Book of John 20:1-31 May 20, 2023

 Book of John 20:1-31                                  May 20, 2023

 The Resurrection is the capstone of all events in the Bible

 Jesus conquest of death and His destiny, The Resurrection of the Messiah: the goal committed before the foundation of the world!

 Christianity’s most fundamental and certain event

 

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;  (26)  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,  (27)  Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

 

1. Lord Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures

2. that Jesus was buried,

3. Jesus rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

 

Three days and three nights (Mt 12:24): The sign of the Prophet Jonah: Resurrection before sundown Saturday.

 

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

 

 

The Resurrection

 

John 20:1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

 

Sunday before sunrise, still dark, Mary found the stone moved and entrance open.

 

John 20:2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

 

Notice, she thought someone took the body of Jesus and had to tell Peter and John.  She jumped to the wrong conclusion. She Forgot Jesus said He was going to be resurrected.

 

John 20:3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.

 

They left immediately to see with their own eyes what was done

 

John 20:4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.

 

The stone was rolled away to let the people in, not to let the Lord out!

John was younger than Peter, and outrun Peter, competitive enough to tell us this that he outran Peter.  Both ran hard.

 

John 20:5 And he {John}, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.

 

With linen cloth there, they realize no one stole the body

 

Did not go in or dared not go in, why: Jewish instinct: ceremonial defilement.

 

John 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,

 

Peter went into the tomb to get a good look. He carefully examined the place where Jesus’ body had been.  John wanted to stop and think about it but Peter went right in, his impulsiveness characteristic.

 

John 20:7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

 

The handkerchief around Christ’s head had not been thrown aside, as might have been done by a thief. It had been folded and laid aside. Perhaps the implication is that Christ did not rush out of the tomb, but left His grave clothes neatly folded.

 

The body was not embalmed. Jewish custom prohibited handling blood,

Buried quickly; wrapped with linen cloths and anointed with a sweet, gumlike ointment of spices and wrapped like a cocoon. The body was “mummified” up to the head; a napkin was placed over the skull. They saw the empty linen cloths.

 

John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.

 

John went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, the grave clothes and believed that Christ had been raised from the dead.  The distinctive arrangement of the burial wrappings convinced John.

 

John 20:9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

 

They did not understand the meaning of the resurrection.

What scripture: was quoted by Peter in Acts 2:27, in his sermon.

 

Psalms 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

 

The resurrection means that Jesus was

 

Romans 1:4  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

 

The resurrection means that we have assurance of our own resurrection

 

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

 

To me, the next 2 readings are one of the most important Scriptures, in the Bible that Jesus said in the upper room, Sunday evening.

 

Luke 24:44-45 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."  (45)  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

 

Do you really want to understand the Scriptures, Jesus just explained to us how to do it.   All the things written about Jesus must be fulfilled.

 

To understand what Jesus is saying and showing them how to read their Bibles this way. Put Jesus right into the middle of the Scriptures and related it to him.

 

Luke 24:46-47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,  (47)  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

John 20:10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

 

Did they leave to let Jesus’ mother know His body was not there, there were 2 witnesses, John and Peter to tell her {Deut 17:6}

 

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

 

John 20:11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.

 

Mary did not yet have the confidence that Jesus was resurrected, so she wept and because the body of Jesus was taken away.

 

John 20:12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.  Why?

 

Why 2.  This is the only place in Scripture where angels are “sitting.”  “So were the cherubim placed at each end of the mercy-seat: Interesting,  

 

Exodus 25:18-19 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.  (19)  Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.

 

John 20:13 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."

 

Notice, they said woman, all she wanted to know where they put the body of Jesus.

 

John 20:14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

 

She perceived, either by the looks and gesture of one of the angels, or by hearing a noise, that somebody was behind her. 

 

John 20:15 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."

 

Notice Mary did not recognize Jesus, and asked, where is the body.

 

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).

 

Mary turned herself: She had looked back at the tomb.  The sound of Jesus voice, Mary recognized the voice of Jesus. Jesus shows himself first to Mary, a woman as the first witness of His resurrection and not to one of the disciples, the men.

 

Isaiah 50:6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

 

Her eyes failed her, but her ears could not mistake that voice.  Watching a movie, do not recognized any actor {make up}, until they speak, then I think I know that voice and spend the 10 min trying to figure out who it is. 

 

The name, Rabboni, never applied to a man; reserved exclusively for God.

