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

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Being Raised From The Dead" John 11:38-44

 

BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD

John 11:38-45

INTRODUCTION

Our text starts in the middle of a drama between Jesus and a family He loved.

Jesus was in Bethabara 30 miles from Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha.

The sisters sent a message to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick. According

to my minimum thinking it was a day's journey to Jesus and Lazarus was probably

dead by the time the message got to Him. Jesus stayed in Bethabara two more days

before making in the journey to Bethany.

Jesus, ever present in our lives and knowing our condition could have healed

from a distance and had no need for a messenger. Whatever Jesus does is

for our good and the good of non-believers. His delay was no delay but for the

glory of God. The Lord is never late and always on time.

Lazarus's four days in the grave were planned by the Lord to strengthen the faith

of Mary and Martha and to draw other mourners and bystanders into belief

in Him. This would show Jesus' power over death and glorify the Father.

THE COMPASSION OF JESUS

V:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 "Take away the stone," he said.

"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

When Jesus gives a command, never object based on your limited thinking and knowledge. You and I cannot judge the decisions of the Lord or know the

outcome He planned until it happens. Most often we make decisions on limited information.

Jesus had met privately with Martha and then with Mary who expressed their belief that

if He had come sooner, Lazarus would not have died. He had explained to his

disciples as He did to Mary and Martha that Lazarus' condition was not about

death. Death to the Lord is just a state of sleep from which we will be raised.

Jesus wept because of the unbelief of His disciples who walked with Him,

Mary and Martha who He loved, and Israel who rejected Him.

It appears that Mary and Martha saw Jesus as a prophet, a teacher, and a healer, but

not the Messiah. They knew He could heal if He was present. They did not perceive

that Jesus could bring Lazarus out of the tomb alive. We should never put any

limits on what Jesus can or will do.

Jesus came to Bethany and went to the tomb at the request of those He loved,

not to fail, but to honor their request. Don’t expect Jesus to answer

your prayers in the way of your limited human thinking. Jesus can do

things in ways you cannot imagine. When we come to Jesus with our prayer

requests, we must leave them in His hands to answer in His way.

Mary and Martha blamed Jesus for their brother's death not knowing that

Jesus saw death as a temporary state.

The first thing Jesus told the men who accompanied Him was to roll away

the stone from the cave. When Jesus tells you to do something don’t be quick

to object to His business. The sisters knew their brother was dead and the body

decaying. What they didn’t know was Jesus had preserved their brother

in a four-day state of sleep.

FAITH THE KEY TO CONFIDENCE

V:40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

Jesus confirmed His mission to Martha for coming to the tomb. Faith in Him brings

dead things alive. We were once dead in our sins, but now through faith are alive

in Jesus. We may still have some dead things in our lives. Dead relationships, dead

aspirations, dead opportunities, etc. If our faith is in Jesus, dead things can come

alive.

THANKS BEFORE EXPECTED BLESSINGS

V:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

We must believe that when we pray in the name of Jesus, the Father always hears us.

Looking back at our past prayers we must be confident that the Father

has always heard our prayers even if they have not been answered the way we wanted.

There is no point in praying if you don’t believe.

James 1:6-8

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

We must share our testimony with others about the prayers God has answered so the Father gets the glory. Others may be encouraged by us when they

face trials and tribulations.

JESUS’S POWER OVER DEATH

V:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

Notice; that Lazarus was dead, but death does not prevent Jesus from performing

miracles. Jesus is the author and the creator of life. He created man out of the

dust of the earth. Not much for Jesus to revive life in a dead body.

Everyone with Jesus knew Lazarus had been in a tomb wrapped in grave clothes

for four days. Jesus called out in a loud voice so everyone could hear His

command. A command to the death angel to release Lazarus back to life.

The loud call was for the doubters to see that Jesus has power over death.

My question is this. Since Lazarus was wrapped in cloth, how did he get up

without the use of his hands? How did he come out of the tomb with his feet

bound with cloth? Several miracles are presented to us. The dead

coming alive. Supernatural power is given to lift one without help while

completely wrapped and coming out of the tomb unaided.

So that others could participate in the miracle, Jesus commanded men to

unwrapped Lazarus. They could see, touch, and hear his breath. The

witnesses and mourners could see Lazarus alive and well.

Some believed in Jesus and others were alarmed at the miracle. People can

see the same thing and react differently. Some are influenced by the

Holy Spirit and others are influenced by Satan.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT INFLUENCES YOU?

IS IT THE WORD OF GOD OR THE WORLD?

