"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" John 14:26

The disciples had almost forgotten about the
Holy Spirit and Jesus had to remind them.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give
you another Comforter, that he may abide
with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it
seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye
know him; for he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you. I will not leave you confort-
less: I will come to you" John 14:16-18

Jesus knew that all He had said to His disciples
was a big mystery to them. They didn't know
how they could do the things He had done; OR
how He was going to be able to do these thing
for them after He was gone.

Jesus then let them in on a secret. John the
Baptist had fortold that Christ when He would
come would baptize them in the HOLY SPIRIT!

How were the disciples to do these works of
Jesus and even greater than He had done?

The secret was in that Name!

They were to be given power of authority to
do what He had done. They were to act in His
stead [place] that is in His Name:
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son" John 14:13

"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth
on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do; because I
go unto my Father" John 14:12

These words must have seemed unreal to the
disciples. Sure, they had seen with their own eyes
the miracles that Jesus did. No man had ever done
these works before.

Now Jesus was telling them that they would do
them and all believers would be able to do what
He was doing! And even greater works they would
do!

Philip, who seemed rather slow in spiritual
understanding said, "Lord, shew us the Father,
and it sufficeth us."

That was a disappointment to Jesus, and He
said to him, if He had been with them so long
and he had not known Him, for "he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father" John 14:9.

Merry Christmas 2010

Jesus told the disciples not to be troubled, they
knew where He was going and the way. But not
Thomas, he didn't know where Jesus was going
nor the way. Apparently he was thinking it was
some earthly way.

Jesus corrected his thinking and showed him
that the way He was speaking of was spiritual.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me" John 14:6

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father's house
are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you unto myself, that
where I am, there ye may be also"
John 14:1-3

These words are commonly quoted by many
ministers at funerals.

But Jesus told His disciples that He was going
to go and prepare a place for them and then
He would come back to receive them to Him-
self.

Peter became very sullen at Jesus' words and
fell silent. Then Jesus continued on with His
teaching.

He now was about to speak to His disciples as
a dying father might speak to his sad children.

Jesus had prayed for Peter that his faith would
not fail. His prayer would make the difference.

When Peter repented and was fully converted,
would strengthen his brethren.

Later we see Peter in 1 Peter 5:10 doing that
very thing: "But the God of all grace, who hath
called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you"

Jesus knew that the possibility of Peter becom-
ing His first apostle or a fallen apostle was very
iffy.

He told Peter that Satan had desired to have
him that he might sift him as wheat. "And the
Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy
faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren" Luke 22:31-32

Jesus had just seen a man who had sold himself
to the devil. He sensed Satan was around to
possess and destroy Peter too.

At times Satan did put words into Peter's mouth
so that for an instant he became his spokesman,
"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him,
saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not
be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee
behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me:
for thou savourest not the things that be of God,
but those that be of men." Matthew 16:22-23

Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, whither goest thou?"
Jesus explained that he couldn't follow Him now.
but that he would follow him later.

Peter couldn't understand why he couldn't follow
Him then, so he said, "I will lay down my life for
thy sake."

Jesus could have told Peter why, but instead He
told him that when the cock crowed he would
have denied Him three times.

Peter didn't realize what events were at work
to catch him and show him how weak he was.

Jesus began teaching them by giving them a new
commandment of love. He had just seen how a
man full of coveteousness, sell his soul to the devil.

So He told the disciples that they needed a new
commandment. They were not to srive with one
another any more, but should love each other
with the love He had given them.

Read John 13:33-35

Jesus' disciples were nothing but ignorant
fisherman. They weren't heard of except in
their little towns.

But the time was coming that they were to
become patron saints, cathedrals and cities
would be named after them.

All their glory is only the reflection of the One
who sat before them.

After Judas had left the group, the heaviness

seemed to lift and Jesus taught the disciples

some of the deeper truths of His whole ministry.

The time that remained for Him to be with them

was only a few hours. He had to give them all He

could and as much as possible.

We are told that at that moment, "Satan entered
into him. . . . After receiving the sop Judas went
"immediately out: and it was night." John 12:27,
30.

This man had everything going for him but he
chose darkness and evil rather than Him who is
the light of the world.

Judas' name has gone done as one committing the
worst crime in history. Jesus even said, "it would
have been better for that man if he had never
been born" Mark 14:21.

Judas didn't dare to refuse the sop and must of
heard the whispering. He must have known
what Jesus meant. Jesus already knew his
actions and now it was too late.

