Matthew 27; Mark 15

Well. I truly have a knot in my stomach.  What do write? I want to write about Love.   That is the ultimate reason for today’s reading. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17.

I first read Matthew.  Event though the Gospel is for ALL I did however take the authors background into account as I read it.  Anyway, I am going to just pull out a few bullets of interest today.  otherwise I am sure the reading will be familiar without them.

First, they handed him to Pilot.  Why? He was the Roman Governor in Judea.  The ruling council of the Sanhedrin could not carry out the death penalty.  Only the Roman emperor could.  However, blasphemy was not punishable under Roman Law (it was  a Jewish Law) sooooo NOTICE that they change the charge in front of Pilot.  They NOW accuse Jesus of calling himself KING of the Jews.  This on the other hand,  was a direct threat to Caesar and would be punishable. (if it were a true accusation).

Know that  I am trying to keep this short,  but if you dig into the Old Testament you would see prophetic scriptures being fulfilled with each action…from Isaiah to Zechariah. I am however going to take a minute to discuss Barabbas.  Completely fascinating.  It was a tradition on the Day of the Feast to free a criminal.  Pilot could have easily released Jesus.  However, note that he “washed his hands clean of this mess” when he washed his hands in front of the crowd.  All the way back to Deuteronomy you may actually remember me commenting on this.

Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, and they shall declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.  Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for.  So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD. ( Deut 21:6-9)

Pilot was declaring he would not charge Jesus guilty and left it up to the crowd.  Think about Barabbas.  Barabbas was Guilty and deserved to be on the cross.  We are Barabbas!  Jesus took his place.  Took our place!  The criminal was not set free that day, he was replaced!  What makes it worse is that usually during a crucifixion the criminals were given a drink with gall to dull them to make the excruciating pain a bit less, and Jesus didn’t even do that…He took it ALL for us.

Jesus quoted Psalm 22 when in that moment He became the Sin and was separated from the Father!  As Jesus called out the Hebrews thought he may be calling on Elijah to come save him.  Elijah was a prophet that was taken to Heaven without experiencing death.  Then finally when He GAVE UP His spirit what happened??  Death was conquered immediately! How do we know, even without the evidence of the resurecion…what is called the raising of the Saints to some.  Holy people rose from the dead!  Even the Roman guard (called a centurion) at that moment professed Jesus as Lord!.

For those who spent what felt like 6 months reading about the materials inside the Tabernacle in the days of Moses you will for certain remember that God was separated from the priests by a huge thick curtain.  At the moment when Jesus gave His life for us,  that curtain was torn (top to bottom, leaving NO room for gravity explanations or rationalization) allowing us direct access to the Lord through the death of Jesus!  (aren’t you glad I am trying to keep this short)

The last note is preparation Day.  This just means the day before the Sabbath. :)

John 14-17

Yes I actually did write a bog for todays reading.  However, I really felt led to Highlight and Delete.  So I did.  Today’s read might be the single handed most important and changing read of your life.  IF you have the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, these 4 chapters will surely impact you.  They are strong and powerful messages from God, through Jesus, written by John, for YOU.  There is not a Scripture that should be skimmed.  If a single one is not understood please comment on it, text me, or e-mail me. PSzyman@comcast.net

Pray Deeply before Reading John today.

Luke 22; John 13

Luke, definitely written towards the Greeks having Jesus as the perfect model for a man.  Shows His perfect character, humanity’s highest ideals, and the perfect lamb.  By the way in this book,  Peter is referred to as Simon.

When we read John,  my heart beats so fast.  The way Jesus is described is just incredible.  Here, one of the most touching moments Jesus has (for me) in all the Gospel…  Upon the arguing disciples of “who is the greatest among themselves” (this is a common argument in my church…trust me!) Jesus shows them real humility: Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, even Judas Iscariot.  If you are ever trying to figure out WHAT  the Lord wants from you…don’t think too hard.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Are you willing to humble yourself to the point of washing others feet? Are you above that?  How is this done in modern idea?  If you are ready to wash some feet…contact your church and find out some needs in the community.  Humble yourself.

Matthew 26; Mark 14

The reading is very clear today so I actually am just going to open it for questions or discussions.  Here are a few things I pulled out that were note worthy to me this time reading it.

