Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus from the Gospel of Luke

October 5, 2024 — jwwealand

Luke 1:17 quotes Malachi. 4:6, The success of John the immersionist is not measured by longevity, because his life was cut short, not by riches, because he lived in poverty and ate poor, not by miracles because he didn’t perform a single sign, but by the acceptance of God’s word into the hearts of many Israelites, (Lk. 3:21 “ALL”). Jesus said John the immersionist was the greatest of men born amongst women because of his ability to practice what he preached in holy living (Matthew 11:8-11).  The word “Turn” is a great word for describing the emphasis of John’s message of repentance, Mark 1:4 & Luke 3:3. In John’s ministry, baptism was immersion expressing a changed lifestyle in exchange for forgiveness, however in Christ’s ministry, baptism is immersion expressing death to sin and being raised to new life in exchange for a forgiven heart that can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:37-39.

Luke 4:18-19 quotes Isaiah 61:1-2, The success of Jesus Christ (Anointed) – ‘Masah’ Isa. 61:1, would be emphasized in preaching, the word “Preaching” is repeated 3 times in this passage. Proclamation of God’s word, not necessarily the acceptance of His word. The miraculous healing and many other powerful signs was simply the proof or confirmation of power from God in the word’s message, see Mark 16:20 & Hebrews 2:3-4. The preaching is described by two words, firstly, “Euangelizo” which is a reference to the inherent goodness of the message. Secondly ‘preaching’ or proclaim is “Kerysso” which is a reference to publication of the message. This kind of message is always public, never private. The fact that the Christ (Anointed) one did the preaching fulfilled the prophetic promise in Isaiah to make the “year of the Lord’s grace” known. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, Jn 1:17, not Moses or any other prophet or religious leader of any kind, it was only Jesus who can deliver gracious words and absolute truth, see Luke 4:22.

Luke 23:30 quotes Hosea 10:8, Jesus points to the destruction of Jerusalem impending with warnings, from prophets of the past, to his own generation. A sign of mercy to those who accept his word as God’s word, to flee and escape the judgment of God. Reference Matthew 24:15 & Daniel 12:11. If non-believers stay in Jerusalem to see this wrath they will cry out for creation itself to fall upon them, see Revelation 6:15-17, because the destruction is so thorough there will be no hope anywhere else but under the earth, i.e., dead!

Luke 24:27 quotes “all the prophets”.., after Cleopas said “but they did not see him”, v24. Jesus replied with a rebuke towards their wondering curiosity and wherever in the Old Testament Christ was spoken of prophetically, Jesus explained his fulfillment. What is amazing about this encounter, is that Christ’s knowledge did not open their eyes, but rather it was fellowship and prayer over dinner! A prayer of blessing opened their eyes, v30-31. Do you pray about what you read in the Bible?

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus from Mark’s Gospel

September 17, 2024 — jwwealand

Mark quotes from Old Testament passages which Matthew & John do not, so we will look into the following passages that are unique to Mark.

Isaiah 53:12 & 66:24

Jeremiah 7:11 & Isaiah 56:7

Zechariah 13:7

There are some other Old Testament scriptures which Mark quotes from, but they have already been covered in our past discussions in John & Matthew. Next week, we will look into Luke for the Old Testament passages he quotes.

Mark 9:44, 48, quotes Isaiah 66:24. The last chapter of Isaiah is about how Jerusalem will be punished but in the future they will be revived along with “all people” Isa. 66:18-23. They will see both “new heavens & a new earth” as well as punishment in judgment that is perpetually ongoing or eternal. The new heavens and earth will “remain standing” as well, Isa. 66:22.

Mark 11:17 quotes both Isaiah 56:7 & Jeremiah 7:11. God’s Temple is to be holy and a place for all nations of anyone to pray. But Jewish leaders took their unique position with God and robbed the world of both spiritual and physical blessings. This desecration angered Jesus so much that he stopped their retail work and damaged the wares of priests who were running a currency exchange and marketplace for sacrificial animals. The “den of robbers” and “marketplace” see John 2:16, which is a reference to Zechariah 14:21 “trader”

Mark 14:27 quotes Zechariah 13:7 to emphasize the horror of striking the Shepherd, which the sheep could not face and then fled. Jesus quoted this during the last supper to warn them while at the same time he knew they were too weak to withstand the horror of what would happen to him. This is true love, love that endures death as a sacrifice for your friends while your friends forsake you.

