The First Earthly Ministry of Messiah (Christ) Jesus

Map of Jerusalem in Times of First Earthly Ministry of Jesus Christ and the Early Church Courtesy of Ryrie Study Bible, Moody Bible Institute

Summary of First Earthly Ministry of Messiah (Christ) Jesus

According to the Christian scriptures (Bible) both in the Old Testament, but especially in the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth is portrayed as the Son of God and Messiah (Christ or Annointed One) sent from God the Father from Heaven to be the Redeemer of Israel and the Saviour of the world. Jesus did this about 2000 years ago by a supernatural birth in his being conceived by the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) in the womb of a Jewish woman in the line of King David and Abraham and Adam as in Matthew 1 and Luke 1 to 3. This enabled Jesus to be without a fallen human nature that is normally inherited at conception by human beings through our first parents Adam and Eve that led the human race into a fallen state separated from God by sin. Jesus came with his divine nature into the human nature of a perfect or sinless man through the virgin birth. This enabled Jesus to live a life without sin even in the eyes of his critics such as the Pharisees and Saducees although they tried to find fault for minute matters of the law and other trifling things that ignored the higher interpretation of the law Jesus was bringing and fulfilling. Often these disputes in the law were not even in the Old Testament but in Jewish traditions or interpretations of the Law of Moses and the Old Testament. Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ(Messiah)) not only lived a perfect life, he also taught with great authority and did many miracles that supported his claims to be the one sent from God or the Son of God or Messiah such as his raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons or evil spirits and showing power over nature such as multiplying the fish and loaves of bread or calming the winds and storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus also fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies literally spoken of the Messiah, especially with the ones emphasizing his role as the suffering servant of the LORD. Jesus after about 3 1/2 years in about 32 AD had raised the envy and anger of the Jewish leadership of the scribes and Pharisees and Saducees who were preparing to kill him partly for his criticism of them and their interpretation of the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Bible. They accomplished this on the day of the Passover probably in April 32 AD (CE) on a tortuous Roman cross outside the city of Jerusalem which was also in fulfillment of prophecy such as Psalm 22. On the third day later Jesus also in fulfillment to his own words bodily rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and shared time with them, and taught them and ate with them for 40 days. Jesus then ascended in his new heavenly, spiritual or resurrection body to the third of highest heaven in the full view of his disciples from the Mount of Olives from where he gave again the Great Commision to evangelize the world and promised through some angels there that he would come in like manner (to the same place at His second coming in glory after the his coming in the rapture only to the air to snatch his church away 7 years previously at the beginning of the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel).

Conception and Names of the Saviour Jesus of Nazareth from Gospel of Matthew 1

Although it would not cause much of a stir or bother many people in our society these days, the morals were quite strict in Israel at the time of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ about 2000 years ago and for a couple to have a child outside of marriage was considered a great shame and scandal. This is what Joseph and Mary and later when other people found out that when Jesus was born before they were married also them thought about the Lord Jesus Christ and the circumstances of his birth. This is because when Mary and Joseph were espoused (engaged) but not yet married Mary became pregnant with Jesus. However this should be considered not a source of shame but of joy and great honour for Mary and to some extent Joseph because the first child born to Mary, Jesus, was not by natural means but by a great miracle of God in the Holy Spirit putting a fertalized egg in her womb and as it says in the Gospel of Luke the power of the highest (God the Father) overshadowing her and bringing conception and the means of the eternal Son of God Jesus to come down to earth in the form of a mortal but sinless man. The expression before they Mary and Joseph came together means before they had sexual intercourse Mary was found of child or was found to be pregnant. Joseph also had good morals and didn't understand the circumstances leading to Mary's pregnancy and was considering putting her away (divorcing her) because he thought she had had sex with some other man that caused her to be pregnant. It was at this point that an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph and addressing Joseph as a son of David meaning the legal right of David's dynasty also proceeded to Jesus through Joseph although as the angel says the child in Mary was conceived of the Holy Ghost and not by Joseph or any other mere human man assured him that this child was of God and not to put Mary away. The angel then directed Joseph (and Mary) to call the child's name Jesus as this name means the LORD or Jehovah or Yahweh saves and in Hebrew is Y'Shua and is the same as Joshua. To save his people from their sins was Jesus' mission through his life especially in his public ministry for about 3 1/2 years after he was baptized by the Holy Spirit when he was about 30 years old. This was realized when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. There was however another name Jesus was given by this angel. This is the name Immanuel which means God with us which was a fulfillment of a prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 7:14. God with us or Immanuel is also an apt title for Jesus and his first earthly life and ministry and death on the cross and resurrection since as he said especially in the Gospel of John he was the Son of God sent by God the Father to live on earth among men and reveal God in a (perfect) human life and then die in a body for the sins of all human beings for all time. It should pointed out in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14 where this verse is quoted from the Hebrew word for virgin means only virgin and not young woman or anything like that and is the Hebrew word "alma" and is translated as virgin also in Genesis 24:43, Song of Solomon 1:3 and 6:8 for other young women who hadn't had sex. Joseph was also obedient to the angel and dismissed his thoughts of divorcing Mary and took her as his wife and didn't have sex with her until he married her and named their child Jesus when he was born. This is all the true Christmas story although it probably actually occurred around October. The scripture reference of the conception and naming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew 1 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Matthew 1 of the Miraculous Conception and Naming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God come from Heaven to Dwell on Earth and Become the Saviour of the World

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25

Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and Worship by the Shepherds in Israel from Gospel of Luke 2

Although Jesus' birth has traditionally been celebrated at the beginning of winter on December 25, his birth probably actually occurred around October as that is the time shepherds in Israel are using watching their flocks by night. These shepherds were just carrying out their duties on what they thought was a night like any other night when a remarkable display was shown to them. An angel of the Lord came to them and the glory of the Lord or I would say of God the Father or the Shekinah glory appeared around them. The angel assured them not to fear which is a message used throughout the Bible to God's people or those who reverence God. The angel promised good news of great joy to all people. This news is available to all people and will be received by some people of all nations, tribes and languages but although Jesus died to pay the sins of all people, only those who admit they are sinners and receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour will have the great joy of God's full salvation through His Son Jesus Christ realized in their lives. The angel then went on to say that that day was born in the city of David which was Bethlehem a Saviour which was Christ or Messiah the Lord. Jesus was the annointed one or Christ or Messiah of the LORD or God the Father who would then go on to die on the cross and rise from the dead to pay the price for our salvation from our sins and enable us to come into a relationship with God. There are some in the New Age Movement or possibly other mystical groups that believe that Jesus of Nazareth received the Christ spirit or Christ consciousness with some believing this happened after his resurrection or perhaps after Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit. However the scripture in verse 11 of this chapter should be kept in mind that Jesus is mentioned as being Christ or the Annointed one right from his birth and the Bible would support the idea that it was even from his conception. This title of Christ for Jesus according to the Bible doesn't just mean Jesus had a supernatural enlightened spirit but that he was God come in the flesh who came from heaven to die for the sins of the world and rise again to offer God's life to all who received Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour. Jesus was born as a baby and grew up through the stages of life at least until adulthood so he could better identify with us and our struggles and achievements in this life. This was a great event in the history of God's dealing with mankind and God thought it worthy to enable a great company of angels to appear in the sky giving praise to him for sending his son into the world for the salvation of all willing people and to offer his peace to us. The shepherds were very moved by this sight and the message of the angel and they then went to Bethlehem to see for themselves the one whose birth the angels had spoken about. They then say Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus in the manger. They then told as many people as they could find what they heard about the baby Jesus and what the angel said his role would be. Mary was quite moved by this experience and treasured these words and actions in her heart. The shepherds then returned to their fields worshipping God for what they had heard and seen. I would urge the reader at Christmas time or any time of the year to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour that came into the world and died for our sins and rose again so that you also in great joy can praise and glorify God in this life and the life to come. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Luke of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and the message from the angels and the worship of the shepherds is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 2 of the Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ the Manifestation of Angels and the Glory of God and the Worship of the Shepherds