• Passover (and the Feast of Unleavened Bread)  The Feast took place all week, it celebrated the exodus from Egypt.  They left in such hurry that the bread did not have time to rise.  So now they commemorate this freedom with unleavened bread.   The Passover is the first night of the feast.  It was a night to remember the final plague that struck the Egyptians of the first-born child.  If the hebrew families sacrificed a perfect lamb and put the blood on the doorpost, the angel of death would not come and kill their first-born.  He would Pass Over the house.  That is when they left Egypts’ slavery. (Exodus 12)
• Judas Iscariot: he was a money lover wasn’t he.  We see that with the woman pouring the expensive perfume on Jesus’s feet.  He didn’t care about the poor…he thought about the money!  Anyway, 30 silver coins.  The same price it cost in Exodus to release a slave.  See the point.  It cost 30 shekels of silver to release our slavery to sin. (Exodus 21)
• Also,  look at Zec 11:12, the Shepard that was paid a measly 30 silver coins, an insult for how much a shepherd does.  Here too, for Judas, turning our Messiah over for a measly 30 coins.
• So here we see the Last Supper, some call it the Eucharist, and some communion.   All very fitting terms.  Last Supper is the remembrance of the last Passover, Eucharist is a term of Thanks and Communion is what we do with the Lord when we take it.  PLEASE remember WHY it is remembered. ²⁸This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
• If you have not read the Old Testament, I urge you to.   The reason I say this is because we must fully understand the entire picture for our foundation of faith and to be able to properly bring the message forward to others.  Mt 26:54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

For me the biggest thing that caught my eye was the trial process.  I remember when reading the law all the key points to a fair trial and I wish I had kept notes on it.  Jesus here is brought to 2 trials.   The first was the Sanhedrin.  See, the Hebrews (now called Jewish after the exile) were released and kind of left alone to rule their own government.  The Sanhedrin was the ruling council that would hear such civil cases.  Now,  as far as the death penalty goes,  they were not allowed to carry out the death penalty without the Roman’s Governor’s consent. (Hmmmm who is the Roman Governor, we have not met him yet but I am sure you know his name).  So the first trial which happened during the night (not supposed to occur after sundown).  You see Mark 14:57 (read it closely!) the chief priests and the Sanhedrin looking for false evidence against Jesus SO THAT they could bring him in front of the Romans.  Well 2 men came forward and declared that Jesus said “ I WILL destroy this man made temple and in three days will build another”  DID HE SAY THAT??  NO!  Go back… 

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2:19

The evidence was false.  He was speaking of Himself as the temple.  He never said He would destroy it.  It says even their testimony did not agree (In Mark).  What?? What happened to the law.  After all this is the Sanhedrin right? The ones that have a law around the law around the law!  Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  Deut 19:15…GO UNDERLINE THAT IN YOUR OLD TESTAMENT!

Matthew 25

Remember I didn’t make the schedule but I can’t help but to think that these chapters were taken 1 at a time because the Lord really wants us to know this.  One Chapter.  I urge you to dig, question, meditate, discern, and put it upon your hearts.  These are some of the last words our Lord and Savior has for us before the Crucifixion.

Do you ever sit and wonder what the Day of Judgment will be like?  I grew up thinking Peter was at a gate with a book and he checked a name off a list and said “Yup…c’mon in” and I got fitted for wings and a halo.  Well first, know that there IS a book with your name wither in it or not in it, but Peter is not holding it.  Guess who is??

Here is a vivid description of the day of Judgement.  Read it well so you won’t say “If I only knew….”

The 10 Bridesmaids.  I make no assumption that maybe you have heard this parable 100 times or this could be your first either way Get what Jesus is telling YOU.  The reading starts with “AT THAT TIME….” at what time?  The doors of Heaven are opened to us we will not get a second chance to prepare ourselves.  You will either be going through the door or the bridegroom will say “Ummm I don’t know you”.  You will not have an opportunity to plead your case, run through your list of good deeds, profess faith….none of it. You are either the prepared bride or the unprepared bride.  We are given this time on this earth to prepare ourselves for that very day.  Are you prepared?