 

John 20:17 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.' "

 

Jesus has not ascended to His Father and Our Father, brethren {first time to call brethren, usually disciples or friends}.

Mary being ready and willing to obey the command of Jesus – she did.

 

This also shows that the resurrection body of Jesus was different, yet similar to His pre-resurrection body. It was definitely real and tangible, and shows Jesus was not a ghost. 

 

John 20:18 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 the Disciples

John 20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."  {doors were secured and locked}

 

Time wise: Evening: 6:00 - 9:00 PM Roman time, this was the evening of Jesus ascending to Our Father, right after Mary talk.  Same day that the tomb was found empty and Mary met the resurrected Jesus.

Jesus brought a word of peace, an assurance that there is no cause to fear.

 

John 20:20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

 

Jesus just proved that He was Jesus. The same body in which He died and was buried, and not subject to the same limitations as our present bodies.  This gives us some hint of the nature of our future body in the resurrection.

 

Women were there also during when Jesus came.

 

Luke 24:33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

 

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

 

Jesus just told and commanded the disciples commission to carry on Jesus’s work, not to begin a new one, including every believer into the world

 

John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.     {Became Saints}

 

Lord Jesus breathed on them and received the Holy Spirit and are now a new creation.  Same thing happen when Lord Jesus breathed on the first man and received the spirit in man.  Received power at Pentecost.

 

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

 

{Became spirit in man}

 

John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

 

Apostles were given this authority, not people today.  Only God can forgive sins: 

 

Mark 2:7 "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

 

Matthew 18:18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

 

This does not apply to Christians to-day, except in the sense that we retain or remit sins as we give sinners the Gospel. There is no instance in the New Testament of any apostle forgiving sins.

 

Peter (Acts 10:43) and Paul (Acts 13:38) both spoke on the authority of Christ. There is no question that the Apostles had special privileges, but these rights are not ours today, except preaching Jesus forgiveness of sins.

 

Jesus and Thomas

 

John 20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.   {Thomas was not criticized for his absence}

 

His Hebrew name, Thomas, and his Greek one, Didymus, which both signify a twin; and perhaps he was one.  Paul verse Saul.

 

 

John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

 

Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the closed room.  No doubt they told Thomas about it; hence his request.

 

John 20:26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"

 

John 20:27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

 

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

 

Thomas not only believed that Christ was risen from the dead, but he also saw that the Resurrection proved His deity.

 

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

 

Those who have not seen includes all who have believed in Christ since His ascension to the Father.  Jesus told Thomas to stop his unbelief and believe

 

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

 

The Purpose of This Book, Why John wrote it for us to believe

 

John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

John states the purpose of his book. His purpose was to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled God’s promises to Israel, then to the Church and to His Body. Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. By believing these things, a person obtains eternal life

John the Baptist, Repent - Baptism: May 13, 2023

 

John the Baptist, Repent - Baptism                                        May 13, 2023

 

We have covered individuals in the past, Let’s look at John the Baptist now.

We will find some interesting things about him and what Lord Jesus said about John the Baptist.  What he did, thoughts, actions, and character.

 

Is there anyone today, who is sounding the warning of sin to the leaders of the United States like John the Baptist did to the Jewish leadership.  I do not know of anyone today.  The group is very limited, The person would have to obey Jesus words and commands.  Important.

 

John the Baptist was of the most influential man in all of history.  John is a man who lived in the desert. Who ate locusts and wild honey, wore clothes from camel’s hair with a leather belt, and lived for one purpose alone, to point others to Jesus Christ.  A child of prophecy. Had a circle of disciples.

 

What type of man in the end times will be the one doing this, a very strong type of person.  Someone who is not afraid to speak up to the government leadership or their forces.  Preach repentance to the people.

 

John mission in life was to introduce Jesus as God’s promise Messiah, the hope for all mankind and ages.  John was to personally prepare the world for Christ’s arrival.  After Jesus came, John introduced Him to the world as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. It was this introduction that officially recognized the authority and endorsement of Jesus before the Jewish crowds and leaders, some of whom believed on Jesus, and many of whom did not.

Luke 1:14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

 

Luke 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

 

 

John was called a Nazirite. A Nazarite refrained from cutting their hair, drinking alcohol, touching dead bodies, and other things. There were at least 3 Nazirites in Scriptures who were dedicated from birth: Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. 

Luke 1:16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

 

Luke 1:17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

 

We will cover this in more detail when we go through the Book of Luke.

