Today we have another case where several Gospel authors present the same account. Because of that, there are some differences in the accounts. Critics use these differences as an example of how the bible is unreliable, but I would have to disagree with their accusation and say that; I think the small differences make it even more believable. Ive used the example of witnesses to a automobile accident, or a crime. Often times there will be slight differences in the accounts, but the main facts in the account are the same. Think about it...If Jesus followers were trying to pull of a scam, or concoct a fabricated fable, they would have made sure their details matched up perfectly. The first account in todays reading tells of a Woman (in Johns Gospel this woman is Mary, the sister of Lazarus) that breaks an alabaster jar containing expensive perfumed oil, and anoints Jesus with it. After she anointed Jesus, some of the Apostles complained that she misused the oil. In Johns Gospel, Judas says that they could have sold the oil and used the money for the poor. Notice Jesus response..... Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:7-8 Jesus response might seem out of character or even uncaring, but He was trying to teach something important. Jesus could have easily eradicated all poverty from the earth, but instead chose to die on a cross to break the power that sin has over us. Sin is the real reason why poverty exists in the first place. Not necessarily the sin of the people who are living in poverty, but a whole chain of sin, from generations of people going way back. By anointing Jesus with the oil, Mary was prophecizing Jesus death. At that point, Jesus had revealed his impending death to the Apostles only. We are not told that Mary knew about it. Her action was teaching us an important lesson actually related to helping the poor. Mary was showing us that what Jesus was about to do (although she didnt even know it yet), was far more important than fixing a problem that would have just continued to happen over and over again. Jesus death and resurrection made it possible for people who accept Him as their Lord and Savior to have eternal life, where poverty wont exist. There are many charitable organizations in the world that do wonderful things. Not all of those organizations are Christian organizations, so you dont need to be a Christian to do good deeds. When Christians serve others (and they ABSOLUTELY should serve others), they should make it clear that they are doing it in Jesus name, not under the banner of a specific church or religion. You can help people with their poverty, but if you dont share the Gospel message what good is that?? You will have saved their earthly body, that will be dying eventually anyway, and will have withheld information that could have saved their soul. Our next account is covered by all four Gospel writers. It is known as Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.... As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” Matthew 21:1-3 The Old Testament Prophet Daniel had predicted this over 500 years before Jesus was even born (for a more detailed explanation of this see my post from September 8th).... Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Daniel 9:25 These 70 weeks when figured out mathematically adjusting for the difference in the Hebrew calendar, work out to the exact date of Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Of course, Jesus had entered Jerusalem many times before, but this time He was entering as their Messiah. This time Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkeys colt, He affirmed His Messianic royalty as well as His humility. He was filling the prophecy made by the prophet Zechariah.... Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious,yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt. Zechariah 9:9 As Jesus was approaching Jerusalem He gave his prophetic message.... But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you. Luke 19:41-44 This prophecy was fulfilled in the year 69 A.D., when the Romans drove the Jews out of Jerusalem and tore the Temple down. Normally, when an Empire conquered a nation, they would keep the buildings in tact, and re purpose them for their own use. The Temple was one of the Wonders of the World at that time. They could have easily turned it into a temple for one of their pagan gods. So why did they tear it down? Historians say that the reason they tore it down was because a fire had started and began melting the gold that was on the walls of the Temple. In order to get the gold they needed to take the stones apart to remove it from in between all the stones. By tearing down each stone, the Romans were actually fulfilling this prophecy made by Jesus before His death. When we visited Jerusalem a couple of years ago, we actually saw some of these stones; still laying on the road in a pile untouched. Finally, while praying to His Father, Jesus makes a statement that helps us understand that He was not killed, He was not a victim, He came to the earth to be the final Sin Offering that would once and for all cleanse our sins.... “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! John 12:27 We must always remember that this was Jesus choice. This is why He said.... There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends. John 13:15 youtube/watch?v=KwWRQ654phk
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 03:29:43 +0000