Demanding signs or denying yourself

Matthew 16:1-4

We have read in the account of the evangelist Matthew (chapter 16) how once again Jesus was tested and how the Sadducees and Pharisees expressed what many people today also want to see, namely signs of Jesus and/or signs of God.

The religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. They wanted proof that Jesus was sent from God (Matthew 16:1). Today there are still many who doubt Jesus was sent by God. There are lots of people who have made Jesus into their god but still are not quite sure what to believe and for sure do not really follow him.

At the beginning of our era the Nazarene master teacher Jeshua was in the midst of the chosen people of God. They had enough scrolls with ancient writings from sent ones from God or prophets who told about the man who would come to save the world. The son of man Jeshua or Jesus gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, and preached with astounding authority. It seemed not enough to come to see he was a special man with special gifts which could only come from the Most High God above all gods.  What more did they want?

For those who could see that preacher and miracle maker, many did not come to realise the Son of God was standing right in front of them. Today a lot of people still can not see who Jesus really is.

A member of a small country Missionary Baptist Church who calls himself

a regular guy, who loves God and God’s Word. {About Me}

got to see how Jesus was

not a shy retiring type of man who always spoke words designed to make everyone feel “included.” {Jesus’ Challenge To Follow Him}

and writes

He sometimes told it just as it was, without mincing words. He rebuked evil and demanded obedience. No one was excluded from following, but those who chose to do so found the company to be exclusive. {Jesus’ Challenge To Follow Him}

Jesus knew for what reason he was here on earth. He knew very well his chosen position and wanted to do God His Will instead of following his own will. Naturally in case Jesus would have been God than Jesus would always have done His own will. But Jesus knew he had to deny himself and asked the same of his followers. They too had to become one with him and one with his God, the God of Israel, Who is Only One God Who is One and God of gods.

Jesus was willing to give his life for others and required this too from those around him. Jesus said to his disciples and to the people around him

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” {Matthew 16:24}

Anyone who wants to call himself “Christian” should follow “Christ” Jeshua the Messiah. We must know it is not so easy as many think because discipleship is costly. As followers of Christ Jesus we must deny ourself [set aside selfish interests], and “take up his cross (or his stake)” [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow him, which mean we have to believe in him and be conforming to his example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in him. That last bit may be not something we have to face in these times, but in several countries many believers still have to do, plus it can well be we shall have to face a time where it shall happen or that we shall be tested in very fearful circumstances.

After Jesus had died and had shown himself after his resurrection, the apostle Paul was ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the master Jesus. {Acts 21:13} His knowledge of Christ led Paul to reassess the ways of truly pleasing and serving God. His re-evaluation indicates the profound and lasting effect of his experience of the meaning of Christ on the way to Damascus some twenty years before (Gal 1:15–16; Acts 9:1–22). He therefore wrote

⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. {Philippians 3:7}

What are the things you would not mind counting a loss or to consider as worthless for Christ, with the knowledge that Christ has shown you that what you once thought was valuable is worthless. We are surrounded with a lot of materials which seem to be very valuable, costing a lot. Lots of people give a lot of attention to what they have and like to show off their earthly goods. Today there is not so much interest in Jesus or in God.

For those who are interested in Jesus, the majority consider him to be God and do not see that he is the sent one and the anointed one from God (Moshiach; Mashiach; Messiah; Kristos or Christ). Jesus is anointed to be ‘King‘ in the Kingdom of God. This is a huge deal and a turning point for the disciples of which Peter recognised him as the Kristos or Christ and said

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” {Matthew 16:16}

Those who want to call themselves Christian should, like the apostles, grasp that Jeshua or Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah, or recognise Jesus as the Kristos – Christ or Messiah and as the son of the Living God. At the same time they should try to come to live and to be like Christ and should take him as their foundation of the church (not Peter). Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians 3:11 ,tells us:

“For other foundation can no man lay, then that is laid, which is”,

not Simon Peter, but Jesus Christ.

“No other foundation can man lay, but that which is”.

From the early Messianic writings we learn the disciples of Christ talked about the gatherings they had and of small groups or congregations that formed. Jesus wanted that people became united under him and would come together to congregate, to gather, to meet as brothers and sisters. At their meetings they had to learn about the Word of God, studying the Scriptures. That would be the best way to come to learn the truth and to have a thoroughly grounded faith. And the roots have to go deep and become strong. Therefore each member in the group has to help the others. One of the difficulties being not to focus any-more on the worldly goods and aspects but on the heavenly matters.

