Book of John 12:16-30                        January 8, 2022

 Jesus Triumph Entry into Jerusalem symbolizing that Jesus is the Messiah.

 As the Scriptures is written:

 John 12:15 "Stop being afraid, people of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting upon a donkey's colt!"

 John 12:16 At first his disciples didn't understand these things. However, when Jesus had been glorified, they remembered that these things had been written about him and that people had done these things to him.

 The disciples did not catch the prophetic significance of Jesus’ act riding on a donkey.

 Remember riding a donkey was the animal of a man of peace, a priest, a merchant or the like. It might also be used by a person of importance but in connection with peaceable purposes. A conqueror or King would ride into the city on a war horse, or perhaps march in on foot at the head of his troops.

 After Jesus was glorified: After Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, the disciples with the Holy Spirit finally had their eyes open and now understood that the OT prophecies concerning the Messiah had been fulfilled in Jesus.

 Jesus rides a donkey now (fulfilling Zech 9:9).

Jesus rides on a white horse as a conquering Hero.

     Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your         king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

     Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and     dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

 John 12:17 So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify to what they had seen.

 It appears that the people who had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, were publishing and telling everyone in many countries around Jerusalem about the miracle, which increased the popularity of Jesus, and made the envy of the Jewish Leadership worse with deep hatred.

 The witness of the resurrection of Lazarus were declaring they were eye and ear witness of the whole, and that it was a truth that might be depended on.

 John 12:18 The crowd was going out to meet Jesus because they had heard that he had performed this sign.

 This was a main reason, among others, which cause people to come out with palm tree branches in their hands and great Jesus the king of Israel, and singing Psalms 118 as Jesus entered into the city:

     Matthew 21:8-9 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut         branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  (9)  The crowds that went             ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"                 "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

 They heard the many witnesses and the proofs they gave was so strong, they firmly believe it, being the most amazing miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead after four days.  Jairus’s daughter just died, Widow son was not buried when raised from the dead. 

 Jesus other miracles in some ways made very little impression on people, but this miracle of Lazarus had convinced even the Jewish Leadership.

 John 12:19 Then the Pharisees told one another, "You see, there is nothing you can do. Look, the world has gone after him!"

 ·      The Jewish Leadership observed the vast crowds that attended him and were filled with alarm.

·      The city was filled with uproar from the people. 

·      I am sure the Roman Leadership was not too happy about this happening.

The crowds adored Jesus because they believed that the raising of Lazarus from the dead proved that Jesus could be the conquering Messiah they longed for

After these verses, we can see why the Jewish Leadership wanted to hasten Jesus and Lazarus to be put to death.

The world, Indeed, have come to Jesus, More than the Jews, even Greeks.

Some Greeks Seek Jesus

John 12:20 Now some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival.

The fact that these Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship at the feast indicates that they were probably Jewish proselytes.

Perhaps John was hinting that the salvation rejected by many of the Jews was already passing to the Gentiles.

The Greeks would not be allowed to eat the Passover, unless they were proselytes

    Exodus 12:48 "A foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's             Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat it.

John 12:21 They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus."

·      Interesting, Maybe Jesus was in the part of the Temple where proselytes was not allowed to go. 

·      Maybe, Philip {has a Greek name} was out where they were. 

·      Probably this would be in the outer court of the Temple, called the Court of the Gentiles.

 Sir, we would see Jesus: Why does John mention them at this point? Because the King, Jesus has now been rejected by Israel.  Maybe they just wanted to find out more about Jesus, the great teacher from Galilee.

Who knows, they may have already knew Philip because of all the Greeks living in Galilee.

 John 12:22 Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

 Andrew {has a Greek name} was also of Bethsaida, and he and Philip seem to have been inseparable friends.  Philip had a Greek name, so the visitors wanting to see Jesus came to him; and he took the matter to Andrew, who also had a Greek name. (Whenever you find Andrew in John’s Gospel, he is bringing some-body to Jesus: What an example as a soul-winner!)

