13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
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As Americans, citizens of the United States Of America, we owe a great debt to the members of our U.S. Military Forces. Some have served and returned home to family and friends. Others served and paid the ultimate cost for freedom. On this Memorial Day, let us not forget the members, past and present, who served during the periods of war of World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, The War In Iraq, The War In Afghanistan, and other contingencies around the world. (See the following link.)
Please take time to look at the following videos. As you consider the videos consider the greatness of our country, The United States Of America. Remember that our country is a great country, because it is a good country, and that as long as we are a good country, we will continue being a great country. There are those whom have said that our nation should not be the world’s leader. However, had it not been for the entry of the military forces of the United States of America into World War II, the nations of the world would have come under the dominance of the axis powers who were led by Hitler, Hirohito and Mussolini (Germany, Japan, Italy).
And yes, “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
Manila American Cemetery
As a young airman, stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam War, I was able to visit the Manila American Cemetery. It was an honor for me to walk among the grave sites of the more than 17,000 war heroes of the Second World War.
Tribute To A Fallen Marine Who Gave His Life In Iraq
Fallen Soldier Returns Home
May God richly bless the air crews who bring back home the remains of our heroes who have given their lives on foreign soil.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
It was very humbling for me to have seen the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, that was traveling throughout our great nation, while it was at Fort Stewart, in Georgia.
Motorcycle Escort – Traveling Vietnam War Memorial – Lancaster, Ohio
May God richly bless our patriotic bikers, and the people who stand along the road sides to honor them and the causes that they honor.
Fallen Soldier Funeral Procession
May God richly bless the Patriotic Guard Riders. They escort our troops who are returning home from overseas, and funeral processions of our fallen soldiers.
USMC Fallen War Hero
May God richly bless the patriotic Americans who stand along side of the roads and give honor to our fallen heroes as they are driven to their final resting places. May God richly bless our law enforcement officers who escort those funeral processions. May God richly bless Americans who pull their cars off of the road, in respect for the fallen war heroes, and for the patriotic Americans who remove their caps and hats, and put their hands over their hearts, and lower their heads in honor of our fallen heroes.
USMC Fallen Hero
May God richly bless our military honor guard details. May God richly bless the mortuary officials who transport the remains of the fallen heroes.
Medal Of Honor For Fallen U.S. Navy Seal Of Iraq War By President Bush
May our nation never forget to honor our military heroes.
U.S. Armed Forces – We Must Fight
Taps, Lyrics
Philippians 3:10, New King James Version (NKJV)
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
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Key Associated Verses (All dates are from Scofield Study Bible)
Matthew 1:23-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (4 B.C.)
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Note: 1:23 virgin. Scholars sometimes dispute whether the Hebrew term in Is. 7:14 means “virgin” or “maiden.” Matthew is quoting here from the LXX which uses the unambiguous Gr. term for “virgin” (see note on Is. 7:14). Thus Matthew, writing under the Spirit’s inspiration, ends all doubt about the meaning of the word in Is. 7:14. Immanuel. Cf. Is. 8:8, 10. (Mac Arthur Study Bible note)
Isaiah 7:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 742 B.C.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 8:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (742 B.C.)
8 “Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through, It will reach even to the neck; And the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
Isaiah 8:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (742 B.C.)
10 “Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; State a proposal, but it will not stand, For God is with us.”
John 14:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (33 A.D.)
9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Key Verses
John 5:21, ” For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
John 5:22, For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,”
John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”
John 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
John 5:29, ” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
John 5:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
John 5:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 5:65, “And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Text
John 5 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (31 A.D.)
The Healing at Bethesda
1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.
Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
Jesus’ Equality with God
18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Two Resurrections
25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.
Witness of John
33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Witness of Works
36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
Witness of the Father
37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38 You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.
Witness of the Scripture
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
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The following verses of scripture are taken from BibleGateway.com
John 4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Goes to Galilee
1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
The Woman of Samaria
7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 She *said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
15 The woman *said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” 16 He *said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus *said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” 19 The woman *said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21 Jesus *said to her,“Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman *said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 26 Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
27 At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?” 28 So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city and *said to the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.
31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?”34 Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”
The Samaritans
39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word;42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
43 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.
