PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD..." 1TH 5:21
'GC' denotes 'compare passage'
It needs to be established at the very outset here that this study does not teach against Christians giving into the work of God. It is about how they give – whether spontaneously, or by compulsion. A teaching persists in the contemporary church that Christians under grace in the New Testament are obligated to tithe as the Jews under the law had to tithe in the Old Testament. There are no defining scriptures anywhere in the Bible however, to validate such teaching. Nevertheless the proponents of tithing do use scriptures to argue their position.
The purpose of this study is to examine those scriptures in context to determine if they really can be used for that purpose. But first let us find out exactly what the tithe is (GC Lev 27:30-34). We see from this that the tithe is a tenth part. Under the law here the Old Testament Jews had to pay ten percent of the produce of the earth and the increase of their herds and flocks to God. It had nothing to do with money then, as it has today. Today the tithe is stipulated as ten percent of one’s gross income which has to be paid to the local church. Those who argue for the tithe use Mal 3:8-11 to teach that the local church, being the place where Christians are spiritually fed, is the New Testament equivalent to the Old Testament storehouse where the tithes had to be taken, and that New Testament Christians who withhold their tithes will be cursed the same as the Old Testament Jews (GC Mal 3:8-11). Nothing that God says here can be applied to New Testament Christians. God rebuked the Jews who were under the law and obligated to tithe. New Testament Christians are not under the law because it has been fulfilled in Christ, and they have been redeemed from its curse (GC Ro 10:4; Ga 3:13-14).
The tithe is first mentioned in scripture when Abraham tithed to Melchizedec – a priest of the most high God – from the spoils of war after the slaughter of the kings, when Abraham rescued his nephew Lot and the women captives, in Gen 14 (GC Gen 14:18-20). We will learn more about this tithe and how it is represented by the proponents of tithing in the contemporary church a little later when we study He 7. Another argument for tithing is said to be found in Mt 23:23 (GC 23:23). Many in the church believe that by acknowledging the obligation of the Jews to tithe here Jesus is teaching that tithing is also obligatory for New Testament Christians. Tithing is not even the issue though. Jesus was rebuking Scribes and Pharisees who were subject to the law and obligated to tithe anyway. The issue Jesus was addressing was not their tithes, but their neglect of justice, mercy and faithfulness toward others. To practice these was more important then being sticklers for the smallest detail of tithing (GC Mt 23:24-33). This is what Jesus was really leading up to in Mt 23, which precludes V23 from being used to teach that Jesus was sanctioning tithing for New Testament Christians.
Compulsory tithing under the law in the Old Testament does not translate to giving under grace in the New Testament. The New Testament does not compel Christians, but rather invites them to give generously in response to the needs of others, and as an expression of their love for God (GC 1Cor 16:1-2; 2Cor 8:1-15; 9:1-15; Ga 6:6-8; Jas 2:13-17; 1Jn 3:16-19). We learn from these scriptures that New Testament giving is voluntary, spontaneous and freely given, not from a sense of obligation nor with an intent to merit blessings. Giving is to be seen as a privilege, not an obligation. 1Cor 16:1-2 is used by those who promote tithing to teach that the money the Corinthians were to put aside each Sunday represented the tithe. 2Cor 8:2-4 is used to encourage Christians to tithe, yet in V8 Paul clearly states that he was not commanding the Corinthians to give; he only wanted them to prove the sincerity of their love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. In V7 he calls their giving an act of grace, which is the exact opposite of mandatory tithing. In 2Cor 9:5 Paul stresses the importance of the collection being seen as a willing gift, not as money that has been extorted from them (CP 1Cor 16:3-4 with 2Cor
8:2-4, 7-8 and 9:5). The clear teaching in all these scriptures is that New Testament giving under grace comes from what one has, not from what one does not have. Christians are only expected to give according to their means, and although there must a readiness and eagerness in giving, Christians do not have to run themselves into debt or reduce themselves to poverty level in order to give into God’s work. This is acceptable to God. The issue is one’s willingness to give – not the amount (GC Lu 11:41; 2Cor 8:11-12; 9:7). Christians must not feel bad if they are ever unable to give (GC 2Cor 8:13-15). This teaches that Christians who are well off should meet the needs of those who are not. In this way none will lack, and there will be equality for all, just like God directed the Israelites with the manna in the wilderness (GC Ex 16:16-18).
There are four things Christians must do in giving: they must give willingly from the heart, they must not give grudgingly; they must not give of compulsion; they must give cheerfully (GC 2Cor 8:12; 9:5, 7). Christians who give what they can to those in need will find that the grace of God furnishes a sufficiency for their own needs, and even more, in order that they may abound in good works for others (GC Psa 41:1-2; Pr 11:24-25; 19:17; 22:9; Ecc 11:1; Lu 6:38; 2Cor 9:6, 8-15). At the heart of all Christian giving is the acknowledgement that God is the creator, the owner, and the giver of all things, and what we give back to God is only a part of what He has given to us in the first place (GC Gen 1:1; Ex 19:5; De 8:7-20; 1Chr 29:10-16; Psa 24:1; 50:10-12; Hag 2:8; Jn 1:1-3; Jas 1:17; 2Pe 1:3). Everything Christians have belongs to the Lord. No one has anything that they had not first received from God.
Those who hold that tithing is obligatory for New Testament Christians also use He 7: 1-10 to teach that, as Abraham was the antecedent of all New Testament Christians and paid a tithe to Melchizedec, it is incumbent upon all New Testament Christians to tithe. They contend that Abraham was the representative tithe payer of all his seed to come, which Christians are (GC Ga 3:29). Now let us look at He 7:1-10, but in the context of the whole chapter to see what it really means (GC He 7:1-28). When kept in the context of the whole of Ch 7 it is plain to see that tithing, as being obligatory for New Testament Christians, is not being taught in V1-10 at all. Melchizedec is the subject, not Jesus, and tithing is mentioned only in the context of
demonstrating the superiority of Melchizedec over Abraham and Levi in the first place, and the superiority of Christ’s eternal priesthood over the temporary Levitical priesthood in the second place, which makes the New Covenant superior to the Old. That is the theme of He 7, not tithing.
Tithing is only incidental to proving that the New Covenant, of which Jesus is the mediator, is by far superior to the Old Covenant, and it cannot be made to mean anything else (GC He 7:19, 22-28; 8:6-13; 9:11-15). We also learn in these scriptures that the Old Covenant has been made obsolete in Christ and done way with in its entirety. That was how God designed it: the Old Covenant was only temporary; the New Covenant under Christ is everlasting (GC Hos 2;11 with Ro 3:21-22; 10:4; 2Cor 3;7-14; Ga 3:19-26; 4:21-31; 5:1-4; Eph 2:13-16; He 7:12, 18:22; 8:6-13; 9:8 -15; 10:1-10).The clear teaching in all these scriptures is that the Old Covenant, which includes the law on tithing, has been completely abolished in Christ and has no relevance for New Testament Christians. Yet those who stand for tithing argue that the tithe itself was not abolished, because it was established by Abraham four hundred and thirty years prior to the law when he tithed to Melchizedec in Gen 14:18-20, which we looked at earlier, and therefore it should be carried on by New Testament Christians. They use Ga 3:17-18 as their proof text. Let us see what it says, but also in context (GC Ga 3:13-18). This scripture cannot be used to teach that Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedec should be continued. This has nothing to do with tithing, or Melchizedec. It is about the Covenant God made with Abraham. Paul is using the analogy of God’s Covenant with Abraham, and a legal agreement made between humans, to show that once the parties to it ratify an agreement, it stands forever – it cannot be annulled or voided. What Paul is teaching here is that the blessings God promised Abraham stand forever too. They were not affected by the law in any way (GC Gen 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-18; 15:1-18; 17:4-8; 22:15-18; 26:1-8; 28:1-4, 10-15 with Ro 4;1-25). This is the Covenant God made with Abraham. The purpose of the law was to keep a sinful people in the way of salvation until the seed of Abraham – Christ – came to inherit the promise, and distribute the blessings to all who receive Him by faith as saviour (GC Ga 3:6-16, 19-29). Everyone in Christ, regardless of nationality or sex, is the seed of Abraham and heir of God’s Covenant promise.
It is patently obvious from the scriptures studied thus far that none of them can be legitimately used to promote tithing as a New Testament Christian obligation. As stated at the outset of this study, there is no defining scripture anywhere in the bible to validate any teaching that it is incumbent upon New Testament Christians to tithe. As also stated previously, compulsory tithing under the law in the Old Testament does not translate to giving under grace in the New Testament. New Testament giving is centred entirety around stewardship – Christians giving of themselves completely to the work of God – which includes their time, their finances, and their material possessions (GC Mt 10:37-39; Mk 8:34-38; Lu 14:26-35).
