Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

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In part 1 of the Lion and Lamb Ministry Holy Week Messages, we learned that the LORD Jesus Christ is NOT divided, and that He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. And, NOW we learn that...

JESUS KNEW ALL

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all. And needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25.
To know all is to be omniscient. Let us read the Apostle Peter’s words to the LORD Jesus, “And he (Peter) said unto Him, LORD Thou knowest all things.” John 21:17. Then woman at the well said to the LORD Jesus, “I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” John 4:25. Note Christ’s reply, “...I that speak unto thee am he.” John 4:26.
That sinful woman learned that day that Christ needed not that any should testify of woman; for He knew what was in woman. Christ saw Nathanael under the fig tree. But because it was NOT with physical eye-sight, Nathanael cried, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God.” Christ assured Nathanael that He would see greater things. John 1:46-51. In John 13:1, Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of the world, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

JESUS KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING

“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John 6:64. “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” John 13:11.

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD AND SIMON PETER

“This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, LORD; thou knowest that I love thee, He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea LORD; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, LORD, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:14-17.

Here the chief Shepherd was instructing one of His under-shepherds to feed and tend His lambs and to feed His sheep. The LORD’s Pastors are expected to feed the LORD’s sheep and lambs. Those who are Faithful in this will receive a crown of glory when the chief Shepherd shall appear.

Then the shepherd has another duty; he is to keep the wolves out of the flock. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:28-29. It’s a shame that MANY of today’s Pastors and Preachers are, in fact, the wolves!

The LORD Jesus pictures Himself as the good Shepherd in Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

Then remember the words of the Shepherd-King in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Remember, right here the LORD is addressing the Apostles BEFORE His death and resurrection, and BEFORE the direct revelation given to the Apostle Paul concerning the Body of Christ.)

Simon Peter became a Faithful shepherd. He was Faithful unto death. John 21:18-19, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

WHAT CHRIST KNEW ABOUT THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

In John 4:5-26 is recorded a most interesting story of a sinful woman of Sychar of Samaria. Before the story, we read in John 4:4, “And he must needs go through Samaria.”

Now we see why He must needs go through Samaria. The Savior was wearied with His journey and He sat at noontime on Jacob’s well. “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” John 4:7. The woman was surprised that Jesus should have asked her for a drink “for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:9, “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, ‘How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.’” Then the LORD Jesus talked to that poor sinful woman about water that would satisfy her soul. He called it “living water.” John 4:10. “’But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.’” John 4:14-15.
Here we think of 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a Faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Note also Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The LORD Jesus Christ came to be the Shepherd seeking lost sheep. He came into the world to save sinners.

Almost any person will say, “I am a sinner,” because all of us ARE sinners. But only the LORD Himself can convince the individual that he is not only a sinner, but a LOST sinner. The sinner will not be much concerned about salvation until he realizes that he is LOST.

The LORD went right to that woman’s conscience after He had her interest and attention. He will now get right at her sin. “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.’” John 4:16-19. Another moment or two and she learned that she was in the presence of the Messiah, the Christ.

Note what she did, “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” John 4:28-30. Note also John 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, ‘He told me all that ever I did.’”

She knew that the Messiah could tell all things. Now the Messiah had read her sinful heart. But here we have the confirmation of John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” and 2 Cor. 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

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In part 1 of the Lion and Lamb Ministry Holy Week Messages, we learned that the LORD Jesus Christ is NOT divided, and that He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. And, NOW we learn that...

JESUS KNEW ALL

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all. And needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25.
To know all is to be omniscient. Let us read the Apostle Peter’s words to the LORD Jesus, “And he (Peter) said unto Him, LORD Thou knowest all things.” John 21:17. Then woman at the well said to the LORD Jesus, “I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” John 4:25. Note Christ’s reply, “...I that speak unto thee am he.” John 4:26.
That sinful woman learned that day that Christ needed not that any should testify of woman; for He knew what was in woman. Christ saw Nathanael under the fig tree. But because it was NOT with physical eye-sight, Nathanael cried, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God.” Christ assured Nathanael that He would see greater things. John 1:46-51. In John 13:1, Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of the world, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

JESUS KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING

“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John 6:64. “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” John 13:11.

THE CHIEF SHEPHERD AND SIMON PETER

“This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, LORD; thou knowest that I love thee, He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea LORD; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, LORD, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:14-17.

Here the chief Shepherd was instructing one of His under-shepherds to feed and tend His lambs and to feed His sheep. The LORD’s Pastors are expected to feed the LORD’s sheep and lambs. Those who are Faithful in this will receive a crown of glory when the chief Shepherd shall appear.

Then the shepherd has another duty; he is to keep the wolves out of the flock. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:28-29. It’s a shame that MANY of today’s Pastors and Preachers are, in fact, the wolves!

The LORD Jesus pictures Himself as the good Shepherd in Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

Then remember the words of the Shepherd-King in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Remember, right here the LORD is addressing the Apostles BEFORE His death and resurrection, and BEFORE the direct revelation given to the Apostle Paul concerning the Body of Christ.)

