18 Part Follow Christ Bible Study

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Christ Said "Come Be My Follower" [a]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ said at Mark 10:21, "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, a
nd said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up
the cross, and follow me." (Authorized King James Bible; AV). But what does it
mean to truly follow the Christ?
Let's consider the purpose that the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael,
and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God, had in sending his only-begott
en Son, Jesus (Yeshua), to the earth to give his life as a ransom per John 3:16,
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (AV). Now, no
t only did his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), die for us, he kept his integrity to his Fat
her, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all t
here is, Almighty God, and thereby brought joy to his Father's heart. He also
showed us how to be like his Father and the ways and will of his Father he put i
nto words and deeds of the Son per John 14:9-10, "Jesus saith unto him, Have I b
een so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words tha
t I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he
doeth the works." (AV). In otherwords, Jesus (Yeshua) perfectly reflected his
Father that he spoke of his Father being in him - he emulated his Father, the t
rue God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, A
lmighty God.
Therefore Jesus (Yeshua) is 'a model' of his Father for us to follow per 1 Peter
2:21, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, l
eaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (AV). Thus, If we want
to draw close to the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, cre
ator of all there is, Almighty God, if we want to have a trulyful satisfying and
meaningful life, and be on the path to everlasting life, we must closely follow
the Christ. This is clearly shown by Acts 4:10-12, "Be it known unto you all,
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stan
d here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you b
uilders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation
in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereb
y we must be saved."
To start following the Christ, we need to become familiar with Jesus' (Yeshua's)
life on earth. So we should carefully study his life, and reflect on the thin
gs Jesus (Yeshua) said and did and consider how we can imitate him in deed and w
ord will enable us to see more clearly how we can follow in his footsteps.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A GENUINE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST?
At present there are great nations whose citizens, for the most part, claim to b
e followers of Christ. However the question that arises do these nations reall
y reflect the teachings of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ? Or is their claim a mere faad
e and reality within them is quite different? Yes, for the most part it is a m
ere faade and we see discrimination, hatred, crime, oppression, etc. within them.
One renown Hindu leader, Mohandas Gandhi, noted this failure to follow throug
h with their claim to being followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, and said, <<<"I
know of no one who has done more for humanity that Jesus. In fact, there is not
hing wrong with Christianity.">>>, but then added, <<<"The trouble is with you C
hristians. You do not begin to live up to your own teachings.">>>. This high
lights the problem of much of what is called Christianity actually being the fol
lowing after men and organizations such as the Roman Catholic Church, etc. inste
ad of being truly the following of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ foretold and warned of this when he said at Luke 13:24 and
Matthew 7:13-14, it is in both of these that the road followed by true believer
s would be narrow and cramped, Luke 13:24, "Strive to enter in at the strait gat
e: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Aut
horized King James Bible: AV); And Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait g
ate: for wide is the gate, abroad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and m
any there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is t
he way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (AV); thereby,
clearly showing few would be entering the narrow gate "which leadeth unto life."
In reality, it will be difficult for even true Christians to enter as testified
to at 1 Peter 4:18, "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the un
godly and the sinner appear." (AV). In order to enter, we must have the right so
rt of guide, Luke 1:79, "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the s
hadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (AV). Now, if one pick
s the wrong group, just because it is popular or the so called 'one to belong to
in a community' and not because of Bible Truths, there is an important warning
given at Matthew 15:14, "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And
if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (AV). In fact, be
ing with the wrong group can mean you are NOT having fellowship with the Son of
God, Jesus (Yeshua) as testified to at 1 John 1:6, "If we say that we have fello
wship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not [have] the truth." (AV)
. This danger is made abundantly clear at Luke 12:32 when Jesus (Yeshua) spoke o
f his true followers as a little flock and not a large one, "Fear not, little fl
ock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (AV). Simpl
y stated, his true followers will be relatively few in number which should cause
all sincere individuals to question whether mainstream religion with its vast m
embership is heading for the narrow gate!
Jesus (Yeshua)clearly said that his genuine (true) followers would be known not
just for their words of their labels they apply to themselves, but primarily by
their actions. He made it clear that not everyone saying to him, "Lord, Lord,"
will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but only those doing the will of his
Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of a
ll there is, Almighty God, would do so as recorded at Matthew 7:21-23, "Not ever
y one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; bu
t he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then w
ill I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
." (AV).
The big question is why do so many who claim to follow Jesus (Yeshua) as their m
aster or Lord fail to do the will of his Father? One such case was illustrated
in the Bible in the case of a wealthy young ruler as recorded at Luke 18:18-24,
"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is g
ood, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit a
dultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father
and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing:
sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have trea
sure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very so
rrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowfu
l, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God
!" (AV). Likewise, all too often, one thing is missing among those who claim t
o be Christian - whole-souled love for Jesus and for his Father, the true God (Y
HWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty Go
d, who sent him forth.
Now many may ask, how this is possible as almost two billion people profess them
selves to be Christian and claim to love Jesus (Yeshua) Chris, but true love of
Christ and of his Father, Almighty God, involves showing it by action as testifi
ed to by John 14:23-24, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he
will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and
make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is
not mine, but the Father's which sent me." (AV). And Christ repeated this fact
again at John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they foll
ow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neit
her shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me,
is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
(AV).
In other words, actions speak louder than words and reflect what the person is d
eep inside. Jesus said, it is here that our work must begin per John 17:3, "An
d this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus C
hrist, whom thou hast sent." (AV). We must take in what Jesus (Yeshua) Christ
said in making his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and J
acob, creator of all there is, Almighty God, known, using his Father's words per
John 12:49-50, "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me,
he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I
know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, ev
en as the Father said unto me, so I speak." (AV). Therefore we must take in and
meditate on gaining an accurate knowledge about Jesus (Yeshua), and let it sink
down into our hearts and become our motivating force. We must learn to love J
esus (Yeshua) Christ and his Father, Almighty God, more and more, building in ou
rselves an ever greater desire to follow him day by day.
SELF-EXAMINATION IS CRITICAL:
We must constantly examine ourselves to see if we are truly following Jesus (Yes
hua) per James 1:23-25, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he
is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth
himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was
. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein
, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be ble
ssed in his deed." (AV). Perhaps you have long considered yourself to be a 'sh
eep' guided by the fine shepherd, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ. Now would you not agr
ee, then, that we should continually seek ways to improve? In fact, the Bible
at 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us to do so, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in t
he faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Chr
ist is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (AV). Therefore we must make every ef
fort to make sure that we are indeed being guided by our loving fine shepherd, J
esus (Yeshua) Christ, whom his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Is
hmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God, has appointed to lead u
s?
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Jesus is The Way, the Truth, and the Life: [b]
INTRODUCTION:
Everyone knows how it feels to be lost in an unfamiliar area and how desperate o
ne can become, and how they would welcome assistance in finding the way. Howeve
r, many do not realize they are lost with respect how to find the way to win the
true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of a
ll there is, Almighty God's, approval and gain everlasting life in his kingdom t
hat we pray for at Matthew 6:9-10, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Fat
her which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will b
e done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
To find the way, we need assistance. To assist us, the true God (YHWH) of Abra
ham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty Go
d, sent his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), to earth to provide us a way, and
as John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life
: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (AV). Why do we need Jesus (Yeshu
a) to provide the way? Because all of mankind is alienated from the true God (
YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is
, Almighty God, per Ephesians 4:17-18, "This I say therefore, and testify in the
Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of thei
r mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of
God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their he
art:" (AV).
Jesus (Yeshua) invites us to be his followers, but first let's explore the vital
place Jesus (Yeshua) plays in the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, N
oah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, plan for all of mankind.
JESUS (YESHUA) VITAL ROLE IN GOD'S PURPOSE:
As the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Mo
ses, etc., the creator of all there is, the Bible, shows, God has given his only
begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), a mighty role in the outworking of his purpose pe
r 2 Corinthians 1:19-21, "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached amo
ng you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in
him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen,
unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ
, and hath anointed us, is God;" (AV); and Colossians 1:18-20, "And he is the he
ad of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; t
hat in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father
that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the bl
ood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, wh
ether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (AV).
Now why are we in this condition alienated from God for which Jesus (Yeshua) mus
t provide the way back? It is because of an issue raised in the garden of Eden
by a rebel angel that became God's arch enemy, Satan the Devil. The issue is,
does the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the cre
ator of all there is, Almighty God, properly exercise his rulership over his cre
atures? His Son, Jesus (Yeshua), has been given the task by his Father to show
that he does thereby vindicating his name. As Hebrews 2:14-15 show, "Forasmuc
h then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewis
e took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the po
wer of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of deat
h were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (AV); and 1 John 3:8, "He that co
mmitteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the d
evil." (AV).
Now the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creat
or of all there is, Almighty God, had many spirit sons, the angels, but he chose
 his only begotten or unique Son, Jesus (Yeshua), for this most important task p
er John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, t
hat whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (A
V). Why? Obviously because he was the first of creation per Revelation 3:14,
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith t
he Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;" (
AV), and they, Almighty God and his only begotten Son had been together for unto
ld eons and really knew each other. He had every confidence that his Son would
remain loyal and faithfully carry out his task per Acts 8:32-35, "The place of
the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; an
d like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his h
umiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? fo
r his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and sai
d, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other
man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and pre
ached unto him Jesus." (AV). Now, consider the implications of this, the Son,
Jesus (Yeshua), like all other intelligent creatures was a free moral agent, abl
e to choose his own course, and not programmed with instinct as are the animals.
But as shown in Proverbs 8:22-31, Almighty God well knew his son, "The LORD p
ossessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set
up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there
were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding wit
h water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought
forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the high
est part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was ther
e: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established th
e clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gav
e to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when h
e appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought
up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rej
oicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of
men." (AV); and God well knew his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), loved him and wanted to
please him per John 8:29, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not l
eft me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (AV); and John 14:3
1, "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave m
e commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." (AV).
BOND BETWEEN FATHER, ALMIGHTY GOD, AND SON, JESUS (YESHUA):
This strong love between them forged a very strong bond of unity and trust that
proved unbreakable. Therefore, we can correctly say that only the Son, Jesus (
Yeshua), fully knows the Father, Almighty God; therefore who would know better t
han this Son what it takes to meet God's standards and to win his approval? Th
is fact is brought out at Matthew 11:27, "All things are delivered unto me of my
Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the
Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." (AV).
Therefore, Jesus (Yeshua) could correctly say that no one fully knows the Father
, Almighty God, but the Son. Thus as the first born of creation per Colossians
1:15, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature"
(AV). Of course this relationship was from the beginning of Almighty God's sta
rt of creation so this tight bond kept becoming ever tighter, and Almighty God u
sed his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), as his master worker in the creation
of all else per Colossians 1:16-17, "For by him were all things created, that ar
e in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thron
es, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him,
and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (
AV). He, Jesus (Yeshua), also absorbed his Father's thinking, and this closene
ss surely enabled Jesus to reveal his Father, Almighty God, in a way that no one
else could. Thus, Jesus (Yeshua) although being a distinct spirit being from
his Father, Almighty God, could say at John 14:9-10, "Jesus saith unto him, Have
I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that h
ath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words
that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me
, he doeth the works." (AV).
In fact, even the words Jesus (Yeshua) spoke were NOT his but were his Father's
as revealed at John 12:49-50, "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father w
hich sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should spe
ak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak
therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." (AV); and Revelation 1
:1, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his s
ervants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by
his angel unto his servant John:" (AV).
In fact, the teachings of Jesus (Yeshua) reflect his keen awareness of how his F
ather, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the cr
eator of all there is, thinks and feels. Jesus (Yeshua) perfectly imitated his
Father per Matthew 7:28-29, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sa
yings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as on
e having authority, and not as the scribes." (AV); and Mark 1:40-42, "And there
came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto h
im, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassio
n, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clea
n." (AV); and John 11:32-36, "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw h
im, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, m
y brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews
also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 3
4 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35
Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!" (AV). Thus re
vealing the ways of compassion, empathy, and love of his Father, Almighty God.
Thus the ways and will of his Father are perfectly revealed in the words and ac
tions of the Son, Jesus (Yeshua). And as John 5:19 reveals, "Then answered Jes
us and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of
himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, thes
e also doeth the Son likewise." (AV). Therefore to have the true God (YHWH) of
Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, approv
al we need to heed the teachings of Jesus (Yeshua) and follow his example per Jo
hn 14:23, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my w
ords: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him." (AV).
JESUS (YESHUA) IS THE WAY:
When on earth, Jesus (Yeshua) made it clear that he was the way to his follower
and that all seeking to win his Father's good pleasure must follow him. He gav
e his life per Matthew 20:28 to provide this way, "Even as the Son of man came n
ot to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for man
y." (AV). This act opened the way for us to have access to Almighty God. How
so, well sin created a barrier between humans and God, but the sacrifice of Jes
us (Yeshua) removed this barrier per Hebrews 10:11-12, "And every priest standet
h daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never
take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins
for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (AV); and 1 John 1:7, "But if we w
alk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, an
d the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (AV). Thus, as
Romans 5:6-11, says, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet pe
radventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth hi
s love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Mu
ch more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath thr
ough him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the de
ath of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
we have now received the atonement." (AV).
In fact, Almighty God only hears prayers directed through his only begotten Son,
Jesus (Yeshua), as clearly shown by 1 John 5:13-14, "These things have I writte
n unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye
have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 A
nd this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing accordi
ng to his will, he heareth us:" (AV). And as John 16:23-24 says, "And in that
day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall
ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked not
hing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (AV).
JESUS (YESHUA) IS THE TRUTH:
AS 1 Timothy 6:19 brings out, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundati
on against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (AV), and
to do this we must exercise faith in the Son per John 3:36, "He that believeth o
n the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (AV). Now this means that we must
have the conviction that we can not gain life without faith in the Son of God,
and we must follow his teachings per James 2:26, "For as the body without the sp
irit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (AV). And the point that J
esus (Yeshua) is truth is made at Mark 12:13-14, "And they send unto him certain
of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when
they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and care
st for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of
God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" (AV). Jesus (Y
eshua) was not known simply for making truth known in his speaking, preaching an
d teaching - more was involved.
He lived every word he spoke and every deed he performed as shown by 2 Corinthia
ns 1:20, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by us." (AV). Therefore Jesus (Yeshua) was the truth as shown by
John 1:17 also, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jes
us Christ." (AV); and Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you in mea
t, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabba
th days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
(AV).
JESUS (YESHUA) IS THE LIFE:
AS 1 Timothy 6:19, previously quoted, shows, all who exercise faith in the Son,
Jesus (Yeshua), and his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael,
Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty God, will gain life.
But our faith must be demonstrated per James 2:26, "For as the body without the
spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (AV).
As Jesus (Yeshua) said as recorded at John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet s
hall he live:" (AV), and Revelation 1:17-18 shows that his Father, the true God
(YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there i
s, has granted him the authority to unlock the gates of Hades, "And when I saw h
im, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto
me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dea
d; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of
death." (AV).
Last, as was said at John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (AV). Thus we can hav
e full confidence that if we become footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua), that h
e alone will show us the way to his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issa
c, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty God.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, The Greatest Yet The Most Humble Man of All Times: [c]
INTRODUCTION:
One thing most great men lack is humility. In ancient times most great men ma
de spectacular entrances such as the Roman Empire's ruler Julius Ceasar once in
desire of much fanfare, he led a triumphal procession up to the Roman capital ac
companied by 40 elephants bearing lamps. Other so called great men of the tim
es made similar spectacular entrances to celebrate victory, taking office, or wh
atever. None, however, except the greatest of all Jesus (Yeshua) was humble.

In fact, when Jesus (Yeshua) made his entrance into Jerusalem, instead of making
a spectacular entrance, he rode on a lowly beast of burden, an ass, a slow and
stubborn animal per the account at Matthew 21:1-11, "And when they drew nigh unt
o Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent
two disciples, And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage,
unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying unto them, G
o into the village that is over against you, and straightway ye shall find an as
s tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any
one say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightwa
y he will send them. 4 Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled wh
ich was spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Be
hold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt t
he foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did even as Jesus appointed t
hem, 7 and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their garments; and
he sat thereon. 8 And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in
the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. 9
And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosa
nna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosa
nna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was s
tirred, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitudes said, This is the prophet,
Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." (American Standard Version; ASV).
This was very different from other great men. Why? Because Jesus (Yeshua), e
ven though he was the greatest of men, was also extremely humble, and not driven
by ego.
HUMALITY OF THE GREATEST MAN, JESUS (YESHUA):
As Jesus (Yeshua) said at Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me
; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (AS
V), clearly showing that he, himself, was a meek and humble person. In many wa
ys he displayed this humality.
An instant occurred where his Apostles started arguing with regard to who of the
m was the greatest as recorded in Matthew 20:20-28, "Then came to him the mother
of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thi
ng of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Co
mmand that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left
 hand, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask
. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We a
re able. 23 He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my
right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for wh
om it hath been prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were
moved with indignation concerning the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them
unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, a
nd their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among
you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and
hosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son o
f man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ra
nsom for many." (ASV). He did not quickly rebuke them, but pointed out the nee
d to be humble when he said, in Matthew 20:28, "even as the Son of man came not
to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
(ASV).
