The HISTORICAL JESUS-2
*THE U.S.A. MANIFESTO
*Why I believe America cannot be saved:
1. Whereas American government is systematically and structurally corrupt, it is impossible to change or reform America.
2. Trillions of dollars are involved by vested interests who are self-serving and seek to preserve America status quo.
3. There is not one strong righteous leader backed up by righteous citizens. The sign of the times is that a convicted crook and criminal wants to be the American leader.
4. The once big and dependable organizations have now become centers of falsehood. The American TVs, movies, guns, games and toys companies can only produce products of evil because violence and vulgarity make BIG money.
5. As God is my witness, I stand alone; but I have done my duty to warn the American people and I have done what I have done.
Dated 11/28/23 Signed Willie Wong
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China's earthquake in Gansu-Qinghai demonstrates and proves what China has done for its people no superpower democratic or autocratic has ever done before. Some nations think and act as if they had done China a favor by declaring to keep One China policy. These unproductive and useless nations seek financial aid. China must use its hard earned resources to help the Chinese rural poor FIRST!!!
IOWA and New Hampshire Republicans are sick and stupid to let a convicted crook and criminal win in the Republican primaries. The whole world will laugh at the Republican Party for one hundred years!!!
The true madness is the Ukraine war supported by US, EU, and NATO, it should be ended at once unconditionally.
Ukraine should surrender and renounce the old goal of joining NATO.
Netanyahu has no need to run; in fact he will go down in the history of Israel and earn him a firm place in the pantheon of Jewish legends.
Isn’t it strange that UN, WHO, EU, and all Arab-Islamic nations support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis? The terrorist Hamas also killed hostages. Families of Israeili hostages should demand Hamas to surrender and unconditionally release hostages. IDF must destroy Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis once and for all. No one objects Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land, but Palestinians cannot build a Palestinian state in the Jewish Land!!!
UN chief and high-paid officials should be replaced at once. Isn’t it funny that UN Security Council demands Houthis to stop Red Sea attacks? Why doesn’t UNSC demand Hamas to surrender, Hezbollah and Houthi to disappear? You do not make demands on the terrorists, you ONLY destroy them!!! Palestinian authority, Lebanon and Yemen have no reasons to exist. They exist only to do evil. Iran supports evil through words; when Iran supports evil through deeds, it must be destroyed.
TO BE CONTINUED
2). THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Conception and Birth of Jesus
(Luk 2:1–7 )
Mat 1:18-25, “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been
betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous
man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to
send her away secretly. But when he had thought
this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled:
“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL NAME HIM IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin
until she gave birth to a Son; and he named Him Jesus.”
Luk 1:26-38, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee
named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man
whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And
coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at
this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom will have no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the Holy Child will be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth herself has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called infertile is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed
from her.”
Jesus in Greek is iēsous which means Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"; whose help is Jehovah;
Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate (Strong’s Concordance); -- which occurs 917 times in the New Testament. Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament.
Luk 2:8-20, “In the same region there were some
shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping
watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly
frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly
army of angels praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
among people with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had departed from them into Heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing
that has happened, which the Lord has made known
to us.” And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen Him, they made
known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it were amazed
about the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds
went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”
You see the angel was the first who proclaimed the Gospel -- “good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Mat 2:1-12, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,”
Magi in Greek is magos which means wise men;
the oriental wise men (astrologers) who, having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had just been born, came to Jerusalem to worship Him (Strong’s Concordance); -- which occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where
the Messiah was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR FROM YOU WILL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star
appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”
After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over
the place where the Child was to be found.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly
with great joy. And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”
Jesus was born of virgin Mary.
Mat 1:18, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
Note: A historical fact must be stressed that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus, that was before Joseph and Mary had sex. Mary was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Mat 1:25, “But kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”
Note: The doctrine of Incarnation and the doctrine of the Virgin Birth are inseparably linked together. Those who believe that Jesus was God who became Man for the purposes of man’s salvation invariably also believe the virgin Mary conceived of sinless Jesus by the Holy Spirit. One doctrine supports the other.
Isaiah 9:6,7, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, [Father of Eternity], The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
This prophecy quoted was fulfilled in Christ’s birth in Matthew 1:23.
Note: Virgin in Greek is parthenos which clearly means a young girl who has never had sexual intercourse with a man; – it occurs about 14 times in the New Testament. Both the text and context of the Scriptures clearly lay an emphasis on a word which does mean “virgin.” As testified by Mary herself,
Luk 1:34-35, “Mary said to the angel: How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the Holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luk 1:39-45, “Now at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s
greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth
was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
And how has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby
leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
The Word of the Lord always has a fulfillment.
Mary’s Song: The Magnificat
Luk 1:46-56, “And Mary said: My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; for behold, from now on all
generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One
has done great things for me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy is to generation after generation
toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty
deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has
exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away
empty-handed. “He has given help to His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,
Just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham
and his descendants forever.”
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.”
Mary is the person who can differentiate between her soul exalts the Lord and her spirit has rejoiced in God her Savior. Indeed, the Mighty One has done great things for her.
Luk 2:7, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Jesus was born in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
A real event took place in a real place. It was not a fable or legend.
