Come and see!

Joh 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Joh 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Joh 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.


In the gospel of John as Jesus began His ministry- bringing the new covenant direction to people- we read of this happenstance as He gathered His disciples.


Let's go on another imaginary journey for a moment. Have you ever had a moment, maybe more so as a child or young adult, but have you ever had one of those times when you've run to someone and said- "You've got to see this!" That sense of urgency when you want someone to share something with you, something exciting. I just imagine Philip having that *WOW* excitement as he went to Nathanael.


"We found Him! We found the one who Moses in the law and prophets wrote about! It's Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!"


Just picture the moment there, the thrill of realizing prophecy coming to life and wanting to share it with others. Of course just like reality is and not fiction, not all are just as thrilled as we want them to be when we're excited about something. Sometimes they put a damper on things don't they? And Nathanael quickly put a damper on Phillip's enthusiasm.

"Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"


A bit of history on Nazareth-

Nazareth in Ancient Times

The city of Nazareth was a small and insignificant agricultural village in the time of Jesus. It had no trade routes, was of little economic importance and was never mentioned in the Old Testament or other ancient texts. Archaeological excavations indicate Nazareth was settled continuously from 900 – 600 BCE, with a break in settlement until 200 BCE, from which time it has been continuously inhabited. 

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Small and insignificant. Nothing important, nothing exceptional, it'd be like us saying some amazing new superstar, hero, movie, singer, or politician coming from this itty bitty no where town population 500. It'd be remarked on and has been in the past- giving the history of a celebrity. And the reaction of some people that knew of this tiny town might just be- really, something good coming out of that place?


Can any good thing come out of Nazareth, it's almost as if Nathanael is scoffing at Phillip's exciting news and he really is, he's skeptical and being skeptical isn't always a bad thing it can bring necessary caution with it.


How does Phillip respond? He says- "Come and see!" He's not surprised by Nathanael's reaction, he doesn’t try to refute what he's saying. I can picture Him still grinning, still thrilled with His news as he tells Nathanael to come and see Jesus.


Joh 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Joh 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.


Nathanael didn't jump up and run to Jesus did he? I can picture him standing up and shrugging his shoulders saying, okay, okay, I'll come see. He most likely was walking as Jesus saw him coming to Him. Do you picture Jesus smiling? I do. Smiling and saying… "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"


An Israelite indeed- as if- we'd say about someone… "An American indeed!" What would we mean by saying that? We'd think of all the GOOD things about American's and feel perhaps a kinship to that person. Of course some might have the opposite reaction- those who do not like Americans but that's not this case. Jesus was saying 'An Israelite indeed' as a good thing. And adding- in whom is no guile because a TRUE good Israelite has no guile- right? Just as if we would say, an American indeed whom isn't deceitful. This would be a GOOD person, a really good person, a good American.


This compliment is really amazing because Jesus knows all of us unlike any other can and He knew inside of Nathanael's heart, His deepest thoughts.

How did Nathanael respond? Not with gratitude, or a thank you, but with more skepticism.

"How do you know me?" He wanted to know how Jesus could make such a statement about him when he didn't even know Him, and if he didn't know Jesus, Jesus couldn't know him, right?

Jesus answered, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Now we need to think about this for a moment because it's very possible Jesus saw Him in passing, right? Saw Nathanael before Philip went to find him. But this revelation of Jesus' surprises Nathanael into losing ALL skepticism instantly. So Nathanael was under a fig tree- perhaps in a hidden garden, somewhere no one could have seen Him? I don't know, I'm just speculating here, but if Nathanael was out in the open where anyone could have seen Him this wouldn't have been amazing. Philip went to Nathanael, but before Philip went to him, Nathanael was somewhere else and in that secluded spot where no one could have possibly known He was- Jesus knew. Jesus knew where Nathanael was at in that special place spending time under that fig tree. Jesus KNEW Nathanael as no other ever could, as He knows EACH and every one of us. He knows when were under our individual 'fig trees' so to speak. We cannot hide anyway from Jesus, we shouldn't want to hide. We should have 'no guile' in us just at Nathanael had no guile in Him and that was a very good thing.


Joh 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Joh 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.


I can still picture Jesus smiling, answering, "Because I told you I saw you under a tree, you believe?"


