Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

An Inescapable Testimony #7

Thursday, October 3, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

At one time or another, we have all been in the situation where someone did not care to hear us share sound Bible doctrine with them. Upon reflection, we grow discouraged. We feel like we did not adequately convey the proper view—and, perhaps, that is so. Or, we suddenly remember additional information we could have offered them that “would have” (or we assume) “convinced them.” Alas, we fail to realize the following: not only must we be equipped with answers, the members of our audience need to have a heart that wishes to receive those answers!

It has been stated, and rightly so, “It is not an evidence problem, but a heart problem.” This dictum explains how the Lord Jesus Christ could work an abundance of miracles for three years, and, yet, receive such negative feedback (unbelief, persecution, intimidation, execution). It describes how He could preach innumerable wise sermons and respond to His critics most skillfully for three years, and still have so few converts (aptly designated “the little flock;” Luke 12:32). John chapter 1, verses 9-12, says about Jesus Christ: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:….”

Despite a believing remnant, most of His listeners were just too comfortable with their lies—and to admit they had been wrong for so long was simply inconceivable. It was not that He did not do enough. It was not that He did not say enough. It was not that the evidence was faulty or nonexistent. Rather, it was the audience had already elected not to believe!

Let us now look at today’s Scripture in this light….

An Inescapable Testimony #6

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

Observe the final verses of John chapter 12, Christ speaking at the end of His three years of earthly ministry: “[47] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. [49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”

With Jesus Christ, His 12 Apostles, and His 70 Preachers all proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom through Matthew to John and early Acts, forever removed from Israel was any and all occasion to be without excuse. When lost Jews from that time find themselves at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), facing the Lake of Fire, none will be able to argue they had no chance to hear and believe the truth: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

No matter where we look on the Bible timeline, there is always a Scriptural record of God having a prophet or spokesman to testify or bear record of His words to man. At the Great White Throne Judgment, the Lord Jesus Himself will take the Bible and point out the verses that were applicable to that individual soul’s time on Earth. That soul is then punished according to the light rejected, always haunted by those Divine words he or she chose not to believe….

An Inescapable Testimony #5

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

Just before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, the Lord Jesus issued these words to His Little Flock (especially His Apostles): “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” (John 15:18-25).

Pay special attention to verse 22: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” It is not that, unless Jesus had conducted His earthly ministry with them, apostate Israel would have been sinless. Rather, He visited them to render them “without excuse” (cf. Romans 1:20), allowing them to be guilty of rejecting Him when given the opportunity to believe on Him (John 3:16-21; John 9:39-41; John 12:37-50). “They have no cloke for their sin” is another way of saying they had no covering or excuse to continue living in sin, because the Son of God and the Spokesman of the Godhead had preached to them for three years—and they ignored Him….

An Inescapable Testimony #4

Monday, September 30, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

Turning to Christ commissioning His 12 Apostles, we read, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14,15). “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Mark 6:11).

As for commissioning His 70 Preachers, we learn, “And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city” (Luke 10:8-12).

What a frightening concept! As terrible as the Day of Judgment will be for the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah when they are sentenced to the eternal Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15), even their punishment will be light or easy when compared to the dreadful fate awaiting the residents of the cities of Israel whose streets the Son of God and His dozens of preachers trod as they proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom to willingly deaf ears….

An Inescapable Testimony #3

Sunday, September 29, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

Matthew chapter 11: “[20] Then began he [the Lord Jesus Christ] to upbraid [scold, reproach, fuss] the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: [21] Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon [two wicked Gentile cities], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. [23] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

Luke chapter 10: “[13] Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. [14] But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. [15] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. [16] He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”

As sinful as Sodom and Gomorrah were (Genesis 13:13; Genesis 18:20-33; Genesis 19:1-25; 2 Peter 2:6-9; Jude 7), they were not as evil as the cities of Israel during Christ’s earthly ministry. How so? Sodom and Gomorrah did not have God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus, preaching to them and performing confirming miracles. Sodom and Gomorrah did not have 12 Apostles and 70 other preachers proclaiming the Word of God in them and performing confirming miracles in them….

An Inescapable Testimony #2

Saturday, September 28, 2024

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

How can we have an inescapable testimony?

The Lord Jesus was asked various questions during His three years of earthly ministry. Many were captious or trick interrogations—to trip Him up in His words, or present a difficult issue He could not answer. Other exchanges were not actual inquiries, but seemingly “innocent” statements made to challenge, embarrass, or discredit Him in some way. Pay special attention to Matthew 22:15-46, Mark 12:12-37, and Luke 20:19-44. These questions were posed to Him in the Jerusalem Temple just a few days before His death. Notice His exceptional insight!

If you are interested, and have much free time, check this plethora of passages. See Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39. Also, Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5. Plus, read Matthew 12:24-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:15-26. In addition, Matthew 15:1-11 and Mark 7:1-13. Other references are Matthew 16:1-4, Luke 11:53-54, and Luke 10:25-37. Moreover, read Matthew 19:1-9 and Mark 10:1-9. Try Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23. See also Matthew 21:15,16. Check Matthew 21:23-46; Mark 11:27–12:11; Luke 20:1-18. Go to Matthew 26:63-68; Mark 14:60-62; Luke 22:66-71. Finally, John 6:25-71, John 7:10-53, John 8:1-59, John 10:1-42, John 11:47-57, and John 18:19-23.

