Why does God speak in parables or allegorical language?

God communicates through ideas not mere words like a man. Our entire universe was created from the ideas of God. So, the ideas of God surround our physical existence in this universe. Hence, the idea of bearing fruit is known by all humans. We realize if plants don't bear fruit many of us will die. Similarly, if human beings don't "bear fruit" many of us will die.

Now those who don't read Hebrew may not realize that the words for trees and carpenter are the same in Hebrew. Hence, in Hebrew there is a linguistic parallel between trees and men. However, I don't need to know Hebrew to make the philosophical leap that - I should bear fruit for the hungry so they won't die just as the trees bear fruit for me so that I can eat.

Also, it didn't help the Pharisees who could read Hebrew. When Jesus told the Pharisees that they should bear fruit they rejected His message. The Pharisees didn’t grasp the concept that all the trees that God placed in Paradise bore fruit. I hope you got the message – there aren’t any trees in Paradise that don’t bear fruit.

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth herb and grass that sow seed, and fruitful trees that bear fruit, every one in his kind, having their seed in themselves, upon the earth. And it came so to pass.” - Genesis 1:11

May you always be fruitful,

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

Who do you trust?

During the Last Supper, Jesus referred to the apostles as his brothers. Afterwards, John went to the cross and risked being executed for the man who had called him brother. At the crucifixion, Jesus asked John to look after his mother. No wonder John is referred to as the “disciple whom he loved” – who else would you trust to look after your own mother!

John 19:26 When Jesus saw the mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to the mother, “Woman, see your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “See your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Hoping that we are all disciples that Jesus loves!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

Are you Reading the Bible Correctly?

When you read Exodus 1:1-2:10 if the only thing you see is the story of Moses then you aren’t reading the Bible correctly. Since Jesus fulfilled the prophecy concerning the prophet like unto Moses that was supposed to come to the Israelites according to Deuteronomy 18 and Acts 3 then you should also see the following:

The Israelites would be oppressed for a long period of time by a foreign king, Herod, prior to the start of the ministry of Jesus.MO1 Herod would have building programs that included pouring concrete.MO2 Jesus would be born at a time when the Herodian dynasty began that was hostile to Israelites.MO3 Herod would engage in a program of building temples and fortresses designed to pacify the Israelites.MO4 Jesus would survive an infanticide program that targeted Hebrew male infants.MO5 His birth would be unassisted by midwives.MO6 He would be hidden to keep His birth a secret from Herod who had issued a decree to kill the male children born in the area.MO7 As an infant, Jesus would be protected by being taken from regions inhabited by Israelites to areas controlled by Egyptians.MO8 He would be accompanied on His journey into Egypt by a young virgin named “Mary.”MO9 His adoptive father, Joseph, would be descended from a dynastic line of royalty.MO10

MO1. Exodus 3:1-22 / Matthew 2:1
MO2. Exodus 5:1-23 Herod used hydraulic concrete to build the port at Caesarea - concrete doesn’t contain straw.
MO3. Exodus 1:8-14 / Matthew 2:1
MO4. Exodus 1:8-14 / John 2:20
MO5. Exodus 1:15-22 / Matthew 2:16-18
MO6. Exodus 1:19 / Luke 2:7
MO7. Exodus 2:1-10 / Matthew 2:13-18
MO8. Exodus 2:1-10 / Matthew 2:13-21
MO9. Exodus 2:1-10 / Matthew 2:14
MO10. Exodus 2:1-10 / Matthew 1:2-16

Hoping you always understand spiritual things when you read them!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical references are from “Typology – The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets.”

Are you Welcome in the Kingdom of Heaven?

The Hebrew word for “Blessed” also means “Welcome.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus literally tells you who is “Welcome” in the Kingdom of Heaven:

“Welcome are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” – Matthew 5:3

Hope to see you there!

Dr. J. Clontz, The Gospel of Matthew – A Poetic Analysis

Are Christians Under the Law?

Christians often ask if they are under the Old Testament law. Jesus answers this question six times in the Sermon on the Mount. His answers demonstrate that we aren’t under the law because we are supposed to be above the law. Each time Jesus says, “you have heard…” and gives a passage of the law. Then He shows what we are supposed to do by stating, “But I say to you…”

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of hell…”

Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart…”

Matthew 5:31 “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to become an adulteress…”

Matthew 5:33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all…”

Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person…”

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

If you are above the law, then you can’t be under it!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text excerpted from The Comprehensive New Testament.

The Name

 

Speaking in Tongues at Pentecost Hidden in the Story of the Tower of Babel

Jesus would come to the city and look at the buildings.^BA1 After Jesus saw the city, He would say there was nothing impossible for those that He visited.^BA2 After God descended, those that were descended upon would speak a multitude of languages which confounded those who heard them.^BA3 From one city, the Lord would scatter them upon the face of the earth and they would leave off building the city.^BA4

BA1. Genesis 11:5 / Matthew 24:1-2
BA2. Genesis 11:6 / Matthew 17:20
BA3. Genesis 11:7 / Acts 2:1-11
BA4. Genesis 11:8-9 / Mark 16:20, Acts 1:8

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical references are from “Typology – The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets.”

Greater Love has no one than this, that one lay Down his Life for his Friends

 

The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven

 Jesus upbraided the lawyers for taking away the key of knowledge and hindering those who were entering.

Woe to you lawyers; for you have taken away the key of knowledge! You did not enter in yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
Luke 11:52

Conversely, throughout the gospel Jesus provides the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. As you know, a key is a device that if it is turned one way it opens a door and if it is turned the other way it locks the door shut. Similarly, the parables listed below give the key to opening the door to the Kingdom of Heaven or locking it shut – just like a key in a door.

I hope you always turn the key wisely and open the door to the Kingdom of Heaven!

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

Narrow gate leads to life/wide gate leads to destruction
Matthew 7:13-14

Tree bearing good fruit/tree bearing bad fruit thrown into the fire
Matthew 7:15-20

Wise man builds house on rock that stands/foolish man builds house on sand that falls
Matthew 7:24-27

Wheat gathered into barn/weeds bundled and burned in fire
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Good fish into vessels/bad fish thrown away
Matthew 13:47-48

Righteous/Wicked thrown into the furnace of fire
Matthew 13:49-50

Son who repents into the kingdom of heaven/Son who doesn’t repent outside the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 21:28-32

Five wise virgins through the door/five foolish virgins shut outside the door
Matthew 25:1-13

Good and faithful servants enter the joy of their master/wicked and lazy servant cast into the outer darkness
Matthew 25:14-30

Sheep inherit the kingdom/goats go away into eternal punishment
Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus is Always with us

Before he was born, the angel told Joseph that Mary’s child would fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 that God would always be with us.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

Jesus told the apostles at the last supper that he would not leave them as orphans.

"I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. A little while longer, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." John 14:18-20

When he came back, Jesus told them that he would always be with them even to the end of the age.

“…And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus is always with us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Even death can’t sever the bond between us and our Savior – he’ll always be there for us. You can trust him. He even came back from the dead so that we would know that he’ll always be there for us!

Dr. J. Clontz, Editor - The Comprehensive New Testament

Jesus as Our Teacher and Our Example

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:9-10

In the Garden of Gethsemane when a lynch mob showed up to take him to be executed, Jesus showed the disciples how to pray: “Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done.” - Matthew 26:42

Notice that he practiced what he preached. In both cases, he said of the Father - "your will be done."

It is comforting to know that Jesus is our teacher, example, and our advocate with the Father. Who better to represent us than the one who knows what we feel, knows what we face, and knows what we fear. He loves us. He created us. He befriended us. He knows how to save us. He didn’t run when they came for him. Instead, he healed his wounded captor, forgave his executioners, and rose from the dead. Imagine that if he healed the man sent to take him to his execution how much more he offers us!

I hope to see you rise from the grave immortal – like our teacher did!

J. Clontz, Editor - The Comprehensive New Testament

 

Proof that Jesus is the Messiah

There is only one person in the Bible whose garments were parted among those who cast lots for them. In fact, there is only one person in the three-thousand-year history of the nation of Israel whose garments were parted among those who cast lots for them. Think about that. Only one person out of hundreds of millions over thousands of years. Just one person and only one person. The prophecy concerning this event is in Psalm 22. The fulfillment of the prophecy is recorded in Matthew 27:35. You are more likely to get hit by lightning ten times during your lifetime than this prophecy being fulfilled. While he was on the cross, Jesus told those at his crucifixion that a prophecy was about to be fulfilled. Not only did Jesus know the future, he also knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah and left a message for all of humanity. Jesus is definitely the Messiah.

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Matthew 27:35 … they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

I hope that you live forever with Jesus, the Messiah!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “Finding Jesus in the Old Testament.”

Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you [Nathaniel] that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” - John 1:50

Not only did Jesus demonstrate that he saw Nathaniel before they met – He also assures Nathaniel who is now a believer that he will see even greater things.  There is a difference between believers and non-believers. Have you ever noticed how believers have a long list of things that have assured them of their belief and non-believers don’t have anything similar in their experience? This is not limited to Christianity but to all human endeavors.

People who don’t believe in something don’t apply any of the principles that are required for success. If you don’t believe that you can succeed as an athlete, then you won’t try. If you don’t believe that you can be a musician, then you won’t try. If you don’t believe that you can learn something, then you won’t try. You guarantee failure. The converse is not necessarily true. Just because you believe you can do something doesn’t mean you will succeed, but if you don’t give something an honest try you’ll never succeed.

When I was growing up swimming pools had low and high diving boards. My dad showed me how to dive off the high dive. He went first. He showed me there was nothing to be afraid of on the high dive. Subsequently, I became fearless off the high dive even doing all sorts of crazy dives including my personal favorite – the flying peanut! In high school a very good friend of mine who was a gifted athlete saw me dive off the high dive and wanted to do the same thing. He admitted he was afraid but asked me to show him how. I showed him how and talked him through the process and even though he was shaking the whole way up the ladder he made it. Afterwards, he became fearless. The same thing happened when I was in college. My best friend in college who seemed fearless of almost anything was terrified of the high dive. I talked him through it and he also became fearless. My friends didn’t believe in themselves, but they saw me diving off the high dive and they believed I could show them the way even though they were initially terrified.

Jesus is the best friend of all humanity. He went to the cross and then rose from the dead just to show you that physical death is nothing to fear. That’s why he went first. You may be terrified, but he’ll show you the way to rise from the dead. However beforehand, he’ll talk you through everything that is necessary which is why we read his message in the Bible and fellowship with the friends of Jesus in the church. However, believers also experience spiritual confirmation of the future through their friendship with Jesus. You’ll hear their stories during fellowship. Everyone’s story is unique since Jesus reaches out to everyone to meet their unique circumstances. Always remember that Jesus used a fig tree to help Nathaniel become a believer that wasn’t afraid of physical death. A fig tree probably won’t convince you, but Jesus knew it would convince Nathaniel.

I hope that Jesus shows you how to do what he did by helping you conquer death and rise from the dead!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

Rejoice, for every friend of Jesus is your friend also!

 Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you [Nathaniel].”– John 1:48

Nathaniel asked Jesus how he knew him. Jesus’ reply indicates that he saw Nathaniel before they met. Like the case of Nathaniel, Jesus knows us all before we receive the call to meet him. Nathaniel received the call to meet Jesus through his friend Philip. Think about it. Nathaniel became one of the apostles, but he received his initial invitation to meet Jesus through a friend. Some people are waiting for a call directly from God. Even though God knows you, he may also know that you will listen to a mutual friend that is acting on his behalf.

Rejoice, for every friend of Jesus is your friend also!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

Anyone who represents themself when they face their accuser has a fool for a client

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” – John 1:47

Jesus and Nathaniel had never physically encountered one another. Yet, Jesus knew that Nathaniel had no deceit in him. Jesus is the Son of God. He knows everything about every person that has existed, currently exists, and will exist. When you meet Jesus he already knows you. Jesus chose to concentrate on Nathaniel’s past virtues without mentioning any of his shortcomings. Let that sink in. Jesus knows the best and worst in everyone. He chose to focus on the best in Nathaniel. An advocate focuses on the best on those he helps.

Conversely, our adversary, Satan, focuses on the worst in everyone.

I hope you chose to have our advocate, Jesus, represent your best before God. It would be a shame to face eternity without someone to represent you. Ask any lawyer, anyone who represents themself when they face their accuser has a fool for a client.

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

Definitely Somebody!

The next day he wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” – John 1:43

Jesus found Philip. There was no introduction. Simply the request for Philip to follow him. For the rest of his life, Philip was one of Jesus’ followers. If you’re found, there is an implication that you were lost. We don’t know what Philip was doing before he was found. Possibly, he was a nobody going nowhere doing nothing. After Jesus found him, he became one of the most important people in the destiny of the human race.

