This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Faith Strengthen By Seeing The Power Of God" Matthew 14:22-36

 FAITH STRENGTHEN BY SEEING THE POWER OF GOD

Matthew 14:22-36

INTRODUCTION TO POWER

Jesus had a long day. Chapter fourteen started with the news that John the Baptist

was beheaded doing a birthday party held by Herod for his wife’s daughter

Upon hearing of His first cousin's death, Jesus went to a place to be alone with the

father to pray and grieve over the loss of His family member.

The people heard that He was in the area and came in droves to hear him. He showed compassion and healed the sick. Knowing that the crowd had come a long way He took

a lunch that was enough for one man, and fed five thousand men plus women and

children

DON'T WAIT, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW JESUS'

 COMMANDS

V:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up to a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

After serving all day Jesus dismissed the crowd of 5000 men plus women and children.

There is a time for everything. There is a time to work, a time to rest, and a time for

prayer. You should not take your work into your time of rest. Work makes you tired

and weary. You need time alone. There is nothing better than a good not sleep.

After a long day, Jesus never missed an opportunity to communicate with Father

Prayer is a time to bring all your problems to the Lord. It's a time to be refreshed

and restored to the right spirit. It's a time to seek directions and be encouraged.

Jesus sent His disciples by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to get away from

the crowd and get prepared for the next assignment. When Jesus says go we need

to get moving. We don’t have to know why, because Jesus does.

The disciples had had a long day serving and perhaps consoling the crowd and bringing the sick to Jesus to be healed. Like Jesus, they needed rest and prayer time with

the Father.

When God sends us on a journey, we can expect new experiences. There may be some rough times designed for our benefit.

JESUS COMES WHEN YOU NEED HIM

V:25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said and cried out in fear.

The fourth watch is 3 Pm to 6 Am. I would think it was closer to 6 Am because the

disciples saw Jesus walking on top of the rough water. Even though they had witnessed

and participated in the power of God, they still were superstitious and afraid of the dark.

They still had much to learn about the power of their Savior.

Many strong Christians fear for their safety under certain circumstances.

The disciples imagined a ghost walking rather than Jesus. When there is fear there is

no focus on the power of Jesus. Oh, what peace we often forfeit all because we do

not carry everything to God in prayer. Where there is prayer, there should be

no fear. Where there is fear, there is little faith.

AMID TROUBLE FOCUS ON JESUS

V:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

29 "Come," he said.

One thing believers must understand if Jesus is the reason for our journey, He

prepared safe passage. He will not send us on a journey that will

fail. He promised us that trouble will follow. John 16:23

Jesus will comfort us amid our troubles. It is up to us to call on the Lord.

The test of our faith is to follow Jesus into a storm. It takes courage to step out

of our comfort zone.

When Jesus spoke, Peter responded with a request to come into the storm. It's OK to

test the presence of Jesus in your life. He will give you a sign that He is present

and powerful.

THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE WITH JESUS

V:29b. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

As long as we focus on Jesus we can do what is impossible for man to do. All we have

to do is believe when we ask. The body of a man is more dense than water. Under

normal circumstances, we would sink. Peter knowing the voice of Jesus and His

power asked to step out of the boat to test His authority over water. Peter was already in a difficult situation, but asked to be put in a more difficult situation,

When Peter climbed out of the boat, he walked on the water by faith with his focus

on Jesus. When he considered his circumstances, the water, and the wind, he began to

sink. He quit looking at the possible, Jesus, and considered the impossible standing

on water. No matter how difficult our circumstances are, believers must keep focus

on Jesus. God put us where were are with plan where we are to grow our faith.

The disciples were in the boat by the will of God. They were there for a new experience.

They were put in the storm for the perfection of their faith. Peter had never walked

on water before. This was his time to do the impossible with Jesus. Each of us has

a challenge before us to do the impossible through the power of Jesus. Nothing

is impossible for God.

When our faith weakens, all we have to do is call on Jesus and He will take our

hand and comfort us. When Peter was sinking in the water, the Lord didn’t say

he had no faith, but asked why did you doubt? That is the question you and I

must consider when we are troubled. A troubled mind is a mind that has doubt.

Doubt does not make us a bad Christian, it underscores our need for Jesus.

