There are many passages in the Old Testament that tie into the New Testament, prophecies made in the OT that are fulfilled in the NT. It is always interesting to note these, knowing that the prophecies were made hundreds of years before the fulfillment. There are so many examples of this that we could never cite half of them in an article of this type. But we will look at one here that involved a donkey.
When Jesus was approaching the time of His death, He arranged for the use of a donkey for His entry into Jerusalem. This was in fulfillment of the passage in Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." This is clearly a messianic prophecy and given certainty by the reference to the old scripture in the NT.
We see the events unfolding in Luke 19, starting in verse 28. This so-called triumphant entry into Jerusalem is often referenced as "Palm Sunday." Jesus sent two of His disciples into a village and told them that they would find a colt, the foal of a donkey, that had never been ridden. This brings to mind the perfect sacrifices that the Jews were to make under the Old Law; the animals that were brought to sacrifice to the Lord were to be perfect, the best of the flock. "Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, 'Why are you untying the colt?' They replied, 'The Lord needs it.' They brought it to Jesus...."
Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem with great acclaim, with people putting down their cloaks for the donkey to walk on, singing and shouting "Hosanna' to the Lord. But it wouldn't be long before all would disappear, all support, all encouragement. The Lord went to His trial and death alone; and He did it for you and me.
The story of the donkey shows one more example of how Jesus fulfilled the many prophecies of the OT. It strengthens our faith to see the perfection and completeness of God's Word. Let us all learn it.....and follow it.
Have a great week!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Women Supporters of Jesus
We know that Jesus formed many friendships during the short 3 years of His ministry. For sure the apostles were close to him throughout this time. But we know that there are special relationships shown in the Bible between Jesus and certain women.
We see the closeness that Jesus felt toward His friends, Mary, Martha and their brother, Lazarus. Many times did Jesus enjoy their company and receive strength through the association.
Certainly Jesus' mother was important to Him. She is at the cross along with His good friend, John. She likely was a source of strength to Him throughout His ministry.
We read in Matthew 27:56 about other women: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses (John), and the mother of Zebedee's sons (Peter and Andrew). We don't read what kind of care these women were giving to Jesus, but it must have been substantial. They traveled from Galilee up to Jerusalem to see to Him. This kind of support must have meant a great deal to Him in His time of trial and death.
We don't have the opportunity to care for Jesus directly, but we can indirectly by serving others who are in need. And frankly, most people are in some kind of need. So it is important that we serve. Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, speaking of His righteous followers, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Jesus had lots of loving women to help Him through the dark times. Let us do likewise.
Thanks for reading. Hope your week is good.
We see the closeness that Jesus felt toward His friends, Mary, Martha and their brother, Lazarus. Many times did Jesus enjoy their company and receive strength through the association.
Certainly Jesus' mother was important to Him. She is at the cross along with His good friend, John. She likely was a source of strength to Him throughout His ministry.
We read in Matthew 27:56 about other women: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses (John), and the mother of Zebedee's sons (Peter and Andrew). We don't read what kind of care these women were giving to Jesus, but it must have been substantial. They traveled from Galilee up to Jerusalem to see to Him. This kind of support must have meant a great deal to Him in His time of trial and death.
We don't have the opportunity to care for Jesus directly, but we can indirectly by serving others who are in need. And frankly, most people are in some kind of need. So it is important that we serve. Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, speaking of His righteous followers, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Jesus had lots of loving women to help Him through the dark times. Let us do likewise.
Thanks for reading. Hope your week is good.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Towns of Jesus
There are some facts that are common knowledge about the towns of Jesus and some that are not so well known. Most people would be aware that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was prophesied in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; He fulfilled this prophecy, just as He did all of the others that had been made down through time in the OT. And, of course, He had no control over where He would be born, the same as you and me.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 says, "..and he (Joseph) went and lived in a town called Nazareth. so was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." It can be noted that Nazareth was not a respected town by the Jews. There are numerous negative references to Nazareth in the New Testament. If you want to research that, you could look at Nathaniel's comment in John 1:46, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" It is in Galilee, which is referred to as "Galilee of the Gentiles" in Matthew 4:15. There likely was a negative feeling toward Galilee by many of the Jews because of the fact that it was in the North where there had been a lot of faltering by the Jewish nation throughout history, and a tendency toward idol worship as well as occupation by pagan nations.
And even the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. It is recorded in Mark 6:1-6 that "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." This is said also in Matthew and Luke. The people of Nazareth had seen Him grow up; He was simply the carpenter there. They could not accept His divinity.
So He moves his home base, his hometown to Capernaum, as recorded in Matthew 4: 13: "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' " Matthew 9 also makes reference to this new hometown.
Thus we see that Jesus was born in a barn in Bethlehem, grew up in the disrespected region of Galilee, in the lowly town of Nazareth, and ended up in the great city of Jerusalem....but was crucified on a cross there. He did His work throughout a region that was barely a hundred miles long. And yet He changed the world.....and He changed me. What a wonderful story; and a wonderful salvation that He offers.