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Maturing Faith In Jesus", Luke 8:45-58

 

MATURING FAITH IN JESUS

Luke 8:40-58

EXPECT JESUS TO COME WHEN YOU CALL

V:40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The text presents two

people who had serious problems that they brought to Jesus. They heard about

Jesus and may have witnessed others being healed by Jesus.

Faith comes by a report. The report is the divine message of God. The report must be

believed by the hearer. Many hear the report but do not believe and there is no faith.

Faith does not necessarily come by seeing if the seeing does not result in the belief

that it is a message from God or the Work of God, Many witnessed the miracles but

did not believe it was the work of God.

The word faith means to trust someone other than yourself meaning Jesus.

Trust means forsaking all others in favor of Jesus' will for our lives.

Trust means relying totally on Jesus, and not on ourselves

Trust requires the believer to wait patiently for the timing of Jesus.

Trust requires us to take our prayers and requests to Jesus first with the

confidence that what we ask will be done according to His will

A large crowd was waiting for Jesus to arrive by boat on the Sea of Galilee

The crowd was so large that they choked the walking of Jesus. Jairus had to

wait for Jesus to navigate the crowd.

Jairus the ruler of a synagogue may have known Jesus to be the Messiah but kept

silent until his daughter lay dying. He may have heard the report of Jesus reading

the scripture in the Synagogue in Nazareth and the people’s attempt to throw him

down a cliff ( Luke 4:28). When people have need they forget about their fears

and the opinions of others and come by faith to Jesus. Sometimes Jesus allows

situations in our lives to drive us to Him.

YOUR PUBLIC WORSHIP GETS THE ATTENTION OF

 JESUS

Notice Jairus, the synagogue ruler in full view of the people fell on his knees

and pleaded with Jesus for mercy. This may have encouraged others to

worship Jesus. When leaders show courage and respect they influence others

to do the same.

V:42 As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

This was a woman desperate to be healed and a woman of deep faith.

She violated the law to get to Jesus. According to Leviticus 15:19, anyone she

touched would be uncleaned. To get to Jesus in the crowd she would have

touched many people making them all unclean. Jesus did not expose her illness

or her breaking the law, He focused with compassion on her faith. Her faith in Jesus

made her clean and everyone she touched clean.

It was her faith in the touch of Jesus’s Garment that caused the miracle to take

place. She may have thought she could sink into the crowd and remain hidden.

V:45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

We are taught here that our testimony of the grace of God is important to all

those around us. Anyone we touch may be influenced by the work of

Jesus in our lives

V:45 b When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

To the disciples, most likely Peter, this was a silly question. People were all around

bumping into each other. Jesus. Unlike us, Jesus was aware of everyone in the crowd and every thought and action they had.

The woman’s touch was a tough of desperation. It was a touch of hope, It was

a touch of faith. Every piece of fabric on Jesus was completely intertwined with

His heart, mind, and soul. The woman's touch of the garment was a straight line

to the heart of Jesus. Power flowed from His heart to the flowing blood of the woman,

stopping the flow out of her body. It all occurred at once upon her touch of faith.

The woman who was healed had no plan to reveal the work of God in her life

Jesus called her out because He knew no one would admit to touching Him.

Jesus emphasized the importance of our testimony.

V:47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Had Jesus not called her out, the woman would have gone away without giving

Jesus the public praise and worship He deserved. Again Jesus shows us the

proper way to approach Him. We should come trembling and fall at His feet

with our confession and then praise and worship. We should make some noise

proclaiming the goodness of the Lord in our lives.

We should not miss the point that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us well.

The word says the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. The mountain

for the woman was 12 years of bleeding with no end in sight. It was only

when she recognized who the real doctor was that she came to Jesus. It was 12

years of learning that she could not trust a man for her help. 12 is the number in

The biblical time when adulthood began. The woman became an adult leaning on

Jesus.

DON’T LET CIRCUMSTANCES CONTROL YOUR

 FAITH

V:49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore."

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

Jaruis came to Jesus first but had to wait as Jesus dealt with the woman

and her healing. The woman may have been encouraged by the Jairus

humbleness before the Lord. Jairus may have been encouraged by the

women's healing and testimony,

It is no coincidence that Jairus daughter was well for 12 years and then her

sickness brought him to Jesus and the woman was sick for 12 years before coming to Jesus. They both had a sickness that brought them to Jesus by faith.

While Jesus was dealing with a woman with the issue of blood, Jairus received word his daughter had died. His messenger gave up hope of a recovery and decided he didn’t need Jesus. The Lord always has the last word.

Death is no closed door for Jesus, He created life and can restore life at

His will.

Jairuswas told by Jesus to believe the impossible. What is impossible for man is

possible for God. No delay can keep Jesus from fulfilling His purpose.