Healing a Nobleman’s Son
46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 49 The royal official *said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus *said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. 54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.
Commentary on key verses is provided by Dr. R.C. Sproul, and is taken from the Reformation Study Bible which he edited, and contains the English Standard Version (ESV).
4:1–42 The background of this incident is the profound contempt that the Jews and the Samaritans felt for each other (v. 9). Not surprisingly, the Samaritans responded with enmity toward the Jews. When traveling between Galilee and Judea, many Jews would cross the Jordan twice rather than pass through Samaria. Jesus did not follow this practice (Luke 9:52).
4:6 wearied. Jesus experienced fatigue and even exhaustion by virtue of His human nature (Matt. 8:24). See “The Humanity of Jesus” at 2 John 7.
the sixth hour. Noon.
4:9 Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. This phrase could also be translated, “Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans,” referring to the legislation that forbade a Jew to eat or drink with Samaritans, who were more lax in their understanding of ritual cleanness. The surprise was not so much that Jesus would speak with a Samaritan, but that He would drink from a Samaritan vessel.
4:10 the gift of God. This expression emphasizes that salvation is not earned but given (Eph. 2:8). Jesus Himself is the gift of God (3:16; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 5:25).
living water. In the Old Testament, living or running water was employed figuratively as a reference to divine activity (Jer. 2:13; Zech. 14:8). See also v. 14 and 7:37–39.
4:11 Like the Jews and Nicodemus before her, the Samaritan woman misunderstands the key terms Jesus uses (v. 15; 2:19–21; 3:3–10).
4:13 will be thirsty again. Jesus contrasts temporary with eternal satisfaction, teaching that all earthly pleasures, even if legitimate, are fading.
4:14 “I will give” expresses the divine origin of the blessing: “welling up” is its great abundance; “eternal life” is its endless duration.
4:18 you have had five husbands. Jesus’ knowledge of the Samaritan woman’s previous life is like His knowledge of Nathanael (1:48).
4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. Some time after the northern kingdom fell to Assyria (721 b.c.), a split arose between the Jews in Jerusalem and the Israelites living in Samaria. These Samaritans later built a temple on Mount Gerizim, which was destroyed about 130 b.c. They continue to worship on Mount Gerizim even into modern times.
4:23 the hour is coming, and is now here. See 6:25. The time is soon coming when divisions between Jews and Samaritans will be removed (v. 21), and the temple worship will be superseded. The time “is now here” because Jesus is present and has begun the work leading to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church (7:39; 20:22)
4:24 must worship in spirit and truth. “True” worship is contrasted with the worship regulated by the temporary provisions of the law, especially the separation of Jews and Gentiles and the requirement of temple worship at Jerusalem. The ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the law were not false; they were temporary and provisional. Worship “in spirit” is worship in the Holy Spirit. He continues the work begun by Jesus (14:16–18; Acts 2:33). Prominent marks of the age of the Spirit are the removal of the barrier between Jews and Gentiles, and the ability of Christians to worship without the need for a temple of any kind.
4:26 I . . . am he. This is the one occasion before His trial when Jesus is recorded designating Himself as the Messiah. Perhaps the political overtones associated with this title made it unwise for Jesus to use it often (cf. 6:14, 15).
4:27 marveled. The disciples’ attitude reflects both the contempt of the Jews for the Samaritans
and the male chauvinism that regarded giving instruction to a woman as a waste of time.
4:30 They went out. The witness of the woman was more effective than the visit of the twelve apostles.
4:37 One sows and another reaps. Jesus makes it clear that His disciples have a responsibility distinct from His own. They will harvest what Jesus sowed. The saying may deliberately anticipate 12:23, 24.
4:42 the Savior of the world. They recognized that Jesus was more than a prophet (vv. 19, 29, 39); He is the Savior (1 John 4:14).
4:44 no honor in his own hometown. “His own hometown” is probably Galilee rather than Judea (cf. v. 3). Galilee is considered to be the place of Jesus’ origin in this Gospel (1:46;2:1; 7:42, 52). Though the Galileans “welcomed him” (v. 45), the text indicates that Jesus was displeased with their need to “see signs and wonders” in order to believe (v. 48; see Introduction: Interpretive Difficulties).
4:46 official. An officer in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee (cf. Matt. 14:1–12; Luke 23:7).
