Did you know that Angels talked with people about Christmas?

The Nativity stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke contain the largest discourses between humans and angels in the Bible. The angels told Mary what was going to happen, they supplied Jesus’ name, they brought people to witness the new-born King, they gave a protective warning to Joseph to keep his family safe. Below are the angelic Christmas dialogues:

Luke 1:30 And the angel [Gabriel] said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren; 37 for no word of God will be impossible.”

Matthew 1:20... an angel of the Lord appeared to him [Joseph] in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife. For that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 2:8 And in that region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

Matthew 2:13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 When he rose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Text excerpted from The Comprehensive New Testament and The Gospels in Perfect Harmony

Have you Overlooked the Obvious?

According to Matthew 2:3, Herod and all of Jerusalem with him were troubled at the news brought by the wise men of the birth of the King of the Jews. Yet none of them went with the wise men to look for the new king.

According to Matthew 2:4-7, the chief priests and scribes knew the prophecy about the birth of the ruler who was to shepherd the people of Israel. They knew that the ruler was to be born in Bethlehem. Yet none of them went to look for the new ruler in Bethlehem.

According to Matthew 2:9, a star was visible in the sky that moved towards Bethlehem. Yet no one from Jerusalem followed the star to find out where it was leading.

Not a single person from Jerusalem followed the wise men, the prophecy, or the star to see the new-born King of Jews.

2000 years later, more people claim Jesus as their King than any monarch who has ever lived. His sayings have been translated into more languages and affected more people than any other person in history. His followers have built more hospitals, distributed more food to the hungry and clothing to the poor than any other group on the planet.

Hopefully you won’t be like the people of Jerusalem who overlooked the obvious – Jesus is the King, the Messiah, the Shepherd, the Ruler, and the Savior who was promised by God!

Merry Christmas,

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

God sent you a Christmas Present

 

Did you know that a Prophet wrote the Story of Christmas over a Thousand Years before Jesus was born?

Over a thousand years before Jesus was born, Moses wrote the following information in the Book of Genesis:

God would send an angel to his mother prior to the arrival of the “wise” men.^JA1 She would be favored.^JA2  She would be selected by God.^JA3 She would consent to being selected by God.^JA4 She would be a virgin who was betrothed to a man.^JA5 She would go with haste and tell her relatives what had happened.^JA6 She would be blessed by her relatives.^JA7 Her life would potentially be threatened by her pregnancy.^JA8 God would provide information about the future of her unborn child and the nature of her pregnancy.^JA9 For  his mother there would be questions concerning enough room for lodging.^JA10 She would stay in a shelter where animals also stayed.^JA11 She would be visited by “wise” men who were led by a heavenly guide. The “wise” men would travel through Mesopotamia bringing gifts. During the time period when she was engaged, she would receive gifts including gold from “wise” men.^JA12 The “wise” men would worship the Lord at the house where she was staying.^JA13 The “wise” men who visited her would receive a warning concerning their return journey.^JA14

Even before he was born, the struggle would begin between him and those who wanted to kill him.^JA15 Joseph would be responsible for him going to Egypt from the land of Canaan.^JA17 Joseph would carry him back from Egypt to the land of Canaan when there was no longer a threat to His life.^JA135

Based on the Book “Typology, The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets”

JA1. Luke 1:26 / Genesis 24:7, 40

JA2. Genesis 24:16 / Luke 1:28

JA3. Luke 1:30 / Genesis 24:14, 44

JA4. Luke 1:38 / Genesis 24:57-58

JA5. Luke 1:27 / Genesis 24:16, 51

JA6. Luke 1:36, 39 / Genesis 24:28

JA7. Luke 1:42 / Genesis 24:60

JA8. Matthew 1:18-19 / Genesis 25:22

JA9. Matthew 1:20 / Genesis 25:23

JA10. Luke 2:7 / Genesis 24:23

JA11. Luke 02:07 / Genesis 24:25

JA12. Matthew 02:01, 11 / Genesis 24:10, 53

JA13. Matthew 02:11 / Genesis 24:26

JA14. Matthew 02:09-12, Luke 02:09 / Genesis 24:06-07

JA15. Matthew 02:16 / Genesis 25:26-27

JA17. Matthew 2:13-15 / Genesis 45:27

JA135. Matthew 2:20-21 / Genesis 50:5-13

 

 

The infant Jesus was laid in a manger after he was born, because no one cared enough to make room for him to be delivered in the inn. This fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 1:3:

“The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know, my people do not consider.”