The biggest thing Jesus wants from us is….us. As we grow in faith we put what we think we want aside, and come to see what He wants. Ultimately we will come to desire the same for ourselves as He desires for us. {Jesus’ Challenge To Follow Him}

To get to know what Jesus wants we have to read the gospels and learn from them. In a certain way it is also a matter of wanting to become a slave Of Jesus instead of being a slave of this world. When you want to call yourself a Christian you too should want to become a disciple, which means to be a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of Jeshua (Jesus Christ), making them his rule of life and conduct. The Pharisees prided themselves in being disciples of Moses (John 9:28) but they had entered a lot of human teachings and rules in their teachings, like the contemporary churches also have done. The majority of so called Christian churches give more importance on human teachings and church doctrines instead of Biblical doctrines. As members of such churches people, like in the time of Jesus, are also confronted with the choice they should make.

The church in our Western capitalist society a is undergoing historical realignment. Until recently Christians have been divided mostly along denominational lines. But now Christian denominations are dividing within themselves between those who believe the Bible and those who do not.

Today we are confronted by the same choice the disciples of Jesus  and the people around Jesus had. We can either keep following those who keep to human doctrines and heathen rites or go for those who want to follow Jesus in all aspects. We can see that those who trust Scripture are now a remnant in many denominations. In some cases they are leaving their institutions behind because they can no longer participate in the disobedient course being taken by spiritually darkened leaders.

Our times are characterized by increasing scepticism towards God’s word and expanding secularism in every facet of life. As a result, biblical illiteracy is growing by leaps and bounds, and church participation is faltering.

We should know that Jesus should be our most important teacher, but that all the words of the other prophets are also of importance and that we, like Jesus, should always follow God’s Word and do the Will of God.

Though we can not be a direct disciple of Jesus, by his teachings, given to us by the Bible, we have enough instructions and guidance to become a real follower.

Christian discipleship is summed up in the Great Commission. After the resurrection and before Jesus ascended into heaven, the master teacher appeared one last time to his disciples (they were eleven in number at that time, since Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus and hanged himself). Christ had given such convincing proofs of his resurrection, as made their faith to triumph over doubts. He now solemnly commissioned the apostles and his ministers to go forth among all nations. This is the moment that he delivered the famous calling for disciples known as The Great Commission:

¹⁸ Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Amen. {Matthew 28:18-20}

Christian discipleship continued to grow when the followers of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem and Peter outlined criteria for selecting a twelfth disciple to replace Judas Iscariot. The Scripture says they drew lots and the lot fell to Matthias. These men, who had previously been disciples, or followers of Jesus, were now to become apostles, or messengers. Their intention was to spread the Word, and beginning with Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and indwelt them for the first time, they did! (See Acts 1 and 2.) The purpose of the church of Christ is to teach the words of Jesus and bring unbelievers to belief in Christ as their Lord and Saviour; baptizing them, and teaching them to lead other unbelievers to saving faith in Jesus. A Godly environment of each community or church is key to the good health and continued success of the congregation.

even when you are only with a few nothing should resist to come together in somebodies house, like the first Christians did. They gathered in private as well in public houses. We too still can hold a gathering in our own house or find a place to meet with others. No matter our nationality, gender or bloodline we can call others to join us in peace to study the Word of God and to praise the Most High. We should spread the message of Christ and get others to believe they should have faith in the sent one from God.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {John 3:16-17 New International Version}.

We should show to others the one who can be a light for everybody. We can proof to them that when they together with us want to follow Jesus they don’t have to walk in darkness any more, because they will have the light that leads to life. {John 8:12}

Thanks to the faithfulness of those apostles, who clearly understood their role as messengers of Christ, we have their gospels and letters to go by. Later, when Paul was added to their number (by virtue of his Road to Damascus encounter with the risen Christ), he wrote letters to all the churches he helped create. These books and letters became part of the New Testament of God’s Word, and unlike those first disciples, we have all of Christ’s instructions at our fingertips!

Sharing the message of Jesus we can give everybody around us the opportunity to come to see that Jesus is the way to God and God’s ultimate means of revealing Himself to us.

