Matthew 3; Mark 1, Luke 3

By far the coolest thing in these chapters to me are the accounts of the perfect triune God in one place at Jesus' baptism.....Son gets baptised, Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the voice of the Father booms down from Heaven......Love it!

Patricia continues:

Posted October 4, 2010 by Patricia in Luke, Mark, Matthew. 11 Comments

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Matthew: So 30 years has passed in the reading but you actually have to think more like it has been over 400 years.  Over 400 years since a prophet has spoken, and now here comes John the Baptist.   It says in verse 4 he had a garment of hair and a  leather belt on his waist. (Was was to look like Elijah so the Jews would recognize him to usher in the Messiah…Look at 2 Kings 1:8!!)   John is Baptizing as a sign of repentance (this was done before the Messiah came, so we know this has no saving quality to is, just symbolism)  It states in verse 11,  man baptizes with water for repentance, God’s Baptism is of the Holy Spirit (internal).  

John the Baptist has a following of disciples and it is now the proper time that Jesus gets baptized to fulfill all righteousness.    Saying it is now time to follow Him.  And at that time,  we see the Trinity in all it’s Glory show itself, for it is now time for Jesus to start his Ministry. We also have the introduction of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (2 political/religious parties legalism, pompous and corrupt).  Normally they oppose each other but now that the Messiah is coming for ALL people (not just the Jews) they will be allies.  Both Religious parties grew after the Maccabean period (I am sure your Bible talks about this between the OT and NT, take a peek…)

• Pharisees: Strict group of Jews who preach strict obedience,  laws,  and traditions (many man created) .  They applied all the books of the Bible to the times at hand.
• Sadducees: Wealthy upper class priests who ONLY subscribed to the first 5 books of the Bible (Torah) as the Word of God.  The do not belive in angels, demons, or the Resurrection.

Mark: New book today.  Wow, very different style.  Mark is speaking to Christians on Rome.  Rome is worshipping MANY gods so he is going to stress that Jesus in the son of one true God!  In this book of Mark we start to be introduced to the Followers of Jesus.  Exciting isn’t it.  There will be 12 that are Chosen as Disciples, and then others will follow.  We meet brothers Simon and Andrew, fishing with nets to catch fish.  They will now learn how to fish with the Gospel for Men.  Then we meet James son of Zebedee and his brother John (fishing with their Dad and their hired help)  You know I could write a page on all this don’t you!  I won’t.

SO they go to Capernaum.  We already know that he is in Galilee (mostly Gentile) Capernaum is a was the headquarters to the Roman army, a Very wealthy town,  a great way (tough way)  to start his ministry.  SO Jesus goes to the Synagogue. 

• When the Jews were in captivity in the O.T. the Jewish people didn’t have a temple (it was destroyed at the time) to attend so they created centers of learning and teaching.  Because it was not the Holy Temple, anyone could speak at them.  Each Sabbath, the Synagogue would be packed with men to hear the Scriptures read.  Most often visiting teacher were the speakers and often quoted other great teachers to show authority.  Note Jesus didn’t do that, prove authority, He spoke as the one who had the authority (of course He did).  SUch authority that again the demons recognize him as the Holy One of God!

A lot of great stuff happens in Mark, I needed a commentary for some of it so PLEASE ask if you have questions (I did).  The one that interested me was the man with Leprosy, after he was healed why did he have to go to the priests instead of the people?  The Laws in Leviticus 13 and 14 were very specific on procedure and Jesus always followed the Word of God.   This is how we know He didn’t just come onto the scene like a renegade challenging everything God put into practice, the mere OPPOSITE…he followed it all.  Important to note.

Luke: (I like his style)  Did you print the Herod Family Tree from Yesterday’s reading?  You should, it will help make sense of who these people are. 