He thus kindly reprimanded this way showing that his followers must be different
from those of power hungry rulers and tyrants of the world who were 'ego maniac
s' that wanted all attention and honor to be given them by men. In fact, many
of the pagan Roman Emperors wanted even to be worshipped as gods.
Of course it was not easy for his followers to understand the need for humility
and the lesson had to be repeated a number of times for them to fully get the se
nse of it and bring their lives and thinking into harmony with being meek and hu
mble as was Jesus (Yeshua). In fact, once before, they had argued over who was
the greatest among them and Jesus (Yeshua) brought in a little child and told t
hem to be more like little children, who tend to lack the pride, ambition, and c
oncern over hierarchy rank that adults are usually so concerned over as recorded
at Matthew 18:1-6, "In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who the
n is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And he called to him a little child,
and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except y
e turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdo
m of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive o
ne such little child in my name receiveth me: 6 But whoso shall cause one of t
hese little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a
great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in t
he depth of the sea." (ASV).
However, even on the very eve of his death, his Apostles were still struggling w
ith pride, and he used the occasion of the "last supper" to give them yet anothe
r lesson in humility, as shown at John 13:1-17, "Now before the feast of the pas
sover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this wo
rld unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them
unto the end. 2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart
of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Fath
er had given all the things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and
goeth unto God, 4 riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he t
ook a towel, and girded himself. 5 Then he poureth water into the basin, and b
egan to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he w
as girded. 6 So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou w
ash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not no
w; but thou shalt understand hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt nev
er wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with
me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands an
d my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not save to wash h
is feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he kne
w him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So w
hen he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he sai
d unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lor
d: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have
washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have give
n you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, ver
ily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is
sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, blessed are y
e if ye do them." (ASV). Again, he made the point that they must be humble and
meek as a servant is not greater than his lord.
Jesus (Yeshua) drove this point that a servant is not greater than his master at
John 13:15, (previously quoted) by showing that he had set the example for them
. However, he was not completely successful since that very night they had yet
another disagreement over who was the greatest among them as recorded at Luke 2
2:24-27, "And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accoun
ted to be greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have l
ordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors
. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him bec
ome as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For which
is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth
at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth." (ASV). Yet, Jesus (
Yeshua) was patient with them and went on to give them a powerful lesson with th
e sacrifice of his own life to serve as a ransom for the perfect life lost by Ad
am; thus providing a basis once more for his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abra
ham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God, to provid
e a way of salvation for all obedient mankind. Thus Jesus (Yeshua) willingly su
bmitted to a humiliating death, wrongly condemned as a criminal and a blasphemer
as recorded at Philippians 2:8, "and being found in fashion as a man, he humble
d himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." (ASV
). Jesus (Yeshua), the Son of God, thereby proved one of a kind among all of t
he true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there i
s, creation with regard to humility and meekness with this ultimate expression o
f same.
This final lesson in humility that Jesus (Yeshua) taught his followers did indee
d change the hearts of his faithful apostles.
One final note with regard to his humility if the circumstantial evidence of ren
own Bible scholars such as John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, and The
odore Beza, is correct, both having said that it is highly likely that Michael t
he Arch Angel, the only one mentioned, is actually Jesus (Yeshua) would be when
the example of humility displayed by the Arch Angel at Jude 9, "But Michael the
archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, d
urst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
(ASV). Here is what John Wesley had to say on the matter,
<<<" Withstood me - God suffered the wicked counsels of Cambyses to take place a
while; but Daniel by his prayers, and the angel by his power, overcame him at la
st: and this very thing laid a foundation of the ruin of the Persian monarchies.
Michael - Michael here is commonly supposed to mean Christ. I remained - To cou
nter - work their designs against the people of God." [source = Wesley, John. "C
ommentary on Daniel 10". "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". 1
754]>>>, and Theodore Beza said, <<<"Even though God could by one angel destroy
all the world, yet to assure his children of his love he sends forth double powe
r, even Michael, that is, Christ Jesus the head of angels." [source = Beza, Theo
dore. "Commentary on Daniel 10". "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". 1600-1645]>>>.
If this be true, and there is a very strong possibility it is, it would be righ
t in line with the usual humility of Jesus (Yeshua).
NEED OF ALL TO FOLLOW THE PATTERN SET BY JESUS (YESHUA):
Now the Apostle Paul admonishes all who wish to be counted as followers of Jesus
(Yeshua) Christ to, per Philippians 2:5-10, "Have this mind in you, which was a
lso in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being
on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking
the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, t
he death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto
him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every kne
e should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth
," (ASV), showing that although Jesus (Yeshua) existed in the form of a spirit b
eing after his resurrection by his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac
, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God, gave no thought to
wanting to be considered equal to Almighty God as had another spirit being, Sata
n the Devil. In fact, when on earth as a man, he emptied himself and took the
form of a servant since he was humble and meek, and no 'ego maniac' as are the r
ulers of this system of things. In fact, when he found himself in fashion as a
man, Jesus (Yeshua) humbled himself and remained obedient even unto death to th
e will and purpose of his beloved Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac,
Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God.
For his humility, obediance, and love, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Is
hmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, exulted him above all other men who h
ad ever walked the earth - he became the greatest man who ever existed. That i
s why John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and th
e life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (ASV); and appointed him as b
oth the judge of all men per John 5:22-23, "For neither doth the Father judge an
y man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son; 23 that all may honor the
Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not th
e Father that sent him." (ASV); and made him the only mediator between Almighty
God and mankind per 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, one mediator also betw
een God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus," (ASV).
WILL YOU FOLLOW JESUS (YESHUA) PATTERN?
As shown above the Apostle Paul admonishes each of us to keep the same mental at
titude as that of Jesus (Yeshua), now the question is will you do it?
Many years after the execution of Jesus (Yeshua), the Apostle Peter humbly taugh
t Christian overseers to cary out their duties in humbleness and meekness, never
lording it over the sheep of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, an
d Jacob, creator of all there is, entrusted to their cars as shown at 1 Peter 5:
2-3, "The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be reveale
d: 2 Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not o
f constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lu
cre, but of a ready mind; 3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to
you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock." (ASV). Clearly showing tha
t responsibility is no license to be prideful, but on the contrary should increa
ses the need for genuine humility per Luke 12:48, "but he that knew not, and did
things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever m
uch is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of hi
m will they ask the more." (ASV).
This clearly showed that the Apostle Peter never forgot that night when Jesus (Y
eshua) taught all the apostles a lesson in humility by washing the feet of all t
he Apostles; therefore as 1 Peter 5:5 says, "Likewise, ye younger, be subject un
to the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one anothe
r: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." (ASV).
Haughtiness is like a poison, and its effects can be devastating. It is an unw
anted quality that can render the most gifted human worthless/useless to the tru
e God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Alm
ighty God. Thus if we want to be genuine footstep followers of Jesus (Yeshua)
Christ and win his Father's good pleasure we should seek to be humble and meek,
instead of haughty as shown by 1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves therefore under t
he mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;" (ASV). Remember the
true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is,
Almighty God certainly exalted Jesus (Yeshua) for humbling himself so completel
y, so do likewise, humble your self and show meekness.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, A Man of Lion Like Courage For The Truth: [d]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ displayed Lion Like courage in three distinct ways:
[1] In standing up and defending the truth per John 8:32, " and ye shall know th
e truth, and the truth shall make you free." (American Standard Version; ASV).
[2] In upholding justice.
[3] In facing opposition.
All of us, whether we are naturally brave or not, can imitate Jesus in showing c
ourage. Courage can take many forms depending on the circumstances.
Now as respect the Lion, Proverbs 30:30 says, "The lion, which is mightiest amon
g beasts, And turneth not away for any;" (ASV), clearly shows the courage of the
Lion by saying he "turneth not away for any." Jesus (Yeshua) is like a Lion
in this sense, and we should follow him and try to imitate him by being courageo
us for the truth, the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Is
hmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, the Bible.
Jesus (Yeshua) always courageously stood up for the truth, and took a strong sta
nd against the father of the lie, Satan the Devil as revealed at John 8:44, "Ye
are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do
. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because t
here is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he
is a liar, and the father thereof." (ASV); and John 14:30, "I will no more speak
much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;"
(ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) WAS COURAGE IN STANDING UP AND DEFENDING THE TRUTH:
Jesus (Yeshua) courage stand for truth was first taken early in life as testifie
d to in Luke 2:41-50 when he proved courageous and not shy in discussing the Bib
le and Mosaic Law with the older learned men in the temple. He did not have fe
ar typical of youth - the fear of being singled out, being ridiculed, or fear of
the possibility of being embarrassed. Now let's look at this account in the s
criptures, "And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the pas
sover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of t
he feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the
boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but su
pposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for
him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, th
ey returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three
days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both h
earing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed
at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were asto
nished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? beh
old, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is
it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And
they understood not the saying which he spake unto them." (ASV).
This early courage shown by Jesus (Yeshua) was to continue to make him stand out
from his peers throughout his entire life. The Bible makes no mention of what
he said on that occasion, but we can be confident that he did not 'parrot' the
falsehoods and vain traditions that were so favored among these religious leader
s and teachers of that day, much as it is among many religious leaders of our da
y. It is certain he upheld the truth of his Father's word and this astonished h
is listeners.
Today countless youths are following in Jesus (Yeshua) footsteps and fearlessly
proclaiming the truth of the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Is
aac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, the Bible. Like Jesus (Yeshu
a) they bravely defend the words of Jesus' (Yeshua's) Father, the true God (YHWH
) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God a
gainst those who try and twist it or miss use it. Then, as it is now, such rel
igious dishonesty was all too common. Jesus (Yeshua) told the religious leader
s of his day that they were making void the word of God, this is found at Mark 7
:13, "making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: an
d many such like things ye do." (ASV). These leaders were greatly revered by t
he people in general; nevertheless Jesus (Yeshua) fearlessly denounced them at M
atthew 23:13-33, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because y
e shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neithe
r suffer ye them that are entering in to enter. 14 15 Woe unto you, scribes a
nd Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and
when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple
, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a de
btor. 17 Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple tha
t hath sanctified the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is
nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor.
19 Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the
gift? 20 He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all
things thereon. 21 And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by
him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by
the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes a
nd Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left
undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but thes
e ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. 24 Ye blind gu
ides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel! 25 Woe unto you, scribe
s and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the pl
atter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Phari
see, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside th
ereof may become clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrite
s! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but
inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye
also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build
the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous, 30 an
d say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partak
ers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye witness to yoursel
ves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the m
easure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye e
scape the judgment of hell?" (ASV).
Jesus' (Yeshua's) followers of today, of course, do not have the ability to read
hearts nor his authority to judge, but they can be zealous in exposing religiou
s falsehoods, i.e., the untruths and lies so often taught about God, his purpose
s, and his word - the propaganda of Satan the Devil. His true followers per Ma
tthew 5:14-16, must be a "light" of truth for others, "Ye are the light of the w
orld. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand;
and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine
before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is i
n heaven." (ASV). And the end result for the one behind all this deception and
the false religious leaders is revealed at Revelation 12:9-10, "And the great d
ragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the
deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were
cast down with him. 10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is co
me the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority o
f his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them be
fore our God day and night." (ASV). It is the responsibility - the requirement
- of all who seek to follow Jesus (Yeshua) Christ to help all enslaved by false
religious doctrine and tradition, the work of Satan the Devil per 2 Corinthians
4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, t
hat the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, sho
uld not dawn upon them." (ASV) to know the truth and to assist all in escaping f
rom false religion and doctrine.
JESUS (YESHUA) WAS COURAGE IN STANDING UP AND UPHOLDING JUSTICE:
Bible prophecy at Isaiah 42:1 foretold that Jesus (Yeshua), the Messiah, would c
larify to the nations, "Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my
soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to
the Gentiles." (ASV); and Matthew 12:18 repeats this prophecy, "Behold, my serva
nt whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my
Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles." (ASV). Yes,
Jesus (Yeshua) was the one foretold who would do this, and he certainly did whil
e he was here on earth. He proved to be impartial with respect his dealings wi
th people, and refused to adopt the unscriptural prejudices and bigotry that wer
e and are so prevalent in the world of his day and our day.
In his day women were held in low regard by the Jewish leaders - this being espe
cially so with respect to Samaritan women. But the account at John 4:5-27 reve
aled that Jesus (Yeshua) was not prejudiced. Let's look at this account, "So he
cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that J
acob gave to his son Joseph: 6 and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, be
ing wearied with his journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give m
e to drink. 8 For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. 9 T
he Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, a
skest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Sam
aritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God
, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked o
f him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him,
Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast tho
u that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us th
e well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answ
ered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again
: 14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thi
rst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water spr
inging up unto eternal life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this wa
ter, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw. 16 Jesus sait
h unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and s
aid unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have
no husband: 18 for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is n
ot thy husband: this hast thou said truly. 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I
perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain;
and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jes
us saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this moun
tain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. 22 Ye worship that which
ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Fa
ther in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Ch
rist): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. 26 Jesus saith unt
o her, I that speak unto thee am he. 27 And upon this came his disciples; and
they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest
thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?" (ASV). Clearly showing that Jesus (Yesh
ua) Christ does not sympathize with prejudices and/or hatreds; therefore his tru
e followers must rid themselves of such things per Acts 10:34-35, "And Peter ope
ned his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of person
s: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is a
cceptable to him." (ASV).
This Lion like courage of Jesus (Yeshua) also caused him to lead a fight for cle
anness with respect to his followers for pure worship, and his demand for same i
n compliance with his Father's words was illustrated by his righteous indignatio
n against the greedy merchants that had turned the temple area in Jerusalem into
a market place per John 2:13-17, "And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and
Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple those that sold oxe
n and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 and he made a sco
urge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and
he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; 16 and to them
that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house
a house of merchandise. 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal
for thy house shall eat me up." (ASV). Later, near the end of his ministry he
also took similar action as recorded at Mark 11:15-18, "And they come to Jerusa
lem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and th
em that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, an
d the seats of them that sold the doves; 16 and he would not suffer that any m
an should carry a vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, and said unto t
hem, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the n
ations? but ye have made it a den of robbers. 18 And the chief priests and the
scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, f
or all the multitude was astonished at his teaching." (ASV).
Why did he take these actions? Because since childhood, Jesus (Yeshua) had cal
led the Temple in Jerusalem his Father's house per Luke 2:49, "And he said unto
them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's hou
se?" (ASV). Therefore, he rightly viewed the pollution of pure worship carried
on there as an injustice that he could never condone.
JESUS (YESHUA) WAS COURAGE IN STANDING UP TO OPPOSITION:
Jesus (Yeshua) well knew in advance of coming to earth to be born of a Jewish vi
rgin that he would face severe opposition while here on earth and this was foret
old at Isaiah 50:4-7, "The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that ar
e taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakene
th morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught. 5
The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned
away backward. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that pl
ucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord
Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set
my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." (ASV).
While on earth he faced many threats of death, culminating in the his betrayal a
nd execution as recorded in John 18:1-6, "When Jesus had spoken these words, he
went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into wh
ich he entered, himself and his disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who betrayed him,
knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Ju
das then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief prie
sts and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth,
and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jes
us saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with
them. 6 When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fe
ll to the ground." (ASV) [[Footnote, They fell back in utter astonishment and su
rprise as in those days everyone being sought denied who they were, but Jesus (Y
eshua) did not follow this pattern.]] This same reality is also highlighted at
Mark 14:41-46, "And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now
, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Arise, let us be going: behold, he that
betrayeth me is at hand. 43 And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Juda
s, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the
chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now he that betrayed him had
given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and l
ead him away safely. 45 And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and
saith, Rabbi; and kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him, and took him." (A
SV); and Matthew 26:45-50, "Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them
, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of
man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Arise, let us be going: behold,
he is at hand that betrayeth me. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of
the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from th
e chief priest and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them
a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. 49 And straigh
tway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus sai
d unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid han
ds on Jesus, and took him." (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) faced such extreme danger with complete composure and self-restra
int. What gave him such Lion like courage? This type of courage and qualities
of Jesus (Yeshua) are much admired in a leader, and no man has ever equaled Jes
us (Yeshua) in this regard; yet, he was very humble and was called "the Lamb" at
John 1:29, "On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, th
e Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!" (ASV). But the inspired
word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of a
ll there is, Almighty God, the Bible says of this Son of God at Revelation 5:5,
" and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the
tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven
seals thereof." (ASV).
Now Jesus (Yeshua) well knew what was instore for his, but knew it must occur fo
r his Father's will to be done as recorded at Matthew 4:12, "Now when he heard t
hat John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee;" (ASV); and instructed is A
postles and other followers per Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as shee
p in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as dove
s." (ASV).
Yes, the Bible tells us that Jesus (Yeshua) was favorably heard by his Father at
Hebrews 5:7-9, "Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and sup
plications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from
death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet le
arned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfec
t, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;" (ASV)
; and his Father, Almighty God, per Luke 22:42-43 sent an angel from heaven to s
trengthen his Son, per Luke 22:42-43, "saying, Father, if thou be willing, remov
e this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there
 appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (ASV).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, A Man With Great Wisdom [e]
INTRODUCTION:
An encyclopedia defines wisdom as, <<<" Wisdom, according to the Merriam-Webster
dictionary, is defined as the "1 a: Accumulated philosophic or scientific learn
ing-knowledge; b: Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships-insight;
c: Good sense-judgment d: Generally accepted belief <challenges what has become
accepted wisdom among many historians - Robert Darnton>. 2: A wise attitude, bel
ief, or course of action. 3: The teachings of the ancient wise men"[1].
