Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and Two Disciples and The Great Commission

 

 

Mark 16: 9-20

 

Note:   Verses 9-20 do not appear in the oldest and best manuscripts of Mark’s gospel.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.   She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.   But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

After these things, he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.   And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

Afterward, he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.  And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.   Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.   And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

 So, then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.   And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

 

Footnotes

Mark 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 9–20 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 9–20

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Resurrection

 July 14, 2020

 

Mark 16:1 – 8

 

The Resurrection

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.   And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.  And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”   And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.   And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.   And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.   But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”   And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Matthew 28:1-3, is somewhat different in what he states about the angel and he tells about an earthquake, and the angel told them to go report all they had seen to the disciples.  Matthew tells of Jesus talking with them on the way to see the disciples and tells them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee, and they will see him there.

 

In Luke’s account, you have the women at the tomb that is empty, and two angels appeared to them. The one thing that is the same in all the accounts is Jesus is resurrected, death and the grave had no hold on Him.  

 

And John’s account is also somewhat different, in that Mary Magdalene found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, and ran to Peter, and he and John ran to the tomb, but John outran Peter and looked into the tomb, but did not go in, but Peter did.  Only John gives this account of Jesus talking to Mary Magdalene by herself.  I have no understanding of why the stories are somewhat different, but I do know they all had an empty tomb and a risen Savior.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Jesus Is Buried

 

Jesus Is Buried

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,   Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.  And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.   And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.   And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.   Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

 

Jesus' burial was a rushed job, it was already evening on Friday.  The Sabbath was soon to begin, and it was preparation day, and the more pious Jews got everything ready for the Sabbath.  Mark gives us some insight into Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret follower of Christ.  I believe many of us in the Church fit that role.  How can I make such a statement, let me ask a few questions, do you watch movies at home that take the Lord’s name in vain?  Do you ever tell anyone what Jesus has done for you?  You’re a good person, but often, so is your lost neighbor, business associate, or family members.  But they are not secret followers of Christ, for they may know about Him, but as long as they think they are not so bad, grace will not look that good.

 

If you want to understand Joseph of Arimathea look at Matthew 27:57; John 19:38,  and Luke 23:51.  Joseph opposed their verdict and did what many who are secret followers of Christ, will not do, he came out of the shadows and boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.  Why am I so strong in my statement?  Because when we are as I was for a while an underground Christian, it took mentors showing me that to follow Jesus you had to allow Him Lordship over your messed-up life.

 

The apostle Paul tells us why we need to be bold in our confession of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8.  ^“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance^[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.   After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.   Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last, of all, he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Death of Jesus

 

July 12, 2020

 

Mark 15: 33 – 41

 

The Death of Jesus

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.   And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”   And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”  And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”  And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.  And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.   And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he^] breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.   When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

What was the sixth hour, it was noon and the darkness lasted till three p.m., for Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God; God’s only Son, who had never known sin, took all sins that had to happen, that means from Adam (the past) to what you and I refer to as the future, till time is no more.  And that darkness was not scheduled it was super-natural and was God’s judgment over the sins of mankind. 

 

 It may be of encouragement to some to find that God had to use darkness when Pharaoh and Egypt had been under the plague of Locusts, and Pharaoh confessed to Moses about sinning against both God and Moses, and Moses asks God to remove the Locusts.  God did, but for His divine purpose God hardened Pharaoh's heart and he did not let the Israelites go. Exodus 10:21-23, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.”   So, Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.   No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.”

 

The chosen people of God who had come out of Egypt had to go to an intercessor to approach a Holy God.  But on that day when Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, in that He was our pure Lamb, that was killed for sin, past, present, and future.  ^“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom,”  they no longer needed a priest to be a go-between to God, and nor do we. Talk with Jesus and the Father, they desire your praise.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Crucifixion

 

 

Mark 15: 21 – 32

 

The Crucifixion

“And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.   And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).   And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.   And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.   And it was the third hour when they crucified him.   And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”   And with him, they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.  And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”   So, also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.   Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.”

 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.   The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2)

“Then God said, “Let us make man^] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.  So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them”.  (Genesis 1:26-27)

I know of no one that will argue that my iPhone 11 did not have a designer, yet many very intelligent people will say that the universe just happened.  I’ve always wondered how they could believe such foolishness, after exploring the amazing design, it calls for a Creator.  Could it be that man has the same problem that Satan has, they want to be exalted to the same level as the one who designed them?  