SOme name introductions:

1. Tiberius Caesar: Emperor in Rome (14 A.D. to 37 A.D.)
2. Pontius Pilot: The appointed roman Governor placed in Judea (where Jerusalem is) (South)
3. Herod, (Antipas) (1 of 4 that governed the area of Galilee (North)
4. Annas and Caiaphas the high priests.  Annas was the high priest, but the priesthood by this time is so corrupt, the roman’s had then placed Caiaphas in the position too for political control. 

So to make this easy for you, Caesar is in Rome while Rome used Pilot, Herod and Caiaphas to control the Palestine area.  Does that make sense, I want you to get all this. 

And again we see this repeat phrase from the Jews “We have Abraham as our Father”, and John, in Spirit tells them that being born of Jewish Descent is not the way of salvation (as it was being taught). Then we see John the Baptist goes to prison for rebuking Herod for being with his brother in laws wife (and other stuff he was doing) and finally a Genealogy.  Luke you will notice reiterates All Mankind will see God’s salvation!  Matthews Genealogy proved Jesus to me related to all Jews (Abraham) but Luke here will prove that Jesus is related to ALL mankind, taking it back to Adam.

I am sorry again for making this long.  After this foundation they will be super short blogs.

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1. Posted by Angie Hamstra on October 4, 2010 at 7:11 am

   I know I’ve heard a sermon explaining it before but I forgot, why is it that the geneaology in Luke doesn’t match Matthew? Not just that it goes back to Adam but some of the other stuff doesn’t match.

   Also, we do see that baptism is important here as well because Jesus says to do this to fulfill righteousness. While I don’t think it saves you, I don’t want to down play it either.
2. Posted by Patricia on October 4, 2010 at 8:50 am

   I too think Baptism is very important. You see that Baptism wasn’t something that started AFTER Christ died but it was already being done before he was even born. I am not certain exactly when it started but I know that when people converted (some by choice, some by force) to Judiasm, one of the things they would do would “wash” them as a symbol to all that they were now on God’s side for all to see. So John had a huge following of Disciples and in Matthew 3:15 you will see some key words….”NOW” meaning, proper at this time, and “US” meaning John and Jesus as a team because it was time for the Disciples to leave John and start to follow Jesus. Jesus was coming to fulfill all righteousness (not the Baptism).

   Does that make sense?
3. Posted by Patricia on October 4, 2010 at 8:58 am

   The Matthew Genealogy was VERY specific to follow the blood line to Abraham where Luke (being a Gentile) would not even have access to those records and did not need to be specific. You will see Luke brings it all the way back to Shem, one of the sons of Noah, and then Methuselah (oldest man in the Bible) and even Enoch who was taken up to heaven without dying because he was in favor with the Lord before the flood, and then Seth, the brother to Cain and Abel and finally to Adam. Isn’t it beautiful! We all come from Adam so it proved that Jesus came for ALL not just the line of Abraham.
4. Posted by brittany devault on October 4, 2010 at 10:37 am

   I like them being long lol very informative!
5. Posted by Christy Cline on October 4, 2010 at 11:05 am

   I did print out the Herod Family Tree, but I have to admit, I’m still a little confused (but trying)  I like the long blogs too… the more info, the better I say!!!
6. Posted by Pamela on October 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm

   Yes. Long blogs. I’m confused as well. But reading and following best I can. I am sure God will link all the pieces up soon. 
7. Posted by Nicolle on October 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm

   Angie – the reason the two geneaologies don’t match is that it is thought that the Matthew account is the line of Joseph and the Luke account is the line of Mary (even though it says Joseph b/c they didn’t really keep geneaologies of the women…) The difference can be seen starting with the son’s of king David. Joseph’s geneaology is through Solomon and Mary’s is through Nathan… I know that was as clear as mud but hope it helped.
8. Posted by Patricia on October 4, 2010 at 6:24 pm

   Christy, we will read about the Herod/John the Baptist deal in Mark 6 but look at your handout of the family tree. The Herod we are talking about in these scriptures is Herod Antipas. John rebukes his whole family for their evil ways including Herodias and Herod Phillip II. They were neice and uncle and married. Gross I know (and against Jewish Law). John is put into Prison for this. You will have to wait till Sunday to see what happens…..
9. Posted by Christy Cline on October 4, 2010 at 7:57 pm