Simon Peter became a Faithful shepherd. He was Faithful unto death. John 21:18-19, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

WHAT CHRIST KNEW ABOUT THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

In John 4:5-26 is recorded a most interesting story of a sinful woman of Sychar of Samaria. Before the story, we read in John 4:4, “And he must needs go through Samaria.”

Now we see why He must needs go through Samaria. The Savior was wearied with His journey and He sat at noontime on Jacob’s well. “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.” John 4:7. The woman was surprised that Jesus should have asked her for a drink “for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:9, “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, ‘How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.’” Then the LORD Jesus talked to that poor sinful woman about water that would satisfy her soul. He called it “living water.” John 4:10. “’But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.’” John 4:14-15.
Here we think of 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a Faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Note also Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The LORD Jesus Christ came to be the Shepherd seeking lost sheep. He came into the world to save sinners.

Almost any person will say, “I am a sinner,” because all of us ARE sinners. But only the LORD Himself can convince the individual that he is not only a sinner, but a LOST sinner. The sinner will not be much concerned about salvation until he realizes that he is LOST.

The LORD went right to that woman’s conscience after He had her interest and attention. He will now get right at her sin. “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.’ The woman saith unto him, ‘Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.’” John 4:16-19. Another moment or two and she learned that she was in the presence of the Messiah, the Christ.

Note what she did, “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” John 4:28-30. Note also John 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, ‘He told me all that ever I did.’”

She knew that the Messiah could tell all things. Now the Messiah had read her sinful heart. But here we have the confirmation of John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” and 2 Cor. 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 1: Division Because of Jesus

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"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." John 12:12-16

A DIVISION BECAUSE OF JESUS

In the days when Christ was here on earth there was a divi­sion among the people because of Jesus. There was even a greater division after His death and resurrection in the days of the Apostles. There is a still greater division in the world today be­cause of Jesus.

Let us read the following Scriptures...

“Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? So there was a division among the people because of him.” John 7:41-43.

“Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.” John 9:16.

“There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” John 10:19-21.

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Luke 12:51-53.

“He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Luke 11:23.

In the John 7, from which chapter we quot­ed the first Scriptures, note the statement concerning the division because of Jesus:

“AND THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING AMONG THE PEOPLE CONCERNING HIM: FOR SOME SAID, HE IS A GOOD MAN: OTHERS SAID, NAY; BUT HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE.” John 7:12.

“Much murmuring”, “Some said”, “Others said.” And you know this is still going on today. Who were right, the some who said or the others who said? Some said, “Christ is a good man.” Others said, “Nay, Christ deceiveth the people.” Note in Matthew 27:63 that the “others” continued in their attitude toward Christ, “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” Matthew 27:63.

To them Christ was a deceiver. To them Christ performed miracles by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, here note Matthew 11:19, “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

They called Him a blasphemer, because, being a Man, He made Himself God. John 10:33.

Today intelligent Jews join with Christians in declaring that the LORD Jesus Christ was a good Man. How good? Better than all the rest. There was a time when prejudiced and ignor­ant men declared that Jesus of Nazareth was deluded. They said He was not mentally sound, therefore, He made some false claims. But today, intelligent Jews, Christians, and non-Christian Gentiles are all agreed that Jesus Christ was the most intelligent man that ever lived on earth, as well as the greatest human bene­factor that the world has ever known.

What is the verdict then? The “some” who said, “Christ is a good Man,” were right. How about the statement of the “others”: “Nay, He deceiveth the people”? Did Christ deceive the people? If Christ really deceived the people, did He thereby prove that He was a good Man? In other words; could a man really be both a good man and a deceiver, especially if he continues month after month, and year after year, to deceive the people?

From the beginning of His earthly ministry until His death, and again after His resurrection, the LORD Jesus Christ claimed that He was God manifest in the flesh, that He was in the beginning in the God-Head, that He came down from heaven, that He had glory with the Father before the world was. Christ received worship as God. Christ proved His claim to Deity by His supernatural power, by His miracles, ACCORDING to the Scriptures.

If Christ declared that He was God from the beginning, that He had glory with the Father, that He came down from heaven, and if He really was NOT what He claimed, then surely He de­ceived the people. Such a deceiver could not be called a good man.

So, we must decide by common sense logic that Jesus Christ was both God and good, OR, He was not God and good. The Modernists who have crept unawares into the Christian church are far more inconsistent than were the Jews who took up stones to kill Christ when He was here on earth. They stoned Him, “because He made Himself equal with God.” John 5:17-20. In John 19:7, we learn why they had Christ crucified. Because He claimed equality with God.