Peter knew the water, and I will bet he was a good swimmer. Why did he not

try to swim back to the boat? The other disciples were looking, why did they

not throw him a rope? We don’t have these answers, but the objective was for

Peter and the other disciples learned that they could trust Jesus in all situations.

The new experience was at hand in Jesus' hands.

WORSHIP JESUS IN YOUR TROUBLES

V:32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Jesus climbed into the boat with Peter. They both walked on the water back to the boat

together. They both climbed into the boat together. We can do all things together

with Jesus. There is no reason to doubt when you are together with Jesus. The

key is to not let your circumstances separate you from Jesus.

The moment they got back in the boat together, the circumstance changed to be

a nonissue. The wind which caused the circumstance of fear ceased. The lesson

is to worship Jesus in the midst of your troubling circumstances. You don’t have

to get out of the boat that Jesus put you in, just worship Him in the boat.

Once they saw Jesus in the boat and the winds ceased they came to the conclusion

that Jesus was truly the Son Of God. That is what Jesus wants all believers

to know that He is truly the Son of God, That He truly has all power, that

He is the God of your circumstances, and every event in your life is designed

by Him to strengthen your faith.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE POWER OF JESUS

V:34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

When you serve God, people recognize your faithfulness. In time they

will come to know the God you serve and will be drawn to Him. Not only

that, but people will tell their family and friends about the God you serve.

The work we do for God should exemplify His power and authority over all

the circumstances of our lives.

We are all in a state of sickness, some more severe than others. We all should

be beggars of God's mercy. None of us are immune from the influence

of the devil. But all believers have access to the power of God. All we need

is to stay in touch with His power.

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus, The Lord Of Our Worship", Luke 6:1-11

 JESUS, THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

Luke 6:1-1

SPECIAL CELEBRATION DAYS AND TIMES

V:6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

This text takes place after the second week of the Passover Festival (Exodus 12:16) Between the first and second weeks after the Passover festival was the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6) in which no bread was to be prepared with yeast.

God has special times He set aside for us to celebrate our deliverance from the bondage

of sin. He stepped down out of heaven in the person of His Son to atone for our sins

with his blood of sacrifice on the cross. Today we celebrate His birth (Christmas)

and His death and resurrection (Easter). Every Sunday is our Holy day of rest.

The Israelites celebrate their release from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Lamb

blood was brushed on the doorpost of each of their houses the night before

their deliverance. Bitter herbs and unleavened bread were the last meal of

slavery. The death angel passed over each of their homes on its way to kill

the firstborn of every Egyptian family. The Sabbath day (our Saturday)

was set aside by God to commemorate the day He rested from the work of

creation.

DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS FOR DIFFERENT

 FOLK

V:2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

No work was to be done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees watch Jesus closely with

the intent to find something to accuse Him. They knew the law but applied it wrong

to Jesus.

Exodus 12:16

16 On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat — that is all you may do.

They used the law as a hammer for Jesus but not for themselves.

The rubbing of the corn to get kernels off was the preparation to eat. No cooking

was done by the disciples. Yet Pharisees considered it work for

condemnation.

The first question I have is why were the Pharisees walking in a cornfield.

If they were to rest on the Sabbath, why were they walking? They violated their

interpretation of the law by working to condemn Jesus on the Sabbath.

We have to be careful that we don’t use scripture to condemn another

person we have issues with. Before we use scripture we must be sure we understand

it in the context it was given.

GOD’S EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW

V:3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did when himself was hungered, and they which were with him;

V:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

David was a man after God’s own heart, The Pharisees knew King David and

probably held him in high esteem. They probably knew the scripture concerning

God’s selection of David as King.

1 Samuel 13:14-15

14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord's command."

If David ate what God dedicated to the Priest because he and his men were hungry,

which was not lawful under certain circumstances and was not condemned, what sin did Jesus' disciples commit by eating corn on the Sabbath which was lawful ( I Samuel 21:1-6)? Jesus had a way of showing unbelievers, God's compassion for His people. By comparison, the Pharisees showed no compassion.

Jesus properly interpreted the commands of God and applied them appropriately.

The Pharisees took scripture out of context and applied it to fit their agenda.

We must be careful not to condemn others by our standard of righteousness.

By the standards we use to judge others, we will be judged.

THE AUTHOR AND CONTROLLER OF OUR TIME

V:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Jesus claimed His deity, His position, and His authority before an unbelieving

group. His deity is the Son of God, His position, The Son of Man. His authority,

the Lord of the Sabbath.