³ 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. {Hebrews 1:3 New International Version}

We have Jesus now as our mediator between God and us. We need no other mediator between God and us. He is also our best high priest. For making “church” we all have to work together in the spirit of Christ. Our faith in Jesus and in his heavenly Father should be the fuel that keeps our aircraft of our life flying.

With faith, you are on the go, there is no stumbling block on the way. All mountains are made plains. {Understanding the power of faith}

United as brethren and sisters, as sons and daughters of God, you shall find you shall be able to accomplish more than on your own. Surrounded by big institutions or well-known denominational churches it demands courage to step out of them and to go for a smaller church or just for meeting with other people who prefer just to keep to the inspired and infallible Word of God. But be sure it pays to choose the right path and to believe in the sent of God who gave his life for sinful humanity.

Are you a person who wants more signs than the one God has given the world? Do you need other proofs that Jesus is the sent one from God, His only begotten son, who by giving his life brought salvation by paying the full ransom price?

Are you preferring to belong to the main churches which keep to human doctrines, feasts and rites, or do you prefer to follow Jesus and keep to the God given feasts and rituals?

Are you willing to keep following the world or willing to follow Jesus?

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Preceding

Ezekiel 18:4 – What the Bible teaches about Soul and Spirit

More than just a man with authority of speaking

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 9:32-34 – How others look at the blind, speechless and demoniac being healed

Matthew 9:35-38 – Looking at Jesus our shepherd

Matthew 10:24-31 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Do Not Fear – Preach!

Matthew 10:32-39 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: I Came to Cause Division

Matthew 12:46-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Family of Messiah

Matthew 16 Asking for signs from heaven

Matthew 16 Calvin’s view

Matthew 16 Spurgeon’s view

Matthew 16:1-4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Signs of the Times

Matthew 16:5-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Watch Out for the Leaven of False Teaching

Matthew 16:13-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Building a Hades-Proof Congregation

Matthew 16:21-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Think God’s Thoughts

Matthew 16:24-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Disciple Must Disown Self

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Additional reading

1. Jehovah God Almighty greater than all gods
2. What sort people of faith do we want to be
3. Truth, doubt or blindness
4. Knowing The Truth and Loving The Truth
5. The true light in recorded words
6. A Book to trust #2 Book of Truth
7. A Book to trust #6 True God and true words
8. Torah hanging on two commandments and focussing on a Mashiach
9. Messianic prophesies 1 Adversary – Root of the first prophecy
10. Messianic prophesies 2 Adversary – Root of the first prophecy
11. Fog, brass and light for the eyes
12. God giving signs and producing wonders
13. The Right One to follow and to worship
14. Why think that (2) … Jesus claimed to be something special
15. Concerning Christ #1 A god or the God, a son of man and son of God
16. Concerning Christ #2 Divine source, connection and divine human being
17. The sent one from God
18. Jesus begotten Son of God #3 Messiah or Anointed one
19. Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites
20. What Jesus did: First things first
21. Necessity of a revelation of creation 3 Getting understanding by Word of God 1
22. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
23. A call easy to understand
24. Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
25. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
26. Discipleship way of life on the narrow way to everlasting life
27. Fellowship
28. Seeds and weeds for being the greatest nation
29. Americans their stars, pretension, God, Allah and end of times signs #2 War on God’s Plan, Name and title
30. Focussing on oneness with Jesus like Jesus is one with God
31. Jesus, A way given to find the right way to God
32. Authority given to him To give eternal life
33. Sayings of Jesus, what to believe and being or not of the devil
34. That everyone may honour the Son and sent one from God
35. Thought for Wednesday Believe in the one God has sent
36. The saviour Jesus his human side
37. Not being saved by faith in Christ alone
38. Memorizing wonderfully 70: Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God
39. The habitual misreading of John 1 and the ‘Word being God’ #1
40. The habitual misreading of John 1 and the ‘Word being God’ #2
41. Memorizing wonderfully 42 Equality with God & doing nothing of himself
42. Memorizing wonderfully 44 Showing the works from his Father
43. Memorizing wonderfully 46 Believe in the sent one from God, who is the Way to God
44. Memorizing wonderfully 49 John 17:1-11 The sent one from God and eternal life
45. Memorizing wonderfully 52 Acts 7:56: the Son of man standing on the right hand of God
46. Our life depending on faith
47. Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
48. Beautiful feet of those who announce the good news
49. An atoneless religious system or a hope giving religious system
50. Catholicism, Anabaptism and Crisis of Christianity
51. Christianity primarily a matter of imitation
52. United people under Christ
53. Congregate, to gather, to meet
54. Jewish and Christian traditions of elders
55. A House for God in our 21st century

