Did Jesus Limit His Omniscience?
August 28, 2020 at 11:22 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsTags: God's omniscience, John 1, kenosis, Luke 2, Luke 8, Matthew 24, omniscience, omniscience of Jesus, Philippians 2
Question: Was Jesus omniscient while ministering on earth, or did He limit His omniscience?
Answer: In John 1:50 Jesus responded to Nathanael’s acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel because Jesus had “seen” him under a fig tree before meeting him physically. This was an instance of Jesus accessing His omniscience and omnipresence during His earthly ministry, although He sometimes chose to limit His omniscience as to His humanity.
It’s a bit of a paradox because Jesus was truly God, and it is not possible for God, in His Divinity, to lack any knowledge, nor to acquire new knowledge or information. However, Jesus, as touching His human nature only, did at times choose to limit His access to some of His Divine abilities. Here are some examples:
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:36
That is an instance of God the Father and God the Son apparently agreeing that Jesus, in His humanity, would not have access to the specific date and time of Jesus’s return (commonly referred to as the “Second Coming“).
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2:52
There we see that, as Jesus grew into human adulthood, He chose to “increase” in wisdom, which means that, only as touching His humanity, He learned new things as He grew up. This could only be possible by limiting His access to the Divine omniscience.
But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
Luke 8:23
In that episode we have Scriptural evidence that, although God never sleeps (Psalm 121:4), Jesus, in His humanity, did truly sleep, which by its very essence, means a lack of awareness of what is going on while asleep.
The theological solution to the paradox posed by a God Who, in His humanity, limited His own access to some of His Divine attributes is provided in Philippians 2:6-8 (known as “the Kenosis” or “emptying out”). Jesus never stopped being God, nor did He ever set aside or lay down His Deity, but He did veil some of His holy attributes only as touching His humanity, in order to truly represent the human race as the perfect Servant and Sacrifice, so that we could be saved by Him and in Him.
As an aside, the belief that Jesus never really became human, but was actually only “faking it,” and appearing to be human without really taking on human flesh, is called Docetism, and is a famous heresy.
When Sparks Fly
August 26, 2020 at 11:55 am | Posted in Job | 4 CommentsTags: commentary on Job, common expressions from the Bible, Eliphaz, Job 4, Job 5, Job 6, Job's friends, presumptuous sins, Psalm 19, Sunday School lessons on Job
In Job Chapters 4 and 5 the speaker is Eliphaz.
If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
Job 4:2
Eliphaz recognized that what he was going to say was going to hurt Job, but he had the attitude of, “I’m thinking it, so I’ve just got to say it.” That is not a good philosophy.
Eliphaz’s argument was based on his own experience: “I’ve seen it happen, so it must mean I understand…”
Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Job 5:7
Sparks, once they get going, come in bunches, but where do they fly? For Christians, we expect the sparks of trouble to come, but we know they’re going up to the One who can put out the fire. (“The Sparks” was the name of my daughters’ softball team when I coached, and Job 5:7 was our team verse.)
Job had to ask his “friends” to stop being so hard on him.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Job 6:29
He asked them to take back what they had said, imploring them not to be unjust with him. His reptuation for righteousness was at stake. Job valued his character. What people were going to say about him was bad enough; he didn’t need his friends starting rumors that some particularly bad sin of his had brought about his troubles.
Job did what any faithful believer should do; he appealed to God, and asked him to reveal any unknown sin.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Sometimes, we can sin presumptuously. We get in the habit of evaluating our behavior with the question, “What’s wrong with this?” instead of “What’s right about this?” Remember, Job didn’t know what was going on in Heaven. He really had no idea why this was happening to him. That’s perhaps the most amazing thing about Job’s blessing the name of the Lord. We sometimes have a hard time with this. We get mad and say, “God, I can’t believe you let the devil do that to me.” When you see Job questioning and disputing and even arguing with God, don’t make the mistake of thinking that he was faithless, but do remember that he didn’t know then what we know now.
