice the Word of God, we will prove what the will of God is, Romans 12:2; and we will grow from FILEO to AGAPA. If we are ever going to establish a friendship with Jesus or for that matter with anyone, we need to be honest to them and with ourselves. Don’t claim something your not, don’t make statements you can’t accomplish.
We need to learn from all the mistakes Peter made in those 3 years He spent with Jesus, it’s okay to FILEO Christ right now. Realize as Peter did, “Lord You know all things.” As we apply ourselves we will grow from FILEO to AGAPA and that is what Jesus is calling for each of us to do, grow in love.