It would be amazing if someone told me they saw me in a spot I believed I was alone in and no one knew I was there. I'd be shocked senseless. I'd want to know HOW they knew I was there. Knowing it was impossible, that no one could possibly know especially a stranger, I'd believe it was a miracle and if they performed this miracle of knowledge then I'd be very, very impressed and I'd be inclined to believe they were performing a true miracle of God. Nathanael believed it was a miracle and it helped that Philip had told Him to come see that they'd found 'him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. '


Jesus went on to say- 'Thou shalt see greater things than these.'


If you think that was good just wait! That was nothing, but you're going to see something that is really spectacular.


'Truthfully I'm telling you that you're going to see heaven open. You're going to see angels of God going up and down on the Son of man.'


Amazing! Truly amazing! We have no idea how wondrous this is. Jesus had *powers* powers to see things He should have no way of seeing. Powers to predict the truth in the future. Jesus wasn't bragging at all not in any way whatsoever. There was no arrogance in His statement. Jesus wanted Nathanael to know that he was in the presence of the , Moses in the law and prophets wrote of, he was in the presence of the Messiah, the Son of man. Only angels of God would interact with the Son of God in this way. It was wondrous news, a wondrous revelation. This telling of how one of the 12 disciples came to follow the Savior. This was given for our learning, our hearing, our heart's knowledge.


We are known, wherever we are we are known by our Savior.
Our Savior knows us and our Savior wants us to know, and wants us to know that He knows us and loves us. Our Savior was empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the Father's will. Enlightenment came to Jesus to do supernatural acts through the same Holy Spirit that was promised to us. God's will has to be our desire before anything else, just as it was for our Savior. We can only fall at the feet of our Savior and beg His mercy, His compassion, His grace and ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives in anyway the Savior sees fit for the Holy Spirit to guide us an empower us to love Him in all ways.


By His amazing grace!


Amen.

Not as the scribes

Mar 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mar 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.


Jesus taught them as ONE that had authority and NOT as the scribes.


Just HOW did the scribes teach? It's important that we learn more about the scribes of Jesus' time before we can truly understand this verse.


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Scribes

The word “scribe” is the English translation of the Greek word “Grammateis”, which means “student of the scriptures.” 

Scribes were men whose primary occupation was writing out copies of the Jewish Scriptures and teaching the people what the law said.

Because they copied the Old Testament books, they were familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and were respected in society for their literacy and knowledge.

The scribes provided teaching that was the religious and moral backbone for the Jewish people during the time of Jesus. Because of their role, there were often addressed as, “Teacher.”

They were trusted as professional interpreters and as ones who could judge individual cases as they related to Jewish law.

Scribes were, therefore, also trusted as lawyers within Jewish society.

As the scribes were the most learned individuals on the fine details of following Jewish law, their duties also consisted of deciding on specific questions of the law in individual cases.

Scribes had no authority in themselves, but rather they continually deferred to the authority of other scribes and traditions to support their positions.

The scribes were some of Jesus’ most adamant opponents. In their minds, the Messiah who the Old Testament Scriptures spoke about did not seem to match up with who Jesus was.

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SCRIBE- Thayer's Greek Definitions

G1122
γραμματεύς
grammateus
Thayer Definition:

1) a clerk, scribe, especially a public servant, secretary, recorder, whose office and influence differed in different states

2) in the Bible, a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher.

Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion.

Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed in the examination in the causes and the solution of the difficult questions, they were enrolled in the Sanhedrin; and are mentioned in connection with the priests and elders of the people. See a Bible Dictionary for more information on the scribes.

3) a religious teacher: so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven

They devoted themselves to the careful study of the text, and laid down rules for transcribing it with the most scrupulous precision. As time passed on the "words of the scribes" were honored above the law. It was a greater crime to offend against them than against the law. The first step was taken toward annulling the commandments of God for the sake of their own traditions. ( Mark 7:13 )

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye

The casuistry became at once subtle and prurient, evading the plainest duties, tampering with conscience. ( Matthew 15:1-6 ; 23:16-23 )

Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Mat 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Mat 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Mat 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Mat 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Mat 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Mat 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Mat 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

We can therefore understand why they were constantly denounced by our Lord along with the Pharisees. While the scribes repeated the traditions of the elders, he "spake as one having authority," "not as the scribes." ( Matthew 7:29 )

While they confined their teachings to the class of scholars, he "had compassion on the multitudes." ( Matthew 9:36 )

While they were to be found only in the council or in their schools, he journeyed through the cities and villages. ( Matthew 4:23 ; 9:35 ) etc.