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (very) afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LOrd. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all these things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Gospel of Luke 2:8-20

Visit of the Wise Men from the East to Worship the Lord Jesus Christ When He Was About Two Years Old from Matthew 2

Although it says in verse 1 of this chapter that it was when Jesus was born that the wise men came, it is probably more likely that they came when Jesus was according to the flesh about 2 years old since verse 16 of this chapter says that King Herod sought to kill all the babies of the Jews of 2 years old and under. The wise men were magi that were probably involved with astrology and some other means of trying to tell the future although they probably were familiar with astronomy too since there wasn't much distinction between astrology and astronomy in ancient times but they will probably still be in heaven because they acknowleded and worshipped the Lord Jesus as king and probably heard other aspects of the Messiah from the Old Testament when they talked with the scribes and chief priests or what they heard directly from God. Although the Bible doesn't say how far east the wise men came from they could have come from what is now Iraq or Iran or even further east such as the Indian subcontinent or the far east. This was in order to kill the Lord Jesus who Herod probably was jealous of as a possible rival king that could outstage him (Herod) as king in Israel. The wise men came from the east to Jerusalem after following the star from the east. Although there are many explanations of what this star is and the Bible doesn't give us enough information to say definitely what it was, but from a biblical and Jewish perspective and that makes good sense with what we are told here in the Bible I think the star was the Shekinah glory of God the Father like what he showed when he led the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to the promised land and that was present in the holy of holies in the 1st or Solomon's Temple. This would make sense because in the wilderness journeys described in the book of Numbers the shekinah glory had the ability to lead the Israelites and to stop at various places and then resume moving and leading the Israelites and the star the wise men of the east led them on and then stopped over Bethlehem where Jesus was. These wise men could have heard the prophecy in Daniel 9 of the time that the Messiah would be killed and that it would be at a young age and worked back that he could be born about the time the star appeared to them which was actually the case. Although some of the chief priests and scribes later became the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ they should be commended for giving an honest answer from the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures of the place prophesied by Micah where the Messiah would be born and that was then fulfilled by the Lord Jesus. The prophecy is in Micah 5:2 and is quoted fairly closely in verse 6 of this chapter. Herod feigned a desire to adore and want to worship Jesus also when he asked the wise men where the Messiah or Jesus would be born but he actually wanted to know this information so he could go to Bethlehem and kill Jesus before he grew up and became more powerful and could threaten Herod's power. From verse 9 it seems that the star the wise men saw from the east first stopped over Jerusalem which might have been why the wise men first came to Jerusalem and then the star led them to Bethlehem after they had received confirmation from the scribes and chief priests that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Even though Herod asked the wise men where the Messiah would be born they seemed to be wise enough not to answer him as the scripture mentions they they heard the king (Herod) they departed implying they didn't answer him before they left. When the star led them to Bethlehem and then stopped over the place where Jesus was and then he was called a young child rather than an infant the wise men rejoiced with great joy because they were quite certain then they had found the Messiah. The wise men they entered the house where Jesus was which I think can be distinguished with a stable in an inn where Jesus was born. After the wise men went into this house they worshipped him and presented precious gifts to him of gold which in the Bible symbolized worship and foreshadowing Jesus as king and frankincense which was used in the altar of sacrifice in the Jewish temple and speaks of prayer like the smoke that ascended to heaven and foreshadows the work that Jesus began when he ascended to heaven of the high priest before God the Father for all those who come to God by Him in prayer and myrrh which was used to annoint people for burial and was prophetic that the purpose of Jesus coming into the world was to die for our sins on the cross. These gifts might have provided enough finances for Joseph and Mary in Jesus to live for some time in Egypt until the death of Herod and the end of his plot to kill Jesus. Then there is an example of a dream from God in what he gave to the wise men to go back another way than which they came so they could avoid encountering Herod who would probably demand information about the location of Jesus and be upset with them for worshipping Jesus. The scripture passage from Matthew 2 of the coming of the wise men from the east to worship the young child Lord Jesus after they followed the star is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Matthew 2 of the Star Leading the Wise Men from the East to Worship the Young Child Jesus Christ in Bethlehem

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple Discussing God's Law with the Doctors of the Law When He Was 12 Years Old From Gospel of Luke 2

A popular idea of Jesus, especially from those who follow or promote New Age, mystical or Gnostic ideas or faiths including some Hindus and Buddhists is that Jesus between his birth and public ministry went to India or other places in the East to learn eastern mystical religion or philosophy. This is in contradiction to both the letter and spirit of God's Word - the Holy Bible and the true Jesus Christ or Messiah of the Bible. The Bible makes it clear that according to the flesh including in his early life Jesus had a very Jewish upbringing in a way quite faithful to the Law of God and there is little or no indication he veered off in a mystical path even in the so-called silent years between his birth and the beginning of his public ministry at the age of 30 years. Although it is not certain whether Jesus' parents brought him all the time to the temple at all the feasts before he was 12 it does say elsewhere in the Gospel of Luke that he was circumcised at 8 days according to the Jewish law and he was then presented to the LORD as their firstborn and dedicated with the appropriate animal sacrifice at the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem in Luke 2:21-24. At twelve years old Jesus could then be old enough to have the Jewish coming of age Bar Mitzvah ceremony which in temple days was performed at the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This could be the reason Jesus is especially mentioned as coming with his parents to the temple at 12 years old. Jesus went up with them to keep the feast of passover which of course was a very Jewish thing to do and Jesus is said with them to have come up after the custom of the feast. The scripture then says after they had fulfilled the days, meaning staying in Jerusalem and visiting the temple for the 8 days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread that immediately followed the Feast of Passover Joseph and Mary and those in their company started on their way to return to Nazareth but Jesus remained behind in the Temple with the doctors of the Law or Pharisees. Jesus staying behind in the temple gives every indication that he was seeking to learn more about the Jewish faith and scriptures and gives no indication but if anything speaks against the idea that he was interested in mystical ideas of the east. Mary and Joseph committed somewhat of a sin in not keeping track of Jesus better as they went for a whole day before they realized he was missing although then they returned to Jerusalem. In verse 46 the scriptures make it very clear that Jesus also at 12 years old had a heart for the God of the Bible and the God of Israel and his scriptures when he is spoken of as hearing the doctors of the law and asking them questions. The scriptures goes on to say these doctors were astonished or awed at his understanding and answers. Although Jesus did learn things in his earthly life he would still retain some understanding he had from being the second person of the Godhead with God the Father and the Holy Spirit from eternity past before he came into this world in Bethlehem. When Jesus' parents or mother Mary and foster father Joseph exclaimed that they had a troubled search for Jesus, he replied that he had to be about his Father's business by which he meant to learn God's word and about God and His will in preparation for his public ministry starting when he turned 30 years old. This would lead him to die for the sins of all people on the cross and rise from the dead before returning to heaven as well as living a sinless life. This being about God the Father's business is mutually exclusive with delving into eastern mysticism which the Bible would call serving other gods or learning the way of the heathen nations including their occultism. Finally it says in the last verse of this chapter for the period between when Jesus was 12 and 30 years old that he increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. If Jesus had gone to India or other parts of the east to learn eastern mysticism he wouldn't have increased in favour with the God of the Bible that is spoken of in verse 52 but would have invoked God's strong disfavour and anger who would among other things then consider Jesus to have sinner and served other gods and followed the occult ways of the nations and become incapable of being God's provided sinless substitute for us and our sins on the cross. However Jesus did just stay around Israel, even later on saying he in his lifetime just came to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel and before or after the beginning of his public ministry didn't go any further than the adjacent parts of Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon mostly to reach the Jews of those areas with the Gospel or when he was two years old to escape the murderous plot of King Herod. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Luke 2 of Jesus also at 12 years old following a very Jewish way of life in the 2nd Temple at Jerusalem and indications that Jesus would continue a Jewish way of life exclusive of any trip to India or the east to seek after eastern mystical teaching is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 2 of Jesus Being Brought to the Jewish Temple at 12 Years of Age and Hearing and Asking Questions of the Doctors of the Law and Continuing to Gain Favour With God

