Sunday, February 25, 2018

Jesus Final Week


Jesus Final Week                                            February 24, 2018 

As we approach Passover this season, how do we prepare to observe it?  One of the ways we need to prepare ourselves by asking this question, can I recount the basic story of Jesus and His disciples leading to His arrest, trial, execution and resurrection?  I would like for us to do this is by looking at the final week before the Passover what Jesus and the disciples went through.  A summary review of this time. 

John 11:54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.  {3} 

Nisan 8         (Thursday) 

Spends the night in Bethany, Mary Anoints Jesus   {2} 

John 12:1-2 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. (2) There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 

John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

Nisan 9          (Friday) 

Jesus triumphant entrance into Jerusalem   {4} 

John 12:12-13 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' The King of Israel!" 

Luke 19:28-30 After Jesus had said this, he traveled on and went up to Jerusalem. (29) When he came near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on ahead (30) and said, "Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter, you will find a colt tied up that no one has ever ridden. Untie it, and bring it along.  {4,6,7} 

Matthew 21:7-9 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. (8) And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (9) Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"  {2 animals – set on two) 

2 mile journey to Jerusalem from Bethany, where Jesus stays each night    {2} 

John 11:18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 

Nisan 10   (Sabbath) 

Early in the morning, leaving Bethany 

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree on way into city 

Matthew 21:18-19 ISV  In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, he became hungry.  (19)  Seeing a fig tree by the roadside, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. He told it, "May fruit never come from you again!" And immediately the fig tree dried up. 

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem  

Luke 19:41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 

Jesus Cleanses the Temple 

Matthew 21:12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 

Luke 19:46-48 He told them, "It is written, 'My house is to be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a hideout for bandits!" (47) Then he began teaching in the Temple every day. The high priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him, (48) but they couldn't find a way to do it, because all the people were eager to hear him. 

Returns to Bethany, about 2 miles 

Nisan 11   (Sunday) 

Leaves Bethany  {2}   It looks like Jesus had to go over Mt. of Olives 

Finds the fig tree withered 

Mark 11:20-21 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  (21)  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." 

Judas bargains with Sanhedrin to betray Jesus 

Luke 22:3-4 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. (4) So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.

Spends the night in Bethany 

Nisan 12   (Monday) 

Matthew 26:2-5 "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."  (3)  Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,  (4)  and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.  (5)  But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." 

Nisan 13   (Tuesday) 

Jesus Anointed at Bethany 

Matthew 26:6-7 While Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, (7) a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on his head while he sat at the table. 

Luke 22:8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal." 

Nisan 14   - Night part  (Wednesday)  

Jesus has the Passover with the Disciples 

Luke 22:14-15 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. (15) Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 

Luke 22:19-20 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (20) Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives   {7} 

Luke 22:39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 

Luke 22:41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 

Luke 22:47-48 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. (48) But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 

Nisan 14   - Morning - Day part (Wednesday) 

The Trials of Jesus Christ  

First trial, before Annas [nightime hours]; Annas is looking for an accusation, biding time till Sanhedrin is gathered at High Priest villa 

John 18:13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 

Second [and primary] trial before Sanhedrin, Jesus is condemned, misused. 

John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 

Third trial, immediately at dawn [meanwhile, Peter denies Jesus a third time, then Jesus taken to Romans 

John 18:27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed. 

John 18:28 Then Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters early in the morning. The Jews did not go into the headquarters, to avoid becoming unclean and unable to eat the Passover meal. 

Fourth trial before Pilate [till "beginning at Galilee"] 

John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 

Fifth trial before Herod [looks for miracle] 

Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 

6th trial before Pilate  

Luke 23:23-24 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. (24) So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 

The Crucifixion 

Jesus is scourged; the city cries, "Crucify Him" 

John 19:1 Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and whipped. 

John 19:15 Then they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Should I crucify your king?" The high priests responded, "We have no king but Caesar!"  

Jesus is finally turned over to be crucified 

John 19:16 Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified, and they took Jesus away. 

Judas hangs himself 

Matthew 27:5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. 

Jesus bears His cross to gate on north of city and is crucified around 9 am 

John 19:16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. 

John 19:18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 

John 19:19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And he writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

"Woman, behold thy son..."  

John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" (27) Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 

"My God, My God..."  

Matthew 27:46  About three o'clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, eli, lema sabachthani?", which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 

"I thirst" 

John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 

"It is finished"   Jesus gives up His Spirit 

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

Temple veil was torn 

Mark 15:37-38 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  (38)  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 

Jesus' side pierced 

John 19:33-34 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. (34) But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 

Nisan 15   First Day of Unleavened Bread – High Day 

Jesus buried by sundown 

John 19:40-42 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (41) Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. (42) So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. 

Nisan 16 – Friday (week day 

Women purchase items to complete the burial preparation 

Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 

At the request of the Jewish leadership, Pilate grants a guard and sets a seal on the tomb of Jesus 

Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 

Nisan 17 – Sabbath (weekly) 

Luke 23:56 Then they went back and prepared spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. 

Matthew 27:62-65 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, (63) saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' (64) Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." (65) Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."

Matthew 27:63 and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.' 

Nisan 18 – Sunday 

Mary Magdalene gives a message to the disciples 

John 20:1 On the first day of the week, early in the morning and while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and noticed that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 

John 20:13-15 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." (14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." 

John 20:16-18 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). (17) Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' " (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples in the upper room 

Luke 24:36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." 

The Ascension of Jesus at Bethany 

Luke 24:50-51 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. (51) Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 

Acts 1:3 After he had suffered, he had shown himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during a period of 40 days and telling them about the kingdom of God. 

Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 

Next week:  read Mark 14, as we will cover the last week of Jesus life.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Mark 6:14-34 Unbelief of Jesus Enemies


Mark 6:14-34   Unbelief of Jesus Enemies        February 17, 2018 

God takes unbelief seriously. So should we.  Chapter 6 Outline.  This is what is covered in Chapter 6 

      The Unbelief of His Friends           Mark 6:1-13

      The Unbelief of His Enemies             Mark 6:14-34

         The Unbelief of His Disciples         Mark 6:35-56 

Herod Antipas, as we know, King Herod, let’s talk about Him 

King Herod was a son of Herod the Great by his Samaritan wife Malthace.  

When Herod the Great died, the Romans divided his territory among his three sons; Antipas was made ruler of Galilee, and reigned during the whole period of Jesus life on earth. 

*Luke 23:7 When he learned with certainty that Jesus came from Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. 

He was a Very bad guy as we would say today. 

He had married the daughter of King Aretas IV and then had divorced her so he could marry Herodias the wife of his half brother Herod Philip. It was a wicked alliance. Jesus called him “that fox.”   This was later on in Jesus ministry.  

*Luke 13:31-32 At that hour some Pharisees came and told Jesus, "Leave and get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you!" (32) He told them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Listen! I am driving out demons and healing today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will finish my work.   

Some good Pharisees came – who?  Joseph and Nicodemus? 

Herod wants to kill you! and Go and tell that fox 

The Death of John the Baptist 

Mark 6:14  King Herod heard about this, because Jesus' name had become well-known. He was saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead! That's why he is able to do these miracles." 

*Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch {tet-raw-ch}, hearing about the fame of Jesus,  

*Luke 9:7 Now Herod the tetrarch {tet-raw-ch}, heard about everything that was happening. He was puzzled because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 

Tetrarch {tet-raw-ch}, – means the ruler of a fourth part of the country 

King Herod confusion comes from his own guilty conscience was bothering him. (Mark will give us a flashback to fill in the background)  Looking back on what happen to John the Baptist. 

Heard about this:  the activity of the disciples; what they are doing 

Just a side comment:  Emperor Augustus denied the title “king” to Herod. Herod pressed for the title again and again until he so offended the emperor’s court.  The title King Herod was the local custom of the area to call him king. 

Mark 6:15  Others were saying, "He is Elijah." Still others were saying, "He is a prophet or like one of the other prophets." 

*Luke 9:8 by others that Elijah had appeared, and by still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. 

Why did they think Jesus was Elijah or the Prophet Mosses.  They expected him to return. 

*Malachi 4:5 Pay attention! I'm sending Elijah the prophet to you before the great and dreadful Day of the LORD comes, 

Moses said: 

*Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me for you from among your relatives. You must listen to him. 

Mark 6:16  But when Herod heard about it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised,"  (Why)  

*Matthew 14:2 told his servants, "This is John the Baptist! He has been raised from the dead, and that's why these miracles are being done by him." 

*Luke 9:9 Herod said, "I beheaded John. But who is this man I'm hearing so much about?" So Herod kept trying to see Jesus. 

Mark 6:17  because Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom Herod had married. 

*Matthew 14:3 Herod had arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 

In prison: Probably Machaerus Prison, on the cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. 

Mark 6:18  John had been telling Herod, "It's not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  (Why) 

*Leviticus 18:16 "You are not to have sexual relations with your brother's wife. She's the nakedness of your brother. 

*Matthew 14:4 John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 

Mark 6:19  So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she couldn't do it   (because Herod refused to approve it) 

Hell has no fury like a woman scorned:  Saying from line in the play The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve, (pure hate against John) 

Mark 6:20  because Herod was afraid of John. He knew that John was a righteous and holy man, and so he protected him. Whenever he listened to
 
John, he did much of what he said. In fact, he liked listening to him. 

Is that not why we like to listen to some speakers and not others.  Listening one thing, but do what they are saying.  Herod continues sending for John, at times, during his imprisonment, which continued a year and a half. 

Herod’s feelings toward John are mention by Mark only.  Amazing: This monarch feared his prisoner. He privately listened to him preach.  Think about it.  Also, Matthew also said he was afraid of the people. 

*Matthew 14:5 Although Herod wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, (Why) since they regarded John as a prophet. 

Interesting, is this an example where seed fell upon stony places? 

Mark 6:21  An opportunity came during Herod's birthday celebration, when he gave a banquet for his top officials, military officers, and the most important people of Galilee.  {while in Jerusalem} 

Perfect time for the execution of the plans of the vengeful woman 

Mark 6:22  When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. So the king told the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." 

*Matthew 14:6-7 But when Herod's birthday celebration was held, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests. She pleased Herod (7) so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. 

The step daughter name was Salome (from Josephus) was still unmarried at this point and danced in a sexy way to please Herod and the rest. Her father was Philip.  This is why she could please Herod and his guests.  

The Jews would not have permitted a woman of rank to dance before a group of men. Most Gentile mothers would have forbidden the daughters to do what Salome did. 

Mark 6:23 He swore with an oath to her, "I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom."   

Most Bible writers believe it is a figure of speech, making a grand public jester because of her dance.  An expression meaning a large amount but with limits  

Mark 6:24  So she went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist." 

*Matthew 14:8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me, right here on a platter, the head of John the Baptist." 

So sweet is revenge and is now possible, to kill John the Baptist comes out, was more to her, than to have half the king’s land.  Pure hate. 

Notice, her Mother was not there, she went out 

Mark 6:25  Immediately the girl hurried back to the king with her request, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 

Immediately; the reply of the girl shows that the mother had this planned out all along. She knew her husband and she knew the situation, and knew she could get what she wanted this way 

She answered right then, and said, I want, this is her choice. 

Right now:  do it right now and went back to the king with the answer.

Mark 6:26  The king was deeply saddened, yet because of his oaths and his guests he was reluctant to refuse her. 

*Matthew 14:9 Under pressure because of his promises and his assembled guests, the king ordered that it be done. 

Because Herod was afraid to cross his wife or lose face before his friends, he did something he knew to be wrong.  Talking about Painting yourself into a corner. 

Mark 6:27 So without delay the king sent a soldier and ordered him to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded him in prison. 

*Matthew 14:10 So he sent word and had John beheaded in prison. 

Mark 6:28  Then he brought John's head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 

*Matthew 14:11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. 

These leaders are sick. 

Mark 6:29  When John's disciples heard about this, they came and carried off his body and laid it in a tomb. 

*Matthew 14:12  When John's disciples came, they carried off the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 

In History, Herod was defeated in battle by his first wife father.  Agrippa accused him of treason against Rome, and he was banished into the distant Roman province of Gaul, where Herod and Herodias committed suicide

The prison where John was held was in the castle of Machaerus, 

Mark 6:30  The Apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.  (they just return from their missionary service) 

Apostles: this is the first occurrence in Mark. 

The Apostles gave Jesus an exact and full account of what miracles were wrought by them, what diseases they had cured, and what a number of devils they had cast out; and also what doctrines they had preached, and what success in all they had. 

*Luke 9:10 The apostles came back and told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them away with him privately to a city called Bethsaida. 

Mark 6:31 He told them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest for a while," because so many people were coming and going that they didn't even have time to eat.  (needed rest and food) 

Mark 6:32  So they went away in a boat to a deserted place by themselves. 

The Apostles needed rest. 

Mark 6:33 But when many people saw them leave and recognized them, they hurried on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 

*Luke 9:11 But the crowds found out about this and followed him. He welcomed them and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God and to heal those who needed healing. 

I expect we all have experienced this kind of a crazy schedule.  Jesus popularity is still growing. 

People notice and saw Jesus and disciples taking a ship, then the people started running round by the head of the lake, and taking one of the fords of the river, so as to meet Jesus, who was crossing with the Twelve by ship.  The grass land which skirts the eastern side of the lake 

*John 6:3 But Jesus went up on a hillside and sat down there with his disciples. 

Mark 6:34 When he got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 

The crowd came partly from the places where Jesus came from, and partly from the cities and towns adjacent. 

At the sight of the crowd who had followed Him by land and even got there before Him, He was so moved with compassion and felt like they were sheep without a shepherd.  That compassion led to action, despite an obvious lack of food in this instance. 

The people had no one to teach them and guide them. The priests and scribes were proud and corrupt; they despised the common people and neglected them. 

*Luke 9:11 But the crowds found out about this and followed him. He welcomed them and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God and to heal those who needed healing. 

*John 6:2 A large crowd kept following him because they had seen the signs that he was performing by healing the sick. 

*John 6:3-4 But Jesus went up on a hillside and sat down there with his disciples. (4) Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.

        (on a hillside and notice what time of year – Passover – Mar-Apr). 

Castle of Machaerus 


 

Pictures of Bethsaida