Pay attention, the foolish MODERNISTS who have slithered in among church members, join with religious Jews in expressing great admiration for the man of Galilee, and dote much on the ideal Man, Jesus, with His ideal philosophy and His interpretation of God and true religion. They eulogize Him, quote Him, praise Him, and preach Him to Jews and Gentiles. But with all this they ever SEEK to make Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the Apostles, LIARS, by saying that Jesus was a very good man, but that He was not born as the Bible de­clares He was born; that He did not come down from heaven; that He did not have Divine authority to forgive sins. He was not God, the Son. He was not God’s foreordained sin-bearer. His body was not raised from the dead. He is not now the resurrected Jesus at God’s right hand, as the Bible claims. And, that Salvation is not by Faith in the shed blood of the LORD Jesus Christ, but by charac­ter, by good behaviour, by actually imitating Jesus, by trying to live up to the RELIGION of Jesus. THIS is an ABOMINATION to God, and contempt for Christ!

Surely you and I agree that these pretenders, who call themselves Modernists, are only Christianized agnostics. They are far less consistent than were the Jews, who in the first century also denied the eternal Deity of the Son of God, and took a decided stand against Him, declaring that He was worthy of death.

Note this law of the Jews in Leviticus 24:16, “And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” If Jesus Christ was not God, as He claimed time and time again, were not the Jews right when they said to Pilate, “Then Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” John 19:7? Leviticus 24:16 was the law to which the Jews referred when they spoke the words of John 19:7.

Even the thinking Jews today believe that Jesus Christ was too good to have been a blasphemer. They should accept Him then as God: for God He was. Remember what Thomas said when he was fully convinced “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my God.” John 20:28. Christ did not say, “Thomas, you are mistaken. I am a very good Man, but I am not LORD and God.” He received the worship. And remember His own words in Luke 4:8, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him ONLY shalt thou serve.”

The pseudo-Christians claim to believe in the historical Jesus. The historical Jesus is the Bible Jesus. So when they decide on the authority of the Bible Record that Jesus was a good man, they must, if intelligent and consistent, acknowledge that by the same Record He was and is God. “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOR EVER.” Hebrews 13:8. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17.

HOUSEHOLD DIVIDED

Note again Luke 12:51, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”

Look all about on every side, and see not only nations, cities, and communities divided because of Jesus, but families. If we could only know what is going on in homes where some members of the household are for Christ and some are against Him. Yes, there has been, and there is, a division among the people because of Jesus.

In the eternal ages there will be a division among the people, because of Jesus. Some will spend eternity with the LORD and His redeemed in glory. Some will be in perdition suffering the sorrows of the second death. Christ declared, “he that is not with Me is against Me.” Luke 11:23.

IS CHRIST DIVIDED?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judg­ment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3. “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it” 1 Corinthians 11:18. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25.

Note God’s will; that there should be no “schism”; no “divi­sion.”

What a pity! Christ’s Church so divided that the Apostles asked “is Christ divided?” Since that day divisions and subdivisions have increased, until today there are more than 300 branches of the Christian Church. The LORD said, “that there be no schism (division) in the Body.”

Ephesians 4:3-7, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One LORD, one Faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”

Now, take a look at Romans 12:4-5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Then note again Christ’s prayer in John 17:21 and John 17:11, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou host sent me.”, AND, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou host given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

ONE NEW MAN

When we believers reach heaven perfect unity will prevail, and there we shall learn that God’s purpose in this age is ex­pressed in Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

One in Christ. In one Body of which Christ is the Head. Again note Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Now look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been made to drink into one Spirit”

As the unbeliever looks on and beholds the division, sectarianism, and lack of unity among Christians, he is asking, “Is Christ divided?”

THE OMNISCIENT CHRIST: I KNOW MY SHEEP

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:14, and John 10:27.

We read these words in 1 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

The LORD knoweth them that are His. The good Shepherd knows His sheep. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11, and John 10:15. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28.

The LORD Jesus knows who is saved and who is unsaved. But God wants the believer to KNOW that he is saved, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13.

We read something more about Christ the Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And in 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

So we learn that the LORD Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Quick Important Biblical Message: Resurrection from the Dead - LLM

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"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?"
1 Corinthians 15:35.

Mark well, this is not an interested inquiry, but a challenge, meant to prove that resurrection is impossible, and the Apostle Paul answers it this way, "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die"

1 Corinthians 15:36.
What a devastating reply! We are surrounded by overwhelming evidence that resurrection from the dead is a fact. Every blade of grass, every ear of corn, every beautiful flower bears witness to the fact of resurrection from the dead.

Yes, Christ is alive from the dead, and, "able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" Hebrews 7:25.

Find more at: http://www.LionandLambMinistry.com

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Who are the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11? SUPER EXTRA - Pastor David

.

"And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."

Revelation 11:9-13

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 3: THE KING AND THE CORN OF WHEAT - Pastor David

THE TWO PARACLETES THE SON OF GOD AND ANOTHER COMFORTER

In the Gospel of John 13 to 16, we have the record of the ministry of the two Paracletes in behalf of the saints of God. Let us note the words of Christ in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

“Another Comforter.” The Greek word translated “Comforter” is “Paracletos (Paraclete)”. Jesus Christ the Righteous is in God’s presence to appear for saints. Hebrews 9:24. Now note Hebrews 7:24-25, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Christ is in God’s presence in Heaven representing the believers. He is the believer’s Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate. Christ ever lives to make intercession for saints.