God’s delay is designed to teach us to be patient. His ways are not our ways and

His thoughts are not our thoughts. I can imagine Jairus' hope growing as he

made his way with Jesus to his daughter.

Jesus could have healed Jairus’ daughter from where He was, but He was invited to

his house. Not only did Jairus need to believe, but his household needed to believe.

DON’T HANG WITH UNBELIEVERS

V:51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the child's father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."

It was customary when a loved one died, that paid mourners came to mourn with

the family. They had seen the child lying dead and were doing their job.

Jesus shut the mourners up and announced that the child was not dead but sleeping.

Death is just a state of rest until Jesus calls us to life again. Jesus gave us a preview

of His death and resurrection and our resurrection into immortality at His second

coming.

MATURING IN JESUS

V:53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Unbelievers laugh at the impossible not knowing that nothing is impossible for

Jesus. Life rests in the hands of Jesus and is never lost to the world. The daughter’s

spirit had left her temporarily but was returned by Jesus. At 12 years old the daughter

died to the world. At 12 years old the daughter came alive in Jesus. Can you imagine

the growing faith of Jairus and his wife and the growing faith of Peter, James and

John as the girl came to life by the touch of Jesus.

The woman with the issue of blood reached out in faith and touched the garment of

Jesus was healed. Her sickness was 12 years old. At 12 years and some seconds,

the woman with the issue of blood became an issue of healing in Jesus. She died to

the world and became alive in Jesus. It was Jesus who proclaimed her faith had

made her well,

The hand of faith moves upward both ways. Left from us to Jesus and right

from Jesus to us. The power of faith joins us together with Jesus in one body.

Jesus arranges the circumstances in our lives so we mature in Him.

WHAT IS YOU TESTIMONY?

HAVE YOU PROCLAIMED IT TO THE WORLD?

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "An Intimate Relationship With Jesus:, John 8: 31-58

 

INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

John 8:31-39

CONTINUING IN CHRIST

V:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Continuing in Christ is the doctrine of Christian living. Belief and putting the word

of God into action is Christian living. Jesus stated it another way; If you abide

in Me and my Word abide you, ask what you want and it will be done for you.

Abiding is an intimate relationship with Christ. You and I should have a life

regulated by Christ. Every thought and every action ought to be controlled by the

Word of God.

Jesus said it in another way. I am the vine, you are the branches, and my Father

is the Vine dresser, If you remain in me, you will bear much fruit (John 15:5-8)

Discipleship is more than studying the Word it living by the Word.

Notice that there are two benefits listed for abiding in Christ; truth and freedom.

The truth is an understanding of God’s Word. There is spiritual knowledge and

worldly knowledge. Spiritual knowledge provides wisdom far beyond worldly

knowledge. Truth exposes lies and deceptions. Abiding in Christ gives us the strength

to speak the truth in the face of lying tongues.

When we know the truth, sin is evident. The Word of God exposes to each of

us the sin in our lives. Only God can give us the strength to resist sin and temptation.

It is only by acknowledging the truth that we will be free of sin. The truth is our sins

have been forgiven by abiding in Christ. The truth is our sin enslaves us to the past.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY

V:33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

If you don't know your history you want to appreciate the grace of God in your life.

We didn’t survive on our own, God stepped into our lives to protect and provide

for us. We can easily take for granted the purpose God has for us. What we have

survived in our lives is a testimony to the grace of God and His power to

direct us in His will.

The religious leaders twisted the conversation. First, they ignored their history, they were slaves in Egypt for 400 years. They were slaves in Babylon for 70 years.

Second, they played down their current situation; they were slaves of Rome. Third, Jesus was talking about spiritual freedom, and not physical. All of us have been slaves to sin. They missed the most important point of how to be free from sin.

Jesus was speaking to two groups in the temple court; those who believed in Him and those who hated him. Guest who spoke up most of the time when Jesus had a conversation

with the crowd? You guested it, the leading religious leader of the community.

Why do people ignore the truth and hold on to a lie? They are hiding something

or they looking for a reason to discredit the speaker.

A PERMANENT PLACE IN THE FAMILY

V:34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your Father."

We were born in sin, shaped in iniquity. Therefore were born alienated from the

the family of Jesus Christ. We were born slaves to sin. The only way to become

part of God’s family is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior which makes us sons and

daughters. Once part of the family, always part of the family.

The average Jew could not see any man as the Son of God. To do so was blaspheme.

They were prevented by their misinterpretation of the law from seeing the Messiah

in the scripture. They were blinded by their selfish agenda from seeing the one

who came to save them.