A Heroic Harlot’s Hidden Highlights
August 24, 2020 at 2:32 pm | Posted in Joshua | 7 CommentsTags: Biblical chiasms, commentary on Joshua, hiding the spies, Joshua 2, Rahab, spies in Jericho, Sunday School lessons on Joshua
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Joshua 2:1
The events in Joshua Chapter 2 don’t really, from a literary standpoint, do all that much to advance the narrative that began in Joshua 1. Chapter 1 was about Joshua’s confirmation as the new leader, and about where he would find the courage to cross the Jordan and lead the people into Canaan. Chapter 3 is where we can read about them doing just that, but there must be something of great spiritual significance (something that points to something greater) in Chapter 2.
Joshua himself had been a spy at the beginning of the wilderness wandering. Here, rather than sending 12 spies, he only sent two spies, and the fact that they are unnamed may already be a clue that someone else will be the main character, or a least the focus of the narrative, in Chapter 2. Of course, Rahab is named right away. Her name meant “wide,” which seems funny, although it probably referred to a desire by her parents that their land or influence would be enlarged. Her occupation is also expressly stated at her first mention. “Harlot” typically means prostitute (the Hebrew word is zonah), but it occasionally means an innkeeper. It could also refer to a pagan-ceremonial prostitute, but, in the Bible, and in the mind of the Hebrews, there was no important distinction between a religious prostitue and a regular prostitute. Both Hebrews 11 and James 2 specify in the Greek language that she was a real prostitute, rather than a mere innkeeper.
There is no indication that the spies “lodged” there because they were looking for a brothel. They were in great danger, and Rahab was willing to take them in. Also, her home happened to be located right on Jericho’s famous wall, which was one of the things they would be expected to inspect as part of their spying mission
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Joshua 2:2-3
Jericho was strategic because it was located in the center of the promised land, and if Joshua could take the city, he would be able to divide northern tribes from southern tribes. It’s possible to identify a chiastic struture in Joshua Chapter 2, with “spy action” (getting their instructions, going into action, escaping a tight spot, and being debriefed) at the beginning and the end of the chapter, while Rahab’s confession of faith is sandwiched in the middle, highlighting its importance. So, while Chapter 2 itself is kind of a story within a larger story, the same literary structure is at work in the middle story. This is important because it helps us to understand what the real point of putting Rahab into the narrative is. While the other details and events of Chapter 2 are important, we can’t get too caught up in trying to reason out whether it was okay for her to tell a lie in facilitating the spies’ escape, or how no one would notice a scarlet rope hanging from her window. Such distractions can cause us, if we are not careful, to miss out on the main point of the story: the rich and beautiful presentation of Rahab’s saving faith.
Contrasting Marriages
August 20, 2020 at 5:19 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 16, Acts 5, Ananias & Sapphira, Aquila & Priscilla, Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, commentary on Acts, marriage, Romans 16, Sunday School lessons on Acts
There are two married couples in the New Testament who had vastly different characters and reputations. The first couple is found in Acts 5:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Acts 5:1
Ananias, the husband, appears to have been the spouse mainly in charge of this plan, but clearly his wife played a part in it, too.
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:2
The act of selling property and donating it to the Apostles for ministry would have been noble and Christ-honoring except for the deceit in it. The backstory has to do with a desire on the part of Ananias and Sapphira to make a name for themselves, and Satan’s attempt to plant a couple of undercover agents in a place of influence in the Apostolic ministry and the early Church.
Suppose that Ananias came up with the plan and Sapphira was opposed to it. Would she have been honoring God as a submissive wife by acting in concert with her husband’s plan, or should she have have defied him and reported the matter to the Apostles, breaching her husband’s trust? It’s an interesting dilemma.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:3
Ananias was alone when this happened; Sapphira was not present. Men should, for the most part, confront other men rather than other men’s wives when there is a potential for conflict. This is in line with the Bible’s teaching on husband-headship.