Now note Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Here we note the wonderful intercessory work of the other Paraclete. Each Paraclete has a very definite ministry for the child of God.

Note Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The indwelling Holy Spirit is the believer’s guarantee of his inheritance, the earnest, until the redemption of the purchased possession.

CHRIST WASHING HIS DISCIPLES FEET

Now let us note the word of the believer’s Advocate in John 13:1-11, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, LORD, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, LORD, not my feet, only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”

“He loved them unto the end.” With this let us read Philipians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Now, we call your special attention to two statements of Christ in connection with the washing of His disciples’ feet, “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7. “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:10.

“Thou knowest not now.” “Thou shalt know hereafter.” Two different Greek words translated “know.” The second one means to understand, that is, after Christ’s resurrection from the dead His disciples would understand the real meaning of the washing of their feet. This cleansing spoke of Christ’s work as the believer’s Advocate. “If we sin we have an Advocate with the Father.” 1 John 2:1.

“He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” Again we have two different Greek words translated “wash.” The first has the meaning of a washing all over; the other a subsequent cleansing. First the believer comes to Christ on the cross, the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. There the believer is cleansed all over and there he becomes the child of God. His relationship is established by the once for all work of Christ. At God’s right hand Christ continually intercedes for the redeemed and maintains their fellowship.

Let us remember His words in Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven time in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

And now look at, Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, LORD, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Certainly Christ would not expect one of His disciples to do more forgiving than He Himself would do. Let us remember that 1 John was addressed to believers and that 1 John 1:9 is for God’s children, “If we confess our sins, he is Faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

CHRIST INTERCEDING

Now carefully read and study John 17, for it is one of the greatest chapters in all the Bible. There we have Christ as Priest, interceding. Note John 17:9, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” Now note Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

Christ, in heaven, appears, NOT for the world of unbelievers but for those who have been washed by His precious blood. Note John 17:15-24, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are NOT of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

If these petitions of the Son of God speak of the present intercessory work of the LORD Jesus Christ in heaven, we can understand the why of the uttermost salvation in Hebrews 7:25, and we can understand Hebrews 6:19-20.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:19-20.

CHRIST AS PRIEST IN JOHN 17

John 17:11, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.”

John 17:14, “I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

John 17:15, “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

Christ said, “I pray not for the world.” John 17:9. The believer is in the world but not of the world.

In 1 John are found these words, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15.

Christ’s desire for His disciples was that they would touch the world but that the world would not touch them. Note again John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We read in Hebrews 11:38 concerning God’s men of Faith, “Of Whom the world was not worthy.”

CAIAPHAS’ PROPHECY

“Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” John 11:50-52.

It was expedient that Christ should die for His own Nation Israel and also that the children of God should be gathered together. Note the words of Christ in John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Also note Christ’s words in John 12:31-33, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” Also note Christ’s words in John 3:14, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”

Christ must be lifted up. He came to be the rejected King and the Corn of Wheat. “For this cause came I unto this hour.” John 12:27. As Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:6) that the Israelites who were dying with the bite of the serpents might look, believe and live, so the LORD Jesus Christ was lifted up and nailed to Calvary’s cross, that Jews and Gentile descendants of the first woman and man beguiled by the serpent in Eden might be saved from sin. “I, if I be lifted up”...“Signifying what death He should die.”

ISRAEL’S BLINDNESS AND UNBELIEF...THE GENTILES OBTAINED MERCY

We learned in John 1:11-12, that Christ’s own rejected Him, but as many as received Him and believed on Him were born of God. We learn a most important truth in Romans 11:30, “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.”

Note again Romans 11:15, “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” Here we learn that the unbelief and casting away of Israel brought mercy and reconciliation to the Gentiles. After this Divine truth is stated, note the words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:33-34, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the LORD? or who hath been his counsellor?”

What shall we Gentiles say? “Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.” Romans 11:19. Before we quote again from John 12, let us note Romans 11:7-8, “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day.”

Now look at John 12:37-40, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, LORD, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” And here we might say again the words of Romans 11:33-34, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the LORD? or who hath been his counsellor?” Therefore Israel could not believe.

Here we think again of Acts 2:22-23, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”

When Israel, with wicked hands, slew Jesus of Nazareth, when the rulers crucified the LORD of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), when Israel’s rulers killed the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14-15), the Son of God was delivered according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. If Christ was God’s spotless Lamb foreordained BEFORE the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:18-21), and if His death was in fulfillment of Scriptures (Acts 13:29), then we say that Christ’s death was not only inevitable but Christ had to die at the time that He died and in the manner that He died by the hands of His own Nation.

But even so, God did not minimize or excuse the guilt of the men who had Christ put to death. Note Acts 7:51-52, “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” And, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, “of the Jews: Who both killed the LORD Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always.“

By carefully reading Acts 3:12-26, we learn that God was willing to forgive Israel for their terrible crime if they would repent. To those murderers the message was, “I know that through ignorance ye did it” (Acts 3:17). But when they refused to repent the crime was charged against them. But note what they did when they killed Christ, “For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” Acts 4:28.

THE KING AND THE CORN OF WHEAT

“On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna, BLESSED IS THE KING OF ISRAEL THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF SION: BEHOLD, THY KING COMETH, SITTING ON AN ASS’S COLT.” John 12:12-15.

“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’ Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, That the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:20-24.

In the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of John, the LORD Jesus presented Himself to Israel. “Blessed is the King of Israel.” He did not present Himself to the Greeks but sent word to them that like the corn of wheat must abide alone or die, so He must die and be buried to bring forth much fruit. About twenty years later, note what happened, “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” Acts 14:1. The few Greeks were not permitted to see the King of Israel, but the multitude of Greeks were SAVED by BELIEVING that the Corn of Wheat had died and risen again.

WILL DRAW ALL MEN

When Christ said, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me,” He most assuredly was not saying that all men would be saved. The doctrine of universal salvation or universal reconciliation is repudiated by many Scriptures such as John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believ­eth NOT the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

When Christ was on earth, He uttered these words, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:40. And remember His words of warning in John 8:24, “If ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.”

God’s will in this matter is expressed in 1 Timothy 2:4-6, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is ONE God, and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.”

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message Extra...When, What Day, was Christ Crucified and Resurrected - Pastor David

There is an unbelievable amount of conjecture as to when exactly was the LORD and our Savior Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. The following message is taken up to put an end to that conjecture, and determine when these events took place.

So, we are furnished by Scripture with certain facts and fixed points which, taken together, enable us to: 1. Determine the events which filled up the days of "the last week" of our LORD's life on earth; 2. To fix the day of His crucifixion; and, 3. To ascertain the duration of the time He remained in the tomb.

The difficulties connected with these three have arisen from 1. Not having noted these fixed points; 2. From the fact of Gentiles not having been familiar with the Law concerning the three great feasts of the LORD; and, 3. From not having reckoned the days as commencing (some six hours before our own) and running from sunset to sunset, instead of from midnight to midnight.

To remove these difficulties, we must understand the following:

1. That the first day of each of the three feasts, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, was “a holy convocation", a "Sabbath" on which no servile work was to be done. See Leviticus 23:7, Leviticus 23:24, Leviticus 23:35. Compare Exodus 12:16. "That Sabbath" and the "high day" of John 19:31, was the "holy convocation", the first day of the feast, which quite overshadowed the ordinary weekly Sabbath. It was called by the Jews Yom tov = (Good day), and this is the greeting on that day throughout Jewry down to the present time. This Great Sabbath, having been mistaken from the earliest times for the weekly Sabbath, has led to all the confusion.

2. This has naturally caused the further difficulty as to the LORD's statement that "even as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40). Now, while it is quite correct to speak according to Hebrew idiom of "three days" or "three years", while they are only parts of three days or three years, yet that idiom does not apply in a case like this, where "three nights" are mentioned in addition to "three days". It will be noted that the LORD not only definitely states this, but repeats the full phraseology, so that we may not mistake it.

3. We have therefore the following facts furnished for our sure guidance:

a) The "high day" of John 19:31 was the first day of the feast.

b) The "first day of the feast" was on the 15th day of Nisan.

c) The 15th day of Nisan, commenced at sunset on what we should call the 14th.

d) "Six days before the Passover" (John 12:1) takes us back to the 9th day of Nisan.

e) "After two days is the Passover" (Matthew 26:2. Mark 14:1) takes us to the 13th day of Nisan.

f) "The first day of the week", the day of the resurrection (Matthew 28:1), was from our Saturday sunset to our Sunday sunset. This fixes the days of the week, just as the above fix the days of the month, for:

g) Reckoning back from this, "three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40), we arrive at the day of the burial, which must have been before sunset, on the 14th of Nisan; that is to say, before our Wednesday sunset.

h) This makes the sixth day before the passover (the 9th day of Nisan) to be our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.

Therefore Wednesday, Nisan 14th (commencing on the Tuesday at sunset), was "the preparation day", ON WHICH the crucifixion took place: for all four Gospels definitely say that this was the day on which the LORD was buried (before our Wednesday sunset), "because it was the preparation [day]" the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, "for that Sabbath day was a high day", and, therefore, not the ordinary seventh day, or weekly Sabbath. See John 19:31.

4. It follows, therefore, that the LORD being crucified on "the preparation day" could NOT have eaten of the Passover lamb, which was NOT slain until the evening of the 14th of Nisan (that is to say, afternoon). On that day the daily sacrifice was killed at the 6th hour (Noon) and offered about the 7th hour (1 p.m.). Then the killing of the Passover lambs began directly afterwards. Therefore it is clear, that if the killing of the Passover lambs did not commence until about four hours after our LORD had been hanging upon the Cross, and would not have been concluded at the ninth hour (3 p.m.) when "He gave up the ghost;" then no "Passover lamb" could have been eaten at the "last supper" on the previous evening.