The agenda of the Pharisees was to deny His deity, reject His position, and

denounce His authority. The Word is the authority whether we like it or not. The Word is the authority whether it fits our agenda or not.

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28)

God used the Sabbath to give man rest and a chance to reflect and be refreshed. How many times do we schedule God’s dedicated time of rest out of our week?

COMPASSION IS WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHAT YOU

 SAY

V:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

You don't go into God's house with vengeance on your mind. It is a place of

worship, not a place of judgment. You don't go into God's house with hatred

on your mind. It is a place of love, grace, and mercy. You don't go into God's house

with deception in your mind, It is a place of truth.

Those who oppose you will never learn anything from your experience. The Pharisees

were so focused on their agenda that they could not rejoice on the expectation that one of their people would be healed of his affliction.

We ought to rejoice when others are blessed. The Pharisees and the scribes knew

Jesus would heal. They, the religious leaders, sought to condemn Jesus for His

mercy.

THE HOLY DAY IS NOT REST FROM DOING GOOD

V:8 But he knew their thoughts and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

Jesus uses our afflictions to give God glory and show His love for the welfare

of His followers. Jesus designed our troubles to show the world His power and

authority over all circumstances and that they are for the good of those who

love Him.

Since God is in our midst all the time, we must have a listening ear and be ready

to follow His instructions. The man with the withered hand was in the right

place at the right time. We must expect when we are in God’s house something

good is going to happen to us. We must come in prayer with a humble spirit

bringing our petitions with thanksgiving.

DON’T HESITATE TO RESPOND WHEN GOD

 SPEAKS

V:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

When Jesus shows up, He will show out for believers and nonbelievers.

Believers need to reflect on the miracles of God and be encouraged.

Nonbelievers need to see and understand God's Power and be drawn

to Him.

Obedience to God’s commands brings blessing into our lives. We are the

showcase of God's works in our lives. Others need to see and hear our

testimonies. What God does for us He will do to others who believe.

Jesus did not ask the man did he believed. The man's actions the evidence

that he did. He was obedient to the command of Jesus and a showcase of

His power over our health.

DON’T EXPECT EVERYONE TO APPROVE WHAT

 YOU DO FOR GOD

V:11 And they were filled with madness, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Don’t get upset when the disapproval comes from those you want to help or

those who are close to you. The devil influences everyone from time to time.

The devil and his demons are never satisfied with God’s work in your life.

Glorify God continuously so that when the devil shows up you can remind yourself

of who is in control of your life. It would be good if we rejoice during our

trials and tribulations.

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Unbelief, The Key To Failure In The Ministry", Mark 9:14-29

 UNBELIEF THE KEY TO FAILURE

Mark 9:14-29

DON’T ARGUE THE WORD, TEACH

Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up to the mountain where Jesus was transfigured and

met with Elijah and Moses. They heard the voice of the Father from the cloud who said

this is my Son who I love, Listen to Him. When Jesus and the three came

down from the mountain there was an argument with the religious leaders.

V:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

When doing the Lord's work you can't allow yourself to get distracted by nonbelievers.

Jesus had given his disciples the authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:13). In this case

they may have forgotten the rule to shake the dust from those who will not receive you.

You don’t argue with nonbelievers. They should have separated themselves with the

father and his non from the crowd. The devil was not only in the boy but in the minds

of those who opposed the Word of God.

DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY UNBELIEVERS

16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

Notice Jesus directed His question to teachers of the law but got no response. Only the

father with the need for his son spoke up. Perhaps the teachers of law knew they had

no chance of winning an argument with Jesus.

The father explained to Jesus what was happening to his son by the demon that

possessed him. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon and thus the

argument with teachers of the law. I can imagine the teachers of the law held

that no man can cast out a demon. Jesus’ disciples probably responded that

they had cast out demons but couldn’t do it this time. There will always be those

who will not believe your testimony.

UNBELIEF IS THE KEY TO THE FAILURE OF THE

MINISTRY

V:19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

Jesus had proved over and over again His power over demons, over all kinds of sickness

, and nature which they had witnessed. Our inability to do as Jesus asked is our

unbelief. Unfaithfulness is a sin against Jesus because it allows to ignore the

commands of God. The original sin of Adam and Eve was a result of their unfaithfulness. The disciples failed to go in prayer as a team and call on the

authority given to them. We may not be able to see Jesus but we must know

his presence in our situations. The question is how many times must we see

Jesus work in our lives before we believe He will always work for us?

