Joseph;
Secret Service
Joseph son of
Jacob – Joseph of Nazareth - Joseph brother of Jesus - Joseph of Arimathea
Setting the
Stage
·
There are a dozen Josephs mentioned in the Book;
but it was four that made the greatest impact on mankind; 1) Joseph
son of Jacob, 2) Joseph of Nazareth, 3) Joseph
brother of Jesus and 4) Joseph of Arimathea being the most overlooked.
·
I would like to set the
stage
with information from the “Acts of Pilate” and the “Gospel of Nicodemus” as found in
the APOCRYPHA;
you will not find these legends in the Book.
The ancient historical MYTHS and LEGENDS concerning Joseph of
Arimathea are centered around a
town called Glastonbury
where such legions include King Arthur and
the Holy Grail;
the cup that Jesus drank from at the last supper.
·
The Legends center around
two themes;
one is Joseph as one of the 70 apostles SENT OUT by Jesus to take the
Gospel; where it is said he became the founder of British Christianity.
·
Side note: In the Hebrew Bible, there was thought to be 70
nations as recorded in Genesis and in the Greek Bible it
was thought to be 72 nations, therefore some translations say 72 Apostles
and others say 70;
so that’s the reason for the discrepancy, just
sayin’.
·
The other Theme or legend is that Joseph retrieved
certain HOLY
RELICS surrounding Jesus Christ,
one of which was the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last supper. The story goes that Joseph was the original
guardian of the Holy Grail.
·
MYTHS, LEGENDS and
TRADITIONS
say that the Holy Grail was a cup or dish with miraculous powers that provided
happiness, eternal youth and sustenance in infinite abundance. - It is said that with this cup that Joseph
captured drops
of blood and Sweat from Jesus on the cross. (Thus the HOLY GRAIL) – This spun off conspiracy theorist who wrote about the continuance of the “Royal Blood line of
Jesus”. - Today the term “Holy Grail” just means something
that is elusive or out of reach.
·
Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea
was a very rich tin merchant and was either Mary’s Uncle or her husband
Joseph’s Uncle, and that Joseph of Arimathea traveled by boat with his nephew
Jesus and his father Joseph of Nazareth to Glastonbury where he instructed and showed them how he
extracted tin and purged it of its wolfram.
·
Arriving by boat in
Glastonbury,
legend says Joseph stuck his staff into the ground and it miraculously took
root, leafed out and flowered into what was called the “Glastonbury Thorn” or “Holy Thorn”. - The legend promulgated the Middle Ages pilgrimages
to just see it, but alas it was CHOPPED DOWN during a war and a
replacement or TWO has taken its place. Today there is a hybrid tree known as the “Crataegus
Monogyna” or Hawthorn tree that flowers twice a year and ONLY grows within a few miles of Glastonbury.
·
It was there that Joseph of Arimathea
founded the GLASTONBURY
ABBEY. NOTE:
during this time, the Church was financially in trouble and these stories
promoted PILGRIMAGES and the SELLING of RELICS
which became a life line for the Glastonbury
Abbey.
Luke 10:1 - Legend; Joseph of Arimathea one of the
70 (maybe)
1 After these things the Lord appointed other SEVENTY also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city … (KJV)
1 After these things the Lord appointed other SEVENTY also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city … (KJV)
Luke 10:1 - Legend; Joseph of Arimathea one of the
72 (maybe)
1 The Lord now chose SEVENTY-TWO other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to the towns and places he planned to visit (NLT)
1 The Lord now chose SEVENTY-TWO other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to the towns and places he planned to visit (NLT)
Joseph of the
Secret Service
·
Joseph was a wealthy man from the Judean town of
Arimathea as well an honored member of the Jewish council, and was looking forward
to the coming of THE KINGDOM
OF GOD. He was a SECRET DISCIPLE of Jesus, and had OPENLY not
consented to the council’s decision and actions to crucify Jesus. – NYOBS 18.18 - WAY OF THE CROSS – GOOD FRIDAY
·
When Jesus was crucified, Joseph asked Pilate for
permission to take the body of Jesus and bury it before the start of the
Sabbath at sundown. He was granted
permission because he was a kinsman, as only a kinsman’s could
take possession of the dead body.
·
Joseph owned a NEW tomb cut
from rock near a garden
WHERE NO MAN HAD EVER BEEN LAID. God pointed out that no man had ever been
laid there, because the Book records
that a man was thrown into Elisha the prophet’s grave and was resurrected
when his body touched Elisha’s bones. It was important that the people of that time
should know that no man’s bones had resurrected Jesus from the grave. - (There is a reason for EVERY WORD in the Book.)
Mark 15:43 – Joseph waiting for the Kingdom of God
to come
43 Joseph of Arimathea TOOK A RISK and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO COME.) (NLT)
43 Joseph of Arimathea TOOK A RISK and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO COME.) (NLT)
Luke 23:50-56 – Joseph did not agree with the
religious leaders
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph.
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph.
HE WAS A
MEMBER OF THE JEWISH HIGH COUNCIL,
51 BUT HE HAD NOT AGREED WITH THE DECISION AND ACTIONS OF THE OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.
52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.
54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and SAW the tomb where his body was placed.
56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
51 BUT HE HAD NOT AGREED WITH THE DECISION AND ACTIONS OF THE OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.
52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.
54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and SAW the tomb where his body was placed.
56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
(NLT)
Matthew 27:57-59 – Pilate releases the body of
Jesus to Joseph
57 As evening approached, JOSEPH, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,
58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And PILATE ISSUED AN ORDER TO RELEASE IT TO HIM.
59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. (NLT)
57 As evening approached, JOSEPH, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,
58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And PILATE ISSUED AN ORDER TO RELEASE IT TO HIM.
59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. (NLT)
Matthew 27:60 – The tomb had just been made for
Joseph
60 HE PLACED IT IN HIS OWN NEW TOMB, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. (NLT)
60 HE PLACED IT IN HIS OWN NEW TOMB, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. (NLT)
Isaiah 53:9 - Prophecy; buried in a rich man’s
grave
9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was BURIED LIKE A CRIMINAL; he was PUT IN A RICH MAN’S GRAVE. (NLT)
9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was BURIED LIKE A CRIMINAL; he was PUT IN A RICH MAN’S GRAVE. (NLT)
John 19:38-41 – Buried in a new Tomb; never used
before
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been
A SECRET
DISCIPLE of
Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to
take down Jesus’ body. When PILATE GAVE PERMISSION, Joseph came and took
the body away.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a NEW TOMB, NEVER USED BEFORE.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a NEW TOMB, NEVER USED BEFORE.
(NLT)
2 Kings 13:21 – Prophet’s BONES RESURRECTED a man
21 Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. They hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched ELISHA’S BONES, THE DEAD MAN REVIVED AND JUMPED TO HIS FEET! (NLT)
21 Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. They hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched ELISHA’S BONES, THE DEAD MAN REVIVED AND JUMPED TO HIS FEET! (NLT)
Nicodemus of the Secret Service
·
Nicodemus was also a
member of the High Council and of kindred spirit with Joseph in the SECRET SERVICE. He helped Joseph get Jesus to the New Garden
Tomb and brought along 75 pounds of spices to anoint the body of Jesus for
burial. – They had less than 3 hours to prepare him before sunset and the
beginning of the Sabbath. - They
finished up as best they could and rolled a large stone over the entrance. –
The women that had followed, all left to return after the Sabbath to anoint His
body with ointments in addition to the already applied myrrh and aloes. - NYOBS 86.02 MARY AND MARTHA
·
You may recall, Mary, Martha’s sister had unknowingly
already anointed Jesus for burial when she brought a twelve-ounce jar of expensive
perfume made from essence of nard, and anointed Jesus’ FEET with it, wiping his FEET with her hair. A second unnamed woman at another time did the
same thing to Jesus’ HEAD anointing Him for burial. – It’s in the Book
John 3:1-2 – Nicodemus Secret follower of Jesus
also
1 Now there was a man of the PHARISEES NAMED NICODEMUS, a ruler of the Jews.
2 this man came to JESUS by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, FOR NO ONE CAN DO THESE SIGNS THAT YOU DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH HIM.” (ESV)
1 Now there was a man of the PHARISEES NAMED NICODEMUS, a ruler of the Jews.
2 this man came to JESUS by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, FOR NO ONE CAN DO THESE SIGNS THAT YOU DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH HIM.” (ESV)
John 19:39-41 – Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of
ointment
39 With him (Joseph) came NICODEMUS, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He BROUGHT SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS OF PERFUMED OINTMENT MADE FROM MYRRH AND ALOES.
40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
41 The place of crucifixion was NEAR A GARDEN, where there was a NEW TOMB, NEVER USED BEFORE. (NLT)
39 With him (Joseph) came NICODEMUS, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He BROUGHT SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS OF PERFUMED OINTMENT MADE FROM MYRRH AND ALOES.
40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
41 The place of crucifixion was NEAR A GARDEN, where there was a NEW TOMB, NEVER USED BEFORE. (NLT)
John 12:3-7 – Mary anointed Jesus’ feet for His
burial
3 Then MARY took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she ANOINTED JESUS’ FEET with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,
5 That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Jesus replied, “Leave her alone.
3 Then MARY took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she ANOINTED JESUS’ FEET with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,
5 That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Jesus replied, “Leave her alone.
SHE DID THIS IN
PREPARATION FOR MY BURIAL. (NLT)
Matthew 26:7-12 – The Head of Jesus was anointed
for burial
7 A WOMAN came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and POURED IT ON HIS HEAD as He reclined at the table.
12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it
7 A WOMAN came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and POURED IT ON HIS HEAD as He reclined at the table.
12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it
TO PREPARE ME FOR BURIAL. (NASB)
Mark 15:46 – Joseph bought a LONG sheet of linen
cloth
46 JOSEPH BOUGHT A LONG SHEET OF LINEN CLOTH. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock.
46 JOSEPH BOUGHT A LONG SHEET OF LINEN CLOTH. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock.
THEN HE
ROLLED A STONE IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE. (NLT)
Luke 23:55-56 – The women followed; witnessed the
body buried
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed.
56 THEN THEY WENT HOME AND PREPARED SPICES AND OINTMENTS TO ANOINT HIS BODY. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law. (NLT)
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed.
56 THEN THEY WENT HOME AND PREPARED SPICES AND OINTMENTS TO ANOINT HIS BODY. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law. (NLT)
After the Sabbath
·
On the first day of the week
after the Sabbath, the women returned to the tomb where they had witnessed
Jesus’ body being buried and found the stone had been rolled away when suddenly
two angels appeared to them in dazzling robes. –
NYOBS 15.13 - SABBATH
·
MARY WAS
COMMISSIONED TO GO AND TELL what had happened.
This action would make her the first apostle. - She was a female disciple; a follower. - NYOBS 05.02 - MARY MAGDALENE
·
The Greek word “Apostle” means “One who has been sent” – Disciple
means “follower”. Women were considered “SECOND
CLASS” to
their father, brothers and husband. The
message of Jesus was of freedom and equality of the sexes; liberation from the constraints
and restrictions of Jewish Law concerning women. This may be why so many women were OPENLY
attracted to the teachings of Christ and financial supporters of “THE WAY”.
- Women’s Lib was not the agenda
of Christ, as all twelve of His inner circle of disciples were male,
although women were certainly liberated to function as they desired.
·
Mary is always mentioned
first
among the women and thus by interpretation, she can be assumed to be the leader
of the Women’s Ministry, the “WOC” Women Of the Church and
obviously she had the leadership qualities. – NYOBS 10.05 – WOMEN OF THE CHURCH
- God
used a woman; deemed “second class” to spread the Gospel. - He used the
weaker vessel, considered foolish, to confound those who think themselves
wise. - There were other WOMEN APOSTLES that
were mention in the scriptures; Junia is a female name and so is Priscilla
and OPENLY
served “The
Way”; never a part of the male’s SECRET SERVICE.
- I
know that this is a stretch, but Mary Magdalene
could be said to have established or originated “Christianity”
as she was the first to believe that Jesus Christ was “raised from the
dead” and went and told others as none of the Twelve Disciples were
present.
- The
resurrection
is the bed rock of Christianity. - What if Mary had not gone to the grave
on the third day? - Up until this time they preached the coming of
the Kingdom of God. – Now they
were teaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfilling the
scriptures.
Luke 24:1-12 - The Women return to the tomb with
more spices
1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
6 HE ISN’T HERE! HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! Remember what he told you back in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this.
9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.
10 It was MARY MAGDALENE, JOANNA, and MARY the mother of James, and SEVERAL OTHER WOMEN who told the apostles what had happened.
11 But the story SOUNDED LIKE NONSENSE to the men, so they didn’t believe it.
12 However, PETER jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and SAW the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. (NLT)
1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
6 HE ISN’T HERE! HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! Remember what he told you back in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
8 Then they remembered that he had said this.
9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.
10 It was MARY MAGDALENE, JOANNA, and MARY the mother of James, and SEVERAL OTHER WOMEN who told the apostles what had happened.
11 But the story SOUNDED LIKE NONSENSE to the men, so they didn’t believe it.
12 However, PETER jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and SAW the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. (NLT)
Matthew
28:5-7 – Mary commissioned to go and tell
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
Mark 16:6-7
– Commissioned to go and tell
6 "Don't be
alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. HE
HAS RISEN! HE IS NOT HERE. See the place where they laid him.
7 BUT GO, TELL HIS DISCIPLES AND PETER,
` NIV
Romans 16:7
- Junia was a woman apostle
7 Salute Andronicus and JUNIA,
my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note AMONG THE APOSTLES, who also were in
Christ before me. KJV
Romans 16:3 – Priscilla was a woman apostle
3 Greet PRISCA and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, (ESV)
3 Greet PRISCA and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, (ESV)
1 Corinthians 1:27 – God
uses the foolish to confound the wise
27 Instead, GOD CHOSE THINGS THE WORLD CONSIDERS FOOLISH IN ORDER TO SHAME THOSE WHO THINK
27 Instead, GOD CHOSE THINGS THE WORLD CONSIDERS FOOLISH IN ORDER TO SHAME THOSE WHO THINK
THEY
ARE WISE. And he chose things that
are powerless to shame those who are powerful. (NLT)
Noli
Tangere – Touch Me Not
- In
my mind, I want to see a tearful Mary taking Jesus’ arm
and holding on ever so tightly, overjoyed to see him and not wanting Him
to ever leave her again. However,
she may not have actually touched Him and His words may have been for her
to just release Him in her heart to His work in the spiritual realm. – NYOBS 31.12 – THREE MARYS
- Jesus
told Mary to not touch Him – or better still; NOT TO RESTRAIN HIM, because He had not YET ascended to
the Father. The implication is that
their relationship would continue after his ascension and be
different in another dimension. SELAH; Ponder that.
John 20:17 – Don’t hold me back, there’s more to do, see you
soon
17 Jesus saith unto her, TOUCH ME NOT;
for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto
them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your
God. KJV
John 20:17 - KJV “Touch Me not”
- NIV - "Do not hold on to Me”- NKJV "Do not cling to Me” – AMP Do not cling to Me (Do not hold Me)
The Prophecy
·
All of this fulfilled the
prophecy of Isaiah when he said there was nothing handsome about the appearance
of Jesus, nothing that would attract others to Him. – Even though He had not
done anything wrong, He would be despised and rejected, oppressed and treated
harshly. - NYOBS 18.18 –
PROPHECIES OF JESUS
·
It was God’s “good” plan
to crush Him;
He would be whipped,
beaten
and his side pierced
and WE WOULD NOT
CARE. – He would be led away like a lamb to the slaughter, saying
nothing. - He would die like a criminal, but be buried in a
rich man’s grave; dying WITHOUT ANY
descendants.
·
He exposed His own self to
death
and as He bore our sins, He interceded to the Father for all of us who were in
rebellion. – All of us, just like sheep have strayed away to follow our own
path. Because of offering His life for
Sin, He will
now have MANY descendants.
Isaiah 53:2-12 - PROPHECY of Jesus crucifixion and
death
2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
3 HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and WE DID NOT CARE.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
5 But HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR REBELLION, crushed for our sins. He was BEATEN so we could be whole. He was WHIPPED so we could be healed.
6 ALL OF US, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE STRAYED AWAY. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
7 HE WAS OPPRESSED AND TREATED HARSHLY, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned, HE WAS LED AWAY. NO ONE CARED that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
9 HE HAD DONE NO WRONG and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; HE WAS PUT IN A RICH MAN’S GRAVE.
10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to CRUSH HIM and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because
2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
3 HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and WE DID NOT CARE.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
5 But HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR REBELLION, crushed for our sins. He was BEATEN so we could be whole. He was WHIPPED so we could be healed.
6 ALL OF US, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE STRAYED AWAY. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
7 HE WAS OPPRESSED AND TREATED HARSHLY, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
8 Unjustly condemned, HE WAS LED AWAY. NO ONE CARED that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
9 HE HAD DONE NO WRONG and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; HE WAS PUT IN A RICH MAN’S GRAVE.
10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to CRUSH HIM and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because
He exposed
himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
HE BORE THE SINS
OF MANY and interceded for rebels. (NLT)
Secret Disciples
·
Many times people have prayed for healing
and have received it, but then they won’t praise God out loud for it. - THEY JUST SAY NOTHING,
fearing that if the “healing doesn’t take”
and comes back, they will look silly and embarrassed for their WITNESS.
·
The Book gives us a story of a
woman with an issue of blood that had oppressed her for 12 years. She thought that if she could just reach out
in SECRET
and touch the clothes of Jesus; she would be healed. – She did and WAS
healed. – Jesus felt His virtue leave Him and asked WHO TOUCHED ME? – Jesus being Omniscience,
already knew who touched Him, but this was a teaching moment for all of his
followers. - Jesus does not want us to be members of THE SECRET SERVICE, our chief end is to glorify God with our WITNESS
of praise and worship. – He told the woman to SPEAK UP for
all to hear, TO
SHARE that it was her faith that got
her healing. – NYOBS 24.16 – WOMEN PREACHERS
·
Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego were not SECRET FOLLOWERS of God but were examples of word and deed
as they boldly spoke up in praise of God saying; “if we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, THE GOD WHOM WE SERVE IS ABLE TO SAVE
US. - He will rescue us from
your power, Your Majesty, BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, WE
WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO YOU, Your Majesty, that we will never
serve your gods or worship the
gold statue you have set up.” – Don’t just listen to God’s word, you must do
what it says, otherwise you are only fooling yourselves. - Faith
without ACTION is a dead faith.
Mark 5:25-34 – We are not in the SECRET SERVICE
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.
26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.
28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked,
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.
26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.
28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked,
“Who touched my
robe?”
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and TOLD HIM WHAT SHE HAD DONE.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and TOLD HIM WHAT SHE HAD DONE.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
(NLT)
Daniel 3:16-18 – God is able, but even if He does
not - PRAISE
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
THE GOD WHOM WE
SERVE IS ABLE TO SAVE US. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
18 BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T,
18 BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T,
WE WANT TO MAKE
IT CLEAR TO YOU,
Your Majesty, that
we will
never serve your gods or
worship the gold statue you have set up.” (NLT)
James 1:22 – It’s not enough to HEAR; you must DO
the word
22 don’t just listen to God’s word. YOU MUST DO WHAT IT SAYS. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE ONLY FOOLING YOURSELVES.
22 don’t just listen to God’s word. YOU MUST DO WHAT IT SAYS. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE ONLY FOOLING YOURSELVES.
(NLT)
Psalm 69:30-31 – Chief end of man is to glorify
God
30 Then I WILL PRAISE GOD’S NAME with singing, and
30 Then I WILL PRAISE GOD’S NAME with singing, and
I WILL HONOR HIM
WITH THANKSGIVING.
31 FOR THIS WILL PLEASE THE LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
31 FOR THIS WILL PLEASE THE LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
(NLT)
New Translations
·
If you don’t yet have a
Bible,
you will enjoy the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, not
only because it is so easy to read and understand, but because it’s not just
paraphrased, it’s a real translation from the Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic
manuscripts. - Translators today are
guided by The
Masorah which refers to the whole chain of Jewish tradition
which is claimed to be unchanged and infallible.
·
The Masorah is a collection of notes on
the text of the Hebrew Scriptures as composed by the rabbis, these notes on
“traditions” were placed in the margins to expand and clarify the thoughts of
the writers. The notations tell why something was added, corrected or deleted
The Take
Away
·
The Women Of the Church were overt OPEN
followers of Jesus Christ and you knew who they were by their fruits;
their actions,
their works. - We don’t do good works in order to be
saved; we do good works BECAUSE we are saved.
·
Joseph and Nicodemus were SECRET FOLLOWERS of Jesus Christ, but when the going got tough, the
tough got going, and in the end they were in OPEN disagreement with the High Council,
not only in their Words, but in their Actions of Faith. The Book of James says; show me your
works and I will see your Faith. – FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS A DEAD FAITH
·
According to the “Gospel
of Nicodemus”,
a non-canonized book outside the Bible; says the Elders were so angry with
Joseph that they IMPRISONED him, but
then about midnight while he was praying, Jesus appeared to him, explained all that
had transpired and transported him out of prison to his own house where
he was told to stay for 40 days while Jesus remained on earth; after which time
Joseph could then return to Arimathea.
·
So here’s where we are; regardless of whether it’s
convenient or not, or if even imprisoned or death as was most of the disciples;
it is by our FRUITS;
our ACTIONS,
our WORKS
that we are identified. We are NOT member
of some SECRET SERVICE, we are commissioned to be
ROYAL AMBASSADORS
FOR CHRIST. We are known by our actions. – It’s in the Book –
James 2:14-20 – What good is faith without works?
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, FAITH BY ITSELF ISN’T ENOUGH.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, FAITH BY ITSELF ISN’T ENOUGH.
UNLESS IT
PRODUCES GOOD DEEDS,
it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “HOW CAN YOU SHOW ME YOUR FAITH IF YOU DON’T HAVE GOOD DEEDS? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
20 How foolish! Can’t you see that
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “HOW CAN YOU SHOW ME YOUR FAITH IF YOU DON’T HAVE GOOD DEEDS? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
20 How foolish! Can’t you see that
FAITH WITHOUT
GOOD DEEDS IS USELESS?
(NLT)
Matthew 7:16 – You will know a believer by their
works
16 YOU CAN IDENTIFY THEM BY THEIR FRUIT, that is,
16 YOU CAN IDENTIFY THEM BY THEIR FRUIT, that is,
BY THE WAY THEY ACT.
Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
(NLT)
Matthew 7:20 – A Christian is known by the actions
20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so
20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so
YOU CAN IDENTIFY PEOPLE BY THEIR ACTIONS.
(NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:20 – We are Ambassadors; not SECRET
SERVICE
20 Therefore, WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ,
20 Therefore, WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ,
BE
RECONCILED TO GOD.
(ESV)
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and
see further that I otherwise ever could have.
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible – Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
Don’t know much about the Bible – Kenneth C. Davis
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World
Gospels Interwoven; The – Karmit Zarley
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament – Baker
Invisible War; The – Donald Grey Barnhouse
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Lost Books of the Bible; The - World
Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Meredith’s Book of List; 1&2 –Bethany House
Publishers
Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
New Living Translation Bible - NLT
Other
side of the Good News; The – Larry Dixon
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J. Schonfield
Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Unseen Realm; The – Michael
S. Heiser
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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