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Acts 5:4-5 (emphasis added)
The mention of that fear is not merely a description of what happened; it also a key to understanding why what seems like a drastic consequence occurred.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Acts 5:6-8
This would have been her chance to confess or perhaps indicate that she had at least been opposed to the idea.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Acts 5:9-11
In the Bible we see God dealing out what seem like very harsh consequences for disobedience at the beginning of a new dispensation. Remember Nadab and Abihu, Achan at Jericho, and Uzzah while transporting the Ark.
Now, let’s consider another married couple in the New Testament.
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Acts 18:2-3
This was a Christian couple who earned an honest living in a secular occupation, but who ministered to others and who opened their home to Paul and gave him a job.
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 18:18-19
They traveled with him to Syria, and to Ephesus. Note that Priscilla is named first in this instance, and in most of the instances in the Bible that they are named together. This may be because she had been saved before her husband, or it may be because she was the wealthier of the two before they got married. We don’t like to think she was the spiritual leader of the family, but it’s possible that Aquila delegated responsibilities to her that she was better equipped to handle.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Acts 18:26
This refers to Apollos. Aquila and Priscilla were not only involved in physically and financially supporting apostles, but were sound enough in doctrine and bold enough to correct and teach preachers who were accidentally preaching error.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Romans 16:3
What an honor to be named in this way, not only by Paul, but in the canon of Scripture!
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
I Corinthians 16:19
They hosted a house church.
Here are some obvious contrasts between Ananias and Sapphira, and Aquila and Priscilla:
1. Ananias and Sapphira conspired secretly; Aquila and Priscilla ministered openly (helping Paul earn money as a tentmaker).
2. Ananias and Sapphira lied; Aquila and Prscilla lived honestly (confronting Apollos).
3. Ananias and Sapphira served as a negative example; Aquila and Priscilla served as a positive example.
4. In Ananias and Sapphira’s marriage, the wife followed her husband into sin; in Aquila and Priscilla’s marriage, the wife encouraged her husband, and maybe even led him into righteous acts of service.
5. Ananias and Sapphira sold their land for an ill purpose; Aquila and Priscilla opened their home for ministry.
6. Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives in disgrace; Aquila and Priscilla risked their lives nobly.
Birth or Belief?
August 17, 2020 at 12:18 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 CommentsTags: faith, faith alone, free will, grace alone, order of salvation, regeneration, Salvation, sovereignty of God, will of God
Question: Which comes first, regeneration or faith?
Answer: Regeneration means being born again (John 3:3-7; I Peter 1:23), so you are talking about saving faith, not just faith in general. A person is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), so faith is necessary for salvation, but the precise chronological order is a topic that has been greatly debated throughout Christian history. The predominant and classical “Reformed,” “Protestant,” and “Puritan” views, for the most part, hold that regeneration must precede saving faith, under the following reasoning: Human beings come into the world as sinners, alienated and separated from God, and they lack the ability (Romans 8:7) to trust Christ on their own. Therefore, God must regenerate a person by supernatural grace in order to make that person a new creature who is willing and able to exercise saving faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
One opposing view says that there is a tiny island of goodness within a lost person that enables him to cooperate with God’s grace, and, freely of his own will, exercise enough faith to be saved, and at that point he is regenerated.
I don’t know that we will ever know the true “timing” of how it works, since God’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9; Deuteronomy 29:29). Maybe in Heaven we will be able to comprehend more about it. I know that we experience salvation personally as something we choose, but our feelings are not the decisive factor. Certainly God is powerful enough to regenerate us prior to us realizing it or consciously experiencing it, but I don’t see any reason why He couldn’t create the gift of saving faith in every believer, and transfer it to each one strictly by His own unassisted power at the very moment of regeneration.