While they spoke of the kingdom of God vaguely, as a thing far off, he proclaimed that it had already come nigh to men. ( Matthew 4:17 )

In our Lords time there were two chief parties:

1. the disciples of Shammai, conspicuous for their fierceness, appealing to popular passions, using the sword to decide their controversies. Out of this party grew the Zealots.

2. The disciples of Hillel, born B.C. 112, and who may have been one of the doctors before whom the boy Jesus came in the temple, for he lived to be 120 years old. Hillel was a "liberal conservative, of genial character and broad range of thought, with some approximations to a higher teaching."

In most of the points at issue between the two parties, Jesus must have appeared in direct antagonism to the school of Shammai, in sympathy with that of Hillel.

So far, on the other hand, as the temper of the Hillel school was one of mere adaptation to the feeling of the people, cleaving to tradition, wanting in the intuition of a higher life, the teaching of Christ must have been felt as unsparingly condemning it.

III. Education and life. --The special training for a scribes office began, probably, about the age of thirteen. The boy who was destined by his parents to the calling of a scribe went to Jerusalem and applied for admission in the school of some famous rabbi.

After a sufficient period of training, probably at the age of thirty the probationer was solemnly admitted to his office. After his admission there was a choice of a variety of functions, the chances of failure and success. He might give himself to any one of the branches of study, or combine two or more of them. He might rise to high places, become a doctor of the law, an arbitrator in family litigations, ( Luke 12:14 ) the head of a school, a member of the Sanhedrin.

He might have to content himself with the humbler work of a transcriber, copying the law and the prophets for the use of synagogues, or a notary, writing out contracts of sale, covenants of espousals, bills of repudiation.

The position of the more fortunate was of course attractive enough. In our Lords time the passion for distinction was insatiable. The ascending scale of rab, rabbi, rabban, presented so many steps on the ladder of ambition. Other forms of worldliness were not far off. The salutations in the market-place, ( Matthew 23:7 ) the reverential kiss offered by the scholars to their master or by rabbis to each other the greeting of Abba, father ( Matthew 23:9 ) the long robes with the broad blue fringe, ( Matthew 23:5 ) --all these go to make up the picture of a scribes life.

Drawing to themselves, as they did, nearly all the energy and thought of Judaism, the close hereditary caste of the priesthood was powerless to compete with them.

Unless the Priest became a scribe also, he remained in obscurity.

The order, as such, became contemptible and base. For the scribes there were the best places at feasts, the chief seats in synagogues. ( Matthew 23:6 ; Luke 14:7 )

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These articles from the web (dictionaries, etc.) are very insightful. Let's read the verses from the top again.

Mar 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mar 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.


There was a VAST difference between the way Jesus taught and the way the teachers of the day - the scribes - taught people.


I imagine it to be like the preachers, priests, ministers, etc, today that talk DOWN to people, they talk with an air of superiority, they aren't really teaching so much as revealing the fact that they are knowledgeable in ways the listeners aren't, and can never be. They want adoration as being learned men rather than the knowledge they've brought any sort of enlightenment to people. Bottom line- they didn't care if people learned anything at all, they just wanted to be honored.

Worse than that when they desired to be honored, when they desired to be thought of as superior to other people they were in their hearts wanting to be worshipped and we KNOW that only GOD deserves our worship. When anyone desires to be honored that's selfishness, isn't it? Self adoration, self esteem- yes, I said self esteem and just because the popular belief is that we are supposed to have great self esteem doesn't make it right. We are supposed to be SELFLESS, not selfish. We are supposed to think greater of others than our selves. We are supposed to understand that our worth is ONLY found in the worth of our SAVIOR and not where else. When we desire to find self worth (and make no mistake the devil wants us to spend all our lives seeking self worth) it isn't something that Jesus wants for us. Jesus did NOT seek self adoration and did not tout self esteem, self worth but the opposite. We were to hold others in a much higher position that ourselves, the servant is greater. We are so incredibly warped in our thinking that the humble person is thought to be a lesser person one needing to be given lots of lessons in self esteem. When we see someone supposedly letting others *walk* all over them we pity them, we do NOT look at them and desire to be more selfless as they are. We are too incredibly wound up to believe that it is good to be a lowly servant. We don't want to be servants, we want to be served. Being served means being important, being a servant means being beneath another person in status, in class, in station, in life, in many ways. Jesus came and dispelled this belief completely!


Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.


Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.