In Bethlehem of Judea, as Micah had foretold, was born of a virgin mother, He whose “goings forth” were “from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). In detailed history, that Jesus, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born of a pure virgin, Mary of Nazareth, espoused to Joseph, who later became his wife. The birth took place at Bethlehem, where Joseph and Mary had gone for enrollment in a census that was being taken. The announcement was made to Mary beforehand by an angel, and the birth was preceded, attended, and followed by remarkable events that are narrated (birth of John the Baptist, with annunciations, angelic vision to the shepherds, visit of wise men from the east, etc.). The narratives should be carefully read at length in order to understand the background material. Matthew tells about Joseph’s difficulties and action. Luke tells much about Mary—even her inmost thoughts. The narratives, in short, are independent and complementary. The one supplements and completes the other. Both together are needed to give the whole story. They bear in themselves the stamp of truth, honesty, integrity and purity, and are worthy of all acceptation, as they were evidently held to be in the early Church. The birth of Jesus was not, as in ordinary births, the creation of a new personality. It was a divine Person—already existing—entering on this new mode of existence. The pre-existence of Christ and the Virgin birth of Jesus fit together.
Jesus was born a Jew.
Mat 1:1, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Note: Genealogy in Greek is genesis which means source, origin, a book of one’s lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. According to the flesh, that is according to human genealogy, Jesus was born a Jew.
Mat 2:1-2,“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.”
Note: Bethlehem is a real historical place, and Herod the king was also a real historical person. The time and place that Jesus was born was real time and real place. The first group of people who worshiped Jesus was wise men from the East, not from the West. The chronology of the history of mankind is counted from the birth of the historical Jesus as B.C. and A.D. B.C. means before Christ, and A.D. means anno Domini, “in the year of the Lord.” Most scholars believe the birth of Jesus was counted a few years short.
Jhn 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him: So You are a king? Jesus answered: You say correctly that I am a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Note: Recently I came across something most absurd and abnormal that a black man claims that he can prove from the Bible that Jesus was a Black man. There are too many false teachers, false prophets, and anti-christs already in the world. I do not know whether this black man has committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit or not. What he claims is false, untrue, and deceptive. The Jews are the ancient Hebrews, the descendants of Abraham. This is a historical fact of about 4,000 years old. Jesus was a public figure, known and recognized by millions of peoples in His country. Even a Samaritan woman knew and recognized Jesus,
Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus came into the world as no one ever came. For Jesus came into the world to die for sinners and to testify to the truth of God. Everyone who is of the truth believes in Jesus’ Word.
Beware in these last days there are many anti-christs, false prophets, false teachers, and false brothers. Even the children of the devil may quote and use the Bible to serve their unholy purposes. For your information, in Heaven there are no black angels or black children of God. Do not get the wrong idea. I do not mean a black person cannot enter Heaven; a black child of God on earth in Heaven he will receive a glorious and immortal body which is not black anymore. And no one wears black in the Paradise of God.
Jesus was born the Savior.
Luk 2:11,“For today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer, preserver, the author of our salvation through Jesus Christ; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, through whom God gives salvation.
Mat 1:21,“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Note: The first advent of Jesus was to save people from their sins.
Mar 2:17,“And hearing this, Jesus said to them: It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Note: Those who think they have no sin cannot be saved. The first thing to be saved you must realize you are a sinner. Only sinners need the Savior, just as the sick needs a physician. There is no hope for self-righteous people. Self-righteous people cannot be saved because they will not repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Savior of the world; there is no other savior whereby we can be saved.
Jesus existed before He was born a Man.
Mar 12:35-37,“Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple: How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son? And the common people heard Him gladly.”
Note: This can only be explained that Jesus had pre-existence. That means Jesus existed eternally with God before He became Man. According to flesh, Jesus is the Son of David based on human genealogy. According to Jesus’ divinity, Jesus is David’s Lord. Jesus is also the Lord of Abraham just as David was the son of Abraham. Often the common people are closer to the Kingdom of God than the arrogant scientists and PHONY scholars, the rich and powerful people. The elect is composed of most common people.
Luk 10:21, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”
Note: Pharisees and the scribes thought they were wise and prudent, and yet the pre-existence of Jesus was hidden from them. They did not know to know Jesus is to know God. Unbelieving scientists think they are wise and prudent, and yet they do not know the Scriptures and the power of God. So they spread the myth of science called the evolution theory and the irrational theory of big bang. Jesus Christ is the only Man who had pre-existence. We exist the moment we are born. Before a man is born, he is nothing, he has no pre-existence. True, the history of the world begins counting with the birth of Jesus Christ, so we count the time and event as B.C. or A.D. But Jesus Christ did not begin to exist some 2,000 years ago. True, God became Man in Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. However, God existed before time and space eternally. God is Self-Existent from the eternal past to the eternal future, time without end, forever and ever. Thus, it is clear that Jesus Christ had pre-existence. The pre-existence of Jesus Christ means He existed before He came into the world. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Jesus Christ was born so that He may die for sinners and save us from eternal punishment. One thing that makes Jesus Christ different from all humans was the fact He had preexistence or prior existence before He was born (Incarnation). When a human being was born, that moment was the beginning of his or her existence. No human being has preexistence or prior existence. Reincarnation is a Hindu religious belief of the rebirth of the soul in another body. Such a belief is a myth, contrary to fact and Biblical teaching. Jesus Christ was, is, and will be the only Person who existed before His birth on earth.
Jhn 8:58, “Jesus said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Note: Historically speaking, the first man Adam could say: “Before Abraham was, I was.” It was a correct statement in time and place. But Adam could not say: “Before Abraham was, I am.” Because by the time of Abraham, Adam was no more. Time and place define everything, except God. Truly, Jesus is before Abraham was, before Adam was, before the universe was.
Jhn 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. ”
Note: Glory in Greek is doxa which means divine honor, radiance, magnificence, preeminence, dignity; – it occurs about 168 times in the New Testament.
Before in Greek is pro which means prior to, in front of, earlier than; – it occurs about 48 times in the New Testament. Christ had glory with the Father prior to the existence of the universe. This Scriptural statement alone covers both Christ’s divinity and preexistence with absolute certainty and clarity. “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.” (2Ti 1:9) Before times eternal in Greek means before the times of the ages. Although the Bible does not say when the world began, Jesus Christ was before the world began, before the existence of time and space. For Jesus Christ was God from the beginning, from eternity.
Jhn 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” James Ussher (1581-1656) said, “According to our chronology, the creation of the world fell upon the entrance of the night preceding the twenty third day of October in the year of Julian Calendar, 710 [4004 B.C.].” The Ussher’s statement was both serious and presumptuous; serious because of an attempt to calculate the date of the creation of the world, presumptuous because no one has the full knowledge of complete chronology. Chronology is the scientific measurement of time and the arrangement of events in their order or proper sequence of occurrence. The Bible does not record all the events of creation in their chronological order. For example, the Bible does not provide any geological chronology of the planet earth, nor the solar system. God’s purpose and grace to call and save the elect was in Christ Jesus before the world began.
1Cr 2:7-8,“ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Jesus did not come to be the greatest moral teacher or be the greatest moral example. It is written,
1Ti 1:13-16, “even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than
abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ
might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
Note: Jesus is the Lord of glory who existed before everything and before everyone.
3). THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS
Jesus Presented at the Temple
Luk 2:21-38, “And when eight days were completed
so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “EVERY FIRSTBORN MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),
and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG DOVES.”
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came
by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now, Lord, You are letting
Your bond-servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples: A light for revelation for the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.”
And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother
Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many
hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in
years and had lived with her husband for seven
years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple
grounds, serving night and day with fasts and prayers. And at that very moment she came up
and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking
forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luk 2:42-52, “And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; and as they were returning, after spending
the full number of days required, the boy Jesus
stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. Instead, they thought that He was
somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s
journey; and then they began looking for Him among
their relatives and acquaintances. And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both
listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” And He said to them,
“Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother
treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.”
This is the model of child development:
A). Continued to grow and to become strong
B). Increasing in wisdom
C). The favor of God was upon Him
Let parents beware: all children are born stupid except the Holy Child Jesus Christ. Children are born without wisdom. I was a stupid boy who was almost drowned and eaten by a crocodie but for the grace and mercy of God.
The Scriptures do not say much about the chilhood of Jesus Christ. The speculation and rumor of mankind about young Jesus do not have any historical authenticity.
4). The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
Mar 1:4-11, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of
Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was
clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt
around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee
and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And
immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the Heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; and a voice came from the Heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am
well pleased.”
Mat 3:13-17, “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him.
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the
need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming
to me?” But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it
at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill
all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. After He
was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the
water; and behold, the Heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and
settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the Heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Luk 3:21-22, “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, Heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended
upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice
came from Heaven: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.”
5). The temptation of Jesus by the devil.
Mat 4:1, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Some people confused and exaggerated the power of the devil. The devil did not set up temptation of Jesus, it was led up by the Holy Spirit. A certain culture has the wrong view by saying, “The way of God is one foot, the way of the devil is ten feet.”
Jesus always uses the Word of God as a weapon against the devil.
Mat 4:7, “Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR
GOD TO THE TEST.'”
Mat 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD
YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'”
Eph 6:16-17, “In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
We must take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God to strike down erroneous views of so-called scholars and scientists.
Luk 4:1-13, “Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during
those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
And Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’” And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I want.
“Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
Jesus replied to him, “It is written: ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
And he brought Him into Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down
from here; for it is written: ‘HE WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS ORDERS CONCERNING YOU, TO PROTECT YOU,’ and, ‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY
WILL LIFT YOU UP, SO THAT YOU DO NOT STRIKE
YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”
And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been stated, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR
GOD TO THE TEST.’”
And so when the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”
Beware, the devil is always looking for an opportune time to tempt you. It is written,
1Pe 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
The devil is our adversary, like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Jesus was tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:1, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”
Note: Tempt in Greek is peirazō which means to solicit to sin, the solicitations and suggestions of Satan intended to break one down under the proof; – it occurs about 39 times in the New Testament. Jesus overcame the tempter.
The first temptation.
Mat 4:2-3,“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said: If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Note: Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights. You cannot follow Jesus’ step to do the same because you would die. The devil uses the human basic need to tempt people. Notice, the devil assailed the person and challenged the deity of Jesus Christ, “if you are the Son of God.” Believers must never doubt the faith or do what the devil asks. The answer of Jesus is based on the Word of God.
Mat 4:4,“But He answered and said: It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Eph 6:17,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
Note: Take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – the most powerful weapon to fight the devil and his agents.
Hbr 4:12,“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The second temptation.
Mat 4:5-6,“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him: If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Note: When you reach the pinnacle of your life, that is the most dangerous point; beware lest you fall. The devil assailed Jesus’ position again, “if you are the Son of God.” Christians do not need to prove what they are by doing the bidding of the devil.
Mat 4:7,“Jesus said to him: It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.”
Note: Jesus again used the Sword of the Spirit to cut down the devil.
Do not put God to the test. Do not test God’s justice and patience by impious and wicked conduct.
The third temptation.
Mat 4:8-9, “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him: All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Note: The weakest point of mankind is the prevailing Western values of money, power and sex, or what the Chinese call 荣华富贵 (GLORY, HONOR, PROSPERITY, NOBILITY). Many sell their souls to the devil for money, power and sex as Wall Street and Washington and Hollywood have demonstrated. For money, power and sex many kiss the devil’s ass like a dog licking its master’s hand. The rich and powerful people fall down and worship the devil.
Mat 4:10-11,“Then Jesus said to him: Away with you, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Note: Once more time Jesus cut down the devil by the Sword of the Spirit.
Worship in Greek is proskyneō which means to do homage to one or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication; kiss like a dog licking his master’s hand; homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ; – it occurs about 60 times in the New Testament. Serve in Greek is latreuō which means do the service; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. To serve God is the duty of all believers, children of God. Sinners cannot serve God. The saddest thing is many of Wall Street and Washington think they are Christians, but in fact they worship and serve the devil who is the ruler of this world. Preachers and followers of prosperity gospel also worship and serve the devil because they love money, power and sex. Corrupt officials everywhere love money, power and sex. The scandals of politicians are well-known all over the world.
Luk 4:1,“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.”
Note: To be led by the Spirit is the life surrendered to God.
JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL, BUT JESUS IS FREE FROM ALL SINS.
6). The calling and making of the Apostles.
Mar 3:14,“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”
Mat 4:18-22, “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets
and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two
other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”
Mat 9:9,“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Follow me, He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”
Mat 10:1-23,
“Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother
Andrew; and James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed Him.
(Mar 6:7–13; Luk 9:1–6 )
These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; but rather go to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with
leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper
for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or
even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. And whatever
city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house
is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes
upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your
blessing of peace. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or
city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you,
it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst
of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how
or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put
to death. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”
MINISTRY OF THE TWELVE
Luke 9:1-11,“Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to perform
healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your
journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor
money; and do not even have two tunics. And
whatever house you enter, stay there until you
leave that city. And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” And as they were leaving, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was
happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because
it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen.
Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this Man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him. When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. And taking them with Him, He withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and He welcomed them and began speaking to them about the Kingdom of God, and curing those who had need of healing.”
Mar 6:30-32,
“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) And they went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.”
Luk 6:12-16,
Now it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer with God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and his brother
Andrew; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”
“For this reason also, the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill, and some they will persecute.”
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
If the Apostles needed to increase their faith, how much more we do.
Jhn 14:16-31,
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.
The one who has My commandments and keeps
them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. The one who does not love Me does not follow My Words; and the Word
which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. You heard that
I said to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced
because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in regard
to Me, but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded
Me. Get up, let’s go from here.”
Mat 28:18-20,
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world.”
The main mission or the task of the Church is not to reform or save the world. The main mission or the task of the Church is to go and make the disciples of all nations. I am a son of poor missionaries, you do not know how much we respect the commandment of Jesus to make disciples of all the nations. I want to warn you that some famous or mega church preachers make people their disciples, not the disciples of Jesus Christ. The greatest comfort is the face that Jesus Christ is with Christians always to the end of the world.
Act 1:2-8,
“until the day when He was taken up to Heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen.
To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the Kingdom of God. Gathering
them together, He commanded them not to leave
Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as
far as the remotest part of the earth.”
1Co 12:27-28,
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. And God has appointed in the Church, first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.”
Apostles rank first in the hierarchy of the Church.
Act 1:24-26,
“And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know
the hearts of all people, show which one of these
two You have chosen to occupy this ministry
and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”
I believe Matthias did not receive the apostleship.
1Co 15:8-10,
“and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored
even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”
“nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ.”
Gal 1:11-12, “For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”
The Gospel presented in the New Testament was not human invention; neither received from man, nor was the Apostles taught it, but they received through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
“This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not
appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ Himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.”
2Co 13:10, “For this reason I am writing these
things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which
the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.”
You see the New Testament were written by holy men in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave them for building up the Church and not for tearing down. The New Testment writers had authority given them not what so-called academics and scholars can claim today.
Rev 21:13-14,
“There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates
on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve
foundation stones, and on them were the twelve
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
7). Jesus’ threefold ministry.
Jesus’ ministry not only having the three-office of Prophet-Messiah, Priest and King, it involves many aspects.
The Person and work of the Savior has three aspects.
A. Prophet-Messiah.
Mat 9:35,“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Mat 11:4-5,“Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”
Note: As the Word of God, Jesus was unlike all other prophets. When Jesus spoke, God spoke. All other prophets spoke for God, and spoke what God spoke using the famous formula: Thus says the Lord.
The term “Messiah” is the translation of the Hebrew term mashiyach, which is derived from the verb masah, meaning to smear or anoint. When grease or oil was applied to objects by Israelites and non-Israelites, they were said to be anointed. The term “Messiah” is not used to refer to “anointed” objects that were designated and consecrated for specific purposes but to persons only. Persons who were anointed had been elected, designated, appointed, given authority, qualified, and equipped for specific offices and tasks related to these. The Messianic concept also has a wider dimension than the royal, priestly, and/or prophetic person. Included in this wider view are the characteristics, tasks, goals, means, missions and consequences of the Messianic person. Isaiah was the prophet of Messianic gospel in the Old Testament and his prophetic proclamations are of great significance:
Isa 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Note: Immanuel in Hebrew is `Immanuw’el which means “God with us” or “with us is God”, the prophetic name of the Messiah; – it occurs only twice in the Old Testament.
Isa 9:6, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Note: Jesus is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. These titles indicate the divinity of Jesus proclaimed by Prophet Isaiah even in the Old Testament before God became Man.
Isa 11:1, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”
Isa 49:6, “Indeed He says: It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a Light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Note: Jesus is God’s Servant, the Light to the Gentiles, and God’s Salvation to the whole world.
Isa 52:13, “Behold, My Servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.”
Note: This prophecy was fulfilled when by the power of God Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to the highest heavens.
Isa 53:12, “Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Isa 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus as the Prophet-Messiah proclaiming the good tidings (Gospel) to the poor.
The hope for the Messiah is central to the life of the observant Jewish believer. The prayers of the faithful and the teachings of the rabbis down through the ages have focused on this promise. The hope for the Messiah actually predates the promise recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 18. For thousands of years the rabbis have recognized that the promise of a Redeemer for mankind goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden and is thereafter woven throughout the Tanakh, even up to the last prophet Malachi. Mat 16:21, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Note: Every man is born to live. The mission of Jesus was unlike any prophet or any man. Jesus was born to die for sinners. That was the topic on the Holy Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. (Mat 17:1-3)
Jhn 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said: Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Note: Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, for this reason He is the Savior of the world.
The following Scripture sums up the ministry of Jesus as the Prophet:
Luk 24:19,“And He said to them: What things? So they said to Him: The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”
Jesus was the Prophet unlike all prophets. All prophets spoke what God told them to speak. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the Messiah because He was sent by God to become the Savior of the world. What Moses and all prophets could not do, Jesus came to save sinners.
B. Priest.
Hbr 2:17-18,“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Note: High Priest in Greek is archiereus which means chief priest, used of Christ because by undergoing a bloody death on the cross He offered Himself as an expiatory sacrifice to God, and has entered into the heavenly sanctuary where He continually intercedes on behalf of believers; – it occurs 123 times in the New Testament. The chief duty of the high priest was, once a year on the day of atonement, to enter the Holy of holies (from which other priest were excluded) and offer sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of the people. Make atonement in Greek is hilaskomai which means to become propitious, expiate, make reconciliation, make propitiation for; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament.
Hbr 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
Note: From Aaron down, all human priests have their own sins; only Jesus the High Priest is without sin. Catholic priests have sins too; it is a folly to confess sins to people who are as sinful as you are.
Hbr 7:26-27,“For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the Heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
Note: Jesus the High Priest is unlike those high priests who had to offer up sacrifices for their own sins and then for the sins of the people.
Jesus offered Himself once for all on the cross. Our High Priest is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the Heavens. Jesus, not Mary, not apostles, not angels, not any mediator, is interceding for His believers at the right hand of God.
Hbr 9:14-15, “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
Note: The eternal inheritance of believers was paid by the precious blood of Christ. Jesus inaugurates the new covenant, who serves as the Mediator between God and men, which supersedes the old. Jesus the High Priest continues in the presence of God, and His blood cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Christians now have confidence to come to the throne of mercy for help.
Hbr 9:28, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”
Note: The saving of the second coming of Jesus has to do with the body, transforming the bodies of saved souls into glorious and spiritual bodies fit for Heaven and REIGN with Jesus for eternity.
C. King.
Mat 19:28,“Jesus said to them: I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Note: Jesus was born in the time of Herod king of Judea (Mat 2:1; Luk 1:5) and Caesar Augustus who reigned over the Roman world (Luk 2:1), Magi from the East came to Jerusalem looking for “the one who has been born King of the Jews” (Mat 2:2).
After Jesus fed the 5,000, the crowd wanted to force Him to become their king (Jhn 6:15). Jesus entered
Jerusalem like a King, riding on the colt of a donkey (Mat 21:5; Luk 19:38; Jhn 12:13,15; cf. Zec 9:9). The governor Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?” To which Jesus answered: “Yes, it is as you say”(Mar 15:2). Throughout the New Testament Jesus is described as the Son of David, the King.
After receiving the divine anointing at His baptism (Mark 1:9-11), Jesus begins to proclaim the inauguration of the Kingdom in Galilee:
Mar 1:15,“And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” This becomes the central theme in all that Jesus preaches, and He defines its nature in response to Pilate. Jhn 18:36, “Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be handed over to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” The disciples, however, misunderstood the nature of the Kingdom to the day of crucifixion. Although the Kingdom is not a political, temporal or visible kingdom; it is eschatological and will be consummated when Jesus returns with power and glory to reign with the saints.
Jhn 1:48-49, “Nathanael said to Him: How do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered Him: Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
Note: Nathanael confessed not only Jesus is the Son of God, but also the King of Israel.
Luk 23:38, “And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ”
Note: When Jesus was crucified, the accusation against Him was: This is the King of the Jews.
Rev 15:3, “They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints!”
Note: Jesus is the King of the saints.
Rev 17:14, “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings who will overcome Satan and his agents. The Kingdom of God is not democracy that serves 1 percent at the expense of 99 percent. The Kingdom of God is absolute theocracy with absolute justice and joy.
The Ministry of Jesus also includes preaching,
healing, casting out demon, performing miracles, teaching, etc. Luk 3:23, “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli.”
Note: Begin the ministry in Greek is archō which means to discharge the Messianic office; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. This does not mean every servant of God has to begin serving God at 30 years of age. We cannot follow in His step. God had a specific plan for Jesus’ life on earth according to His schedule. Jesus’ ministry involves may forms.
A). Preaching
Mat 4:17, “From that time on Jesus began to preach: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Note: Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim openly, used of the public proclamation of the Gospel and matters pertaining to it; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. Preaching is always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed.
Mat 4:23, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
Note: The subject of preaching is always the good news of the Kingdom. Preaching of Jesus was accompanied by calling people to become His disciples.
Mat 4:18-20, “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow Me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Mat 4:21-22, “Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”
Luk 9:6,“So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.”
Note: Preaching here in Greek is euaggelizō which means to bring good news, to proclaim glad tidings specifically concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation; to bring to one the good news concerning Jesus as the Savior (Messiah); to evangelize; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. So many pastors today do not know how to evangelize or preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They like the Scribes teaching people how to live a Christian life without first getting out the message how to be born again, how to receive a new life. It is like teaching a drowning person the importance of swimming. A man must have the Spirit of Christ in him/her before he/she can live a spiritual life. There are so many dead sermons in many dead churches today like Selah used as a topic. The thing that shocked me most is that cathedrals in European nations are actually cemeteries of dead kings and queens and famous people. They are not centers of evangelization or proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus.
Mat 8:22, “But Jesus told him: Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Note: Impotent pastors like to stress on rituals, even manifested in the way they read the Scriptures and sing lifeless hymns and pray long prayers or hold the Lord’s Supper. They like to call a church building the Temple of God or the Holy Sanctuary. They hypnotize the congregations by their lifeless and useless sermons.
Mar 1:14,“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God.”
The ministry of Jesus was multifold, but the main focus was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus did not come just to preach, He came to die for sinners and rise from the dead to redeem believers.
Mat 2:11, “On coming to the house, they saw the Child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Note: Some think there was a significance in their gifts; they offered Him gold, as a king, paying Him tribute, to Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s; frankincense, as God, for they honored God with the smoke of incense; and myrrh, as the Savior that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies. Frankincense was an aromatic used in sacrificial offerings; myrrh was used in perfuming ointments. These, with the gold which they presented, seem to show that the wise men from the East were persons of affluence. That the gold was presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in these gifts; or that they were the offerings of three individuals respectively, each of them kings, the very names of whom tradition has handed down–all these are suppositions. But that the feelings of these devout givers are to be seen in the richness of their gifts, and that the gold, at least, would be highly serviceable to the parents of the blessed Child in their unexpected journey to Egypt and stay there–that much at least admits some significance. Anyway, gold signifies Jesus is the King, incense the great High Priest, and myrrh the Prophet sent by God to die as the Savior. Gold representing royalty, frankincense representing priesthood, and myrrh representing death.
Mat 4:17,“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has
come near.”
Mar 1:14, “Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God.”
Mar 1:39, “And He went into their synagogues
preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.”
Luk 4:43-44, “But He said to them, “I must also
preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose. So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”
Luk 8:1, “Soon afterward, Jesus began going around
from one city and village to another, proclaiming and
preaching the Kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him.”
Luk 9:6, “And as they were leaving, they began
going throughout the villages, preaching the Gospel
and healing everywhere.”
Mat 11:4-5, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: those who are BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.”
B). HEALING
Mat 4:23-24, “Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the
Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every disease
and every sickness among the people. And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them.”
The Chinese have a saying of sickness and pain. People who suffer sickness usually have pain. People have pain because they suffer sickness. I presume disease is more serious ailment, while sickness is a less severe malady. Jesus healed every disease and every sickness among the people who came to Him.
Mat 8:3-4, “Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the
offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Mat 8:5-13, “And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, begging Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, terribly
tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say
the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also
am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard
this, He was amazed and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found
such great faith with anyone in Israel. And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven; but the sons
of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer
darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the
servant was healed at that very moment.”
Mat 8:14-15, “When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left
her; and she got up and waited on Him.”
Peter had a mother-in-law meant Peter was married and had a wife, unlike the teaching of Roman Catholic Church that Peter was their first pope. And the Roman Catholic Church forbids their priests to be married.
Luk 4:38-40, “Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked
Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked
the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got
up and served them.”
(Mat 8:16, 17; Mar 1:32–34 )
Now while the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He was laying His hands on each one of them and healing them.”
Mar 2:2-12, “And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the Word to them.
And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an
opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there
and thinking it over in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”
Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.”
And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Luk 8:43-49, “And a woman who had suffered a
chronic flow of blood for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had left Me.”
Now when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down
before Him, and admitted in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Act 10:38, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and
with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Mar 3:1-6, “He entered a synagogue again; and a man was there whose hand was withered. And they were watching Him closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”
And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went
out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might put Him to death.”
Miracles do not change Pharisees and Herodians, the wicked will do wickedly even in front of the power of God. Unbelievers do not believe in miracles.
Mat 9:35, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
Note: Every in Greek is pas which means each, any, all, of every kind, all manner of, the whole; – it occurs about 1,243 times in the New Testament. Sickness in Greek is nosos which means infirmity, illness, unsound condition; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. Disease in Greek is malakia which means malady, debility, bodily weakness, infinity; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. When Jesus was on earth, He healed every kind of disease and illness, not just some sickness. All who came to Him were healed and healed immediately unlike some faith healing performed by charismatic people.
Mat 12:15, “Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him, and He healed all their sick.”
Note: Unlike faith healers, Jesus healed all their sick.
Many do not know that Isaiah also says about the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Isa 53:3-5, “He was despised and abandoned by men,
A man of great pain and familiar with sickness;
And like one from whom people hide their faces,
He was despised, and we had no regard for Him.
However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore,
And our pains that He carried; yet we ourselves
assumed that He had been afflicted, struck down by God, and humiliated. But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings;
the punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
(1). Healing ten lepers.
Luk 17:12-17,“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! So when He saw them, He said to them: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said: Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Note: The vast numbers of human beings are ungrateful people.
(2). Healing the man born blind.
Jhn 9:1-41, “As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. And His disciples asked
Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spit on the ground, and made mud from the saliva, and applied the mud to his eyes, and said to him,
“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he left and washed, and came back seeing.
So the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is this not the one who used to sit and beg?” Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like
him.” The man himself kept saying, “I am the one.”
So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The Man who is called Jesus made mud, and spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
And they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought the man who was previously blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath on the day that Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied mud to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles?” And there was dissension among them. So they said again to the man who was blind, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.” The Jews then did not believe it about him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, and they questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” His parents then
answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for
himself.” His parents said this because they were
afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already reached
the decision that if anyone confessed Him to be
Christ, he was to be excommunicated from the
synagogue. It was for this reason that his parents
said, “He is of age; ask him.” So for a second time
they summoned the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this
Man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that
though I was blind, now I see.” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They spoke abusively to him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this Man, we do not know where He is from.”
The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is the amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes!
We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and yet you are teaching us?” So they put him out. Jesus heard that they had
put him out, and upon finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered by saying, “And who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?”
Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the One who is talking with you.” And he said, “I believe, Lord.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus
said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that
those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Those who were with Him from the Pharisees heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?”
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now that you maintain, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”
(3). Healing the impotent man at Bethesda.
Jhn 5:2-11,“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The sick man answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He answered them: He who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk.”
(4). Healing the dumb demoniac.
Mat 9:32-33,“As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying: It was never seen like this in Israel!”
(5). Healing the deaf and dumb man.
Mar 7:32-37,“Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to Heaven, He sighed, and said to him: Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying: He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Note: Putting fingers in the ears of a deaf person does not cure him. The Lord cures by all means or no means AT ALL. By command Jesus can heal any illness or disease. Jesus can do anything with a word. Jesus has done all things well.
(6). Healing Peter’s mother-in-law.
Mat 8:14-15,“Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”
Note: The Roman Catholic church teaches the pope is the sole representative of Jesus Christ on earth and the pope must be celibate. Both doctrines are false, the Holy Spirit is the Sole Representative of Jesus Christ on earth. The Bible does not recognize pope. Secondly, Peter the so-called fist pope, had a wife, and his mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her. Peter’s mother-in-law arose and served Jesus and the disciples.
(7). HEALING CROWDS
Matthew 15 :29-31,“Departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there.
And large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs,
were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. So the crowd was astonished as they saw those who were unable to speak talking, those with impaired limbs restored, those who were limping walking around, and those who were blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”
(8). Healing a man with withere hand.
(Mar 3:1–6; Luk 6:6–11 )
Mat 12:9-21, “Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might bring charges against Him. But He said to them,
“What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take
hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable
then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and
conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy
Him. But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there.
Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This happened
so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:
“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL DELIGHTS;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. HE WILL
NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE
HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BENT REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A
DIMLY BURNING WICK HE WILL NOT EXTINGUISH,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”
(C). CASTING OUT DEMONS.
Mar 1:39, “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”
Note: Cast out in Greek is ekballō which means to drive out, compel one to depart, command or cause one to depart in haste; – it occurs about 82 times in the New Testament.
(1). The legion of demons.
Luk 8:27-35, “And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said: What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? And he said, Legion, because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”
Note： Demons are afraid to be tormented by Jesus. Unbelievers out of ignorance are not afraid to be tormented in hell. Ignorance may embolden the wicked to do evil.
(2). Demons came out of many.
Luk 4:40-41, “Now while the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He was laying His hands on each one of them and healing them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying: You are the Christ, the Son of God! And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.”
Note: Apparently demonic knowledge is superior to scientific knowledge because many unbelieving scientists do not know Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
(3). Deaf and dumb spirit came out of the boy.
Mar 9:20-27,“Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father: How long has this been happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more! Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said: He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.”
(4). Seven demons came out of Mary Magdalene.
Luk 8:13, “Soon afterward, Jesus began going
around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the Kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who
had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven
demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others
who were contributing to their support out of their private means.”
You may not know how important are women who follow and support Jesus with their private means.
(5). The unclean spirit came out of the child.
Luk 9:37-45, “On the next day, when they came
down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only
son, and a spirit seizes him and he suddenly
screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves. And I begged
Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” Now while he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
(Mat 17:22, 23; Mar 9:30–32 )
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
(6). A man with an unclean spirit.
Mar 1:23-27,“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying: Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be quiet, and come out of him! And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. ”
(7). A demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak.
Mat 12:22-32, “Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Jesus, and He healed him so that the man who was unable to speak talked and could see. And all the crowds were amazed and were saying, “This man
cannot be the Son of David, can he?” But when
the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts
out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against
itself will stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I cast out
the demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. Or, how can anyone enter
the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
“The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.
(Mar 3:28–30 )
Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age
to come.”
- (8) Healing of a severely demon-possed daughter of a CANAANITE WOMAN
Mat 15:21-28,
“Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman
from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her with even a word. And His disciples
came up and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us!” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” Yet He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once.”
Do you know we are no better than the dogs? But by the grace of God even a heathen dog can feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.
D). PERFORMING MIRACLES
Mat 8:23-27, “When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, a violent
storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was
asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of
little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a
man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey
Him?”
Jhn 2:1-11, “The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”
When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host
always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” This miracle at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.”
Mat 14:22-33, “Immediately afterward He compelled
the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was
already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth
watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward
Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got
Into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were
in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly
God’s Son!”
Act 2:22,“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—”
Note: Here is this Scripture sums up the supernatural acts that Jesus did, they were miracles, wonders, and signs. Miracle in Greek is dynamis which means outcoming of that mighty power of God, outcoming of the greatness of God’s power and glory, the supernatural work wrought by Christ; – it occurs about 120 times in the New Testament. Wonder in Greek is teras which means something of extraordinary character is wont to be watched and observed; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. Sign in Greek is sēmeion which means an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature; a thing which is distinguished from others and known; – it occurs about 77 times in the New Testament. They are not so much to represent different kinds of miracles, as miracles contemplated under different aspects and from different points of view. A miracle is a wonder, a wonder may not be a sign, and a sign may not be a miracle. The translation of using the term “miraculous sign” is misleading and confusing.
The miracles Jesus performed were not only healing all kinds of diseases, although healing illness is a kind of miracle.
Jhn 21:25,“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”
The miracles that Jesus did were innumerous. There are many things including miracles that Jesus did were not recorded in the Gospels.
Arbitrarily, only a few miracles are selected for our edification:
(1). Raising Lazarus after had been dead four days.
Jhn 11:1-45, “Now a certain man was sick: Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with
ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent
word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be
glorified by it.”
(Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.) So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and yet You are going there again?”
Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks during the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
This He said, and after this He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may awaken him from sleep.”
The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will come out of it.”
Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about actual sleep.
So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus died,
and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.”
Therefore Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go, so that we may die with Him!”
So when Jesus came, He found that he had already
been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about about two miles off;
and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother. So then Martha,
when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to
meet Him, but Mary stayed in the house. Martha then
said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my
brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise from the dead.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” When she had said this, she left and called
Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard
this, she got up quickly and came to Him. Now
Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha met Him. Then the
Jews who were with her in the house and were consoling her, when they saw that Mary had gotten up quickly and left, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. So when Mary came to the place where
Jesus was, she saw Him and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also
weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could this Man, who opened the eyes of the man who was blind, not have also kept this man from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they
removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the people standing around I said it,
so that they may believe that You sent Me.”
And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
(Mat 26:1–5; Mar 14:1, 2; Luk 22:1, 2 )
Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.”
(2). Raising the widow’s dead son.
Luk 7:11-16, “Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her: Do not weep. Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to you, arise. So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet has risen up among us; and, God has visited His people.”
(3). Raising Jairus’ dead daughter.
Luk 8:41-42,“And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him…”
Luk 8:49-56,“While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him: Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying: Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said: Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying: Little girl, arise. Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”
(4). Feeding the five thousand.
Jhn 6:1-14, “After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).
A large crowd was following Him, because they were watching the miracles which He was performing on those who were sick. But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip,
“Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do. Philip
answered Him, "Two hundred silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little." One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon
Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a boy here
who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five
thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces
so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them
up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Therefore when the people saw the miracle which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Feeding the five thousand is no big deal, but feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish is a big miracle.
(5). Calming the winds and the sea.
Mat 8:23-27, “When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, a violent storm
developed on the sea, so that the boat was being
covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?”
Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a
Man is this, that even the winds and the sea
obey Him?”
(6). Walking on the sea.
Mat 14:22-36, “Immediately afterward He compelled
the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.
And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”
(Mar 6:53–56 )
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place
recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured.
To know Jesus Christ is to know God. To receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is to receive eternal life.
The HISTORICAL JESUS-2
TO BE CONTINUED
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
FEBRUARY 3, 2024
https://williewongthought.hpage.com/
Copyright © 2018 - 2024 by Willie Wong
The following beautiful pictures are provided by FREEIMAGES, photographer Roxana ANGHEL.