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Related

1. You are Invited
2. The Set Up
3. Sent by Christ; March 27, 2018
4. 15th Sunday of the Year: Sent by God for work in the world.
5. 15th Sunday of the Year: Called by God. Catholic Inspiration
6. Are You Willing to Submit Your Will to God?
7. Submitting Your Will to God Simplifies Your Life
8. God First, Then Extras
9. Discipleship
10. Why Discipleship Weirds Me Out
11. The Tree of Life: thoughts on discipleship and roots
12. “Evangelism” or “telling God’s story”?
13. A Worthy Life
14. Out of the Abundance of the Heart
15. Saved, healed and delivered
16. Grasping the Gospel
17. Get Down With the Program, Preacher!
18. When Process Stops So Progress Can Happen
19. The Theology of Jesus: Part 9 Ecclesiology
20. Christ Is The Light Of The World.
21. Following Jesus
22. Take Up Your Cross And Follow Christ
23. Lenten readings – Christ is the way to the light – the truth and the life
24. Follow, Carry the Cross

Nazarene Commentary Luke 1:39-45 – Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45 – Mary Visits Elizabeth

LK1:39 Now in those days Mary rose and traveled hastily into the hill country to a village of Judah. LK1:40 She entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. LK1:41 Now the moment Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting her baby suddenly moved in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with holy Pneuma. LK1:42 She cried out in a loud voice: “You are most blessed among women! Blessed is the fruit of your womb! LK1:43 Why am I so privileged that the mother of my Master should visit me? LK1:44 For, look, at the very moment I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb leaped with joy! LK1:45 Blessed is the one[1] who continues to believe that there will be a fulfillment to the things spoken to her by YHWH!”[2]

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[1] Blessed is the one: Or, blessed is she, happy the woman.

[2] YHWH: Or, the Lord. The Greek is without the article.

The Embrace of Elizabeth and the Virgin Mary – 1191 – St. George Church, Kurbinovo, Macedonia

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Preceding articles:

The Advent of the saviour to Roman oppression

Nazarene Commentary to Elizabeth Pregnant Story of Jesus’ birth begins long before the New Testament

Nazarene Commentary Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel’s Appearance to Mary

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Related articles

• Blessed is the Fruit of Your womb (reclaimingourchildren.typepad.com)
  How beautiful that God would choose to use Mary’s “yes” to save us from our “no.” That the fruit of Mary’s womb, Jesus, would become man, and, by His life, death, and resurrection, expiate the sin of aborting millions of unborn babies from their mother’s wombs.
• 21st December, Gospel Reading (Luke 1:39-45) (prayers4reparation.wordpress.com)
  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry
• Just Say It. (thegilmoregirl.wordpress.com)
  Can you imagine the comfort of these words to Mary’s ears? How peaceful it must have been to her heart. It’s almost as if you can hear her breath a small sigh of relief, because God had given her another sign that He was taking care of her.Elizabeth spoke of things she didn’t even know of, but those words calmed Mary in a way that only a Savior could. How supernaturally powerful!
• Mary and Elizabeth (rccsdevos.wordpress.com)
  Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
• Christmas ponderings (bweisenauer.wordpress.com)
  Mary is willing to allow God to use her for His Kingdom but what did she think when she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth? Luke 1: 39-56 tells us of another sign from God that must have made Mary excited, full of praise as well as apprehensive about her future.
• Waiting… Waiting… (loveunderstandserve.wordpress.com)
  A single woman couldn’t just pop into her car and tear off down the highway in those days. She would have had to find a group of people she knew who were traveling in the direction of Ein Karem. She would required permission from her parents to travel. She would have to gather supplies for the journey. Then she would spend several more days actually walking the long distance between her home and Elizabeth’s.Can you imagine the anticipation and anxiety Mary was feeling?
• A Meditation on the Visitation (reclaimingourchildren.typepad.com)
  In describing Mary’s departure for Judea, the Evangelist uses the verb “anístemi,” which means “to arise, “to start moving.” Considering that this verb is used in the Gospels to indicate Jesus’ Resurrection (Mk 8:31; 9:9,31; Lk 24:7, 46) or physical actions that imply a spiritual effort (Lk 5:27-28; 15:18,20), we can suppose that Luke wishes to stress with this expression the vigorous zeal which led Mary, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to give the world its Saviour.
• Advent: Anticipation (gospelconvergence.com)
  However, one thing that was predictable was the fact that everyone was talking about the anticipated baby in the womb (note: not the anticipated foetus. Anticipation has the wonderful ability to shatter much scientific theory. I digress!)
• Saturday, 21 December 2013 : 3rd Week of Advent, Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading) (petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com)
  “The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”
• More Than Meets The Eye (ubicrux.com)
  Imagine that you were a silent observer to this interaction.  You would see two people, Mary and Elizabeth, talking to one another.  No big deal, right?  Conversations between two people happen all the time.  But if you limit your vision of the Visitation to only what you see, you will miss so much.  Though you can only see two actors in this story, there are actually six.  Jesus, the Son, is present as an embryo in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  St. John the Baptist is present in the womb of Elizabeth and “leaps for joy” at Mary’s words.  The Holy Spirit is present, as the Gospel says that Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  And the Father, being omnipotent and omnipresent, is also there.  You see a simple conversation.  But there is so much more than meets the eye.