The scribes did not want to be servants at all. The scribes wanted to feel superiority and only God deserves any sort of superiority not a single man. We lose something vital when we desire to be honored by others in any way whatsoever for anything we do, and yet we've been TRAINED to believe that it's only right and natural. We're the first to comfort someone who is lamenting how awful others treat them by not appreciating them and all they do. We're the first to say 'you're right, you do deserve more respect, more admiration'. We are all trained so deeply to believe this is the right way of it that my even saying it makes me sound like I'm advocating abuse when I'm not at all because being a servant, NOT demanding (even internally to self) respect, is NOT abuse- mentally, emotionally, or physically but rather it is a state of selflessness that understands that OTHERS come first, that God comes first and self is not important. Ah, if only the conditioning we've had wasn't so deep, so engrained, so driven into us that it seems from the moment we're born we are set on a course to self-absorption, self-centeredness, selfishness.


This verse spoke of how Jesus taught differently than the scribes- Jesus wanted NO glory brought to Him but all glory given to God. Jesus was SELFLESS in all His teachings. Jesus taught as one desiring to being enlightenment. Jesus wanted people to understand, to LEARN. God's word was meant for one and all, not for a select few and this is what Jesus was opening up to the people who heard Him- this was way He was not teaching as a scribe but with authority. Jesus' authority gave Him the power to really teach people so that they could believe all that He was bringing to life from the scriptures they'd heard since they were young.


May we learn from the greatest teacher of all - our Savior. May we learn selflessness, as we learn love of God and love of our fellow man.


By the grace of our Savior! By His love! By His mercy always!


Amen.

Glorious Healing!

Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Mat 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.


Jesus' fame went throughout all Syria.

Jesus' fame.

Someone ONLY becomes famous when they *DO* something famous, know famous people, or are born into fame. Jesus- a carpenter from Nazareth had NO fame whatsoever the first 30 years of His life. When Jesus began His ministry He did so with a MESSAGE to give people- Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand, believe the gospel- the good news. It was vital to Him to give that message to people and while people as a rule might listen briefly and some might actually believe , most wouldn't. Even today we do not listen to people on a whim. Today people usually need an 'in' of sorts. People do become easily famous when they do crazy things, when they do exceptional things. The people who generally *talk* and become famous speakers do so much more gradually.


Jesus gained fame not just from His message but the combination of His message and His actions.

His actions- healing.

He was the REAL thing too, not some pretender- not a magician with magician tricks, not some sort of pretend healer. Jesus didn't just heal one or two people and then have His fame spread far and wide. Jesus didn't just heal one sort of illness or disease. Jesus didn't ask for ANY money for His healing. Jesus didn't send out advertisers for His healing services. Jesus was filled with the power to heal and He used this power in a very amazing way.

He healed ALL manner of sickness.
He healed ALL manner of disease.

Those with diseases and torments.
Those possessed with devils.
Those who were lunatics.
Those who had palsy.

He healed them ALL.

Just imagine it if you will- being healed.

We all know what it's like to be sick, some of us more than others. Some have loved ones who are sick and know from living with them how devastating illnesses can be. We know, we really do know and we also know what a miracle it is when our loved ones are healed. We know this on a level different than being healed by Jesus.

God does heal us by various means - using knowledge, using doctors, using medicines, using many, many different ways. But this is different than direct contact healing from our Savior. When the Savior healed it was instantaneous, it was miraculous so much so it brought FAME to Him.

Is all healing from God? This is a question we have to ask ourselves because if the answer is no, then we have to realize that another power uses healing and probably not for very good reasons. We don't want to believe the devil can heal, we want to just imagine him making people sick. Truthfully I'm not sure He can actually heal, but I do know he can make people sick and he can take the sickness that he induced away making it appear as if a person is healed. I do know that the devil can work miracles of his own, that he can appear as an angel of light.


2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


Why am I bringing this up? Because healing is a marvelous thing, marvelous! Jesus healing people was miraculous! There were people who even accused Jesus of casting out devil because He was a devil himself. They were very wrong, obviously.