Have a great week! Feel the love.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 says, "..and he (Joseph) went and lived in a town called Nazareth. so was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." It can be noted that Nazareth was not a respected town by the Jews. There are numerous negative references to Nazareth in the New Testament. If you want to research that, you could look at Nathaniel's comment in John 1:46, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" It is in Galilee, which is referred to as "Galilee of the Gentiles" in Matthew 4:15. There likely was a negative feeling toward Galilee by many of the Jews because of the fact that it was in the North where there had been a lot of faltering by the Jewish nation throughout history, and a tendency toward idol worship as well as occupation by pagan nations.
And even the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. It is recorded in Mark 6:1-6 that "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." This is said also in Matthew and Luke. The people of Nazareth had seen Him grow up; He was simply the carpenter there. They could not accept His divinity.
So He moves his home base, his hometown to Capernaum, as recorded in Matthew 4: 13: "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' " Matthew 9 also makes reference to this new hometown.
Thus we see that Jesus was born in a barn in Bethlehem, grew up in the disrespected region of Galilee, in the lowly town of Nazareth, and ended up in the great city of Jerusalem....but was crucified on a cross there. He did His work throughout a region that was barely a hundred miles long. And yet He changed the world.....and He changed me. What a wonderful story; and a wonderful salvation that He offers.
Have a great week! Feel the love.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
"Oh LORD, get me through this one......"
This will be a different kind of story this week, but the story must be told. I was following a semi truck, driving my little Mazda Miata, heading North on I-75 at about 65 mph on Thursday night. The truck braked suddenly, so I moved to the left lane to avoid his problem. He lurched to the left, started to jack-knife and almost toppled right into me. With nowhere to go, I lost control, shot under him, under the semi trailer, coming out the other side, slid to the right, across the other lanes, down an embankment and came to a stop in a ditch. As I was approaching the semi, about to crash into him, I must have bent down...and I called out to the Lord for help. The impact smashed the windshield throwing glass everywhere; I later found glass in my shoes. As the car came to a stop, it was eerily quiet...and dark. I was alone, the truck didn't stop and no one else could be seen. Then I looked ahead about 150 yards where a lone car had pulled over. I got out of my car, could walk, in fact, I didn't have a scratch on me. I had just had a major wreck, drove under a semi, and didn't even have a scratch. Now you are seeing why this story must be told. I called out to the Lord for HELP!.....and got it in a dramatic way.
I walked up to the stopped car where a black woman and her 9 year old daughter were standing, looking at me as though a ghost. She was on the phone with 911; I told her not to send an ambulance. When off the phone, she told me that she saw the whole thing, that the semi almost rolled, apparently trying to avoid something ahead. I told her that I must have ducked, and began praying as I crashed into the truck. She said, "God is so good!" What kind of lesson that must have been for that 9 year old daughter. And what a lesson to me.....
Deputies came, followed by a trooper and a fire truck. Everyone was amazed that I was alive. I was more amazed because I had just seen and felt the impact with the underside of the semi; a major crash. The car was towed; might be totalled. The trooper took me home and I was alive and well.
Romans 8:28 says "All things work together for good for those that love God..."
Psalm 119:65 "You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good...."
"God is SO GOOD!
I walked up to the stopped car where a black woman and her 9 year old daughter were standing, looking at me as though a ghost. She was on the phone with 911; I told her not to send an ambulance. When off the phone, she told me that she saw the whole thing, that the semi almost rolled, apparently trying to avoid something ahead. I told her that I must have ducked, and began praying as I crashed into the truck. She said, "God is so good!" What kind of lesson that must have been for that 9 year old daughter. And what a lesson to me.....
Deputies came, followed by a trooper and a fire truck. Everyone was amazed that I was alive. I was more amazed because I had just seen and felt the impact with the underside of the semi; a major crash. The car was towed; might be totalled. The trooper took me home and I was alive and well.
Romans 8:28 says "All things work together for good for those that love God..."
Psalm 119:65 "You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good...."
"God is SO GOOD!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Redeeming the Time
It is interesting that the subject of redeeming the time shows up in more than one place in the New Testament. It is emphasized in the Bible and we need to emphasize it in our lives. Note a couple of places where we see the phrase:
Ephesians 5:15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
A similar passage is recorded in Colossians 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let you speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
"Redeeming the time" is a phrase that simply means to use our time well. In the first passage it is telling us that the days are evil. As Christians, we must be careful how we walk in this world that has given itself over to the evil one, Satan. And Satan is real. Note 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
While the passage in Ephesians takes a defensive position, the Colossians passage takes the offensive, positive stance, telling us to positively affect the world around us.
And in talking about time, we must conclude with the verses in James 4, where it says, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;' whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' "
Thanks for reading. Have a great week! Let's use our time well.
Ephesians 5:15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
A similar passage is recorded in Colossians 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let you speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
"Redeeming the time" is a phrase that simply means to use our time well. In the first passage it is telling us that the days are evil. As Christians, we must be careful how we walk in this world that has given itself over to the evil one, Satan. And Satan is real. Note 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
While the passage in Ephesians takes a defensive position, the Colossians passage takes the offensive, positive stance, telling us to positively affect the world around us.
And in talking about time, we must conclude with the verses in James 4, where it says, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;' whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' "
Thanks for reading. Have a great week! Let's use our time well.
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