As Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, his fame spread throughout the land of Palestine (Israel), and many people gathered to hear his words. Early in Jesus' ministry, one of the rulers of the Jews approached him alone at night. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, thus a 'ruler over the Jews'. The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court, consisting of seventy-one men.
He had heard of, perhaps even seen, the miracles that Jesus had done and knew that only a special person sent by God could do these signs and wonders. To be a citizen of the new kingdom, one must be born of water and Spirit. When Joseph of Arimathea was preparing the body of Jesus for burial, who brought Nicodemus to help with the preparation.
When a person believes that Jesus is the Son of God, he must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom (John 3:3, 5). The person born of water and of the Spirit is one who hears the word spoken by the Spirit (the gospel), receives the word into his heart, believes the word, and obeys by being immersed (baptized) in water. Jesus told her that whoever drank from the water from Jacob's well would thirst again.
The purpose of the transfiguration was to convince the disciples that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that He is greater than the law of the Old Testament and the prophets, represented by Moses and Elijah, and that his words have pre-eminence over them. of the law and the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2).
MOSES, THE LAWGIVER
HEAR YE HIM
L ESSON 4
Since the wife was caught in the act of adultery, where was the husband in this case. Since the Pharisees did not create the guilty man, they were not concerned with the Law of Moses or righteousness, but were simply concerned with setting a trap for Jesus. Jesus did not make a judgment in this case, but instead placed the burden of judgment on the woman's accusers – if any of them were innocent of this crime, He instructed them to be the executioner as required in the Law of Moses. .
There was no one left to condemn and execute the woman, nor did Jesus condemn her to death. The woman did not ask for forgiveness, and Jesus spoke no words of forgiveness. However, Jesus showed mercy to the woman and let her go and told her to sin no more.
Jesus did not come to be an earthly judge (Luke 12:14), but rather to do something.
L ESSON 5
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP
Jesus was speaking to the Jews who were called God's flock many times in the Old Testament. In this passage He says that the Gentiles who were scattered would also hear his voice and accept his gospel.
L ESSON 6
THE DISCIPLES SENT OUT
Jesus said that in that day (judgment day) what wicked city will be more tolerable than the city that rejects his disciples. Why would it be more bearable for Tire and Sidon in the judgment day? Because of Jesus' presence and the miracles He performed there, the city was exalted.
However, since the people of the city refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah, the city would be annihilated and destroyed.
THE RETURN OF THE SEVENTY
JESUS' PRAYER AND BLESSING
L ESSON 7
JESUS, THE GUEST OF MARY AND MARTHA
CHOOSING THE GOOD PART
God's word is FAST, and POWERFUL, and SHARPER than any two-edged sword.
L ESSON 8
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS 1. The Rich Man (Luke 16:19)
The purple garment of this rich man was the outer garment and the linen the inner garment. The guests wiped their hands on pieces of the bread and then threw the pieces away. The rich man was in torment because of his unbelief, not because of his wealth.
What prevented Lazarus from going to the rich man, or the rich man from going to Lazarus.
HADES: PARADISE AND TORMENT
We must assume that Lazarus had faith, for his poverty alone would not have brought him to Abraham's bosom. The rich man in his life on earth had not believed Moses and the prophets. This story teaches the dire consequences of unbelief and that a person's fate in eternity is sealed at death.
Hades (Greek) in the New Testament is the place or region of the departed spirits. From this story we learn that there are two areas in Hades: Abraham's Bosom and Torment, with a "great chasm" between the two that no one is allowed to cross. When Jesus comes again, he will judge the world; what then will be the final abode of the righteous and the unrighteous.
In what way will the righteous be blessed who were in paradise or in Abraham's bosom.
L ESSON 9
JESUS BLESSES THE CHILDREN
On a previous occasion, Jesus' disciples talked about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. They as disciples talked about who would be the greatest in the kingdom they believed Jesus was about to establish in great splendor. Jesus told his disciples that they must do whatever it takes to enter the kingdom of heaven. In both of these incidents, Jesus told his disciples that they (and all followers of Jesus) should have childlike qualities in.
SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN. In both of these incidents Jesus told his dis- ciples that they (and all followers of Jesus) must have childlike characteristics in
When the disciples rebuked the people for bringing their children to Jesus, he again rebuked his disciples and told them not to forbid the children to come to him. Jesus took the opportunity to teach that all who would come to Him and enter His kingdom must have the qualities of little children. When the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven," his answer was not what they expected.
Jesus placed a child among them and told them that they must be converted and become like children in order to enter the kingdom. While the disciples wanted to be appointed to high positions in the earthly kingdom, Jesus told them that they must be humble and trusting like children in order to enter his spiritual kingdom.
L ESSON 10
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
What will be the reward for those who leave everything for the kingdom of God?
L ESSON 11
Z ACCHAEUS
ZACCHAEUS, THE PUBLICAN
What did Jesus say to Zacheus when he came to where Zacheus was? The Moses law required a Jew who falsely acted with his neighbor in cases of money or property.
THE LAW OF MOSES REGARDING FALSE DEALINGS. The Law of Moses required a Jew who dealt falsely with his neighbor in matters of money or prop-
ZACCHAEUS AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER
L ESSON 12
THE FEAST AT BETHANY
Jesus said that Mary had done this deed towards (before) the day on which. Wherever the gospel was preached in the world, this act that Mary had performed would be spoken of as something.
THE CHARACTER OF MARY VERSUS THE CHARACTER OF JUDAS
L ESSON 13
THE OFFERINGS
JESUS WATCHES
JESUS JUDGES
Once God sent a plague on Israel because of a sin committed by King David. After David repented, admitting his sin before God, he went to Araunah the Jebusite to buy his plow to build an altar to God. Araunah would have given David, the king, everything he needed for his offering: oxen, threshing tools, yokes of oxen for wood.
When Solomon became king, he offered a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon and humbly asked the Lord to give him a wise heart to judge Israel. How did God judge or grade the sacrifices of the Jews during the days of Malachi. What does God require of us - how does He judge or grade us - in our giving.
Therefore do not think of Tomorrow; for tomorrow must think of its own things.