Jesus worked miracle after miracle and His fame was spread everywhere. Jesus' entire life was one of pure LOVE, He never did evil, NEVER. His healing the multitudes was amazing and something we can't ignore. It was part of His ministry - A HUGE PART of His ministry. Jesus met the needs of the people. Jesus' compassion was so great He could not ignore the pain and suffering surrounding Him. Some might argue that He ignored it for 30 years but that wouldn't be true. He was ALWAYS doing the Father's will, always. There is an order to things that we can't comprehend. We don't have the answers to why people get sick, why some people live and others die. We don't know why some are tested more than others. We don't know why Job's situation seems so common place on many different levels. We do know we are in a WAR and if we think wars are nice and easy, they're NOT. We know what wars are like- some of us because we've been in them, others because we read about them and seen movies. We know the horrors of war and our war is a SPIRITUAL war fought on a SPIRITUAL level that affects our physical world. There is an entire behind the scenes war being waged and every human being is in that war. We are allowed to know about the war and all the inexplicable things that take place can be explained when we realize that we live in that spiritual realm with Spiritual beings that ARE in control of the things we cannot begin to fathom.


So Jesus' ministry began as it was prophesized and Jesus was a man unlike any other man that had ever come before and there would never be another like Him, never.


Healing, wondrous, wondrous healing!


As Jesus began His teaching on the new covenant way, He herald it with glorious healing!


Praise God!

Enlightened by Jesus

Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…


Jesus taught in their SYNAGOGUES. This is important to note. Jesus wasn't just wandering about sitting on hillsides and near lakes spreading His message. Jesus went into the synagogues to teach and preach. The people needing to hear this message first were in the synagogues. Let's take a look at what a synagogue is--


syn·a·gog (sin'?-gog', -gôg')
n.
1.A building or place of meeting for worship and religious instruction in the Jewish faith.
2.A congregation of Jews for the purpose of worship or religious study.
3.The Jewish religion as organized or typified in local congregations.


A synagogue, also spelled synagog (from Greek: συναγωγή transliterated synagogē,
meaning "assembly"


When broken down, the word could also mean "learning together" (from the Greek συν syn, together, and αγωγή agogé, learning or training).

Synagogues have a large hall for prayer (the main sanctuary), and can also have smaller rooms for study and sometimes a social hall and offices. Some have a separate room for Torah study, called the beth midrash—בית מדרש ("House of Study").

Synagogues are consecrated spaces that can be used only for the purpose of prayer, however a synagogue is not necessary for worship.

Communal Jewish worship can be carried out wherever ten Jews (a minyan) assemble.

Worship can also be carried out alone or with fewer than ten people assembled together.

However there are certain prayers that are communal prayers and therefore can be recited only by a minyan.

The synagogue does not replace the long-since destroyed Temple in Jerusalem.

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There were hundreds of synagogues in the area Jesus was traveling. Wherever 10 or more Jewish men lived they could form a synagogue. A synagogue was a place of teaching and of worship. No feasts or sacrifices were made in synagogues, those were strictly reserved for the temple. Every synagogue was situated so that when the preacher stood up to preach He faced the direction of the temple in Jerusalem. The focal point was towards the temple, these buildings were not miniature temples in any way. Every synagogue had a ruler-

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Archisunagogos

ar-khee-soon-ag'-o-gos   

 Definition
1. ruler of the synagogue. It was his duty to select the readers or teachers in the synagogue, to examine the discourses of the public speakers, and to see that all things were done with decency and in accordance with ancestral usage.

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Now that we've got the picture of a synagogue in our minds we can imagine Jesus entereing one. He would go into a synagogue and observe the service in place, taking part in it as was expected and then he would be chosen to speak, or asked to speak. When He spoke Jesus' words were those of enlightenment. He didn't bring in a new *book*, He didn't bring in some distorted Torah. Jesus would read from the centuries old, well established scrolls and from there He would open up the understanding of the people there listening to Him.


Just imagine it for a moment (Yes, I like to use my imagination a lot :) ). There you are year after year attending synagogue services listening to the preacher as they taught from the Scriptures and you believe you are learning, you have gained knowledge but no true understanding and you're not even aware that your understanding is stunted. Then in walks Jesus and He is called on to preach and suddenly your understanding of words you'd heard many times before now come to life and take on real meaning for you. Just think about that experience. Jesus wasn't preaching crazy ideas or He'd quickly have been put out of the synagogue and word of His craziness would have spread wide and far. Jesus brought LIGHT, true light, true understanding. People sat in darkness, remember? People were near spiritual death and Jesus brought them light and life. The words He spoke were truth and He was able to miraculously push aside the curtain of darkness that the devil had placed over everyone's understanding. Seriously, in the presence of Jesus the heart that wasn't hardened was softened to accept all that He was saying. The truths that were spoken over and over that had seemed to be mere words were now filled with meaning. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever reread something and saw it in a whole new light? I don't imagine it would be truly comparable to the enlightenment Jesus brought to people by far but we can really can imagine how amazing it had to be.


From darkness to light.
From blindness to sight.
From death to life.


This isn't trivial by any means, this is so important for us to comprehend. Why? Because we are living in very, very dark times. We are living in the days of slumber and in slumber you are completely covered in darkness.


1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.


Please Lord help us today to be blessed with the Holy Spirit who will enlighten our understanding as Jesus enlightened the understanding of those whose hearts were truly open to His message in the days He preached upon earth. Please Lord bless us because without the Holy Spirit we live in darkness. Without enlightenment our sight is dim. Help us Lord, please!


Amen.

From darkness to light

Mat 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up


Sitting in darkness. Imagine it, yes, really imagine it, it shouldn't be too hard to do. We're in darkness a lot aren't we? We turn off our lights at night and darkness surrounds us. We close our eyes and find darkness. As a rule we don't mind the darkness when we're going to sleep- purposely turning lights off so it helps us get to sleep- the closing of our eyes bringing darkness without any possibility of opening our eyes to find light glaring at us. Darkness isn't so bad when you want to sleep, when you want to go down into the nothingness of sleep. Darkness is really bad when you want desperately to see your surroundings. Who really enjoys remaining in darkness when they're awake? It's not common, it's not the rule of thumb to seek darkness over light when you're actively awake and wanting to go about your day. We have lights all around us trying to dispel unwanted darkness. Before electricity we had gas lights, we had candlelight, we had light from fireplaces all to dispel some of the darkness. When we go about at nighttime it's usually with a light of some kind. If we can't turn on a light we use a flashlight, if we go out in our cars we make sure our headlights are on. Light dispelling darkness is very, very common so common we rarely think about it too much unless we do lose our electrical power- then we're busy trying to find that flashlight or candles to burn.


This verse above states- the people which sat in darkness- it is obviously speaking of spiritual darkness. People do not generally sit about in darkness, sitting denotes being awake not laying down to sleep. These people who were awake yet living in darkness were going to see a great light and that light was that of the gospel Jesus was giving to people. Jesus began to light up those sitting in spiritual darkness and when He gave this light to them it wasn't a dim light but rather a GREAT light. The people saw a GREAT light. Living in darkness they are now able to see.


The verse doesn't stop there it goes on to say… 'and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up'


Sitting in the region and shadow of death. Death is a form of sleeping, those who sat in darkness were awake and in the dark. Those people were closer to spiritual awakening by just sitting in the dark and not sleeping. Those who were in that region and shadow of death were very close to entering a state that would make it harder to wake and even those who were near to spiritual death- unable to be enlightened a light sprung up! This is so amazing, it truly is.


Jesus was bringing enlightenment to a people blind and dying a spiritual death and these were God's chosen people who had God's Holy Temple to claim as their place of worship, the center of their beliefs. These were a unique people who had for hundreds and hundreds, even thousands of years been on this path. Time and again God's people chose to disobey God rather than follow His ways, and time and again they'd been reprimanded. With a history steeped deeply in this process of believing and falling away, believing and falling away they had to realize they needed to desperately keep their hearts right before God. But what exactly does that mean? Could ordinary people hold fast even while the leaders failed to do so? We know this is what God accepts-

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

So you could surrounded by those corrupted and if your heart and spirit are right before God you wouldn't be caught up in their backsliding. We know for a fact that there were at least a few people enlightened and not sitting in darkness or near the shadow of death.

Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.


Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.


There is the account of two people alive at the time of Jesus' birth who were steadfast in the Lord, not backsliding.


More were enveloped in spiritual darkness than they were in light and Jesus' ministry was as a great light turned on dispelling the spiritual darkness covering the masses.


Today we can compare on a MUCH smaller level what was happening. Every once in a while a seemingly great politician will come along and they're like a breath of fresh air in a political system that seems completely corrupt and hopeless. People will begin to follow this politician, they'll go to all their rallies and support that person in every way they can because that politician is bringing to them enlightened ideas feeding them hope for the future.


Jesus wasn't running for any office and He wasn't seeking anyone's vote, He wasn't stumping for popularity- Jesus was bringing the light of truth to God's people. Jesus was bringing hope to the people. Jesus was bringing the dying to life. Preaching the gospel, preaching repentance and acknowledgement that the kingdom of God longed for had at long last arrived, Jesus began to awaken the spiritual life in people all around Him. They heard them and as one lost in darkness suddenly finding themselves in the light they were amazed and grateful, willing and wanting to learn more and more from the light bearer.