John 12:23 Jesus told them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Prior to this very moment, Jesus had stated 2 times that His hour had not yet come Now the time had come for Christ to die and be raised from the dead

John 2:4 "How does that concern us, dear lady?" Jesus asked her. "My time hasn't come yet."

         John 7:6 Jesus told them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.

 Did Jesus just tell this to Philip and Andrew only or was the Greeks there.  It depends on where they were in the Temple, Probably just the two, because they went to Jesus in the Temple.

 Jesus did not directly answer the disciples about meeting the Greeks.

 Jesus is saying he must die, then by rising from the dead, ascending to heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, and from there pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, who should go and preach the Gospel.

 ·      The Cross must come before Gentiles can have access to Christ.

·      The Gentiles recognized Him as king at both His birth and His death.  Remembering, Gentile men from the east was at the beginning at His birth  Gentile Greek men came to Jesus before His death.

 John 12:24 Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces a lot of grain.

Jesus is saying, life comes by death.  Jesus is saying He must die and his death would produce much fruit and would result in many living for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:36-38 You fool! The seed you plant does not come to life unless it dies, (37) and what you plant is not the form that it will be, but a bare kernel, whether it is wheat or something else.  (38)  But God gives the plant the form he wants it to have, and to each kind of seed its own form.

     ·      When a seed dies, it produces fruit. Life comes by death. This principle is true not only in nature, but it is also true spiritually.

·      Jesus was speaking first and foremost of Himself.

·      He is the grain of wheat. His death would produce much fruit and would result in many living for God.

Do we not die from baptism, burial, and come up out of the water and now we can produce righteous character and bear fruit, when we receive the Holy Spirit by laying on hands?

John 12:25 The one who loves his life will destroy it, and the one who hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

loves his life describes those who serve only themselves and Hates his life involves serving Christ. Each believer must establish his or her priorities in this life.   {simple instruction}

Luke 9:24 because whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Hebrews 11:13-16 All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth.  (14)  For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.  (15)  If they had been thinking about what they had left behind, they would have had an opportunity to go back.  (16)  Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.   {Are we longing for our change when Jesus Returns}

 John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. And where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."

     ·      Honor: This is a remarkable promise. The reward for serving Jesus is to receive honor from the Father.

·      This honor is both reward and recognition 

·      This is Jesus's direct answer to the Greeks.

·      Jesus service is to be rendered, not by secret interviews, but by obeying him, for so the word "follow" is to be understood.

·      Jesus is claiming the same following and subjection to Him from His disciples as He has yielded completely to the Father. 

·      The Father will give His Saints eternal glory. 

Revelation 3:21 To the one who conquers I will give a place to sit with me on my throne, just as I have conquered and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 

This is a chosen, willing service to be where Jesus is, that simply wants to be close to the Master. 

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up: The reason behind Jesus’ prayers. 

John 12:27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 

Psalms 6:3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long? 

Notice this is a few days before Passover that Jesus’ agony over His impending death was not just confined to the garden where He prayed 3 times.  

John 12:28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!" 

Voice from Heaven – encouragement and approval of Jesus 

The 3rd time God broke the silence of heaven, Glorify the Father Name 

·      The beginning of Jesus’ ministry—At His baptism, burial (Mk 1:11).

·      The beginning of the last trip to Jerusalem—At the transfiguration talking about Jesus death (Mk 9:7)

·      The beginning of the Final Week—At the Temple with a view of His death and triumphed (Jn 12:28). 

As Jesus thought of the cross was just a few days away, His main concern now was to glorify the name and character of the Father. 

Human History 

The saddest tragedy of human history (The Cross) was the purpose of His coming, and was also the greatest victory of all history. 

·      Purpose of all history (gathering His children – Jewish people);

·      Tragedy of all history (“would you not” – Recognize who Jesus was);

·      Triumph of all history (“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”; 

Matthew 23:37-39 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones to death those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!  (38)  Look! Your house is left abandoned!  (39)  I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'How blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'" 

Whatever we do should do, be in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

John 12:29 The crowd standing there heard this and said that it was thunder. Others were saying, "An angel has spoken to him." 