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Gospel of Luke 2:41-52

Description of Reference from Hebrews 1 That It Is the Same God That Relates to the Jews as Through the Lord Jesus Christ to Christians

There are some people that teach or believe that the Jews believe or are taught a different God because they don't believe in the divine trinity as Christians who also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine Son and the Holy Spirit are with the heavenly father one true God in being that is three in persons. However I believe and have found much evidence from God's word - the Holy Bible that it is the same God that relates to both Jews and Christians it is just that Jews have a more incomplete view of Him only believing in God the Father as God. The introduction to Hebrews says it is the same God that appeared to the Jews through the prophets as unto what would become the Church through His Son Jesus Christ. This is the same Son of God that is God in the flesh and that was one with God the Father in creation and then died for our sins and then ascended to heaven (after rising from the dead) in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. These might be different views of God but they are not a different God. The scripture reference from Hebrews 1 of the same God appearing to and believed by the Jews that later showed himself through His Son Jesus Christ and became the bases for the Christian church is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Hebrews 1 of the Same God Appearing to the Jews Through the Prophets as Later Revealed Through His Son Jesus Christ as the Basis of the Christian Church

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, who he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 3

Although Jesus Christ didn't need to be baptized to give a public testimony of his trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of his sins he probably wanted to be baptized anyway to identify with believers and as he said in another gospel "to fulfill all righteousness" when John the Baptist asked him why he wanted to be baptized. The baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ is also one of the clearest manifestations of all three persons of the Divine Trinity in the scriptures. The scriptures mention when Jesus came up from the water and was praying the heaven opened and the Holy Ghost was manifest by descending in bodily shape as a dove and resting on him giving him the annointing of the Holy Spirit. At the same time there was a voice from heaven that said that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. This voice was from the 1st person of the Trinity God the Father or the primary person of the LORD in the Old Testament. Jesus of course is the second person of the Divine Trinity God the Son or the Son of God. The scripture states that Jesus was about 30 years old and regarded mostly to be the son of Joseph with people not being aware or not emphasizing his miraculous virgin birth very much. The scripture reference from Gospel of Luke 3 about the baptism of Jesus Christ is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 3 of the Baptism of Jesus Christ

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Gospel of Luke 3:21-23

Temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Devil as Main Test Before Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry in Gospel of Matthew 4

Once Jesus had the Holy Spirit come upon him at his baptism the Holy Spirit continued to guide, fill and empower Him as the Holy Spirit does also for the born again Christian but our first human nature is sinless while Jesus had a sinless human nature and was also God in the flesh. Anyway the Holy Spirit continued to be with Jesus after his baptism through His public ministry and remainder of His time on earth including the next major event in His public ministry which was his temptation by the devil. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness (of Judaea) as the setting for his temptation of the devil. After Jesus arrived in this wilderness he fasted for forty days and forty nights and after that was very hungry. These were conditions that would make Jesus more vulnerable to temptation especially a major temptation by the devil himself. The three temptations that the tempter or Satan the devil tempted Jesus with were the lust of the flesh (the desire to fulfill the cravings of our body), the pride of life and the lust of the eyes in that order. Satan also tempted the first woman Eve with these same areas of temptations with the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil namely that it was good for food, to be desired to make one wise and pleasant to the eyes and she unfortunately yielded to these temptations and brought about with Adam joining her in this sin the fall into sin and self will and separation from God of the human race in Genesis 3. All people both believers and unbelievers in this life on earth are often tempted by the devil in these three areas by the devil as in 1 John 2:15-17 but if we are born of God we should by God's strength make an effort to resist these temptations although God forgives us if we are genuinely sorry for our sins and giving into temptation and ask his forgiveness in Jesus' name. The first temptation the tempter the devil gave Jesus was to offer him to satisfy his physical hunger by a show of Jesus' supernatural power. The devil was trying to get Jesus to give a superfluous show of his power at the devil's suggestion but Jesus said he got more important fulfillment by living by God's word and having God working through Him. The devil saying if or since you are Son of God was trying to cynically pressure Jesus to give a gratuitous show of his power with the devil not sincere in wanting proof of Jesus' divinity. In the second temptation the devil brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem and placed Jesus on pinnacle or tip of the temple which would be probably over 100 feet high and again insincerely asked Jesus for proof that He was the Son of God or that he was divine. One of the evidences of God's divinity is that he has all the holy angels at his command. Although in this case the devil quotes from the Bible (Psalm 91) he leaves out a key phrase from this quotation that is "to keep you in all your ways". If Jesus had listened to devil and cast himself from the temple he couldn't have a guarantee of God's protection from the holy angels because then Jesus would be disobeying God and not being in all God's ways by pride, listening to the devil and an unneccessary tempting of God the Father. Lastly the devil brought Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and offerred to king all of it to Jesus if he would fall down and worship the devil. One thing the devil most wants is for others to worship him and he succeeds with many people through the entertainment, business, military, sports, political, science and technology and other systems of this world which are mostly not involved in glorifying the God of the Bible although there are some aspects of all these systems especially through the true Church of born again Christians and to some extent through the Jews that do glorify the God of the Bible. The devil was right in saying to Jesus that he could give the world and its glory to him if Jesus bowed down and worshipped him as the devil acquired primary dominion over the world system when Adam the first man who was originally bestowed by God with dominion over the earth disobeyed God and took of the forbidden fruit that was offerred by the devil. However Jesus would not be in God's will if he worshipped the devil because as Jesus rightly said that what was right for him and all created humans and angels is for us to worship God the Father and for people also to worship Jesus as the Son of God not the devil who is a rebellious fallen creature. Besides Jesus knew the devil would only have authority over the world system for a limited time after which Jesus would in God's will at the end of the tribulation at Jesus' Second coming in glory take over full authority over this world and bind the devil in the bottomless pit to start God's 1000 year Messianic Kingdom and then eternal rule. After Jesus had successfully contended with the devil in great temptations in each of these major areas he could go on with his public ministry unspotted by yielding to the devil and still qualify as our sinless Saviour. This led the devil to leave Jesus (for a time) and holy angels to come and strengthen Jesus. The scripture reference from Gospel of Matthew 4 of the temptation by Satan the devil of the Lord Jesus Christ at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and Jesus' successfully resisting the devil's temptations from the word of God (all in Deuteronomy) is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Matthew 4 of the Lord Jesus Christ Facing and Successfully Resisting Critical Temptations from the Devil at the Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry

Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11

The Lord Jesus Christ Applies a Key Messianic Passage from Isaiah to Himself and His First Earthly Ministry in Luke 4