Now shall we look into what the Holy Spirit shared with John the apostle?  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.   The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  (John 1:1-5)  The Word is Jesus, He is our Creator, our designer, but not only ours, for all that was made He made.

Most of us understand that mankind is not improving!   Kings, dictators, or governments, have no answer to the problem of man not wanting a moral authority over them, nor does religion.

One should read and understand, Psalms 139:15-16, “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”  Your Creator, Jesus, not only knew you before you were born, He loved you and not one thing you have done will change that love.

 

In 1 Peter 1:19-21, ^“ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  Through him, you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”   Before Jesus Created you, he knew that you would sin and that He would have to meet the Fathers requirement of a Holy and Pure sacrifice, and that is why before Christ came, God, the Father required a lamb without spot or blemish to be sacrificed for sins the people had committed that year.  That is why John 3:16, is not something to put on a drink cup, but to keep in our hearts.

This is why as a follower of Christ; I am thankful for God loving me so much that he would take on flesh and die on a cross for me.  But it is also painful to read the account and know that my God and Creator had to die for my sins.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Jesus Is Mocked

 Mark 15: 16 - 20

 

Jesus Is Mocked

“And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion.  And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.   And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”   And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.   And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.”

The prophet Isaiah came about in the eighth-century B.C., he anticipated Messiah’s coming with remarkable clarity.  That should not be a surprise in that we are told in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.   For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 

 

 Now shall we explore Isaiah 53:1 – 10, “Who has believed what he has heard from us?  And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?  For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.   But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.  By oppression and judgment, he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?  And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.  Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”  

 

The Holy Spirit directed Isaiah’s thoughts about 700 years before Christ came to earth, and it all took place, and it is still taking place as people reject our Lord’s gift of forgiveness and grace, could it be they have no understanding of what their redemption cost God the Father, to take His full wrath out for your sin and mine on His only Son, who has never known sin.  

 

You may be like one I know well who was raised in the church, heard the message of God’s love, had parents that had received Christ, but he was going to wait till he had all the fun the world could offer.  One night in Victoria, Texas in a hotel room, I opened a Bible to Romans 10:9-10, and the Spirit of God said very clearly, Bob tonight is your last chance to receive my offer.  This is what Romans 10:9-10, states; “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  That night, I entered into Christ and He entered into me, and yet it has taken many mentors and teachers training me in how to allow Jesus to do it all for me.  I often fall back on my own ability, and it never works out.  

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice  

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

 

 

Mark 15: 6 – 15

 

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

 Now at the feast, he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.   And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.   And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.   And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”   For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.   But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.   And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”  And they cried out again, “Crucify him.”   And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”   So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

 

It seems the Holy Spirit uses Mark to give an overview not the full picture of all that took place as he examined Jesus, how his wife told Pilate to wash his hands of the just man, so he sent him to Herod Antipas, who was Pilates enemy at that time, hoping to not have to be part of this act.  You will find that account in Luke 23:5-12 and when that did not work Pilate gave the people a choice as was the custom.  They could free one man each year, this year's choice was Jesus the Christ or Barabbas, who had committed murder during a rebellion.  Mark tells us they chose Barabbas.  It is Mark’s personality to seem to be in a hurry to deal with this matter in his writing, have you noticed how often Mark uses the word immediately?  

 

It has happened before in history that when a group of people in leadership envy a person that they might also fear them and want to have them removed.  That is what is taking place, fear and envy are powerful tools of the enemy of our souls.  You see Satan envies and fears Jesus, for he desires a place of authority higher than Jesus.  When you allow him to control you using fear and envy you have given Satan authority over yourself.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

 

 

Mark 15: 1 – 5

 

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.   And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”   And the chief priests accused him of many things.   And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.”   But Jesus made no further answer so that Pilate was amazed.

 

I do not know where the name “a kangaroo court” came from but as you look at what the chief priests and elders and scribes you must see the definition of a kangaroo court: an unofficial court held by a group of people in order to try someone regarded, especially without good evidence, as guilty of a crime or misdemeanor.