4:50 your son will live. This was a word with power to heal, not merely a prophecy that he would recover.
4:52 the seventh hour. 1:00 p.m.
4:54 second sign. While Jesus had performed many other signs (2:23), this is the second that took place at Cana in Galilee (cf.2:11). The repetition of “your son will live” (vv. 50, 53) shows the purpose of the sign is to reveal that Jesus has the power to give life. Corresponding to this repetition is the progression of the official’s faith (vv. 48, 50, 53). This focus on life through the power of Jesus’ word prepares the reader for the following discourse on life through the Son (5:19–30)
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For my friends who live all around the world, please let me say that it is hard for you to know what America is, and who Americans are. While you are looking at the following music videos you will see people who are far different from those that you may have seen in television news reports from Washington D.C. Those reports do not show the real America, or the people who have the spirit of America that made it a great nation. Most Americans are God-fearing, hard-working people who love each other, their country, and Almighty God. We also help other nations in great ways. It is because America led the free nations of the world in defeating the axis powers of Hitler’s Nazi Germany, Japan’s Hirohito and Italy’s Mussolini, who wanted to control all of us, that we are able to enjoy the freedoms that we often take for granted. For my American friends I would like to give a reminder to you. America is a great country because it is a good country. And, as long as we remain a good country we will continue to be a great country. However, if we cease to be a good country, we will also cease to be a great country. We have this moment in time to make things right… with our families… with our friends and neighbors throughout our country… and with our friends and neighbors who are living in the four corners of the Earth. Please consider the following scripture and enjoy the concert of praise music. The closing verses of scripture are very timely too. By the way, it is very difficult to select any particular order of arrangement for these great songs.
32 No one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows.
Mark 13:32 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Philippians 2:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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“But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20, KJV)
Sabbath is an anglicized form of the Hebrew word, “shabbath, associated with a verb meaning, “cease, stop, rest (v 30; 5:5; 31:12-17; Gn 8:22). Note from Holman Christian Standard Bible (Exodus 16:23-26).
The first Name used for God in scripture is Elohim.
The most important of God’s Names is the four-letter Name represented by the Hebrew letters Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei (YHVH).
The Name of G-d
Level: Basic
• The name of God should be treated with respect
• God has many names in the Bible
• A Name should not be written, so it will not be discarded disrespectfully
• The most important name is the four-letter name
• The pronunciation of the four-letter name is unknown
Check out the link to find more information on the Names of God.
Read the Word.
Genesis 1:31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
God, The Sabbath, The Law, and The Jews
It is Friday morning, May 20, 2016. In my little town, the Sabbath is moving quickly on its way to us. It is important for us to understand the true meaning of the Sabbath. There has been a lot of bad teaching on the subject of the Sabbath, or seventh day, which has distorted a truth that is clearly written in God’s Holy Word. Hopefully, there will be a sense of clarity that will come from the information that is contained in this post.
Many people say that their Sabbath can be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or any day that they choose. However, it is clearly stated in Genesis 2:2-3 that the seventh day, and not any other day of the week, was blessed and sanctified by God, and it was on the seventh day that God rested. We can not buy a large tape measure and measure around the corners of the sabbath day, put white lime on the borders of the sabbath day so that it can clearly be seen, get into an excavator and dig up the sabbath day and move it to any other day of the week where God’s Holy Day can find a different place to be planted, and call that new location, “our sabbath.” (that’s a bit wordy, but it illustrates the error of trying to make any day of the week, except the seventh day, the Lord’s Sabbath (Ex 20:10).
Per the Scofield Study Bible, the date of Genesis 2:1-3, when the seventh day was first mentioned in the Bible is 4004 B.C. The date of the first mention of Sabbath worship is 1491 B.C., when it is found in Exodus 16. So, there has not been a “forever” existence of Sabbath worship. The date that the law was given was also 1491 B.C., where it is found in Exodus 20. God told the nation of Israel that the sabbath is a sign between Him, and Israel, as is shown in Ex 31:16-17. God gave the law to Israel, as is written in Ex 19, 20, and was not given until 1491 B.C.
