Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

Faith During Life’s Storms #6

Monday, September 8, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

In a previous study, we commented on how life on this sin-filled planet is uncertain. While most people do not believe the Bible, they doubtless agree with Job 14:1, which says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” From daily hassles to life-altering events, the human life is “full of trouble.”

Take a few moments to recall that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, had plenty of trouble—after escaping at least two assassination attempts during His earthly life and ministry, His last day alive He faced a betrayal, thrice-denial, insults, spitting and jeering critics, an unfair trial, merciless punching and beatings, and an awful crucifixion (culminating with a fatal, but very slow, asphyxiation). Think on that when you complain of having a “bad day!”

It is ever so easy to look at dire physical circumstances and become hysterical (like the disciples did in today’s Scripture), but the Bible says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Like the disciples should have done, we are to look beyond physical circumstances, to see God’s truth with the eyes of faith (Hebrews 11:1).

Rather than falling apart when those tempests arise on our calm waters, we have to remember and believe the Lord Jesus’ words to us. Jesus Christ, because we have placed our faith solely in Him as complete payment for our sins, has promised to take us to “the other side,” to see us through “the storms of life.” Let us briefly consider what He has spoken to us to give us spiritual fortification….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is ‘Jesus’ a mistake in the King James Bible in Hebrews 4:8?”

Faith During Life’s Storms #5

Sunday, September 7, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

Jesus was sleeping in the ship when the storm struck. He had a pillow and was very comfortable when His panicking disciples awoke Him seeking salvation from their impending deaths. He asked where was their faith, why they were so fearful—their actions were irrational. Remember, there was no way on earth that He would allow a ship to sink if He Himself was on that ship! Some 2,000 years earlier He had been on Noah’s ark: our King James Bible testifies that the Lord told Noah and his family to “come” into ark (Genesis 7:1 means JEHOVAH was in Noah’s ark). Thus, neither the ship of today’s Scripture nor Noah’s ark was wrecked.

While the first part of the seven-year Tribulation will not be peaceful, it is compared to the latter! Believing Israel will come under intense persecution, even facing the death penalty for following Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:17-42). “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Once the Antichrist betrays Israel’s trust halfway through those seven years, his attitude will change. As the calm waters of the Sea of Galilee instantly transformed into a raging storm, so the trouble for the Messianic Jews will begin. No problem, for JEHOVAH Jesus has promised to bring them through those awful times, to bring them to the other side, their Millennial Kingdom (Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 13:8,9; cf. Isaiah 28:14-22; Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:16-38)! Believing Israel just needs to trust God’s Word to them.

Let us now dedicate a few studies to learning how today’s Scripture can be beneficial to us in this the Dispensation of Grace….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘the fellowship of the mystery?’”

Faith During Life’s Storms #4

Saturday, September 6, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

To demonstrate to His disciples that He was the Creator God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus commanded the winds and the sea to be quiet… and instantly, the waters were just as calm as before. JEHOVAH stills the noises of the raging seas and waves (Psalm 65:7; Psalm 89:9; Psalm 107:29); JEHOVAH in the flesh (Jesus Christ) did likewise. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107:29). If He could create those natural laws from nothing with just a few spoken words, He could easily manipulate them to disassemble a storm (with just a few spoken words!).

Both before and after Jesus Christ calmed the storm, His disciples were guilty of unbelief (today’s Scripture; Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). Their sinful hearts were deceitful. “But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27). Mark (4:41) put it this way, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Luke wrote (8:25), “And they being afraid wondered, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Oddly enough, Jesus’ disciples were just as troubled during the storm as they were after He had dissipated it! The Scriptures indicate they still did not get what He had taught them.

What Israel of the future can learn is this… despite all the horrors of the seven-year Tribulation period, that “storm of life” will pass, and there will be peace as such the world has not seen since the creation week….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Who is ‘the great cloud of witnesses’ of Hebrews 12:1?”

Faith During Life’s Storms #3

Friday, September 5, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

Today’s Scripture says that, before He calmed the storm, Jesus asked them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” After He calmed the tempest, He questioned them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Luke’s account (8:25) affirms that He also asked, “Where is your faith?”

The Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Jesus had said something important just prior to them entering the ship, so had His disciples really believed His Word, they would have also grabbed pillows and rested with Him! Had they really been men of faith—trusting what He said—they would not have worried about the storm.