After the Sabbath after Passover, the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Resurrection of Jesus – Biblical illustration of Gospel of Matthew Chapter 17 by Jim Padgett,

 

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“1  and when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 and very early in the morning, the first [day] of the week, they came to the sepulcher at the rising of the sun: 3 and they said among themselves, who shall roll away for us the stone from the door of the sepulcher?” (Mark 16:1-3 Webster)

“the first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, to the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.” (John 20:1 Webster)

“and if this shall come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.” (Matthew 28:14 Webster)

“1  now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them. 2 and they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3 and they entered in, and found not the body of the lord Jesus. 4 and it came to pass, as they were much perplexed at this, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 and as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said to them, why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 he is not here, but is risen. remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 saying, the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 and they remembered his words, 9 and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.” (Luke 24:1-9 Webster)

“39 but he answered and said to them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh for a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly: so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth {sheol/hell}. ” (Matthew 12:39-40 Webster)

“23 him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of god, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 whom god hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 25 for David speaketh concerning him, I saw the lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption: 28 thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 men, brethren, let me freely speak to you concerning the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us to this day. 30 therefore being a prophet, and knowing that god had sworn to him with an oath, that from the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 he seeing this before, spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption. 32 this Jesus hath god raised up, of which we all are witnesses. 33 therefore being by the right hand of god exalted, and having received from the father the promise of the holy spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 for David did not ascend into the heavens, but he saith himself, the LORD said to my lord, sit thou on my right hand, 35 until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that god hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:23-36 Webster)

“3 concerning his son Jesus Christ our lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh. 4 and declared [to be] the son of god, with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” (Romans 1:3-4 Webster)

“1  moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also ye have received, and in which ye stand; 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached to you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 for I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve: 6 after that he was seen by above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain to this present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 after that he was seen by James; then by all the apostles. 8 and last of all he was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 for I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of god.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-9 Webster)

“3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. 4 so they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. 5 and he stooping down, saw the linen cloths lying; yet he went not in. 6 then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen cloths lying; 7 and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 then went in also that other disciple who came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. 9 for as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” (John 20:3-9 Webster)

“11  but Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept she stooped down [to look] into the sepulcher, 12 and seeth two angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 and they say to her, woman, why weepest thou? she saith to them, because they have taken away my lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 and when she had thus said, she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith to her, woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? she, supposing him to be the gardener, saith to him, sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith to her, Mary. she turned herself, and saith to him, Rabboni, which is to say, master. 17 Jesus saith to her, touch me not: for I have not yet ascended to my father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my father and your father, and [to] my god and your god. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the lord, and [that] he had spoken these things to her.” (John 20:11-18 Webster)

“28  ye have heard that I said to you, I go away, and come [again] to you. if ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go to the father: for my father is greater than I. 29 and now I have told you before it cometh to pass, that when it hath come to pass, ye may believe. 30 hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 but that the world may know that I love the father; and as the father gave me commandment, even so I do. arise, let us go hence.” (John 14:28-31 Webster)