Judas got up; his heart had to have been full of
rage, greed, anguish and shame, that he had been
discovered. And he must have felt he had to get
out of there before the disciples understood what
Jesus had said.

But before he could go Jesus spoke to him that
they all heard, "That thou doest, do quickly."

The disciples didn't know what to make of Jesus'
announcement of a betrayer. They began to say,
"Master, is it I?"

Peter would have questioned Him but He already
was dumbed by the foot-washing.

John was closer to Jesus so Peter nudged John
to ask whom He meant. John did and Jesus
responded, "He it is to whom I shall give a sop,
when I have dipped it." Then He gave it to Judas.

A while before, Jesus had spoken of His up-
coming betrayal. He told the disciples that
among them was one who would betray Him.

There was a man sitting with them that was to
draw a curse on himself. Jesus said this about
the scripture being fulfilled, "He that eateth
bread with me hath lifed up his heel against
me."

Jesus did the foot-washing to teach His disciples
humility. Jesus who would be raised above the
heavens did the most humblest service.

He warned His disciples not to look for earthly
reward.

His throne and kingdom and mansions did't
pertain to this world.

So He set the pattern of humility Himself; His
disciples were to follow it: Read John 13:13-17.

Jesus said, "Ye are clean, but not all." He was
referring to the traitor who was with them.

Jesus went around washing the feet of each of
them including Judas. He also knew the errand
those feet had taken and still washed and wiped
them.

But for Judas there was no purification of his
dark heart and the devil wasn't cast out by His
touch.

Peter had to give up his way and accept not only
what Jesus wanted but the way He wanted.

A total washing wasn't necessary, only a daily
cleansing of any defilement.

Peter had already experience the baptism of
regeneration and didn't need a total washing
again.

Once Peter had cried, "Depart from me; for I
am a sinful man, O Lord," and "This shall not
be unto thee."

Again, not understanding what Jesus said, he
cried out, "Thou shalt never wash my feet."

Jesus showed him his false humility and said,
If I wash thee not, thou hast not part with me."

With that Peter came around; if that were the
case then "Lord, not my feet only, but also my
hands and my head."

Ordinarily, washing feet was for slaves. Since
no one offered to perform this duty, Jesus took
to do it. It of course amazed the disciples that
Jesus would do such a task.

They were all quiet with shame until He got
to Peter. Peter hardly finding the words, said,
"Doest thou wash my feet?"

And Jesus told him that what He did he would
not understand now but he should know here-
after.

Jesus wanted to teach the disciples a lesson in
humility, and He did it in a unique way, one
that the disciples wouldn't forget.

He got up from the
table and after taking
off His robe, He took a
towel and wrapped it
around Himself.
Then He put
water in a basin and
began to wash their
feet.
Read John 13:3-5

It was a way of rebuking their selfish
ambitions.

Jesus said that the custom of the Gentiles was
to be dictators over those under them and that
they did it in the name of 'benefactors'.

But this was not to be so in the Church, that He
would build. Instead of being dictators, they
should find ways to serve one another. That
was the true way of greatness.

Christ, not man, was to be the head of the
Church.

There was strife among the disciples as to
where each one should sit. The spirit of the
Pharisees and their love for 'chief seats' at the
feasts had infected them.

This contention among them as to who was the
greatest showed even at this late hour how far
they were from understanding the nature of
His kingdom and the significance of what was
about to take place.

They were still thinking of an earthly kingdom
that Jesus was preparing to set up.

"And there was also a strife among them,
which of them should be accounted the greatest.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them; and they that
exercise authority upon them are called
benefactors.
But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest
among you, let him be as the younger; and he
that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat,
or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat?
but I am among you as he that serveth."
Luke 22:24-27

Thanksgiving

When Jesus and His disciples arrived the meal
was ready.

Leonardo Da Vinci has portrayed it in his pain-
ting of the Last Supper, but it is doubtful that
the supper was anything like that picture.









They sat on cushions at a low table.

The disciples were to fetch and take the lamb
to the temple, to make the offering at the altar,
to get the unfermented juice spoken of as the
"fruit of the vine" and the unleaven bread.

When all was ready, they returned to Jesus,
and then they all went to the upper room.

The disciples were able to follow Jesus' instru-
ctions.

Carrying water was a woman's job and for a
man to be doing it would make him easy to
recognize.

By following this man the two disciples would
come to the right place. They met the master
of the house who prepared the chamber for
Jesus and His disciples.

Some may wonder why Jesus gave such myst-
erious directions and didn't name the man.

Judas was conniving, even then, to betray Him,
For Jesus to designate the place while Judas
was present would mean that he could have told
the rulers and they would have tried to arrest
Him in the middle of the supper.

So He withheld the details because of Judas.

In Matthew 26:17, the first day of the passover
feast of unleavened bread was near and the
disciples went to Jesus and asked Him, where
they should eat the Passover.

Jesus had already arranged with a man a place
in the city where they would eat the supper.

Some believe that he was John Mark [Colossians
4:10] and that he had a large upper room at his
home and let Jesus and His disciples use it.

Luke 22:8-13 tells that Jesus told two of His
disciples, Peter and John to go into the city and
they would meet a man bearing a pitcher of
water. They were to follow him.

"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while
is the light with you. Walk while ye have the
light, lest darkness come upon you: for he
that walketh in darkness knoweth not
whither he goeth.
While ye have light, believe in the light, that
ye may be the children of light. These things
spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide
himself from them." John 12:35-36

These were the last words that Jesus spoke
to the men of Jerusalem. We are told that He
"departed, and did hide himself from them,".
Also that He "went out into Bethany with the
twelve."

Since His object was to be hidden, He more than
likely didn't go to Mary and Martha"s home. He
was often seen there. They must have slept out
in the open on the Mount of Olives.

Satan was totally defeated at the cross!

So as far as the believer is concerned the
devil is a defeated foe.

By Christ's death on the cross, Satan will
eventually be bound and cast into the Pit.

The world deserved judgment, but the judgment
was to fall on Jesus for everyone's sins.

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw
all men unto me" John 12:32. Here He was
fortelling His crucifixion, and how He would draw
Jew and Gentile, Greek and Roman all men to
Himself.

Jesus began to think about the events that were
coming up involving His death.

He prayed, "Father, save me from this hour: but
for this cause came I unto this hour." John 12:27

John tells us that a voice from heaven answered,
but it didn't sound the same to all. The disciples
heard the words that the Father had glorified
His name through Christ and would do it again.

Some thought that an angel had spoken. Others
thought it was thunder.

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it
bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24

He also made another strange statement
which the disciples could not at that time
understand, but which is a basic truth of
Christianity.

"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he
that hateth his life in this world shall keep
it unto life eternal." John 12:25

Philip and Andrew gave the message to Jesus.

We are not told if these men were brought to
Jesus or not; but He saw their inquiry as a
new sign that the hour was getting nearer when
He would be glorified.

These men were Greeks, forerunners, of the
multitudes that were coming out of every
nation and of all tribes, peoples and tongues
that would believe in Him.

Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead
was frustrating to the Sadducees. They said,
"Behold, the world is gone after him,".

People from all over the countries round about
had come to attend the feast and because they
had heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him.

They saw Philip, who found Andrew and they
both went to tell Jesus.

veterans day 2010

"The Pharisees therefore said among them
selves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?
behold, the world is gone after him.
And there were certain Greeks among them
that came up to worship at the feast:
The same came therefore to Philip, which
was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him,
saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again
Andrew and Philip tell Jesus."
John:19-22

The Passover week was busy. The Pharisees
and the Sadducees come to Jesus and asked
Him many questions.

But they always brought shame and confusion
on themselves.

Some of Jesus' most important parables were
spoken around that time. His prophecy of the
fall of Jerusalem and the judgment that was
to come on Israel also.

In Nebuchadnezzar's vision, the tree still had its
roots and eventually it would grow again.

God's people were commanded to watch, and
when they saw the fig tree shooting forth again
they would know that the time of its fulfillment
was near.

"So likewise ye, when ye see these things come
to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is
nigh at hand" Luke 21:31

By Jesus cursing the fig tree, it us tells that the
Jewish nation had been weighed in the balance
and was found wanting.

Israel had been given every chance and it had
borne no fruit. So the axe was at the root of
the tree.

And of course that is what happened to Israel;
it was cut down and it ceased to be a nation.

Then Jesus gave the parable of the barren fig
tree.

He told of the man who had come to his vine-
yard three seasons in a row, each year looking
for fruit on the tree but found nothing each
time.

So he said to the dresser of his vineyard, "Cut
it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"
Luke 13:7 The vineyard dresser asked that
he be given one more chance to dig around
it and fertilize it, "and if it bear fruit, well"
and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it
down."