None of this is teaching against New Testament Christians giving in to the work of God through their local church. Scriptures are very clear on the subject of giving – only those who sow into the Kingdom will reap the Kingdom benefits (GC Ga 6:6-10). Paul is defining God’s law of sowing and reaping here. It applies to every aspect of the Christian walk: Christians giving of themselves, their finances and their time to others; their financial support of the ministry, their moral behaviour, and their Christian service. Ga 6:9-10 teaches that while ever Christians keep doing good, in spite of the opposition they may encounter, in due course they will reap the fruit of the harvest. And notwithstanding that they are to do good unto all men, they are to be particularly concerned with the well - being of other Christians (GC Mt 25:31-46). All Christian giving has to be as to God, the Christians’ source, for whatever Christians do they are doing it as unto Jesus. Jesus equates Christians’ treatment of those in need with their treatment of Himself: what Christians do for them, they do for Him. The Christian walk is not only a spiritual walk, it must also serve the material needs of others, especially other Christians (GC Jas 2:13-17).
Here Christians are presented with the real test of their faith. Christians are not justified by works, but because they are justified by faith, they do the works. This proves their consecration to God’s service and confirms their love for God and for each other (GC 1Jn 3:16-19). The only faith that saves is that demonstrated by works out of Christians’ love for God. This scripture is the exact counterpart of Jn 3:16: “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. 1Jn 3:16-19 is the acid test of Christianity by which Christians know whether they are following the example of God’s love to others. If Christians are not willing to give of material things to others in need, they certainly would not lay down their lives for them. It is not enough that wealth and material possessions are acquired for self-gratification. They must always be made available for the work of God (GC Mt 6:19-24; Lu 12:13-21; 2Cor 9:5-6).
Although God’s law of sowing and reaping dictates that blessings will always be returned for generosity, Christians must never give in order to receive. Giving must always be motivated by love.
It is the duty of all who are taught the word to help provide material support for those who teach the word. Those who minister the word are entitled to live off the word (GC 1Cor 9:7-14; Ga 6:6; 3 Jn 5-8). No workers of the word should have to seek help in any form outside the church. Christians have a duty, which should be seen as a privilege, to contribute to the needs of every worker of the word. They must not be treated like beggars, but received, sent, and supported in a manner worthy of God (GC Mt 10:40-42; Lu 10:3-7; 1Ti 5:17-18). In Mt 10:41-42 Jesus promises that “he that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward”.
This teaches Christians how important it is in God’s purposes to receive and support true messengers of the gospel.
In bringing this study to a close here it needs to be re-stated that while there is extensive teaching on Christians giving into the work of God in the New Testament, there are no scriptures whatever that teach tithing. What they do teach is that Christians belong to God and what they have is held as a trust for him.
Their giving is done to help those in need and to advance the Kingdom of God. They are only obliged to give in accordance with their means, out of what they have, and the amount they give is not as important as their willingness to give it. Giving is seen as proof of their love. It is done sacrificially and voluntarily.
In their giving Christians sow not only money, but also faith, time and service. To sum up, their giving is characterized by what Paul said in 2Cor 9:7, “every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
By masmasika
In this modern world we are in where the lifestyle had changed drastically, life has changed too. People seem to be too busy to enjoy the real essence of life. Making money and gaining power seems to be the name of the game and you could rarely see people who are really enjoying life. The problem in this world of ours is that people are all too busy making money and thinking of how to obtain money in order to enjoy life and taste the luxuries that life could offer that very few have time to look around and see the small things that could make a difference in life. The real things that could make life happy are often missed by a lot of people because each one of us is too engrossed setting goals to make life more comfortable.
Have you ever asked yourself if life is that bad? Why people are all too busy dreaming of all the things that money could buy and forgetting to pay attention to the simple things in life that makes one happy? Perhaps it is not too much to ask a few minutes from you to read this simple article of mine because I had been raised from a poor family, grew up a poor school girl and is still striving hard to make ends meet in this time of crisis yet I could laugh aloud and could tell this world that I am happy and content with what I am doing now.
I am a teacher who teaches little kids in a little preschool owned by my friend. Everyday, the kids are my companion and they make me feel different everyday because they are the people who make me see what life really is. Their simple actuations, there simple smiles and the laughter that they create everyday as I teach them and play with them are the spices that make my life happy and interesting. Never mind if they are sometimes naughty, never mind if they create too much noise at times, they make a difference in the monotony of life. As I watch them at play, I always think of how life could have been better and fun if people always look at the simple things in life.
Life could be happier with these 8 simple tips:
1. Be simple and humble
It is simplicity that makes life happier and more interesting. The fact that this world is too complex does not mean that people have to go with the present life trends. Being simple does not mean depriving oneself from the important things around but it means that you have to try to make your life simple so that you can enjoy the simple things in life. You have to look around and appreciate the small things that could make life happy. Don’t fly too high because if you fall down it could hurt you real bad.
2. Have time to smile and laugh
The best antidote to a hectic and stressful life is a smile and a good laugh. Make sure that you have time to smile and better still laugh aloud with your family and friends. If you smile and laugh, people will join you but if you cry, you cry alone. Who wants to be alone?
3. Learn to appreciate the simple things in life
Appreciation is one of the best factors that make life more interesting. If you are keen enough to see the simple things around you and appreciate them, you could make life happier for yourself. If you have been very busy working and you are too tired to appreciate things around you, now is the time to change and keep yourself aware of the simple things that could make your life happier. If you see children playing, perhaps you could stop awhile and watch them while they play. You can see how they enjoy life by just simply running around, shouting and laughing.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you laughed. Laughing is the best medicine in this chaotic world of ours. Laughing eases the heart from any burden and it lessens stress. Laughing makes you healthier.
4. Don’t look at life too seriously
Perhaps everybody wants to have a comfortable life and enjoy what life could offer but don’t look at life too seriously. Learn to relax. Have you ever seen how the poor people enjoy life? They have no money to buy what they want in life yet they laugh like they have everything and they enjoy life like there is no tomorrow. I am not saying that people have to enjoy life and enjoy being poor. I am merely pointing how life must be enjoyed. If you just set a short time to pause and look at life’s perspective then you can realize that life could be fun without making it hard for yourself. Just be simple and enjoy what you can afford.
5. Make friends
They say that friends are wealth and that is true. Without friends, what would life be like? Just think about being alone. It is not what people want to be. But look at life with friends around, isn’t it more enjoyable having friends to cheer you up when you are down and help you when things go wrong?
6. Accept the realities in life
Let’s face it, life always has its ups and downs and you have to accept this reality. You cannot be always successful in everything you do. There will always be some problems as you move on with life and you have to learn to accept these realities. Learn to accept them and learn to handle them.
7. Give away something
Even if you don’t have much money, you can always give away something to people. It feels good to be the giver instead of the receiver. If you have some things you don’t like, why don’t you give them to an institution for others to use? You can also give food to a beggar on the streets. It is not bad to give away something from time to time. Share and you will feel better.
8. Be positive
Positive people are often people who enjoy life. Always think of positive results instead of the negative. Positive thinkers are happier people because they always look at the brighter side of things rather than the bad side. If you want to really enjoy life, always think positive.
Enjoying life is as simple as 1 2 3, only if you are a person who wants to enjoy life. You are the only person who could make your life happier and enjoy life. If you just try to look at how simple life is, there could be no problems and you will surely enjoy what life could offer.
In this modern world we are in where the lifestyle had changed drastically, life has changed too. People seem to be too busy to enjoy the real essence of life. Making money and gaining power seems to be the name of the game and you could rarely see people who are really enjoying life. The problem in this world of ours is that people are all too busy making money and thinking of how to obtain money in order to enjoy life and taste the luxuries that life could offer that very few have time to look around and see the small things that could make a difference in life. The real things that could make life happy are often missed by a lot of people because each one of us is too engrossed setting goals to make life more comfortable.
Have you ever asked yourself if life is that bad? Why people are all too busy dreaming of all the things that money could buy and forgetting to pay attention to the simple things in life that makes one happy? Perhaps it is not too much to ask a few minutes from you to read this simple article of mine because I had been raised from a poor family, grew up a poor school girl and is still striving hard to make ends meet in this time of crisis yet I could laugh aloud and could tell this world that I am happy and content with what I am doing now.
I am a teacher who teaches little kids in a little preschool owned by my friend. Everyday, the kids are my companion and they make me feel different everyday because they are the people who make me see what life really is. Their simple actuations, there simple smiles and the laughter that they create everyday as I teach them and play with them are the spices that make my life happy and interesting. Never mind if they are sometimes naughty, never mind if they create too much noise at times, they make a difference in the monotony of life. As I watch them at play, I always think of how life could have been better and fun if people always look at the simple things in life.
Life could be happier with these 8 simple tips:
1. Be simple and humble
It is simplicity that makes life happier and more interesting. The fact that this world is too complex does not mean that people have to go with the present life trends. Being simple does not mean depriving oneself from the important things around but it means that you have to try to make your life simple so that you can enjoy the simple things in life. You have to look around and appreciate the small things that could make life happy. Don’t fly too high because if you fall down it could hurt you real bad.
2. Have time to smile and laugh
The best antidote to a hectic and stressful life is a smile and a good laugh. Make sure that you have time to smile and better still laugh aloud with your family and friends. If you smile and laugh, people will join you but if you cry, you cry alone. Who wants to be alone?
3. Learn to appreciate the simple things in life
Appreciation is one of the best factors that make life more interesting. If you are keen enough to see the simple things around you and appreciate them, you could make life happier for yourself. If you have been very busy working and you are too tired to appreciate things around you, now is the time to change and keep yourself aware of the simple things that could make your life happier. If you see children playing, perhaps you could stop awhile and watch them while they play. You can see how they enjoy life by just simply running around, shouting and laughing.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you laughed. Laughing is the best medicine in this chaotic world of ours. Laughing eases the heart from any burden and it lessens stress. Laughing makes you healthier.
4. Don’t look at life too seriously
Perhaps everybody wants to have a comfortable life and enjoy what life could offer but don’t look at life too seriously. Learn to relax. Have you ever seen how the poor people enjoy life? They have no money to buy what they want in life yet they laugh like they have everything and they enjoy life like there is no tomorrow. I am not saying that people have to enjoy life and enjoy being poor. I am merely pointing how life must be enjoyed. If you just set a short time to pause and look at life’s perspective then you can realize that life could be fun without making it hard for yourself. Just be simple and enjoy what you can afford.
5. Make friends
They say that friends are wealth and that is true. Without friends, what would life be like? Just think about being alone. It is not what people want to be. But look at life with friends around, isn’t it more enjoyable having friends to cheer you up when you are down and help you when things go wrong?
6. Accept the realities in life
Let’s face it, life always has its ups and downs and you have to accept this reality. You cannot be always successful in everything you do. There will always be some problems as you move on with life and you have to learn to accept these realities. Learn to accept them and learn to handle them.
7. Give away something
Even if you don’t have much money, you can always give away something to people. It feels good to be the giver instead of the receiver. If you have some things you don’t like, why don’t you give them to an institution for others to use? You can also give food to a beggar on the streets. It is not bad to give away something from time to time. Share and you will feel better.
8. Be positive
Positive people are often people who enjoy life. Always think of positive results instead of the negative. Positive thinkers are happier people because they always look at the brighter side of things rather than the bad side. If you want to really enjoy life, always think positive.
Enjoying life is as simple as 1 2 3, only if you are a person who wants to enjoy life. You are the only person who could make your life happier and enjoy life. If you just try to look at how simple life is, there could be no problems and you will surely enjoy what life could offer.
What Are Evil Spirits?
"And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight."
The many accounts of evil spirits in Scripture affirm the reality of powerful spiritual forces of wickedness. Evil spirits (also known as demons or devils) are depraved spirits which are familiar with human weaknesses and desires. Some are more vile than others.
The Bible has many names for these spirits:
Deaf and dumb spirit (Mark 9:17-29)
Evil spirit (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12-13)
Familiar spirit (I Samuel 28:7)
Foul spirit (Mark 9:25)
Lying spirit (II Chronicles 18:20-22)
Perverse spirit (Isaiah 19:14; Romans 1:17-32)
Seducing spirit (I Timothy 4:1)
Spirit of an unclean devil (Luke 4:33)
Spirit of antichrist (I John 4:3)
Spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15)
Spirit of death (I Corinthians 10:10, 15:26)
Spirit of divination (Acts 16:16)
Spirit of error (I John 4:6)
Spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
Spirit of haughtiness (Proverbs 16:18-19)
Spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)
Spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11-13)
Spirit of jealousy (Genesis 4:5-8; Numbers 5:14)
Spirit of slumber (Isaiah 29:10, Romans 11:8)
Spirit of the world (I Corinthians 2:12)
Spirit of whoredoms (Hosea 4:12, 5:4)
Unclean spirit (Mark 6:7; Luke 11:24-26)
Evil spirits can enter into and possess people, causing all kinds of sicknesses, diseases, and terrible manifestations. The Bible records many occasions when Jesus healed those who were tormented by these spirits (see Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 1:23-27, Luke 9:37-42, and Acts 19:13-16). "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick" (Matthew 8:16).
Where Did Evil Spirits Come From?
An evil spirit (or demon) is not the same as a fallen angel; it is actually the offspring of a fallen angel. When fallen angels took to themselves human wives (Genesis 6:1-2), the children born to them became mighty giants, corrupting the human race and accelerating wickedness to such a degree that God saw it necessary to destroy all flesh with a Great Flood, saving only the righteous man Noah and his family.
When the mortal bodies of these angel-human hybrids died, their immortal spirits roamed the earth seeking human bodies to harass and indwell. The male ones are malevolent spirits and the female ones are seductive spirits. These continue to afflict the human race even now. They know the weaknesses and desires of mankind, for they once experienced a human body.
Unlike fallen angels, who can appear in bodily form, evil spirits must inhabit a body (either human or animal). An example of this is when Jesus cast out the legion of demons from a man and sent them into a herd of pigs (Luke 8:27-35). Both fallen angels and evil spirits serve their master Satan in the kingdom of darkness.
What is Demon Possession?
Demon possession is the control of an individual's personality so that actions are influenced by an evil demonic spirit. The signs of demonic possession in the New Testament include: deafness (Mark 9:25), blindness (Matthew 12:22), speechlessness (Matthew 9:33), convulsions (Mark 1:26), unusual strength (Mark 5:4), suicidal attempts (Matthew 17:15), and foaming of the mouth (Luke 9:39). Although these ailments are not necessarily caused by evil spirits, they are among the many possible effects of demonic activity.
One of those Jesus healed was Mary Magdalene, "out of whom he had cast seven devils" (Mark 16:9). The apostles cast out spirits as well, by the power of the Holy Spirit: "For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (Acts 8:7).
Jesus commanded evil spirits with His word, and "devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, 'Thou art Christ the Son of God.' And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ" (Luke 4:41). The powers of darkness, including Satan, can go no further than the bounds God has set for them (see Job 1:6-12). They will always leave when He casts them out and must comply when He gives them an order. "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him"
(Mark 1:27; also see Luke 4:36).
Yes, evil spirits know Who is ultimately in charge! "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). They will always be subject to Jesus: "And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God" (Mark 3:11).
The powers of darkness are used for the purposes of God. "He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them" (Psalm 78:49).
Scripture records several times when the Lord sent an evil spirit for a specific and sovereign purpose. "Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech" (Judges 9:23). It could also be said that when God withdraws his protection, evil rushes in to fill the void. Those who give place to the Devil are opening a door for demonic influence. When King Saul rejected the word of the Lord, "the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him" (I Samuel 16:14).
An evil spirit can be cast out of a person through the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. When an evil spirit leaves a person, it is extremely important that the void within them is filled with the Holy Spirit, lest the evil spirit return and bring with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself (Luke 11:24-26; John 5:14).
I wish you God's blessings
In Christ's service and Love
Rev. Garry W. Cuthbert
The many accounts of evil spirits in Scripture affirm the reality of powerful spiritual forces of wickedness. Evil spirits (also known as demons or devils) are depraved spirits which are familiar with human weaknesses and desires. Some are more vile than others.
The Bible has many names for these spirits:
Deaf and dumb spirit (Mark 9:17-29)
Evil spirit (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12-13)
Familiar spirit (I Samuel 28:7)
Foul spirit (Mark 9:25)
Lying spirit (II Chronicles 18:20-22)
Perverse spirit (Isaiah 19:14; Romans 1:17-32)
Seducing spirit (I Timothy 4:1)
Spirit of an unclean devil (Luke 4:33)
Spirit of antichrist (I John 4:3)
Spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15)
Spirit of death (I Corinthians 10:10, 15:26)
Spirit of divination (Acts 16:16)
Spirit of error (I John 4:6)
Spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
Spirit of haughtiness (Proverbs 16:18-19)
Spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)
Spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11-13)
Spirit of jealousy (Genesis 4:5-8; Numbers 5:14)
Spirit of slumber (Isaiah 29:10, Romans 11:8)
Spirit of the world (I Corinthians 2:12)
Spirit of whoredoms (Hosea 4:12, 5:4)
Unclean spirit (Mark 6:7; Luke 11:24-26)
Evil spirits can enter into and possess people, causing all kinds of sicknesses, diseases, and terrible manifestations. The Bible records many occasions when Jesus healed those who were tormented by these spirits (see Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 1:23-27, Luke 9:37-42, and Acts 19:13-16). "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick" (Matthew 8:16).