5. So, with these facts before us, we are now in a position to fill in the several days of the LORD's last week with the events recorded in the Gospels. By noting that the LORD returned to Bethany (or to the Mount of Olives) each night of that week, we are able to determine both the several days and the events that took place in them.

THE SIXTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 9th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The LORD approaches Jerusalem from Jericho.	.	.	19:1-10	.
He passes our Thursday night at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5) And delivers the Parable of the Pounds.	.	.	19:11-27	.
He proceeds toward Jerusalem.	.	.	19:28	.
He sends two disciples apenanti for an "ass" and a "colt" (two animals).	21:1-7	.	.	.
And makes His first entry from Bethphage (not Bethany).	21:8,9	.	.	.
He is unexpected, and they ask "Who is this?"	21:10, 11	.	.	.
He cleanses the Temple.	21:12 - 16	.	.	.
HE RETURNS TO BETHANY.	21:17	.	.	12:1
THE FIFTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 10th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.)
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The LORD passes the Sabbath at Bethany; and after sunset (on our Saturday), the first of three suppers was made, probably at the house of Lazarus, in Bethany.	.	.	.	12:2
At this supper the first of two anointings took place.	.	.	.	12:3 - 11
THE FOURTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 11th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset.) the Gentile "Palm Sunday".
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The second, or triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He sends two disciples (katenanti for a colt (one animal).	.	11:1 - 7	19:29 - 35	12:12-
The LORD starts from Bethany (not Bethphage) and is met by multitudes from Jerusalem.	.	11:8-10	19:36-40	12:12-19
He weeps over the city.	.	.	19:41-44	.
He enters the Temple, looks around.	.	11:11-	.	.
And RETURNS TO BETHANY	.	11:11	.	.
THE THIRD DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 12th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset.)
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
In the morning (our Monday a.m.) the LORD returns to Jerusalem.	21:18	11:12	.	.
The Figtree cursed.	21:19-22	11:13-14	.	.
The Temple. Further cleansing.	.	11:15-17	19:45, 46	.
In the Temple. Further teaching, "Certain Greeks".	.	.	19:47	12:20-50
Opposition of Rulers.	.	11:18	19:47-48	.
He goes out of the city (probably to Bethany; see Luke 21:37-38 below).	.	11:19	.	.
THE SECOND DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 13th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Monday sunset to Tuesday sunset.)
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
In the morning, (our Tuesday a.m.), on the way to Jerusalem, the question of the disciples about the Fig Tree.	.	11:20-26	.	.
In Jerusalem again: and in the Temple.	21:23-27	11:27-33	20:1-8	.
In Jerusalem teaching in Parables; and questions.	21:28-23:39	12:1-44	20:9-21:4	.
The first great prophecy, in the Temple.	.	.	21:5-36	.
(Parenthetical statement as to the LORD's custom during the last week).	.	.	21:37-38	.
The second great prophecy, on the Mount of Olives.	24:1-51	13:1-37	.	.
The second great prophecy, continued.	25:1-46	.	.	.
"After two days is the Passover".	26:1-5	14:1-2	.	.
HE RETURNS TO BETHATNY, and is present at the second supper in the house of Simon the leper. The second Anointing.	26:6-13	14:3-9	.	.
THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 14th DAY OF NISAN, "THE PREPARATION DAY", THE DAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION. (Our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset.)
.	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The plot of Judas Iscariot to betray the LORD.	26:14-16	14:10-11	22:1-6	.
The "preparation" for the last supper.1	26:17-19	14:121-16	22:71-13	.
"The even was come" (our Tuesday after sunset) when the plot for the betrayal was ripe for execution.	26:20	14:17	.	.
The last supper, commencing with the washing of the feet.	.	.	.	13:1-20
The announcement of the betrayal, etc..	26:21-25	14:18-21	.	13:21-30
The supper eaten, the "New Covenant" made (Jeremiah 31:31). The lamb abolished, bread and wine substituted.	26:26-29	14:22-25	22:14-23	.
The first prophecy of Peter's denials.	.	.	.	13:31-38
The strife; who should be the greatest, etc..	.	.	22:24-30	.
The second prophecy of Peter's denials.	.	.	22:31-34	.
The final appeal to His first commission (Luke9:3).	.	.	22:35-38	.
The last discourse to the eleven, followed by His prayer.	.	.	.	14:1-17:26
They go to Gethsemane.	26:30-35	14:26-29	22:39	18:1
The third prophecy of Peter's denial.	.	14:30-31	.	.
The agony in the garden.	26:36-46	14:32-42	22:40-46	.
The apprehension of the LORD	26:47-56	14:43-50	22:47-54	18:2-11
The escape of Lazarus.	.	14:51-52	.	.
The trials: continued throughout our Tuesday night.	26:57-27:31	14:53-15:19	22:54-23:25	18:12-19:13
About the sixth hour (our Tuesday midnight) Pilate said "Behold your King".	.	.	.	19:14-15
Led away to be crucified.	27:31-34	15:20-23	23:26-31	19:16-17
And "led with Him" two "malefactors" (kakourgoi)	.	.	23:32-33	19:18
Discussion with Pilate about the Inscriptions.	.	.	.	19:19-22
The dividing of the garments.	27:35-37	15:24	23:34	19:23-24
"It was the third hour, and they crucified Him" (our 9 a.m. Wednesday).	.	15:25-26	.	.
"Then were there two robbers" (lestai) crucified with Him"	27:38	15:27-28	.	.
The revilings of the rulers, both "robbers", and one "malefactor".	27:39-44	15:29-32	23:35-43	.
The LORD's mother and John.	.	.	.	19:25-27
"The sixth hour" (our Wednesday noon) and the darkness.	27:45-49	15:33	23:44-45	.
"The ninth hour" (our Wednesday 3 p.m.) and the expiring cry.	27:50	15:34-37	23:46	19:28-30
Subsequent events.	27:51-56	15:38-41	23:47-49	19:31-37
Buried in haste before sunset (our Wednesday about 6 p.m.), before the "high day" (the first day of the Feast began), our Wednesday sunset.	27:57-66	15:42-47	23:50-56	19:38-42

"THE FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST" - "THE HIGH DAY" (Yom tov) - THE 15TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset.)
THE FIRST NIGHT AND FIRST DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

THE SECOND DAY OF THE FEAST - THE 16TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)
THE SECOND NIGHT AND SECOND DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

THE THIRD DAY OF THE FEAST - "THE (WEEKLY) SABBATH" - THE 17TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Friday susnset to Saturday sunset.)
THE THIRD NIGHT AND THIRD DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

"THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK" - THE 18TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Saturday sunset: "the third day" of Matthew 16:21, etc.;
not the third day of the Feast.)

---

	MATTHEW	MARK	LUKE	JOHN
Thus, the Resurrection of the LORD took place at our Saturday sunset, or thereabouts, on "the third day"; compare "after three days" (Matthew 27:63. Mark 8:31).	28:1-10	16:1-18	24:1-49	20:1-23

It will be seen from the above that we have neither power nor authority to alter or shift any day or date; or to change the order or position of any of the events recorded in Holy Writ.

Each day is marked by a return to Bethany during the last week (up to the Preparation Day); and each day is filled with the recorded events.

It follows, therefore, that the LORD was crucified on our Wednesday; was buried on that day before sunset; and remained "three days and three nights" in the tomb, as foretold by Him in Matthew 12:40; rising from the dead on "the third day", "the first day of the week".

The fixed days and dates, at either end, hold the whole period as in a vice, and place the whole subject on a sure foundation.

NOTE:

¹ The words in Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7 refer to "the first day of unleavened bread", which was the 14th day of Nisan, and therefore "the preparation day". That is why the LORD goes on to tell the two disciples to go and make preparation for the Passover

*This Is Appendix 156 From The Companion Bible. The Notes above were written by E.W. Bullinger*

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 1, Division Because of Jesus - Pastor David

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"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." John 12:12-16

A DIVISION BECAUSE OF JESUS

In the days when Christ was here on earth there was a divi­sion among the people because of Jesus. There was even a greater division after His death and resurrection in the days of the Apostles. There is a still greater division in the world today be­cause of Jesus.

Let us read the following Scriptures...

“Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? So there was a division among the people because of him.” John 7:41-43.

“Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.” John 9:16.

“There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” John 10:19-21.

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Luke 12:51-53.

“He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Luke 11:23.

In the John 7, from which chapter we quot­ed the first Scriptures, note the statement concerning the division because of Jesus:

“AND THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING AMONG THE PEOPLE CONCERNING HIM: FOR SOME SAID, HE IS A GOOD MAN: OTHERS SAID, NAY; BUT HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE.” John 7:12.

“Much murmuring”, “Some said”, “Others said.” And you know this is still going on today. Who were right, the some who said or the others who said? Some said, “Christ is a good man.” Others said, “Nay, Christ deceiveth the people.” Note in Matthew 27:63 that the “others” continued in their attitude toward Christ, “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” Matthew 27:63.

To them Christ was a deceiver. To them Christ performed miracles by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, here note Matthew 11:19, “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

They called Him a blasphemer, because, being a Man, He made Himself God. John 10:33.

Today intelligent Jews join with Christians in declaring that the LORD Jesus Christ was a good Man. How good? Better than all the rest. There was a time when prejudiced and ignor­ant men declared that Jesus of Nazareth was deluded. They said He was not mentally sound, therefore, He made some false claims. But today, intelligent Jews, Christians, and non-Christian Gentiles are all agreed that Jesus Christ was the most intelligent man that ever lived on earth, as well as the greatest human bene­factor that the world has ever known.

What is the verdict then? The “some” who said, “Christ is a good Man,” were right. How about the statement of the “others”: “Nay, He deceiveth the people”? Did Christ deceive the people? If Christ really deceived the people, did He thereby prove that He was a good Man? In other words; could a man really be both a good man and a deceiver, especially if he continues month after month, and year after year, to deceive the people?