We've had a couple thousand years to reclaim spiritual darkness but just as in all ages God keeps spiritual enlightenment alive in the few, the contrite, the broken.


This spiritual revival Jesus brought with Him as He began His ministry was the truth being allowed to be heard without any restraint. The truth was in Jesus' message and grateful for the awakening people listened and wanted to hear more. The message would be heard!


May we all seek spiritual enlightenment. We are promised the Holy Spirit-


Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you


We will be taught by the Holy Spirit by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior!


Amen!

12 Students

As Jesus began to preach and teach He gathered to Himself His apostles- those who would follow Him forever as well as the one among them that would end up betraying Him. What's the difference between those called disciples and those called apostles? What made the apostles special?


They were called to follow Jesus personally. They were called to preach that taught to them by the Messiah.


We know that Jacob had twelve sons.
We know that the number twelve is important - there were established twelve tribes of Israel out of Jacob's sons.
Twelve stones signifying the twelve tribes, placed in the ephod.
Exo 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
Twelve oxen.
2Ch 4:14 He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
2Ch 4:15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it
Twelve lions.
2Ch 9:19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.
Twelve gates, twelve angels.
Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel
Twelve foundations.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Twelve thousands furlongs.
Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Twelve gates, Twelve pearls.
Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Twelve manner of fruit.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.


Twelve apostles- chosen by Jesus, called by Jesus to a special purpose.


Could Jesus have gone about His ministry without apostles? Yes. He could have, but His plan was for His new covenant message to continue long after He would be called to His death and for that to happen He needed to train up teachers that would carry on His message bring the gospel, the good news, to all. Just as the twelve sons of Jacob became the twelve tribes- Jesus' twelve apostles would go on to multiple converts to Jesus. There was to be a continuation that would expand and keep expanding until Jesus' return. While many have gone to great lengths to destroy Christianity and God's seed, God's hope, God's people and still TODAY continue to wish for its extinction it has never been allowed to perish. With the good news of salvation needing to go to all Jesus needed men to learn from Him directly, to learn from Him intensely, to learn from Him by close association. Did Jesus *school* the Apostles as we imagine schooling? No. But every day they spent with Him He was teaching them and they were learning. Jesus wasn't seeking a multitude of followers to herald His rule, Jesus was seeking the pure in heart to learn of love from Him and carry on that message of love not of secular power.


After His baptism, after His trial of temptation in the wilderness against the devil, Jesus began to preach and very early on in the very beginning of His ministry He began to call His chosen students. Read the following verses...


Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mat 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Mat 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Mat 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.


Mar 1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Mar 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Mar 1:19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Mar 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.


Joh 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Joh 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
Joh 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
Joh 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
Joh 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
Joh 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Joh 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Joh 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Joh 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Joh 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
Joh 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Joh 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Joh 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.


Called. Chosen.

Mat 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Mat 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mat 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.


Mar 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
Mar 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Mar 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Mar 3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.


Luk 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Luk 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luk 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luk 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.


Twelve were chosen as students of Christ who would then in turn become teachers of the message Jesus longed for all to have, the message of Salvation found in Him.


Do you suppose the willingness with which they left all to follow Jesus was because the Holy Spirit was influencing them- opening their eyes to see that Jesus was the promised Messiah? Just imagine it for a moment-- being called to follow Jesus and accepting that call readily willing to forsake everything to do so. Amazing, simply amazing. They has so much to learn and in a way-- unlearn. They, like Jesus, had all been raised under the old covenant way of life. As future Bible studies will show throughout their lives they were being enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to the new covenant ways. This change from old to new was not instantaneous, as I've mentioned before and will more than likely mention again and again. Jesus' ministry lasted 3 years and He initiated the change from one to another and He did so with a very intense ministry leaving room for NO DOUBT that the old covenant was no longer in effect upon His death and resurrection- the veil was torn never to be erected again, the way into the Most Holy Place was made through the sacrifice of our Savior.


As you can tell if you've read several of my recent studies I'm very interested in this link between the old and new covenant and it is something I'm going to be studying for a bit I imagine. There's a certain fascination for me in understanding more fully the change our Savior's birth, life, and death meant for those living in that time and for all ever after then. May God guide my studying, opening my heart to His truths and ONLY His truths, all through the Holy Spirit promised to us who believe and long to live in Him now and forever.


By His grace, in His most amazing love.


Amen.

Kingdom of Heaven

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.


Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.


Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Luk 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.


Jesus preached first and foremost- REPENT.


The first sermon (if you will) that Jesus gave was on repenting.
Here we have God's people steeped deep in ceremonial traditions - those God given and those God given but warped by man's traditions and interpretations. They were following the commands of their God as they'd been taught. The sacrifices were being made as expected. The feasts were being kept as ordered. Their lives were rich with their religion. Oppressed by Roman rulership, they were still free to worship and did worship in a temple built for that express purpose. Worship in every sacrifice, worship in every sermon, worship in all that they did- or rather it was supposed to be that way. The Jewish way of life was dominated by their religion- in fact it was supposed to be the focal point of their lives- God first. As time passed -to many- the Jewish way of life had its *holidays- holy days*, it's weekly Sabbath, and they became the focal point and outside of them life went on without much thought of God. This way of life was like most religions today- worship on Sunday (Sabbath 7th day) and holidays. Most thought was NOT on God but on self.


With their way of life set in a pattern, God's chosen people hoped for a FANTASY messiah to free them from Roman rule and give them a life of nothing but happiness. They WANTED a messiah and they knew that the coming of a messiah would mean an altering of their entire way of life, but they didn't want a personal messiah, they wanted one for their religion as a whole. To have some common man, a carpenter's son no less, telling them to repent was ridiculous- especially to those in leadership roles- the priesthood. Repenting meant admitting to some wrong and genuinely being wrong for that wrong not wanting to commit that wrong again. Repenting meant admitting to being an UNFORGIVEN sinner. Repenting meant understanding that the ceremonial system wasn't sufficient in and of itself. How easy would it have been to hear Jesus call for repentance and dismiss it with the belief that you had no need to repent- it wasn't the day of Atonement, it wasn't time to bring an sacrificial offering, you were cleansed as you were every year on the day of Atonement and the priests saw to it that the proper sacrifices were being made so you were forgiven already- see - no need for repentance you had things in hand the way they'd been given to you for many generations. You had all the repentance you needed and some crackpot wasn't going to tell you that it wasn't enough.


It wasn't like that for every one of the chosen people. When John the Baptist preached many were baptized- they had this hope in them that their envisioned messiah was soon to come and here was this strange man heralding that event. However even when John the Baptist preached many were NOT baptized as well. They were caught between the desire for the messiah and the desire not to be deceived - and forsaking their way of life.


Now Jesus begins His ministry and He too is calling for repentance. He wants people to realize their sinful state, their need of a Savior. They'd already been taught the need for a sacrifice to obtain forgiveness, now they needed to understand that the sacrifice pointed to a PERSONAL Savior. It had ALWAYS pointed to a Savior.


Jesus said this--

'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'


The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Did they understand what that meant? They did.

Act 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.


2Sa 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
2Sa 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
2Sa 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
2Sa 7:15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
2Sa 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.


An oath was sworn- the throne of His KINGDOM would be forever. They knew about the kingdom. David would NOT ascend to heaven, David would sleep with the fathers, another would not sleep with the fathers but His kingdom would be established for ever- His throne would be forever.


They knew about the kingdom BUT so many of them believed the kingdom would be established on earth, the kingdom of heaven would come down and remain rather than the kingdom of heaven being the Messiah ascending to Heaven and there being an advocate for His people.


Jesus came and preached firstly repentance because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Repent- understand your need for forgiveness, your need for a Savior, a Savior that would be the key to the kingdom of heaven.


Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.


The kingdom of God is at hand- see NOT just the kingdom of heaven but the kingdom of God- heaven is the kingdom of God and Jesus is the way. That the kingdom was at hand revealed that the way to life eternal was at hand. People had to repent and they had to believe the word being spoken unto them.


Luk 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.


He taught-- He was a teacher-- He was there to teach and He was understood to be One who spoke with authority and that authority had Him glorified of all. Even being rejected eventually didn't stop Him from being embraced at the beginning. How many followed and listened eagerly only to turn away? At one point 5000 people who were fed fish and bread by a miracle turned away from Christ the next day. It seems unbelievable but it's true. Glorified of all, this isn't a lie, it's the truth for the time.


Our Savior began His ministry and He gave the call and His ministry was strong, His message came in the fullness of time, a message that WE today must heed.


We must repent, we must understand the kingdom of God is at hand for us all. We live not under the old covenant but the new, we live under the Messiah's arrival, the Messiah's death, the Messiah's resurrection, the Messiah risen.


By His grace we shall live in Him now and always!


Amen.