Most psychologists regard wisdom as distinct from the cognitive abilities measur
ed by standardized intelligence tests. Wisdom is often considered to be a trait
that can be developed by experience, but not taught. When applied to practical m
atters, the term wisdom is synonymous with prudence. Some see wisdom as a qualit
y that even a child, otherwise immature, may possess independent of experience o
r complete knowledge.The status of wisdom or prudence as a virtue is recognized
in cultural, philosophical and religious sources. Some define wisdom in a utilit
arian sense, as foreseeing consequences and acting to maximize the long-term com
mon good.
As such, in general, wisdom is looked at his/her ideals and principles that gove
rn all actions and decisions. Applications of personal wisdom include one's ethi
cal and social guidelines in life that determines one's unique style of personal
ity, the particular nature of short and long-term goal(s) pursued in life (spiri
tual or materialistic for example), perspective on life, social attitudes, etc."
[source - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on 6/01/2007]
A Bible dictionary defines it as, <<<" WISDOM: to be wise. Knowledge based on ex
perience rather than theory which leads to prudent action."[source - Irivng Hexh
am's Concise Dictionary of Religion, first published by InterVarsity Press, Caro
l Stream, USA, 1994, second edition, Regent College Press, Vancouver, 1999]>>>.
Some posses it to varying degrees and others do not.
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ possessed it to a greater degree than any other man who ha
s ever lived. Therefore, his followers should seek to emulate him and thereby
gain a measure of wisdom.
SOURCE OF JESUS (YESHUA) WISDOM:
Many may ask, where did Jesus (Yeshua) get his great wisdom? But once one unde
rstands that he was the first of creation per Revelation 3:14, "And to the angel
of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:" (American Standard Version;
ASV), and stops to realize that he had spent untold eons together with his Fath
er, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creat
or of all there is, Almighty God in heaven, it is obvious. This fact is brough
t out in Proverbs where the spirit being who is later to come to earth and be bo
rn of a virgin per Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this w
ise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came togethe
r she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, bein
g a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to p
ut her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel
of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fea
r not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his n
ame JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all
this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord t
hrough the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and sha
ll bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being int
erpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the ange
l of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not t
ill she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (ASV).
In fact, in Proverbs 8:22-31, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way,
Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning
, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, Whe
n there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were s
ettled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made
the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When
he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of
the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep
became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should n
ot transgress his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth;
30 Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoic
ing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was
with the sons of men." (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) clearly showed the source of his wisdom when he said at John 7:16
, "Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that
sent me." (ASV) clearly identifying the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishm
ael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty God, his Father as
the source. Yes, Almighty God who had sent his only begotten Son forth in the
world was the real source of Jesus (Yeshua) wisdom per John 12:49-50, "For I sp
ake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment
, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandme
nt is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath
said unto me, so I speak." (ASV).
The true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator o
f all there is, holy spirit was at work in Jesus (Yeshua) per Isaiah 11:2, "And
the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understandin
g, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of J
ehovah." (ASV). Thus, is it any wonder that Jesus' (Yeshua's) words and action
s would reflect superlative wisdom?
CHRIST ASTONISHED ALL WITH THE WAY HE TAUGHT:
His sermon on the mount astonished his hears as he used the inspired word of the
true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of a
ll there is, the Bible and not appeals to well known Jewish rabbis or oral tradi
tion to give weight to his arguments.
This sermon per an encyclopedia is composed of the following parts,
<<<" The sermon comprises the following components:
* Introductory narrative (Matthew 5:1-2) - a large crowd assembles due to Jesus
healing the sick, so he climbs a mountain and speaks;
* The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which describe the character of the people of
the kingdom;
* The metaphors of Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16), which forms a conclusion to
the picture of God's people drawn in the beatitudes, as well as an introduction
to the following section;
* The Expounding of the Law (Matthew 5:17-48), a fulfillment and reinterpretatio
n of Mosaic Law and in particular the Ten Commandments, contrasting with what "y
ou have heard" from others, also known as the Antitheses;
* The Discourse on ostentation (Matthew 6), condemning the "good works" of fasti
ng, alms, and prayer, when they are only done for show, and not from the heart.
The discourse goes on to condemn the superficiality of materialism and call the
disciples not to worry about material needs, but to "seek" God's kingdom first;
o Within the discourse is the Lord's Prayer, which Matthew presents as an exampl
e of correct prayer, but Luke places in a different context;
* The Discourse on judgementalism (Matthew 7:1-6), condemning those who judge ot
hers before first judging themselves;
* The Discourse on holiness (Matthew 7:7-29), which forms the summary conclusion
of the sermon, warning against False prophets, and giving emphasis to the diffi
culty of doing what is right. [source - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on 6/01
/2007]
Now let's look at the actual scriptures from the inspired word of the true God (
YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is
, the Bible:
Matthew 5:1-Matthew 7:29:
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat
down, his disciples came unto him:
2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall b
e filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for thei
rs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all m
anner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so p
ersecuted they the prophets that were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith
shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and
trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand;
and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to dest
roy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one t
ittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall t
each men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall
do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteou
sness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom o
f heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in
danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger
of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled t
o thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest
haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to th
e officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou ha
ve paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and n
ot thy whole body go into hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writ
ing of divorcement:
32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for th
e cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her
when she is put away committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not fo
rswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the t
hrone of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for
it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white
or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than thes
e is of the evil one.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee
on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him ha
ve thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn no
t thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine
enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun t
o rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publ
icans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not eve
n the Gentiles the same?
48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: e
lse ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypoc
rites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doet
h:
4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall re
compense thee.
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand a
nd pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be se
en of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut
thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secre
t shall recompense thee.
7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think t
hat they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have
need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed b
e thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgi
ve you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for
they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say u
nto you, They have received their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: an
d thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust cons
ume, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust d
oth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole
body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If there
fore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God a
nd mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, o
r what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the l
ife more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much mo
re value then they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his
life?
28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these.
30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-mo
rrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little fa
ith?
31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink
? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father kn
oweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things s
hall be added unto you.
34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest
not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine ey
e; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt
thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before th
e swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you:
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will g
ive him a stone;
10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask h
im?
12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even s
o do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and
few are they that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
are ravening wolves.
16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree brin
geth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring
forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into th
e fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom o
f heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name
, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.
24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall
be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat up
on that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote u
pon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes wer
e astonished at his teaching:
29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.(ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) CHRIST RECOMMENDED A WAY OF LIFE GOVERNED BY WISDOM:
Like Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, we must exercise wisdom not just in words but in dee
ds. To wit, we must have practical wisdom per Proverbs 3:21, "My son, let them
not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion:" (ASV). Now wis
dom includes sound judgment. Just imagine the life that Jesus (Yeshua) could h
ave lived if he gave into worldly thinking, he could have been the richest and m
ost powerful man of all times, but he well knew that worldly materialism and pow
er was just vaniety per Ecclesiastes 4:4, "Then I saw all labor and every skilfu
l work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a
striving after wind." (ASV); and Ecclesiastes 5:10, "There is an evil which I h
ave seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:" (A
SV).
However, Jesus (Yeshua) was not interested in making money and having a surplus
of possessions. He kept focused on doing his Father's will as shown at Matthew
8:20, "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heav
en have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (ASV); and Ma
tthew 6:22, "The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single,
thy whole body shall be full of light." (ASV). He wisely kept his 'eye' focuse
d on the kingdom of God that will rectify all the wrongs on earth and make it an
ew per Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, whe
re moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but la
y up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consum
e, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure
is, there will thy heart be also." (ASV).
Therefore we in order to emulate our Lord and savior Jesus (Yeshua) should take
steps to simplify our life in keeping with 1 Timothy 6:9-10, "After this manner
therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
We must become imitators of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, and seek wisdom, and live mod
est lives in keeping with Proverbs 11:2, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame;
But with the lowly is wisdom." (ASV).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ Learned Obedience to His Father, Almighty God: [f]
INTRODUCTION:
We all must learn obedience to our heavenly Father, Almighty God, in order to be
acceptable to him. Obedience is very important for all including Jesus (Yeshua)
Christ.
In fact, the first human pair, Adam and Eve, failed to be obedient to the true G
od (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all ther
e is, Almighty God, bring ostracism on the entire human race of their descendant
s through inherited imperfection or sin which means a falling from perfection. W
hy? Because they chose to listen and take the word of another, Satan the Devil,
over the word of their creator, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael,
Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is. This is recorded at Genesis 2:1-
6, "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah Go
d had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of
any tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of t
he trees of the garden we may eat: 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in th
e midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye t
ouch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely
die: 5 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall b
e opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman sa
w that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and th
at the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, a
nd did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." (Ameri
can Standard Version; ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) CENTRAL MISSION IN COMING TO EARTH:
Obedience was the principle mission of Jesus (Yeshua) coming to the earth. Adam,
the first human parent, had failed to be obedient to Almighty God (YHWH) so Jes
us (Yeshua) was sent to earth to prove a perfect man could be obedient to the tr
ue God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all
there is, and to provide a ransom sacrifice for the perfect human life lost by A
dam, a perfect man when created. As 1 Corinthians 15:45 says, "So also it is wri
tten, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-givin
g spirit." (ASV). Now Jesus (Yeshua) obedience would be severely tested, but of
course, Jesus (Yeshua) loved his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) and for him it was
a joy to be doing his Father's will which first and foremost consisted of being
obedient. Doing his Father's will was to him even more important than eating per
John 4:34, "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent m
e, and to accomplish his work." (ASV).
Jesus's (Yeshua's) obedience was the result of what was in his heart. He was not
infected with arrogance and pride and wanted to obey his Father willingly as sh
own by 1 Peter 5:5-6, "Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all
of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth t
he proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under th
e mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;" (ASV). He loved his Fa
ther, Almighty God (YHWH), and learned obedience from him per Hebrews 5:7, "Who
in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with stron
g crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having bee
n heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the
things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all the
m that obey him the author of eternal salvation;" (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) CHRIST REMAINED SINLESS:
Jesus (Yeshua) was tested early in his ministry by Almighty God's (YHWH's) arch-
enemy, Satan the Devil. Let's review the account given at Matthew 4:1-11,
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the dev
il.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.
3 And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command th
at these stones become bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, bu
t by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.[[Note, he answered Sata
n with scripture]]
5 Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle o
f the temple,
6 and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is w
ritten, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands the
y shall bear thee up, lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lor
d thy God. [[Note, he answered Satan with scripture]]
8 Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him a
ll the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall dow
n and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou sha
lt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [[Note, he answered
Satan with scripture, and also, he did not challenge the fact that Satan ruled t
his world and could give its ruler ship to whom he wished.]]
11 Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
(ASV).
As can be seen Jesus (Yeshua) remained obedient under these three test, but Sata
n the Devil did not give up. In fact the Luke 4:13 showed, "And when the devil h
ad completed every temptation, he departed from him for a season." (ASV) that he
would try again to tempt Jesus (Yeshua) to be disobedient to his Father, Almigh
ty God (YHWH), and Hebrews 4:14-15, "Having then a great high priest, who hath p
assed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession
. 15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of ou
r infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin." (ASV).
Likewise, Satan the Devil tempts the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael,
Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, servants today. Unfortunately,
our imperfections often make Jesus (Yeshua) true footstep followers today easy t
argets. Therefore, it is vital that his servants today stop from time to time an
d do a self-examination my meditating on the words of 1 John 2:15-17, "Love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust
of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof
: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (ASV).
OBEDIENCE, WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE:
Obedience is not just refraining from committing sin, but involved the carrying
out of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the cr
eator of all there is, every command. As Jesus (Yeshua) said at John 8:29, "And
he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the thing
s that are pleasing to him." (ASV). Being obedient brought great joy to Jesus (Y
eshua).
As an example, the Jewish religious system of things, with its temple and its pr
iesthood, had long been approved by Almighty God (YHWH), but this was shortly to
change. It was to be replaced with the Christian congregational arrangement per
Matthew 23:33-38, "Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the
judgment of hell? 34 Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men,
and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: 35 that upon you ma
y come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the rig
hteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sa
nctuary and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upo
n this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and sto
neth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children t
ogether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (ASV). But until this change
took place, Jesus (Yeshua) obediently went to the festivals in the temple and to
the synagogue as recorded at Luke 4:16, "And he came to Nazareth, where he had
been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sa
bbath day, and stood up to read." (ASV); and John 5:1, "After these things there
was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." (ASV).
In fact, Jesus (Yeshua) never allowed even well meaning friends to stop him from
always obeying his Father, Almighty God (YHWH). Matthew 16:21-23 gives one exam
ple of this as follows, "From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples,
that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief p
riests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 22 And Peter
took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall
never be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me,
Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of Go
d, but the things of men." (ASV). Today, his followers must contend with well me
aning friends and relatives, and be careful not to let them become a stumbling-b
lock for them by remembering always Acts 5:29, "But Peter and the apostles answe
red and said, We must obey God rather than men." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
Jesus (Yeshua) had his obedience tested until death, but he remained obedient to
his Father, Almighty God (YHWH); he learned obedience in its fullest sense as t
estified to at Luke 22:42, "saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup
from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (ASV). Clearly this show
s his obedience in that he wanted his Father's will done rather than his own; th
us he, per 1 Timothy 3:16, " And without controversy great is the mystery of god
liness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of ang
els, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
" (ASV) was received up in glory.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, Showed Great Endurance Under Test: [g]
INTRODUCTION:
First, let's get a dictionary definition of endurance so as to assist understand
ing:
Endurance
En*dur"ance (?), n. [Cf. OF. endurance. See Endure.]
1. A state or quality of lasting or duration; lastingness; continuance.
Slurring with an evasive answer the question concerning the endurance of his own
possession. Sir W. Scott.
2. The act of bearing or suffering; a continuing under pain or distress without
resistance, or without being overcome; sufferance; patience.
Their fortitude was most admirable in their patience and endurance of all evils,
of pain and of death. Sir W. Temple.
Syn. -- Suffering; patience; fortitude; resignation. [source - Websters Revised
Unabridged Dictionary of 1913]
This will help all to understand the endurance Jesus (Yeshua) had to endure all
the trials he went through in his short life on earth, and the trials some of hi
s footstep followers are enduring today in various lands. Matthew wrote at Mat
thew 5:10-12, "Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sak
e: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall repro
ach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for
my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: fo
r so persecuted they the prophets that were before you." (American Standard Vers
ion; ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) ADMONISHIN TO HIS FOLLOWERS:
Jesus (Yeshua) stressed that a servant is not greater than his master at John 13
:16, "Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than h
is lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him." (ASV), clearly
showing that his followers would receive persecution for righteousness sake as
he had when he was sent out by his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Issac
, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH).
This is stressed by Jesus (Yeshua) at Matthew 10:16-22 as follows, "Matthew 10
:16-22, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefo
re wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they wil
l deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you; 1
8 yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a tes
timony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, be not an
xious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye
shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father th
at speaketh in you. 21 And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the
father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to
be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but h
e that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
JESUS (YESHUA) OUR EXAMPLE - IMITATE HIM:
We should closely try and imitate Jesus (Yeshua) our master or as the old Indian
proverb says, "You never know what a person is enduring until you walk in his s
hoes." This theme is found in Hebrews 12:1-3, "Therefore let us also, seeing w
e are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight
, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the ra
ce that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising sha
me, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider h
im that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not
weary, fainting in your souls." (ASV).
It clearly shows that we should not grow weary, but press on in the work that Je
sus (Yeshua) assigned to his followers; to wit, the finding and feeding of the s
ymbolic sheep, righteously inclined individuals, per John 21:15-17, "So when the
y had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again a second time
, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the
third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he sai
d unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou know
est all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my she
ep." (ASV).
Of course, doing this work he assigned to his followers will draw opposition jus
t as it did in his day, but per 1 Peter 1:6-7 we should "Wherein ye greatly rejo
ice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in man
ifold trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold th
at perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and
honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:" (ASV). Thus endurance in the Biblic
al meaning involves steadfastness, and keeping the right mental attitude, along
with a hopeful outlook in the face of trials in keeping with James 1:2-4, "Count
it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; 3 Knowing th
at the proving of your faith worketh patience. 4 And let patience have its per
fect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." (ASV).
Endurance is a virtue that we are not born with, but must cultivate per Romans 5
:3-5, "And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tr
ibulation worketh stedfastness; 4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approved
ness, hope: 5 and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been
shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us." (AS
V). To endure, we must depend on the strength the true God (YHWH) of Abraham,
Issac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, etc., the creator of all there is, Almighty God (YH
WH), supplies per 1 Peter 4:11, "if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracle
s of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God suppl
ieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the
glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) PROVES HIS ENDURANCE THROUGH FAITHFULNES TO HIM WHOM SENT HIM:
Jesus (Yeshua) proved his endurance by remaining faithful to him whom sent him t
o earth, his heavenly Father, Almighty God (YHWH). This was in keeping with th
e hierarchy shown at 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I would have you know, that the he
ad of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of
Christ is God." (ASV). Also, he dearly loved his Father and wanted to please
him in all things after being with him in heaven for untold eons per Proverbs 8:
22-31, "Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of ol
d. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountai
ns abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hill
s was I brought forth; 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fiel
ds, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the hea
vens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he
made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 Wh
en he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his comma
ndment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him,
as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him,
31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men."
(ASV).
As 1 Peter 2:18-25 says, "Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fe
ar; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is a
cceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfu
lly. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye sha
ll take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take
it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: bec
ause Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow
his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who,
when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but co
mmitted himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 who his own self bare our
sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto
righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were going astray li
ke sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (ASV
).
Now think of the agony that Jesus (Yeshua) must have suffered when he was nailed
to a stake per John 19:1-18, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged hi
m. 2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and a
rrayed him in a purple garment; 3 and they came unto him, and said, Hail, King
of the Jews! and they struck him with their hands. 4 And Pilate went out agai
n, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I
find no crime in him. 5 Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns
and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man! 6 When th
erefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Cruc
ify him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify h
im: for I find no crime in him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by
that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 8 When Pila
te therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid; 9 and he entered into
the Praetorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him
no answer. 10 Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Know
est thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?
11 Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were
given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin
. 12 Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, I
f thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's friend: every one that maketh him
self a king speaketh against Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard these word
s, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The
Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation of the passo
ver: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!
15 They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate
saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have
no king but Caesar. 16 Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucifi
ed. 17 They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himse
lf, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgo
tha: 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one,
and Jesus in the midst." (ASV).
FOLLOWING CHRIST IS NOT AN EASY COURSE:
Following Christ is not an easy course by any means or measure. Doing so will
bring the hatred of this world per John 15:38-21, "If the world hateth you, ye k
now that it hath hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the
world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you
out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I
said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, th
ey will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they kn
ow not him that sent me." (ASV); and 1 Peter 4:4, "wherein they think it strange
that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:"
(ASV).
This point, that the genuine (true) followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ will suff
er persecution and hatred is well made at 1 Peter 4:12-14, "Beloved, think it no
t strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove y
ou, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are par
takers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also
ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ
, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon
you" (ASV). Titus 2:14, "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us fro
m all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous
of good works." (ASV).
ALL NEED STRENGTHENING FROM ALMIGHTY GOD:
We can not endure on our own, but like our leader, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, must r
eceive strength from our heavenly Father, Almighty God (YHWH). As Matthew 7:7-
8 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that s
eeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (ASV). We do thi
s by earnest prayer and supplications as did the widow per 1 Timothy 5:5, "Now s
he that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continuet
h in supplications and prayers night and day." (ASV); and Almighty God (YHWH) wi
ll answer our prayers as shown at 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, "But we have this treasu
re in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God,
and not from ourselves; 8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; pe
rplexed, yet not unto despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet
not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that th
e life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are alw
ays delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be man
ifested in our mortal flesh." (ASV); and James 1:5, "But if any of you lacketh w
isdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and i
t shall be given him." (ASV).
So we should follow Christ steps carefully in keeping with 1 Peter 2:21, "For he
reunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an exam
ple, that ye should follow his steps:" (ASV). But, if we follow Christ, his Fa
ther, Almighty God (YHWH) will reward us per Matthew 24:13, "But he that enduret
h to the end, the same shall be saved." (ASV).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ - Sent Forth By His Father To Announce His Coming Kingdom: [h]
INTRODUCTION:
Almighty God (YHWH) sent his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), to the earth to announce his c
oming kingdom which will have his son as ruler for a 1,000 years and then he, Je
sus (Yeshua), the Son will turn all over to his Father per 1 Corinthians 15:20-2
8, "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that
are asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made al
ive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are
Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the
kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all a
uthority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies und
er his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He
put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are p
ut in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things u
nto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the S
on also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that G
od may be all in all." (American Standard Version; ASV). In verse 28, it clear
ly shows that Jesus (Yeshua) will have everything on earth subject to him, and w
hen all is subject to him, he will in turn subject himself to his Father, Almigh
ty God (YHWH).
Many individuals, when they pray the Lords Prayer found in Matthew the 6 th. Cha
pter overlook exactly what they are asking for at Matthew 6:9-10, "After this ma
nner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth." (ASV), that the
y are asking for a real government that will govern in righteousness. It will
bring the earth's condition to what it was originally intended by the true God (
YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, as stated
in Revelation 21:3-4, "And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behol
d, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they sha
ll be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: 4 and
he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neit
her shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things ar
e passed away." (ASV).
In other words, He sent his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), to earth to make
him known and to announce his coming kingdom.
SHOW BY YOUR PRAYERS AND ACTIONS THAT YOU GRASP THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION:
Jesus (Yeshua) well knew the urgency of the situation as shown by his actions re
corded at Matthew 9:35-38, "And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages
, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and hea
ling all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. 36 But when he saw the
multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed
and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disci
ples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38 Pray ye th
erefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest."
(ASV). He always took time out of his busy schedule to help all understand as
shown by his conversation with a Samaritan women at the well per John 4:5-34,
And he must needs pass through Samaria.
5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of groun
d that Jacob gave to his son Joseph:
6 and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey,
sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me
to drink.
8 For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.
9 The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Je
w, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with
Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who i
t is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and
he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well
is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank ther
eof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shal
l thirst again:
14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst
; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water spring
ing up unto eternal life.
15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neithe
r come all the way hither to draw.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17 The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto he
r, Thou saidst well, I have no husband:
18 for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husban
d: this hast thou said truly.
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is th
e place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in th
is mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father.
22 Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvat
ion is from the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the
Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers
.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Chri
st): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
27 And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking wi
th a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?
28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to th
e people,
29 Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Chr
ist?
30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
31 In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not.
33 The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught
to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
accomplish his work.(ASV).
CHRIST SENT FORTH TO DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
Jesus (Yeshua) main purpose was to declare the coming kingdom of God per Luke 4:
42-43, "And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the m
ultitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that h
e should not go from them. 43 But he said unto them, I must preach the good ti
dings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent."
(ASV). Likewise, all his genuine (true) followers must be diligent in the wor
k, also, of making God's kingdom known to all with respect to its being a real g
overnment from Almighty God (YHWH) through his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), that he has
appointed to rule it on his behalf for a 1,000 years. As he told his disciple
s and apostles at John 21:15, "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Pete
r, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea,
Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith
to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unt
o him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my shee
p. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter
was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he sai
d unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus
saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (ASV), so too must his genuine (true) followers
do likewise.
Genuine (true) followers of Jesus (Yeshua) should keep active and not 'cool' off
in this activity per Mark 1:35-38, "And in the morning, a great while before da
y, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him; 37 and they fou
nd him, and say unto him, All are seeking thee. 38 And he saith unto them, Let
us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this
end came I forth." (ASV).
WHY DID JESUS (YESHUA) PREACH?
Simple he preached to make his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) known and as previous
ly mentioned to make known the coming kingdom of God. At John 17:24-26, Jesus
(Yeshua) made this known , "Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given
me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given
me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Fat
her, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst se
nd me; 26 and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that th
e love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them." (ASV).
He clearly made his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) known to men and he said at John
17:1-5, "These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 ev
en as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given
him, he should give eternal life. 3 And this is life eternal, that they shoul
d know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.
4 I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast
given me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with th
e glory which I had with thee before the world was." (ASV). As Jesus (Yeshua)
said to his followers at John 15:9-16, "Even as the Father hath loved me, I also
have loved you: abide ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall
abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his
love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and
that your joy may be made full. 12 This is my commandment, that ye love one an
other, even as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the thi
ngs which I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father
, I have made known unto you. 16 Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and ap
pointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (AS
V).
Also, while is genuine (true) followers make known God's kingdom and Jesus' (Yes
hua's) Father, they should do so humbly per Jesus' (Yeshua's) example at Luke 18
:35 to 19:10, "And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blin
d man sat by the way side begging: 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inq
uired what this meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by
. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 39 An
d they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried
out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus
stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he a
sked him, 41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, tha
t I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy f
aith hath made thee whole. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and follo
wed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto
God. 19:1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. 2 And behold, a ma
n called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. 3 An
d he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was
little of stature. 4 And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycomore tre
e to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place,
he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-d
ay I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received
him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone i
n to lodge with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto t
he Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wr
ongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto h
im, To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abr
aham. 10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost." (AS
V).
BE HUMBLE NOT HOSTILE TO OPPOSERS:
Also, all the genuine (true) followers should be humble to those hostile to the
thrut given in the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishma
el, and Jacob, creator of all there is, the Bible. Jesus (Yeshua) showed that
all genuine (true) followers of his must by humble, but not let anything divert
their attention from the message he assigned them per 1 Timothy 4:16, "Take heed
to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this th
ou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee." (ASV). As he said at Luke
4:43, "But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of G
od to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent." (ASV), here referring to
being sent by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).
Genuine (true) followers must never let a mixed or hostile response to the messa
ge of the Kingdom deter them any more that their leader Jesus (Yeshua) did per J
ohn 7:35-52, "The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concernin
g him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
33 Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him th
at sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye can
not come. 35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man g
o that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, a
nd teach the Greeks? 36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and
shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come? 37 Now on the last day, the
great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let h
im come unto me and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath s
aid, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he o
f the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit wa
s not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 Some of the multitude
therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come o
ut of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the se
ed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was? 43 So there aros
e a division in the multitude because of him. 44 And some of them would have t
aken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 The officers therefore came to the
chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
 46 The officers answered, Never man so spake. 47 The Pharisees therefore ans
wered them, Are ye also led astray? 48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him,
or of the Pharisees?
49 But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed. 50 Nicodemus sai
th unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them), 51 Doth our law
judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth? 52 They
answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out
of Galilee ariseth no prophet." (ASV).
Your Friend in Christ iris89
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Christ - Commanded All Believers to Make Disciples: [I]
INTRODUCTION:
From the start of his ministry, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ sought disciples since he
well knew the work before him could not be done by him along. At first his min
istry consisted of only preaching to the lost sheep of the house of Israel since
his assignment by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) was to go the lost sheep of t
he house of Israel per Matthew 15:24, "But he answered and said, I was not sent
but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (American Standard Version; ASV
). Of course after the Jewish leaders rejected him, the message of God was tak
en to others with the Apostle Peter being given the opportunity to open the work
to the gentiles as follows, Acts 10:1-21, "Now there was a certain man in Caesa
rea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 a d
evout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God always. 3 He saw in a vision openly, as it were abo
ut the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to
him, Cornelius. 4 And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, s
aid, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone
up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simo
n, who is surnamed Peter: 6 he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is
by the sea side. 7 And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he ca
lled two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on
him continually; 8 and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to
Joppa. 9 Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto
the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: 10 an
d he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into
a trance; 11 and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descendi
ng, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12 wher
ein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and bi
rds of the heaven.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter sai
d, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean." (A
SV). 15 And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleanse
d, make not thou common. 16 And this was done thrice: and straightway the vess
el was received up into heaven. 17 Now while Peter was much perplexed in himse
lf what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent
by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, 18
and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.
19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, t
hree men seek thee. 20 But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing
doubting: for I have sent them. 21 And Peter went down to the men, and said,
Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?" (ASV).
Of course, when Jesus (Yeshua) saw another in need, he would assist them even if
the were not of the household of Israel due to his great compassion and interes
t in mankind and this was shown even before he came to earth to be born as a hum
an at Proverbs 8:30-31, "Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I was daily
 his delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitable earth
; And my delight was with the sons of men." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) SAID - GO MAKE DISCIPLES:
Interestingly after his resurrection by his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) and befo
re his ascension to heaven, Jesus (Yeshua) stressed to all his genuine (true) fo
llowers the need to go out and make disciples as recorded at Matthew 28:19-20, "
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, eve
n unto the end of the world." (ASV). Why, was he so concerned? He was so con
cerned as he knew all needed to learn the truth per John 8:32, " and ye shall kn
ow the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (ASV), because he knew it was
vital for all of mankind and that he was not the one who would carry it to the m
ost distant parts of the world.
He clearly said his disciples would do be the ones to carry the work to all the
earth in keeping with his command at Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the king
dom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; a
nd then shall the end come." (ASV); therefore, he humbly acknowledged that they
would do per John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on m
e, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he d
o; because I go unto my Father." (ASV). What did he mean by greater works? H
e meant three things:
First, His followers would cover more territory; they would bear witness to the
extremities of the earth - far beyond the boarders of the land of Palestine wher
e Jesus (Yeshua) himself preached.
Two, That his followers would reach more people - the small band of disciples he
left quickly grew into the thousands before the end of the 1 st. Century and is
still growing today.
Third, That his genuine (true) followers would preach the message of the kingdom
of God and of the salvation by way of Jesus (Yeshua) for a much longer period o
f time. In fact, it is still being done and will continue until he stops it.
Jesus (Yeshua) was expressing confidence in his followers, and his confidence in
them proved to be right on target.
DISCIPLES NEEDED TRAINING AND TO LEARN TACT:
His disciples of the 1 st. Century learned how to effectively carry on the preac
hing work by observing him in action. He preached in cities, marketplaces, priv
ate homes - literally anywhere people could be reached. Also, he inspired urge
ncy in his disciples by his example of hard work, it was not a casual pastime fo
r him per Luke 21:37-38, "And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every
night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet. 38 And all
the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him." (ASV).
He was motivated by a deep-rooted love for people just as are his disciples of t
oday. He was full of compassion per Mark 6:34, "And he came forth and saw a gre
at multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not havi
ng a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." (ASV). However reachin
g individuals requires tact as brought out by what he said at Matthew 10:11-13,
"And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is wor
thy; and there abide till ye go forth.
12 And as ye enter into the house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy,
let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to y
ou." (ASV); and Luke 10:5, "And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say,
Peace be to this house." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) TOLD HIS DISCIPLES TO EXPECT OPPOSITION:
Jesus (Yeshua) well knew that the arch-enemy of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham,
Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH), Satan t
he Devil, would mount strong opposition to the discimination of God's message of
his kingdom. He stated at Mark 13:9-13, "But take ye heed to yourselves: for
they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and
before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto the
m. 10 And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations. 11 And whe
n they lead you to judgment, and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what
ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; f
or it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother shall deliver
up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up agains
t parents, and cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all
men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved
." (ASV).
And God's arch-enemy Satan the Devil acted exactly as Jesus (Yeshua) had foretol
d. Satan set up counterfeit religious groups to mimic the genuine (true) follo
wers of Jesus (Yeshua), and also counter religions such as Islam, etc. to draw a
way from the genuine gospel of the Christ. In fact, the religious ignorance of
these counterfeit and counter religious groups actually is greater than the scie
ntific ignorance of scientist in 1492 who for the most part thought the earth wa
s flat and that Christopher Columbus would sail off the end of the earth. Of c
ourse Columbus did not.
Opposition of course came on strong to the preaching of the genuine (true) gospe
l of Christ as shown at Luke 10:10-12, "But into whatsoever city ye shall enter,
and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say, 11 Even th
e dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: never
theless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh. 12 I say unto you, it
shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city." (ASV). Of
course, this fact of opposition serves as a gauge to ascertain whether you trul
y are one of his disciples in that if you do not experience it, you probably are
not one of his genuine (true) followers. Another gauge would be as John 13:34
-35 shows, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as
I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men kno
w that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (ASV). Now, if yo
u experience opposition when preaching the gospel of Christ and the group (congr
egation) you are associated with has love among its members - this is a good ind
icator that you may be a genuine (true) follower of Christ.
However, three more major thing is required, First, you must have strong faith,
and as Habakkuk 2:4 says, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright i
n him: but the just shall live by his faith." (ASV). Second, You must follow t
he teachings of the Bible - Old and New Testament - and put away the false creed
al doctrines and practices and traditions of creedal religions. Third, You mus
t love your creator the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, c
reator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH), and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus (Y
eshua). Remember 1 John 4:8, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is l
ove." (ASV); and what Jesus (Yeshua) said at Matthew 22:37-40, "And he said unto
him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul
, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And
a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On
these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) COMMISSION TO HIS DISCIPLES:
Jesus (Yeshua) in giving his genuine (true) followers the commission to go out a
nd preach the gospel of Christ clearly also wanted us to make disciples as shown
at Matthew 28:18-20, " And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All
authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore,
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Fathe
r and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all thing
s whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world." (ASV). He made it clear that all authority had been given to him
which harmonizes with John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the tr
uth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (ASV); and showed
that his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) had delegated him the job of judging all of
mankind at John 5:22, "For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath g
iven all judgment unto the Son;" (ASV).
All should pay more than the usual attention to what he said at Matthew 28:19 in
that he specifically tells his genuine (true) followers to go forth and "make d
isciples of all nations, baptizing them," etc. So all his genuine (true) follow
ers should be eager to initiate conversations with others in person or by electr
onic means with a view of assisting all to know the gospel of Christ and of God'
s coming kingdom. But in Matthew 28:20 he emphasis the need to properly teach
all to observe what he had commanded until the culmination of the end times.
Therefore as Luke 12:22-32 shows, "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I s
ay unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your b
ody, what ye shall put on. 23 For the life is more than the food, and the body
than the raiment. 24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; wh
ich have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value
are ye than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit u
nto the measure of his life? 26 If then ye are not able to do even that which
is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how
they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God doth so clo
the the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven
; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye
what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father kn
oweth that ye have need of these things. 31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these
things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fat
her's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (ASV).
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, Stressed, "It is Written": [j]
INTRODUCTION:
It is interesting that Jesus (Yeshua) Christ in his public ministry always stres
sed that "it is written." When he was tempted of the Devil in Matthew 4:9-10, h
e said, "and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt f
all down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou
serve." (ASV). Unlike many, he never gave a human opinion or put forth some tr
adition before the word of God, the Bible, but always gave a solid answer from t
he inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, c
reator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible. This practice was clea
rly shown at Matthew 15:1-11 when the Pharisees were testing him to find some fa
ult with him, "Then there come to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, sa
ying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they
wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 And he answered and said unto them
, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4
For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of f
ather or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to h
is father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me i
s given to God; 6 he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the wor
d of God because of your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy
of you, saying, 8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is
far from me. 9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the
precepts of men. 10 And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, H
ear, and understand: 11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the ma
n; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man." (ASV).
Today, a similar condition is faced on a world wide scale. The religious leade
rs of the various religions, so called Abrahamic religions - Christianity, Islam
, Judaism, and the none Abrahamic religions do NOT go with what is written in th
eir respective holy book and/or so called holy books. The ones believing in th
e Bible for the most part only give it lip service and teach the people, instead
, the traditions of men and their own agenda, but not what is really written in
the word of God, the Bible. They misinterpret the word of God with a view of s
upporting their own traditions and agenda.
However, this also applies to groups using fake holy books, also. It is not wh
at either the Bible or the Bible knockoff the Qur'an or some other fake holy boo
k actually say, but how religious leaders be they priest and/or imams or muftis
or what ever teach the people is the interpretation of what is written either in
the Bible or the bible knockoff the Qur'an or other fake holy book that matters
and governs actions. It matters not what the Bible and/or the Bible knockoff
and or other fake holy book really say. People go by what they are taught by t
heir religious leaders. Take the genocide committed by the Roman Catholic Chur
ch at the direction of their supreme religious leader, the pope, against the Cat
hars, what mattered was not that the Bible clearly said at Exodus 20:13, "Thou s
halt not kill" (ASV) , but what their religious leaders told them. Therefore,
it is the religion at fault, irregardless of what their particular holy book may
say, be it the Bible or the Bible knockoff the Qur'an or some other fake holy b
ook may say. Neither is so called Christianity nor in Islam are most individua
ls actions really governed in any way by what their particular holy book really
says, but they are governed by the interpretation of their religious leaders.
Thus, knowing this reality, one would be either just plain stupid and/or dumb to
even bother looking at a particular religion's holy book and expect the members
would conform to it. Take the Rig Vede and find me for example a Hindu actual
ly conforming to it instead of the interpretation given to it by his religious l
eaders, like looking for a needle in the haystack per K.S. Lal, India's greatest
historian.
In other words, a particular religions holy book regardless of what it is become
s only a veneer or faade, but not something to govern their actions due to the re
ligious leaders misinterpretation of it to fit their traditions and their agenda
s. Take Islam, many of its members wrongly claim it is a peaceful religion of
submission, but it is not since their religious leaders inbreed hate, greed, an
d a lust for violence in their members as world events has clearly shown.
But, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ who founded genuine (true) Christianity with his gosp
el as shown at Mark 1:1, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son o
f God." (ASV), and Mark 1:14, "Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into
Galilee, preaching the gospel of God," (ASV). He made known the coming kingdo
m of his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, crea
tor of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH) as shown at Matthew 4:23, "And Jesus we
nt about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel
of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness amo
ng the people." (ASV). What a difference from the religious leaders of his day
that twisted the scriptures in the Bible and mislead the people in support of t
heir traditions and agendas.
JESUS (YESHUA) DURING HIS MINISTRY ALWAYS SAID "IT IS WRITTEN."
When ever he was questioned, he always directed attention to the inspired word o
f the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all ther
e is, Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible. This fact was clearly shown at Luke 10:25
-28, "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teach
er, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 And he said unto him, What is
written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt lov
e the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy s
trength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." (ASV).
When Jesus (Yeshua) while on earth as a man went to the synagogue, he was handed
the scroll of Isaiah. It is a long scroll, but Jesus (Yeshua) carefully searc
hes for the scripture he desired, Isaiah 61:1-3, and reads it, "The Spirit of th
e Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidin
gs unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim lib
erty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2
to proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn; 3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give un
to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the
planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified." (ASV) as recorded in Luke 4:16-
21, "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as h
is custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened
the book, and found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord
is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath s
ent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind
, To set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To proclaim the acceptable year
of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and
sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And h
e began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears
." (ASV).
Here, Jesus (Yeshua), set a pattern that he would maintain throughout his earthl
y ministry - he relied heavily on the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Ab
raham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH),
the Bible. Why? Simple, nothing carried more weight or precedence with Jesus
(Yeshua) than the Bible because he well knew it was the Word of Almighty God (Y
HWH), his Father.
So throughout his ministry we find Jesus (Yeshua) quoting from the Bible. In f
act at John 7:16-17 he revealed "Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teac
hing is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man willeth to do his will,
he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from mys
elf." (ASV). Thus, he taught his Father's words to the people as he testified
to at John 8:28-29, "Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man
, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the F
ather taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me; he h
ath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him." (AS
V); and he reinforce what he said with regard his speaking his Father's words an
d not his own at John 14:10, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and th
e Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the F
ather abiding in me doeth his works." (ASV); and John 12:49-50, "For I spake not
from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what
I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is l
ife eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said un
to me, so I speak." (ASV); and Revelation 1:1, "T he Revelation of Jesus Christ,
which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortl
y come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;
" (ASV).
In fact, Jesus (Yeshua) is shown as quoting from over one half of the books of t
he Old Testament, but obviously he probably quoted from most of them since only
a small fraction of what he said was actually recorded in the Bible per John 21:
25, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they sho
uld be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain
the books that should be written." (ASV).
Jesus' (Yeshua's) continued quoting of the inspired word of the true God (YHWH)
of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, the Bible, clear
ly showed his profound reverence for it. He taught it to them, not as their sc
ribes did, but as one having authority per Mark 1:22, "And they were astonished
at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
" (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) TAUGHT AS ONE WITH AUTHORITY:
The fact that Jesus (Yeshua) taught them as one having authority is clearly show
n at Matthew 21:12-13, "And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out a
ll them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the mone
y-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 13 and he saith unto th
em, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a
den of robbers." (ASV); and he was referring to what was written at Isaiah 56:7,
"even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house o
f prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine
altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (ASV),
and it was foretold that the religious leaders per Jeremiah 7:11would, "Is this
house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold,
I, even I, have seen it, saith Jehovah." (ASV).
He followed up this courageous act by showing how the religious leaders were fol
lowing their own agenda and not Almighty God's (YHWH) agenda. At Matthew 21:16
, he let it be known that God's word authorized, what was happening, by saying,
"and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto the
m, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perf
ected praise?" (ASV).
These religious leaders later demanded of him, per Matthew 21:23-27, "And when h
e was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came
unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things
? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them,
I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you
by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? fr
om heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall sa
y, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him? 26 But i
f we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Ne
ither tell I you by what authority I do these things." (ASV). So we can see, he
exposed their wicked motives.
JESUS (YESHUA) ALWAYS DEFENDED GOD'S WORD, THE BIBLE:
IN his day, Jesus (Yeshua) frequently found the word of Almighty God (YHWH), his
Father, was under frequent attack. He vigorously defended it, even in his pra
yers to his Father as recorded at John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy w
ord is truth." (ASV). Also, in answering Satan whom he well knew to be a liar
per John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it
is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in t
he truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh
of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof." (ASV), he always quoted s
cripture when answering him. He well knew that Satan, like the religious leade
rs of this system which he controls, misuse, misinterpret, and misrepresent what
the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob,
creator of all there is, the Bible says.
Some misunderstand what Jesus (Yeshua) said about the Mosaic Law and say he was
trying to destroy it, but no he was defending it against misuse as was occurring
in his day with respect adultery and other subjects as recorded at Matthew 5:17
-22 and 27-39, "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came
not to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law,
till all things be accomplished. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of the
se least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the king
dom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great i
n the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness
shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wis
e enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said to them
of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of
the judgment: 22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his bro
ther shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, sh
all be in danger of the hell of fire." (ASV) and "Ye have heard that it was said
, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, that every one that l
ooketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in
his heart. 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and
cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand cau
seth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable fo
r thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hel
l. 31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a
writing of divorcement: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth awa
y his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and w
hosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery. 33 Again, y
e have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyse
lf, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 but I say unto you, swear
not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 nor by the
earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city
of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst no
t make one hair white or black. 37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:
and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one. 38 Ye have heard that i
t was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you,
resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, tur
n to him the other also." (ASV).
He made the point at Matthew 22:37-40 the principle the entire law 'hanged on",
"And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first comma
ndment. 39 And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself. 40 On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.
" (ASV) which is what should concern all today with respect the Mosaic Law. Sinc
e it "boils" it down into its two underpinnings. But, the religious leaders att
acked the Mosaic law by making is seem unduly strict, even harsh. They also de
vised legalistic loopholes to weaken the force of God's law.
Genuine (true) followers of Christ today feel similarly compelled to defend the
Bible against attack from religious leaders of today who claim it is out-of-date
or the moral standards of it are unacceptable today. In defending it, his genu
ine (true) followers imitate Jesus (Yeshua) in his willingness to let God's prop
hetic standard, the Bible, guide their life course and decision per Luke 18:31-3
4 and Luke 22:37, "And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold,
we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets
shall be accomplished unto the Son of man. 32 For he shall be delivered up unt
o the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: 33
and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 34
And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, a
nd they perceived not the things that were said." (ASV); and "For I say unto you
, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with t
ransgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment." (ASV).
Therefore whenever genuine (true) Christian beliefs as contained in the inspired
word of God, the Bible, come under attack, genuine (true) followers of his Son,
Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, should base are defense on the inspired word of the true
God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, the
Bible in keeping with John 10:31-39, "The Jews took up stones again to stone him
. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from the Father; f
or which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, For a good w
ork we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, ma
kest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I sai
d, ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and
the scripture cannot be broken), 36 say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified
and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do them,
though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand th
at the Father is in me, and I in the Father. 39 They sought again to take him:
and he went forth out of their hand." (ASV).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ, Spoke Like No Other Man: [k]
INTRODUCTION:
The enemies of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ sought ways to entrap him in speech because
they did not like the fact that he was telling people the facts, the truth, per
John John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
" (Authorized King James Bible; AV), and exposing them for not being truth telle
rs. In the world today, there are many religious leaders that do not tell thei
r flocks the truth any more than the Pharisees and Sadducees of ancient Jerusale
m. Many of the religious leaders of today put forth false god(s) such as Buddh
a, Chauta, Baal, Baal-Peor, Chemosh, Allah, Dagon, Molech, etc. They like the
Jewish religious leaders of the First Century seek to silence anyone that speaks
the truth.
In the day of Jesus (Yeshua), the religious leaders found the truths Jesus (Yesh
ua) was telling so objectionable that they sent out soldiers to arrest him as re
corded at John 7:37-46, "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus
stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. 38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow
rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that b
elieved on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus
was not yet glorified. 40 Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard the
se words, said, This is of a truth the prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Ch
rist. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not th
e scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem
, the village where David was? 43 So there arose a division in the multitude b
ecause of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands
on him. 45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; an
d they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him? 46 The officers answered, Nev
er man so spake." (American Standard Version; ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) carefully choose his words, and the officers of the temple as sho
wn above at John 7:46 were much impressed, and people assembled in great numbers
to hear him teach per Mark 3:7-9, "And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the
sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and from Judaea,
8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre a
nd Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came unto him. 9
And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because o
f the crowd, lest they should throng him:" (ASV); and Mark 4:1, "And again he be
gan to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multit
ude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude w
ere by the sea on the land." (ASV); and Luke 5:1-3, "Now it came to pass, while
the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing b
y the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the
fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered
into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little fro
m the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) KEPT IT SIMPLE:
Jesus (Yeshua) Sermon on the Mount recorded at Matthew 5:3 to 7:27 was an exampl
e of a very powerful sermon that did not use complicated ideas or phrases; it wa
s easy for even a young child could grasp, let's look at Matthew 5:1 to 7:27,
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat dow
n, his disciples came unto him:
2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall b
e filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for thei
rs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all m
anner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so p
ersecuted they the prophets that were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith
shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and
trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand;
and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to dest
roy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one t
ittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall t
each men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall
do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteou
sness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom o
f heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in
danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be
in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger
of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled t
o thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest
haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to th
e officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou ha
ve paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and n
ot thy whole body go into hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writ
ing of divorcement:
32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for th
e cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her
when she is put away committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not fo
rswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the t
hrone of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for
it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white
or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than thes
e is of the evil one.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee
on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him ha
ve thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn no
t thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine
enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun t
o rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publ
icans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not eve
n the Gentiles the same?
48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: e
lse ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypoc
rites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doet
h:
4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall re
compense thee.
5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand a
nd pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be se
en of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut
thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secre
t shall recompense thee.
7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think t
hat they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have
need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed b
e thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgi
ve you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for
they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say u
nto you, They have received their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: an
d thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust cons
ume, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust d
oth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole
body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If there
fore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God a
nd mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, o
r what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the l
ife more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much mo
re value then they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his
life?
28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these.
30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-mo
rrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little fa
ith?
31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink
? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father kn
oweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things s
hall be added unto you.
34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest
not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine ey
e; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt
thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before th
e swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you:
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will g
ive him a stone;
10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask h
im?
12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even s
o do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and
few are they that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
are ravening wolves.
16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree brin
geth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring
forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into th
e fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom o
f heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name
, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.
24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall
be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat up
on that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote up
on that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. (ASV).
Powerful, yes, complicated no. It also shows that his Father, Almighty God (YH
WH) reveals his purposes to those who are sincere and have humble hearts through
his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua), at 1 Corinthians 1:26-28, "For behold yo
ur calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not m
any noble, are called: 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that
he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the w
orld, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;" (ASV), using his F
ather's words as revealed at John 12:49-50, "For I spake not from myself; but th
e Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and wh
at I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the thi
ngs therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak."
(ASV); and Revelation 1:1, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him t
o show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and h
e sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;" (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) MADE USE OF QUESTIONS IN HIS PREACHING:
In his preaching, Jesus (Yeshua) made effective use of questions. Let's look a
t several outstanding examples of this.
Example 1, At Matthew 21:23-27 he used a penetrating question to expose the moti
ves of his opponents and effectively silenced them, "And when he was come into t
he temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he wa
s teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave th
ee this authority?
24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, whi
ch if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reaso
ned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us,
Why then did ye not believe him? 26 But if we shall say, From men; we fear the
multitude; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and sa
id, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I
do these things." (ASV).
Example 2, At Matthew 22:41-46 where he confounded his opponents, "Now while the
Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, Wha
t think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying
, 44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine e
nemies underneath thy feet? 45 If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his s
on? 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from th
at day forth ask him any more questions." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) EMPLOYED POWERFUL LOGIC IN HIS PREACHING:
Jesus (Yeshua) since he had a perfect mind was a master at reasoning with others
, and in many cases he utilized persuasive reasoning to teach valuable lessons t
o his followers; Let's look at a few examples.
Example 1, He used this powerful logic to counter opposition from the Pharisees
who said he was doing it by means of the Devil, but he, by reasoning, showed tha
t they did not know what they were talking about at Matthew 12:22-26, "Then was
brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind and dumb: and he healed him,
insomuch that the dumb man spake and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amaze
d, and said, Can this be the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it,
they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of th
e demons. 25 And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divid
ed against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided agai
nst itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided a
gainst himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?" (ASV). And while they were
considering this and his followers were observing, he went on to say at Matthew
12:27-28, "And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them
out? therefore shall they be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of God ca
st out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you." (ASV) for which they h
ad no answer, he had silenced the Pharisees.
Example 2, When responding to his follower's request to teach them how to pray,
he used the willingness of imperfect human parents per Luke 11:1-13, "And it cam
e to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his d
isciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we ourse
lves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into tempta
tion. 5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go
unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a fr
iend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
7 and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now sh
ut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee? 8 I say u
nto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet beca
use of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And
I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and
he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 And o
f which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a ston
e? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an e
gg, will he give him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give g
ood gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) USED HYPERBOLE IN HIS PREACHING:
Jesus (Yeshua) used hyperbole in his preaching as shown at Matthew 7:3 and 19-24
, as follows.
Example 1, Matthew 7:3, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother'
s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (ASV).