The first command is to bring the problem to Jesus.

THE DEVIL’S OBJECTIVE, BLOCK YOUR

RECOVERY

V:20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

When you bring your problem to Jesus the devil gets busy trying to discourage you.

Satan will not give up easily when you are on the road to recovery. He will attempt to

to strong arm you to show his influence. Sometimes the situation seems worse in

the recovery stage.

THE LORD’S OBJECTIVE, TRUST IN HIM

V:21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

"From childhood," he answered. 22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

To unbelievers. Jesus first establishes a relationship to those who come for help.

Unbelievers who come to us for help need to feel that we care about their

situation and are willing to help. We must take time to listen and understand

what they are dealing with. Unbelievers need to understand that God can do

what others can't do.

The father poured his heart out but still doubted that Jesus could help.

Jesus put the problem on him as it is on all of us. It is not Jesus's inability

or His willingness to help. It is our unbelief. This is a profound true statement

that we all must take hold of. “Everything is possible for him who believes”.

The Lord will do what we believe He will do. No prayer is too big or too small

for Jesus to act on. Notice our recovery, our blessings, and our help is on us.

“If we can believe”.

OUR PRAYER, A MEASURE OF FAITH

V:24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Notice the first step to our recovery is belief. We need God's strength

to solidify our belief. Belief in the power and authority of Jesus does not

come easy. Our stumbling block is what we have seen man do and can believe

in our human thoughts. The Lord is compassionate enough to allow us to grow by our

ignorance.

A PRIVATE PRAYER, A PRIVATE RECOVERY

V:25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

The Lord does not need our approval to do a miracle. He can do one in plain sight

or He can perform it before we realize it is done. To avoid vain glory. Jesus cast

the demon out before the crowd could get to him.

At Jesus' command the demon came out, but not before trying to kill the boy.

Even when the devil is busy, God is in control. The devil can do only what

God allows. Jesus can undo anything the devil does. Jesus performed three

miracles at once. He cast out the demon, he gave the boy his voice and his hearing.

Jesus does not do a half job, He does a full restoration.

CONSTANT IN PRAYER, CONSTANT IN GOD’S

DIRECTION

V:28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

It is good to schedule some private time with Jesus. We need to get away from

that which distracts us. We should all learn from our failures. There are times when

we need to review what worked and what didn’t work. Failure is part of our growth.

Jesus is on our side and has planned our success. An occasional failure keeps us

from being overconfident. Failure keeps us grounded and dependent on the Lord.

Failure keeps us on our knees in prayer.

We cannot take our prayer time with the Lord for granted. It is our vital

communication with the Lord. He will reveal to us what we need for

success in the ministry. Prayer is the time when the Lord gives us guidance

and directions.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Bible Study Series. "What Happen To You At The Cross:

 WHAT HAPPEN TO YOU AT THE CROSS

Sometimes we treat the cross as it was a thought that came after man

was created. God knew the need because man would be

made with the ability to think reason and make decisions.

At some point in man's life, he would corrupt himself and

need redemption.

The cross was God's sovereign plan in eternity past

I can imagine a counsel meeting between God the Father

God The Son and God the Holy Spirit

He decided to create a world to manifest His Love,

Man would be the centerpiece of His creation, and the object

of His Love, He created man in His image and likeness.

Angles were created first to sing praises and glorify the

Holy Trinity. One angel, Lucifer, cherub would be left

to his own devices to corrupt himself through pride. The

trinity cast him from the heavens

Lucifer would be allowed to corrupt man and thus the need

for a cross to reconcile man back to God.

God gave laws for man to live by to maintain fellowship with

Him. Starting in the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam

one command which he did not keep because he allowed himself

to be influenced by Lucifer. Lucifer became known as Satan

the father of all lies. The sin of Adam separated him from God

and thus the need for a Savior.

From one man Adam, came all mankind. God grew Israel

into a nation under 400 years of slavery. On Mount Sinai

He Gave Moses His commandments and established the Levite

tribe as His worship team. He designs the movable tabernacle

as the place of worship.

The Tabernacle was the place where animals were

religiously sacrificed for the temporal atonement of sins.