Where Did Evil Spirits Come From?
An evil spirit (or demon) is not the same as a fallen angel; it is actually the offspring of a fallen angel. When fallen angels took to themselves human wives (Genesis 6:1-2), the children born to them became mighty giants, corrupting the human race and accelerating wickedness to such a degree that God saw it necessary to destroy all flesh with a Great Flood, saving only the righteous man Noah and his family.
When the mortal bodies of these angel-human hybrids died, their immortal spirits roamed the earth seeking human bodies to harass and indwell. The male ones are malevolent spirits and the female ones are seductive spirits. These continue to afflict the human race even now. They know the weaknesses and desires of mankind, for they once experienced a human body.
Unlike fallen angels, who can appear in bodily form, evil spirits must inhabit a body (either human or animal). An example of this is when Jesus cast out the legion of demons from a man and sent them into a herd of pigs (Luke 8:27-35). Both fallen angels and evil spirits serve their master Satan in the kingdom of darkness.
What is Demon Possession?
Demon possession is the control of an individual's personality so that actions are influenced by an evil demonic spirit. The signs of demonic possession in the New Testament include: deafness (Mark 9:25), blindness (Matthew 12:22), speechlessness (Matthew 9:33), convulsions (Mark 1:26), unusual strength (Mark 5:4), suicidal attempts (Matthew 17:15), and foaming of the mouth (Luke 9:39). Although these ailments are not necessarily caused by evil spirits, they are among the many possible effects of demonic activity.
One of those Jesus healed was Mary Magdalene, "out of whom he had cast seven devils" (Mark 16:9). The apostles cast out spirits as well, by the power of the Holy Spirit: "For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (Acts 8:7).
Jesus commanded evil spirits with His word, and "devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, 'Thou art Christ the Son of God.' And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ" (Luke 4:41). The powers of darkness, including Satan, can go no further than the bounds God has set for them (see Job 1:6-12). They will always leave when He casts them out and must comply when He gives them an order. "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him"
(Mark 1:27; also see Luke 4:36).
Yes, evil spirits know Who is ultimately in charge! "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). They will always be subject to Jesus: "And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God" (Mark 3:11).
The powers of darkness are used for the purposes of God. "He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them" (Psalm 78:49).
Scripture records several times when the Lord sent an evil spirit for a specific and sovereign purpose. "Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech" (Judges 9:23). It could also be said that when God withdraws his protection, evil rushes in to fill the void. Those who give place to the Devil are opening a door for demonic influence. When King Saul rejected the word of the Lord, "the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him" (I Samuel 16:14).
An evil spirit can be cast out of a person through the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. When an evil spirit leaves a person, it is extremely important that the void within them is filled with the Holy Spirit, lest the evil spirit return and bring with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself (Luke 11:24-26; John 5:14).
I wish you God's blessings
In Christ's service and Love
Rev. Garry W. Cuthbert
What does the Bible say about procrastination?
Answer: Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done,” and in some people it is a habitual way of handling any task. While the word itself is not found in the Bible, we can find some principles to help guide us.
Sometimes, procrastination is the result of laziness, and the Bible has plenty to say about that. The Bible commends hard work and industry (Proverbs 12:24; 13:4) and warns against sloth and slackness (Proverbs 15:19; 18:9). One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task. The Christian should be supremely motivated to be diligent in his work, since he is ultimately serving the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). If we put our hearts into our work, as this verse says to do, we will probably find it difficult to procrastinate too much.
The Bible says that when it comes to some things, we should never delay. Jesus taught that reconciling with an offended brother should be done immediately upon our remembrance of the situation (Matthew 5:23-24). He also said to “settle matters quickly” with our adversaries (verse 25). However distasteful it may be to pursue peace with an enemy, we must avoid stalling. Similarly, we are instructed, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). Dealing appropriately with our anger is a matter of great importance, and we must not put it off until tomorrow, which will give the devil “a foothold” (verse 27).
Christians must not procrastinate when it comes to sharing the gospel with the lost. There is no time to waste. Jesus likened evangelistic efforts to a man inviting people to a great banquet. As he sent out his servants with the invitations, he said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21). The most striking qualities of the invitation are its openness (anyone and everyone was invited) and its urgency (the call to the feast must go out “quickly”).
Some people, upon hearing the gospel and knowing their spiritual need, delay in making a response. This is the most dangerous type of procrastination. Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:13-14). The Bible urges us to get right with God today. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion’” (Heb 3:12-13, 15). To procrastinate and put off getting right with God is to harden one’s own heart.
Jesus could return at any time; we do not know when (Luke 12:40). Our Lord illustrated the importance of being prepared for His coming in Matthew 25:1-13. In this parable, ten virgins await the arrival of the bridegroom and the commencement of the wedding feast. Five of the virgins were prepared for his arrival; five did not attempt to prepare until it was too late, and they were left behind. Jesus calls the unprepared virgins “foolish”; one reason they were unprepared may have been that they procrastinated.
So in the matter of our spiritual life, we dare not procrastinate. It is also unwise to delay healing a broken relationship or dealing with anger. And since our service to God motivates all we do, we have no reason to procrastinate. In short, procrastination is a bad habit that can have eternal effects.
Sometimes, procrastination is the result of laziness, and the Bible has plenty to say about that. The Bible commends hard work and industry (Proverbs 12:24; 13:4) and warns against sloth and slackness (Proverbs 15:19; 18:9). One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task. The Christian should be supremely motivated to be diligent in his work, since he is ultimately serving the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). If we put our hearts into our work, as this verse says to do, we will probably find it difficult to procrastinate too much.
The Bible says that when it comes to some things, we should never delay. Jesus taught that reconciling with an offended brother should be done immediately upon our remembrance of the situation (Matthew 5:23-24). He also said to “settle matters quickly” with our adversaries (verse 25). However distasteful it may be to pursue peace with an enemy, we must avoid stalling. Similarly, we are instructed, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). Dealing appropriately with our anger is a matter of great importance, and we must not put it off until tomorrow, which will give the devil “a foothold” (verse 27).
Christians must not procrastinate when it comes to sharing the gospel with the lost. There is no time to waste. Jesus likened evangelistic efforts to a man inviting people to a great banquet. As he sent out his servants with the invitations, he said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21). The most striking qualities of the invitation are its openness (anyone and everyone was invited) and its urgency (the call to the feast must go out “quickly”).
Some people, upon hearing the gospel and knowing their spiritual need, delay in making a response. This is the most dangerous type of procrastination. Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:13-14). The Bible urges us to get right with God today. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion’” (Heb 3:12-13, 15). To procrastinate and put off getting right with God is to harden one’s own heart.
Jesus could return at any time; we do not know when (Luke 12:40). Our Lord illustrated the importance of being prepared for His coming in Matthew 25:1-13. In this parable, ten virgins await the arrival of the bridegroom and the commencement of the wedding feast. Five of the virgins were prepared for his arrival; five did not attempt to prepare until it was too late, and they were left behind. Jesus calls the unprepared virgins “foolish”; one reason they were unprepared may have been that they procrastinated.
So in the matter of our spiritual life, we dare not procrastinate. It is also unwise to delay healing a broken relationship or dealing with anger. And since our service to God motivates all we do, we have no reason to procrastinate. In short, procrastination is a bad habit that can have eternal effects.
What IsThe Meaning Of Palm Sunday
What is the Meaning of Palm Sunday covers the dramatic conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. This sermon lesson reveals how Jesus purposely forced His enemies to act.
Harmony Of The Gospels Series-34, Mark 11
For more information about Jesus see these books on the History of Jesus Christ.
Our one-year journey through the life of Jesus is reaching it's climax in what's popularly called "Passion Week", the last week before Jesus is crucified, but won't stay dead. Over the next 6 lessons, we'll cover some of the highlights of this last week. We could spend a year and not completely cover all the events and their meaning, so, if it seems a bit rushed, you'll understand. This lesson covers the installation of the new King of Israel and His first acts as King. Many hundreds of years before, the Scriptures foretold of a Ruler who's Kingdom would never end, One who would bless all nations and lead all nations. This week we study the day that marks the beginning of His kingdom, but something doesn't seem right.