“25 these things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly concerning the father. 26 at that day ye will ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will pray the father for you: 27 for the father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came from god.
28  I came forth from the father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the father.” (John 16:25-28 Webster)

“13 and no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the son of man who is in heaven. 14 and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: 15 that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:13-15 Webster)

“15 I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. 16 they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17  sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 and for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:15-19 Webster)

“19  then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith to them, peace [be] to you. 20 and when he had so said, he showed to them [his] hands and his side. then were the disciples glad when they saw the lord. 21 then said Jesus to them again, peace [be] to you: as [my] father hath sent me, even so I send you.” (John 20:19-21 Webster)

“1  the spirit of the lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to publish good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our god; to comfort all that mourn; 3 to appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 Webster)

“search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39 Webster)

“the LORD thy god will raise up to thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like to me; to him ye shall hearken.” (Deuteronomy 18:15 Webster)

“18 and Jesus came, and spoke to them, saying, all power is given to me in heaven and upon earth. 19 go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. 20 teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the world. amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 Webster)

“1  thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 and the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2 Webster)

“hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13 Webster)

“24 but Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 the other disciples therefore said to him, we have seen the lord. but he said to them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26  and after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, peace [be] to you. 27 then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. 28 and Thomas answered and said to him, my lord and my god. 29 Jesus saith to him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.” (John 20:24-29 Webster)

“(for we walk by faith, not by sight:)” (2 Corinthians 5:7 Webster)

“8 whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: 9 receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
10  concerning which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] to you: 11 searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things which are now reported to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, with the holy spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1 Peter 1:8-12 Webster)

“and when she had thus said, she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.” (John 20:14 Webster)

“and as they were thus speaking, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith to them, peace [be] to you.” (Luke 24:36 Webster)

“43 and he took [it], and ate before them. 44 and he said to them, these [are] the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. 45 then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 and ye are witnesses of these things. 49 and behold, I send the promise of my father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye are endued with power from on high.
50  and he led them out as far as to Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 and it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 and they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing god. amen.” (Luke 24:43-53 Webster)

“19  so then after the lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of god. 20 and they went forth, and preached every where, the lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. amen.” (Mark 16:19-20 Webster)

“30 moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31  what shall we then say to these things? if god [is] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 he that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 who will lay any thing to the charge of god’s elect? [it is] god that justifieth: 34 who [is] he that condemneth? [it is] Christ that died, or rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of god, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 as it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 but in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. 38 for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor hight, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ Jesus our lord.” (Romans 8:30-39 Webster)

*

Preceding:

Death of Christ on the day of preparation

Imprisonment and execution of Jesus Christ

For the Will of Him who is greater than Jesus

 On the first day for matzah

Servant for the truth of God

The Anointed One and the first day of No Fermentation

In other languages:

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Na de sabbat na Pesach, de verrijzenis van Jezus Christus

French version / Version Français: Après le sabbat après la Pesach ou Pâque, la résurrection de Jésus-Christ

German version / Deutsch: Nach der Sabbat nach dem Passahfest, die Auferstehung von Jesus Christus

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Please also do find:

1. Servant of his Father
2. Slave for people and God
3. Jesus begotten Son of God #18 Believing in inhuman or human person
4. The Seed Of The Woman Bruised
5. Self inflicted misery #3 A man given to suffer for us
6. Jesus begotten Son of God #20 Before and After
7. Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites
8. On the Nature of Christ
9. Jesus begotten Son of God #4 Promised Prophet and Saviour
10. Deliverance and establishement of a theocracy
11. The son of David and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread
12. 14 Nisan a day to remember #1 Inception
13. 14 Nisan a day to remember #2 Time of Jesus
14. 14 Nisan a day to remember #3 Before the Passover-feast
15. 14 Nisan a day to remember #4 A Lamb slain
16. 14 Nisan a day to remember #5 The Day to celebrate
17. 14-15 Nisan and Easter
18. Around the feast of Unleavened Bread
19. A Holy week in remembrance of the Blood of life
20. High Holidays not only for Israel
21. Festival of Freedom and persecutions
22. Timely Growth
23. A Messiah to die
24. Impaled until death overtook him
25. Swedish theologian finds historical proof Jesus did not die on a cross
26. Why 20 Nations Are Defending the Crucifix in Europe
27. Christ having glory
28. Kingdom Visions of a Man, Throne and Great crowd
29. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
30. Self inflicted misery #6 Paying by death