People at this synagogue in Nazareth where Jesus lived would have been quite familiar with him or thought they knew him quite well because he grew up there in their midst and they often saw and probably talked with him at that synagogue. This passage gives further evidence that Jesus in His public ministry kept the Law of Moses as it says he went to the synagogue to read from the scripture which was very Jewish. However although Jesus kept the Law of Moses in His earthly ministry it was so He could be the perfect sacrifice and pay the penalty of death by an innocent sacrifice for someone or in this case all people who have transgressed the law so they could have their sins covered. In this case it is for all other people as we are all sinners before a holy but also loving God. However because Jesus was sinless which is better than the animal sacrifices which were only innocent he can also take away our sins instead of the Hebrew scriptures' animal sacrifices that only temporarily covered sins of those who brought sacrifices. God sovereinly arranged that Jesus was at this time given the scroll for the book of Esais (Isaiah) where Jesus opened to Isaiah 61 where a key Messianic passage. Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord is upon me which was true for him since the time of his then recently fulfilled baptism which included the Spirit coming upon him. This would give Jesus more power from God for His public ministry although He himself was also God come in the flesh in the Person of the Divine Son of God the Father. Jesus said also that God had annointed him to preach the gospel to the poor which probably includes the poor in spirit as well as the materially poor. God's annointing him is again by the Holy Spirit and that is where Jesus gets the title Christ or Messiah which both mean the annointed one. This does not mean he just has a mystical "Christ spirit" as other people like Buddha are supposed to have received. Christ or Messiah means he was annointed of God to be at least the initial part, the suffering part, of the sent one to redeem the Jewish people and the Saviour of the nations through his death and resurrection after living a sinless life. Jesus will complete his annointed work in his second coming and time on earth in the Messianic Kingdom and then in eternity. Jesus also came to look after the practical or physical and emotional needs of the afflicted and needy including to heal the brokenhearted with his love, care and attention and to preach deliverance to the captives which could include legal prisoners or those who are prisoners of Satan and the recovery of sight to the blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised which probably talks about physical afflictions in general. Jesus also said he came to preach the acceptable year of the Lord which would be mostly his saying it was the time for him to fulfill the basis for God's salvation for the world and redemption for Israel in his going to the cross to die for our sins and then to rise again. Jesus then closed the book and everybody were watching him to see what he would then say and do. Jesus then made it quite clear and certainly didn't hide or deny it that he claimed to be Messiah by saying he was then or in the then soon future to fulfill that scipture. All the Jews in the audience as well as elsewhere in Israel would understand that this was a Messianic passage and Jesus in applying it to himself was claiming to be Messiah. The scripture reference for this topic about Jesus reading this Messianic passage in a synagogue and applying it to himself is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Luke 4 of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Reading from Isaiah a Passage About the Messiah and Applying it to Himself

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esais (Isaiah). And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath annointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Gospel of Luke 4:16-21

The Lord Jesus Christ Gives the Temple as a Sign Referring to His Body About His Resurrection in Gospel of John 2

The Lord Jesus Christ did a miracle and cleansed the temple from the commercial activities the first time some of the Jewish religious authorities asked Jesus for a sign of who he was or that he was authorized from God. Jesus gave the sign that if the Jewish authorities destroyed the temple he would raise it up again. They thought Jesus was referring to the inanimate temple of stone built on the temple mount in Jerusalem which of course they would not want to destroy and that it would be difficult to rebuild in three days. However Jesus was referring to the temple of his body which the Jewish religious leaders and the Romans representing the Gentiles destroyed on the cross when Jesus died for our sins then Jesus and God the Father raised up Jesus from the dead with his resurrection body on the third day. In a way the Jews did at least compel God to destroy the stone temple then standing when their leadership rejected the Lord Jesus as Messiah and it will be in this third millennium that Jesus will build the new Millennial Temple of Ezekiel after his second coming as in Zechariah 6. Later on when Jesus was also asked by the Jewish religious authorities for a sign of his authority from God he gave another sign referring to his death and resurrection. The scripture in John 2 of the Lord Jesus Christ using the sign of the temple being destroyed and rebuilt in three days as a sign that he would die physically and be raised from the dead on the third day as a sign from God as follows:

Scripture Reference from John 2 of the Lord Jesus Christ Using the Temple of Stone on the Temple MOunt as a Sign of His Then Upcoming Death on the Cross and Ressurrection

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered the Jews and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.

The Lord Jesus Christ Gives the Great Fish of Jonah as a Sign of His Death and Resurrection from Gospel of Matthew 12

A second and more often used sign that the Lord Jesus Christ gave of his death and resurrection from the dead on the third day was the account of the prophet Jonah. In the Old Testament book of Jonah the prophet Jonah was swallowed by a whale or great fish and was in its belly until the third day later when Jonah was spat out to land or close to land. The whale swallowing Jonah was symbolic of Jesus dying and going to hell to the heart of the earth. This was not to give any person who died in their sins a second chance but so Jesus could bear our sins in this way too. If Jesus said anything to anyone there it was to comfort believers in the paradise part of hades or hell that he would soon bring them to heaven and to confirm to people that died in their sins and demons that they would be destined to eternal suffering in the lake of fire for their sins or rejecting the light that God gave of Himself and in some cases of His Annointed One (Christ or Messiah). The great fish spitting out Jonah was symbolic of Jesus rising from the dead and the heart of the earth in his case with a resurrection body. In Hebrew or Jewish measure of time any part of a day was counted as a whole day so Jesus dying for our sins on Friday and rising from the dead on Sunday would still be considered three days and three nights. The scripture reference from Matthew 12 of the account of the prophet Jonah being three days and three nights in the great fish's belly of Jesus the same time in the heart of the earth is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Matthew 12 of the Prophet Jonah Three Days in the Belly of the Great Fish as Jesus Similiarly in the Heart of the Earth and His Death and Resurrection

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas; For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Gospel of Matthew 12:40-42

The Lord Jesus Christ Heals a Paralyzed Man and Affirms He Has Power to Forgive Sins From Gospel of Luke 5

Even though the Pharisees and doctors of the law had come out to watch Jesus and to see what he would do at this point in the beginning of his public ministry he carried on with his ministry including healing and affirming his position as Messiah, Son of God or God incarnate. At this point some men tried to bring a paralyzed man and put him in front of Jesus to bring his attention to him for healing. When these men could not get through the crowd they went up to the roof of the house where Jesus was with the paralyzed man and broke or removed some of the roof so they could let the paralyzed man down in front of Jesus. This showed faith on their part as well as the paralyzed man because they made this significant effort to bring the paralyzed man before Jesus in the belief Jesus could heal him. In response to this and Jesus noticing their faith he said to the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. The scribes and Pharisees then began to think these things over and believing that Jesus was just a man accused him of blasphemy which is a man taking the role or authority of God. This is because they rightly noted that only God has the authority to forgive sins that is in a final and ultimate way. If they had understood that Jesus was the Son of God, their Messiah and God in the flesh they would have acknowledged that Jesus could rightfully forgive sins. Jesus understood their thoughts which could have been partly by regular understanding but partly by divine knowledge asked them why they were thinking these reasonings. Jesus then associated his healing of the paralytic man with his healing him by asking which of these are easier, implying they were both a sign of God's working through Jesus. Jesus then made it an issue to indicate that his healing of the paralyzed man showed he also had authority to forgive him by then commanding the paralyzed man to get up and go into his house. The paralyzed man then immediately got up took up his bed or mat and went to his house praising God. The people reacted well by being astonished and glorifying or praising God and had the fear of God. This fear was not the panicky fear of the wicked but the revernt fear of those who honour God. The Pharisees and scribes are not described as how they reacted but they would probably be upset thinking Jesus had done this presumptuously or blasphemously as they for the most part hadn't acknolwedged the truth of Jesus being God in the flesh and their Messiah. The scripture of Jesus healing the paralyzed man and using this as an indication that he had power to forgive sins in Luke 5 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Luke 5 of the Lord Jesus Christ Healing a Paralyzed Man and Using His Healing Him as a Sign that Jesus Has Authority to Forgive Sins

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins be forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thy house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. Gospel of Luke 5: 17-26

Calling of His Twelve Disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ(Messiah) at the Beginning of His Public Ministry in Gospel of Luke 6