From the beginning of His earthly ministry until His death, and again after His resurrection, the LORD Jesus Christ claimed that He was God manifest in the flesh, that He was in the beginning in the God-Head, that He came down from heaven, that He had glory with the Father before the world was. Christ received worship as God. Christ proved His claim to Deity by His supernatural power, by His miracles, ACCORDING to the Scriptures.

If Christ declared that He was God from the beginning, that He had glory with the Father, that He came down from heaven, and if He really was NOT what He claimed, then surely He de­ceived the people. Such a deceiver could not be called a good man.

So, we must decide by common sense logic that Jesus Christ was both God and good, OR, He was not God and good. The Modernists who have crept unawares into the Christian church are far more inconsistent than were the Jews who took up stones to kill Christ when He was here on earth. They stoned Him, “because He made Himself equal with God.” John 5:17-20. In John 19:7, we learn why they had Christ crucified. Because He claimed equality with God.

Pay attention, the foolish MODERNISTS who have slithered in among church members, join with religious Jews in expressing great admiration for the man of Galilee, and dote much on the ideal Man, Jesus, with His ideal philosophy and His interpretation of God and true religion. They eulogize Him, quote Him, praise Him, and preach Him to Jews and Gentiles. But with all this they ever SEEK to make Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the Apostles, LIARS, by saying that Jesus was a very good man, but that He was not born as the Bible de­clares He was born; that He did not come down from heaven; that He did not have Divine authority to forgive sins. He was not God, the Son. He was not God’s foreordained sin-bearer. His body was not raised from the dead. He is not now the resurrected Jesus at God’s right hand, as the Bible claims. And, that Salvation is not by Faith in the shed blood of the LORD Jesus Christ, but by charac­ter, by good behaviour, by actually imitating Jesus, by trying to live up to the RELIGION of Jesus. THIS is an ABOMINATION to God, and contempt for Christ!

Surely you and I agree that these pretenders, who call themselves Modernists, are only Christianized agnostics. They are far less consistent than were the Jews, who in the first century also denied the eternal Deity of the Son of God, and took a decided stand against Him, declaring that He was worthy of death.

Note this law of the Jews in Leviticus 24:16, “And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” If Jesus Christ was not God, as He claimed time and time again, were not the Jews right when they said to Pilate, “Then Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” John 19:7? Leviticus 24:16 was the law to which the Jews referred when they spoke the words of John 19:7.

Even the thinking Jews today believe that Jesus Christ was too good to have been a blasphemer. They should accept Him then as God: for God He was. Remember what Thomas said when he was fully convinced “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my God.” John 20:28. Christ did not say, “Thomas, you are mistaken. I am a very good Man, but I am not LORD and God.” He received the worship. And remember His own words in Luke 4:8, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him ONLY shalt thou serve.”

The pseudo-Christians claim to believe in the historical Jesus. The historical Jesus is the Bible Jesus. So when they decide on the authority of the Bible Record that Jesus was a good man, they must, if intelligent and consistent, acknowledge that by the same Record He was and is God. “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOR EVER.” Hebrews 13:8. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17.

HOUSEHOLD DIVIDED

Note again Luke 12:51, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”

Look all about on every side, and see not only nations, cities, and communities divided because of Jesus, but families. If we could only know what is going on in homes where some members of the household are for Christ and some are against Him. Yes, there has been, and there is, a division among the people because of Jesus.

In the eternal ages there will be a division among the people, because of Jesus. Some will spend eternity with the LORD and His redeemed in glory. Some will be in perdition suffering the sorrows of the second death. Christ declared, “he that is not with Me is against Me.” Luke 11:23.

IS CHRIST DIVIDED?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judg­ment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3. “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it” 1 Corinthians 11:18. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25.

Note God’s will; that there should be no “schism”; no “divi­sion.”

What a pity! Christ’s Church so divided that the Apostles asked “is Christ divided?” Since that day divisions and subdivisions have increased, until today there are more than 300 branches of the Christian Church. The LORD said, “that there be no schism (division) in the Body.”

Ephesians 4:3-7, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One LORD, one Faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”

Now, take a look at Romans 12:4-5, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Then note again Christ’s prayer in John 17:21 and John 17:11, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou host sent me.”, AND, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou host given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

ONE NEW MAN

When we believers reach heaven perfect unity will prevail, and there we shall learn that God’s purpose in this age is ex­pressed in Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

One in Christ. In one Body of which Christ is the Head. Again note Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Now look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been made to drink into one Spirit”

As the unbeliever looks on and beholds the division, sectarianism, and lack of unity among Christians, he is asking, “Is Christ divided?”

THE OMNISCIENT CHRIST: I KNOW MY SHEEP

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:14, and John 10:27.

We read these words in 1 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

The LORD knoweth them that are His. The good Shepherd knows His sheep. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11, and John 10:15. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28.

The LORD Jesus knows who is saved and who is unsaved. But God wants the believer to KNOW that he is saved, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13.

We read something more about Christ the Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And in 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

So we learn that the LORD Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)