31. How are the dead?

32. Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
33. The Soul confronted with Death
34. How is it that Christ pleased God so perfectly?
35. A Living Faith #8 Change
36. Let me keeep to “first importance” things
37. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
38. A Great Gift commemorated
39. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation

40. Jesus is risen

41. Risen With Him

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Related articles

• The Significance of the Resurrection – Jesus Arose Where He Died (darrellcreswell.wordpress.com)
  Death is an all encompassing word, powerful by definition, feared by most, yet totally incapacitated by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Blood of Christ revives our spirit, restores our inheritance, and renews our life. In Christ our rebirth is a great resuscitation that overcomes and redefines death; opening the pathway to an eternity with our Redeemer.
• The Resurrection of Jesus X 4 (thisisrealmedia.com)
  There is no greater story than the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the story that means the most to all Christians.  It is the story of a wonderful redeemer, who loved mankind enough to die for us.
• The Power of His Resurrection (zionsgate.wordpress.com)
  We would all have loved to be there on the road to Emmaus that day, walking with the resurrected Jesus himself as he detailed the different prophecies that concerned his death and resurrection. Still, the apostles and other New Testament writers do a good job of filling us in. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies and types of Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection as payment for the sins of the world, and the New Testament points those out.
• The Glory of Easter Part 2 (thepuritaninprada.wordpress.com)
  “The happy ending of the Resurrection is so enormous that it swallows up even the sorrow of the Cross.” – Tim Keller
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  “The Resurrection is not a consolation for suffering, the Resurrection is not even a removal of suffering, the Resurrection swallows suffering.” –  Tim Keller – The Hope of Glory
  +

  Christ swallowed our suffering and it became a part of him and made him greater. And this is the Glory of the Cross, it shows that everything that you have ever been through will only make you greater in the end.  It means all your sorrows, pains, heartbreaks, disappointments, injustices, suffering, agony will somehow only make you greater in the end through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s a defeat!

• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (jlue.wordpress.com)
  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
• -Re: Easter and The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (answersforthefaith.com)
  On my Apologetica page I have posted links to two timely short but excellent articles and one video on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Easter:

  <-On Easter and The Resurrection of Jesus >

  Then on my Bible Q& A page I have listed a number of key questions and answers for the Easter season:

  <-Easter Questions and Answers>

• Holy Trifecta: Good Friday, Passover, Resurrection Sunday (rightistblog.wordpress.com)
  This weekend, Christians around the world will gather to remember the death and rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Over two thousand years ago, Christ died on the cross at Calvary as the payment for the sins of all people.  He was placed in the tomb, and three days later, conquered death and rose from the dead!  This weekend, as we gather with our families and loved ones, let us not forget what Christ’s triumph over death means: everlasting life for all those who believe.
• When Was Jesus Crucified? (verse4psalm37.wordpress.com)
  I’m convinced that Christ was in the tomb three days and three nights.  To begin with, a day on the Hebrew calendar is from sundown to sundown (Genesis 1: 5), while a day on the Gregorian calendar is from midnight to midnight.  So the Last Supper/Passover meal was held after sundown (Tuesday on the Gregorian calendar; Wednesday on the Hebrew calendar.)   Jesus died on the cross at 3 p.m.  Wednesday.  He was placed in the tomb before sundown because the following day was a special Sabbath, the first day of the  Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Therefore, Christ was in the grave Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  He arose from the dead before dawn on the first day of the week (Sunday).  (For a timeline, click on http://www.centuryone.com).
• Even Resurrection Pauses For Sabbath Rest (godspace.wordpress.com)
  Even resurrection pauses for Sabbath rest, in the Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten guide this morning, that today, for the Jews is indeed the sabbath day. This full day of Jesus time in the grave is the day into which all their hope and longing for the future is poured. A day to look forward with anticipation to the day when God does indeed make all things news.
• “The Resurrection” (bradneel610.wordpress.com)
  Jesus really did die on the cross for our sins, was buried, and three days later rose.

  I’m so thankful that my hope and joy does not rest in an Easter bunny. But a risen King.

• Pesach

  I imagine that the death of Jesus was still sad in heaven even though they knew the whole plan. Suffering is sorrowful. I don’t really know what was happening while Jesus was dead so I won’t try to guess here.