The Loaned Money.  read the segway…it says “Again..” Jesus us giving us more.  This is not necessarily about money although if that is what God has entrusted you with then,  yes that it is.  This is about what we do with the Lord has given us for the purpose of His Kingdom.  Do I look at someone who has been given a much who turns that into a Ministry and compare this little ole blog to it.  No.  What I do this the little God has given to me and it should be used accordingly.  So we know that upon our day of Grace, we were all given something to use towards the Kingdom.  Some like to Evangalize!  Yeah baby!  Some would NEVER feel that urge, that is because that is not the Lord has given you.  SOme it is a compassion for the poor, some it is hospitality, some it is teaching, some it is prayer, some it is money or a good work ethic, WE ALL are given something that is to be used to MULTIPLY the result.  Do you bury yours? 

The Final Judgement.  There is nothing to comment on.  Read it.  Feel what your Spirit is telling you , and for Heavens’ sake (no pun intended) DO IT!  But don’t for one minute think  it is the DEED here that gets you into Heaven.  The Desire to do it is EVIDENCE of you already having the ticket to Heaven.

Matthew 24

It’s the weekend, so I want you to dedicate a few extra minutes to this read.  I want you to go back to the last Old Testament Prophet and read the words the Lord gave him  The very spot that Zechariah is speaking about is the very spot that Jesus is speaking right now.  How fitting.  (I cannot wait to re-read this OT next year…oh how different it will be EACH time I do it) How awesome is God.  So click here and read this chapter Zechariah 14. 

Anyway, Yes, this is your 3rd time reading this,  right?  3 of the 4 Gospels are relatively the same (Synoptic)…John is a category of its own.  So we read this in Luke, then in Mark, now in Matthew, are they the same?  NO.  Read this Gospel through the eyes of the intended audience.  Last week the topic of Jewish Salvation came up.  Where do non believers, even Jews, spend eternity.  Well, I feel like this reading is a huge puzzle piece to that question.  The Book of Matthew was written By God through Matthew for the Jewish nation.  Each Gospel had a different intended audience.  Well, God brought the message of the Messiah to the Jews and then the Gentiles.

So how is this reading different?  Matthew always makes reference to the O.T scriptures.  In this reading, we have layers of Joel, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and even  Genesis.  This blog is a mix of friends who started in Genesis and others started in the Gospel, and a sprinkling of people who popped in somewhere in between.  I know who has read what (mwaaaaah ahhh ahhh) so if anyone has any questions about the past references please throw it in comments and I will call on someone  to answer it.

Just kidding. (maybe)

Mark 13

If you continue to study the Bible you may read or hear someone refer to this reading as the Olivet Discourse  being he is on Mt Olive (or the Great Discourse).  Often this is an ignored topic.  Why is it that we will sit and talk about the commandments or any other great event with a group of people, at work, with strangers, even family but start to talk about “End Times” or “Christ Coming Back” and we are stigmatized by the stereotype of being a lunatic.  Go to the food store and say to the cashier “We should try to live by the 10 commandments”…well ok, not a big deal to say but say to that cashier “The end of times  is near , Jesus might be Back today, if today is the day for Christs return, are you ready?”.  Well good golly how awkward, right.  Why? As a matter of fact there is more written word about the Second Coming than of the Commandments, so why is it so hard to talk about.  Some say well “I don’t understand the book of Revelation”.  Well guess what? I don’t either, but I do understand Jesus.  And I am reading HIS words straight from the Father here, and uhhhhhh it’s pretty clear…He is COMING BACK!  With Great Power and Glory.  I know you all looked to see if there was a Revelation Cross reference in your Margin….well heck yeah there is!

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 
 Look, he is coming with the clouds,
      and every eye will see him,
   even those who pierced him;
      and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.  ”I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Homework: Be Bold and unashamed of your faith today.  Within the next 24 hours I want you to somehow talk about the End Times with someone in your life:  friend,  family or stranger…Can you do it?  All Jesus has done for you, can you be so bold today?

Matt 23; Luke 20-21

We are mid week now of Jesus’ final week.  His words are aggressive and very pointed here in Matthew to the Jewish Leaders.  What stood out to me was the great author in which Jesus spoke.   I have heard the people say it in the reading but now, WOW what He talks about is clearly from the Father.  In Matthew 23 much stood out,  but 2 I underlined:

• Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.(23)
• And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. (35)

The second made me wish I had made a list of every disobedient act His children had done from the first to the last in the Old Testament.  Not as a reminder of how bad the people (us) were but a reminder of how patient, and forgiving, and warning, and saving God was for thousands of years.