 

Luke 1:76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

 

Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,

 

Luke 7:28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."   {no. 1, greatest prophet of all time}

 

Remember, Jesus said, John was the greatest prophet ever born, there is no one greater than John the Baptist, think about it, that includes Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi.

 

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, (2) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

 

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."    {Jesus preached this also}

 

 

Mark 1:1-3 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, (2) as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" (3) "a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

 

Quotes from Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3.  {John preach what Jesus did}

 

In ancient times, a messenger was sent ahead to announce the coming of the king.

 

Mark 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

 

This is characteristic of a man of God, John, only one saying these things to the leadership and people.  What was John purpose: to bring people to repentance of their sins in their lives. 

 

Notice, John was preaching in the wilderness, not big cities, like Jerusalem.   Not standing on street corners, but where people had to come to him, and notice John was not going door to door.

 

Mark 1:5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

 

People Confessed their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Believe the Holy Spirit brought people to John to confess their sins.  The people hear about John and came from all Israel to hear him.

 

Notice, people were baptized after confessing their sins, but did not receive the Holy Spirit. 

 

We talked about the Apostle Paul had to lay their hands on individuals to receive the Holy Spirit and some to be re-baptized and have the laying of hands to receive the Holy Spirit. {Acts 19:1-5}  {Acts 8:17}

 

We can visualize people making the trip to the wilderness, with people waiting in line to be baptized by John.  Did John disciples help out, Jesus disciples did.  Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus, was there to hear John.

 

Acts 18:24-26 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 

 

(25)  This man had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.  (26)  So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

 

Notice, he knew the Way of the Lord Jesus from teaching by John.

 

Mark 1:6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

 

Clothing shows John rejected the leadership of the Jews at the time and wore clothing appropriate and ate food from the wilderness. 

 

Remember, John was of the priesthood and had a very strong religious training.  We do not eat locusts today, it does not look good to me.

 

Leviticus 11:21-22 Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth.  (22)  These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.

 

Interesting side view 

 

John 4:1-2 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (2) (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),

 

 

Therefore, refers to

 

John 3:26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"   {were they jealous}

 

John 3:28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'

 

John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

 

John 3:30 He {Jesus} must increase, but I {John} must decrease.

 

John not only had the force of Elijah’s personality, but dressed and had the same type clothing as Elijah did. 

 

 2 Kings 1:7-8 The king asked them, "What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?"  (8)  They replied, "He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite."

 

2 Kings 1:14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"

 

Zechariah 13:4 "And it shall be in that day that every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive.  

 

In the future, at the end time, false prophets.

Question, would any church leadership accept John, including the Church of God, today.  

 

John the Baptist, while in prison, questioned whether he had failed in naming Jesus as the Messiah.  Did John get down, depressed some, thinking he had failed in his mission. 

Do we get down, because of our circumstances.  Did this happen to the greatest man to ever live, John.  Not my opinion, but Lord Jesus words. 

 

Matthew 11:2-3 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples (3) to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"  {Luke 7:19-20}

 

Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  (5)  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.  (6)  Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."  {John needed encouragement, close to death}

 

Matthew 11:7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind. {Luke 7:23 blessed is he who is not offended because of Me}

 

John was steadfast in his preaching and message was clear and faith was strong, not wishie, washie like ministers today, who only want to give good feel, messages.

 

Matthew 11:8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

 

Matthew 11:9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

 

Other prophets foresaw the Messiah, but John the Baptist beheld Him, and ushered in His kingdom: fulfilling {Mal 3:1}.

 

What blessing did John receive:  pointed Jesus out with his finger; declared that Jesus was come; saw Jesus himself; showed Jesus to others; saw Spirit of God descending on him; baptized Jesus;

 

Jesus gave John a preference to all the prophets, ordinance of baptism to perform.  Notice, no recorded miracles performed by John. 

 

Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

 

John was more than a prophet in that he alone was the forerunner who announced the coming and presence of the Messiah, Lord Jesus.

 

So what did John really do:  Prepare Jesus way - That is, to prepare “the people;” to make them ready, by proper instructions, to receive Jesus, the Messiah.  Important, think about this again.

 

John was not as of the Jewish leadership, but was dress like, who, Elijah.

 

Matthew 11:11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

 

The violent take it by force means that violent people forcibly oppose the kingdom with their hostility against Lord Jesus. As Christ’s kingdom advances, so do the attacks against it, against believers in our Lord Jesus.  Especially from political leaders in governments and hate groups.