It should be noted that Jesus didn't just go ahead with decisions even though he was the Son of God from Heaven but spent time in prayer with his and the believers' heavenly father for direction and wisdom etc. first. If Jesus did this with his own great wisdom and understanding how much more should those of us who are his people with much more limited wisdom and understanding seek God's boundless wisdom and understanding. Although the Bible doesn't tell us how many disciples Jesus had at this time he must have had more than twelve because the scripture here said he chose twelve of his disciples from among them and called them apostles. An apostle according to Strong's concordance means "a delegate" or "an ambassador of the Gospel with miraculous powers". The twelve apostles are then named which are namely: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James and Judas Iscariot of course who later betrayed Jesus. Jesus then came down to present his apostles to his other disciples and a multitude of people from Jerusalem and Judaea and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon in what is now Lebanon. These people came to hear Jesus or to be healed from him of their diseases of demon possession. Then they were healed of their diseases or demon possession. Jesus often apparently healed people of diseases or demon possession by letting them touch him or from other scriptures sometimes by his word. Probably a significant part of the purpose of Jesus calling out his apostles was so they could share some of his duties or work of healing people of their diseases or demon possession as well as doing some teaching. The scripture reference from Gospel of Luke 6 of the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) calling some of his disciples to be his apostles is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 6 of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Calling 12 Apostles From Among His Disciples to Help Him in His Public Ministry

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Gospel of Luke 6:12-19

The Lord Jesus Christ Gives Signs to John the Baptist that Jesus is the Promised Messiah of Israel from Gospel of Luke 7

John the Baptist knew he was the forerunner of the Messiah and had been acting in that capacity for some time. However he did not yet know for sure who the Messiah was but by this time with some of Jesus' miracles and calling his twelve disciples he would have some suspicions that Jesus could be a good candidate for the Messiah not to mention Jesus' miraculous birth. John the Baptist then called two of his disciples and sent them on a mission to Jesus to try to get confirmation about whether Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah of Israel or not both in general terms and to satisfy the issue for John himself and his role as forerunner of the Messiah. These two disciples of John then asked Jesus directly whether he was the one (the Messiah) that was to come or whether they should look for another. Jesus as he did on other occasions didn't answer such a question directly in concise words but gave evidence of his Messiahship by his actions including that he demonstrated at that time. Jesus in the presence and sight of these disciples of John then performed many miracles to show his supernatural power including healing many of their infirmities which could include mental diseases and plagues or mostly phsyical diseases and of evil spirits or demon possession. Jesus also healed many blind people and gave them sight. Jesus then spoke to the two disciples of John for them to tell John what they had seen and heard from him in the miracles Jesus performed in their presence. Jesus reminded them that he had shown them he had power to made the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers be cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead be raised and the gospel to preached to the poor which would include the poor in spirit but of course the materially poor as well. Jesus added blessed is the one that is not offended in him. Jesus said all these things for John the Baptist and people in general that these miracles and his preaching the gospel were evidence that he was the promised Messiah of Israel. We can as Christians today ask God in prayer in Jesus' name to do these same things for people we pray for to heal them and God will heal those for whom it is his will although sometimes God wants unbelievers to trust Him more for salvation from our sins or for believers to share in Jesus' sufferings in this world for which God will reward us as believers if we seek to live for God's glory. The scripture reference in Gospel of Luke 7 of the Lord Jesus Christ pointing to the miracles he did including in the presence of the disciples of John the Baptist as evidence of his Messiahship is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 7 of Disciples of John the Baptist Coming to the Lord Jesus Christ for Evidence of His Messiahship and Jesus Showing Them Miracles and Preaching the Gospel to Provide This Evidence

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosover shall not be offended in me. Gospel of Luke 7:19-23

Miracle of the Lord Jesus Christ Feeding the Five Thousand With Only Five Loaves and Two Fish to Start With in Gospel of John 6

Even by early in Jesus' first earthly ministry he had become very famous and popular, partly by the miracles he did. One of Jesus' greatest miracles that is mentioned in all four gospels is his feeding of the five thousand men plus women and children. After Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee the multitudes followed him along the shore to hear him and have him do some miracle. Jesus then went up into a mountain on shore and sat with his disciples. This was also the time of year just before the Jewish feast of passover. When Jesus looked around he noticed the huge crowd coming to him and he asked his disciple Philip where the people could find something to eat. Jesus as the scripture said was just testing Philip to see how much he believed Jesus could do a miracle in this situation as Jesus knew and had already made up his mind what he would do. Philip said two hundred penny's worth of bread was not sufficient to feed the crowd to give each of them a little. This would be a considerable amount of bread as a penny at that time was a day's wages for a labouring man. One of Jesus' other disciples, Andrew, Peter's brother, showed more faith in pointing to a lad probably a young teenager or adolescent that had five loaves and two fish. Although this wasn't very much and could hardly feed the great and probably hungry multitude. It showed a willingness and faith on the part of Andrew to make due with what was available and believe that Jesus could bless it and make it sufficient to feed the multitude. Jesus honoured this faith in Andrew by starting to prepare the people to have this food be blessed to feed them all. Jesus first ordered the people to sit down. This showed some faith on their part as they could have started to leave when they didn't see any apparent source of food for them but they believed that Jesus could provide for them so they did sit down. Jesus also it this instance gave glory to God by acknowledging him as the provider of the food which would please God and enable his blessing. Jesus then gave the food to his disciples and they gave the food to the multitudes. If there is a lot of Christian work to do it is good to delegate some of the work to other workers if willing and able Christian coworkers can be found. When Jesus had through the disciples distributed the food the people ate as much as they wanted and they all became full. Jesus again then worked through the disciples and instructed them to gather what was left over that nothing should be lost. This is a good lesson that Jesus does not want us to waste food or other things he was provided us with. The disciples then carried out Jesus' order and gathered twelve baskets of food leftovers. The men and most likely women and children that saw this miracle that Jesus did exclaimed that this was indeed the prophet that should come into the world referring to the messianic prophesy of a prophet like to Moses from among the Jews in Deuteronomy 18. However they still needed to believe that Jesus was the Son of God although some of them might have believed that. However we should believe in Jesus because of HIs teaching in the Bible especially the New Testament and not just because of any miracle we see or that he does in our lives. The scripture passage in Gospel of John 6 of the Lord Jesus Christ multiplying the fish and loaves of bread to feed the multitute is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of John 6 of the Lord JEsus Christ Multiplying the Fish and Loaves of Bread to Feed the Multitute

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh (near). When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. Gospel of John 6:1-10

The Lord Jesus Christ Stilling the Storm and the Waves on the Sea of Galilee in Gospel of Luke 8

The first thing that should be noted here is that Jesus said before they launched their boat into the Sea of Galilee "let us go over to the other side of the lake". This showed that Jesus was fully confident they would safely reach the other side of the lake or Sea of Galilee and since these were the words of Jesus of Nazareth God made flesh they were as good as done even before they happened. Jesus then fell asleep in the boat which showed he was at peace and confident they would reach the other side safely. There then came up a windy storm on the lake. As I have heard before and that is quite a common interpretation of the wind storm here, this storm could have been caused by Satan or one of the other demons which have power to do these things despite what some Christians say as this is evidenced in the scripture in the Book of Job where a whirlwind that destroyed some of Job's property or family is attributed to Satan the devil. Satan could have tried to bring a windstorm in this case in Jesus' first earthly ministry in a vain attempt to kill Jesus and his disciples. The disciples then were worried they were going to die and didn't have any faith in Jesus that he could overcome and still the storm even though Jesus had already showed some of his miraculous powers to them by that time. Jesus then arose and he rebuked the winds and the waves according to another gospel in saying "peace, be still" and then there was a great calm. Jesus then rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith in Him and His ability to calm the storm or have power over nature by asking them where their faith was. The disciples then marvelled at Jesus and gained a greater realization of His supernatural power when they exclaimed they he was an extraordinary man that even the winds and the waves obey his command. In the next verse, verse 26, the scripture says they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes which was on the far side of the Sea of Galilee thus confirming after Jesus calmed the storm He and the disciples arrived safely to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. In answer to prayer in Jesus' name Jesus can and does still do miraculous things on behalf of or to his people saved by faith in Him and His death on the cross for our sins and resurrection from the dead to give us new life. The scripture reference from Gospel of Luke 8 of Jesus stilling the storm and His disciples gaining a greater appreciation of his power is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 8 Of The Lord Jesus Stilling the Storm and His Disciples Challenged to Greater Faith in His Power

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Gospel of Luke 8:22-25

The Demonically Possessed Man from Gadara That Jesus Heals from Mark 5

One thing to note about this demoniac from Gadara is that the demons gave him superhuman strength such as being able to break the chains quite easily. Nowadays, people that practice exorcism have to also to be careful with possessed people because they can be quite violent especially when an attempt is made to cast out the evil spirit(s). It should also be noted that the evil spirit or unclean spirit was a spirit of death and destruction driving the demonically possessed man to dwell among tombs and to cut himself. Although the man truly wanted to be delivered from the demons shown be his coming to Jesus and worshipping him, the demons in him didn't want anything to do with Jesus because they didn't want him to cast them out of the man or into the pit (hell). Jesus then spoke with authority to the unclean or evil spirit to come out of the man. Jesus of course didn't have to speak in the name of another as he was the Son of God but any effort that is done by humans which should be true Christians should be done in Jesus' name because it is Jesus not at all ourselves that has authority over the fallen angels or unclean spirits and we can have this authority when we speak as believers in Jesus' name. After Jesus asked the demons their name he said Legion for we are many. This indicates that sometimes many demons will possess a single person and also that demons have an organized system with a hierarchy what the New Testament calls powers and principalities and what the Old Testament sometimes calls the host of heaven. The demon also sought Jesus not to send him out of that country showing that the unclean spirit identified with that area or was a territorial spirit as there are also territorial spirits in many places on earth today. Jesus allowed the evil spirit to enter into the herd of swine and although it caused the death of the swine Jesus and God see a human being that has an eternal spirit as far more value than animals that at most have a soul but not a spirit that can have communion with God. The effects on the demonically possessed man were immediate and dramatic. He was then sitting in his right mind and clothed all of which were probably not the case when he was still possessed. The people of that area were afraid as they probably did not like to admit the reality of the supernatural or of that power like many today and sometimes people from an occult background that become genuine born again Christians have trouble gaining the trust or support of other Christians although true Christians should receive and encourage genuine converts to the Lord Jesus Christ from any background. Although sometimes Jesus asked people to follow him in this case Jesus asked this man to go to his own people to testify of Jesus and how he changed his life to this people. When a person trusts in the Lord Jesus they should seek God's will how God and Jesus would use them in His service after one is saved. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Mark 5 of the demoniac from Gadara and Jesus casting out the demons in him and calling him to serve Jesus is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Mark 5 of the Lord Jesus Christ Casting Out Evil Spirits from a Possessed Man Then Calling the Delivered Man to Testify of Jesus

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces; neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country, And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart from out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Gospel of Mark 5:1-20

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath Day and the Pharisees Determine to Kill Jesus in Matthew 12

In verse 9 of chapter 12 of Matthew a story of Jesus going into one of the Jewish synagogues is told. In that synagogue there was a man with a withered hand concerning whom some of the Jewish religious authorities asked Jesus whether it was lawful, according to the law of Moses, to heal on the sabbath. In the law of Moses generally it was to be a day of rest and free from work according to the Law of Moses or first five books of the Bible. These authorities asked this question not because they genuinely wanted to know Jesus' opinion but so they could have something to accuse Jesus of breaking the law of Moses. Jesus then gave a hypothetical example of a Jewish man who lost one of his sheep in a pit and wanted to get it out on a sabbath day and then he said a person is more valuable than a sheep or other animal. Then Jesus healed the handicapped man after healing it was legal to do good, such as healing someone, on the sabbath day. There had been other incidents in which Jesus went against the interpretation of the law of Moses of the Jewish religious leaders but this was the last straw or what convinced them to plot intently for Jesus' death. It was also right after this in the next chapter with the mysteries of the kingdom that Jesus started to give more relevation of the church which would be in the place of Israel as God's primary people on earth while Israel is temporarily set aside until the rapture or catching up of the church or all true Christians to heaven. God will then focus on the Jewish people again on earth by chastening them and restoring them to himself in the tribulation and second coming of Jesus including getting about a third of them to trust in Jesus as their Messiah after they survive the tribulation and then blessing this Jewish remnant to be the primary nation one earth during God's rule through Messiah Jesus in the Millennial or Messianic Kingdom. The determination of the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus and not mostly receive him as their Messiah 2000 years ago means the kingdom promises to the Jews have been postponed until after the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church will also reign with Jesus over the earth with the believing Jews during that time. The scripture reference of Jesus healing on the sabbath and the Jewish religious leaders then determining to kill Jesus in Matthew 12 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Matthew 12 of Messiah Jesus Healing on the Sabbath and the Decision of Jewish Religious Authorities to Put HIm to Death

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. ANd they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then said he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand, And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. Matthew 12:9-14

The Lord Jesus Asks His Disciples Who He Is and the Apostle Peter's Response from Matthew 16

Although people have many ideas today about who Jesus Christ is, this is nothing new. Jesus asked that same question of his disciples when he was on earth during his public ministry. People today think Jesus was a good man, a good teacher, a reformer or revolutionary, a prophet, a false prophet or an eastern mystic or one who had the Christ spirit and of course genuine Christians think he is God come in the flesh and the Messiah or the Christ. When Jesus asked that question the disciples answered Jesus that people who would be the Jews of that time thought he was John the Baptist (who by then had died), Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets in other words they thought he was a prophet. Then Jesus asked his disciples themselves who they thought he was. Peter gives the answer saying he believed JEsus was the Christ or Messiah the Son of the living God or the Son of God. Of course Peter meant identifying Jesus as the Christ or Messiah in a traditional Jewish way as the annointed one who would bring payment for sin and eventually political deliverance to the Jewish people not as a mystical Christ spirit. Jesus then commended Peter for his answer and said that other people, flesh and blood, had not revealed this to him but God (Jesus' Father who is in heaven). Jesus then gave that famous saying using Peter's name given him by Jesus but this is a statement built upon the object of Peter's faith Jesus Christ who is the rock as in 1 Corinthians 10:4 rather than Peter which means stone as the gates of hell prevailed against Peter when he denied Jesus three times but not against the Lord Jesus who rose victorious after living a perfect life and dying on the cross for our sins. Although people or groups have tried to prevail against the church in its 2000 year or so history they have not succeeded or against the object of true Christians faith the Lord Jesus Christ. Now Jesus is closer to finsihing his church called out from every people, nation, tongue and kindred than any time in church history and will likely finish the church soon and bring it to be with himself in heaven and then back to earth to rule with himself. Jesus says that he would give the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter that whatever he would bind on earth would be bound in heaven and whatever he would loose on earth would be loosed in heaven. But as far as binding or loosing sins Jesus gave that authority to all his apostles when they received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22-23 and I think to all Christians when he receive the Holy Spirit and are born again. This doesn't mean that we have authority of ourselves over others to forgive or retain their sins but when we are led by God's Holy Spirit and walking with Jesus as born again Christians our judgment should be the same as that of God and Jesus would be for forgiving and retaining of people's sins such as if they confess them and have remorse for them and if they are willing to forgive others who have sinned against them. The scripture reference from Matthew 16 of what people in Jesus' day and his disciples especially Peter thought of Jesus and Jesus' response is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Matthew 16 of General Opinions and Peter's Opinion of Jesus and Jesus' Response

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias (Elijah); and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shalt be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ (Messiah). Matthew 16:13-20

The Often Misquoted Passage of the Lord Jesus Referring to the Jewish Judges as Gods from Gospel of John 10