Mark and Luke explain what Jesus said just before they entered the boat. “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35). Luke 8:22 reports, “…And he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.”

Jesus told them that they were traveling by ship to the opposite shore of the Sea of Galilee. He said that they would get to the other side, so they should just believe Him—His Word will surely come to pass. They do not have to worry. Yet, when the storm arose later, the disciples focused on their circumstances and ignored God’s Word. They were sidetracked (doubting Jesus’ words). They assumed they would die in the middle of the sea—they forgot that Jesus had already said they would reach the other shore!

In the future, Israel will reflect on this miraculous account, to learn a valuable lesson….

Faith During Life’s Storms #2

Thursday, September 4, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

Whenever attempting to understand a passage in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, it is very helpful to search them for parallel passages. While all four books are not verbatim—they are not meant to be 100 percent identical anyway—we can find the same account in one, two, three, or even all four books. Where one book briefly summarizes an event, another book will provide details of that same incident.

For example, we read in the context of today’s Scripture (Matthew 8:23-27) that Jesus and His disciples are in a ship, out on the Sea of Galilee. Their peaceful journey suddenly takes a “turn for the worse.” There arises a mighty storm, and the disciples panic—Jesus is sleeping peacefully as the once-tranquil waters rock the ship! Fearing shipwreck, they frantically awaken their Lord and beg Him to save them. He answers, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?”

From Matthew’s account alone, this expression cannot be fully grasped. Mark and Luke, who also recorded this account, must be consulted for enlightenment: the Holy Spirit had Matthew ignore certain details, but He chose to include them in Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25. For example, in Mark 4:37, the great windstorm has beaten the waves against the ship, “that it was now full.” Luke 8:23 says, “and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.” Jesus, at the back of the ship, asleep on a pillow (Mark 4:38), is awakened. According to Mark, His disciples also asked, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus did care that the boat was full of water, but He was still calm. Why?

Mark and Luke alone provide the key to understanding Jesus’ peaceful demeanor, and why He wanted His disciples to relax….

Faith During Life’s Storms #1

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

In this world, life is unpredictable—from good health to poor, from a job promotion to loss, from friendships to heartbreak, and so on. One moment of peace and quiet can suddenly turn into a matter of life-or-death. This literally happened in today’s Scripture.

Verse 23 says that Jesus entered into a ship and His disciples followed Him. (Judging from the context, they begin drifting on the Sea of Galilee.) We read in verse 24, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” The Lord Jesus, fully God and fully human, is physically exhausted, sound asleep in the ship, at peace. On the other hand, His disciples, fully human, are terrified, sorely troubled because of the danger they face. It is not just a rain shower; it is a “great tempest.” It is a mighty storm! They hurry to Him and wake Him, crying out, “Lord, save us: we perish!” We can almost hear the urgency in their voices, the sound of the winds whipping across the sea, the roaring of the waves bashing against the sides of the ship and rushing over the top.

Today’s Scripture says that Jesus awakens, but He is not at all alarmed to hear of the violent storm. Instead of panicking with them, He asks, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” We can almost hear His soft voice, consoling them and yet rebuking them: He tells them that they should not be afraid, that they are “of little faith.” Exactly what did He mean, and what lesson is He teaching Israel? What lesson can we members of the Body of Christ learn from this narrative?

Let us search the Scriptures….

The More Excellent Ministry #4

Thursday, August 28, 2014

“For the love of Christ constraineth us… God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14a,18bc KJV).

Our flesh is ever so weak, but Christ’s love—the unconditional love He has for us—drives us to push ourselves aside and think of others instead.

“For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written [Psalm 69:7], The reproaches of them that reproached thee [God the Father] fell on me” (Romans 15:3). Hebrews 10:5-9, quoting Psalm 40:6-8, contains a Messianic passage (prophetic of Jesus’ earthly life): “[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God….”

Jesus “delighted” in doing His Father’s will (note Psalm 40:8); here, to lay down His life for our sins (John 10:17,18) and thus abolish the Old Testament animal sacrifices. As Christ, in His humanity, gained more awareness—more wisdom (Luke 2:40,52)—regarding Father God’s will for Him, He better understood what to do. Our Christian life operates in the same manner, for it is the same life of Jesus Christ!