Bible guide

Taking the Bible as a lead

In Jesus days people came together in the synagogue but also in their homes to study the rolls of the holy writers. For them it was clear that God had given these people the power and facilities to write down Gods Word. For the followers of Christ it was clear that they had to take the stories about Christ Jesus and the writing of his apostles also into account. The books of the Old time received a brother in the writings of the new time, after Jesus his resurrection. The Old and New Testament became the two pillars of educational material to build up faith and to keep to the Commandments of God.

Enthusiast followers of Jesus took the time to come to study these writings, which we know now as the Bible. They felt united in holding that the sacred Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are inspired and are the final authority for authentic truth. They did not doubt the countenance of these writings and knew that if they prayed to God they also would receive guidance to follow and to comprehend them. They followed the rules of the Scriptures and wanted to establish their beliefs and faith in beliefs that harmonize all scriptures on each subject. The apostles had warned them to be careful not be carried away by worldly thoughts and that they should not make non-scriptural words to an article of faith.

In the early times of this time account, some had seen that Jesus was wholly flesh while on earth. While Jesus was miraculously begotten by God through the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, they accepted that the Bible implies that she did not remain a virgin thereafter and many of the early Christians had met the other children by Joseph after the birth of Jesus. One of Jesus brothers had followed and believed in him. The people around Jesus could witness him. They had witnessed or heard about the many miracles, and about the most curious event, namely that this holy man had been raised from death. But there were also many who had nothing seen and by the growing years had nobody in their circles who had met people who had known Jesus in real life. They had to believe without seeing.

Preaching Jesus

Studying the Bible those people interested in the Word of God were fully convinced that this Nazarene Jew by his death had brought them salvation. They knew that man is mortal by nature, and that immortality became available now, but only by meeting conditions of obedience. They held, as we hold today, that the human soul is not a distinct entity, but is the result of the union of the body and the breath, or spark, of life, and that death is the dissolution of these two elements. Jesus had died, been put in the grave, but after his resurrection had gone up to his Father to which he always stayed humble. Jesus always had pointed out to his Father as the One who did everything and to whom we had to give honour. Therefore they did not accept the position of co-eternity or co-equality between the Father and the Son. But they were pleased that since his resurrection Jesus had received the divine nature and could be the mediator between them and God.

Believing that Adam and Eve were created perfect, the believers position is that the sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden resulted in all their posterity being born under the blight of sin, imperfection, and death. Because death is the dissolution of body and breath, every Bible Student should be aware that the soul that sins dies goes out of existence, and that we cannot escape death and the return to dust and ash. But in Christ Jesus they found the promised Messiah who was going to return. It is he who shall then start the resurrection process which begins in the future kingdom of Messiah. He had given his body as a ransom at the cross of Calvary. This peace offering is efficacious for all who have ever died. It promises resuscitation for all humanity in Christ’s 1000-year kingdom, along with the opportunity to obtain and maintain perfect human life for eternity. The ransom also provides for the rehabilitation of planet earth to perfect Edenic conditions.

From Pentecost onwards many thousands started to look forward to the return of Christ or Second Advent. At his first advent, Jesus had begun calling out from mankind a special class to be his church, or bride. To these he promised a part in heaven with himself and the Father, and a kingdom role of reigning over mankind with himself for blessing all the families of the earth. Those who accept this invitation make a complete consecration or commitment to do the will of God as they see it revealed and at the cost of a surrender of the right to a life on earth. This consecration is witnessed by a baptism (complete water immersion,). The expectation that Jesus Christ would return to finish the work that he began two thousand years ago became an important part of their faith. They followed the advice Jesus and his apostles had given, to study the Word of God and to come regularly together, also to remember the Breaking of the Bread as a sign of the New Covenant.

To organize such meetings they had to find places where they could meet, certainly after they were not welcome any more in the synagogues. In the different villages and small communities small groups were formed. By giving many ‘house parties’ the ‘house churches‘ were formed. Each group selected its leaders (elders and deacons) by a total vote of their consecrated members, and cooperated with other congregations as determined by that local group. But such meetings or gatherings brought also expenses. To cover them they paid entirely by freewill voluntary offerings with no collections of mandated costs.

Also today we as Bible Students want to keep to the ordinances given by God and by Jesus and our ministries are kept according the Biblical ways and serves on a non-paid and voluntary basis.