I would say that I do not (Romans 3:10-11) hold the view that says there is a little bit of goodness in people that causes them to seek God apart from His grace prior to salvation. I also think the Bible makes clear that we do not contribute anything to salvation, including our independent decision (John 1:12-13). All the glory for salvation, from beginning to end, and everything having to do with it is to God’s glory and because of His love and grace. It is nothing we deserve (Jonah 2:9; Ephesians 2:9) and nothing for which we get any credit at all.
Lessons in Luke
August 13, 2020 at 3:21 pm | Posted in Luke | 4 CommentsTags: Bible lessons on Luke, commentary on Luke, Luke, Sunday School lessons on Luke, the Book of Luke, the Gospel of Luke, themes in Luke
Luke’s Gospel is an actual and accurate historical record which shows the fulfillments of prophecies concerning the birth of the Lord Jesus, and many details about His earthly ministry, including preaching, teaching, healing, fighting the devil, and fulfilling all righteousness. The Holy Spirit, through Luke, emphasized the humanity and compassion of Jesus, the proclamation of His Gospel, the ministry of women, and even Jesus’s occasional use of humor. The Gospel of Luke also gives tremendous insight into Jesus’s preparation for His death, followed by His arrest, rigged and unfair trial, and Crucifixion, ending with key details about His glorious Resurrection and some of His appearances afterwards.
Luke is one of only two books of the Bible which I have taught through twice, and I have not even come close to scratching the surface of its depths, wisdom, beauty, practicality, and theological treasures. However, my prayer is that these lessons will be helpful to those who read them:
1. Luke’s Gospel (1:1-17)
2. The Virgin Birth (1:26-37)
3. Character and Integrity Part 3 (1:28-33)
4. Divine Interruption (1:28-33)
5. Helpless and Hopeless No More (2:1-37)
6. The Humanity of Jesus (2:7,52)
7. The Big Announcement (2:10)
8. Reconciled (2:14)
9. Spurgeon Liked to “S.W.I.M.,” Too (2:19)
10. Growing up Perfect (2:21-50)
11. Character and Integrity Part 6 (2:24,44-52)
12. Advent (2:25-38)
13. The Song of Simeon (2:21-35)
14. A Snapshot of the Lord’s Adolescence (2:41-46)
15. How Tall Was Jesus? (2:52)*
16. Introducing God (3:1-22)
17. Tempted, but Not Wandering, in the Wilderness (4:1-3)
18. The Temptation of the Last Adam (4:2-12)
19. The Internal War (4:4)
20. The Scandal of Jesus’s Shocking Message and Ministry (4:16-35)
21. What Do You Have to Do with God? (4:33-35; 5:8-11,17-28)
22. Beware the Fatigue of Failure (5:5)
23. Falling Out Before Men? Or Falling Down Before God? (5:5-11)
24. Conformers, Reformers, or Transformers (5:29-39)
25. Doctor, Doctor, Gimme the (Good) News (5:31-32)
26. Law Keepers or Law Breakers? (6:1-11)
27. Obstacles, Others, and Ourselves (6:12-46)
28. A Compassionate Centurion and Contradictory Crowds (7:1-16)
29. The Greatest Miracle (7:18-23)
30. How Much Is Enough? (7:36-48)
31. Glad Tidings (8:1; 1:19; 2:10; 3:18; 4:18,43; 7:22; 8:2-3)
32. What Kind of Dirt Are You? (8:5-15)
33. Objections to the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 4) (8:13)
34. Explaining the Meaning of Biblical “Authority” to Children (8:22-25)
35. The Nude Dude in a Rude Mood (8:26-35)
36. Jesus’s Power Over Circumstances (8:41-55)
37. Defiled, Destitute, Discouraged, and Desperate (9:1-13)
38. The But Chapter: Incomprehension, Indecision, and Ignorance (9:6-45)
39. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 9) (9:24)
40. The But Chapter: Immaturity and Independence (9:46-62)
41. The Joy of Service, Salvation, and Sovereignty (10:3-24)