 

Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

 

Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

 

The prophets and the law refers to the Old Testament, which looks forward the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.

 

Because John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, the OT anticipated John’s ministry as well and closed with a new beginning for Lord Jesus and His Bride and Body.

 

Matthew 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

 

Just wondering, if Israel had repented, but they did not, then the prophecy  has not to be fulfilled.

 

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.  (6)  And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.  {future reference}

 

John the Baptist fulfilled the following:

 

Malachi 3:1 "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.

 

What are some of things John preached and promoted about Lord Jesus.

 

Mark 1:7  And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

 

John had to have a ministry before Jesus to have His ministry.  John life tells us what the future will be like.

 

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

John was talking to the leading religious leaders of their day, not in their churches, but in the wilderness.  This is why John was so scathing of the religious leaders: he knew they only wanted to rinse off their soiled feet, not cleanse or repent of their unrighteous souls.

Jesus and John same attitude with Jews.

 

Jesus said the same thing about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 

Matthew 12:34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

 

Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

 

Matthew 3:8-9 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,  (9)  and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

 

If church leaders say you have to belong to our church to be saved, then this is the first clue, they are worshipping a false god.  God is not bound by church politics, but by the body of Christ, the bride.

 

John basically preaches a message of repentance, but not to condemn.  Telling the USA leaders their sins, to repent of.  John was looking for change, not to condemn people.

 

John preaches and warns that the fruits of repentance are necessary.

 

Luke 3:9-10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."  (10)  So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?"

 

The people wanted to know what they are to do.  The people need a genuine change of mind results in a change of action in their lives, external change, or action for good to other people.  John teaching.

 

Luke 3:11-12 He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."  (12)  Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"  {who does this sound like now}

 

Luke 3:13-14 And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you."  (14)  Likewise, the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."

Luke 3:16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

Luke 3:19-20 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, (20) also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

 

Mark 6:20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

 

John was not afraid to tell the king he needed to repent.  John was put in prison by the ruler, King Herod.  John died for the message he preached by the political leaders of his time.

 

We are living in a time and have a government that religious freedom of speech will be overrule by politically correct speech. It is happening now.

 

Matthew 14:10 So he {Herod} sent and had John beheaded in prison.

 

Matthew 17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."

 

Why, because the people and the disciples expected a conquering king, not suffering servant. Do you think the disciples believe Jesus will be raised.

 

Matthew 17:10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

 

Matthew 17:11 Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.

 

The fact that Christ used the phrase will restore all things indicates that the prophecy still has a future fulfillment. Someone will come in the end time.

 

Matthew 17:12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."

 

Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

 

Jesus summary about John life

 

Matthew 21:32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

 

We will need a John the Baptist spirit at the end time.  This type of Prophets obeys God even when the government tells them to stop saying these things.

 

Prophets have said some very offensive things even we might not want to hear.  not politically correct.  they will say offensive things to the people but telling the truth.

 

Satan is now stirring up all the anti-religious group against the Believers of Jesus.  So, we {as a Nation and individuals} have been warned not to sin and repent of that sin. Will we see someone like John the Baptist or someone like the 2 witnesses, give the final warning against the nation.   We, as a group, are in for a bumpy ride for the next few years. 

Book of John 19:18-42: May 6, 2023

 

Book of John 19:18-42                                May 6, 2023

 

The Romans delivered Jesus to be crucified.

 

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

 

These other two men were thieves, robbers, rebels or bandits, depends on the translation.  Bad dudes, were they probably members of Barabbas gang, guilty of the same crimes.

 

According to Roman custom, Jesus had to carry His cross on His shoulders, from the place of sentencing to the place He was crucified.

 

The Romans crucified Jesus because the Jewish Leadership wanted Jesus dead:

 

Psalms 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

 

Crucifixion: causes suffocation only relieved by the legs pushing up, very painful. Slow death (up to nine days). 

 

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

 

It was a Roman custom to write the name of the condemned person and his crime on a plaque to be placed above his head at the execution and carried it around his neck to the place of execution..

 

Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews”: The plaque was written By Pilate himself.  Remember, Jews curse anyone who followed the Nazarene in their services.  

 

John 19:20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

 

In three languages: Latin, official language of the empire; Greek, common international and current language; and Hebrew, the language of the country.  Everyone could read the message in his or her own language.