Mark 15:28 & Luke 22:37 both quote Isaiah 53:12, The fact that the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem treated Jesus as a criminal before a “trial”, and after their version of a mock-trial, all the way to the cross was prophesied and publicly obvious in it’s fulfillment. Isaiah points out that “my servant” (Isa. 53:13) will carry their sins and willingly be falsely accused to death. No one forced Jesus to accept wrongful conviction or be willingly executed as a criminal. The sole source of power to submit and carry our sins was from his love for sinners to be our sacrifice for sin of his own volition.

Posted in Religion. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

10 Beatitudes

August 4, 2015 — jwwealand

10 is an important number in God’s word. In the first chapter of Genesis we find the phrase “God said” 10 times, which is a testimony of His creative power over our whole world. God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses and it might be said that ten could represent the completeness of God’s work on a given task. The Passover lamb was selected on the 10th day of the 1st month (Exodus 12:3), as was Jesus, the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world (John 12:28 – 29; 1Corinthians 5:7). The 10th day of the 7th month is the Holy Day known as the Day of Atonement. This unique day of fasting pictures the removal of Satan, the author of sin, before the reign of Jesus begins (Revelation 20:1 – 2). The last great world-ruling kingdom of man under Satan is symbolized prophetically by the 10 horns of Revelation 13 and 17, and there are other instances of 10 in the Bible, but have you ever considered 10 beatitudes? Matthew uses them like this.

Blessed are…

…the Poor in Spirit, to possess the Kingdom of Christ, 5:3

…those that Mourn, to receive the comfort of Christ, 5:4

…the Meek, to inherit creation in Christ, 5:5

…the Hungry & Thirsting, to be filled with Christ’s righteousness, 5:6

…the Merciful, to be forgiven by Christ, 5:7

…the Pure in Heart, to fully know God in Christ, 5:8

…the Peacemakers, to be known by others as God’s child in Christ, 5:9

…the Persecuted & Mocked for Christ, to prove our discipleship, 5:10-11

…those not Offended at Christ, to persevere with Him through trials, 11:6

…the Alert & Faithful ‘doers’, to have Christ’s Reign Now, 24:46-47

Have you ever been called a “Do-gooder”? If the good you are doing is for Christ or the message of Christ, then to be Blessed is to experience a happiness that is always accessible in prayer & never fades with time, it is a joy that exceeds laughter by a mile, yet seats itself deep in our heart to be fed and seldom seen by the world but can always be felt by the Christian & Christ’s Spirit. The fruit of God’s Spirit in the Christian is “Love, Joy…” & much more (Galatians 5:22) Let it grow and share it with anyone outside of Christ. Blessed was Paul & Silas, chained in a jail cell, singing! (Acts 16:25) When we are tempted & tried, do we pray and sing? Where is our ‘BE ATTITUDE’?

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life. This blessing came not because he was tempted, but because he endured, [Revelation 2:10]. This is the crown of victory for those who have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith, [2.Timothy 4:6-8]. With the help of God we are able to endure temptation [1.Corinthians 10:13]. As we run the race of life we have in Jesus, our great High Priest, our example. He was tempted as we are, yet without sin and in confidence we can receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need, [Hebrews 4:14-16].

On secular college campuses around the globe, students are bombarded with anti-God sentiment. In the workplace, intolerance for Christian ideals has become more obvious recently and when we use strength to stand up for a Godly principle, we reap a backlash.

Jesus warned His disciples, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Luke 21:17) Peter also wrote his letter to Christians who would endure fiery trials and persecutions. But his message was “Be Hopeful!” For the believer, it is a living hope – the foundation is the Word of God, and the One who has secured it is the living Son of God who rose from the dead. Living hope is one that has life in it and therefore can give life to us. Because it has life, it grows and becomes greater and more beautiful as time goes on. Time destroys most hopes; they fade and then die. But the passing of time only makes a Christian’s hope that much more glorious.”

Don’t be a compromising Christian. God’s promises never fail; His grace will keep you when the going gets tough. Rely on Him. Be a strong witness for Christ in a world that needs your prayers. To be blessed is a great gift to experience, don’t just read about it, try to live it and love God by obeying Jesus.

Posted in Religion. Tags: . Leave a Comment »
Newer posts »