42. The S.H.A.R.K. Principle (lesson 1) (10:17-20)
43. Cross-Examining the Master (10:25-29)
44. The Certains: a Lawyer, a Man, a Priest, a Samaritan, and a Savior (10:25-37)
45. Loving to Serve and Serving to Love (10:38-40)
46. How to Talk to God (11:1-2)
47. A Prayer Meeting for Need-Meeting (11:2-3)
48. Prayer for Preparation, Provision, and Perfection (11:4)
49. A Recipe for Importunate Prayer (11:2-10)
50. Prayers Answered with Pranks (11:11-13)
51. The Vowels of Hell (11:13-26)
52. And Sometimes Y (11:29-32)
53. Doubling Down on the Hypocrites (11:33-54)
54. Misplaced Fear (12:1-21)
55. How To Defeat Anxiety (12:22 – 13:5)
56. Wary Watching (12:35-40)
57. When Kingdoms Collide (13:1-24)
58. Snakes on a Plain (Part 3) (13:26-28)
59. The Sabbath, Sickness, and Self-Serving Status (14:7-11)
60. Having the Neighbors over for Dinner (14:12-14)
61. The Joy of Rescuing Lost Sheep (15:1-7)
62. A (Perhaps) Parabolic Prodigal’s Preferential Proximate Predicament Produces Patient Prosperous Passionate Persistent Protective Paternal Pardon (15:8-24)
63. When We Can’t Wait to Celebrate (15:10-32)
64. Coming to Yourself (15:17)
65. Prayerless Practical Pouting Prefers Possessive Purpose (15:25-32)
66. A Good Story about a Bad Man (16:1-10)
67. Panicked Pressing (16:16)
68. Finality, Forgiveness, Faithfulness, and Forgetfulness (16:20 – 17:19)
69. Calling Witnesses (Part 3) (16:22-24)
70. Overlooking the Kingdom (17:20-21)
71. Foresight (17:22-33)
72. Thought about Ought (18:1)
73. Persistent Pleas, Powerful Prayers, a Proud Pharisee, and a Penitent Publican (18:1-14)
74. Even the Rich Need to be Saved (18:18-30)
75. A Blind Beggar and a Short Order Crook (18:35 – 19:10)
76. The King Who Will Return (19:11-17)
77. From Investing to Interceding (19:7-46)
78. The Stones of Covetousness (19:35-40)
79. The Manager Who Thought He Was an Owner (20:9-16)
80. The Stones of Confrontation (20:9-19)
81. The Welcoming Committee (21)
82. The Most Memorable Meal (22:1-34)
83. Sifted Like Wheat? (22:31-32)
84. The Lack of Respect for Jesus (22:54 – 23:12)
85. Religious Triflers, Realistic Traders, and Rabid Traitors (23:13-56)
86. Who Carried the Cross? (23:26)
87. The Unselfish Prayer (23:34)
88. Oh, Do Remember Me… (23:42)
89. The Stones of Confirmation (24:1-10)
90. The Resurrection and its Credibility, Confidence, Comfort, and Conquest (24:1-10; 18:31-34)
91. The Son of Suffering and Glory (24:2-3,6,15,25-27)
92. The First Sunday School Class (24:10-45)
93. Where is Jesus in the Bible? (lesson 1) (24:13-45)
94. The Open Tomb, Eyes, Hearts, Minds, and Mouths (24:13-49)
*most-viewed post in category
The Name of the Lord
August 11, 2020 at 9:27 am | Posted in Biblical names, Malachi | 4 CommentsTags: commentary on Malachi, dishonoring the Lord, Lord of Hosts, Malachi 1, Malachi 2, Revelation 2, Sunday School lessons on Malachi
After the nation of God’s people became divided, the northern kingdom was called Israel and the southern kingdom was called Judah. Israel was the first to fall into apostasy. The capital of the southern kingdom was Jerusalem. The Temple was there. Jersusalem was ultimately conquered by the Babylonians, and most of the people there were taken captive. Later, the Persians (Medo-Persians) conquered Babylon. The king of the Persian empire who issued a decree saying the Jewish people could go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and the Temple was Cyrus, and this decree was issued in 538 B.C. The rebuilding of the Temple was completed in 515 B.C. The Jewish leaders who oversaw the repair of the walls and gates, and the rebuilding of the Temple were Ezra and Nehemiah. The High Priest during this time was named Joshua. The governor was Zerubbabel.