This was just a symbol of Jesus' death on the cross, a one-time sacrifice

for the sins of the entire world, past, present, and future. On the cross

Jesus' death became a substitute for all those who faithfully followed

the law given to Moses before His birth and all those who put their

trust in Him after His death and resurrection.

Jesus' death and resurrection is the foundation of our faith.

Man after Adam was born in sin and shaped in iniquity, The only

way back to God is through faith in the cross, which is Christ Jesus.

The way back is simple, confess with your mouth and believe in your

heart, Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is the surface, Since any man

in Christ is a new creation several things happen in our transformation.

These things happen to each believer who is the building block of

body of Christ.

1. Believers are regenerated

1 Peter 1:3-4

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great

mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection

of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never

perish, spoil, or fade — kept in heaven for you.

2. Jesus became our death

He took our place on the cross. In our baptism, we died with Christ,

Romans 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still

sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Jesus became our resurrection.

We were raised in the newness of life in Jesus

Ephesians 2:6-7

6 And God raised us with Christ and seated us with him in the

heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

4. Jesus became our justification

Romans 5:18

18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for

all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification

that brings life for all men

5. Jesus made possible our reconciliation with the Father

Romans 5:11

11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus

Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

6. Jesus is the atonement of our sins

Hebrews 2:17

For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order

that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to

God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

7 Jesus became our satisfaction

Luke 6:21

21 Blessed are you who hunger now,

you will be satisfied.

8. Jesus is our freedom from sin

Hebrews 2:17

For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order

that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God,

and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

John 8:31-32

"If you hold to my teaching, you are my disciples. 32 Then you will

know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

9. Jesus is our strength

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

10. Jesus made forgiveness from the Father available

Ephesians 1:7-8

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in

with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom

and understanding

11. Jesus is our High Priest

Hebrews 9:11-13

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here,

he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-

made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by

means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy

The place once and for all by his blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

12. Jesus is our eternal love

John 3:16-17

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

13. Jesus became our intercessor

Hebrews 7:25

25 Therefore he can save completely those who come to God

through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Miracle At The Cross", John 2:1-12

 THE MIRACLE AT THE WEDDING

John 2:1-13

MARRIAGE, GOD’S FIRST INSTITUTION

On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

What is important about the third day? When was the third day?

We are sure. There are some possible explanations.

Since the story is a continuation of the Last part of Chapter 1, It could mean the

third day after the call of His first three disciples.

It could mean the third day of the week. In Jewish times the day began at

6 PM. The first day would be Sat/Sun. The Second day would be, Sun/Mon

and the third day would be Mon/Tue. The time could have been 6 PM Monday.

A wedding celebration would last a week. To run out of wine early in the

celebration would be an embarrassment to the groom and family.

Mary may have been invited because she was a relative of the family. Jesus

and His disciples were invited because He was considered a rabbi and to

celebrate the beginning of a new family. Probably, Jesus arrived

later in the day.

It is fitting that Jesus' first miracle was a wedding because His relationship to

the Church is the bride-groom. We are His bride. Wine was the celebratory drink.

We celebrate our faith in Jesus by drinking wine, a symbol of His atoning blood

shed on the cross for our salvation.

Three is a divine number, the Holy Trinity. Jesus rose on the third day. There were three

disciples in His inner circle, Peter, James, and John. Noah had three sons.

Peter denied Jesus three times during His trial.

Jesus is the author of marriage, the keeper of marriage, and the protector

of marriage. Marriage is the first divine human institution formed by God.

Jesus' presence represents the love he has for the Church

Running out of wine represents our continuous need for the provisions of Jesus

and our continuous celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Mothers are the first to show compassion for their children. They are concerned

about the needs and desires of the family. When we have a need or desire we ought

to make our requests known first to Jesus. Before we try to work things out we need

to be confident that Jesus has already planned it out.

JESUS REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH YOUR

 EXPERIENCES

V:4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet co."

5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

To call His mother a woman was not disrespectful but a change in position. Jesus was

not just her son but the Messiah of mankind. Mary was not just a mother, but a servant of

the most high God. Jesus was beginning the building of His Church. He is the chief

cornerstone.

Jesus time had not come to be seated at the right hand of the Father with all power

over heaven and earth and to be our intercessor before the Father. While our desires are

Jesus concern, our most pressing need to hear the good news and accept Jesus as

Lord and Savior.