Everyone expected a military ruler, like the Judges of old, who would protect Israel and defeat all her enemies. Instead, Jesus comes out, "in your face" and attacks the existing rulers of Israel, the religious leaders, the Priests, Pharisees and the religious Lawyers. He flaunts His credentials as the true King of Israel, and attacks at the heart of the religious leaders' stronghold…the money. Jesus removed any doubt the religious leaders had about killing Him. He ushers in a whole new kingdom, a Spiritual Kingdom…but first, He has some unfinished business with the worldly kingdom of Israel. We're studying Mark 11, so please stop here and read the entire chapter so you'll understand what we're talking about. In our study today, and for the next several weeks, Jesus is making it clear to everyone:
The time is here when we no longer worship in a place, but in spirit and in truth.
1. The King: This was not a "humble entry" as many would like to portray it, but a Royal Entry as the new King of Israel. Many, if not most commentaries and preachers like to say how lowly Jesus was, to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Well, the lowly didn't have a donkey to ride…they walked. Zech 9:9 says He was gentle, yes, but it also says He's their righteous King who brings salvation. No one at that time missed the prophetic symbol represented by Jesus' entry on a donkey's colt. He was proclaiming Himself the Messiah, the promised King, who would free Israel and bring everlasting peace. The people recognized His gesture and began to shower the road with their blankets and branches. They began to yell praises to Him, which the religious leaders protested. Why would they protest their Messiah? Because they had cushy positions of honor and authority, allowed them by the existing power structure. They had a good thing goin' and they didn't want a new work of God to mess things up. Jesus' very existence threatened their whole gravy train. Ever wonder how things might have been for everyone in the world if the leaders at that time had chosen to honor Him and declare Him King? Jesus said He had longed to gather Jerusalem under His wing like a hen gathers her chicks. Even this proclamation of love brought criticism from the religious leaders, but the people considered Him King.
Jesus, as King, stood in sharp contrast to King Herod, the current King. Herod's family had climbed to and held power through murder, intrigue and strongly maintained political ties to the Roman Empire. His predecessor had killed all the male babies under 2 years old, in an effort to kill Jesus as a baby, and prevent Him from growing up to become King. Jesus gained power by following God, healing the sick and raising the dead…by teaching people to love. Herod was King to serve and enrich himself. Jesus was King to serve God, and to bless everyone who would accept His blessing. He maintained no political ties, held no wealth, power or position in a worldly sense…yet He claimed to be King. It was more than a claim. It was and is fact…Jesus is King of the only kingdom that matters, the spiritual Kingdom…the Kingdom of God. Sadly, by their actions, the religious leaders proved they didn't believe in God's Kingdom, even as a Spiritual reality. That's probably why their work was spiritually fruitless.
We conclude What is the Meaning of Palm Sunday by applying their conflict to our lives as Christians, today.
What Is The Meaning Of Palm Sunday-2
Continued from What Is The Meaning Of Palm Sunday
2. The Crop: I believe it was this spiritual fruitlessness of Israel's religious leaders that led to Jesus killing the fig tree. Many a commentary ponders this story as if it doesn't fit in the gospel. Why would Jesus kill a tree for not bearing fruit in the spring? I've heard modern-day religious leaders use the fig tree as a reason to suspect the gospels, because it's foreign to the nature of God to kill something out of selfish motives. Well, they must be assuming they can gauge the motives of God. I believe His motives were not selfish. For me, the tree represents Israel, who, after 1,500 years, should have produced the fruit of blessing to all the nations of the world. Instead, it chose isolationism, idolatry, and finally, religious cultism and hypocrisy. Once, God's Chosen people, by the time of Christ…His bitter enemy. Once, the Vine God would use to bless the world, now…a fruitless, dead fig tree. Maybe this fig tree was a reminder to the disciples of what John the baptizer said, "the ax is at the root. Any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down." Maybe Jesus wanted to add an object lesson to His story of the fruitless fig tree that got fertilized and cultivated for one final year to give it the best chance to produce fruit…"if not, then cut it down." I believe by killing the fig tree, Jesus was visually announcing the fate of Israel.
Unlike Israel, then, we must pay attention to the lesson of the fig tree. Too many of us who profess to follow God, like Israel, do so only because it serves our political, financial, or social interests. Too many of us, like Israel, follow visible religious leaders, rather than the invisible God. Too many of our religious leaders, like theirs, would kill any move of God, rather than risk their position of honor and authority. Jesus said fruitless trees like these will be cut down. Too many of our religious leaders, like theirs, care more about our money than our ministry needs. That brings us to our final point…
3. The Crooks: There is no better place to hurt religious leaders than at their profit center. Maybe that's why Jesus chose the money-changing tables. Many today understand these tables to be places of routine business, and, therefore, a defilement of the temple of God. In fact, the defilement goes much deeper. You couldn't worship God according to their custom, without giving a special coin, called the "sanctuary shekel" and offering a special animal, approved by Priests. This is where the money changers came in. Though it's not spelled out in Scripture, it's rather widely believed that the money-changers were relatives of the priests who sold shekels for much more than they were worth in whatever currency the worshiper had with him. The priests, it's believed, would declare any animal brought to Jerusalem unfit for offering. Of course, the money-changers would be happy to buy defective animals at a discount and sell "pre-approved" offerings at a premium, so you can worship. Think about that! People coming to worship God, being denied their opportunity unless they paid more than God had asked of them.
Can you imagine, being denied the opportunity to join with others in worship because you hadn't given a certain amount of money to some human? Can you imagine not being allowed to serve God because some power-hungry group decided you had to give more than God had told you to give? Can you see why Jesus overturned the tables and called the religious leaders thieves? They'd taken people's love for God and held it as a hostage for ransom. God forbid! He did forbid! He even whipped 'em and kicked 'em out..
Many years have come and gone since Jesus overturned those tables, since He killed that fig tree and since He rode into Jerusalem as the new King. They were his first acts to overturn the old worldly kingdom by forcing them to action for one side or the other. We celebrate the action they took every Easter, because, in trying to protect the old kingdom, they ushered in the New. Yet much of the old kingdom has returned, only with new names. The Bible says Jesus is the same today as He was then. Though ancient Jerusalem seems distant and foreign, we're no different, either. Even those of us who profess to follow Jesus, cling to the worldly trappings of religion and power, rather than the Spiritual reality of His kingdom. Jesus said, back then, that the day had come when people would no longer go to a place to worship God, but His true worshipers would worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. As we march toward this year's celebration of His victory, let's stay committed to His Spiritual Kingdom. Let's not be distracted by worldly kingdoms, discouraged by fruitless, worldly priests or deceived by worldly crooks, claiming we have to pay them to get a "share" of God. Let's continue to worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Dear God. Help us to see past this world into your kingdom. Help us live in the reality of you. Free us from man's worldly religion. Let us continue to live free, in you. Pour your Spirit out upon us God and expand us, Spiritually, so that worldly kingdoms and authority and religions no longer fit. Instead of paying our dues to man's religion, let us give all of ourselves to you, just as you have given all of yourself to us.
PALM SUNDAY: JESUS WEEPING OVER THE CITY OF JERUSALEM
"The capacity to mourn is the measure of our humanity." - Johann Baptist Metz.
Scripture: Luke 19:41-42
Every year we celebrate Palm Sunday, another important event in the life of Jesus. It is a Sunday to recall the triumphant entry of Jesus on a borrowed donkey into the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was at the Mount of Olives, when the disciples arrived with a colt. As Jesus rode into the city, onlookers spread their cloaks on the road to Jerusalem. As Jesus descended from the Mount Olives, he saw a multitude of people. They praised God and shouted: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"
Let us walk to see the other side of the story. As Jesus neared the city and saw the city, he wept over it. He recognized unforeseen things to come, including its destruction at the hands of Caesar. He looked intently at the city, heaved a sigh and said, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:41).
He foresaw the wounds to be inflicted on the city. Thirty years after Jesus' earthly life ended, the Romans left in Jerusalem only the loftiest towers, Phasael, Hippicus, and Mariamne, and a portion of the western wall. The rest of the city was erased to the ground.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept over its impending wounds and attacks. His heart broke in compassion and tenderness, but Jesus did not stop there. His kindness is always interspersed with justice. He asked why Jerusalem did not know the things that make for peace. Tears of compassion led to a question of justice.
As members of a faith community, we too must shed tears over the recent calamity. We must also offer help and relief to the suffering and the families of the dead.
Moreover, we must ask why we do not know the things that make for peace. Let us not ask simplistic questions. For instance, a question, "Who killed Jesus?," has resulted in the massacre of Jews over the centuries. That question has incited anti-Semitism and negative stereotyping. Rather, a question such as "What are the forces that killed Jesus?" help us address root causes.
In Jesus’ case, Pontius Pilate’s expediency, religious leaders' narrow interpretation of religious laws and sacred scriptures, along with power politics led to his death.
Twentieth century history provides an example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister in Germany, who asked some justice questions before the onset of World War II. He asked:
How does peace come about?
Through a system of political treatises?
Through the investment of international capital in different countries?
Or through universal, peaceful rearmament in order to guarantee peace?
Through none of these...for the single reason that all of them confuse peace with safety.
There is no way to peace along the way of safety.
For peace must be dared.
Peace is the great venture.
It can never be safe.
Peace is the opposite of security.
Peace must be dared.
Daring peace is an upstream calling, a difficult calling, in times such as this. Restorative justice and not retributive justice is today’s imperative. Identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those who committed acts of terrorism through courts of justice is a compelling need. Special tribunals like Nuremberg and Tokyo once tried crimes against humanity from WW II. More recently, special international tribunals were set up to try war atrocities committed in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
In 1998 the Rome Statute was adopted to establish a permanent International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Netherlands. Canada has ratified the Rome Statute and incorporated its provisions into national law as have more than forty other countries. The US has not yet signed or ratified it.
Collective punishment of women and children is retributive justice. Restorative justice and not retributive justice is the upstream calling of the hour.
Christ's compassionate tears and searching question at once show the inseparability of God's justice and God's kindness.
REFLECTION:
(1) The story of Palm Sunday, like that of Christmas, has a subordinate story which we often fail to see. Read the story in Luke 19: 28-39 & 19: 41-44. Narrate it in your own words. Pray to God to lead you further in your faith journey. Look for other stories which contain both celebrative and tragic elements at once.
PRAYER:
Loving Jesus, teach us to weep as you do. Help us to ask questions of justice the way you ask, in true humility and compassion. Give us the strength to do both works of mercy and works of justice simultaneously. Amen
Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday?
Posted By Justin Taylor On April 4, 2010 @ 12:00 am In Holy Week | Comments Disabled
With help from Craig Blomberg’s Jesus and the Gospels [1], here’s a reconstruction of events on Easter Sunday. This is my final installment in the Holy Week series [2].
Some women arrive at Jesus’ tomb near dawn, probably with Mary Magdalene arriving first.
Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Mark 16:1-3
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another,
“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Luke 24:1
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
John 20:1
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
Mary and the other women, instead of finding Jesus’ body, are met by two young men who are angels; one of them announces Jesus’ resurrection.
Matthew 28:2-7
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Mark 16:4-7
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them,
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has 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 to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
Luke 24:2-7
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
The women, fearful and joyful, leave the garden—at first unwilling to say anything to anyone about this but then changing their mind and going to tell the Eleven.
Mark 16:18
And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Matthew 28:8
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Mary Magdalene likely rushes ahead and tells Peter and John before the other women arrive.
John 20:2
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
The other women, still en route to tell the disciples, are met by Jesus, who confirms their decision to tell the Eleven and promises to meet them in Galilee.
Matthew 28:9-10
And behold, Jesus met them and said,
“Greetings!”
And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The women arrive and tell the disciples that Jesus is risen.
Luke 24:8-11
And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Peter and John rush to the tomb (based on Mary Magdalene’s report) and discover it empty.
John 20:3-10
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Luke 24:12
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
That afternoon Jesus appears to Cleopas and a friend on the road to Emmaus; later Jesus appears to Peter
Luke 24:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them,
“What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”
And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
And he said to them,
“What things?”
And they said to him,
“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them,
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying,
“Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”
So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other,
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying,
“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
That evening Jesus appears to the Ten (minus Thomas) in a house (with locked doors) in Jerusalem
Luke 24:36-43
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them,
“Peace to you!”
But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
And he said to them,
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them,
“Have you anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Article printed from Justin Taylor: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor
URL to article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/04/04/holy-week-what-happened-on-sunday-2/
URLs in this post:
[1] Jesus and the Gospels: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805444823/bettwowor-20
[2] the Holy Week series: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/category/holy-week/
Online reserach information 1-4-2012 ~ Online reserached by
Rev. Garry W. Cuthbert
Harmony Of The Gospels Series-34, Mark 11
For more information about Jesus see these books on the History of Jesus Christ.
Our one-year journey through the life of Jesus is reaching it's climax in what's popularly called "Passion Week", the last week before Jesus is crucified, but won't stay dead. Over the next 6 lessons, we'll cover some of the highlights of this last week. We could spend a year and not completely cover all the events and their meaning, so, if it seems a bit rushed, you'll understand. This lesson covers the installation of the new King of Israel and His first acts as King. Many hundreds of years before, the Scriptures foretold of a Ruler who's Kingdom would never end, One who would bless all nations and lead all nations. This week we study the day that marks the beginning of His kingdom, but something doesn't seem right.
Everyone expected a military ruler, like the Judges of old, who would protect Israel and defeat all her enemies. Instead, Jesus comes out, "in your face" and attacks the existing rulers of Israel, the religious leaders, the Priests, Pharisees and the religious Lawyers. He flaunts His credentials as the true King of Israel, and attacks at the heart of the religious leaders' stronghold…the money. Jesus removed any doubt the religious leaders had about killing Him. He ushers in a whole new kingdom, a Spiritual Kingdom…but first, He has some unfinished business with the worldly kingdom of Israel. We're studying Mark 11, so please stop here and read the entire chapter so you'll understand what we're talking about. In our study today, and for the next several weeks, Jesus is making it clear to everyone:
The time is here when we no longer worship in a place, but in spirit and in truth.
1. The King: This was not a "humble entry" as many would like to portray it, but a Royal Entry as the new King of Israel. Many, if not most commentaries and preachers like to say how lowly Jesus was, to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Well, the lowly didn't have a donkey to ride…they walked. Zech 9:9 says He was gentle, yes, but it also says He's their righteous King who brings salvation. No one at that time missed the prophetic symbol represented by Jesus' entry on a donkey's colt. He was proclaiming Himself the Messiah, the promised King, who would free Israel and bring everlasting peace. The people recognized His gesture and began to shower the road with their blankets and branches. They began to yell praises to Him, which the religious leaders protested. Why would they protest their Messiah? Because they had cushy positions of honor and authority, allowed them by the existing power structure. They had a good thing goin' and they didn't want a new work of God to mess things up. Jesus' very existence threatened their whole gravy train. Ever wonder how things might have been for everyone in the world if the leaders at that time had chosen to honor Him and declare Him King? Jesus said He had longed to gather Jerusalem under His wing like a hen gathers her chicks. Even this proclamation of love brought criticism from the religious leaders, but the people considered Him King.
Jesus, as King, stood in sharp contrast to King Herod, the current King. Herod's family had climbed to and held power through murder, intrigue and strongly maintained political ties to the Roman Empire. His predecessor had killed all the male babies under 2 years old, in an effort to kill Jesus as a baby, and prevent Him from growing up to become King. Jesus gained power by following God, healing the sick and raising the dead…by teaching people to love. Herod was King to serve and enrich himself. Jesus was King to serve God, and to bless everyone who would accept His blessing. He maintained no political ties, held no wealth, power or position in a worldly sense…yet He claimed to be King. It was more than a claim. It was and is fact…Jesus is King of the only kingdom that matters, the spiritual Kingdom…the Kingdom of God. Sadly, by their actions, the religious leaders proved they didn't believe in God's Kingdom, even as a Spiritual reality. That's probably why their work was spiritually fruitless.
We conclude What is the Meaning of Palm Sunday by applying their conflict to our lives as Christians, today.
What Is The Meaning Of Palm Sunday-2
Continued from What Is The Meaning Of Palm Sunday
2. The Crop: I believe it was this spiritual fruitlessness of Israel's religious leaders that led to Jesus killing the fig tree. Many a commentary ponders this story as if it doesn't fit in the gospel. Why would Jesus kill a tree for not bearing fruit in the spring? I've heard modern-day religious leaders use the fig tree as a reason to suspect the gospels, because it's foreign to the nature of God to kill something out of selfish motives. Well, they must be assuming they can gauge the motives of God. I believe His motives were not selfish. For me, the tree represents Israel, who, after 1,500 years, should have produced the fruit of blessing to all the nations of the world. Instead, it chose isolationism, idolatry, and finally, religious cultism and hypocrisy. Once, God's Chosen people, by the time of Christ…His bitter enemy. Once, the Vine God would use to bless the world, now…a fruitless, dead fig tree. Maybe this fig tree was a reminder to the disciples of what John the baptizer said, "the ax is at the root. Any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down." Maybe Jesus wanted to add an object lesson to His story of the fruitless fig tree that got fertilized and cultivated for one final year to give it the best chance to produce fruit…"if not, then cut it down." I believe by killing the fig tree, Jesus was visually announcing the fate of Israel.
Unlike Israel, then, we must pay attention to the lesson of the fig tree. Too many of us who profess to follow God, like Israel, do so only because it serves our political, financial, or social interests. Too many of us, like Israel, follow visible religious leaders, rather than the invisible God. Too many of our religious leaders, like theirs, would kill any move of God, rather than risk their position of honor and authority. Jesus said fruitless trees like these will be cut down. Too many of our religious leaders, like theirs, care more about our money than our ministry needs. That brings us to our final point…
3. The Crooks: There is no better place to hurt religious leaders than at their profit center. Maybe that's why Jesus chose the money-changing tables. Many today understand these tables to be places of routine business, and, therefore, a defilement of the temple of God. In fact, the defilement goes much deeper. You couldn't worship God according to their custom, without giving a special coin, called the "sanctuary shekel" and offering a special animal, approved by Priests. This is where the money changers came in. Though it's not spelled out in Scripture, it's rather widely believed that the money-changers were relatives of the priests who sold shekels for much more than they were worth in whatever currency the worshiper had with him. The priests, it's believed, would declare any animal brought to Jerusalem unfit for offering. Of course, the money-changers would be happy to buy defective animals at a discount and sell "pre-approved" offerings at a premium, so you can worship. Think about that! People coming to worship God, being denied their opportunity unless they paid more than God had asked of them.
Can you imagine, being denied the opportunity to join with others in worship because you hadn't given a certain amount of money to some human? Can you imagine not being allowed to serve God because some power-hungry group decided you had to give more than God had told you to give? Can you see why Jesus overturned the tables and called the religious leaders thieves? They'd taken people's love for God and held it as a hostage for ransom. God forbid! He did forbid! He even whipped 'em and kicked 'em out..
Many years have come and gone since Jesus overturned those tables, since He killed that fig tree and since He rode into Jerusalem as the new King. They were his first acts to overturn the old worldly kingdom by forcing them to action for one side or the other. We celebrate the action they took every Easter, because, in trying to protect the old kingdom, they ushered in the New. Yet much of the old kingdom has returned, only with new names. The Bible says Jesus is the same today as He was then. Though ancient Jerusalem seems distant and foreign, we're no different, either. Even those of us who profess to follow Jesus, cling to the worldly trappings of religion and power, rather than the Spiritual reality of His kingdom. Jesus said, back then, that the day had come when people would no longer go to a place to worship God, but His true worshipers would worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. As we march toward this year's celebration of His victory, let's stay committed to His Spiritual Kingdom. Let's not be distracted by worldly kingdoms, discouraged by fruitless, worldly priests or deceived by worldly crooks, claiming we have to pay them to get a "share" of God. Let's continue to worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Dear God. Help us to see past this world into your kingdom. Help us live in the reality of you. Free us from man's worldly religion. Let us continue to live free, in you. Pour your Spirit out upon us God and expand us, Spiritually, so that worldly kingdoms and authority and religions no longer fit. Instead of paying our dues to man's religion, let us give all of ourselves to you, just as you have given all of yourself to us.
PALM SUNDAY: JESUS WEEPING OVER THE CITY OF JERUSALEM
"The capacity to mourn is the measure of our humanity." - Johann Baptist Metz.
Scripture: Luke 19:41-42
Every year we celebrate Palm Sunday, another important event in the life of Jesus. It is a Sunday to recall the triumphant entry of Jesus on a borrowed donkey into the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was at the Mount of Olives, when the disciples arrived with a colt. As Jesus rode into the city, onlookers spread their cloaks on the road to Jerusalem. As Jesus descended from the Mount Olives, he saw a multitude of people. They praised God and shouted: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"
Let us walk to see the other side of the story. As Jesus neared the city and saw the city, he wept over it. He recognized unforeseen things to come, including its destruction at the hands of Caesar. He looked intently at the city, heaved a sigh and said, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:41).
He foresaw the wounds to be inflicted on the city. Thirty years after Jesus' earthly life ended, the Romans left in Jerusalem only the loftiest towers, Phasael, Hippicus, and Mariamne, and a portion of the western wall. The rest of the city was erased to the ground.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept over its impending wounds and attacks. His heart broke in compassion and tenderness, but Jesus did not stop there. His kindness is always interspersed with justice. He asked why Jerusalem did not know the things that make for peace. Tears of compassion led to a question of justice.
As members of a faith community, we too must shed tears over the recent calamity. We must also offer help and relief to the suffering and the families of the dead.
Moreover, we must ask why we do not know the things that make for peace. Let us not ask simplistic questions. For instance, a question, "Who killed Jesus?," has resulted in the massacre of Jews over the centuries. That question has incited anti-Semitism and negative stereotyping. Rather, a question such as "What are the forces that killed Jesus?" help us address root causes.
In Jesus’ case, Pontius Pilate’s expediency, religious leaders' narrow interpretation of religious laws and sacred scriptures, along with power politics led to his death.
Twentieth century history provides an example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister in Germany, who asked some justice questions before the onset of World War II. He asked:
How does peace come about?
Through a system of political treatises?
Through the investment of international capital in different countries?
Or through universal, peaceful rearmament in order to guarantee peace?
Through none of these...for the single reason that all of them confuse peace with safety.
There is no way to peace along the way of safety.
For peace must be dared.
Peace is the great venture.
It can never be safe.
Peace is the opposite of security.
Peace must be dared.
Daring peace is an upstream calling, a difficult calling, in times such as this. Restorative justice and not retributive justice is today’s imperative. Identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those who committed acts of terrorism through courts of justice is a compelling need. Special tribunals like Nuremberg and Tokyo once tried crimes against humanity from WW II. More recently, special international tribunals were set up to try war atrocities committed in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
In 1998 the Rome Statute was adopted to establish a permanent International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Netherlands. Canada has ratified the Rome Statute and incorporated its provisions into national law as have more than forty other countries. The US has not yet signed or ratified it.
Collective punishment of women and children is retributive justice. Restorative justice and not retributive justice is the upstream calling of the hour.
Christ's compassionate tears and searching question at once show the inseparability of God's justice and God's kindness.
REFLECTION:
(1) The story of Palm Sunday, like that of Christmas, has a subordinate story which we often fail to see. Read the story in Luke 19: 28-39 & 19: 41-44. Narrate it in your own words. Pray to God to lead you further in your faith journey. Look for other stories which contain both celebrative and tragic elements at once.
PRAYER:
Loving Jesus, teach us to weep as you do. Help us to ask questions of justice the way you ask, in true humility and compassion. Give us the strength to do both works of mercy and works of justice simultaneously. Amen
Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday?
Posted By Justin Taylor On April 4, 2010 @ 12:00 am In Holy Week | Comments Disabled
With help from Craig Blomberg’s Jesus and the Gospels [1], here’s a reconstruction of events on Easter Sunday. This is my final installment in the Holy Week series [2].
Some women arrive at Jesus’ tomb near dawn, probably with Mary Magdalene arriving first.
Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Mark 16:1-3
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another,
“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Luke 24:1
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
John 20:1
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
Mary and the other women, instead of finding Jesus’ body, are met by two young men who are angels; one of them announces Jesus’ resurrection.
Matthew 28:2-7
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Mark 16:4-7
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them,
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has 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 to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
Luke 24:2-7
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
The women, fearful and joyful, leave the garden—at first unwilling to say anything to anyone about this but then changing their mind and going to tell the Eleven.
Mark 16:18
And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Matthew 28:8
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Mary Magdalene likely rushes ahead and tells Peter and John before the other women arrive.
John 20:2
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
The other women, still en route to tell the disciples, are met by Jesus, who confirms their decision to tell the Eleven and promises to meet them in Galilee.
Matthew 28:9-10
And behold, Jesus met them and said,
“Greetings!”
And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The women arrive and tell the disciples that Jesus is risen.
Luke 24:8-11
And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Peter and John rush to the tomb (based on Mary Magdalene’s report) and discover it empty.
John 20:3-10
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Luke 24:12
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
That afternoon Jesus appears to Cleopas and a friend on the road to Emmaus; later Jesus appears to Peter
Luke 24:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them,
“What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”
And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
And he said to them,
“What things?”