 

Many Jews read this title, so people going to Jerusalem for the Passover, since the cross stood by the roadway.  Romans wanted to make public examples to deter others from committing the same crimes.

 

John 19:21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."

 

Chief Priests was probably Caiaphas and Annas.  They objected to Jesus being called King of the Jews. They did not want a messianic designation connected with Him.

 

Wondering, is this when the chief priests of the Jews are no longer God’s Priests?  The resurrection of Jesus is our High Priests and start of the Church of God, for the Saints.

 

Therefore. Now that the Priests have got what they wanted out of Pilate {death of Jesus} they see that in granting it, Pilate has insulted them publicly before the thousands present at the Passover,

 

John 19:22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

 

Pilate refused to make any change the wording.

The Roman laws forbad a sentence to be altered when once pronounced; and as this inscription was considered as the sentence pronounced against our Lord Jesus, therefore, it could not be changed.  A Messianic proclamation for Jesus was officially acknowledged by the personal representative of the ruler of the world.

 

Pilate fastened upon the Jews the hated name of the Nazarene as their King.

 

John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

 

According to Roman law, the garments of a condemned criminal belonged to the executioners.  Jewish traditions dictated that men ought not to be publicly executed completely naked, and men condemned to stoning were permitted a loin-cloth.  Stephen?

 

Soldiers took Jesus garments:

 

Psalms 22:18 they divide my clothing among themselves; they cast lots for my clothing!

 

John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "THEY DIVIDED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS." Therefore the soldiers did these things.

 

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His {Jesus} mother's sister, {Salome} Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

 

John omits the name of his own mother Salome, who was there also.  Mary witness the pain, suffering and death of her Son,

 

Luke 2:35 {Simeon prophecy for Mary} (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

 

Matthew 27:56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

 

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"

 

·      Was this the parting words to His mother

·      Jesus just told John to provide for Mary, His mother

·      Mary did have other children (Mt 13:55, 56;).

·      To take care of her, Jesus knew John was going to live a long time.

 

John 19:27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

 

Jesus placed Mary in the care of John, His disciple and John’s aunt.

 

The Death of Jesus

 

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

 

There was a time before all things were accomplished.

 

Jesus said He thirst so that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 

 

Psalms 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

 

gall:  poisonous plant, like hemlock, poison, venom {When?}

vinegar:  sour wine

 

There are at least 28 prophecies fulfilled while Jesus was hanging on the cross

 

John 19:29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.

 

Interesting side – was Jesus up high as all the pictures show. 

 

hyssop, and put it to his mouth — Though a stalk of this plant does not exceed 12 to 24 inches in length, it would suffice, as the feet of crucified persons were not raised high.

 

Actually, the Hyssop is a brightly colored shrub or subshrub that ranges from 12 to 24 in height.  Thoughts of Passover Lamb

 

Could it be, Jesus accepted a taste of greatly diluted wine, to wet parched lips and a dry throat so He could make one final announcement to the world with a clear, loud voice

 

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.

 

Jesus gave up His spirit: Having fulfilled every command of the Father and every prophecy of Scripture, Jesus voluntarily died.

 

No one took Jesus’ life from Him; He, in a manner unlike any man, gave up His own spirit.

 

John 10:17-18 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  (18)  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

 

“It is finished”: Tetelestai – just means, concluded, discharge a debt, make an end.  Accomplished.

Jesus’ final words. Cry of the Victor lips.  not defeated.

 

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

 

 

 

 

Colossians 2:13-14 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  (14)  having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

 

nailed … to the cross: Not only were our personal sins forgiven at the Cross, but those rules that condemned us have also been removed by the death of Christ.

 

The moment of His death was the moment of our salvation.

 

Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  (4)  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

Jesus willingly and deliberately surrendered His life for us.

 

Bowing His head: This speaks of a peaceful act, like lying down on a pillow to sleep. Jesus did not hang His head in defeat; He bowed His head in peace.

 

Jesus' Side Is Pierced

 

John 19:31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day {Wednesday afternoon}, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day) {Thursday}, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

 

For that sabbath day was a high day”: 1^st High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This breaking of the legs must have been terrifying for a man still alive on a cross.

 

bodies should not remain on the cross: It is interesting that in the midst of a deliberate murder of Jesus, the Jews were very strict about keeping the ceremonial law. According to Jewish law

 

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 "If a man is guilty of a capital offense, is executed, and then is impaled on a tree, (23) his body must not remain overnight on the tree. You must bury him that same day, because cursed of God is the one who has been hanged on a tree. Don't defile your land that the LORD is about to give you as your inheritance."