Luke 21 starts a whole new message from Jesus.  It starts with the foretelling of the Destruction of the Temple.  Let me make this modern for you.  This is not Solomons temple, this is not the little temple that Cyrus helped rebuild after the exile, this is Herod’s Temple.  It is HUGE and magnificent.  It will take a half a century to build it.  The people in Jerusalem are looking at it AS Jesus says EVERY STONE will be thrown down of it. And they are thinking “Nahhhh, not in my time”.  Well we know that in a single day 40 years later it happens.  Well we turn the page now to Jesus talking about another great event, this is all part of the message called The Great Discourse.  Jesus will talk about His Return, and are we like the Jews? DO you sit here and say “Nahhh not in my time”.

Well the overall message in today’s reading was to live as if it will happen today.  It will happen suddenly and without a moments notice.  Yes,  there will be signs of the times that the end is near (we are living it) but Jesus is very clear to say that NO ONE will be able to predict it and YES it will happen.  Well you best be prepared as if it were today.

Passion?

Nov. 21 (Saturday)  My house.  Passion of the Christ.  Invite  a friend.  Will you come?

Matt 22; Mark 12

ok, let’s get our scenario.  About a month ago a man named Lazarus was raised from the dead.  A huge moment.  The crowd this created for Jesus grew exponentially.  At that point, Caiaphas said “enough! he must die”, and Jesus knowing it was not his time fled the city and crossed the border into Ephraim (where the Jews has no jurisdiction).  SO now Jesus is back in town and the crowds are huge, why?  because the Passover is in a few days and most of the Jews would travel 3 times a year to the Temple to make a sacrifice.  Since we read the Old Testament we know from the Scriptures that the Savior is the “Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World” repeated by the last prophet John the Baptist. The LAMB, the spotless, unblemished perfect sacrifice on the Passover.  

 So today we have 3 very powerful Political Parties that normally would be squawking at each other are now on the same team…the team against Jesus.  The highest of the high is probably standing there to ask Jesus questions they have concocted to trap Him into just one small wrong answer (enough to arrest Him), and when I say wrong it could have been against Roman Law (who had the rights to punish in all the Palestine area but since he was now in Judea, Jerusalem specifically,  the San Hedrin (the Jewish COuncil) could also arrest him now.  SO the questions they ask are double whammies!  Most of them if He answers Yes he breaks one law and if He answers No he breaks another…but It IS NOT HIS TIME, Jesus will say when He will lay His life down…we never took it.

So the first parable we read this weekend about the evil farmers.  Over the weekend we crossed out the parable names and inserted the intended names.  I will put them in comments just in case you didn’t read that day.  ANyway, did anything stand out? Well for me it did!  The landowner (God) rented the Land.  Reality check!  Nothing on this earth including the earth is ours.  He has given us ALL this and one day the lease agreement will be up and He will take it ALL back, including this earth.

We have spent a lot of time learning so that these scriptures would take a whole new meaning.  Many of you jumped on at the New Testament so PaLeeeeze feel comfortable asking questions!  Picture the scene when the Leaders start asking their questions:  The Pharisees and the Herodian. (Pharisees are a religious based political Party, Herodians are a political party that are full supporters of the Roman Government rules by the Herod Dynasty).  SO they start the ”trapping” and fail.  SO here comes the big ole Sadducee, I am sure extremely pompous in his presence questions Jesus about the resurrection.  Why??  Cmon, I know you know this…the Sadducees are a group of religious leaders that ONLY believe the WOrd of God was written in the first 5 books of the Bible.  RIght?  WHo wrote the first 5 books?  MOSES.  So unless Moses said it…it ain’t true in their eyes!  And according to the Saducees, Moses never mentioned the Resurrection! So they jump in with their ‘trapping’ questions from Laws that were brough to the Jews back in Deuteronomy 25.  HOw does Jesus answer? He knows his audience (always does…look at differently he spoke to the woman at the well vs. Nicodemus), anyway, he answered them from Scripture form Exodus, in their language!

SO now the Sadducees failed…so the Pharisees jumped back in to talk about the commandments and David’s line….are you kidding me!  What a spectacle it must have been to watch!  Oh the humanity of it all!  It’s like watching a Darwinist explain the beginning of time, keep asking…eventually they get to a point of stuttering!

And today we end with ALL these powerful, educated, rich people who own and read the scriptures (look around your church) who have no faith! And here comes a woman, old, frail, poor, uneducated, who has enough faith to give all she has to the Lord!  Man o man! what a read!