Hopefully you will always consider the meaning of Christmas and when it is time for you to be delivered, the Lord Jesus will make room for you in heaven!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. J. Clontz

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. [The Comprehensive New Testament] 

Have you ever wondered why Bethlehem was chosen for the birthplace of the Messiah?

 

The Parables of Jesus

The parables of Jesus illustrate spiritual truths that are mysteriously hidden in our everyday surroundings. His parables are the most important collection of wisdom sayings ever created. Billions of people during the past two thousand years have read and been affected by the philosophical concepts that are encapsulated in His parables. The secrets hidden in His parables have led to the rise of hospital systems, changes in legal codes, and the distribution of food and clothing to those in need. Below is a list of his parables based on the book – “The Gospels in Perfect Harmony.” If you haven’t read them all, then you are missing out on a life changing experience.

The Growing Seed, Mark 4:26–29                 

The Two Debtors, Luke 7:41–43                    

The Lamp under a Bushel, Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, Luke 8:16–18

The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25–37             

The Friend at Night, Luke 11:5–8                  

The Rich Fool, Luke 12:16–21            

The Wise and the Foolish Builders, Matthew 7:24–27, Luke 6:46–49

New Wine into Old Wineskins, Matthew 9:16–17, Mark 2:21–22, Luke 5:37–39

The Strong Man, Matthew 12:29–29, Mark 3:27–27, Luke 11:21–22

The Sower, Matthew 13:3–9, Mark 4:3–9, Luke 8:5–8

The Tares, Matthew 13:24–30            

The Barren Fig Tree, Luke 13:6–9                  

The Mustard Seed, Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19

The Leaven, Matthew 13:33–33, Luke 13:20–21        

The Hidden Treasure, Matthew 13:44

The Pearl, Matthew 13:45–46             

Drawing in the Net, Matthew 13:47–50                     

Counting the Cost, Luke 14:28–33                 

The Lost Sheep, Matthew 18:10–14, Luke 15:4–6      

The Unforgiving Servant, Matthew 18:23–35            

The Lost Coin, Luke 15:8–9               

The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11–32                  

The Unjust Steward, Luke 16:1–13                

The Rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19–31               

The Master and Servant, Luke 17:7–10                      

The Unjust Judge, Luke 18:1–8                      

The Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:9–14           

The Workers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1–16                   

The Two Sons, Matthew 21:28–32                 

The Wicked Husbandmen, Matthew 21:33–41, Mark 12:1–9, Luke 20:9–16

The Great Banquet, Matthew 22:1–14, Luke 14:15–24           

The Budding Fig Tree, Matthew 24:32–35, Mark 13:28–31, Luke 21:29–33

The Faithful Servant, Matthew 24:42–51, Mark 13:34–37, Luke 12:35–48

The Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1–13                

The Talents or Minas, Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 19:12–27     

The Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:31–46            

The Wedding Feast, Luke 14:7–14      

Did you know that Jesus met with Abraham prior to 1000 BC?

The meeting between Abraham and the Lord is described in Genesis 18:1-33. The account in Genesis is the longest and most detailed interaction of the Lord physically in the presence of a human being in the Old Testament.

In John 8:56 Jesus refers to the meeting between Abraham and Himself: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 The Jews then said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

 

Below is the account in Genesis 18:1-33:

 

Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared to him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from your servant: 4 Let a little water, I pray you, stay, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort you; after that you shall pass on: for therefore are you come to your servant. And they said, So do, as you have said. 6 And Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it to a young man; and he hurried to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. 9 And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return to you according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh. 16 And the men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoken of him. 20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come to me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from there, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure if there is fifty righteous within the city: will you also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That is far from you to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that is far from you: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: will you destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spoke to him yet again, and said, Peradventure forty should be found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 30 And he said to him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure thirty should be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord: Peradventure twenty should be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten should be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. 33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned to his place.

 

Based on the book, “Finding Jesus in the Old Testament”

Is Jesus the Messiah?

According to Peter in Acts 3, Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-18 concerning the prophet like unto Moses. To this day, the only two people who have miraculously fed a multitude in the wilderness with bread are Moses and Jesus (Exodus 16:15-18 / Matthew 14:19).

Based on the book “Finding Jesus in the Old Testament.”

Is Jesus the Messiah?

Genesis 49:10 is universally considered a messianic passage. Targum Onkelos circa 135AD which was preserved by the Pharisees contains the following: “…Kings shall not cease, nor rulers, from the house of Judah, nor sapherim teaching the law from his seed, till the time that the King, the Messiah, shall come, the youngest of his sons; and on account of him shall the peoples flow together. How beautiful is the King, the Messiah who will arise from the house of Judah: He has girded his loins, and descended, and arrayed the battle against his adversaries, slaying kings with their rulers; neither is there any king or ruler who shall stand before him. The mountains become red with the blood of their slain; his garments, dipped in blood, are like the pressed juice of grapes. How beautiful are the eyes of the king Messiah, as the pure wine…”

Genesis 49:10 "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

After Herod the Great became the king of Israel the land of Israel was ruled by non-Jews. The last Jew of the Davidic dynasty who was acclaimed as the king of the Jews was Jesus when he was crucified. Genesis 49:10 indicates that there would be an uninterrupted line of rulers over the tribe of Judah all the way up to the advent of the Messiah. Jewish dynasties ended when Herod the Great who was a non-Jew ascended to the throne of Judea. As we all know, Jesus arrived at that time. So, according to the prophecy - Jesus, the Messiah, arrived exactly on time.

It is not possible for someone born now or in the future to fulfill the messianic prophecy in Genesis 49:10 - since the time period for that prophecy undeniably expired. This leaves the inescapable conclusion based on the messianic prophecy in Genesis 49:10 – Jesus is the only person who can be the Messiah!

From the book "Finding Jesus in the Old Testament"

God has Invited you to a Reunion

After my dad had cancer surgery, he wanted to have a reunion with his children and grandchildren so he could see them all again in case he didn’t have much more time. So, he called his children and grandchildren and invited them to spend a weekend with him starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. One grandson lived thousands of miles away and wanted to come but couldn’t afford the plane ticket. My dad told him that he would pay for the plane ticket with his frequent flyer miles. The grandson also wanted my dad to meet his girlfriend. So, my dad also used his frequent flyer miles for her also. My brother has a family of four and they needed a place to stay during the reunion. My dad has a cabin that sleeps up to eight people that he rents out as a vacation rental. My dad told my brother that he would clear the cabin schedule for that weekend so my brother and his family could stay there. My dad also cooked an extremely large ham so that everyone would have something to eat if they needed it. His granddaughter said that she would only be driving up on Saturday to visit with everyone. She lived close by and couldn’t easily accommodate a place for her dogs to stay while she was gone so she only planned for a day trip.

By Friday evening everyone except my niece had arrived. Unfortunately, my dad had a large wound on his leg from a fall that had become infected. I had to take him to the hospital late Friday night to get antibiotics administered through an IV. We didn’t know how long he would have to be at the hospital. On Saturday, we all waited at my parent’s house for any word from the hospital about my dad’s release time. On Saturday afternoon, a mysterious wail from an air horn filled the neighborhood. Shortly afterwards, my niece and her husband had to leave because evening darkness was coming and they needed to head home.

On the third day of the reunion, early Sunday morning we got the call from my dad that he was being released from the hospital and could come home. He still had the wound on his leg but no more infection. That afternoon he took everyone on a boat ride with a float that his grandsons had a blast riding. That was the last time we saw my dad. He died a few weeks later.

For most of his family, we will always remember that Sunday afternoon where we were together having a great time. Unfortunately, that’s not true for my niece. When her grandfather passed away she was extremely distraught since she had missed her chance to see him again. She will remember for the rest of her life that she failed to appreciate that there wasn’t another chance to see her grandfather.

This is similar to the reunion God has prepared. For those who want to come to God’s reunion, they will be brought by God from all the corners of the globe (Matthew 24:31). God has prepared a place large enough for everyone to stay (John 14:2-3). He has made all the preparations to take care of their needs (Matthew 25:34). There will be no renters at his house who can buy a place to stay when he clears his house for his family (Luke 20:16). Those who have been called to the reunion can invite their friends who will also be welcome if they wish to attend (Matthew 28:19-20). However, we don’t know when God will return for the reunion (Matthew 24:37-44). No one knows the time (Matthew 24:36). We have to wait for the call (1Thessalonians 4:16). Those who are prepared to stay the whole time will get to see him again and will remember that day forever as a day of great happiness and joy (Matthew 25:1-13). Those who only want to visit with God and are too busy with the things of this world will leave after the last trumpet sounds and go into the darkness (Matthew 25:30). They will not meet again at the reunion (Matthew 25:10-12). They will lament for the rest of their existence that they failed to appreciate that there weren’t any more chances except the one that they got in this life to be with God (Luke 16:19-31).

Hope to see you at the reunion that God has prepared for you. Don’t miss your chance to be with God!

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

 

Jesus is the Light of the World.

Walk as you have the Light, 

lest the darkness overtake you.

As you have the Light,

believe in the Light,

that you may become sons of Light.

Hoping to see you shine brighter than the stars of Heaven!

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Did you Know that it is an Established Fact that Jesus Healed the Sick?

Christian, Jewish and Roman sources of the time period confirm that Jesus performed healing miracles. His ability to heal the sick was accepted as fact by those who followed Him and by those who opposed Him. The Jewish authorities investigated the accounts of the people healed by Jesus. They conducted their investigations immediately after the events. They interviewed eyewitnesses. They also interviewed the people that were healed. In some cases, legal authorities were present at the time of the healings and personally witnessed the events. Based on their investigations, the Jewish authorities who opposed Jesus concluded that He miraculously healed the sick including the blind. The Jewish authorities only questioned how Jesus was able to heal the sick since it was an established fact that the healings were real.

 

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

 

Below is a gospel account that relates an investigation of a miraculous healing by Jesus that was conducted by the Jewish authorities.

 

John 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man sinned nor his parents sinned. But that the works of God might be revealed in him, 4 we must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the saliva, and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay. 7 And he said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “[Then] how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” 12 And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

            13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath on the day Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” [But] others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

            18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 So his parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him. He is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Question him.”

            24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory; we know that this man is a sinner.” 25 So he answered, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 Then they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28 And they reviled him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is the marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. But if any one is a worshipper of God and does his will, he listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

            35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered and said, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.” 38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshipped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”

            40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we blind also?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

According to the Apostle Paul, the Gospel was Promised Beforehand through God’s Prophets.

 Romans 1:1-3 “…the gospel of God 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.”

 

Below are some of the prophecies written by God’s prophets that were fulfilled in the gospel. These prophecies were written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus and were fulfilled during his life. Jesus is the only person in human history whose biographical information matches the messianic prophecies made by the Old Testament prophets.

 

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

 

Prophecy written in Malachi 4:5-6 fulfilled according to the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:17 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled according to Matthew 1:22-23 – “The virgin shall be with child and bear a son.”

 

Prophecy written in Micah 5:2 fulfilled according to the angel of the Lord in Luke 2:11 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”

 

Prophecy written in Hosea 11:1 fulfilled according to Matthew 2:15 – “...out of Egypt I called My Son.”

 

Prophecy written in Jeremiah 31:15 fulfilled according to Matthew 2:17 - “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 11:1-2 fulfilled according to Matthew 2:23 - “Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 40:3 fulfilled according to Matthew 3:3 - “A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.””

 

Prophecy written in Deuteronomy 18:15 fulfilled according to Acts 3:20-24 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among your brothers. You must listen to him.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 61:1-2 fulfilled according to Luke 4:18-21 – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 9:1-2 fulfilled according to Matthew 4:14-16 – “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 53:4 fulfilled according to Matthew 8:17 – “Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows.”

 

Prophecy written in Isaiah 42:1 fulfilled according to Matthew 12:17-18 – “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.”

 

Prophecy written in Psalm 78:2 fulfilled according to Matthew 13:35 - “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning.”

 

Prophecy written in Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled according to Matthew 21:4-5 - “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

 

Prophecy written in Zechariah 11:12-13 fulfilled according to Matthew 27:9 - “Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver.”

 

Prophecy written in Psalm 22:16-18 fulfilled according to John 19:23-24 – “For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”

 

Prophecy written in Psalm 34:20 fulfilled according to John 19:36 - “He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.”

 

Prophecy written in Zechariah 12:10 fulfilled according to John 19:37 - “they will look on Me, the One they have pierced.”

Jesus Fulfilled the Messianic Prophecy made by the Prophet Zechariah

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

In the Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin section 98a, a rabbi discusses what appears to him to be a contradiction between the messianic prophecies in Zechariah 9:9 and Daniel 7:13-14. According to the New Testament, the prophetic paradox will be resolved in the first and second comings of the Messiah. Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled in the first coming of the Messiah. Daniel 7:13-14 will be fulfilled in the second coming of the Messiah as stated by Jesus in his trial.

Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin Section 98a Rabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradiction between two depictions of the coming of the Messiah. It is written: “There came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto a son of man…and there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom…his dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Daniel 7:13–14). And it is written: “Behold, your king will come to you; he is just and victorious; lowly and riding upon a donkey and upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You said it. But I say to you,

            hereafter you will see the Son of Man

                        sitting at the right hand of the Power,

                        and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Text Notes

26:63 Alx/Byz[63 But Jesus remained silent], Minor[But Jesus remained silent 63]; Alx[the high priest said], Byz[the high priest answered and said (KJV, MRD, NKJ)].

26:64 ~Psalms 110:1; ~Daniel 7:13.

Cross Reference Notes:

26:63 Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 16:16-17, 27:12, 14; Luke 23:9; John 3:18n, 19:9; NT-Apocrypha[Acts of Thomas 1.2]

26:63-64 Acts 3:18-26n

26:64 Psalms 80:17; 110:1; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Mark 14:62n; 1Thessalonians 4:15-17n; 1Peter 3:22n; Pseudepigrapha[1Enoch 62:1-15, 69:27; 3Enoch 28:1; Testament of Job 33:3]; Rabbinic[Babylonian Sanhedrin 98a]; Clement of Alexandria[Fragments from the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus Comments on Jude]; NT-Apocrypha[Apocalypse of Peter 1.6; Epistula Apostolorum 3]

 

John 12:12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying,

            “Hosanna!

            Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

                        [Even] the King of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,

15        “Fear not, daughter of Zion.

            Behold, your King is coming,

                        sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

16 His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. 18 This was [also] why the people went to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”

Text Notes:

12:12 Alx[the great crowd or the common people], Byz[a great crowd (ASV, DRA, KJV, MRD, NKJ, NLT, RSV, TLB)].

12:13 Alx[Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Even the King of Israel], Byz[Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord! (DRA, HCS, JNT, KJV, MRD, ~NET, ~NIV, NJB, NKJ, ~NLT, NRS, ~REB, ~TEV, ~TLB)]; Hosanna Hebraism Please save or Save now; Psalms 118:25-26, Zephaniah 3:15.

12:15 ~Zechariah 9:9.

12:16 Alx[His disciples], Byz[But his disciples].

12:17 Alx/Byz[text], Minor[The crowd that had been with him bore witness that he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead (MRD, ~NLT, ~TLB)].

12:18 Alx/Byz[This was also], Minor[omits also (ESV, ~MRD, NET, NIV, NLT, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)].

Cross Reference Notes:

12:12-14 Origen[Gospel of John Book X.18]

12:12-15 Origen[Gospel of John Book X.15]

12:12-19 Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44

12:13 Leviticus 23:40; Psalms 118:25-26; Zephaniah 3:15; Rabbinic[Babylonian Sanhedrin 38b cf. {Exodus 23:21}]; Constitutions of the Holy Apostles[Book VII.26]; Methodius[Oration on the Psalms 1]

12:14-15 Rabbinic[Babylonian Sanhedrin 98a]

12:15 Isaiah 35:4, 40:9; Zephaniah 3:14; Zechariah 9:9; Pseudepigrapha[Sibylline Oracles 8.325]; Justin[First Apology 31, 35]

 

Text from The Comprehensive New Testament

Jesus is the Greatest Conqueror who ever Lived!

History is full of accounts of “great” conquerors. People like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Genghis Khan conquered vast areas and large numbers of people. There are numerous lists of the wars and battles that they fought. Millions of people died and suffered during their conquests.

Conversely, Jesus conquered death. He healed large numbers of people and raised some of them from the dead. Jesus’ conquests improved people’s lives. Below is a list of the battles that Jesus fought and won according to the Gospel accounts. We need more victories like those that Jesus won!

Hoping you are victorious over death through Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of Death!