Example 2, Matthew 7:19-24, "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is he
wn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know th
em. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the king
dom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Ma
ny will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and
by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniqui
ty. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, s
hall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:" (ASV).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jesus (Yeshua) Always Taught by Illustrations: [l]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) was an effective teacher, and as the Apostle Paul said at Acts 20
:35, "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the
weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is
more blessed to give than to receive." (American Standard Version; ASV). Here
the Apostle Paul showed the rewards of being an effective teacher were great and
this goes along with what is recorded at Matthew 4:23-25, "And Jesus went about
in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the k
ingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the p
eople. 24 And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought un
to him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed w
ith demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them. 25 And there follo
wed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judaea and
from beyond the Jordan.: (ASV).
However, Jesus (Yeshua) always taught by use of illustrations, metaphors, and pa
rabales. In fact, it was foretold in advance in Psalm 78:2 that he would teach
in this manner, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings o
f old," (ASV). Illustrations are an effective method of teaching since they ar
e not quickly forgotten. Why is this? It is because humans can best think in
pictures and illustrations, and thus grasp abstract ideas easier when taught in
this manner.
And in this method of teaching Jesus (Yeshua) was the most skillful of all teach
ers. To this day, many of his illustrations are easily recalled by those who h
ave read the Bible where they are recorded.
WHY JESUS (YESHUA) TAUGHT WITH ILLUSTRATIONS:
Well the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Ja
cob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible, gives two importan
t reasons why Jesus (Yeshua) taught by illustrations. They are as follows:
First, Prophecy said he would use this method. And at Matthew 12:34-35, we rea
d, "All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a
parable spake he nothing unto them: 35 that it might be fulfilled which was sp
oken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter
things hidden from the foundation of the world." (ASV).
Second, Jesus (Yeshua) explained that he used illustrations to sift out those wh
ose hearts had "grown unreceptive" such as those who worship false god(s), as re
corded at Matthew 13:36, "Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house:
and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tare
s of the field." (ASV).
This parable illustrated an important point with respect how the separating work
would proceed at the culmination of the end times as shown at Matthew 13:37-, "
And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 a
nd the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom;
and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy that sowed them
is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angel
s. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it
be in the end of the world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, an
d they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them
that do iniquity, 42 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shal
l be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine
forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear
." (ASV). But, he spoke without parables to his apostles per Mark 4:34, "and w
ithout a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he e
xpounded all things." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) USED SIMPLE COMPARISONS:
In his teaching, Jesus (Yeshua) often used comparisons that were uncomplicated,
and the required just a few words. At Mark 13:24-32, he compared things well k
nown to the end, "All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes;
and without a parable spake he nothing unto them: 35 that it might be fulfille
d which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables
; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world. 36 Then he left
the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, sayin
g, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 And he answered a
nd said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 and the field is t
he world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares ar
e the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and
the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. 40 As theref
ore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of
the world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gath
er out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity
, 42 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping
and the gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun
in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear." (ASV). As ca
n be seen, he made the points he was trying to teach easy to remember.
At Matthew 6:26-33, he showed how his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) cared for the
needs of all, "Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do the
y reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye
of much more value then they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add on
e cubit unto the measure of his life? 28 And why are ye anxious concerning rai
ment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do
they spin: 29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field
, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more c
lothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What sha
ll we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 Fo
r after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and h
is righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (ASV); and why
we need first to seek the kingdom of Almighty God (YHWH).
At Matthew 18:12-14, he likened how his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) wanted all t
o come to him and was concerned about the ones that did not by using an illustra
tion about sheep to get his point across, "How think ye? if any man have a hundr
ed sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine,
and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray? 13 And if so be
that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the
ninety and nine which have not gone astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of y
our Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." (ASV)
.
JESUS (YESHUA) DREW HIS ILLUSTRATIONS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE:
Jesus (Yeshua) was a master of illustrations since he drew his simple illustrati
ons from everyday life such as the one at Luke 11:5-13 and 12:16-21, "And he sai
d unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight
, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine is come
to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; 7 and he from wit
hin shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children
are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee? 8 I say unto you, Though he w
ill not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importuni
ty he will arise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And I say unto you, Ask
, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be ope
ned unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh find
eth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 And of which of you that
is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he
for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him
 a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them
that ask him?" (ASV); and "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground
of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 and he reasoned within him
self, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? 18
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and
there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul,
Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,
be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul r
equired of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (
ASV). Clearly showing the importance of winning Almighty God's (YHWH's) good f
avor or laying up treasures with him.
One parable of his dealt with a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho
and was attacked by robbers and was used to show the lack of concern of the rel
igious leaders for the unfortunate. This is recorded at Luke 10:25-37, "And be
hold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what sha
ll I do to inherit eternal life? 26 And he said unto him, What is written in t
he law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, a
nd with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy
neighbor as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this d
o, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesu
s, And who is my neighbor? 30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was go
ing down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped
him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a cer
tain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the ot
her side. 32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and
saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journe
yed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34
and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he s
et him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 A
nd on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said,
Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again,
will repay thee. 36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto
him that fell among the robbers? 37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him.
And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." (ASV).
This could be likened to the wickedness of religious leaders of today. One ins
tead of showing compassion to a young 16 year old girl who was a victim of a bru
tal rape likened her to raw meat that a cat goes after, here is the account, <<<
" Imam justifies rape of unveiled women, Australian cleric compares victims to '
uncovered meat' that attracts cats, Imam justifies rape of unveiled women. Octo
ber 26, 2006, (c) 2006 WorldNetDaily.com, Australia's top Muslim cleric rational
ized a series of gang rapes by Arab men, blaming women who "sway suggestively,"
wear make-up and don't cover themselves in the tradition of Islam.">>>.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jesus (Yeshua) Loves His Father: [m]
INTRODUCTION:
As we all know, The love that Christ has compels us to follow him, a point made
at 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;" (American Standard Version; A
SV). But, he had intense love for his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham,
Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH).
On the night that Jesus (Yeshua) was going to be put to death, he made it clear
in John 14:30-31, "I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the wor
ld cometh: and he hath nothing in me; 31 but that the world may know that I lo
ve the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let u
s go hence." (ASV) that he intensely loved his Father, Almighty God (YHWH). T
his scripture makes it quite clear that Jesus (Yeshua) really loved his Father.
Now his intense love for his Father and this was often shown by what he said suc
h as at Mark 12:29-31, "Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord o
ur God, the Lord is one: 30 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
31 The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none
other commandment greater than these." (ASV). And as 1 Corinthians 13:8 emphas
is, "Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done awa
y; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it sh
all be done away." (ASV).
BOND BETWEEN JESUS (YESHUA) AND HIS FATHER WAS THE STRONGEST BOND OF LOVE:
As Revelation 3:14, shows, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: Th
ese things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the c
reation of God:" (ASV), Jesus (Yeshua) was the first of the creation of the true
God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almi
ghty God (YHWH). From the point of his creation, he and his Father worked toge
ther to create all else, and as Proverbs 8:22-31, shows, "Jehovah possessed me i
n the beginning of his way, Before his works of old. 23 I was set up from ever
lasting, from the beginning, Before the earth was. 24 When there were no depth
s, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25
Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 26 Wh
ile as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the d
ust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set
a circle upon the face of the deep, 28 When he made firm the skies above, Whe
n the fountains of the deep became strong, 29 When he gave to the sea its boun
d, That the waters should not transgress his commandment, When he marked out the
foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was by him, as a master workman; And I wa
s daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habitabl
e earth; And my delight was with the sons of men." (ASV). This close associati
on for untold eons forged a very close relationship between Almighty God (YHWH)
and his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) which became ever stronger with time.
In verse 22, Jesus (Yeshua), then known as Wisdom, states that Almighty God (Y
HWH) produced me as the beginning of his ways; so we see Jesus (Yeshua) started
to exist as the beginning of his Father's creation. He, Jesus (Yeshua), was cr
eated; whereas, his Father, the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and
Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH) always existed per Psalm 90:
2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth
and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (ASV). Bu
t, the Son, Jesus (Yeshua), existed before the creation of the earth as testifie
d to my Jesus (Yeshua) at John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I sa
y unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am." (ASV).
Now what did this Son do during the vast expanse of time before coming to earth?
Well, verse 30 of Proverbs the 8 th. chapter shows that he served as his Fathe
r,s master worker. This meant that his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) used him in
the creation of all other things as shown by Colossians 1:16, "for in him were
all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things
have been created through him, and unto him;" (ASV).
No wonder that the Son, due to this close association, grew ever more like His F
ather, Almighty God (YHWH). He learned from his Father, and imitated his Fathe
r's qualities. This association can rightly be called the oldest and strongest
 bond of love in the entire universe, and 1 Corinthians 3:9 says of Jesus (Yeshu
a) followers, that his Father gave to him, "9 For we are God's fellow-workers:
ye are God's husbandry, God's building." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) KEPT HIS LOVE FOR HIS FATHER STRONG:
Keeping love strong requires regularly nourishing and caring for it as one would
care and water a houseplant on a regular basis. As John 11:41-42 shows, "So t
hey took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank
thee that thou heardest me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but be
cause of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe tha
t thou didst send me." (ASV), and Herbrew 11:6, "And without faith it is impossi
ble to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him." (ASV), show, Jesus
(Yeshua) regularly nourished his strong love for his Father, Almighty God (YHWH)
.
Even while on earth as a human at a very early age, as recorded at Luke 2:49, "A
nd he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in
my Father's house?" (ASV), he made a point to be in what then was his heavenly
Father's house on earth, the temple in Jerusalem. And later in life, the Bible
reports on Jesus' (Yeshua's) faithful attendance at the teimple and at the syn
agogue at Luke 4:16, "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and
he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood
up to read." (ASV); and at Luke 19:47, "And he was teaching daily in the temple
. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people soug
ht to destroy him:" (ASV).
Also, to keep his love strong for his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), he continuall
y prayed to him, many times is solitude as he valued his solitude as shown by Lu
ke 5:16, "But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed." (ASV); and Matthe
w 14:23 similarly states, "And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up
into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone." (
ASV). And often when Jesus (Yeshua) would pray to his heavenly Father, he woul
d use the expression "Abba, Father" as shown at Mark 14:36, "And he said, Abba,
Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not
what I will, but what thou wilt." (ASV) where he wanted his Father's will done b
efore his own.
JESUS (YESHUA) WORRIED ABOUT HIS FOLLOWERS AND PRAYED FOR THEM:
Jesus (Yeshua) in his prayer at John 17:6-8 prayed not for himself but the well
being of his followers per John 17:6-8, "I manifested thy name unto the men whom
thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; a
nd they have kept thy word. 7 Now they know that all things whatsoever thou ha
st given me are from thee: 8 for the words which thou gavest me I have given u
nto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from the
e, and they believed that thou didst send me." (ASV). In his preaching, he lik
ened his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) to a father who was so eager to forgive his
wayward son that he awaited the repentant young man's arrival as recorded at Lu
ke 15:20-24, "And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar of
f, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his n
eck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned again
st heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But
the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it o
n him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 and bring the fatt
ed calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 24 for this my son was d
ead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
(ASV). So from this illustration Jesus (Yeshua) used, we can see Jesus' (Yesh
ua's) portrayal of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, cr
eator of all there is, love and forgiveness.
NOW WILL YOU IMITATE JESUS' (YESHUA'S) LOVE FOR ALMIGHTY GOD (YHWH)?
Revelation 2:1-5 brings out the need to repent to be acceptable to Almighty God
(YHWH), "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that
holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks: 2 I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and
that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apost
les, and they are not, and didst find them false; 3 and thou hast patience and
didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary. 4 But I have this ag
ainst thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. 5 Remember therefore whence
thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and
will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent." (ASV). This b
rings up the fact per Luke 10:27, "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lo
rd thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." (ASV) that we must love th
e true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is
, with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
We must, if we love our Creator, assist him in giving an answer to his arch enem
y, Satan the Devil's challenge that we only serve him for selfish motives as Sat
an challenged at Job 2:4-5, "And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin
, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thy hand
now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face."
(ASV). Jesus (Yeshua) in order to give the best possible answer to Satan's vic
ious slander, courageoudly went ahead and showed the world how greatly he loved
his Father. In fact, he obeyed his Father in even giving up his own human life
.
We likewise must show the same kind of love for our heavenly Father as did Jesus
(Yeshua). We must not forsake the gathering of ourselves with fellow genuine
(true) Christians in keeping with Hebrews 10:24-25, "and let us consider one ano
ther to provoke unto love and good works; 25 not forsaking our own assembling
together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the m
ore, as ye see the day drawing nigh." (ASV).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jesus (Yeshua) Was Approachable [n]
INTRODUCTION:
Many great men of today are anything but approachable; whereas, the greatest man
of all times, Jesus (Yeshua), was very approachable. When his apostles and dis
ciples sought to restrain the small children from going up and speaking with him
, Jesus (Yeshua), let be known that he welcomed them as testified to by Mark 10:
13-16, "And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch th
em: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved wit
h indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; f
orbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto
you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall
in no wise enter therein. 16 And he took them in his arms, and blessed them,
laying his hands upon them." (American Standard Version; ASV). Clearly letting
it be known that he was approachable even by young children.
He made himself approachable to all classes of individuals, men, women, children
whether they be of the lower and/or higher class. This was remarkable as Jesu
s (Yeshua) was burdened with the heaviest of responsibilities, but he still made
himself approachable by all.
JESUS (YESHUA) WAS FOUND APPROACHABLE BY WHOM:
As the inspired word of the true God (YHWH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jaco
b, creator of all there is, Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible clearly shows, gread
numbers of people did not hesitate to come to Jesus (Yeshua). This is recorded
in many places in the Bible such as Matthew 4:25 and 13:2 and 15:30, "And there
followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judae
a and from beyond the Jordan." (ASV); and "And there were gathered unto him grea
t multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude sto
od on the beach." (ASV); and "And there came unto him great multitudes, having w
ith them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down
at this feet; and he healed them:" (ASV); and Luke 14:25, "Now there went with
him great multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them," (ASV).
Most of the multitude that came to him were common folks, but the Pharisees and
priests openly said of the crowd, John 7:49, "But this multitude that knoweth no
t the law are accursed." (ASV). These religious leaders viewec the common folk
s as contemptible, but Jesus (Yeshua) freely mingled with them, ate with them, h
ealed them, taught them, and gave them hope. Of course, Jesus (Yeshua) was a r
ealist and well knew most would reject the opportunity to serve the true God (YH
WH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, that he held
out to them as shown by what he said as recorded at Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter ye
in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth
to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the
gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find
it." (ASV).
His approachability stood in sharp contrast to the hard-hearted Pharisees and pr
iests; although even some of them did change their ways and follow him as shown
at Acts 6:7, "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples mul
tiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedie
nt to the faith." (ASV).
Even women showed no hesitation with regard approaching Jesus (Yeshua), and this
was the exact opposite of the religious leaders since the rabbis and priest fro
wned upon teaching women. In fact, women were not even allowed to testify in l
egal cases as the were viewed as unreliable witnesses. Even today many religio
us leaders still feel the same way. For example, the testimony of a women is s
till viewed as unreliable in Islam which counts their testimony as of far less v
alue than that of a man.
JESUS (YESHUA) HAD GREAT COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO APPROACHED HIM:
The fact that Jesus (Yeshua) had great compassion for those who approached him i
s clearly shown at Mark 6:31-34, "And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apa
rt into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going,
and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat t
o a desert place apart. 33 And the people saw them going, and many knew them,
and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. 34
And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, beca
use they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many th
ings." (ASV).
Many who were burdened by guilt freely came to Jesus (Yeshua). For example, wh
ile Jesus (Yeshua) was dining at the home of a Pharisee, women who was a known s
inner came in and knelt at his feet, and began weeping over her quilt as recorde
d at Luke 7:36-50, "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with
him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And be
hold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitti
ng at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38 and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with he
r tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anoi
nted them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw
it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have
perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a
sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say un
to thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. 41 A certain lender had two debtors: t
he one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. 42 When they had not
wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him mo
st? 43 Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. An
d he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And turning to the woman, he
said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me
no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped the
m with her hair. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in,
hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: b
ut she hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her
sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is fo
rgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven
. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is
this that even forgiveth sins? 50 And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath
saved thee; go in peace." (ASV).
Likewise today, more than ever, people who are loaded down with guild need to fe
el free to approach those who can help. Jesus (Yeshua) showed this fact once m
ore at Luke 5:29-32, "And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there wa
s a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with th
em. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, say
ing, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answ
ering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but t
hey that are sick. 32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repen
tance." (ASV).
WHAT MADE JESUS (YESHUA) APPROACHABLE?
Jesus (Yeshua) was approachable since like his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), Jesu
s (Yeshua) loved people and people sensed this about him. And as Proverbs 8:31
says, "Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men
." (ASV). His personal interest in them did not vanish when he was under press
ure.