 

The Illegal Trial before the Sanhedrin had to happen in a private place not as required by law, where there would be only witnesses they wanted.  “Thus, for the first stage of the Jewish trial, Jesus is taken speedily to the home of Caiaphas on the Western Hill of Jerusalem, near the "upper room." (This trial was illegal, as trials were never to occur in a private home, but in a public place where witnesses could be found.) His enemies (again, illegally because witnesses could not be called at night) attempt to find an indictment against Jesus that could be taken to Pilate.” (Quote from Christianity.com)

 

Jesus did  say to Pilate, “You have said so.”   Do you find it of importance that when ask by the high priest are you the Messiah, Jesus answered “I am.”  It is one of those questions where your answer is just as good as mine.  Could it be that Pilate being a gentile, had no understanding of the King, the Jewish people had been looking for so many years?  And the high priest was well aware of who the Messiah was?

 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Peter Denies Jesus

 

July 7, 2020

 

Mark 14: 66 -72

 

Peter Denies Jesus

And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”   But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.    And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”  But again, he denied it. And after a little while, the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”   But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”   And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

 

What would have happened to Peter, if he would have not denied Christ?  Good question and I have the answer, he didn’t, and Jesus told him he would deny Him.  What many of us like to do is play a game called what if?  When Jesus speaks, it cannot be anything but the truth, it is written.  

 

Do you live your life as if Jesus tells the truth, if you do you believe John 14:6 and are concerned for those who are trying to find God's favor in their good works, church, parents, or anything but bowing a knee to the Son of God?

 

You are not going to be more religious than the Pharisees and scribes, those dudes would have dragged a hard-working Baptist around who was trying to earn salvation by their performance.  Apart from grace and forgiveness of what Christ did on the Cross for your sins, it is like trying to cross the ocean without a boat or a plane, it is never going to happen.

 

Peter, the denier became Peter the apostle, but it was because the Holy Spirit of the living God came to live in him.  Peter knew something that many of us have yet to learn, the Christian life has been lived by one man, the Christ, and we can live it through Him doing it all for us.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Jesus Before the Council

 Mark 14: 53 – 65

 

Jesus Before the Council

And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.  And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.   Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.   For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.   And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,  “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’”   Yet even about this, their testimony did not agree.   And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”   But he remained silent and made no answer. Again, the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”   And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”   And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need?   You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.   And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophecy!” And the guards received him with blows.

You may be a very religious person, so were the high priest, the elders, and the scribes, very religious, they taught about Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah that would set them free from the Romans who ruled over them.  But what they taught is not what they believed, they were not looking for Christ, in fact, the high priest was more than willing to kill Christ.  Explore John 18:14, “It was  Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.”  

 

Dr. Luke shares a very big truth that most who are very religious have in common, it is found in Luke 22:67-70, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”  But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me,  and if I asked you, you would not answer.   But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”  Our Churches are filled with many who are good people, fixed on the tradition and rules but not the Spirit of the Living God, they love the praise of man, but are not open to the Spirit of Christ.

In fact, many of them do not believe John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

 

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

 

 

Mark 14:43-50

 

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.   Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.”   And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.   And they laid hands on him and seized him.  But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.  And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?   Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”   And they all left him and fled.”

 

Mark seems to be in a hurry to give us the facts, for I am sure you noticed the uses of the word immediately, Marks favorite word.  When Mark tells us, “And they all left him and fled.” He is referring to the disciples.

The same story in all of the gospels, but each recalling something a little different.  Beginning with John’s account in chapter 18:1-11, only John gives this insight; that Judas came with a company of soldiers and some temple police and identified Peter as the one who cut off the high priest servants ear, and only John recalls the servant's name but calls him a slave, his name was Malchus.  John also shares the point that Jesus was in total control with this report; John 18:4-8, “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”   They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”  Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.  When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.   So, he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”   Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

 

Dr. Luke is the only one that shares Jesus addressing Judas that night; it is found in Luke 22:63, “but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”  One would expect the doctor to recall Jesus touching the servant of the high priest ear that had been cut off by Peter and healed him.