   About when he’s an infant?… I think I just confused myself more 

   I understood what happened when he was an adult and rebuked Herod… but, I do look forward to reading more!!
10. Posted by Beth Lehman on October 4, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    About Baptism:
    I know it’s not required for salvation (the thief on the cross was not baptised, but was with Jesus in paradise);
    But in my own life, I can only say that something changed in me when I already believed, and then was baptized (in that order) 
11. Posted by Angie Hamstra on October 5, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks Nicolle! Now I remember that was the reason my minister gave in that sermon long ago too. I just didn’t want to be sitting there questioning when I know the bible never contradicts itself.

Matthew 2, Luke 2: 39-52

Patricia covers Jury Duty once again:

Posted October 3, 2010 by Patricia in Luke, Matthew. 6 Comments

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Wow.  You can really feel the difference between the authors God chose.  Matthew clearly writes straight from the OT scriptures.  He quotes directly from the Prophets of Micah, Isaiah, Hosea and Jeremiah. I would RATHER you forgo the Blog and instead every time it says “As a Prophet wrote” or “As it is written” look up the original text by cross referencing.  If you do not know how to do that, e-mail me and I will write you backPszyman@comcast.net

Let’s talk about the Magi, or as we like to call them the Wise men.  How many were there? Not sure, but you can count on the fact that whether their were 3 or 30 they traveled in a large entourage, so don’t let the Jesus movies fool you.  You read that the Magi had direct contact with Herod, even though Herod lied to them and said “bring him here I will worship him” yeah right! He’s crazy and we know he would have killed Jesus if found.  Herod considered himself King to the Jews.  Anyway, some time within the first few years of Jesus’ life the Magi greeted Him and brought him 3 gifts:

1. Gold: for royalty, Jesus is King.
2. Incense: symbolic of Prayers of the High Priest rising up tp Heaven. (Jesus is the High Priest)
3. Myrrh: a burial oil, a foreshadow of His death.

How did they know how to find Jesus?  Any of the Old Testament readers remember the story of Balaam and the talking Donkey ?(one of my favorites!) This visit was prophesied through the oracle given to Balaam the Sorcerer.  Numbers 24. (start in 22)

“I see him, but not now;
       I behold him, but not near.
       A star will come out of Jacob;
       a scepter will rise out of Israel.
       He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
       the skulls  of all the sons of Sheth. ^{Nu 24:17} 

By the way, I see Herod dies but I wanted you to have the family tree to see who takes his place…uhhh more Herod’s.  Herod Family for Print click here.  The one named in this Chapter is Achelaus.

Luke 2:39-52.  The Jews were required to visit the Temple in Jerusalem 3 times.   The Passover was the most important pilgrimage.  The Passover was a remembrance of the Exodus out of Egypt when the Angel of Death in the last plague “passed over” the homes with the sacrificed animal blood and spared the first borns of the Jews.  The reason to note this is because when Jesus stayed at “His Father’s House” He was to be sitting learning from the top teachers, Rabbis’ in the land for they would be visiting too.

Since we are reading this chronologically did any of you write in your Bible, “Jesus first written Words in the Bible” next to:

“Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s House?”

Here are some words I circled in Matthew

• Jerusalem (it means Heritage of Peace) vs 2
• Disturbed, )Ummm I told you as long as things stay QUIET the Jews can rule themselves) vs 3
• Look at Matthew 2:15 and then Hosea 11:1
• Matthew 2:6 then Micah 5:2
• Archelaus (they avoided him because he just killed 3000 Pharisees) vs22
• Nazareth (means The Branch) vs 23
• Jeremiah 31:15 look up 

Matthew 1; Luke 2: 1-38

Since I have
been at Jury Duty, I'm going to rely on Patricia for a bit...here's some good stuff...