On numerous occasions, Christ responded with God’s wisdom. Whatever was posed to Him, He answered using great skill and insight from the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. As those three years passed, it became more and more obvious how the hostility against Him was escalating. He knew it would culminate with His crucifixion. After all, they had already attempted to kill Him several times (Matthew 2:13-18; Luke 4:28-30; John 5:15; John 8:58,59; John 10:30,31). Eventually, He would let them get their way—but only when He was ready to lay down His life. Still, the Lord Jesus preached, preached, preached. There was more unbelief than faith, willful ignorance than receiving hearts. It was not His job to make them believe, but to tell them what to believe—the very Hebrew Bible they allegedly trusted, read, and heard every Sabbath Day in their synagogues.

We should be likewise faithful in ministry, despite our opponents….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #12

Monday, September 23, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

If the Lord Jesus Christ were literally and physically walking this Earth today, the sanctimonious people in works-religion would still ask, “Why do You and Your disciples not participate in our ceremonies, rites, and rituals?” As during His earthly ministry, so these critics of Christ and detractors of His believers would still smugly cling to their religious traditions. We know this because even when we share the truths of God’s pure Word with them, they stubbornly hold fast to what they have heard all their lives—even if they recognize the plentiful deficiencies in what they do and realize the enormous gaps in what they believe.

To this very day, Christendom tends to lean toward Old Testament practices when they should believe the Dispensation of the Grace of God given to them through the Apostle Paul, Romans through Philemon (Ephesians 3:1,2). They have their sacrifices and prayers, priesthoods and “houses of God,” candles and altars, robes and tithes, holy days and feasts, water ceremonies and confessions, and so on. It is unthinkable to them to admit all of this is erroneous and useless, so they just keep on with it because it ensures their self-righteousness remains intact. Christ Jesus’ finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4) is “too offensive,” for it bears record of the fact God is not impressed with their good works. To “come to the Saviour by faith” insinuates they need to be saved from sin, and that would mean their religious goodness cannot save them. In accordance with today’s Scripture, their righteousness and God’s righteousness are incompatible.

Before it is eternally too late for them, may they, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ… and… be saved” (Acts 16:31)!

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #11

Sunday, September 22, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Comparing today’s Scripture, Mark 2:21-22, and Luke 5:36-39, we notice a verse exclusive to Luke: “[36] And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. [37] And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. [38] But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. [39] No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”

Verse 39 is a fact, not an approval. As Jesus Christ Himself knew, a drunkard prefers to stay with his intoxicating beverage instead of moving to a healthier habit. Likewise, apostate Israel is content with keeping their vain religious system (watered-down Old Covenant) as opposed to coming under the New Covenant. This continued even into Acts.

Romans chapters 9 and 10: “[9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [9:32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [10:1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [10:2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [10:3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #10

Saturday, September 21, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Being a “publican” or tax collector, Matthew/Levi was financially able to host a large banquet at his house in Jesus’ honor (Matthew 9:9,10; Mark 2:14,15; Luke 5:27-29). Apparently, a great many people attending this feast were Matthew’s friends and/or acquaintances, for the Bible says “publicans and sinners” were present. These were the very societal outcasts, the souls, Christ had come to save. They were the same spiritually-sick people the Great Physician purposed to deliver from their satanic blindness and ignorance: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31).

The adjective “righteous” in the above three verses designates those who do not regard themselves as sinners. They are thus the self-righteous, those who saw no need for any personal Saviour. In contradistinction to such smugness, the “sinners” who recognized their pitiful and lost estate were continually attracted to the Lord Jesus Christ in large numbers—which only sparked more moans and grumbles from the Jewish “religious” community. “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:1,2).

It is at this point (Luke chapter 15) that Christ issued three parables—The Parable of the Lost Sheep (verses 3-7), The Parable of the Lost Coin (verses 8-10), and The Parable of the Lost/Prodigal Son (verses 11-32). Respectively, these apply to Christ’s earthly ministry, the early Acts period, and Daniel’s 70th Week (yet future). In each case, it is a believing remnant in Israel—never the entire nation. That Little Flock will become the new nation Israel, that which is given the New Covenant and filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #9

Friday, September 20, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

John the Baptist expected the Pharisees and Sadducees (works-religionists in Judaism) to offer the lame excuse that they needed no repentance (change in mind) or water baptism because of their Jewish heritage. They would say something like, “Abraham is our father, and this alone automatically gives us a right standing before God. We have no sins to confess!” (We infer this based on John’s own words in Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8, plus the Apostle John’s comments in 1 John 1:6,8,10.)

While God the Father designed John the Baptist’s ministry to introduce Israel to His Son, Messiah Jesus, some of John’s disciples (followers) never actually transferred to Jesus like those in John 3:26. They joined the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees by opposing Him instead of coming to Him by faith (see Matthew 9:14 and Mark 2:18). In Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-20; apostate Israel plots to kill the King so as to take His kingdom (nation Israel) from Him!

The New Covenant cannot be given to lost Israel, for they will not come by faith to the God-Man who can inaugurate that New Covenant via His shed blood. Likewise, if they are not partakers of the New Covenant, they are prohibited from entering His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [unbelieving Israel], and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). This “nation” is believing Israel, the Messianic Church, the “little flock” of Luke 12:31,32: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Again, like today’s Scripture declares, Old Covenant self-righteousness cannot mix with New Covenant righteousness….