The leading Jews considered themselves a privileged people because Israel was a

descendant of Abraham whom God gave the promise to be the father of their nation

They knew the scripture but only used the verses that justified their position.

Jesus pointed it out in verse 37. You want to kill which is against the law because

you have no room for the truth. They knew the truth, were convicted by the truth

but ignored the truth in favor of murder.

The religious leaders thought it their duty to write rules and regulations that were more holier than the Bible. It is a book of their traditions called the Talmud (Mark 7:9)

IT’S NOT WHAT PEOPLE CALL YOU, IT’S WHAT

 YOU ANSWER TO

John 8:48-57

48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

49 "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself, but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

The devil is relentless in trying to destroy your reputation. He will influence people

close to you to do it. It could be a family member, a close friend, or a coworker.

You must be confident in who you are and who you are. You are a child of the

King. You have been justified, sanctified, and have a home in heaven. When people

degrade you, quickly remind yourself that you are a child of the king and accepted

by Him.

They called Jesus a Samaritan, whom they hated and demon-possessed because they

couldn’t deny His miracles or the truth He spoke. First Jesus was a Galilean and

most important He was the Son of God. Second demons don’t cast out demons.

Notice How Jesus elevates Himself. He puts Himself on the same level as the Father.

He and the Father are one. He claimed the Father as judge, who glorified Him.

I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. Jesus claimed Himself to be the Word and

the power over death. Belief in His Word brings eternal life. Belief in His Word

brings freedom to your mind in everyday situations.

WRONG CONCLUSIONS FROM HATEFUL PEOPLE

V:52 At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

You can’t bring an understanding to people who don’t want to hear what you say.

A mind made up in darkness may stay in the dark. Don't get upset, it is not you they

reject, but God.

The men responding to Jesus were the religious leaders, scribes, and maybe members of

the Sanhedrin court (70). They studied the law, knew the law, and applied the law

to everyone but themselves. The Old Testament, according to the dating of the Dead

Sea Scrolls was completed 300 years before Jesus' birth in the flesh. They taught from

the Old Testament every Sabbath.

They knew the death of Abraham and the prophets. But they also knew the prophecies

concerning the coming of the Messiah and His birth in Bethlehem. The religious leaders

had evidence that Jesus was more than a man because of His many healing and casting

out of demons. Neither Abraham nor any of the prophets did the good Jesus did on

a continuous, daily basis.

We are not communicating if we don’t understand what each is saying, Jesus was talking

about spiritual death, but the accusers were talking about physical death. Wrong

conclusions bring baseless accusations with damaging results.

HUMILITY, THE ATTITUDE OF THE KING

V:54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

From the start of Jesus' birth on earth, He lived a life of humility. Even though He

was born king of Kings and Lord of Lords, he presented Himself to the world

in humble means. His birth was announced first to shepherds in a field, He was born

in an animal’s cave to a carpenter and his teenage wife.

It was the angels who announced to the shepherds, that today is born a king, peace

on earth, and joy to the world. It was Jesus who said, birds have nests and foxes

have holes, but I have no place to lay my head. At His baptism it was the Father

who said, this is my Son in whom I am well pleased.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus did not seek the glory of man, he worked to

glorify the Father. He performed miracles to glorify the Father (Luke 7:11, Matthew

9:1-8). On the cross bearing the weight of the world, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven

Father glorify your Son that your Son may glorify You ( John 17:1).

In verse 56 Jesus claimed His deity and His eternal being

“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad”.

Having heard this, Jesus' accusers sarcastically proclaimed His eternal being

You are not fifty years old, but you have seen Abraham.

They missed the point again. He is the God of eternity. Before everybody was He is.

A closed mind can’t learn anything new. A closed mind is stuck in human reasoning

and the darkness influenced by Satan.

COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE IN THE FACE OF

 DANGER

V:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Consider this; the religious leaders, trained in the Word of God, keepers of the law

were in temple court the holiest place in the world screaming murder.

Jesus' Accusers fuming in their hearts with anger eating their bones wanted the last

words of revenge. Jesus added fuel to their fire; Before Abraham was born, I AM!

They picked up stones but Jesus disappeared from their mist. When the world is against

you God is for you.

Today, You and I live in a violent world, influenced by Satan, the father of

all lies. Nothing will ever happen to us that will not work out for our good.

We must at all times speak the truth in love. God is our refuge and protector.

He will always have the last words.

At Jesus' death, God the Father caused the enemy, a Roman solider, to say this;

Surely, He was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). The Lord can cause your enemy

to praise you. This is proof in Jesus' Word; If I be lifted, I will draw all men to me

(John 12:32).

CHURCH, YOUR WORK TODAY IS LIFTING UP

 JESUS