Healed the Official’s Son in Galilee - John 4:46-54

Cast out a Demon in Capernaum - Mark 1:21-28

Cured Peter’s Mother-in-Law of a Fever - Matthew 8:14-17

Cured the Demoniacs in the Land of the Gadarenes - Matthew 8:28-34

Healed a Paralytic in Capernaum - Matthew 9:1-8

Raised Jairus’ Daughter from the Dead - Matthew 9:18-26

Healed a Woman with an Issue of Blood - Matthew 9:18-26

Healed Two Blind Men - Matthew 9:27-34

Cast a Demon out of a Man who was Mute - Matthew 9:27-34

Healed Sick People in Nazareth - Mark 6:1-6

Healed a Leper near Capernaum - Matthew 8:1-4

Healed the Centurion’s Servant in Capernaum - Matthew 8:5-13

Raised the Widow’s Son from the Dead at Nain - Luke 7:11-17

Healed Several Women of Evil Spirits and Infirmities – Luke 8:2

Healed a Man with a Paralyzed Hand - Matthew 12:9-13

Healed a Demon-Possessed Man who was Blind and Mute - Matthew 12:22-45

Healed a Woman who had an Infirmity for Eighteen Years - Luke 13:10-17

Healed a Man in Jerusalem who couldn’t Walk for Thirty-Eight Years - John 5:1-47

Healed the Sick among a large Crowd - Matthew 14:14

Healed all the Sick in the Region around Gennesaret - Matthew 14:34-36

Healed the Canaanite’s Daughter - Matthew 15:21-28

Healed the Lame, the Blind, the Maimed, the Mute, and many others near the Sea of Galilee - Matthew 15:29-31

Healed a Man in the Region of the Decapolis who was Deaf and had an Impediment in his Speech - Mark 7:31-37

Healed a Blind Man in Bethsaida - Mark 8:22-26

Healed a Man Born Blind – John 9:1-41

Healed the Sick among a Large Crowd - Matthew 19:2

Healed a Man of Dropsy - Luke 14:1-6

Healed Ten Lepers between Samaria and Galilee - Luke 17:11-19

Healed Bartimaeus, a Blind Beggar, the son of Timaeus at Jericho - Mark 10:46

Healed Two Blind Men as He left Jericho - Matthew 20:29-34

Raised Lazarus from the Dead - John 11:1-57

Raised Many of the Saints who had Fallen Asleep from the Tombs - Matthew 27:52-53

He Rose from the Dead - Matthew 28:5-7

Based on the book “The Gospels in Perfect Harmony”

 

 

May you hear the voice of the Son of God and rise!

 Below is a list of the passages in the gospels depicting those who were raised from the dead. These events were often public and witnessed by large numbers of people. Lazarus, who was one of those raised from the dead, became so well known that the ruling officials plotted to kill him as part of their effort to thwart Jesus’ ministry. Those who had been raised from the dead were alive long after Jesus ascended. They were living witnesses in the early church that the Son of God truly has the power to raise the dead.

Matthew 9:23 When Jesus came to the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24 he said, “Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that region.

Luke 7:14 Then he came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 The dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us;” and “God has visited his people.” 17 And this report about him spread throughout all Judea and all the surrounding country.

John 11:38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come to Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him...John 12:9 Then [the] great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Matthew 27:52 And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Matthew 28:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.

Acts 13:31 And for many days he [Jesus] appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are [now] his witnesses to the people.

Text excerpted from The Comprehensive New Testament

Jesus Brings you Blessings!

Below is a list of all the blessings mentioned by Jesus:

Matthew 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on a mountain. And when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3          “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

                        for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4          Blessed are those who mourn,

                        for they shall be comforted.

5          Blessed are the meek,

                        for they shall inherit the earth.

6          Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

                        for they shall be filled.

7          Blessed are the merciful,

                        for they shall obtain mercy.

8          Blessed are the pure in heart,

                        for they shall see God.

9          Blessed are the peacemakers,

                        for they shall be called sons of God.

10        Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

                        for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you [falsely] for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Luke 6:20 He lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

            “Blessed are you poor,

                        for yours is the kingdom of God.

21        Blessed are you who hunger now,

                        for you shall be satisfied.

            Blessed are you who weep now,

                        for you shall laugh.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for their fathers did the same to the prophets.

 

Matthew 11:4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk. The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. And the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.”

 

Luke 10:23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

 

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and will come and serve them. 38 If in the second or in the third watch he comes and finds them so, blessed are they.

 

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful, wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them [their] portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

 

Luke 14:13 “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 

Acts 20:35 ...Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. 36 I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’

 

John 13:12 When he had washed their feet, [and] taken his garments, and sat again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example, that you should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

 

John 20:26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city."

Text excerpted from The Comprehensive New Testament