For example, one time he was with his mother, Mary at a wedding feast in Cana an
d his mother told him that the wine had run out. Now this was not a trivial pr
oblem for the bride and groom as in the ancient middle east, hospitality to invi
ted guests was very important, and running out of wine at the wedding feast woul
d have caused the bride and groom much embarrassment - and ruined the joy of the
ir wedding day. He showed compassion and performed his first miracle as recor
ded at John 2:1-11, "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee;
and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and Jesus also was bidden, and his discip
les, to the marriage. 3 And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith un
to him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to d
o with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants,
Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone s
et there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins ap
iece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled
them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the
ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 9 And when the ruler of the feast taste
d the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants that h
ad drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 10 an
d saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have dr
unk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. 1
1 This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his
glory; and his disciples believed on him." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) QUERIES HIS DISCIPLES AND SHOWS HE CAN READ HEARTS:
At Matthew 16:13-17, Jesus (Yeshua) queried his disciples with regard to who he
was, "Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disc
iples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? 14 And they said, Some s
ay John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered an
d said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." (ASV). He was making
a point of being sure that his disciples understood who he was; yet many today s
till do not comprehend that he was the only begotten Son of God.
Also, he showed he was able to read hearts and well knew who had true faith when
they approached him. This was clearly shown in the case of Nathanael as recor
ded at John 1:43-49, "On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and
he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was from
Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and
saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, w
rote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Ca
n any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indee
d, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? J
esus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under
the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son
of God; thou art King of Israel." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
We, like Jesus (Yeshua) should be mild and humble per Matthew 11:29, "Take my yo
ke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall fin
d rest unto your souls." (ASV). This is clearly brought out at Galatians 5:22-
23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, g
oodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law
." (ASV).
Likewise we should be reasonable as was Jesus (Yeshua).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jesus (Yeshua) Showed Compassion and Pity for The Masses: [o]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) had great compassion and pity for the down trodden masses. His c
ompassion and pity were not only shown in his many healing miracles, but in his
pity for their terrible spiritual state which was due to their priest and teache
rs misleading them to further their false doctrines and traditions, and personal
agendas.
Their religious leaders were not properly instructing them in the Bible just lik
e most religious leaders of our day. Reality is not what either the Bible or the
Bible knockoff the Qur'an actually say, but how religious leaders be they pries
t and/or imams or muftis or what ever teach the people is the interpretation of
what is written either in the Bible or the bible knockoff the Qur'an that matter
s and governs actions. It matters not what the Bible and/or the Bible knockoff
really say. People go by what they are taught by their religious leaders. T
ake the genocide committed by the Roman Catholic Church at the direction of thei
r supreme religious leader, the pope, what mattered was not that the Bible clear
ly said at Exodus 20:13, "Thou shalt not kill." (Authorized King James Bible; AV
), but what their religious leaders told them. Therefore, it is the religion a
t fault, irregardless of what their particular holy book, be it the Bible or the
Bible knockoff the Qur'an may say. Neither is so called Christianity or in Is
lam are most individuals actions really governed in any way by what their partic
ular holy book really says, but they are governed by the interpretation of their
religious leaders. Thus, knowing this reality, one would be either just plain
stupid and/or dumb to even bother looking at a particular religion's holy book
and expect the members would conform to it. Take the Rig Vede and find me for
example a Hindu actually conforming to it instead of the interpretation given to
it by his religious leaders, like looking for a needle in the haystack per K.S.
Lal, India's greatest historian.
Jesus (Yeshua) sought to make disciples and to accurately teach the masses which
of course was entirely different from their religious leaders. His compassion
for these spiritually deprived masses. Jesus (Yeshua) clearly said at Luke 4:43
, "But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God t
o the other cities also: for therefore was I sent." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) MOVED WITH PITY:
Often while preaching to the masses, Jesus (Yeshua) would see many with great ne
eds such as being healed of a grievous disease or other suffering, and he would
be moved with pity and compassion to either heal them and/or provide other means
for rectifying their grievous condition. The inspired word of the true God (YH
WH) of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, and Jacob, creator of all there is, Almighty God
(YHWH), the Bible contains many accounts of Jesus (Yeshua) performing miracles
such as healings, resurrections, etc.
One such account of blind beggars sitting by the road waiting for charity who we
re healed by Jesus (Yeshua) is found at Luke 18:35-43, "And it came to pass, as
he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36
and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 And they to
ld him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, tho
u son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they that went before rebuked him, th
at he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of
David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought
unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 What wilt thou that I sh
ould do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesu
s said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath made thee whole. 43 And imm
ediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the pe
ople, when they saw it, gave praise unto God." (ASV).
Of course this was no isolated case, and Jesus (Yeshua) performed many miracles
as felt pity for the masses as war foretold in prophecy at Psalm 72:13-14, "He w
ill have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save. 1
4 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence; And precious will the
ir blood be in his sight:" (ASV).
Jesus was a man of deep empathy, and he identified with and shared in their feel
ings and circumstances per Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not a high priest that can
not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in al
l points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (ASV).
When Jesus's (Yeshua's) friend Lazarus died, he was deeply touched by the sorrow
of this two sisters although he knew that he was about to resurrect Lazarus - e
ven his eyes brimmed with tears as recorded at John 11:33-44, "When Jesus theref
ore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in
the spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, Where have ye laid him? They say un
to him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 The Jews therefore said, Behol
d how he loved him!
37 But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that w
as blind, have caused that this man also should not die? 38 Jesus therefore ag
ain groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay a
gainst it. 39 Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him t
hat was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath
been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if t
hou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 So they took away the
stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou he
ardest me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multi
tude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send
me. 43 And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come
forth. 44 He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes;
and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, a
nd let him go." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) EXERCISED AUTHORITY WITH CONSIDERATION FOR THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS
:
Jesus (Yeshua) was a man of deep empathy, and identified with and shared in the
feelings of the oppressed who were suffering per Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not
a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but on
e that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (ASV).
He clearly testified to this fact at Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye t
hat labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon
you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest u
nto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (ASV).
All should emulate Jesus (Yeshua), unfortunately the religious leaders of today
do not as previously mentioned in the Introduction. However, we should ask if
we were in the condition of less fortunate, how would we feel? The Bible at 1
Peter 3:8 specifically tells us, "Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate,
loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:" (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) often showed us by example to show compassion and empathy to othe
rs, and showed we should be true friends to our neighbors and be concerned about
them, and contrasted it to how the religious leaders do not show compassion and
also inbreed this into some of their flock by an illustration at Luke 10:29-37,
to one of these, "But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who
is my neighbor? 30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down f
rom Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and b
eat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a certain pries
t was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, p
assed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34 and came t
o him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on
his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the
morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care
of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repa
y thee. 36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that
fell among the robbers? 37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus
said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) SELECTED HIS APOSTLES FROM THE COMMON FOLKS:
He showed by example his being impartial as shown at, Matthew 9:9-13; and 23:23,
"And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at t
he place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed h
im. 10 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publi
cans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when t
he Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with
the publicans and sinners? 12 But when he heard it, he said, They that are who
le have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn
what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call th
e righteous, but sinners." (ASV); and, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hyp
ocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weight
ier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to hav
e done, and not to have left the other undone." (ASV).
And he was unmoved to hide his impartiality even when he was with religious lead
ers of the people as shown at Luke 7:36-50, "And one of the Pharisees desired hi
m that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat
down to meat. 37 And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when s
he knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alab
aster cruse of ointment, 38 and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she bega
n to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and
kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee
that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he we
re a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that tou
cheth him, that she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon,
I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. 41 A certain
lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty
. 42 When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them t
herefore will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to who
m he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And
turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into
thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with
her tears, and wiped them with her hair. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but she,
since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil
thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wheref
ore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:
but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto h
er, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say
within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? 50 And he said unto t
he woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
We should be moved to pity and compassion for others and also be careful with ou
r speech so as not to thoughtlessly use the tongue to hurt the feelings of other
s per Proverbs 12:18, "There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a swo
rd; But the tongue of the wise is health." (ASV); and Proverbs 18:21, "Death and
life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof." (ASV). Hate, greed, and a lust for violence define one as not walkin
g in the path of Jesus (Yeshua) and his heavenly Father, Almighty God (YHWH).
We should always take the initiative to help others and show compassion to them,
and try to imitate Jesus (Yeshua). One way we can do this is by preaching the
good news to them in keeping with what Jesus (Yeshua) said at Luke 4:43, "But h
e said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the ot
her cities also: for therefore was I sent." (ASV). All genuine (true) followers
have a commission, the responsibility to do likewise as stated at Matthew 28:19
-20, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them int
o the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching th
em to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway
s, even unto the end of the world." (ASV); Likewise we must assist those being m
iss-taught and mal nourished and starving spiritually per Isaiah 55:1-2, "Ho, ev
ery one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come y
e, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for t
hat which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is g
ood, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (ASV).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ Loved His Disciples to The End: [p]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) had prepared his disciples well for his departure. He even spent
his last precious moments teaching them very important lessons to give them str
ength to remain faithful. Jesus (Yeshua) words shared with his disciples/apostl
es were warm and most intimate, and he was most forgiving of their human imperfe
ctions. In fact, decades later the Apostle John wrote of the events of the last
Passover meal he celebrated with them just before his execution at John 13:1, "
Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that
he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that we
re in the world, he loved them unto the end." (American Standard Version; ASV).
But Jesus (Yeshua) did not wait until that night to demonstrate love for his o
wn disciples, he did so continually throughout his ministry.
In showing love to his disciples, he had to show great patience and long-sufferi
ng per 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not
; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseeml
y, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; 6 rejoice
th not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; 7 beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (ASV). In fact
, Jesus (Yeshua) needed a lot of patience when dealing with his disciples. Why
? For one thing they often got into foolish arguments such as who was the grea
test among them, this even happening on his last evening with them per the accou
nts at Luke 22:24-30, "And there arose also a contention among them, which of th
em was accounted to be greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Ge
ntiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are calle
d Benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you
, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 2
7 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he
that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. 28 But
ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations; 29 and I appoint un
to you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, 30 that ye may eat and
drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel." (ASV); and Matthew 20:20-28, "Then came to him the mother of
the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing o
f him. 21 And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Comman
d that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left han
d, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Ar
e ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are a
ble. 23 He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my rig
ht hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom i
t hath been prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were mov
ed with indignation concerning the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto
him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and t
heir great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you:
but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and who
soever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of m
an came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ranso
m for many." (ASV); and Mark 9:33-37, "And they came to Capernaum: and when he w
as in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they
held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the
greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them,
If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And
he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his
arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such little childr
en in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but h
im that sent me" (ASV). So we can see he had to exercise great patience with t
hem; yet, they recorded this fact in their eye witness accounts with great cando
r clearly showing they were writing under inspiration and not for self ego.
CARING FOR THEIR NEEDS:
Jesus (Yeshua) cared for the spiritual needs and physical needs of his apostles.
Why? Because love is evidenced by unselfish deeds as shown by 1 John 3:17-18
, "But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shut
teth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? 18 My
Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed a
nd truth." (ASV); and that we should not only look out for our own interest per
1 Corinthians 13:5, "doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is no
t provoked, taketh not account of evil;" (ASV). Jesus (Yeshua) was moved by lo
ve to care for them, and when they were tired, he suggested they go to a lonely
place to rest a little per Mark 6:31, "And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselve
s apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and go
ing, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." (ASV). He likewise fed them a
nd many others who were hungry, by a miracle, as recorded at Matthew 14:19-21,
"And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five
loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and
gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 20 And
they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the
broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And they that did eat were about five t
housand men, besides women and children." (ASV); and Matthew 15:35-37, "And he c
ommanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
36 and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, a
nd gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37 And they all
ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken p
ieces, seven baskets full." (ASV).
In fact the Sermon on the Mount was especially delivered for the benefit of his
disciples as shown at Matthew 5:1-2 and 13-16, "And seeing the multitudes, he we
nt up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:
2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying," (ASV) and "Ye are the salt
of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted
? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot
of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand;
and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shin
e before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is
in heaven." (ASV).
In doing these things, Jesus (Yeshua) showed consideration for his Apostles by p
reparing them for the coming terrible things he must endure and for the trials a
nd tribulations they would experience per Matthew 20:17-19, "And as Jesus was go
ing up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way he said
unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be deliv
ered unto the chief priests and scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, 1
9 and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to cruci
fy: and the third day he shall be raised up." (ASV); and warning them he had per
John 16:12, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them no
w." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) SHOWED THE NEED TO WILLINGLY FORGIVE:
Jesus (Yeshua) showed the need to forgive and Colossians 3:13-14 show forgivenes
s is a facet of love, "forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any
man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:
14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness." (
ASV). He urged his followers to forgive one another and emphasized this at Mat
thew 18:21-22, "Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother
sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him,
I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven." (ASV);
and he showed the need for repentance at Luke 117:3-4, "Take heed to yourselves
: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin
against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying,
I repent; thou shalt forgive him." (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) emphasized the importance for forgiveness at Matthew 6:14-15, "Fo
r if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you
. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses." (ASV). He then used an illustration to drive home this point
that is found at Matthew 18:23-35, "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened
unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. 24 And when
he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand ta
lents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him
to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be
made. 26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, hav
e patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 And the lord of that servant,
being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But th
at servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundre
d shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay wh
at thou owest. 29 So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Ha
ve patience with me, and I will pay thee. 30 And he would not: but went and ca
st him into prison, till he should pay that which was due. 31 So when his fell
ow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto
their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him unto him, and saith
to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besough
test me: 33 shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even
as I had mercy on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the t
ormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So shall also my heavenly F
ather do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts." (A
SV).
LAST JESUS (YESHUA) DEMONSTRATED HIS TRUST IN HIS APOSTLES:
Jesus (Yeshua) demonstrated his trust in his apostles as 1 Corinthians 13:7 says
with respect love, "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things
, endureth all things." (ASV). He demonstrated his willingness to trust his ap
ostles despite their human imperfections, and freely forgave when they fell shor
t of perfection.
For example, the Apostle Peter denied him three times out of fear of a crowd as
testified to at Matthew 26:69-75, "69 Now Peter was sitting without in the cour
t: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. 7
0 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And
when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them t
hat were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he deni
ed with an oath, I know not the man. 73 And after a little while they that sto
od by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy spee
ch maketh thee known. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the m
an. And straightway the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesu
s had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, an
d wept bitterly." (ASV), but Jesus (Yeshua) after is resurrection appeared to Pe
ter to comfort and reassure him as recorded at Luke 24:34, "saying, The Lord is
risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.[Peter]" (ASV); and 1 Corinthians 15:5,
"and that he appeared to Cephas; [another name for Peter] then to the twelve;"
(ASV) to show he still love and trusted him and forgave him for denying him.
Further, to reassure Peter, he let him take the lead in giving a witness to the
crowds in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost per Acts 2:14-40, "But Peter, standi
ng up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Y
e men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
give ear unto my words. 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing i
t is but the third hour of the day. 16 but this is that which hath been spoken
through the prophet Joel: 17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I w
ill pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters sha
ll prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream
dreams: 18 Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I p
our forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in
the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of
smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Bef
ore the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day. 21 And it shall be,
that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of
Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by
mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, eve
n as ye yourselves know; 23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel
and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not pos
sible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David saith concerning him, I beh
eld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should no
t be moved: 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover m
y flesh also shall dwell in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto
Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou madest k
nown unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy coun
tenance. 29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that h
e both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. 30 Being th
erefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of t
he fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; 31 he foreseeing this
spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, no
r did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all
are witnesses. 33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and havin
g received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth th
is, which ye see and hear. 34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he
saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Till
I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 36 Let all the house of Israel
therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jes
us whom ye crucified. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we
do? 38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receiv
e the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For to you is the promise, and to your child
ren, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call u
nto him. 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying,
Save yourselves from this crooked generation." (ASV).
And last as testified to at Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to
have you, that he might sift you as wheat: 32 but I made supplication for the
e, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, estab
lish thy brethren." (ASV). Clearly showing his great capacity to forgive and n
ot hold human weaknesses against his apostles.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christ Proved His Great Love For Mankind: [q]
INTRODUCTION:
In Proverbs 8:30-31 the inspired word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible showed J
esus (Yeshua)delighted in mankind, "Then I was by him, as a master workman; And
I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him, 31 Rejoicing in his habi
table earth; And my delight was with the sons of men." (American Standard Versio
n; ASV).
During his ministry on earth, great crowds followed him around and he did many h
ealings and other miracles including resurrections. Even in the few days befor
e he was wrongly arrested and executed, when he entered into Jerusalem, he was h
ailed by the crowds during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the divinely ap
pointed king. The common folk loved him greatly due to compassion, wonderful s
peech, and his many moracles.
However, most of the religious leaders of the day hated him, and all the more so
as they could not deny his miracles. Their jealousy and hate of him grew very
great, and they conspired together to get rid of him. He was interfering with
their personal agendas and showing their doctrines and traditions ran counter t
o the word of God, the Bible. In this, they are the same as the religious lea
ders of our day that give lip service to their respective "holy book," but who t
each their own traditions and personal agendas. Those who think that their re
ligious leaders are teaching them from either the Bible or the Bible knockoff th
e Qur'an are in error. No! The religious leaders be they priest and/or imams
or muftis or what ever teach the people only an incorrect, personal agenda, int
erpretation of what is written either in the Bible or the bible knockoff the Qur
'an that matters and governs actions. It matters not what the Bible and/or the
Bible knockoff really say. People go by what they are taught by their religio
us leaders. Take the genocide committed by the Roman Catholic Church at the di
rection of their supreme religious leader, the pope, what mattered was not that
the Bible clearly said at Exodus 20:13, "Thou shalt not kill." (ASV), but what t
heir religious leaders told them. Therefore, it is the religion at fault, irre
gardless of what their particular holy book, be it the Bible or the Bible knocko
ff the Qur'an may say. Neither in so called Christianity or in Islam are most
individuals actions really governed in any way by what their particular holy boo
k really says, but they are governed by the interpretation of their religious le
aders. Thus, knowing this reality, one would be either just plain stupid and/o
r dumb to even bother looking at a particular religion's holy book and expect th
e members would conform to it. Take the Rig Vede and find me for example a Hin
du actually conforming to it instead of the interpretation given to it by his re
ligious leaders, like looking for a needle in the haystack per K.S. Lal, India's
greatest historian.
In ancient Jerusalem, the religious leaders wipped the crowds into an angry anti
-Jesus (Yeshua) mob and gathered outside the governor's palace at dawn on Passov
er of 33 CE per John 18:28-19:15, "They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into
the Praetorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Praet
orium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover. 29 Pilate t
herefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this ma
n? 30 They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evildoer, we sh
ould not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Pilate therefore said unto them,
Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him
, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 that the word of Jesus m
ight be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should
die. 33 Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus,
and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered, Sayest th
ou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me? 35 Pilate answer
ed, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: w
hat hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be d
elivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefor
e said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a k
ing. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, tha
t I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth m
y voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, h
e went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him. 39
But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will
ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 They cried out
therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers pl
atted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple gar
ment; 3 and they came unto him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they str
uck him with their hands. 4 And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Be
hold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him. 5
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. An
d Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man! 6 When therefore the chief priests
and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him! Pila
te saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in
him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God. 8 When Pilate therefore heard this sa
ying, he was the more afraid; 9 and he entered into the Praetorium again, and
saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate the
refore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have p
ower to release thee, and have power to crucify thee? 11 Jesus answered him, T
hou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: the
refore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin. 12 Upon this Pilate so
ught to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, t
hou art not Caesar's friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh again
st Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, a
nd sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew,
Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixt
h hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! 15 [b]They therefore cr
ied out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shal
l I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.[/
b]" (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua), however, with dignity and courage endured the humiliation and su
ffering without complaint showing his willingness to submit to a painful death o
n a torture stake per John 19:17-18, "They took Jesus therefore: and he went out
, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, whi
ch is called in Hebrew, Golgotha: 18 where they crucified him, and with him tw
o others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." (ASV).
WHY WAS IT NECESSARY FOR JESUS (YESHUA) TO SUFFER AND DIE?
First consider what Jesus (Yeshua) said at John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (ASV) showing the ult
imate with respect love of neighbor in accordance with Matthew 22:39, "And the s
econd is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (ASV).
As the foretold Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua) well knew what was to take place as he w
as aware of the many prophecies concerning in detail what the Messiah would suff
er and of the painful death of the Messiah such as Isaiah 53:3-12, "Therefore wi
ll I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the tr
ansgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgre
ssors." (ASV); and Daniel 9:26, "And after the threescore and two weeks shall th
e anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince
that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof sh
all be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determi
ned." (ASV); etc.
In fact, on his way to Jerusalem for his final Passover, he specifically told hi
s apostles at Mark 10:33-34, "saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son
of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shal
l condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles: 34 and they s
hall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill hi
m; and after three days he shall rise again." (ASV).
Now, why was it necessary for Jesus (Yeshua) to suffer and die? Specifically t
here are three main reasons as follows:
First - He needed to prove his integrity and uphold Almighty God's (YHWH's) sove
reignty to answer the false claim of Satan the Devil made at Job 2:1-5, "Again i
t came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before
Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah.
2 And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jeho
vah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down
in it. 3 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for
there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fea
reth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, a
lthough thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan
answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he giv
e for his life. 5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh
, and he will renounce thee to thy face." (ASV). In this challenge, Satan was
saying that humans serve Almighty God (YHWH) out of selfish interest and Jesus (
Yeshua) had to prove him a liar by him, a perfect man, showing that this was not
the case. As shown at Philippians 2:8, Jesus (Yeshua) gave the most conclusiv
e answer to this baseless charge, "and being found in fashion as a man, he humbl
ed himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." (AS
V).
Second, So his death could provide an atonement for the sins of others per Isaia
h 53:5, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniqu
ities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are h
ealed."; and Isaiah 53:10, "Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put hi
m to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his
seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in hi
s hand." (ASV); and Daniel 9:24, "Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and
upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to
make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy." (ASV). This att
oning sacrifice of Jesus (Yeshua) opened up the way for us to have an approved r
elationship with Almighty God (YHWH) per Matthew 20:28, "even as the Son of man
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom f
or many." (ASV).
Third, Also, by enduring all types of sufferings and hardships, Jesus (Yeshua) w
as thoroughly tested and can sympathize with our weaknesses per Hebrews 2:17-18,
"Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, tha
t he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to Go
d, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself
hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." (ASV);
and Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with th
e feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin." (ASV).
UNSELFISH COURSE OF JESUS (YESHUA):
Jesus (Yeshua) outlined his unselfish course at Matthew 16:24-26, "Then said Jes
us unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever would save his life shall
lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For w
hat shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his l
ife? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?" (ASV).
He lead by example by giving up his life on our behalf and being subject to inte
nse suffering and a painful death per Philippians 2:5-7, "Have this mind in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted n
ot the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied hims
elf, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;" (ASV); cl
early showing he emptied himself of his superior position in heaven in the spiri
t form the same as Almighty God (YHWH) and took the form of a man who would die
as a ransom sacrifice for all of us.
He was not concerned about himself but was filled with intense love for his heav
enly Father, Almighty God (YHWH) as showed in his Sermon on the Mount at Matthew
6:9, "After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallow
ed be thy name." (ASV); he wanted his Father's name to be sanctified or hallowed
- not his own. He well knew that his integrity would play a major part in the
sanctifying of his Father's great name as shown at 1 Chronicles 29:13, "Now the
refore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." (ASV).
JESUS (YESHUA) WAS SELF-SACRIFICING:
As followers of Jesus (Yeshua), we must have lave among us per John 13:34-35, "A
new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved
you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are
my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (ASV). and Jesus (Yeshua) made
this ever clearer at John 15:12-13, "This is my commandment, that ye love one a
nother, even as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friends." (ASV).
Now why is self-sacrificing a worthwhile course? Well, Mark 10:23-30 says, "And
Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they t
hat have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were amaze
d at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how ha
rd is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It
is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to ente
r into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unt
o him, Then who can be saved? 27 Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is
impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God. 28 Peter
began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 Jesus
said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren,
or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for th
e gospel's sake, 30 but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, house
s, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecu
tions; and in the world to come eternal life." (ASV).

We should imitate Jesus in showing self-sacrificing love as pointed out at, 1 Jo

hn 3:17-18, "But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need
, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him
? 18 My Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but
in deed and truth." (ASV). One way of doing this is by not engaging in warfar
e when the nations go to war and thus bringing injury and death to others per Jo
hn 17:14-16, "I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou
shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the e
vil one. 16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world." (ASV); a
nd 1 John 3:10-12, "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children o
f the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that lo
veth not his brother. 11 For this is the message which ye heard from the begin
ning, that we should love one another: 12 not as Cain was of the evil one, and
slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and h
is brother's righteous." (ASV).
Whereas, the religious leaders of this world teach and inbreed in their follower
s, not the words of the Father of Jesus (Yeshua) per John 12:49-50, "For I spake
not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, w
hat I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment
is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath sai
d unto me, so I speak." (ASV). Instead of inbreeding love for fellow man, thes
e religious leaders of this world inbreed false doctrines and traditions and the
ir own personal agendas. Some religious leaders in Islam not only inbreed thei
r personal agendas, but inbreed hate, greed, and a lust for violence. Almost e
very day in the world news you hear of an Islamic suicide bomber blowing himself
/herself up and trying to take as many with him/her as possible - inbreed extrem
e lust for violence. In fact, one well known Sheik, [in Islam, a. A religious
official. b. A leader of an Arab family or village. c. Used as a form of address
for such an official or leader. Per The American Heritage(r) Dictionary of the
English Language, Fourth Edition.] said on a video tape played on Al Jazzera TV
station that there was no greater honor for Islam than for one to commit suicide
and take as many infidels with him/her as possible [Sheik Usama bin Ladin]. T
his clearly shows the hate, greed, and a lust for violence that many religious l
eaders are inbreeding in their members and the world news daily confirms this -
many however deny reality.
SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE PLEASES ALMIGHTY GOD (YHWH):
Self-sacrificing love pleases Almighty God (YHWH) as shown at 2 Corinthians 12:1
5, "And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more
abundantly, am I loved the less?" (ASV). In fact unselfish efforts will also b
e appreciated by like faithful followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ as shown by Ph
ilippians 2:29, "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such i
n honor:" (ASV); and Hebrews 6:10, "for God is not unrighteous to forget your wo
rk and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the
saints, and still do minister." (ASV).
Jesus (Yeshua) proved himself a fine shepherd of his followers as shown at John
10:11-15, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for th
e sheep. 12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf
snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13 he fleeth because he is a hireling, a
nd careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even
as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the
sheep." (ASV).
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Continue Following Jesus (Yeshua): [r]
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (Yeshua) before his execution prayed to his heavenly Father, Almighty God
(YHWH) at John 17:1-5, "These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to hea
ven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorif
y thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom t
hou hast given him, he should give eternal life. 3 And this is life eternal, t
hat they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even
Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work wh
ich thou hast given me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine ow
n self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (American Sta
ndard Version; ASV).
Now after his execution and subsequent resurrection on the third day after his r
esurrection recorded at Acts 10:38-40, "even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed
him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing
all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are wit
nesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusa
lem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. 40 Him God raised up the thir
d day, and gave him to be made manifest," (ASV), and now he is about to ascend t
o his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) and his apostles and close friends are with hi
m on the Mount of Olives and he begins to rise from the earth, he gives some kin
d parting words at Acts 1:6-12, "They therefore, when they were come together, a
sked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 7
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the F
ather hath set within His own authority. 8 But ye shall receive power, when th
e Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And
when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a clo
ud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly
into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who
also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who
was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld
him going into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount cal
led Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off." (ASV).
Now his followers are reminded by two angels at Acts 1:10-11, "And while they we
re looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in w
hite apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into h
eaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in lik
e manner as ye beheld him going into heaven." (ASV), that he will return and the
y have work at hand.
The words that Jesus (Yeshua) spoke to the apostle Peter recorded at John 21:22,
"Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to the
e? Follow thou me." (ASV), come into play.
JESUS (YESHUA) INDICATED, CONTINUE FOLLOWING ME:
We all need to obey the command that Jesus (Yeshua) gave to the Apostle Peter of
continuing to follow him.
Upon Jesus (Yeshua) return to heaven, he presented to his Father, Almighty God (
YHWH) the value of his ransom sacrifice per Hebrews 9:11-12 and 24, "But Christ
having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and mo
re perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation
, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood,
entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption
." (ASV), and "For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in
pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of G
od for us:" (ASV).
Now did his heavenly Father, Almighty God (YHWH) accept it? This was shortly p
ositively answered by the events that occurred a few days after his ascension.
About 120 Christians were meeting in Jerusalem in an upstairs room when, Acts 2
:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one
place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a m
ighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there a
ppeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each
one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to sp
eak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (ASV). This event
signified the birth of a new nation as shown by 1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are an elec
t race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, th
at ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light:" (ASV) which was Almighty God's (YHWH's) creation of a ne
w 'chosen race' as a replacement as his chosen people in place of the ancient na
tion of Israel.
Clearly Almighty God (YHWH) had approved of Jesus (Yeshua) sacrifice as shown by
the birth of this new chosen nation; therefore, we should continue to follow Je
sus (Yeshua) daily so we can have a bright hope for the future per John 3:16, "A
nd by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and k
now: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness i
n the presence of you all." (ASV).
Why should we do this? Clearly Jesus (Yeshua) since his ascension to heaven af
ter his resurrection by his heavenly Father, Almighty God (YHWH), he has been gi
ven very great authority per Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came to them and spake un
to them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth."
(ASV). How so? His heavenly Father has appointed him to rule over the genuin
e (true) Christian congregation per Colossians 1:13, "who delivered us out of th
e power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;"
(ASV). To this end, he chose the apostle Paul to be an apostle to the nations
charged with spreading the good news far and wide per Romans 11:13, "But I spea
k to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glor
ify my ministry;" (ASV); and 1 Timothy 2:7, "whereunto I was appointed a preache
r and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in fa
ith and truth." (ASV). Jesus (Yeshua) thus is Head of the Genuine (true) Chris
tian congregation as shown by Ephesians 5:23, "For the husband is the head of th
e wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of t
he body." (ASV); and 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I would have you know, that the he
ad of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of
Christ is God." (ASV).
Later, Jesus (Yeshua) was granted even more authority as shown by John 12:31, "N
ow is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out
." (ASV); and Matthew 24:3-7, "And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the discipl
es came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and wha
t shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus an
swered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. 5 For many s
hall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. 6 A
nd ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for th
ese things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines an
d earthquakes in divers places." (ASV).
In fact 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 clearly show that Jesus' (Yeshua's) heavenly Fat
her, Almighty God (YHWH), gave him authority over all except himself for a perio
d of time, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ
's, at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdo
m to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authori
ty and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his
feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27 For, He put al
l things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in
subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto hi
m. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son als
o himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may
be all in all." (ASV). Therefore it is vital that we take our stand on the si
de of Jesus (Yeshua), the Messianic King.
BRING YOURSELF IN HARMONY WITH JESUS (YESHUA):
Now the big question is what will help to bring your thinking into harmony with
Christ? Let's consider, 1 Corinthians 2:13-16, "Which things also we speak, no
t in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining
spiritual things with spiritual words. 14 Now the natural man receiveth not t
he things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot
know them, because they are spiritually judged. 15 But he that is spiritual j
udgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known t
he mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ
." (ASV).
And, In what way do you intend to follow Christ more closely? This should be c
onsidered by all, and 1 Peter 2:21, says, "For hereunto were ye called: because
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his
steps:" (ASV). Remember Jesus (Yeshua) like his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) is
by nature happy, he is for sure most unhappy, angry if you will, over all those
false religious organizations that falsely claim to represent him. Jesus (Yesh
ua) showed this anger once when he was about to heal a man and looked at all the
religious leaders around him with indignation due to the insensibility of their
hearts as shown at Mark 3:1-5, "And he entered again into the synagogue; and th
ere was a man there who had his hand withered. 2 And they watched him, whether
he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he sa
ith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto
them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life,
or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about o
n them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto
the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was res
tored." (ASV).
Without doubt, Jesus (Yeshua), today he is thoroughly grieved by the religious l
eaders of Christendom who are blindly devoted to their traditions and doctrines
which are not in agreement with the scriptures. In fact, in many parts of the
world, the religious leaders, like those of ancient Jerusalem, also, persecute J
esus (Yeshua) followers. This was foretold at John 16:2-3, "They shall put you
out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall t
hink that he offereth service unto God. 3 And these things will they do, becau
se they have not known the Father, nor me." (ASV), and this has proved to be the
case.
JESUS (YESHUA) IS PLEASED WITH THOSE WHO ENDURE:
The big question is how will you avoid the danger of cooling off in your love fo
r Jesus (Yeshua)? As Revelation 3:14-18 show we must remain firm and not cool
off, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the A
men, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or
hot. 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew th
ee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and mi
serable and poor and blind and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refi
ned by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest
clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and ey
esalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see." (ASV).
In order to do so, we must follow Jesus (Yeshua) example and share the good news
with all sorts of people in keeping with 1 Timothy 2:4, "who would have all men
to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth."(ASV). As Matthew 24:13
says, "But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." (ASV). So be
sure to keep in mind Jesus (Yeshua) comment at John 21:19, "Now this he spake,
signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken
this, he saith unto him, Follow me." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
Now the question all should ask themselves is, how can you show that you really
want Christ to rule over the earth in the near future? And as Revelation 22:17
and 20, say, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let
him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take
the water of life freely." And "He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I co
me quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus."
To share in this wonderful blessing we must continue to imitate Jesus (Yeshua) a
nd his Father, Almighty God (YHWH).
I challenge anyone to show that my facts are in error.
Now to know the truth, go to:
1) http://religioustruths.yuku.com/
2) http://www.network54.com/Forum/403209/
3) http://religioustruths.lefora.com/
TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM LEARNING THE TRUTH IS JUST PLAIN WICKED AND EVIL, may
Almighty God (YHWH) punish him.
If you wish more information and/or wish to ask a question or what ever, contact
me by leaving a PM (personal message) at http://religioustruths.yuku.com/

Your Friend in Christ Iris89

Francis David said it long ago, "Neither the sword of popes...nor the image of d
eath will halt the march of truth."Francis David, 1579, written on the wall of h
is prison cell." Read the book, "What Does The Bible Really Teach" and the Bible t
oday!