 

Looking at all the gospels Matthew gives us, the most ink on the subject is Matthew 26:47-56.  Only Matthew gives us this insight; in Matthew 26:52-54.  “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.   Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?   But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

 

That is why we are instructed to study the whole word of God so that we will be workers that need not to be ashamed.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

 July 3, 2020

 

Mark 14: 26 -31

 

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.   And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’   But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”   Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”  And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”   But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

It is written, but they were clueless as was I to where it was written, I found it in the Holman Study Bible page 1714.  “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.  (Zechhariah13:7)

 

We citizens of the USA have taken freedom for granted and the freedom of speech and worship as something we will always have.  My prayer is that the Church will awake to how close we are to losing that freedom.  I believe this COVID-19 has taught me how easy it will be to control the masses by fear of getting sick and dying.  We saw mayors and governors in our land who hate the Church, do terrible things and the Church as a whole was silent.  I was reminded of Hitler’s Germany, only a few Germans were in the Nazi party, but they were willing to use any means to control Germany.  Hitler and his group hated Jews, and the Church was silent when they began to remove them from not only Germany, but Poland, and all countries they took in the war.  They killed six million Jews, and along with Japan were responsible for the deaths of around sixty-five million people in a world war that lasted six years and one day.  And by the way after the Jews, they began targeting Christian leaders.

 

Now you who have Christ living in you are the Church, many a person who goes by the name Christian are like the disciples before the Spirit of God enters into them.  They liked Jesus, He is a leader and He is good, and we are told that Peter was asked by Jesus, but who do you say I am?  The answer is found in Matthew 16:16, Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replies, in verse 17, and Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”  

 

For anyone to go from denying Jesus three times and standing at Pentecost and proclaim Christ rose and three thousand people entered into Christ that day, and Jesus entered into them.  A man cannot do that, it requires God, doing it all for us.

 

A neighbor who was willing to take my garden Vegetables’ told me I was living recklessly because I was not locking myself in the house and having everything delivered.  Folks give me liberty or death, but God is my provider and protector, not a big government or a pretense mask.   I know a little about masks, 3M makes the N-95 that if fitted correctly will protect you, but many will put their hope in it and if not fitted correctly will not protect you.  The few that believe the government has all the answers, one party is doing their best to place a poor man who has lost much of his mental capabilities into the office of the President.  Why, to do as they please in the darkness, for they hate the light, for it exposes the evil in their hearts?

 

My dad was a student of history, and would often say we do not learn from history, that’s why it is repeated often.  Are we do that now, a small minority with the help of the press are trying to push a lot of garbage down our throat.  

 

From the Back Porch,

 Bob Rice

One of you is a devil

 July 2, 2020

 

Mark 14:10 – 25

 

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.   And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Shall we see what Jesus said about Judas before he had betrayed Jesus?  Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” (John 6:70)    Dr. Luke gives this account in Luke 22:1-4,  “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.   And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.  Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.   He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.”

The Passover with the Disciples

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”   And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’   And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”  And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.   And as they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”   They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”   He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.   For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”   And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing, it, broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”   And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.   And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.   Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

 

In that, I’m not even a good student much less a scholar, you will not be shocked that I had to search each of the gospels and to my amazement, only Dr. Luke tells us the following, Luke 22: 19, “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

 

The apostle Paul shares this with us in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26,  ^“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”   For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”

 

You have read that Judas took 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal of Jesus, and when Satan pointed out what he had done he went out and hung himself.  That is not the end of the story, Judas will have eternity to relive his actions, in a place of darkness and isolation has always been a choice, no one has to end up there, so today ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to come and live in your body, He will, for He forgave my sins that were many and gave me life and hope.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Judas to Betray Jesus

 July 1, 2020

 

Mark 14:10 – 

 

Judas to Betray Jesus

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.   And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

If you are having trouble understanding Judas' betrayal of Jesus, John 6:70 gives the answer; Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

The Passover with the Disciples

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”   And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,  and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’   And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”   And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Why was it added that they found it just as He had told them because they had the same problem as many of us, a lack of faith?  We often think not me, if I had been with Jesus if I had been chosen, but you were, and you still doubt.  In Ephesians 1:4-5, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”  What about 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.   And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”   They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”   He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.   For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

We understand that Judas hung himself and yet we have no understanding of what eternal hell 

will be for Judas, and you do not want to join him.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice