16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
Last time we mentioned that after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene and told her to tell the disciples that he would meet them in Galilee. The disciples met him on the mountain in Galilee where he had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him. Worshiping Jesus shows his divinity. People cannot worship humans; they can only worship God. The Lord Jesus told them that the Father had given Him all authority in heaven and on earth. He commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to all nations and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything He had commanded.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:32)
Here it says that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. When a person prepares to become a disciple or a Christian, they must be baptized, born again, and receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then dwells in their hearts, and they must obey God and obey all that the Lord Jesus commanded.
As we saw earlier, baptism is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is a Trinity. He is three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet they are one.
You can use an egg to illustrate the Trinity.
Take and egg, You have a shell, you have a yolk and you have a white. it’s only one egg. It has three parts. The shell is the part that you see. And you could equate that with Jesus, because He incarnated for you to see Him. The yolk, you could take as the Father, the creative part of the egg. And the white you could take as Holy Spirit, the nourishing part of the egg.
As mentioned earlier, when the disciples preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations, the Lord Jesus will be with them until the end of the age. The disciples do not simply preach the gospel on their own; they work together with the Lord, and the Lord is with them, guiding and leading them. From biblical prophecies and events in the world, we know that the end of the age is near, that is the Lord Jesus’ return is near. I hope that more people will soon turn to the Lord Jesus, be baptized, be born again, receive the Holy Spirit, and become His disciples.
May God bless you and your family!
Gospel Matthew study
The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:1-10)
As we saw earlier, Jesus was crucified and his body was placed in a tomb. The chief priests and Pharisees told Pilate to order the tomb to be guarded , they also sealed the entrance of the tomb with a stone. Three days later, on Sunday, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visited the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the tomb’s entrance. The guards trembled with fear. The angel told the women not to be afraid, telling them to tell Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had resurrected from the dead and that he was going to meet them in Galilee. Later Jesus appeared to them and told them the same thing: He would meet his disciples in Galilee.
9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:9-11)
Here we see that after His resurrection, Jesus first appeared to women Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, but not to the disciples. When Mary told the disciples about this, they did not believe.
6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (John 20:6-9)
The other disciple mentioned here is John. He and Peter went to the tomb. When he saw that Jesus’ body was not there, he believed that He had resurrected.
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. (Psalm 16:10)
This Old Testament verse prophesied the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, that is, the Lord Jesus as the Holy One would not see corruption.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (John 11:25)
Here the Lord Jesus said that He is the resurrection and the life, and that those who believe in Him will be resurrected even they die. Hope that more people will believe in Jesus, be born again and saved, and have the hope of resurrection.
May God bless you and your family!
The death of Jesus
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27:51-61)
When the Lord Jesus was crucified, the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. During the Old Testament times, the Holy of Holies of the Temple was where God lived and only the High Priest could enter once a year, the veil separated the people from God, the veil split from top to bottom, symbolizing that Jesus’ death broke that barrier, allowing believers to come directly to God, to God’s presence through Jesus.
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, (Hebrews 10:19-20)
Here it talks about the veil being the body of the Lord Jesus, when the Lord Jesus died on the cross, the veil is torn, and people can enter the Holy of Holies, to the presence of God with confidence through the Lord Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6)
The Lord Jesus here says that He is the way, the truth, the life, He is the only way to the Father, only through Him can one go to the Father.
When the Lord Jesus was crucified, not only did the veil break in two, but the earth shook and the rocks split, and when the Lord Jesus was resurrected, many saints who were dead came out of their graves, resurrected and appeared to many. When the centurions and those who guarded Jesus saw the earthquake and other things, they were greatly frightened, and they knew that Jesus was truly the Son of God.
Later we see a rich man, Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for the body of the Lord Jesus, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his new tomb.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)
This Old Testament verse prophesies that the Lord Jesus died, crucified with the criminals, and was buried with the rich man when he died, this is what we saw earlier that he was buried in the tomb of Joseph the rich man.
Hope that more people will be born again and be saved through baptism, through the Lord Jesus, enter into the presence of God.
May God bless you and family!
Jesus was crucified
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,ema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.(Matthew 27:38-50)
Here we see that the Lord Jesus was crucified with two rebels. People passing by, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, mocked him for not being able to save himself and came down from the cross, one of the rebels who was crucified with him also mocked him, but the other rebel was different.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
Here we see two criminals who were crucified with the Lord Jesus. One mocked him, while the other repented and asked the Lord to remember him when the kingdom of God came. The Lord Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” We see this criminal repent and was saved before he died.
Later we see the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18)
Here the Lord Jesus said that no one took his life. He received authority from the Heavenly Father, laid down his life, and took it back. We know that the Lord Jesus was resurrected three days after his death.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. (Psalm 22:16)
This verse in the Old Testament predicted that the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus would be pierced, and the prophecy was fulfilled when the Lord Jesus was crucified.
They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. (Psalm 22:18)
This verse predicted that the Lord Jesus’ clothes would be divided and the garment would be cast lots. This prophecy was fulfilled after the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross, and the soldiers did so.
The Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross to redeem the world. I hope that more people will accept the Lord’s love, turn to him, receive salvation, and enter heaven, enter paradise after death.
May God bless you and your family!
Jesus on trial before Pilate
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:11-26)
Here we see that the Lord Jesus was on trial before the governor Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate knew that they had brought the Lord Jesus here because of jealousy. The Pilate had a custom of releasing a prisoner chosen by the crowd at every festival. At that time there was a famous prisoner named Barabbas. Pilate asked the crowd whether to release Barabbas or Jesus, who was called Christ. The chief priests and elders instigated the crowd to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus. While he was sitting on the court, Pilate’s wife sent a message saying, “Have nothing to do with this righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” Pilate was afraid that the crowd would cause a commotion. He knew that Jesus was a righteous man, but he did not listen to his wife’s advice and agreed to crucify Jesus.
Here we see that the Lord Jesus empowered women. Pilate’s wife tried to warn him not to involve in the trial of Jesus. She said, “I had a dream about him,” but Pilate ignored her and agreed to crucify Jesus.
Jesus resurrected three days after his death and first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a woman whose mission was to convince the doubting men, Jesus’ disciples. Thomas, the Lord’s disciple, even had to put his finger into Jesus’ wounds before he would believe. Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
I hope more people will believe in Jesus and receive God’s blessing.
May God bless you and your family!
Jesus on trial before the Sanhedrin
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (Matthew 26:57-68)
Here we see that the Lord Jesus was arrested and taken to the courtyard of the high priest Caia, they all wanted to bear false witness against him and put him to death. Two men came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days’” The Lord Jesus did not say this.
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19)
The Lord Jesus said: Destroy this temple. He did not say, I am able to destroy the temple of God. The Lord Jesus said here, “Destroy this temple” means that his body is the temple. His body was crucified on the cross and resurrected three days later. His body was destroyed as the temple and rebuilt in three days.
When the high priest saw that the Lord Jesus did not answer the accusations against him, he asked him if he was the Christ, the Son of God. When the Lord Jesus said yes, the high priest said that the Lord Jesus spoke blasphemous words, he is a man and he said that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and equal with God.
anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death. (Leviticus 24:16)
According to the law of the Old Testament, those who blasphemed God were to be put to death, but the Lord Jesus did not blaspheme God. He was the Christ, the Son of God, but they did not believe that He was the Christ and wanted to put Him to death.
At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)
We have seen that the Lord Jesus predicted His second coming, coming on clouds with great power and great glory. From the prophecies in the Bible and from what is happening in the world we know that the day of the Lord Jesus’ return is near.
The Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross to save the world. I hope that more people will accept the Lord Jesus as the Lord and Savior, be born again and saved, receive the Holy Spirit, have the presence of the Holy Spirit, have the presence of the Lord, and receive God’s blessings.
May God
Lord Jesus arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:47-56)
Last time we talked about the Lord Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, and He asked the disciples to be alert and pray. After that, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, brought a group of people to arrest the Lord Jesus. Judas gave them a signal, kissing Jesus, and then let them arrest Jesus. Here it says that a man drew a sword and slashed the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. From the parallel passage, we know that this person is Peter. The Lord Jesus did not want them to use the sword, saying that whoever uses the sword must die by the sword. The parallel passage says that he immediately healed the ear of the high priest’s servant. The Lord Jesus said that he could ask the Heavenly Father to send twelve legions of angels. How many people are there for the twelve legions of angels? Each legion of the Roman army is divided into ten cohorts, and each cohort is 600 people (John 18:3, 12 says that Judas brought a cohort of soldiers, and it was led by a chiliarch). One legion is 6,000 people, and twelve legions are 72,000 people. Of course, they can defeat the cohort that captured Jesus. But the Lord Jesus did not do this. If he did so, the prophecies about him in the different prophetic books of the Old Testament would not be fulfilled. Just as the Old Testament predicted, when the Lord Jesus was arrested, the disciples all left him and fled.
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
This is a prophecy about the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament. the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. In order to save the world, the Lord Jesus was arrested and then crucified on the cross, becoming the sin offering to save the world. I hope that more people will believe in Him and accept Him as the Lord and Savior, so that they can be born again, saved, and receive eternal life.
May God bless you and your family!
Jesus Prayed in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:36-46)
The Lord Jesus and his disciples came to the Garden of Gethsemane, which is at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. There the Lord Jesus prayed earnestly, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” The content of his three prayers was the same. He knew that he would be arrested and crucified, and he asked the Heavenly Father to take away the bitter cup from him if possible, but he did not ask for his own will, but for the will of the Heavenly Father. The parallel passage in the Gospel of Luke says that he prayed earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood dripping to the ground. He also told his close disciples Peter, John, and James to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation. He told them that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Their spirits were willing, and they did not want to abandon the Lord, because they did not watch and pray, and they all fell asleep, when the Lord Jesus was arrested, they all fell and fled from him. Here the Lord Jesus taught his disciples to watch and pray. We should watch and pray every day, because the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We should pray often so as not to fall.
May God bless you and your family!
Lord Jesus Predicted Peter’s denial of Him
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”s 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)
Here the Lord Jesus predicted that the disciples would all fall away on account of him that night. Peter said that even if all fell away on account of Him, he would never fall away, then the Lord Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him three times.
“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.(Zechariah 13:7)
The Old Testament predicted that the Shepherd Lord Jesus would be struck and the sheep would be scattered; when the Lord Jesus was arrested, the disciples all fled.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Here the apostle Paul says that he who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall. Here standing firm means standing firm spiritually. Peter thought he could stand firm, but he fell.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
The original language of the New Testament is Greek. Two different Greek words are used to describe love here: agape and phileo. Agape is God’s love for man, an unconditional, sacrificial love, and it is also man’s love for God in response to God’s love. Phileo is the love between brothers. When the Lord Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” the word used here was agape, and Peter’s answer was phileo. It seems that because he had denied the Lord three times, he felt that his love had not reached agape, so he used phileo. The word used by the Lord Jesus for Peter the second and third time was phileo. Because Peter denied the Lord three times, the Lord Jesus asked him three times whether he loved the Lord. When Peter said yes, the Lord asked him to shepherd the Lord’s sheep. He also predicted what would happen to him when he was old. Peter was finally martyred for the Lord and was also crucified on the cross. He was nailed upside down on the cross. He felt that he was not worthy of being nailed right-side up like the Lord Jesus.
I hope more people will accept the Lord’s love, believe in Him, accept the Lord Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and receive new life and eternal life.
May God bless you and your family!
Lord Jesus establishes Holy Communion
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:26-30)
Here the Lord Jesus established the Holy Communion. The bread is the body of the Lord Jesus, and the cup is the blood of the Lord Jesus, the blood of the covenant, which was poured out on the cross for many for the forgiveness of sins.
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:19-20)
The bread is the body of the Lord, which was sacrificed for us on the cross. We take Holy Communion to remember the Lord and His great love. The cup is the new covenant between the Lord and His disciples, which was shed for us.
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. (John 6:53-56)
Here it says that eating the flesh of the Lord and drinking the blood of the Lord is to receive His life, to be united with the Lord, and to abide in him, and He abides in us. When a person repents and be baptized, it is the beginning of a new life, the beginning of union with the Lord. We should often draw near to the Lord and be united with the Lord, so that the Lord’s life can be in us.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
Here it talks about the four things that the early church did: keeping the apostles’ teaching, that is, keeping the apostles’ biblical teachings, fellowship with one another, breaking bread, that is, receiving Holy Communion, and praying, not only praying in the church as a group when they gathered, but also drawing near to the Lord, praying on their own. May God bless you and your family!
The Last Supper
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:17-25)
The Passover, also known as the Festival of Unleavened Bread, begins on the 14th day of the first month of the Jewish calendar, between March and April of the Gregorian calendar. According to the Old Testament “Exodus”, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God ordered the slaughter of lambs and the application of blood on the doors so that when the angels killed the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, they would pass over the houses marked with blood. This was called “Passover”, and the Jews established this festival to commemorate it.
Here it is about Jesus and the twelve disciples eating the Passover. The Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and He knows everything. He said, “One of you will betray me.” The disciple who betrayed the Lord was Judas, and he did not repent when he heard it.
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. (John 13:21-30)
This parallel passage is from the Gospel John. Peter asked the disciple whom Jesus loved, that is John, who would betray Jesus. John asked Jesus, and Jesus told him that it was Judas. Here we see that Satan, the devil, entered Judas’ heart, and he went out to betray Jesus.
In order to save the world, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple and crucified. I hope more people will believe in the Lord and turn to him.
May God bless you and your family!
Costly perfume poured on the Lord Jesus
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)
Here it talks about a woman with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, she came and poured it on the head of the Lord Jesus. Here it does not say who this woman was.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3)
The parallel passage John says that this woman is Mary, Martha’s sister. Earlier it said that she poured the ointment on Jesus’ head, and here it says that she poured the ointment on Jesus’ feet. Matthew 25:12 says that she poured the ointment on the Lord’s body, that is, the whole body. The disciples were very unhappy when they saw what Mary did, thinking it was too wasteful. The ointment could be sold for a lot of money to help the poor. Jesus said: You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. There is always a chance to help the poor, because Jesus will soon leave the world, and there will not be many opportunities to do it directly on Jesus.
Mary poured the ointment on Jesus’ body for the Lord’s burial. She did this to express her love and gratitude to the Lord. wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will be remembered.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Here we see that Martha was distracted by all the preparations, but Mary was listening to the Lord’s words attentively, she knew the Lord’s will and the heart of the Lord, the Lord said that Mary has chosen what is better.
May God bless you and your family.