When Jesus found you, maybe like Philip you were a nobody. But you won’t stay that way. For two thousand years, the Son of God and his followers have been changing the world by bringing food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and care to the sick. Anyone who brings hope to the hopeless is definitely somebody!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

Everyone is Changed

After Andrew met Jesus, he went and found his brother Simon. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Now Jesus made a statement that also turned out to be a prophecy.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). – John 1:42

When Jesus said that Simon would be called Cephas (which means Peter) that was the name that Simon would be known by around the world. For thousands of years, billions of people have called Simon by the name Peter. Think about it. Within seconds of meeting Jesus, Simon’s name and his future were changed - and all of human history pivoted on that name from that moment forward.

Within seconds of meeting Jesus, everyone is changed. I hope you will be changed like Simon called Peter and the Lord will call you by a name you will have for eternity!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

Come and you will see

After Jesus asked his first two followers what they were seeking, they said that they wanted to see where he was staying.  

He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying. And they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. – John 1:39

The Gospel of John identifies Andrew as one of the two men and by inference the second follower is the man who would be known as the apostle John. These two men would be with Jesus from that time forward. John saw much more than where Jesus was staying. He would eventually "see" thousands of years into the future in a vision that is recorded in the Book of Revelation.

I hope like John and Andrew you will always be with the Lord!

Dr. J. Clontz

 

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

What do you seek?

After Jesus returned from the wilderness, two men started following Jesus when John the Baptist indicated that Jesus was the Lamb of God.  

But Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” – John 1:38

Notice that before Jesus asked them, “What do you seek?” – He saw them following him. Jesus helps those who are following him find what they are seeking.

I hope that Jesus will also help you find what you are seeking!

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text is from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

Away, Satan!

After Jesus was baptized, he was tempted by Satan. Jesus’ response after the last temptation parallels the baptism ceremony that early Christians used and is still used in many Christian churches today.

 

Then Jesus said to him, “Away, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” – Matthew 4:10

 

Nevertheless you are bidden to say, with arm outstretched towards him as though he were present, I renounce you, Satan. I wish also to say wherefore you stand facing to the West; for it is necessary. Since the West is the region of sensible darkness, and he being darkness has his dominion also in darkness, therefore, looking with a symbolic meaning towards the West, you renounce that dark and gloomy potentate. What then did each of you stand up and say? I renounce you, Satan,— you wicked and most cruel tyrant! Meaning, I fear your might no longer; for that Christ has overthrown, having partaken with me of flesh and blood, that through these He might by death destroy death (Hebrews 2:14-15), that I might not be made subject to bondage forever.

Cyril of Jerusalem [Catechetical Lecture 19.4]

 

I hope that Satan stays away from you forever!

 

Dr. J. Clontz

 

Biblical text from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

“Again it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

 “Again it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” – Matthew 4:7

If you truly believe that God is with you, then you don’t need to take a leap of faith to prove that God is with you. You already know that you are standing on a firm foundation.

Dr. J. Clontz

Biblical text from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

Man shall not live by bread alone

 

"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4

 

If you only have bread then you are alone.

If you have the Word then you are with God.

 

Dr. J. Clontz

 

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

 

Biblical text from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

"Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

"Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." - Matthew 3:15

 

Jesus made this statement just before his baptism. If you think about it, these words are appropriate at every baptism. Part of the reason that we get baptized is to fulfill all righteousness.

 

Hoping that you continue to fulfill righteousness all your life,

 

Dr. J. Clontz

 

1Peter 3:19 in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

 

Biblical text from “The Comprehensive New Testament.”

 

The street of the city was pure gold, like a transparent crystal.

Jesus said that in his Father’s house there are many rooms and he is preparing it for us. So, what does the place that Jesus is preparing for us look like? The description is in Revelation 21:10-21 and it’s literally out of this world!

Hope to see you there,

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

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels. And names were written on the gates, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 On the east there were three gates. And on the north three gates. And on the south three gates. And on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names, of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The one who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, and its gates and its walls. 16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is [even] as great as its width. And he measured the city with the rod, twelve thousand stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits by a man’s measure, which is also an angel’s. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as clear as a crystal. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like a transparent crystal.

Mary Magdalene Never Lost Faith.

Mary Magdalene never lost faith. She still referred to Jesus as her Lord even though she thought he was dead. That's why Jesus picked her to be the first person to deliver the news that he had risen from the grave. Jesus sent his only believer to tell those who had lost faith that he was alive! Jesus had cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene. She knew what he had done for her and even death did not change her faith in him because she knew he had saved her. At this point the apostles and the disciples weren't saved. But Mary had been saved from Satan's hold and she was one step in front of everyone else. Mary Magdalene is foreshadowed by Eve. When Eve met Adam in the garden Adam had a hole in his rib cage. When Mary Magdalene met the risen Christ at the garden tomb he had a hole in his ribcage. When Eve met Adam he was the gardener in Eden but what she didn't know at first was that he was the lord of the whole earth. When Mary Magdalene met the risen Christ she thought he was the gardener but what she didn't know was that he was actually the Lord.

Based on the book, Finding Jesus in the Old Testament - Proving that God Exists.

Did you know that when Jesus died he Fulfilled a Prophecy by John the Baptist?

 John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

 

The preparation of the Passover Lamb foreshadows the death of Jesus:

 

The Lamb of God would be a male without blemish (sin).^PL1 He would be killed by the whole assembly of the congregation at Passover.^PL2 The congregation would eat his flesh with unleavened bread at Passover.^PL3 His blood would be smeared on wooden posts at Passover.^PL4 None of his bones would be broken when he was sacrificed.^PL5 His sacrifice would take place in Jerusalem in the evening as the sun set.^PL6 His blood would be a token to protect people from destruction.^PL7 The day of his death would be a day of remembrance forever.^PL8

 

Discussion:

 

In 1Corinthians 5:7, Paul establishes that Jesus is the Passover Lamb.

 

PL1. Exodus 12:5 / Hebrews 9:14

PL2. Exodus 12:6 / Matthew 27:25

PL3. Exodus 12:8 / Matthew 26:26

PL4. Exodus 12:7 / Matthew 27:26

PL5. Exodus 12:46 / Matthew 27:57-58, Mark 15:42-45, Luke 23:53-54, John 19:31

The “official” time of death was established by Pontius Pilate as “evening before sunset” based on the time of his discussion with the centurion.

PL6. Deuteronomy 16:6 / John 19:31-34

PL7. Exodus 12:13 / Matthew 26:27-28

PL8. Exodus 12:14 / Luke 22:19-20

 

From the book “Typology – The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets

 

Did you know that over one thousand years before Jesus was Crucified – Moses wrote that the true vine would be hanged on a wooden pole between two robbers?

Did you know that over one thousand years before Jesus was Crucified – Moses wrote that the true vine would be hanged on a wooden pole between two robbers?

The prophetic foreshadowing by Moses states:

Jesus would be hanged on a wooden pole between two robbers.TV5

Jesus would be cut and then bodily carried away by two men.TV6

Afterwards, Jesus would travel throughout Israel in the company of twelve men for forty days. He would miraculously be alive after being cut down.

The twelve would show the congregation the wondrous “fruit” forty days after Jesus was cut down.TV7 After forty days, the twelve chosen men would bring the Word of God to all the congregation and show them the wondrous “fruits” from the promised land.TV8 After the Word of God was brought to the congregation, the congregation would begin to stone them.TV9 When the congregation stoned them the glory of the Lord would appear.TV10

All of those who participated in the stoning would die within forty years and the land of Canaan would be conquered by an invading army.TV11

TV5. Numbers 13:23 / John 15:1, Matthew 27:38

TV6. Numbers 13:23 / John 15:1, 19:34, 19:38-40

TV7. Numbers 13:23 / John 15:1, Acts 1:3 Note: the grape vine was still alive otherwise it would not have had fruit on it after forty days.

TV8. Numbers 13:26 /Acts 2:43 Note: the fruits of the Holy Spirit are ostensibly from heaven which is the promised land.

TV9. Numbers 14:10 /Acts 7:57-8:1

TV10. Numbers 14:10 /Acts 7:57-8:1

TV11. Numbers 14:32-35 / Josephus[The Wars of the Jews Books III-VII]

Discussion:

In John 15:1, Jesus indicates that the true vine is symbolic of Himself. There is a strong parallel in phrasing between Philo’s observations concerning the grapevine in Numbers 13:23 and Jesus’ statement about himself in Matthew 11:30. It is the only time that either Jesus or Philo refer to a burden being easy.

Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Philo[On Dreams, that they are God-sent Book 2, XXV (2.171)] “A burden very easy to be borne.”