The Father answers from heaven that His Name has been glorified (through the obedient ministry of His Son, Jesus), and it will be glorified again (through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son, Jesus) 

It was not clear to all what was said; but hearing only a sound or unintelligible voice.  

Remember the Apostle Paul heard the voice of Jesus and understood what was said. 

Acts 9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 

Paul said later that the others that was with him did not understand 

Acts 22:9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 

It was the opinion of many of the Jewish people that God did not speak to men except by the ministry of angels, 

Why did they think an angel spoke these words? 

Hebrews 2:2-3 because if the message spoken by angels was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience received its just punishment,  (3)  how will we escape if we neglect a salvation as great as this? It was first proclaimed by the Lord himself, and then it was confirmed to us by those who heard him, 

Galatians 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 

Remember, the angels are the helper of our Lord Jesus and who is our mediator with Father today, but the Lord Jesus 

John 12:30 Jesus replied, "This voice is for your benefit, not for mine. 

·      The voice was for the benefit and sakes of John and the other disciples so they will know what was said. 

·      The voice was to confirm the faith of his disciples, who will and still stumbled over the prospect of his death.

·      Jesus had told the disciples the manner of his death, the overcoming of the devil and the world, and in conclusion his triumph. 

Jesus wanted to give the disciples proof that He is the Messiah; that you may remember it when I am departed, and be yourselves comforted, supported, and saved. 

Book of John 12:1-15, Why Palm Tree Branches November 13, 2021

 Book of John 12:1-15, Why Palm Tree Branches      November 13, 2021 

When we read the Scriptures, have wonder why something happens or what cause this or that. We will see some of these things today. 

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany, about 2 miles from Jerusalem 

John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus lived, the man whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 

John gave a time marker, telling us that this was the last week before the death and burial of Jesus. 

Almost one-half of John’s Gospel is given to this last week.

Jesus and the disciples just arrived at Bethany from city of Ephraim. 

John 11:54 As a result, Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews. Instead, he went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness. There he remained with his disciples. 

“Six days before Passover”: 8th of Nisan 

Notice, this was not at Martha / Lazarus home, but Simon the leper home (Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9), Lazarus eats and again Martha serves. 

Mark 14:3 While Jesus was in Bethany sitting at the table in the home of Simon the leper, a woman arrived with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 

Triumphal Entry, On the 10th of Nisan. Jesus was presented for approval for four days of inspection. 

On the 10th of Nisan: lambs presented for approval for four days of inspection (Ex 12:3-6). 

Exodus 12:3 Tell the entire congregation of Israel, 'On the tenth of this month they're each to take a lamb for themselves, according to their ancestors' households, one lamb for each household. 

Exodus 12:6 It is to remain under your care until the fourteenth day of this month, and then the entire assembly of the congregation of Israel is to slaughter it at twilight. 

John 12:2 There they gave a dinner for him {Jesus or Lazarus}. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 

What a dinner party that must have been!! …imagine…  Notice at someone else home, Martha was always busy and serving others and Mary was at Jesus feet. 

Is Jesus siting between two He probably has healed, Lazarus, who was guest and not the host, and Simon. 

John 12:3 Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume made of pure nard and anointed Jesus' feet. She wiped his feet with her hair, and the house became filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

Mary wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair: It was considered a disgrace for a woman to appear in public with her hair unbound, something a Jewish woman would rarely do, but it is very good example in the Scriptures of “pure worship.” 

Mary also poured the perfume on Jesus head in Mark 14:3. 

She took “a pound of ointment”: Murou (ointment); generic term for liquid perfume; nardou (spikenard) derived from Sanskrit term nalada, a particular very fragrant grown primarily in India; also, Syria. 

And pistikes (“faithful,” “reliable,” or “genuine,”) suggests the real thing. Perfume for both burial and wine. Pound: 12 oz.; 300 denarii; 25 denarii/oz or over $1000 per ounce. 

John 12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, who was going to betray him, asked, 

·      We are starting to see the temper and character of Judas. Interesting.

·      In a short time Judas would betray Jesus. His betrayal was so much darker when contrasted with the brightness of Mary’s devotion to Jesus.

·      Judas light was dark while Mary’s light was bright.

·      This only place I know of in the New Testament where Judas is mentioned as doing something evil other than his betrayal of Jesus, and even this was done in secret.

·      Judas successfully hid the darkness of his heart except from Jesus.

·      How many people has a religious façade that hides secret sin. 

John 12:5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 denarii and the money given to the poor?" 

Mary followed the custom of that time, to anoint the heads of guests. Anointing Jesus’ head was an act of honor; anointing His feet was a display of devotion. 

Judas broke the embarrassed silence with his sharp sense of financial values - but no appreciation of what God valued. 

This is horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded with covetousness, and yet pretending wanting to do good. 

John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 

Interesting, it seems the disciples did not have the remotest hint of his true character until a few minutes before he voluntarily separated himself from their group at the Passover Service, forever.  

Jesus defends Mary and explains what she did. 

Take from this:  It is much better to be like Mary (extreme in our love for Jesus) than to be like Judas (criticizing others who show such great love for Jesus).

John 12:7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 

·      Did Mary understand that Jesus was going to die, because Jesus has told them a number of times it was going to happen.

·      Whether Mary knew it or not, she was anticipating Jesus’ death, which would come within the week. 

·      She knew the Religious Leaders wanted Jesus dead. 

Mark 14:8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 

John 12:8 because you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me." 

Notice that Mary (alone?) was sensitive to what was about to occur this week 

Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. 

The Plot to Kill Lazarus and Jesus 

John 12:9 When the large crowd of Jews realized that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 

“Much people”: common folk (in contrast to the “leaders”). Some estimate over several million were present for the holidays 

·      Lazarus was a problem for the chief priests (Sadducees):

·      Why, Lazarus was a living example of life after death and having him around was an embarrassment to religious beliefs. 

·      Sadducees fundamental belief was that the dead are not raised. 

Luke shows who is in charge, high priest was a Sadducees 

Acts 5:17 Then the high priest and all those from the sect of the Sadducees who were with him were filled with jealousy. So they went out, 

John 12:10 So the high priests planned to kill Lazarus, too, 

Think of the mental anguish Mary and Martha had to go through with Lazarus again and now Jesus.  These are real people with emotions. 

·      The chief priests were mostly Sadducees.

·      They had an additional reason to kill Lazarus.

·      Again, He was a living proof that that their doctrine was false that there was no resurrection. 

·      High Priests planned to kill Lazarus, not the council or a formal sentence of death. 

·      The ultimate motivation for wanting to kill Lazarus was that because of him, many were believing in Jesus. 

John 12:11 since he was the reason why so many of the Jews were leaving to believe in Jesus. 

The Jewish leadership was losing individuals that were withdrawing from them.  Of the miracle which was wrought upon Lazarus, in raising him from the dead, of which he was a living example and witness to what happen. 

The Triumphal Entry 

Matthew 21:1-2 When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples on ahead and (2) told them, "Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them, and bring them to me. 

John 12:12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the festival {Passover} heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 

·      As a side, Josephus tells us

·      that one year a census was taken of the number of lambs slain for Passover, was 256,500. 

·      With that many lambs, they had to be driven up to Jerusalem throughout the entire day. 

·      You think as when Jesus enters the city, was there lambs all around Him, where Jesus was our Passover Lamb. 

·      Said 2,700,200 Jews who were pure and Holy: War of Jews, Bk 6, Ch 9 

Jesus was coming from Bethany, the fourth day before the Passover. 

Have you ever wonder, how did they get the Palm Tree Branches.

Did they have to climb the trees to cut the branches. See Pictures. 

John 12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! How blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!" 

And as that palm tree was a sign of joy and victory, people carried palm branches of it in their hands, as they met the King and Lord Jesus, who was about to make his public entrance into Jerusalem, in triumph:  

Palm branches and palms had been a symbol as a symbol of Jewish nationalism since the time of the Maccabees. 

Rededications of the Temple in 164 BC 

2 Maccabees 10:7 Brenton  Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs, and palms also, and sang psalms unto him that had given them good success in cleansing his place. 

Again, winning of full political independence was celebrated under Simon in 141 BC 

1 Maccabees 13:51 Brenton  And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel. 

Solomon also had Palm trees in the Temple 

1 Kings 6:29 Solomon also inlaid all the inner walls of the Temple—both the inner and outer sanctuaries; with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and blooming flowers. 

The millennium Temple will have palm trees engraved on many parts of the Temple. 

Ezekiel 40:16 Latticed windows faced the guardhouses, their side pillars within the gate all around, and also for the porches. Windows were placed all around inside, and the side pillars were engraved with palm trees.  {Ezekiel 41:18, 25, 26} 

Why is this important to us, because we will be doing this in the future. 

This will happen again in the future, with our Lord Jesus sitting on His Throne. 

Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and there was a crowd so large that no one was able to count it! They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing in front of the throne and the lamb and were wearing white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 

Are we going to be holding Palm Branches in our Hands in the future? 

Hosanna:  Translated, “Save now, I pray thee.” The Great Hallel, a series of Hebrew psalms (Ps 115-118). “Blessed is the King of Israel”: Fulfilled on the very day Gabriel predicted in Daniel Chapter 9.  “Palms”: The mark of triumph to a victor or king.  

John 12:14 Then Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written: 

This act fulfilled prophecy and as such was a symbolic proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. 

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

John 12:15 "Stop being afraid, people of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting upon a donkey's colt!" 

Luke 19:38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 

They are singing Psalm 118:  Declaring Jesus to be the Messiah and King 

Psalms 118:24-26 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.  (25)  LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!  (26)  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 

Luke 19:39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus, "Teacher, tell your disciples to be quiet." 

Again, any time we, may miss a point, the Pharisees come to our rescue. When they are upset, there is a reason which we need to understand. 

They understood what this means. 

Luke 19:40 He replied, "I tell you, if they were quiet, the stones would cry out!" 

Luke 19:41-42 When he came closer and saw the city, he began to grieve over it: (42) "If you had only known today what could have brought you peace! But now it is hidden from your sight, 

Luke 19:43-44 because the days will come when your enemies will build walls around you, surround you, and close you in on every side.  (44)  They will level you to the ground—you and those who live within your city limits. They will not leave one stone on another within your walls, because you didn't recognize the time when God came to help you." 

38 years later, in  A.D. 70, Titus Vespasian had the 5th, 10th, 12th, and 15th Roman Legions lay siege to Jerusalem. [38 years = the precise length of the wilderness wanderings (Deut 2:14)!] In 143 days 600,000 Jews were killed.  Historians estimate that over 1.5 million men, women, and children died from the siege and the famine and disease that followed. 

Why was Jerusalem destroyed in A.D. 70? Jesus held them accountable to know the prophecy of Daniel 9! 

Daniel 9:25-26 "Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.  (26)  After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 

Daniel 9:27 He will make a binding covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he will pause both the sacrifice and grain offerings. Destructive people will cause desolation on the pinnacle until it is complete and what has been decreed is poured out on the desolator.'" 

As a side: I read where the breaking of a glass at a Jewish weddings is to honor the fall of Jerusalem.

 

Book of Psalms 10:1-18 November 6, 2021

Book of Psalms 10:1-18                              November 6, 2021 

To me, this chapter is how wicked, the wicked, really are. 

We ask ourselves why does Jesus not take any action in our trials

We see an insight into the Lord Jesus why he become upset with the wicked. And what He will do about it. 

Psalms 10:1 Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble? 

Why are You So Far Away, Lord Jesus and Seems to Hide Yourself when Your Saints Needs You the Most? 