The context of this passage was just after Jesus mentioned about the security of the believer in His hand and in the hands of God the Father finishing by saying that he and the Father are one. The Jews rightly understood this to be a claim of Jesus to divinity and they took up stones to stone him which was the penalty under the Law of Moses for blasphemy. Jesus then referred to a passage in the Old Testament where God called people who he gave the word of God gods. This passage is in Psalm 82 and is involved with God's message to human judges associated with the Law of Moses. The word gods in the Old Testament as well as the word for the one true God (God) is Elohim which is the plural of El (God). This word Elohim is also used of the earthly Jewish judges who used the Law of Moses to determine matters of law with God's earthly people Israel and is used in that sense three times in Exodus 22 (verses 8 and 9) and once in Exodus 21 (verse 6). This is the true meaning of what Jesus was saying and he certainly wasn't granting that humans can become gods and that God authorizes that as many New Agers and Mormons claim. I think Jesus' statement that the scripture cannot be broken does not just refer to the Jewish judges after the law as gods but also that the word of God that they were given to be the basis of their judgments such as in Exodus cannot be broken. Jesus goes on to say it is not a great thing for him to claim to be the Son of God since the Israelite earthly judges were called gods. The scripture reference from John 10 of the Lord Jesus Christ using this scripture reference from the Old Testament (Psalm 82) of Israelite judges being called gods to downplay the possible offence to the Jewish religious leaders of his own claim to deity is as follows:

Scripture Reference from John 10 of the Lord Jesus Using the Reference to Israelite Judges After the Law as Gods to Downplay His Own Claims to Deity in the View of Jewish Religious Leaders

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him, but he escaped out of their hand. Gospel of John 10:32-39

Jesus' Raising Lazarus From the Dead Jesus Before Jesus Went to the Cross in Gospel of John 11

One of the greatest miracles Jesus did he did just before he went to the cross to die for our sins and then rise again. This miracle was the raising of his earthly friend Lazarus from the dead. Jesus spent much time at the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha in Bethany just on the other side of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. Lazarus' sister Mary was mourning for her brother Lazarus after he died and criticized Jesus as not caring enough for him by letting him die. Jesus was troubled in his heart and groaned deeply when he saw Mary and other of the Jews weeping for Lazarus. However as I have heard from a number of sermons on this passage, Jesus' groaning here was probably not just for the death of Lazarus for the burden death imposed on humanity because of our sins since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and the reign of death over humanity. Jesus then asked them where they put Lazarus and they volunteered to show him where they put his body. Jesus also then showed his humanity and wept for Lazarus which caused some of the people there to comment of the depth of Jesus' love for Lazarus. Some of the people there also questioned why Jesus hadn't stopped Lazarus from dying based on their knowledge of the other miracles Jesus did including many healings. Jesus then came to the grave where Lazarus was and it was a cave with a stone in front of it somewhat like the place Jesus would later be buried in but would rise from the dead and leave. Jesus again groaned at this time when he came to Lazarus' grave. Jesus then asked the people gathered at Lazarus' grave to remove the stone which blocked the entrance to Lazarus' grave. One additional reason Jesus asked them to do this was to show their faith in him that he could do another miracle. Martha, Lazarus' other sister protested that by that time he been dead for four days and his body stank because it had begun to decay. (The Jews believed that after three days after someone died their spirit went into the other world and they were fully dead.) Jesus then reminded them that if they believed in him he could do miracles including raising Lazarus from the dead. After they had removed the stone from the dead, Jesus gave a short prayer in thanking the Father (God) for hearing him (to enable him to raise Lazarus from the dead). Jesus said he said that to give more faith in Him to those gathered at that place when Jesus actually carried out the raising of Lazarus from the dead in Jesus' working together with God the Father. Jesus then called out loudly for Lazarus to come forth (from the dead or the realm of the dead.) It has been remarked that at that time if Jesus hadn't said Lazarus first and just said come forth then all the dead would have come forth then as will be the case in the last day (John 5:25-29). Lazarus then rose from the dead still wearing his grave clothes. Jesus instructed them to let him go and to let him be changed into regular clothes. The raising of Lazarus from the dead was a special sign of Jesus being sent from and empowered by God although there were some others like Elijah and the apostle Peter that also raised people from the dead but only Jesus had a part in raising himself from the dead as in John 10:17-18. The scripture reference from the Gospel of John 11 of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead as a sign of his power and authority is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of John 11 of Jesus Raising Lazarus from the Dead as a Sign of Jesus Power and Authority

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? They they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and he face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Gospel of John 11:32-44

The Triumphal Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Public Offer of Himself to Israel as Their Messiah from Gospel of Luke 19

On Jesus' way to Jerusalem, that was with the probable intent of going to the cross for our sins, Jesus made one final and primary offer of Himself as King and Messiah to Israel. When Jesus came with His disciples to Bethphage and Bethany on the far side of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives and from there sent ahead two of his disciples. Jesus told them to go to a certain place probably on the other side of the Mount of Olives where He knew there would be a donkey or ass and its offspring a foal and ask that they could borrow them for the Lord. Jesus showing his omniscience or prior knowledge was sure that the owner of this donkey and foal would allow use of these animals when the disciples asked to use these animals in the name of the Lord (Jesus). God through Luke the writer of this gospel then says that this was leading to a fulfillment from the Old Testament scriptures namely Zechariah 9:9. Then the scripture reference is given from Zechariah that Israel's King was coming with a meek manifestation on a colt. The disciples then did as Jesus requested and went to ask for the donkey and the foal. The disciples then got the donkey and the colt and brought them to Jesus on the far side of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem and put their clothes on the animals and then sat Jesus on the foal. This scripture passage then said a great multitute of people appeared and spread their garments and tree branches that I believe one of the other gospels says are palm branches in the path of Jesus and the donkey and the foal. This was when Jesus started to descend from the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem. These disciples began to rejoice and praise God for God's works done through Jesus. They said Blessed be the King that cometh in the name in the Lord that was a fulfillment for recognition of the Messiah from Psalm 118. However some of the Pharisees or Jewish religious leaders were offended and urged Jesus to silence his disciples from praising him. Jesus said such praise was warranted and due and that if his disciples didn't praise Jesus even the stones would praise him instead because this was God's will. The scripture reference from Gospel of Luke 19 of Jesus' triumphal entry is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Luke 19 of the Triumphal Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ to Jerusalem and His Public Offer of Himself as Messiah

And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him. And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they sat Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Gospel of Luke 19:28-40

Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem Including His Recognition That They Wouldn't Hold to Receiving Him as Messiah and Some of the Recompense That Would Happen from Luke 19

When Jesus came near to the city probably when he was still riding on the foal Jesus gave a heart felt and heart rending lament and wept over Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Jesus first wept over the inhabitants of Jerusalem that they didn't recognize the day that Jesus offered himself as Messiah. Part of the reason Jesus wept for the Jewish people not responding more positively and enduringly to His and His offer of Himself as their Messiah is because this was exactly on the day 483 years or 69 x 7 years after the decree of the Persian king Artaxerxes to allow the Jews to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This is prophesied in Daniel 9 as leading to the time when the Messiah would present and offer himself as Messiah to the Jews which Jesus did on the appropriate day on his triumphal entry. Jesus said that the Jews didn't know the things that belonged to their peace but they were then hid from their eyes. This peace even in the next verse in Zechariah, Zechariah 9:10, namely a world peace in the Messianic Kingdom was offerend to Israel when the Messiah comes and they receive him. Jesus then predicted the enemies of the Jews would lay siege to Jerusalem and break it down and not leave one stone on another. This was later fulfilled about a generation later in 70 AD when the Romans, who were the enemies and oppresors of the Jews, laid siege to Jerusalem and burned it with fire and tore down its stones including of the Jewish temple or Herod's temple. Jesus then repeated that this devastation would be because the Jewish people did not know the time of their visitation when Jesus offered himself as Messiah then just beforehand. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Luke 19 of Jesus lamenting for Israel's neglecting their opportunity to receive him and his offer at that time of the Messianic Kingdom when God through the Messiah (Jesus) would rule the world through the nation of Israel from Jerusalem and the Jewish temple in Jerusalem is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Luke 19 of Jesus Lamenting Over Jerusalem And Jesus Offering Himself and the Messianic Kingdom at the Day Specified by the Prophet Daniel

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Gospel of Luke 19:41-44

Mention of the Triumphal Entry in the Gospel of Matthew That Includes the Term Daughter of Sion Symbolically for Jerusalem in Matthew 21

Recently I was thinking about the Bible including the term daughter of Sion used in the account in the Gospel of Matthew of Jesus' triumphal entry when he publicly offered himself as Messiah to the Jews. Although most of the account in Matthew is similiar to that in Luke one additional thing that is in the Gospel of Matthew is the term daughter of Sion. This is also used in the Gospel of John (John 12:15). Matthew probably used this term because he wrote his gospel especially in a way the Jews could relate to and I found this term is used substantially in the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures especially in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Micah but in some other books as well. It is generally used in a negative or condescending way both literally of the actual women of Jerusalem or symbolically of Jerusalem and its people in general. This term is often used of the Jews when they were wayward from God in idolatry or materialism or other sins and God's resultant judgment of them by the Babylonians but there are also some references to God's promised deliverance of them from their oppressors in the last days when God sends His Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ or Y'Shua HaMashiach) to judge the world and set up His kingdom based in Jerusalem in which those Jews that will believe on Him and return to God will have first place among the nations for the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom. The Jews of Jesus day would be familiar with this Old Testament usage and understand some of the implications Jesus was conveying when He used this term that I just realized through studying the Old Testament references. The version of Jesus fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah referring to the women or people in general or the city of Jerusalem as the daughter or Zion is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Matthew 21 of the Use of the Term Daughter of Zion in Reference to Jerusalem or the People of Jerusalem in Their Oppressed State in Connection with the Lord Jesus Christ Offerring Himself as Their Messiah

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. Gospel of Matthew 21:4-5

The Lord Jesus Christ Specifies What the Two Greatest Commandments are from Gospel of Matthew 22

Just before Jesus went to Calvary he was faced by some very testing and pointed questions by representatives of some of the main sects of the Jews of that time. After Jesus had shamed the Saduccees into silence with his answer to their question, a lawyer of the Law of Moses who represented the Pharisees also asked Jesus a question to test him and in their minds try to get Jesus to say something that could be used against him. This lawyer asked Jesus what the greatest commandment of the law was. Part of the intention of asking this question was the hope that Jesus based on his reputation in the eyes of the Pharisees of breaking or revising the Law of Moses would say something that the Pharisees could use to accuse Jesus of being un-Jewish or unfaithful to the Law of Moses and nation of Israel. Jesus however answered in a very wise way using very appropriate scriptures from the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures. The first commandment Jesus referenced was the command to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. This was a direct reference to Deuteronomy 6:5 which is from is today called the Shema which forms a sort of creed of Judaism. Jesus called this the first commandment. The Pharisees couldn't find anything in this statement to accuse Jewish of being against the Law of Moses or Judaism and were probably content with Jesus' answer. However, the second part of the answer would be more awkward for the Pharisees since they made a great effort to be faithful to God in their way but perhaps they weren't as faithful to love their fellow man even their fellow Jew. Jesus said the second commandment was to love one's neighbour as oneself which is also from the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus also said this second commandment was like the first commandment to love God which could mean we are to love our neighbour with all our heart, soul and mind although the version in the Gospel of Mark 12 adds strength or with our physical strength as well. Jesus said on these two commandments hang or depend all the law and prophets. This would be an offence to the self righteous religious Jews such as the Pharisees because they prided themselves on making efforts and saying they kept all the detailed requirements of the many laws of the Law of Moses to the minutest detail and Jesus was saying here that the most important point is to keep the essence of the Law of Moses which was to love God and love one's neighbour as oneself. The Pharisees might have rightly taken this as an accusation that they weren't keeping the essence of the law because they didn't have very much love for God or for their fellow man. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Matthew 22 of Jesus being asked what the greatest commandment of the law was and his response is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Gospel of Matthew 22 of Question by a Religious Jew to Jesus of What Was the Greatest Commandment and Jesus' Response

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Saducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets. Gospel of Matthew 22:34-40

Description of the LOrd Jesus that Israel's House Would Temporily Be Left Desolate Because the Nation Didn't Receive Him as Their Messiah from Matthew 23

The Lord Jesus in Matthew 23 just after he offered himself to Israel as their Messiah at the triumphal entry lamented over Jerusalem starting with their previous rejection of many prophets God sent to them in Old Testament days. Jesus identifies himself with God the Father at wanting to deliver the Jews before when they strayed from God and he was implying that he wanted to do that in his first earthly ministry but had just been rejected again. Jesus then said to the Jews that their house from that time to Israel's restoration in the last days leading up to and at the time and after his second coming would be left desolate. This word house can mean both household or the Jewish nation and house meaning the house of the Lord or temple. The same Greek word and English one are used other times in the New Testament for either one for example in Matthew 21:13 it is also used for the temple or house of God and in Acts 2:36 it is used for the household or nation of Israel. Part of God's restoration of Israel in the last days will be to restore both of these houses for Israel in the Millennial or Messianic Kingdom when God will rule in blessing through physical Israel although also with the Church in our glorified bodies. When Jesus said that Israel would not see him again until they would say blessed is the name of the Lord he was saying that they would not see him much after his death on the cross until they recognized him as their Messiah by the nation of Israel through the effects of the tribulation and his glorious second coming at his second coming to establish God's kingdom on earth and judge the world when he will come with his true Church of all born again Christians who have trusted in the Lord Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour. The scripture reference from Matthew 23 of Jesus' lamentation for Israel and prophecy that he would temporarily set them aside until God's restoration of them in the last days is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Matthew 23 of the Lord Jesus' Lamentation for the Jews Rejecting Him at His First Coming as Their Messiah and His Announcement That They Would be Set Aside Until They Recognize Him as Their Messiah at His Second Coming

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Gospel of Matthew 23:37-39

Similiar Warning to the Jews of His Day by the Prophet Jeremiah of God's Impending Judgment of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple from Jeremiah 26

Although God's message in Jeremiah's day was more to the Jewish people than in Jesus' day there was still some direction to the religious leaders in Jeremiah's day also. Anyway some of the response was in the same as in Jesus' day with the religious leaders such as the priests and prophets taking the lead in condemning Jeremiah as they did with Jesus and plotting to put him to death. This was even though Jeremiah as was the case also for Jesus only spoke what God the Father instructed him to speak. Although Jesus gave more emphasis that the temple the house of Israel would be left desolate although this can also speak to the Jewish nation as the household of Israel Jeremiah spoke more about the city of Jerusalem would become desolate. However in both cases both the temple of God of the day and Jerusalem were in line for God's judgment and were judged first by the Babylonians in Jeremiah's time and then by the Romans in Jesus' time. Both Jeremiah and Jesus spoke these words standing in the courts of the Jewish temple of their days in Jerusalem. Both were also sad that these things were about to happen and that they had to say them but felt they had to obey God the Father and announce God's displeasure and judgment on His people for their sins. Jesus however made clear that Israel and the Jews and the Temple would be restored in the last days after His second coming as Jeremiah elsewhere promised that God would restore the Jews to their land after seventy years captivity but that was only a partial restoration without the independence they had under their own kings before the Babylonian captivity. AFter Jesus second coming God will bring Israel and the Jews into their kingdom blessing under Him as their King and Messiah with the true Church also joining Jesus from heaven when Jesus will rule from Jerusalem through Israel and the Jews as God's restored chosen earthly people when they will be first among the nations and receive the blessings of God's covenant with them through Abraham, Moses and David and also the New Covenant after many of the children of Israel endure the tribulation and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Messiah. The scripture about the desolation of Jerusalem (and the temple) in Jeremiah's day as a parallel to the desolation Jesus prophesied for for the people of his day in Jeremiah 26 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from Jeremiah 26 of God's Pronounced Desolation of Jerusalem and the 1st Temple Under Jeremiah as Similiar to Jesus' Later Pronouncement Before He Went to the Cross

Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. Jeremiah 26:8-9

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