The first miracle Mary the the mother of Jesus experienced was the conception of Jesus

in her body by the power of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps she remembered her

visit by the angel Gabriel telling her the good news of being chosen to

be the mother of Jesus by Holy Spirit conception. She was sure of the

power of God by her experience. If God could create a baby of flesh and

blood in her body without the hands of man, He certainly could supply wine for the marriage.

Notice Mary did not doubt Jesus would answer her prayer. She was so

confident that she directed two servants to do what Jesus asked. When we

make a request to Jesus in prayer, don’t limit what He can do by our

knowledge. Never doubt the power and creativity of Our Lord and Savior.

My son has a saying; If you pray don’t doubt, If you doubt don’t pray.

There was no wine in the community, and they didn’t have

time to make wine. It was Monday evening, there was no place to

buy wine. A problem for me. But not for Jesus.

I GOT JESUS, IT IS ENOUGH

V:6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Notice our greatest blessing starts with obedience to God’s Word. We will never know

where God will lead us or what He will do for us until follow His commands.

FOLLOW JESUS TO YOUR BLESSINGS

V:8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

Why would Jesus choose water jars used for washing hands and feet? Was it

acceptable to drink? God uses what you have to bless you. What He makes

clean is clean. Water is a precious resource. Water represents the spiritual

purification of Jesus. The six jars, 120 to 180 gallons of water represent the

endless supply in Jesus. Jesus is our storehouse.

When Jesus gives you a command, follow it to your blessing. Not only are you

blessed, but others around you are blessed. The servants didn’t know what to expect,

so it required no faith on their part. Mary's faith was Jesus would supply the wine.

She didn’t know how, she knew He would.

When did the water become wine? Was it when the pots were filled, or was it

when it was taken out of the pots? We may never know, but the miracle took

place at the command of Jesus. To validate the quality of the wine it was taken

to the master of the banquet. Anybody can make wine. It takes skill and time to

make quality wine. Jesus doesn't operate on human skill or time. He operates on

His divine power.

Notice, that Jesus didn't command the water to become wine. It became wine according

to the obedience of the servants to His directions. There are hidden blessings in

Jesus that you don’t know about until you take your prayers to Him.

There was no formal praise and worship going on at the wedding. They were having a

party. Praise and worship begin with faith and obedience. The only party you ought

to attend is a party with Jesus.

JESUS GIVES YOU HIS BEST

V:9 They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Whenever Jesus does something, it will always far exceed what man can

do. The best in our lives will always be with Jesus. Jesus does not shop at Walmart

or your local grocery store, He calls the best out of nothing. He takes what He created

and makes it what we need.

THE JOB OF GLORIFYING THE FATHER

V:11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

The family ought to always be first. God's family and everything else second. This miracle

at the start of Jesus's public ministry emphasized family and family development. Jesus should be the center of your family. There is a song that says Jesus is the center of my

Joy. Start your day in Jesus Joy and you will continue in joy.

The first three disciples were introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist. It is our personal

experience with Jesus that grows our faith. There is no mention of the disciples being involved in the miracle. It had to be revealed by Jesus to them. We have to believe

what the Word says. Faith comes by hearing and not by sight. You don’t have to see

an event to believe Jesus is involved. We see horrible stuff all the time that Jesus protects us from.

Our first objective in the morning ought to be to give God glory. If you start your

day praising God, you will end in His glory.

DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM

V:12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Jesus started His ministry near His hometown. There is not much discussion

in the Gospels about Jesus’ family life. This text indicates that Jesus kept in contact

with His family. Jesus created a family, and His maternal family was

important to Him. Jesus spent quality time with His family. Many of His miracles

were in that area. We must spend quality time with our families. It is believed that

Capernaum was the central base of Jesus's operation.

Never forget where you came from. Your early life experiences are an important part of who you are. Jesus was the son of a carpenter, and a fisherman, raised in a family devoted to God's commands. He built His church, fished men out of darkness, and molded the family of God.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus, The Great Subsitute, Luke 23:33-44

 

THE GREAT SUBSTITUTION

Luke 23:33-43

THE TIME, THE PLACE, AND THE METHOD OF

 OUR

SALVATION

In studying the events of Jesus's crucifixion, there are several questions

I needed answers for clarification.

V33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

THE PLACE OF THE CRUCIFIXION

Why was the place called the Skull?