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever
ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them" Mark 11:24

"Believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have
them." There are conditions with the promise.

It is not for those who have vindictive spirits,
like when James and John wanted to call
fire down from heaven on their enemies.

It was for those who return good for evil, who
can give love for mistreatment, and who can
forgive the wrong that has been done against
them.

Many criticisms have been made of Jesus and
His cursing of the fig tree. But those who have,
have shown their ignorance.

The act was a demonstration of the power of
faith. Jesus was speaking of the faith of God.
And even the gift of faith or supernatural faith.

That faith where all things are possible. That
faith where a person can command and what-
soever he saith shall come to pass.

Jesus and

the

disciples

passed the

same fig
tree on

their way

to

Jerusalem

the next day.
Peter noticed it and called Jesus' attention
to what had happened.

The fig tree that Jesus had cursed had
withered away.

"And in the morning, as they passed by,
they saw the fig tree dried up from the
roots.
And Peter calling to remembrance saith
unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree
which thou cursedst is withered away.
And Jesus answering saith unto them,
Have faith in God.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever
shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea;
and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall
believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass; he shall have whatso-
ever he saith."

Jesus and His disciples spent the day healing
the sick and teaching the people.

Others continued to cry, "Hosanna to the son
of David."

The religious ruler were bitter at the whole
scene and filled with rage. But because of the
people they didn't dare to anything but bided
their time for a better opportunity.

It was the custom in that country to plant fruit
trees along the side of the road. The fruit became
common property.

Although it was early in the year for figs to ripen,
the tree was covered with leaves looking like
there would be fruit on it.

When Jesus went over to the tree He found that
there was nothing on it. So He cursed the tree.
He said, "Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth
forever" Matthew 21:19

Jesus and His disciple went on to the temple and
left the fig tree to wither and dry up from its
roots.

"And on the morrow, when they were come
from Bethany, he was hungry; And seeing a
fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if
haply he might find any thing thereon: and
when he came to it, he found nothing but
leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And
Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat
fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples
heard it" Mark 11:12-14

A strange thing about the fig tree is that it forms
its fruit (figs) before the leaves appear.

While Jesus
taught in the
temple the
scribes and
the Pharisees
fumed in
rage, trying
to trap Him
in His speech.

Each time He
made them look foolish.

When they tried to argue that the Messiah
was David's son after the flesh, He gave them
an answer that left them speechless.
Read Luke 20:39-44

Then He warned the people of these leaders,
that they sought the praises of men, but in
secret did such things as cheat the widow out of
her possessions and "for show make long prayers".
Luke 21:47.

This action of Jesus was the last straw for the
high priests and the rulers.

They were already angry because the people
had come to the city shouting "Hosanna!";
they could hardly believe their eyes that this
prophet as they say Him, had the boldness to
overrule their authority and drive out those
selling in the courtyard.

They got together to see what they could do
to destroy Him. But for the moment they
could do nothing "for all the people were very
attentive to hear him."

When the temple was cleansed, then the blind
and lame came in and got healed.

Improper importance on commercial aspects
can grieve the Holy Spirit, and not only hinder
a revival but bring the very curse of God upon
the place.

"And Jesus went into the temple of God,
and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the
tables of the moneychangers, and the seats
of them that sold doves,
And said
unto
them,
it is
written,
My house
shall be
called the
house of
prayer;
but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Matthew 21:12-13

Three years before, Jesus, at the beginning
of His ministry had entered the temple and
cleansed it by driving out the cattle and the
moneychangers.

Again He found that greed had won out and
the court was filled with the same activities.

After all the commotion was over, Jesus back
to begin teaching.

As Jesus and the
people came into
view of Jerusalem,
He gazed upon it
and was shakened.

As He looked at a
doomed city, He
wept as He fortold
of its coming
destruction.

Read Luke 19:41-44.

Within forty years His words were fulfilled,
the people were taken into slavery and the
temple was burned to ashes and rubble.

When the people of Jerusalem saw the strange
group coming into their town, they said, "Who
is this?"

The group said, "This is Jesus the prophet of
Nazareth of Galilee" Matthew 21:11

Apparently the people didn't think of Him as
the Messiah but only as a prophet.

It seemed clear that the nation of Israel wasn't
ready to receive Him in the mission of which He
was sent.

The people were excited and they praised "God
with a loud voice for all the mighty works that
they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that
cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven
and glory in the highest" Luke 19:37-38

This was the highest moment in Christ's earthly
ministry.

"And a very great multitude spread their gar-
ments in the way; others cut down branches
from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that
followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of
David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name
of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all
the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the
prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
Matthew 21:8-11

This was Jesus Christ's official offering of
Himself to the nation of Israel as their Messiah!

The people around Jesus took their garments
and placed them over the animal.

Then Jesus mounted and they proceeded to
enter the city.

The crowds that had watch what had been
happening, recognized that Jesus of Nazareth
was nearing Jerusalem to give Himself to the
nation of Israel and they wanted to give Him
a proper welcome.

They broke off palm branches and scattered
them on the road. Some others removed their
outer garments and laid them in the way as
they would for royalty.

"And it came to pass, when he was come nigh
to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called
the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
Saying, Go ye into the village over against you;
in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt
tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him,
and bring him hither.
And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him?
thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord
hath need of him.
And they that were sent went their way, and
found even as he had said unto them."
Luke 19:29-32

The people of and around Jerusalem talked
about Jesus and what He was doing. They
wondered if He would be at the feast that year.

Then they heard that Jesus was in Bethany
and would come to Jerusalem the next day.
This cause great excitement and many of the
people decided that they would go to meet Him
and come back to the city with Him

The raising of
Lazarus had
caused the
fame of
Jesus to
spread all
around
Jerusalem,
to the

point where the rulers were becoming alarmed.
Something had to be done about it and soon.

The Sanhedrin decreed death to Him; and
because the miracle of raising Lazarus from
the dead had caused so much attention the
rulers thought to put Lazarus to death also.

They just waited for a good time to do it.

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We see a similar thing today.

There are those who strongly defend the miracles
of Jesus. They believe the inspiration of the
scriptures.

Even though the passages that they defend speak
of the signs following believers of today, when
men take God at His word and go forth healing
the sick as Jesus did, they loudly oppose what they
are doing.

Books and commentaries are written on the
miracles of Jesus and His disciples, but at the
same time warn all people against those who
preach deliverance for the sick.

EIGHTH WOE

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites! because ye build the tombs of the
prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the
righteous,
And say, If we had been in the days of our
fathers, we would not have been partakers
with them in the blood of the prophets.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves,
that ye are the children of them which killed
the prophets.
Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can
ye escape the damnation of hell? "
Matthew 23:29-33

This is the final and most damning woe! There
stood the tombs of the prophets which were
built. The Pharisees said, "If we had been in
the days of our fathers, we would not have
been partakers with them in the blood of the
prophets" (vs 30).

There were those that persecuted the prophets,
rejected their messages and even killed them.

Later generations built tombs in their honor.
That is what the rulers of the Jews did. But in
their blindness they rejected Jesus, who was
the prophet of their own day.

SEVENTH WOE

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
Because you build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our
fathers, we would not have been partakers
with them in the blood of the prophets.’
Therefore you are witnesses against your
selves that you are sons of those who mur-
dered the prophets” Matthew 23: 29-31).

These religious leaders pretended to be kind
toward the departed prophets, while they
persecuted those of the present day.

Notice the mode , of the Lord’s expression:
“Fill ye up the measure of your fathers.”
Paraphrased: “Go on, complete the evil work;
finish what your fathers began.”

How often today we hear praise for a preacher
of past days or maybe one somewhere else, and
hear nothing of appreciation or sincere thank-
fulness for those that are here. The Lord knows
our motives. He knows just why we say and do
the things we do. We may claim other reasons,
but the Lord knows!

SIXTH WOE

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you are like whitewashed tombs which
indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside
are full of dead men’s bones and all unclean-
ness. Even so you also outwardly appear
righteous to men, but inside you are full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness”
(Matthew 23: 27,28).

There is an excessive desire in some for
popularity. The Lord soundly condemns this.
Outwardly they appear beautiful–attractive
to men, but inwardly they are full of corruption–
corrupt thoughts, jealousy, envy, hostility, and
corrupt motives. We all know the one who
“wants to be a big fish in a little pond.”

FIFTH WOE

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites! for ye make clean the outside of the
cup and of the platter, but within they are
full of extortion and excess. Thou blind
Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within
the cup and platter, that the outside of them
may be clean also” Matthew 23: 25,26.

This, of course, is condemnation of externalism.
They are careful about externals, but are indif-
ferent toward internals.

They want the outside of their life to look
clean but they leave filthy things (evil thoughts)
on the inside. They do not know that outward
purity is an outgrowth of internal cleansing.
When a person knows the forgiveness of sin in
his life, and he walks with the Lord, there is a
serenity about him.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.

FOURTH WOE

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier matters of the
law: justice and mercy and faith. These you
ought to have done, without leaving the others
undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and
swallow a camel!” Matthew 23:23,24.

There are those who misplace emphasis. They
are particular about one thing or another, but
are careless about great things. They major on
minors and minor on majors.
(Read James 4:17).
They pray with themselves, “I thank God I’m
not as others... ” When they need to put into
practice the “weightier matters... justice, mercy
and faith.”

THIRD WOE

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever
swears by the temple, it is nothing; but
whoever swears by the gold of the temple,
he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind!
For which is greater, the gold or the temple
that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever
swears by the altar, it is nothing; but
whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he
is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind!
For which is greater, the gift or the altar
that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who
swears by the altar, swears by it and by all
things on it. He who swears by the temple,
swears by it and by Him who dwells in it.
And he who swears by heaven, swears by t
he throne of God and by Him who sits on it”
Matthew 23:16–22.

Here the Lord condemns inventing distinctions.
They pretend to be teachers of God’s will but
they do not understand the very things on
which they teach. Their teaching is childish; it
is full of trivial and false distinctions.
They make out things to be sin or no sin, as it
serves their own purpose. We all know people
who can see clear teaching of the word of God
but don’t want to do what it says. Then one day
they shout gleefully, “I’ve found a loophole!”
How sad! God has always pronounced a woe on
those who would try to change His principles –
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light for
darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet
for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

SECOND WOE

Matthew 23:14
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for
a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye
shall receive the greater damnation."

What wickedness this was. Many stories of
these acts of the Pharisees had gotten to Jesus
and stirred His indignation.

FIRST WOE

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of
heaven against men; for ye neither go in
yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are
entering to go in" Matthew 23:13

The scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses seat.
They had custody of the Scriptures.
They were looked up to by the people.

They were too proud to enter into the kingdom
themselves: "Have any of the rulers or the
Pharisees believed on him?" John 7:48

It was bad enough not to enter it themselves,
but their greater sin was to shut it up to the
others and to prevent them from entering.
How terrible their judgment would be!

THE EIGHT WOES

Just as there were eight beatitudes in the
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave eight woes
against the scribes and Pharisees.

These woes are remarkable because of the
meekness and gentleness of Him who gave
them.

He came to bless, not to condemn; and so
if His wrath was kindled, there was cause
for it.

Jesus cautioned the disciples about taking on
titles. He told them that they were not to even
call one another "father" in the spiritual sense,
"for one is your father which is in heaven."

He concluded, "But he that is greatest among
you shall be your servant. And whosoever
shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he
that shall humble himself shall be exalted"
Matthew 23:11-12

Jesus burned with indignation. He mercilessly
exposed the corruption of these religious leaders.

He pointed out their false pieties and hypocricies.

They loved the head places in the synagogues
and being greeted in public as "Rabbi". They
went to the markets on purpose so everyone
might see how they were respected, that they
stood in high opinion by the people.

The Pharisees had inherited the faithful people
that other men had died for. They took over
greedy for what they could get out of it, only
considering personal profit.

Not only were the rites they instituted irking
to the people, they were administered with
heartlessness and were inconsistent.

What they did or said was to be seen of men.
All for show and men's approval. Very little
form of godliness.

"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to
be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them with
one of their fingers" Matthew 23:4

Jesus said that the scribes and Pharisees bound
heavy burdens on men's shoulders, but did
nothing to help them. They were hard, cold, and
pitiless; false shepherds who had no interest in
the flock.

Jesus recognized the office and told the people
to yield to their authority, but He condemned
their works.

Same today....We see those who lives are evil,
but who continue to preach with some results.

This should not be a stumbling block, for He
said that there would be those who prophecy
in His name and even did wonderful works,
but in the end they would be condemned.
(Matthew 7:21-22) (Matthew 7:26-27)

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his
disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees
sit in Moses' seat:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe,
that observe and do; but do not ye after their
works: for they say, and do not."
Matthew 23:1-3

Jesus admitted to the Pharisees' legitimate
authority. They sat in Moses' seat, "Therefore,"
He said "Whatsoever they bid you observe,
that observe and do; but do not after their
works; for they say, and do not".

Jesus turned to His disciples and the others
that had gathered at the temple. He spoke to
them, giving His final condemnation of the
religious leaders.

He exposed their hypocrisy and corruption.

While doing this, He ached over the city of
Jerusalem and the people in it.
Matthew 23:37-39
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest
the prophets, and stonest them which are
sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a
hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,
and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord."

When Jesus finished there was no answers from
them.

They were convinced
that they were no match
for Him. And of course,
they had no under-
standing of the Spirit
that Jesus had
received or of the
source of wisdom and
knowledge that came
through Him by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus called their attention to David in Psalm
110 in regards to the Messiah, "The Lord said
unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until
I make thine enemies thy footstool."

Why did David call Him Lord, if He were his son?
Would Abraham call his sons Isaac, Jacob or
Joseph, Lord? Why did David?

There can be only one explanation. The Messiah
had human nature through His mother, that way
was He David's son, but He was of the Father in
heaven.

Jesus put the question to them and the right
answer to settle the problem of His divinity
forever.

Jesus asked them whose son was the Christ?
Their answer was "David's".

Since they didn't believe that He was the true
Messiah, this meant they believed that when
the Messiah did come that He would be the
son of David. While Christ was the son of
David through His mother Mary, He wasn't
the son of David in His person.

He came to the world as the only begotten
Son of the Father/God!

"While the Pharisees were gathered together,
Jesus asked them,
Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is
he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
He saith unto them, How then doth David in
spirit call him Lord, saying,
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my
right hand, till I make thine enemies thy foot-
stool?
If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
And no man was able to answer him a word,
neither durst any man from that day forth
ask him any more questions."
Matthew 22:41-46

While the Pharisees were still there, Jesus
asked them a question. They believed that
the Messiah would have a human father.
They should have know better, Isaiah had
said, tha Immanuel, "God s with us" was to
be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)

No other attempt was ever made again to get
Jesus entangle in His words.

The Sanhedrin had learned by experience that
His wisdom was more than a match for theirs.

But before their gathering was over, Jesus Him
self had one question to ask, "What think ye of
Christ? whose son is he?" Matthew 22:42

It looked like

the man that

the Pharisees

chose as their

spokeman

was not quite

of their spirit.

He who was convinced of the uselessness of legal
observances, switched to what the Lord thought
of the matter and told Him that His answer was
the truth..

"And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master,
thou hast said the truth: for there is one God;
and there is none other but he:
And to love him with all the heart, and with all

the understanding, and with all the soul, and with
all the strength, and to love his neighbour as
himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings
and sacrifices." Mark 12:32-33

The result of their discussion only made more
confusion.

Not all the teachers of the Law were in agree-
ment. A few believed that love of God was most
important.

And so Jesus answered saying, that love to God
and one's neighbor was greater than all, and "On
these two commandments hang all the law and
the prophets." Matthew 22:40

They all seemed to have different ideas, any
where from what they were to wear, to what
they say, to keeping the Sabbath, eating un-
leaven bread, circumcision and on.

But no one thought of the principle that the
willful violation of one commandment made
them quilty of all.

James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the
whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is
guilty of all."

When the Pharisees saw that the Sadducees

had failed to catch Jesus in His words, they

tried to make an attempt and hoped to

succeed in it.

They decided to send one of the most

learned of the scribes to approach Him with

a question that
had long been a

disagreement

between them,
"Master, which

is the greatest

commandment
of the law?"

WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?
"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had
put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered
together.
When one of them, which was a lawyer, asked
him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the
law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law
and the prophets." Matthew 22:34-40

The Sadducces' skepticism was because of their
ignorance of the power of God.

Certainly life in the world to come will not be
less rich than that of today.

The life to come will be beyond our fondest hopes
1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him."

Since the Sadducees believed in the Law, Jesus
took them to the Burning Bush where God said,
He was "the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

What kind of God would only be a God of a few
bones and handfuls of dust? No, Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob are alive in paradise. Luke 16:
22,23
"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and
was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,
and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom." Abraham's bosom refers to Paradise.

Let us never forget what they did to America

that day! 9/11/2001

Jesus didn't respond to these play-acting
hypocrites who had asked about the tax money.

He didn't get indignant at the Sadducees, or at
their self assurance. Instead He pitied them
for their ignorance of the mysteries of the
eternal world.

He answered, "Ye do err, not knowing the
scriptures, nor the power of God."

Jesus lives!