And they said to him,
“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them,
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying,
“Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”
So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other,
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying,
“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
That evening Jesus appears to the Ten (minus Thomas) in a house (with locked doors) in Jerusalem
Luke 24:36-43
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them,
“Peace to you!”
But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
And he said to them,
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them,
“Have you anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Article printed from Justin Taylor: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor
URL to article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/04/04/holy-week-what-happened-on-sunday-2/
URLs in this post:
[1] Jesus and the Gospels: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805444823/bettwowor-20
[2] the Holy Week series: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/category/holy-week/
Online reserach information 1-4-2012 ~ Online reserached by
Rev. Garry W. Cuthbert
AWAKENING FOR THE VIEWER 2012
What does the Bible say about restitution?
Bible restitution
Question: "What does the Bible say about restitution?"
Answer: Restitution is a biblical concept, and there are passages in both Old and New Testaments that reveal the mind of God on this subject. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were under the Law, which specified restitution in a variety of circumstances: “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. . . . A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution. . . If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies . . . he must make restitution” (Exodus 22:1, 3-6, 14).
Leviticus 6:2-5 covers other situations in which the stolen property is restored, plus one fifth of the value. Also of note in this passage, the restitution was made to the owner of the property (not to the government or any other third party), and the compensation was to be accompanied by a guilt offering to the Lord. The Mosaic Law, then, protected victims of theft, extortion, fraud, and negligence by requiring the offending parties to make restitution. The amount of remuneration varied anywhere from 100 to 500 percent of the loss. The restitution was to be made on the same day that the guilty one brought his sacrifice before the Lord, which implies that making amends with one’s neighbor is just as important as making peace with God.
In the New Testament, we have the wonderful example of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jesus is visiting Zacchaeus’s home, and the people who know the chief publican to be a wicked and oppressive man are beginning to murmur about His associating with a sinner (verse 7). “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost’” (verses 8-10). From Zacchaeus’s words, we gather that 1) he had been guilty of defrauding people, 2) he was remorseful over his past actions, and 3) he was committed to making restitution. From Jesus’ words, we understand that 1) Zacchaeus was saved that day and his sin was forgiven, and 2) the evidence of his salvation was both his public confession (see Romans 10:10) and his relinquishing of all ill-gotten gains. Zacchaeus repented, and his sincerity was evident in his immediate desire to make restitution. Here was a man who was penitent and contrite, and the proof of his conversion to Christ was his resolve to atone, as much as possible, for past sins.
The same holds true for anyone who truly knows Christ today. Genuine repentance leads to a desire to redress wrongs. When someone becomes a Christian, he will have a desire born of deep conviction to do good, and that includes making restoration whenever possible. The idea of “whenever possible” is crucially important to remember. There are some crimes and sins for which there is no adequate restitution. In such instances, a Christian should make some form of restitution that demonstrates repentance, but at the same time, does not need to feel guilty about the inability to make full restitution. Restitution is to be a result of our salvation—it is not a requirement for salvation. If you have received forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, all of your sins are forgiven, whether or not you have been able to make restitution for them.
Bible restitution
Question: "What does the Bible say about restitution?"
Answer: Restitution is a biblical concept, and there are passages in both Old and New Testaments that reveal the mind of God on this subject. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were under the Law, which specified restitution in a variety of circumstances: “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. . . . A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution. . . If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies . . . he must make restitution” (Exodus 22:1, 3-6, 14).
Leviticus 6:2-5 covers other situations in which the stolen property is restored, plus one fifth of the value. Also of note in this passage, the restitution was made to the owner of the property (not to the government or any other third party), and the compensation was to be accompanied by a guilt offering to the Lord. The Mosaic Law, then, protected victims of theft, extortion, fraud, and negligence by requiring the offending parties to make restitution. The amount of remuneration varied anywhere from 100 to 500 percent of the loss. The restitution was to be made on the same day that the guilty one brought his sacrifice before the Lord, which implies that making amends with one’s neighbor is just as important as making peace with God.
In the New Testament, we have the wonderful example of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jesus is visiting Zacchaeus’s home, and the people who know the chief publican to be a wicked and oppressive man are beginning to murmur about His associating with a sinner (verse 7). “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost’” (verses 8-10). From Zacchaeus’s words, we gather that 1) he had been guilty of defrauding people, 2) he was remorseful over his past actions, and 3) he was committed to making restitution. From Jesus’ words, we understand that 1) Zacchaeus was saved that day and his sin was forgiven, and 2) the evidence of his salvation was both his public confession (see Romans 10:10) and his relinquishing of all ill-gotten gains. Zacchaeus repented, and his sincerity was evident in his immediate desire to make restitution. Here was a man who was penitent and contrite, and the proof of his conversion to Christ was his resolve to atone, as much as possible, for past sins.
The same holds true for anyone who truly knows Christ today. Genuine repentance leads to a desire to redress wrongs. When someone becomes a Christian, he will have a desire born of deep conviction to do good, and that includes making restoration whenever possible. The idea of “whenever possible” is crucially important to remember. There are some crimes and sins for which there is no adequate restitution. In such instances, a Christian should make some form of restitution that demonstrates repentance, but at the same time, does not need to feel guilty about the inability to make full restitution. Restitution is to be a result of our salvation—it is not a requirement for salvation. If you have received forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, all of your sins are forgiven, whether or not you have been able to make restitution for them.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Fight Against Cut to the Special Diet Continues...
Eleven People Arrested at OCAP Rally Released on Bail; Fight Against Cut to the Special Diet Continues...
Submitted by ocap on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 02:02.
On Wednesday, July 21st, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
demonstrated against the devastating cut to the Special Diet benefit and to demand that the Liberal Government raise welfare rates by at least 55% - the minimum amount required to restore rates to where they were before the cut by Harris in 1995.
During the rally, over 300 people took to the streets, while a smaller group of people went in to the Liberal Party headquarters, to deliver an invoice to the Liberal Party “demanding full re-payment of benefits taken from people living on social assistance.The delegation of people who entered the Provincial Liberals HQ went to deliver a message about the impact of the cuts on poor people. Rather than receive this message, the powers that be chose to enforce their austerity measures with police action. Shortly after the group entered, Toronto Police arrested all 11 people, OCAP members, allies, and labour activists. Two people were released, while the other 9 were held overnight at 52 division and appeared for bail hearings in College Park Court Thursday.
There was a large presence of supporters from many organizations across Toronto in defense of the detainees. Represented by Movement Defense lawyer, Mike Leitold, all 9 were eventually released Thursday July 22 with sureties, and on conditions including to not be within 50 metres of the Liberal Party Headquarters.
Anne Abbot, DAMN and OCAP member, was one of the people arrested inside the Liberal Party Headquarters, but unlike the others who were held overnight on trumped up charges, Anne was released on location with a trespass summons.
She has this to say: "I went to the demonstration to demand the the special diet not be cut and that welfare and ODSP rates be raised 55% for those of us on social assistance. Instead, I was arrested and the police called me "a pawn" because I am disabled. I am not a pawn. Disabled people fight against governments that make and keeps us poor everyday, and we will fight until we win enough money to eat healthy food and pay our rents."
This latest arrest and detention of activists comes only a few weeks after the mass arrest of over 1000 anti-G20 protesters. The police response to the OCAP action makes clear that the G20 crackdown is a sign of what they have in store for us. People were given no opportunity to leave the Liberal office and, once they had been handcuffed, were hit not only with Provincial Offences tickets, but with the criminal charges of mischief and forcible entry. The cops and courts are to be used to try and intimidate and silence opposition to the cutbacks that governments will try to impose on us. "The G20 leaders met in Toronto to call for austerity measures just like the cuts to welfare in Ontario," said OCAP organizer Liisa Schofield. Nobody should be surprised when the police are once again called in to crush public outcry against these kinds of policies.
Thank you to all of the supporters who came out Thursday to court and all those who have sent messages of solidarity! We will work to defend those arrested in court and will send updates soon about what next steps should be taken to support their legal battle. In the meantime, donations to Special Diet Action Legal Fund can be sent to: 'Ontario Coalition Against Poverty', 10 Britain St, Toronto, Ontario M5A 1R6.
The fight against the Special Diet cut and the struggle to raise the rates is not going to be prevented by this kind of intimidation. The McGuinty Liberals are going to face the anger of poor communities and they won't have enough cops and prosecutors to hide behind. We will not go without decent food and proper housing to pay for their crisis. We're going to mobilize for our right to these things until we win.
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
10 Britain St. Toronto, ON M5A 1R6
416-925-6939 ocap@tao.ca www.ocap.ca
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