There was no observance of the Sabbath, and no following of the law for a period of 2513 years from the time of Gen 2:1-3 until Ex 16-20. But, there has always been conscience in the minds of mankind. A careful study of the scriptures of this post will show that God spoke the requirements of the Sabbath and the Law to the Jews, who were the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. No other people were groups were present when God spoke to Moses and the Israelites about the law and the Sabbath. Only the descendants of Abraham and Isaac, and those who were descendants of Jacob, found themselves to be those who were under the requirements of the Sabbath and the law. Still, remember that mankind has conscience. The non-descendants of Jacob were not present when the requirements of the Sabbath and law were given, “to the descendants of Jacob.” The church of Christ has no responsibility of keeping the Sabbath and the Law, as God gave those requirements to the Israelites. The purpose of those who became “the church of Christ,” was to tell others about saving faith in Christ. Consider the following scriptures.
Acts 8:35 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Per Philip, the evangelist)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.
1 Corinthians 2:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Per the apostle Paul)
2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
So, what do we say about the keeping of the Sabbath and the Law. It is not a requirement for maintaining fellowship with God. To recognize the Sabbath as being a day of the week, as being a day that God blessed and sanctified, is to honor God. The Law, to include the Ten Commandments, also include the 613 Torah Laws, which deal with the proper treatment that Jews should have toward one another. Those same Torah (teaching) Laws give a standard of conduct that all of God’s mankind creation should have toward each other. The Torah includes the first five books of the Bible. A meaning of Torah is teaching. God chose the Jews to not only bring the Messiah into the world, but also to be a standard-bearer of truth, righteousness, and holiness. Because of the responsibility that God gave to “His chosen people,” (Den 7:6), and to be the vessel of salvation (John 4:22), God’s teachings were sometimes very severe for His chosen people. But, there is no teaching for us to stone people to death,or to cut peoples’ hands and heads off, as has been shown by the non-descendants of Jacob.
Shortly, I will notice the beginning of the seventh day of the week, which is the Lord’s Sabbath. I am going to say to God, “hey God! You did an awesome job of creating this holiest day of the week,” as well as the first six days. I am also going to consider the Holiness of God when He gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites, and wonder why our government finds such a danger to society by having the Ten Commandments posted in schools, and in other public places.
Let me now ask you to read the following verses of scripture, very carefully, and possibly learn some things that may have never been taught to you. It is important to know that the total conversation takes please between God and Moses, and is directed to Jews. Please let me add a Jewish greeting, “Shabbat Shalom,” which means “peaceful Sabbath.”
Exodus 31:16-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’ 17 It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”
Exodus 2:23-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.
Exodus 3:5-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.
Exodus 3:14-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.
Exodus 6:1-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God Promises Action
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”
2 God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord; 3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them. 4 I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned. 5 Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.7 Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord.’” 9 So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.
Exodus 14:30-31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.
Exodus 16:22-30 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Sabbath Observed
22 Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23 then he said to them, “This is what the Lord meant: Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.” 24 So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”
27 It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions? 29 See, the Lord has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
Exodus 19:1-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Moses on Sinai
19 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
10 The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; 11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
The Lord Visits Sinai
18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down,warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Exodus 20:1-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Ten Commandments
1 Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
Exodus 24:1-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
People Affirm Their Covenant with God
1 Then He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance.2 Moses alone, however, shall come near to the Lord, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.”
3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!” 4 Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 He sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!”8 So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Exodus 31:12-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Sign of the Sabbath
12 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16 So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’17 It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”
18 When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
Exodus 33:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Journey Resumed
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’
Exodus 34:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Covenant Renewed
10 Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.
Exodus 34:27-28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 35:1-4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Sabbath Emphasized
1 Then Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and said to them, “These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do:
2 “For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the sabbath day.”
4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded,…”
Exodus 40:34-38 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.
Note: Check out my blog post, “Names Of God – Jehovah,” March 8, 2016, for an interesting discussion on this word that has been used for the Name of God. There is a song in the post. Notice the pronunciation of “the Name of the Lord.” The link follows:
Consider How It Would Be To Have Dinner With Jesus
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see such a meal that had been appointed many years prior.
There are two videos. The first video is an introduction; the second one is the full length movie. The full length movie is seen by clicking onto the link that is located at the bottom of this page.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Two videos. Please watch them.
The Perfect Stranger – Introduction
“THE PERFECT STRANGER” tells the story of Nikki, a troubled attorney who one day receives a mysterious dinner invitation from a man claiming to be Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout their evening of conversation, arguments and spirited debate, Nikki learns things she never knew about life, the universe, and most importantly, herself. Written by Pate Walters.
Consider how you would react if you were to have an invitation to have dinner with Jesus. What if you had been having a bad day? What would you think about the invitation? What would you think about your first meeting with Jesus? Would you have any questions for Him? What would those questions be? The introduction to the movie, “The Perfect Stranger,” will prepare you for the complete movie that will follow. Follow the way that Jesus relates and reacts to the situation at hand. It is important for us to understand the meaning of the scripture:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).
As you watch “The Perfect Stranger” consider the way that Jesus approaches Nikki and presents Himself as God. If you were to have a similar encounter with Jesus, what would you expect it to be like? Consider that Jesus is “God with us,” and that God’s Holy Spirit is involved in every incident where an unbeliever is being drawn to make a decision as to whether they will accept or reject Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The invitation is easily accepted:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
On Friday, in this nineteenth Chapter of John, there are a number of significant happenings, per the outline of the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
vs 1 – Jesus flogged and mocked.
vs 5 – Pilate sentences Jesus to death
vs 16 – The crucifixion
vs 25 – Jesus’ provision for His mother
vs 28 – The finished work of Jesus
vs 31 – Jesus’ side pierced
vs 38 – Jesus’ burial
There are also other key events that took place on that John 19 Friday, as follows.
The day was an amazing Friday. It was the day after the Passover Meal that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. (Food for thought; it is difficult to imagine that Jesus did not include women in that group.)
This particular day of the week led up to sundown, which was “the beginning of the Sabbath,” which was also a “High Sabbath,” because that Sabbath occurred during Passover. The day which led to the beginning of the Sabbath was also known as the Preparation Day, or the Day of Preparation. Such a day of preparation for the Sabbath is similar to that of my younger years when people would use Saturday “to get ready for Church on Sunday.” The Preparation Day, which occurred on the sixth day of the week, was very important (Exodus 16:4-5) . The Sabbath was quickly approaching. The crucified body of Jesus had to be taken off the cross and placed in the tomb before Friday at Sundown, which was the onset of the Sabbath. Nicodemus (John 3), a born again believer of Jesus, was present to help Joseph of Arimathea with the burial of Jesus.
Consider the following verses, and comments from the MacArthur Study Bible.
14 “It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning.”
19:14 Preparation Day of the Passover. Since this refers to the day before the Passover when preparation for the Passover was done, John presents Jesus as being sent to execution about the time Passover lambs were being slaughtered. For the chronology of the week, see Introduction: Interpretive Challenges. about the sixth hour. John is here reckoning time by the Roman method of the day beginning at midnight. See note on Mark 15:25. “Behold your King!” That was Pilate’s mockery—that such a brutalized and helpless man was a fitting king for them. This mockery continued in the placard on the cross (vv. 19–22)
30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
19:30 “It is finished!” The verb here carries the idea of fulfilling one’s task and, in religious contexts, has the idea of fulfilling one’s religious obligations (see 17:4). The entire work of redemption had been brought to completion. The single Gr. word here (translated “it is finished”) has been found in the papyri being placed on receipts for taxes meaning “paid in full” (see Col. 3:13, 14). He gave up His spirit. The sentence signaled that Jesus “handed over” His spirit as an act of His will. No one took His life from Him, for He voluntarily and willingly gave it up (see10:17, 18).
31 “Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away.”
19:31 Preparation Day. This refers to Friday, the day before or “the preparation” day for the Sabbath. See Introduction: Interpretive Challenges. should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath. The normal Roman practice was to leave crucified men and women on the cross until they died (and this could take days) and then leave their rotting bodies hanging there to be devoured by vultures. The Mosaic law insisted that anyone being impaled (usually after execution) should not remain there overnight (Deut. 21:22, 23). Such a person was under God’s curse, and to leave him exposed would be to desecrate the land in their minds. their legs might be broken. In order to hasten death for certain reasons, soldiers would smash the legs of the victim with an iron mallet. Not only did this action induce shock and additional loss of blood, but it prevented the victim from pushing with his legs to keep breathing (see note on v. 18.), and thus the victim died due to asphyxiation.