Interesting, as soon as we enter into a trial, we think God should help us right then, but that is not always his timeline for us.  Maybe we need to build some righteous character.  Remember, Job what he went through. 

Mark 4:38 But Jesus was in the back of the boat, asleep on a cushion. So they woke him up and asked him, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to die?" 

Psalms 10:2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. 

The Wicked are Proud and Makes Evil Plans in Pursuing the Weak and are Caught in Their Own Traps and Made to Suffer. 

It is hard to understand why the wicked persecutes the Saints, except they follow the way of Satan wanting to destroy the Lord’s Saints. Satan wants to be God. 

2 Thessalonians 2:4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary of God and himself declares that he is God. 

Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD. 

The wicked brag about the things they want and curse Jesus Name while showing that they reject and hate him. 

·      Jesus wicked enemies are able to boast in themselves and turn reality upside down by praising evil and renounces Jesus.

·      A boaster - a person who makes some remarks about himself as being superior to others, and looks with disdain or contempt on others, praising the wicked and using Jesus name in vain. 

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 

2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

Psalms 10:4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. 

The Wicked does not Seek after Lord Jesus because the Wicked say there is No God and Does Not Fit into Their Plans 

·      Is this by chance the person who without repentance may perish forever.

·      No Signs of Jesus in all their thoughts.

·      The sinner is unwilling, in any appropriate way, to acknowledge God.

·      Pride is the root of all atheism and all the reluctance there is to seek Jesus, Pier pressure.

·      Pride cause most of the misery and wickedness of the earth.

·      Satan was full of pride. 

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 

1 Timothy 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 

Psalms 10:5 His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

 It seems that the Wicked Seems to Succeed in Everything They do

and Makes Fun of all the Saints, their Enemy; this is Why the Wicked cannot Understand Lord Jesus's Judgments. 

·      The wicked are so blinded with sin, that they cannot see the wonders of Jesus’s creation.

·      Jesus judgements are the laws or the principles of Jesus government.

·      Jesus punishment inflicted on wicked people, does not mean anything to them, when Jesus should be a terror to them.  {Egyptians}

·      The wicked has such contempt for the Saints without remorse.

·      The security of the wicked fears neither Jesus or the Saints or people, 

Romans 3:13-18 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips."  (14)  "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."  (15)  "Their feet are swift to shed blood;  (16)  ruin and misery mark their ways,  (17)  and the way of peace they do not know."  (18)  "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 

Psalms 10:6 He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity." 

The Wicked Say in Their Hearts, Nothing Bad will ever Happen to Us; We will have Our Fun and Never Be Punished. 

Said in his heart:  means that this was the wicked deliberate and settled character. What is here described was no sudden thing, over time.

We know only those who stand on the sure foundation of God’s Word can confidently say, I shall not be moved

The saints will not be moved because they will stand on the sure foundation of Jesus’s Word 

Proverbs 10:25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 

Paul tells us: 

1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

Psalms 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. 

The Wicked Mouth is Full of Curses, Lies, and Fraud, Their Tongues spread Trouble, Mischief, Iniquity and Hateful, Evil Words. 

What a finished character this person has! A blasphemer, a deceitful, and dishonest person. 

James 3:8-9 but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.  (9)  With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in God's likeness. 

Psalms 10:8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. 

The Wicked Wait with Rich Men in Ambush in the Villages, Kill the Innocent in Secret, Wait and Watch with their Eyes for the Helpless Person 

·      The wicked are as oppressors.

·      They are similar to lurking beasts, ready to pounce on their prey.

·      The wicked have many ways to hide their cruelty and therefore should be even more feared. 

Revelation 9:21 They did not repent from their murders, their witchcraft, their sexual immorality, or their thefts. 

James 2:6-7 But you have humiliated the man who is poor. Are not rich people the ones who oppress you and drag you into court?  (7)  Are not they the ones who blaspheme the noble Name by which you have been called? 

Psalms 10:9 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. 