What is Father God’s will today? He wants “all men to be saved” and all saved people “to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). He wants lost people saved through faith in Jesus Christ (the Gospel of the Grace of God). He wants saved people to understand why He saved them (dispensational Bible study). God’s will for us Christians is for us to grow in knowledge of His will for us. This is where today’s Scripture and its context come in—“the ministry of reconciliation.”

Where Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry ended (His finished crosswork), our ministry literally begins….

The More Excellent Ministry #3

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

“For the love of Christ constraineth us… God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14a,18bc KJV).

Our flesh is ever so weak, but Christ’s love—the unconditional love He has for us—drives us to push ourselves aside and think of others instead.

What sort of life did Jesus Christ live on earth? If we can understand how He lives, then we can understand how He wants us to live in Him, or technically, how He wants to live in and through us. Philippians 2:3-5 reminds us: “[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus….”

Our Lord Jesus Christ lived in complete awareness of what His Heavenly Father wanted accomplished. Unlike most Christians today, He did not wonder about in spiritual ignorance. His mind was so filled with the Word of God that nothing would distract Him from fulfilling it.

Isaiah 50:4-6 actually quoted Jesus Christ seven centuries prior to His incarnation: “[4] The Lord GOD [God the Father] hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. [5] The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. [6] I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”

Jesus Christ said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29c). He had so studied the Old Testament passages describing His life and ministry, that He was able to fulfill them perfectly. Hence, God the Father was so pleased. If we want our Christian lives to be acceptable to God, it will have to be Jesus Christ’s life in us….

The More Excellent Ministry #2

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

“For the love of Christ constraineth us… God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14a,18bc KJV).

Our flesh is ever so weak, but Christ’s love—the unconditional love He has for us—drives us to push ourselves aside and think of others instead.

Notice the middle letter of the words “sin,” “pride,” and Lucifer.” Sin, at its heart, is serving self and living for self. However, the Christian life is not designed to be one of sin (selfishness): the most basic elements of the Gospel of the Grace of God, are us dying and resurrecting with Christ. The Christian life is really Jesus Christ’s life—the life that Father God gave us the moment we trusted Jesus Christ’s crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. What was most characteristic of the life Jesus Christ lived on the earth?

Jesus prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…. O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (Matthew 26:39,42). “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

Philippians 2:3-8 summarizes the greatest life ever lived in human flesh: “[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Just as Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was to fulfill His Heavenly Father’s will for Him, so our earthly ministry is to fulfill our Heavenly Father’s will for us….

He Took My Sins Away #1

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 KJV).

The first verse of Margaret Jenkins Harris’ classic 1903 hymn “He Took My Sins Away” highlights today’s Scripture.

“I came to Jesus, weary, worn, and sad.
He took my sins away, He took my sins away.
And now His love has made my heart so glad,
He took my sins away.”

Many of us came to Jesus Christ after several years lost in religion. One day, it finally sank in that years of laboring to fulfill church demands was a faulty system because we sinners could never perform perfectly. Uttering the same prayers dozens of times daily, “holding out until the end,” weekly partaking of a sacrifice that can never take away sins, avoiding “the world’s sins,” being faithful to a church calendar of “holy days,” weekly confessing personal sins to an equally-sinful man, on and on. We discovered that entrusting our very souls to a fallible institution was eternally dangerous!

Weary, ever so exhausted from all that vain religious performance, we gave up “trying to do the best we could” because we knew our “best” would never be good enough. Like the Jews of today’s Scripture who struggled under a most severe system of Law—not only God’s pure law given first to Moses, but also hundreds of other laws Israel’s religious leaders had compiled—we were drained, disappointed, worn out.

We came to Father God by faith in Jesus Christ alone, for only He could provide us with peace with God (Romans 5:1), justification before God (2 Corinthians 5:21), and forgiveness before God (Ephesians 4:32). What our works could never do in a million years, Jesus Christ did at Calvary in just six hours. He died to “put away [our] sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). And now, by faith in Him alone, we can enjoy His love, His peace, and His joy. We can rest in Him, we do not have to worry about where we will go when we die, for we are secure in Him (Romans 8:31-39; 2 Timothy 1:12).

Yes, He cancelled our sin debt….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace?”