38 “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.”
19:41, 42 garden…new tomb. Only John relates that the tomb was near the place where Jesus was crucified. Since the Sabbath, when all work had to cease, was nearly upon them (6:00 p.m., sunset), the nearness of the tomb was helpful. John does not mention that Joseph of Arimathea rolled a stone across the tomb’s mouth or that Mary Madgdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid (Matt. 27:58–61). For the time of the Lord’s death and burial, see note on Matt. 27:45.
Luke 23:50-56 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Burial of Jesus
50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. 54 It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
23:53 a tomb…hewn out of the rock. Joseph, a wealthy man, undoubtedly had the tomb built for his own family. It had remained unused.
Christ’s burial there was a wonderful fulfillment of Is. 53:9.
23:54 the Preparation. I.e., Friday, the day before the Sabbath.
23:55 observed…how His body was laid. According to John 19:39, Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of spices and aloes (probably obtained while Joseph was negotiating with Pilate for Jesus’ body), and he and Joseph wrapped the body with linen and the spices. These women, from Galilee, were probably unfamiliar with Joseph and Nicodemus, who were Judeans. After all, both men were associated with the Jewish leaders who orchestrated the conspiracy against Jesus (v. 50; John 3:1). So the women were determined to prepare Jesus’ body for burial themselves. So they returned (i.e., went to their homes) to prepare their own spices and perfumes (v. 56). They had to have Jesus’ body placed in the tomb before sunset, when the Sabbath began, so they were not able to finish preparing the body. Mark 16:1 says they purchased more spices “when the Sabbath was past,” i.e., after sundown Saturday. Then they returned Sunday morning with the spices (24:1), expecting to finish the task that had been interrupted by the Sabbath.
Yes. Friday of John 19 was a very significant day. Read the chapter.
John 19, Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus Flogged and Mocked
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. 3 And they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face.
4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging Him.”
Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death
5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6 When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”
7 “We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. 9 He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.10 So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”
11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s bench in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Hebrew Gabbatha). 14 It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
15 But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
16 So then, because of them, he handed Him over to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
Therefore they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was:
JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” They did this to fulfill the Scripture that says: They divided My clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothing. And this is what the soldiers did.
Jesus’ Provision for His Mother
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
The Finished Work of Jesus
28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop and held it up to His mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Pierced
31 Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of His bones will be broken. 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the One they pierced.
Jesus’ Burial
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
Ephesians 5:21-33 The Message (MSG)
Husband And Wife Relationships
21 Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.
22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.
25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
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The world of social media has created many more opportunities for ministry than what most people had ever imagined would be possible. By integrating all of my resources, I have more than 8,000 people who receive the things that I write and publish. Of course, there are other people who have far more greater numbers of followers than I can conceive as being possible. Many people use social media for general conversation purposes. However, it is my purpose for the internet to share the gospel of Christ to people in the four corners of the globe. When Jesus told His apostles to “go and teach all nations,” I can imagine the puzzled looks that may have come across their faces; like, really Jesus? Well, with one touch of our keyboards, we can send the Gospel of Christ to all four corners of the world. I encourage all of you to reconsider the focus that you have on telling others in the world about the love of Christ, and salvation that comes through His Name. It is my purpose to help others to understand their purpose in “Equipping The Saints.” Such equipping is based on the spiritual gifts of leadership that are provided by God’s Holy Spirit to believers in Christ (Ephesians 4:11); for the purposes of “equipping other saints of God for the gifts of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).” This blog contains a lot of credible information that is useful for any believer in Christ to use in their particular ministry. It is my encouragement that you follow my blog. If you ever see a post that you would like to have copied and sent to you, please let me know; I will provide you with that post, or posts. The opening video contains information on a situation that faces our world, and is becoming more evident as time passes.
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Please allow me to wish mothers everywhere a VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. But, please let me also include in this greeting, on a sometimes difficult day, a very special MOTHERS DAY greeting…to those women whom have suffered the loss of a child, or children…to those women of whom have never had a child…to those women which have suffered the loss of a child, or children, due to miscarriage…to those women whom have had a child, or children, to leave this world, to be in the loving arms of Jesus, due to abortion…to those women of whom have lost their own mother. A mother’s heart is present in every woman, including those women that are carrying an unborn child, which is the situation of my youngest daughter. May our Lord Jesus touch the hearts of all women in a very special way today, and everyday. Amen.
