Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

Without Honour #5

Sunday, March 22, 2020

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 KJV).

What valuable lesson can we learn from Nazareth—a moral the Nazarenes deliberately failed to learn?

Read Luke 4:14,15: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” Then, He travels to and preaches in the synagogue of Nazareth (verses 16ff.). In light of verse 23, we understand that He ministered in Capernaum before preaching here in Nazareth. He apparently performed miracles in Capernaum, but not Nazareth.

Answering the Nazarenes when they would whine about this “unfairness,” Jesus skillfully selected two Old Testament passages (see Luke 4:23-27). Firstly, He reminds them of the Prophet Elijah’s ministry to the Sidonian/Gentile widow woman (1 Kings 17:8-24). Secondly, He has His audience recall the Prophet Elisha’s ministry to the Syrian/Gentile military man called Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14). Now, watch how Nazareth replies to Jesus’ final comments.

Back to Luke chapter 4: “[28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, [29] And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. [30] But he passing through the midst of them went his way, [31] And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.” The people in Nazareth did not warmly receive Jesus’ sermon, did they? Actually, they were ready to murder (!!) Him by throwing Him headfirst off a cliff! Why?

Think critically of all we have discussed thus far. Elijah and Elisha were performing miracles—not among Israelites—but among Gentiles. Many widow women were in Israel, but Elijah ministered to a non-Jewish widow woman in Sidon. Why? Also, numerous lepers were in Israel, yet Elisha ministered to a non-Jewish leper of Syria. Why? God exposes Israel’s apostasy, her unbelief, by working with these Gentiles. So it is during Christ’s earthly ministry, and the Nazarenes are convicted….

Without Honour #4

Saturday, March 21, 2020

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 KJV).

What valuable lesson can we learn from Nazareth—a moral the Nazarenes deliberately failed to learn?

For nearly 30 years now, the people of Nazareth have known Jesus Christ personally. He spent most of His childhood and His entire adulthood among them. In Luke chapter 4, He addresses them in His first sermon recorded in the Bible. These individuals hear Him read and teach from Isaiah chapter 61. He uses that Old Testament passage to outline the details of His earthly ministry (which has just begun). Prophecy is literally being fulfilled as He is speaking to them in their synagogue: He is the culmination and personification of those prophecies!

Read from Luke chapter 4 again: “[20] And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. [22] And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? [23] And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.”

Having never heard such clear Bible teaching, His audience in Nazareth is shocked! Immensely impressed, they stare at Him. But, be careful to notice their verbal response. Verse 22 again, “And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” This is problematic! They have reduced the Lord to “just another man.” While they sense something different about His words and wisdom, He is nothing special in their sight. Do they see Him as God’s Son? Nay, to them, He is Joseph’s son!

Verse 23 implies Jesus anticipates Nazareth’s further displeasure with Him. He expects their complaint: “Why do You not do here among Your ‘family and friends’ what we have heard You do out in Capernaum among those ‘strangers?’” We must scrutinize the context to grasp what is really going on here….

Without Honour #3

Friday, March 20, 2020

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 KJV).

What valuable lesson can we learn from Nazareth—a moral the Nazarenes deliberately failed to learn?

The Lord Jesus Christ’s first sermon recorded in Scripture is found in Luke chapter 4. Verse 16 starts, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Nazareth is where He grew up, so He is well-known here. He visits their synagogue and describes His ministry—which has just begun—by reading to them Isaiah chapter 61.

“[20] And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. [22] And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Pay attention to their question in verse 22. It is highly significant to the issue we are currently discussing, so we will return to it later.)

“[23] And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. [24] And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. [25] But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias [Elijah], when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; [26] But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. [27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus [Elisha] the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.”

Let us see how Nazareth responds to Jesus’ first sermon….

Without Honour #2

Thursday, March 19, 2020

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 KJV).

What valuable lesson can we learn from Nazareth—a moral the Nazarenes deliberately failed to learn?

Jesus’ mother Mary and legal father Joseph were from Nazareth, a town in Galilee or northern Israel (Luke 1:26; Luke 2:4). They moved south to tiny Bethlehem Judah for His birth (Luke 2:4-7), before returning north to Nazareth (Luke 2:39). When King Herod the Great purposed to kill young Jesus—approximately two years of age—the angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to take Jesus and Mary down into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18).

Matthew chapter 2 continues: “[19] But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, [20] Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. [21] And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: [23] And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Luke chapter 2 summarizes Christ’s childhood: “[51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. [52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” When His earthly ministry begins, He is about age 30 years (Luke 3:23). After spending almost His entire three decades of life growing up in Nazareth, He travels south to be water baptized of John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew 4:13). Therefore, Nazareth is Jesus’ “own country” (Matthew 13:54; cf. today’s Scripture).

The Nazarenes know the Lord Jesus Christ better than anyone else. Yet, the sad reality is they mistreat Him like everyone else….

Without Honour #1

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

“But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 KJV).

What valuable lesson can we learn from Nazareth—a moral the Nazarenes deliberately failed to learn?

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. [2] And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. [4] But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. [5] And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. [6] And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

We turn to Matthew 13:53-58 for the companion passage: “[53] And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. [54] And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? [55] Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [56] And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? [57] And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. [58] And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

Someone is “without honour,” and in the most unexpected place….

Damnable, Despicable Dishonesty

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

“And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King” (Luke 23:1,2 KJV).

Dishonesty! Despicable! Damnable!

As Jesus’ trial got underway, His complainants hurled toward Him all sorts of wild and false charges. In fact, they accused Him of “perverting” the nation Israel, corrupting it. At first, this seems to be a rather vague allegation, but the context makes it clear that they are attempting to get Him into trouble with the Roman government. After all, Judaean Governor Pontius Pilate is a Roman official, someone quite interested in learning anything about possible political rivals. As for their accusation that Jesus discouraged the Jews from paying taxes to Rome, this is an outright lie.

Matthew chapter 22 speaks of Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion: “[15] Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. [16] And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. [17] Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? [18] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? [19] Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. [20] And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? [21] They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. [22] When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”

Unsuccessful in “trapping” Jesus, they did not mind lying about this account days later at His trial. Christ, although King, certainly understood Daniel chapter 2, how sinful Israel would be under Gentile dominion and oppression until He sat on David’s throne (still future). He thus answered in the affirmative, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s!”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How can I most effectually deal with cultists who knock on my front door?”

Loathsome, Ludicrous Lies

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

“Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days” (Matthew 26:59-61 KJV).

Lies! Ludicrous! Loathsome!

Perjurers were recruited to testify against Jesus to bring incriminating evidence against Him so He would be worthy of the death penalty. While many wanted to fib, none could agree on a specific lie. Finally, two false witnesses came and settled on one falsehood that would be serious enough. They twisted Jesus’ words from three years earlier (when His ministry began).

Here is what Christ originally said, John chapter 2: “[13] And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [14] And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: [15] And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; [16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. [17] And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. [18] Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? [19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. [20] Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? [21] But he spake of the temple of his body.”

The Lord argued that His authority would be proven when He would rise again after they executed Him. His physical body was a “temple,” filled with the very life of Father God (as the Jerusalem Temple was to be, but the Jews corrupted it with apostasy, materialism, and greed). Brethren, let us not be surprised when the lost world distorts our words and lies about us, too!

Unreasonable, Unwarranted Unbelief

Monday, March 9, 2020

“We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is” (John 9:29 KJV).

Unbelief! Unwarranted! Unreasonable!

The Lord Jesus, exiting the Jerusalem Temple, sees a man who has been blind from birth (verse 1): “[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. [4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. [5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. [6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, [7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”

According to verse 14, it is the Sabbath Day, Saturday. The Pharisees are outraged! Jewish law—rabbinical tradition—forbids rendering medical aid on the Sabbath unless it is a life-threatening case! Keep reading: “[15] Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. [16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.”

Read verses 17-23. Even after firmly establishing a miracle had occurred—that the man had been blind since birth, and that Jesus had given him sight—these Israeli religious leaders are unconvinced concerning Jesus as Christ. Verse 24: “Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.” They remain in unbelief—right to the very end of the chapter. In today’s Scripture, they even allege that Moses was from God, but they cannot discern whether or not Jesus is. They never personally knew Moses—he lived 15 centuries earlier—but they were more willing to hear him than Jesus whom they saw and heard face-to-face! What absurdity!

Flimsy, Foolish Faultfinding

Sunday, March 8, 2020

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils” (Matthew 12:24 KJV).

Faultfinding! Foolish! Flimsy!

Sinful man never ceases to devise some excuse—no matter how ridiculous or weak—so as not to believe the Bible. Today’s Scripture is an easy-to-understand illustration, as the context shows: “[22] Then was brought unto him [Jesus] one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. [23] And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? [24] But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”

The Lord responds, “[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [26] And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? [27] And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. [28] But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. [29] Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. [30] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

How did these Israeli religious leaders respond to Christ’s earthly ministry of preaching and validating miracles? Did they believe? No! Why not? They publicized their position in the form of a discrediting rumor: “This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Stated another way, “Jesus is working with Satan to expel Satan from Israel!” (Then, who, as Jesus pointed out, were their “exorcists” cooperating with?! Upon closer examination, their whole argument is foolish and flimsy, certainly not adequate grounds for their unbelief. Brethren, therefore, let us not be surprised when the lost world fabricates flimsy, foolish faultfinding concerning our ministry work!

My Father’s Business #25

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV).

And, just what is the Lord Jesus’ Father’s “business?”

Trusting the Lord Jesus Christ exclusively as our personal Saviour, we are then able to understand our new identity and destiny. First Timothy chapter 2: “[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” Christ giving His life a ransom for all was the message committed to the Apostle Paul (cf. Matthew 20:28).

Father God’s “business” today involves the Holy Spirit edifying us—building us up internally—that we appreciate the “full picture” of His work spanning the ages (past, present, and future). Closing Romans, the Holy Spirit moved Paul to pen: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (16:25,26).

Saints, approaching the Bible dispensationally, we gain great insight into Father God’s mind. Firstly, Christ’s finished crosswork has saved us from the penalty of sin (Hell). Secondly, it gives us victory over daily sins right now. Thirdly, we are members of the Church the Body of Christ, capable of glorifying Jesus Christ in the heavenly places in eternity future. Finally, God’s work with us complements His work with the nation Israel (also delivered from sins, they are His earthly people in eternity future). Ephesians 1:8-10—“the dispensation of the fulness of times”—is thus accomplished!

May we now say with Christ, “I must be about my Father’s business!” 🙂

-FINIS-