The conditions described in the Book of Nehemiah are addressed in the Book of Malachi, and that’s why it is believed this was the time period in which the prophet Malachi ministered. Malachi’s name meant “My messenger,” and his message is more important than his biography. The conditions in the land at that time were poor crops and an extremely poor economy. Jewish men had divorced their Jewish wives and married pagan women. There were also serious problems in the priesthood.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Malachi 1:6
The poor people were being oppressed by the wealthy and powerful, and people were failing in the obligation to financially support the proper worship in the house of the Lord. We can hear the weariness in Malachi as he addressed the sins of people who should have learned their lessons. He already knew what their excuses and complaints were. Before something is properly painted it must be stripped and rubbed smooth. This is the job of a prophet.
Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Revelation 2:4
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Malachi 1:2-3
God identified a coldness in His people in their love for Him. God’s electing grace is evidence of His love. As true Christians, we love Him, yes, but we love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19).
The title “Lord of hosts” is used in Malachi 1:4 and 24 times in the Book of Malachi. The English word “host” comes from the same root word as “hostile.” Malachi didn’t really use the title as a threat, but the threat is there in “Lord of Hosts.” We would do well to remember there is no middle ground with God. We are for Him or against Him. He deals with those who are both hot and cold, but He has less patience for the lukewarm – He spits them out.
“My name” is another common phrase in Malachi (1:6,11,14; 2:2,5; 3:16; 4:2).
Dishonoring God’s name was another big sin that Malachi addressed. Giving less than our best dishonors God’s name. Service, time, finances – all must be done to the glory of God. Breaking vows dishonors God’s name. Doing the Lord’s work merely for wages or for what we get out of it dishonors God’s name.
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
Malachi 2:9
The First Sunday School Class
August 5, 2020 at 12:59 pm | Posted in Biblical firsts, Luke | 4 CommentsTags: bodily resurrection, commentary on Luke, Jesus in the Bible, Luke 24, Resurrection of Christ, Resurrection of Jesus, road to Emmaus, Sunday School, Sunday School lessons on Luke
The first people to find that Jesus’s tomb was empty were women.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
Luke 24:10
Luke emphasized the role of women throughout his gospel and the Book of Acts. There are some modern scholars who use Luke 24:10 as a proof-text to support the modern trend of ordaining women pastrixes (despite I Timothy 2:12). They say that Mary Magdelene was an Apostle because she delivered the good news of the Resurrection. Of course, having first-hand news about Jesus that other people didn’t yet have did not qualify these women for Apostleship, but it did qualify them as being witnesses. It is very important to remember two things: (1) The Bible limits the church offices that women can hold; and (2) Women can’t be pastors or deacons, and they are not supposed to hold positions of authority over men in the church. Women can’t be those things, but they can and MUST be witnesses. That means sharing the Truth with people who need to hear it. Witnesses are people who tell the truth about what they have seen and heard – and what has happened to them. They tell people what Jesus has done and what He is doing. Women are not inferior. They are equal to men. They are loved by God. They are just as valuable to God as men are. Submission is not about worth. It is about order and obedience – things which please God. God loves loving, warranted submission.
Does it seem strange that God would arrange to have women be some of the first witnesses to the Resurrection?
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Luke 24:11-12
This is one of the pieces of solid evidence that the Resurrection is not a story made up years later as part of a conspiracy. Women weren’t even allowed to testify in court in those days. If Christians were making this up, there is no way they would have had women as the first eyewitnesses of the empty tomb. We might wonder if that’s one of the reasons Peter ran so fast: “Who’s going to believe the women??”
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:13-27
This is the first time we see Jesus in Luke after His death. He had just been through the worst torture, pain, and undeserved punishment of all time. He had just gone down into the grave and defeated death. He had spoiled principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of Satan and the powers of darkness. And what is the first thing He wanted to do after His Resurrection? Have a feast? A banquet? A victory parade? Give a speech to throngs of people? Take a vacation? No, He found two Christians, opened the Word of God, and taught a Bible lesson! Now, granted, it must have been the world’s best Bible lesson of all time – but still! Basically the first thing Jesus does is have Sunday School! In Sunday School we get together with a group of like-minded believers and we talk about the Bible.
Look at His teaching technique:
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:27
That’s why, as long as I’m teaching Sunday School, I am going to teach the Bible as if the whole thing is about Jesus. Because that’s the way Jesus did it – and that’s the way it is. The Bible – from beginning to end – from cover to cover – is about the Lord Jesus. In the Old Testament there are types and shadows of Him, and there are events and laws and judgments and prophecies which point to Him. He even showed up personally a few times. So when Genesis 3:15 says that a Redeemer is promised, that’s really about Jesus. When Moses parts the Red Sea and delivers the Israelites from bondage, that’s really about Jesus delivering us. When Abraham almost kills the son of promise – Isaac – and then spares him, that’s really about Jesus NOT getting spared when He takes our place. When the manna comes down from Heaven, that’s really about Jesus coming down from Heaven. When David kills Goliath, that’s really about Jesus defeating giants of sin and death and wrath. When Samson picks up the enormous city gates and carries them 30 miles away, that’s really about Jesus carrying our sins as far as the east from the west. When Jonah gets swallowed by a giant fish and goes down into the sea and then gets spit back up to go preach to the sinners in Nineveh, that’s really about Jesus going down into the grave and coming back up to preach the truth to sinners like you and me. When Noah and his family get into the ark to escape the worldwide flood of God’s wrath, that’s really about Jesus being our ark and the only safe place we can get into to avoid God’s wrath.
I can hardly read the Bible anymore without seeing the Lord Jesus on every page. When I teach lessons on marriage in adult Sunday School, they are not about buying flowers and writing love notes and getting romantic in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night to keep it fresh in your relationship (although those things may be helpful). No, they are about how marriage is really about Jesus and His Gospel – because it is! That’s what – that’s Who – the Bible is about! Jesus is the main character, the hero, the author, the finisher, and the reason for the whole thing!
Cleopas and his friend went to see the other disciples to tell them – with their hearts burning – that Jesus was alive, and:
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Luke 24:36
Jesus had a glorified body.
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
Luke 24:37
They didn’t believe that a real dead body could come back to life.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luke 24:38-39
He set about proving that His body was a real physical body.
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Luke 24:40-42
The Gnostics would later try to promote the heresey of Jesus’s alleged “spiritual,” but not bodily, Resurrection. His hands and His feet showed the marks of His Crucifixion in the same body, and disembodied spirits don’t eat fish and honey.
And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:43-45
Then He did it again. He taught another Sunday School lesson – a lesson about Jesus in the Bible.
Idolatry and Sarcasm
August 3, 2020 at 9:38 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsTags: Biblical sarcasm, commentary on Jeremiah, idol worship, idolatry, Jeremiah 10, sarcasm, sarcasm in the Bible, Sunday School lessons on Jeremiah
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Jeremiah 10:2
In Christian apologetics, or in proclaiming Bible truth, is it ever acceptable to use sarcasm? For the most part we are commanded to be respectful, humble, considerate, even meek, but, although it must be used very sparingly, and though it certainly should not be our default position, sarcasm is a tool in the Christian’s apologetic and even evangelical toolbox. Elijah used it when confronting the prophets of Baal, suggesting that their god was not answering their ecstatic pleas because he was having a nap or perhaps off to the restroom. John the Baptist used it, accusing the Pharisees of coming out to the River Jordan not to observe his baptism methods, but as vipers who came to escape the fire of God’s judgment in the water. Paul used sarcasm when he intimated that if the Judaizers were so passionate about circumcision being necessary for salvation, then they shouldn’t just stop with a partial cutting, but they should keep cutting until they were in no condition to bother him any more. Even Jesus occasionally – very occasionally – used a form of satire when He accused judgmental people of having a plank in their eye, and rich people of having a harder time humbling themselves to receive salvation than a camel would have fitting through the eye of a needle.
Here in Jeremiah 10 – and elsewhere in the prophets and the Psalms – God Himself pointedly mocked the practice of graven idol worship.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Jeremiah 10:3-5
So how do we know when to use sarcasm? The main determining factor seems to be when the opposing position is not worthy of serious debate. Claims such as molecules-to-man evolution, whether Jesus even existed, and whether a man should be encouraged to identify as a woman are so irrational – so logically bankrupt and downright silly to anyone with a modicum of common sense – that they really don’t deserve a hearing in the forum of public debate. We should expose them as ridiculous nonsense and hoot them off the stage, and this was what the Lord was doing with the practice of graven idol worship.
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
It is not only right to fear the Lord; it also makes perfect sense. He is not some minor tribal deity. He is not in competition with other national gods.
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Jeremiah 10:8-9
The essence of idolatry is worshiping the created instead of the CreatOR. It’s when, because people find it impossible not to worship something, they prefer to worship a substitute, and it’s really a charade, because deep down they know that the substitute is man-made. It is dependent on man for its deity, thereby making man the real false deity. It is the ultimate deception, delusion, and diabolical activity: self-worship.
The Deep End 
Divorce and Robbery
August 31, 2020 at 4:23 pm | Posted in Malachi | 2 CommentsTags: commentary on Malachi, John 1, Luke 1, Malachi 2, Malachi 3, Malachi 4, Matthew 11, Matthew 17, Revelation 22, Sunday School lessons on Malachi
The prophet Malachi dealt with the sin of dishonoring God’s name. Another sin that he had to deal with was divorce
Malachi 2:11
Divorce was a violation of God’s covenant. It involved the breaking of vows, and hypocrisy.
Malachi 2:13-14
Divorce also violated God’s standard of purity.
Malachi 2:15-16
God’s will is to conform us to the image of His Son. He is the God of providence. We must use our garments to cover our families, and not tear the garments. God joins people together, and the tears can’t be patched with worldly cloth.
Malachi 2:17
This was the cry of a people with a strange attitude – especially people whose heart should have been changed. They were demanding what they THOUGHT they deserved. Do we really believe we are doing God’s will and obeying His law, but somehow He has failed to bless us? “Know Jesus, know peace” is a popular slogan, but to know Jesus is to also know mercy. When we have sinned, we should beg for mercy instead of demanding justice.
Malachi also addressed the sin of robbery. The people had robbed God Himself.
Malachi 3:8
They had also robbed themselves.
Malachi 3:12
Finally, they had robbed other people.
Malachi 3:12
Malachi 4:5
The Old Testament prophets were also preachers, and they are still preaching today, through the Bible. We need to remember their messages more than their personalities or even their miracles.
John 1:21
Matthew 17:10
John 1:25
John the Baptist was not Elijah, but he did come in the same spirit as Elijah.
Luke 1:17
Matthew 11:14
Revelation 11:3
Matthew 17:3
Some Bible students think the two witnesses of Revleation 11:3 are Elijah and Enoch (Genesis 5:24), based on the fact that they were both taken to Heaven without experiencing death (II Kings 2:11).
The Old Testament ends with a curse.
Malachi 4:6
But the New Testament ends with an end of curses.
Revelation 22:3