Please consider the following verses of God’s Holy Word that tell us about a very special mother, Mary, who was the mother of Jesus/Yeshua, our Lord and Savior. The opening video shows great respect for Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Matthew 1:18-25 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name Him Immanuel,
which is translated “God is with us.”
24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus
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Genesis 1:31-2:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Evening Came, Then Morning
31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.
The Seventh Day, Only The Seventh Day
1 So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.
Shabbat Shalom (shah-BAHT shah-LOHM)
Hebrew: Literally, Sabbath peace or peaceful Sabbath.
Shabbat/Sabbath: The seventh day of the week (only the seventh day of the week), from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday, a sign between God and the Jews.
Leviticus 23:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Holy Days (God speaks to the Israelites about Israelite appointed times. He addresses the Sabbath and other Holy Days).
1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: These are My appointed times, the times of the Lord that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.
3 “Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord wherever you live.
4 “These are the Lord’s appointed times, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. 5 The Passover to the Lord comes in the first month, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the month. 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the Lord is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you must not do any daily work.”
Leviticus 27:34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
This passage enforces the teaching that the Law was given to the Israelites, and to no other group, or groups, of people.
34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.
Exodus 16:23-26 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’”
24 So they set it aside until morning as Moses commanded, and it didn’t smell or have any maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the Lord. Today you won’t find any in the field. 26 For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”
Note: Holman Christian Standard Bible (Ex 16:23-26): Sabbath is an anglicized form of the Hebrew word, “shabbath,” associated with a verb meaning “cease, stop, rest” (vs 30, 5:5, 31:12-17).
Shabbat is a gift of God to the Jews (Ex 31:12-17)
Exodus 31:12-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Observing the Sabbath
12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people. 15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.
The Sabbath – A Sign Between God And The Israelites
17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”
Shabbat was given by God to the Jews to Keep and Remember. (Ex 20:8)
Exodus 20:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Keep And Remember
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”
Jews are caretakers of Shabbat. Let non-Jews honor and respect all of that which God has entrusted to the Jews, to include the Sabbath.
Exodus 20:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy:
Deuteronomy 5:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Be careful to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the Lord your God has commanded you.
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Genesis 29:11, 20
11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept. 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.
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Genesis 24:63-67
63 In the early evening Isaac went out to walk in the field, and looking up he saw camels coming. 64 Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”
The servant answered, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah to be his wife. Isaac loved her, and he was comforted after his mother’s death.
This month of May of is a time of love. The opening video shows the love of a man for his wife, and mother of his children. The closing video shows another man who loves his wife and children, a man who is known as a “Small Town Southern Man.”
The key aspect of love is the love that God has shown for all of those who will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Consider the following verse of scripture.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The following days are key days that illustrate God’s love.
Ascension Day – May 5
The day that Jesus ascended to Heaven, which was forty days after the resurrection of Jesus, to include Resurrection Sunday.
Luke 24:51
“While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”
Acts 1:1-11
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
The Ascension
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Ascension Sunday – May 8
The Sunday which follows Ascension Day.
Mothers Day – May 8
The day on which we celebrate motherhood.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, prophecy of 742 B.C.)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:18-25, prophecy fulfilled 4 B.C.)
Pentecost Sunday – May 15
This is the day (fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus, to include Resurrection Sunday; and ten days after the resurrection of Jesus), that God’s Holy Spirit fell onto the Jews at Jerusalem, who were present for the Jewish Feast Of Pentecost. On that day, God’s Holy Spirit began to infill and empower those which had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior; those whom had been born again (born of the Spirit of God, John 3:3-8). This day is also recognized as being the birthday of the Church (of Christ). (A discussion on the Jewish Feast Of Pentecost will occur in a separate post.)
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
Consider the “Small Town Southern Man.” He loved Jesus, and loved America. He was faithful to his wife, loved his family, and worked hard to provide for them. Such is a man who all men should strive to be.
Eternity 