The Wicked is Like a Lion in a Secret Place as They Wait to Ambush the Helpless and then Drags Them Off in Their Net. 

This metaphor of the lion lying in wait secretly for his prey denotes the insidious methods used by antichrist to try to destroy the faithful witnesses, the Saints; who lies like a lion 

The wicked person is now described as a lion, lurking in his lair in the forest till his prey comes near. 

The wicked lies in wait to catch the poor - The helpless and defenseless, those who are babes in Jesus, new children of God. 

Ephesians 4:13-14 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  (14)  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 

Psalms 10:10 So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength. 

The helpless are crushed and sinks down and falls by the Wicked ones. 

·      We notice again the Psalms views the wicked as oppressors.

·      They are similar to lurking beasts, ready to pounce on their prey.

·      The wicked victims are the innocent and defenseless poor.

·      We have examples today what is happening in many cities, the antifa and BLM, they go after poor and innocent ones, then protected by the government. 

Deuteronomy 25:18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.      {Why, no fear of God} 

Psalms 10:11 He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see." 

The wicked say in their heart, Lord Jesus has no memory of me and has turned away and will never see what we are doing 

·      The wicked behave the way they do because they doubt that the Lord knows, cares, or will act.

·      They want to believe that there will be no final judgment, so they feel free to do as they please.

·      Wicked conduct implies disbelief or disregard of Jesus’s government. 

Revelation 18:5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 

·      The wicked seems for a while to be forgotten by Lord Jesus, they are not, a book of remembrance is written for them

·      Makes me wonder do they know what is going to happen to them when they die. 

Psalms 10:12 Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. 

Rise up, Lord Jesus, Raised Your Hand Against the Wicked and Do Not Forget Your Afflicted Saints. 

The Saints ask Lord Jesus to help and act for them. 

Psalms 10:13 Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." 

The wicked despise Lord Jesus and say in their hearts, Jesus will not punish them for their wickedness 

Jesus will not overlook sin, because Jesus carefully examines or beholds all wickedness, and will mark it down for future punishment. 

Said in his heart: repeated for the third time:  vs. 6, 11; this indicates the wicked state of the heart. 

2 Peter 3:3-4 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  (4)  They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 

Perhaps, the longsuffering of God will leadeth the wicked to repentance and salvation. 

Psalms 10:14 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. 

Jesus knows what the Wicked has Done to the Helpless, Commits Himself and Takes into His Own Hands to be the Helper of those Who put Their Faith and Trust in Lord Jesus and to the Fatherless.   

Jesus does know, does see, and will act on what is happening to the Saints and the fatherless, widows and babes in Jesus. 

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. 

Luke 18:7-8 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  (8)  I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" 

Psalms 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none. 

Lord Jesus will Destroy the Wicked and Evil Person when Jesus seeks Them Out Until there is No One to Find 

Break the arm:  this is a call for Jesus to destroy the power of the wicked, deprive him of his influence, that he may be no longer able to oppress. This impassioned curse on the wicked displays the righteousness of God. 

Job 36:6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed. 

Psalms 10:16 The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land. 

The Lord Jesus is King Forever and Ever: the Wicked People are Removed from Your land. 

The wicked are all either cut off from Jesus and destroyed or been converted to a believer in Jesus and they will follow the commands of our Lord Jesus. 

Revelation 11:15 When the seventh angel blew his trumpet, there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The world's kingdom has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever." 

Psalms 10:17 LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, 

Lord Jesus, You Hear the Prayers of the Saints; you will strengthen them, You listen carefully and give them courage. 

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him: if we ask for anything according to his will, he listens to us.  (15)  And if we know that he listens to our requests, we can be sure that we have what we ask him for. 

Psalms 10:18  To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more. 

Lord Jesus Defend the Saints, Orphans, and Everyone Else in Need, so that the Wicked on Earth may No Longer be Feared  

Justice will be done to the orphan, widow and the downtrodden; that the wicked person who is of the earth may be terrible no more and defy Jesus and will do no more violence to people. 

Let’s review Pure religion again. 

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.