Posted October 2, 2010 by Patricia in Luke, Matthew. 6 Comments

Click Here for the reading

Even if this is your first time reading the Gospel I think was can all surmise that this is the what some call the birth of Jesus, often called the Incarnation.  This  is God in the flesh so this is not a new being, He is just in a different form.  If you have trouble with this,  think of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as Water.  Water can be Ice, Water and Mist, and water can be liquid,  they are all the same, in different forms.  Anyway, most of us understand the reading today, so I will just take a minute to give some “History”

First Matthew.  Matthew  writes to the Jews so genealogy is very very important. (it still is today for them).  The Jews knew that the Messiah would come from 2 origins.

• Through the line of Abraham, the  father of all Jews
• Through the line of David.  Both fulfill the Old Testament Prophecies.

Please take some time to look at some of the people in Jesus family earthly family tree.  He comes from ALL people for ALL people.  In there are heroes to harlots!  Jews and GENTILES!  (Ruth and Rahab were not Jewish woman by birth) INTERESTING TO THINK ABOUT FOR A MINUTE!

 Now Luke: Romans were the world power, and we know from the prophecy bookMicah (click here to read it!!)  the Messiah would be born in a town called Bethlehem.  Did anyone look that word up in Greek?  You will be blessed if you do.   Anyway, God, of course in  control,  moves Caesar Augustus to order a census whether for tax purposes or military count at the appropriate time to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (God can orchestrate it all!).  Also it is VERY important to look at who He chose: Mary and Joseph were BOTH from the Line of David. 

The Shepherd visits Jesus (was I the ONLY one who read this in a  Linus voice from the Peanuts Christmas Special).

Then the reading ends with a Prophecy of Simeon. 

²⁹“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you now dismiss your servant in peace.
 ³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
 ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles
      and for glory to your people Israel.”

At the Birth of Jesus we already are talking about Revelation!  The Greek word in this text is  apokalypsis.  (Apocalypse) and the definition is

1) laying bare, making naked

2) a disclosure of truth, instruction

a) concerning things before unknown

b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all

3) manifestation, appearance

Well, you can end reading here unless you want some more “History”. 

I want to take a little time on the Circumcision:  VERY important background here.  Jesus was not born above the law, instead He filled it perfectly!  So these paragraphs are very important.

1. The Circumcision is part of the Abrahamic Covenant .  In Genesis 12 God promises that through Moses ALL people on earth will be blessed.  In Genesis 15 God makes that promise a Covenant.  With every covenant there must be a death and blood must be shed. (why Jesus had to sacrifice himself).  So if you go to Genesis 17 the Jewish part of that Covenant was circumcision.  It represented being set apart from all others and their relationship with the Lord.
2. Luke 2:23 talks of the consecration of the first born.  Why? WOW this is awesome, go back way back to Exodus 11-13.  Remember when the Jews were Delivered out of Egypt.  Do you remember how? Yes! The Plagues.  Each one to combat a false god.  The last plague was the death of the first born children, and God sent an angel of death to take them all but the Jewish children were spared called the Passover.  In remembrance of God’s Deliverance and Mercy the Jews Consecrate their first born to the Lord acknowledging that it is all His!

Welcome to the New Testament

Whew!   I'm going to give you Patricia's blog input because she includes some good history.   One thing I caught that I never noticed before is that Peter and John seemed to be disciples of John the Baptist before they went to Jesus......I'll have to research that further...OK...Here's Patricia:

 JUST in case there are some new readers I am going to give a small recap…skip if you want.
The O.T. (Old Testament) leaves off with the Jews under a Persian Empire, after years of warning to repent from their sins from Prophets,  God finally pulled them out of the Promise Land that Joshua brought them into  as a punishment of correction to get their attention.  King Cyrus (Persian King) released them out of this captivity  to go back to Jerusalem.  Not many went back but the ones that did were mostly Levites and Benjaminties (Temple caretakers) , those that would rebuild the temple.  Since then,  Persia fell to the Greeks under Alexander the Great and eventually the Roman Empire was dominant.  This is where we pick up.  The political figure in Rome was Caesar Augustus, but the appointed leader in Judah (Jerusalem) was Herod the Great).  The Jews were a self governing body as long as they remained peaceful and quiet.  Jesus, the Messiah is being born, and that will stir things up for sure.
Anyway, Priests (from the tribe of Levi)  took turns taking care of the temple, chosen by a  “lot system” (like dice that God controlled) to see whose turn it is daily.  Part of taking care of the temple was burning incense which represented prayer (the smoke going up to the Heavens like our prayers do).  So this day it was Priest Zechariah’s  day chosen by God.  It is noted that Zechariah is a descendant of Aaron.   Aaron was Moses brother, which meant Zechariah came from a line of High Priests (great importance).
OK, back to Luke.  Theophilus may have been Luke’s friend, his lawyer, his financer,  but I think of it this way…Theopholus means “one who loves God” in Greek.  So when it is said Luke  is writing it to Theophilus,  I think the Book is written to me, (and you).  So Gabriel the Angel comes down again to be a messenger for the Lord.  I say again because we might recall he spoke to Daniel.  He must be a top angel because he speaks to Daniel, John the Baptist’s Father,  and Mary.  Anyway, Gabriel tells him that his barren wife who is beyond years will give birth to a son named John.  John will be dedicated to the Lord by not drinking wine or fermented drink.  Do you remember this? Go way back in the brain to Numbers 6 (click here) , the Nazarite Vow.  A parent could dedicate their child to the Lord and in return the child must never cut their hair, drink wine alcohol or touch anything dead.  Other Nazarites in the Bible included Sampson and  Samuel.  So we see the birth of the Prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit, who will proclaim and pave the way for the Messiah to come! (Just as Scriptures said they would)  John is coming in the spirit of Elijah!
In the same time,  Gabriel now speaks to Mary about Jesus being  born through her.  Jesus, the Greek word for Joshua in Hebrew means “the Lord Saves”. Do notice that Mary believes Gabriel not just because an angel is before her but because she is a woman of faith, and KNEW the Word of God through studying scripture.

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 Mary Praised the Lord through a song called the Magnificat (which parts of it were from the song Moses sand just after the parting of the Red Sea) and Zechariah praised God through a song too called the Benedictus.  I am sure it did not surprise you that on the exact day as according to law,  John was circumcised as part of the Abrahamic Covenant of being set apart is a chosen nation (Gen 17).  Circumcision is a SIGN, just like Baptism is today.  It sets us apart and proclaims our faith for all to see.
(The blogs won’t all be this long, I had history to cover.   I promise!)
John 1, the first 14 Scriptures only.  Now that we have read about the virgin conception we turned to John whose purpose in writing this entire book is stated at the end on  John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

We may have only read 14 verses in John but here is all that it says:

• Jesus was in the Beginning (He was present at Creation)
• All things are from the Trinity
• Darkness can not overthrow the Light
• JOhn was sent BY God to precede the coming Messiah for ALL
• If you believe in his name, He will make you a child if God**
• God became Flesh, to come dwell with us, full of God’s glory, Grace and Truth.

**Underline John 1:12 in your Bible.  Change HOW you talk about Salvation.  He  chooses us to be a Child of God.   We are not born into it, not by husband’s will, and also not by Human decision.  You don’t decide to become a Christian.    Listen to me, do not say “I asked Jesus to come into my heart”  or “I accepted Jesus into my life”  You can do NOTHING.  By your Faith He SAVED you.  The only thing we can do or have,  is Faith.  He does EVERYTHING ELSE!!!  He CHOOSES TO SAVE YOU….you don’t choose Him.  It’s HIS Covenant, not ours.
FRIENDS this is the Gospel.  Read is Fresh.  This is the most important words you will ever read in your entire life.  Is there is a single verse that you do not understand PLEASE do not pass over it.  Comment or E-mail me directly Pszyman@comcast.net.  There is a lot of Old Testament wrapped up in today’s read so ASK me anything.  Priest?  Temple? Offerings? genealogy? Incense?

A little gift borrowed from Patricia

Apparently, our New Jersey Patricia had a recap session with her blog followers and passed out some supplemental materials.   I have taken the liberty of liberating them from her blog for our viewing pleasure.   Be sure and read them with a Jersey accent in her honor.

Posted September 30, 2010 by Patricia in Malachi. Leave a Comment

Just in case anyone wanted extra copies…here were the handouts in the order I spoke with them. Just click on the name:   Each handout was chosen for a specific purpose.  Let me know if you have ANY questions!
History of the Bible
Bible Time Line
Noah’s Family Tree
12 Tribes of Israel
The Exodus
Tabernacle
Sacrifices
Feasts
Temple
Kings and Prophets
Israel History
Captivity Map
Current Middle East Map
The Statue
Inter-testament History
In the days of Jesus

Malachi

Little book with a lot of stuff!   Here is the very last read of the Old Testament.  What fortitude you have had.   Did you believe you would make it this far?  I am proud of you....can you imagine how please God is with you?

This book begins when the temple had been rebuilt for about 100 years.   Once again, the people are getting complacent.   The Law required that perfect sacrifices be offered to God (Jesus would be the ultimate perfect sacrifice) and people were keeping good things for themselves and allowing imperfect sacrifices to be made.   Don't think God doesn't know what we do and he is well aware of our motivation.  The priests were allowing this to happen.  My study Bible points out that in Romans 12:1, our LIVES should be living sacrifices to God...Oh, Boy! 

Chapter 2 is admonition for the priests.....they have truly broken the covenant.....God moves onto the sinful people themselves....they "flooded the altar with tears"  and wondered why God was unhappy with the offerings...they knew better and God knew the knew better.  Men were divorcing for no reason other than they were bored.   God pointed out that the marraige covenant was something in which He made two people one.

If you get nothing else out of this book, check out chapter 3......Malachi is talking about how John the Baptist will be the messenger preparing the way of the Lord.   John the Baptist is one like Elijah....remember verse 6:  I the Lord do not change.  He is the same as he has always been and we can rely on him.  Many sermons come from:

Test me on this  and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.   We are supposed to do our tithes and offerings and God will provide.  He even asks us to test him. 

This book ends with "The Day of the Lord is coming".......God isn't going to speak for 400 years.....

Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126

....and there was a revival with Nehemiah.....perhaps you skimmed over some of the new residents of Jerusalem like I did...but can you imagine if you were in there, and you could show all your kids...."Look..here is Mom's name, yep, right here in the Bible...want me to autograph it for you?"  It was important to those people and the geneology of the Jewish people.  The description of the dedication of the walls was pretty cool to me....two choirs singing in response to each other on the top of the walls....what a sight and sound that must have been.

Nehemiah had to return back to his job with King Antaxerxes.....when he came back, he was dismayed to find that Tobiah, one of the major opponents to the building of the wall...he was an Ammonite, and he had his own room!  He, by law was forbidden to worship in the temple.....Not cool backsliding People....wouldn't you have liked to have seen Nehemiah pitching all of Tobiah's stuff out of his room....then he had to purify the rooms!  The Levites had not been given there portions that they were due and had to go back to farming their fields.....you just wonder how the Israelites can backslide so much over and over....they were working on the Sabbath and not resting and remembering Creation as God commanded them to do.  Why didn't the people just do what they were supposed to do?  Do you think God thinks that right now when He looks down on the earth?   Yikes!

Psalm 126 (I can now honestly say that we have finished with the Psalms....)
God does great things and releases from Captivity.......Scholars think this may have been written at the beginning of Ezra's time......Is there any Captivity that you need to be released from?  Have you been released from any Captivity?   I have and there is nothing like the freedom that God gives when you are obedient!