1) That it was a spot where skulls were to be found lying about and probably, therefore, a public place of execution. This tradition apparently originates with Jerome (346-420 A.D.), who refers to (3), to condemn it, and says that "outside the city and without the gate there are places wherein the heads of condemned criminals are cut off and which have obtained the name of Calvary-that is, of the beheaded."

THE METHOD

How did the Roman soldier bind Jesus to the cross?

What do we know about the history of crucifixion?

In the following article, "New Analysis of the Crucified Man," Hershel Shanks looks at evidence of Roman crucifixion methods as analyzed from the remains found in Jerusalem of a young man crucified in the first century A.D. The remains included a heel bone pierced by a large nail, giving archaeologists, osteologists, and anthropologists evidence of crucifixion in antiquity.

What do these bones tell us about the history of crucifixion? The excavator of the crucified man, Vassilios Tzaferis, followed the analysis of Nico Haas of Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem suggesting Roman crucifixion methods: a contorted position: arms nailed to the crossbeam; legs bent, twisted to one side, and held in place by a single nail that passed through a wooden plaque, through both left and right heel bones, and then into the upright of the cross.

HIS DEATH

Whether the victim’s arms were tied, rather than nailed to the cross is irrelevant to the manner of his dying. As Zias and Sekeles point out:

“Death by crucifixion was the result of the manner in which the condemned man hung from the cross and not the traumatic injury caused by nailing. Hanging from the cross resulted in a painful process of asphyxiation, in which the two sets of muscles used for breathing, the intercostal [chest] muscles and the diaphragm, became progressively weakened. In time, the condemned man expired, due to the inability to continue breathing properly.”

 The Biblical Archaeology Society

GOD’S DIVINE PLAN IN ACTION

Why were two criminals crucified with Jesus?

This was in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12

Isaiah 53:12

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,

because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus, on the cross, was making intercessions for you and me.

The first intercession was the prayer of forgiveness, He made it

possible for our salvation. Our sins were covered by His blood.

The second intercession was His death was a substitute for us,

His death satisfied God’s demand for justice for the sins of man for

all times.

The third intercession was giving all believers a measure of faith to

accept Him as Lord and Savior,

What clothes did Jesus have on for the soldiers to divide up?

John 19:23-25

V:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture, they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

When soldiers went to war they took spoils, Jesus' clothes were the soldier's portion,

The thing Jesus had that was worth the most to the world was the seamless coat. It was labor intensive and took skill to make a one-piece coat by hand. It showed that there is value in anything that touches Jesus. It was the touch of the hem of His garment that healed a

woman by faith.

What is the significance of the conversation of Jesus with the criminals?

INSULTS TURNED TO BLESSINGS

V:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Sometimes when we look at someone's condition we see what we want to see

and judge by what we have heard not knowing right from wrong. Notice the

rulers who wrongly accused Jesus made the most noise in their accusations

stirring up the crowd for their benefit. They proclaimed the good Jesus did (Saved others), but turned it against Him in the same breath (can He save Himself).

There will always be people who will be envious and jealous of you and will

do what they can to destroy you. The Lord may allow it for your benefit and

the benefit of others that He may get the glory.

Jesus' humble humanity was exposed for all to see. His family and His enemies

saw the Savior hanging naked for the shame of us. They knew his sentience

and cruelty was at the hand of man, but didn’t understand the mercy at the hand

of the Father was displayed for all to see.

PUBLIC NOTICE THAT JESUS IS KING

Verse 38-43

V:38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Any conversation with Jesus or about Jesus will be profitable even if was not

meant to be. While some were insulting Jesus, others were learning from Jesus.

The sign above Jesus was plain for all to see in three languages. The leaders

confirm who Jesus was with their sneer. As a result, the conversation continued with the two criminals hanging on the cross beside Jesus. The one on His right proclaimed

Jesus' innocence while the other on the left influenced by the crowd denied His

kingship. The one on the right received his salvation while the one on the left died

in unbelief.

While we still have breath, our job is to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. You

never know who is listening and who will be drawn to Christ by your

testimony,

Those influenced by Christ and the events of the Pass Over Festival and His

crucifixion were His disciples, criminals on the cross, Roman

soldiers and devout men from every nation under the sun

Jesus' crucifixion was planned by God and executed by Him fulfilling all of the

prophesies concerning Him.

John 10:17-18

Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Hebrews 1:3-4

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR