Angelic encounter

Monday, October 17, 2011: Matthew 28:5 – 8 (NKJV)

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

How does Matthew record the angelic encounter? One angel invited them to look into the empty tomb; the women did and ran away in fear and great joy.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011: Mark 16:4 – 8 (NKJV)

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

How does Mark record the angelic encounter? One young man in a long, white robe invited them to see into the empty tomb; the women did and fled trembling and amazed.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011: Luke 24:2 – 10 (NKJV)

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” And they remembered His words.

Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.

How does Luke record the angelic encounter? Two men in shining garments removed the women’s perplexity by reminding them of Jesus’ words.

Thursday, October 20, 2011: John 20:11 – 18 (NKJV)

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

How does John record the angelic encounter? Two angels in white asked Mary why she was weeping.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Who were the women?

And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons (Matthew 27);

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, … and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem (Mark 15);

The women who followed Him from Galilee (Luke 23);

His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (John 19)

How many angels were seen? Where were the angels?

An angel, sitting on the stone which he rolled away; a young man clothed in a long white robe inside the tomb; two men … in shining garments, beside the women; and two angels in white at the head & feet where the body had been.

Are the gospels inconsistent in this angelic encounter?

No, they merely give different accounts of the angelic encounters that different women had.

Burial

Who took the body of Jesus Christ down from the cross?

Monday, October 10, 2011: Luke 23:50 – 53 (NKJV)

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.

Comments: If Roman soldiers had taken the body down, bones could have broken. Joseph of Arimathea might have reverently extracted the spikes against rocks, without harming any bone.

Who buried the body of Jesus Christ?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011: John 19:38 – 40 (NKJV)

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Comments: Joseph brought linen strips; Nicodemus brought spices. They might have washed the body, covered it with spices and wrapped it tightly, lamenting all the time.

Were the spectators at the burial of Jesus Christ? Were they mere spectators?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011: Mark 15:47 (NKJV)

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Luke 23:54 – 56 (NKJV)

That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Comments: It was not yet sunset, the beginning of (High) Sabbath. The women returned, prepared spices and oils and ran out of time. They rested, in accordance with Sabbath law.

Who broke the Sabbath?

Thursday, October 13, 2011: Matthew 27:62 – 66 (NKJV)

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Comments: The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate instead of resting. In addition, they sealed the stone and set the guard, breaking Sabbath law.

Who shook with fear?

Friday, October 14, 2011: Matthew 28:2 – 4 (NKJV)

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Comments: The Roman Guard shook with fear and became like the dead when they saw the face of the Angel of the Lord, who shone like lightning.

Irony multiplied

Monday, October 3, 2011: Matthew 27:32 (NKJV)

Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.

John 19:17 (NKJV)

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha

What was the irony? Jesus Christ carried the cross. So did Simon the Cyrene. Both reports were true. A scourging required weeks of healing during which death could result. One condemned to be crucified was not scourged. When it became obvious that Christ was not in any condition to keep carrying the cross, Simon was forced.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011: Luke 23:26 – 32 (NKJV)

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

What was the irony? The words of Christ prophetic and  were carried out when the Romans ransacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011: Mark 15:20 – 23 (NKJV)

And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.

What was the irony? Christ submitted to the soldier’s mockery but did not submit to the pain reliever.

Thursday, October 6, 2011: John 19:19 – 20 (NKJV)

Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

What was the irony? Instead of the effect “This is what we do upstart Jews,” the words written declared Christ’s true title!

Friday, October 7, 2011: John 19:21 – 22 (NKJV)

Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

What was the irony? The chief priests and Pilate wanted to change the words but pride prevented Pilate from doing so because the Jews asked.

Irony

Monday, September 26, 2011: John 18:28 (NKJV)

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

What was the irony? Neither Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, nor the Jews would enter a Roman home so they could eat a Passover lamb. Ironically, they did not recognize the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011: Luke 23:18 – 19 (NKJV)

And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

What was the irony? Bar Abbas, which means Son of the Father, was released. He was a rebel, a thief and a murderer. Ironically, they rejected the true Son of the heavenly Father.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011: Matthew 27:24, 26 (NKJV)

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

What was the irony? Washing hands in public does not absolve one from responsibility. Pilate declared his innocence from blood. Ironically, Pilate then gave the order to crucify Jesus Christ.

Thursday, September 29, 2011: Matthew 27:25 (NKJV)

And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

What was the irony? The guilt of shedding innocent blood was freely accepted by some of the Jews present. Ironically, it is His blood that pays for a believer’s sins.

Friday, September 30, 2011: Mark 15:16 – 20 (NKJV)

Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

What was the irony? Jesus Christ is called the Lord of hosts, the commander-in-chief of God’s armies. Ironically, the Roman soldiers made a mockery of bowing before Him and worshipping Him as a joke.

Light of the World

Monday, September 19, 2011: John 1:4 (NKJV)

In Him was life and the life was the light of men.

Why would life be the light of men? This speaks to that spark in our minds called intelligence.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011: John 8:12 (NKJV)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

What is the promise to those who follow Jesus Christ? His followers will walk in the light of the new life which only He gives.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV)

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Can the gospel be hidden? Yes, the gospel is hidden from the spiritually blinded person.

Thursday, September 22, 2011: 1 John 2:8-10 (NKJV)

 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

What is the new commandment? Love your brother.

Friday, September 23, 2011: Romans 13:12 (NKJV)

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

What is pleasing to God? After believing in Christ, we live holy lives, prepared for battle.

The Sheep/Goat Judgment

Monday, September 12, 2011: Matthew 25:31 – 33 (NKJV)

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Background: This Sheep-Goat Judgment is only found in Matthew’s gospel. This is an analogy, not a parable.

Who will be separated? The nations (ethnos) will be divided into sheep on Christ’s right and goats on His left.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 and Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Matthew 25:34 (NKJV)

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Who speaks to the sheep and the goats? The King addresses the sheep: ‘He’ addresses the goats. To the sheep, Jesus Christ is Lord and King.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

What is the outcome? The sheep are invited into the kingdom of heaven, the goats are told to depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil.

Thursday, September 15, 2011: Matthew 25:35 – 36 (NKJV)

for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

What is the reason given? Sharing food, drink, shelter and clothing is the inward service and visiting the sick and imprisoned the outward ministry.

Friday, September 16, 2011: Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

What is the implication? Implied in this is love for fellow man and love for God. Such love comes only as a result of being born again and having the new creation inside.

Disclose

Topical Background: the Greek verb ‘emphanizō’ is variously translated as informed, signify, showed, declare plainly and appear. Here God communicates with mankind.

Monday, September 5, 2011: John 14:21 – 22 (NKJV)

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

How do we answer this question? In simply reading the Word, He reveals Himself to us daily.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011: Romans 3:21 – 22a (NKJV)

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

What does ‘apart from the law’ mean? We sin because we have a sin nature. Christ did not: the Law and Prophets witness this. He becomes our righteousness.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011: 1 John 4:8 – 9 (NKJV)

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

What is the evidence of our life in Christ? I believe it is this getting together of minds that express love towards each other because He is our savior.

Thursday, September 8, 2011: 1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,   Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,   Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,   Received up in glory.

Why does this theological poem qualified as being ‘without controversy’? It is beyond human understanding: it has to be taken by faith, till faith is replaced by sight.

Friday, September 9, 2011: 1 John 3:4 – 5 (NKJV)

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

What is an explanation for the great theological statement ‘God manifested in flesh’? There was no sin nature in Jesus Christ: only He could die for our sins.