According to Jewish legend, the branch of grapes described in Numbers chapter 13 was planted in the Egyptian Sinai and provided wine for the Israelites for forty years. It was then uprooted and returned with the nation of Israel to the land of Canaan where it was replanted which is alluded to in Psalm 80. Thus, the grapevine left Israel, went to Egypt, and then returned to Israel which parallels Jesus’ journey as an infant.

In the allegory, the twelve spies foreshadow the twelve apostles, the wooden pole represents the wooden cross, the wondrous fruits represent the miraculous fruits of the Holy Spirit.

From the book, “Typology – The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets”

Did you know that the Crucifixion of Jesus Proves that God Exists?

While Jesus was dying on the cross - He called out the first line of Psalm 22 which was written five hundred years earlier. Jesus quoted Psalm 22 to signify that the prophecy in the Psalm was being fulfilled. In recorded history, the only parallel for the prophecy in Psalm 22 is the crucifixion of Jesus. Only God could know the specifics of the death of a single person that would change the world five hundred years before it happened. Jesus fulfilled Psalm 22 by dying on the cross so that you would know that God exists!

 

[Text below was excerpted from the book, “Finding Jesus in the Old Testament – Proving that God Exists”]

 

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

Psalm 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Matthew 27:43 “He trusts in God? Let him deliver now, if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God!’“

 

Psalm 22:16 They pierced my hands and my feet.

Matthew 27:35 They had crucified him.

 

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Matthew 27:35 … they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

 

Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before you.

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

How did the Apostles Find the Messiah?

 The answer is easy - they looked for him!

 

John 1:36 But Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?”

 

John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

 

One of the underlying Gospel themes is those who were looking for the Messiah found Jesus and those who didn’t recognize Jesus weren’t looking for the Messiah. The same is true today. Those who are looking for the Messiah will find Jesus and those who don’t recognize Jesus aren’t looking for the Messiah.

 

You won’t find the Messiah if you aren’t seeking him. Hopefully you are one of the people that Jesus will invite with - “Come and you will see.” John 1:39

 

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

When the Devil Comes will you be Ready?

 

After Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him, he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After a person is baptized, the devil will tempt them. They will be tempted through hunger, wealth, and vainglory.

 

Hunger is part of being human. The devil is a fallen angel and doesn’t need to eat. He will use your need for food against you. Not only do you need to eat but so does your family. What will you do if there is a famine and you and your family suffer from extreme hunger? According to the book of Exodus, after seven years of famine everyone in Egypt had sold themselves and their families into slavery to Pharaoh in order to get food to eat.

 

Not many people know that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) started as a newspaper reporter. He was an excellent journalist for a newspaper in Nevada. He was asked to expose police discrimination against people of Chinese origin in California. Mark Twain exposed people who had the backing of people with wealth and power. Mark Twain was fired from his job in Nevada and blacklisted throughout the western states for exposing evil. Mark Twain had a little over a dollar in his pockets when he became stranded in California. He put a dime in one of his shoes to buy a last meal once the rest of his money had run out. Mark Twain begged for money to buy food for six weeks. He managed to get on board a ship headed for Hawaii and eventually made a fortune telling people throughout America about Hawaii. Mark Twain never used his last dime. He had planned to kill himself if he had to use his last dime to buy food.

 

Many people have heard of the movie, Schindler’s List. The movie is the real-life story of a businessman who was tempted to make a fortune off the misery of those forced into slavery during the holocaust. He eventually used his fortune to save the lives of the victims of the holocaust. However, there were thousands of other businessmen who decided to profit from the holocaust. Would you be willing to use all of your resources to save people from an holocaust or would you merely go along with the crowd and profit from injustice against others?

 

The devil also tempts people with vainglory. I knew a man who was very wealthy. He told me that he was a “self-made” man. According to the Bible, we are knitted together in the womb by God – so we aren’t “self-made.” I asked the “self-made” man if he knew how to make his house that we were standing in. He admitted that he didn’t. I asked if he knew how to make the cars that he owned. He admitted that he didn’t. I pointed out to him that he was merely the recipient of thousands of years of work by the entire human race to develop the technology that was used to make his house, his cars, and all of his other possessions. People who believe they are “self-made” neither acknowledge the work of God or the contributions of their fellow humans that have benefitted their lives. They essentially believe they are on a par with God. This type of belief often leads to actions of immorality since people who hold this type of belief have equated themselves with God and are a law unto themselves.

 

When the devil comes remember that even if you are hungry God can sustain you, worship God and not money, God made you and all your fellow men so don’t fall under the delusion that you are “self-made.”

 

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