 

Just wondering, capital offense in Israel was mainly by stoning, not impaled on a tree.  Could this be a prophecy about Lord Jesus.

 

Four types of capital punishment: a) stoning, b) burning by ingesting molten lead, c) strangling, and d) beheading, each being the punishment for specific offences.

 

It was necessary to remove the bodies of executed criminals before sunset, because the High Sabbath Day.

 

John 19:32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.

 

The Jews wanted their death to be done quickly because of the High Sabbath day, Pilate consents that the legs of the victims should be broken in order to hasten death, so that the bodies might be taken down and burned in the valley. The legs were crushed with a hammer like a sledge and the shock would bring speedy death.

 

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

 

“They broke not his legs”: Bones not broken. Soldier did not follow instructions! The Passover Lamb was not to have a bone broken

 

Exodus 12:46 In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.  {Passover Lamb}

 

Numbers 9:12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it.

 

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Blood and water came out: indicating that Jesus was already dead. Only blood would have flowed from a living body.

 

Jews Passover: wine mixed with warm water?  Seder meal, wine has added water to it.

 

Cause of death: ruptured (broken) heart, massive heart failure  

 

Psalms 69:20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

 

John 19:35 And he who has seen has testified, {John himself} and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

 

The Apostle John is giving an eyewitness account of what he saw and heard.  John must have been pretty near the cross to have been able to distinguish between the blood and the water, as they flowed from the side of Jesus.

 

John gave solemn assurance that he was present at the crucifixion of Jesus and saw these things with his own eyes, why, so we may believe.

 

John 19:36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "NOT ONE OF HIS BONES SHALL BE BROKEN."

 

Psalms 34:20 He {Lord} guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.

 

Matthew 27:51-53 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,  (52)  and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  (53)  and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

 

Why is this interesting, these Saints were raised after Jesus resurrection, what 3 days after His death.

 

 

John 19:37 And again another Scripture says, "THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED."

 

Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

 

Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will answer, 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.'

 

Proving that Jesus is the Messiah, both the lack of broken bones and the piercing of His side fulfilled prophecies recorded in the OT

 

Jesus is Buried

 

John 19:38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.

 

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich member {Matt 27:57} a prominent Jewish council member {Mar 15:43}: Access to Pilate. Not just anyone could get direct access to Pilate! 

He was an Uncle of Jesus, a family member, was Influential with Pilate, remember, Joseph provided Tin to the Romans from England on his ships.

 

John 19:39 And Nicodemus {a ruler of the Jews}, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

 

Both Nicodemus and Joseph were members of the Sanhedrim. Only John mentions that he aided Joseph in the burial.

 

A hundred pounds was a large amount. Nicodemus intended to cover Jesus’ entire body with exceeding costly spices, a common burial custom and carried by his servants. 

 

John 19:40 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.

 

The women who witnessed this burial returned home to prepare spices and ointments to finish the procedure later (Lk 23:56).

 

Could it be that they found after examining Jesus entire body, found broken pieces of thorn all over the head. They saw His bloody, matted hair; the terrible bruising of the face, the areas of beard pulled out, the dry and cracked lips.

 

They turned the body over to see His shoulders and arms are riddled with wood splinters; each one was removed with care. The back, from the shoulders down, was a bloody open wound from the terrible scourging suffered before the crucifixion. His hands and feet were smashed and bloodied.

 

On the front – just beneath the rib cage – there was a gaping wound made from the spear thrust that confirmed His death.

 

John 19:41 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.

Matthew 27:59-60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  (60)  and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

 

Interesting, Preparing for his own family death, a rich man.

 

This too was a fulfillment of a prophecy: The Messiah would be buried in a rich man’s grave.  Did there 2 Pharisees, experts in the law, know that they were fulfilling prophecy.

 

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

 

The door to the tomb was typically made of a heavy, circular shaped stone, running in a groove and settled down into a channel, so it could not be moved except by several strong men. This was done to ensure that no one would disturb the remains.

 

John 19:42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

 

Acts 13:29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

 

Mark 15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

 

This burial gave both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus a way to proclaim as a witness that Jesus was dead, and they inspected Jesus body and prepared it for burial.  Two witness of Jesus death.