The Word for Today with Ray: April 2022

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Chief Priests and Scribes Seeking How to Kill Jesus - Luke 22:2

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse two of his book Luke shared how, “the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover” where we read:

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

The verse reads, “And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him;” Luke began with the words, “and the chief priests” or “and the high and principal priests” “and scribes” which means “and men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings and served as interpreters and teachers” “sought how they might kill him” or “desired, went about and were striving after a way that they, the religious leader, could abolish, put out of the way, destroy and slay Jesus”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” known as the “chief priests and scribes” desired to find a way to take Jesus' life and destroy Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... for they feared the people.” Luke continued with the words, “for they feared” or “because, since and on account that the chief priests and scribes were afraid, put to flight and seized with alarm by” “the people” which means “the crowd or multitude of human beings whether male or female”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” were “afraid” of the “multitude of people” who believed in Jesus.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover yet another time when the “high priests and scribes” wanted Jesus to die. Jesus' existence threatened them and their position among the people, and their solution was to “kill” Jesus. Many people want to “kill” the idea of Jesus within their lives, and because they do not want to come to Him, they reject and refuse to submit to Him as their “Savior and Lord”. John the apostle wrote, “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. (See John 3:19) God loves everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins so they may forever live with Him, but should they refuse and reject Him, they shall have only themselves to blame for their unbelief.

Next time Luke shares, “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot,”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Passover Drew Near - Luke 22:1

The beloved physician Luke shared about Jesus, “in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse one of his book Luke shared how, “the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover” where we read:

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

The verse reads, “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, ...” Luke began with the words, “Now the feast” or “moreover the festival and holy-day” “of unleavened bread” which means “pertaining to the unfermented and free from leaven and yeast loaves used in the paschal feast of the Jews” “drew nigh” or “approached and came near”. Luke shared how the time for the “festival” of “unfermented loaves” or “paschal feast” was approaching.

The verse continues, “... which is called the Passover.” Luke added the words, “which is called” or “that is named and saluted as” “the Passover” which means “the paschal sacrifice or lamb the Israelites were accustomed to slay and eat on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan in memory of the day on which their fathers preparing to depart from Egypt, were bidden by God to slay and eat a lamb, and to sprinkle their door posts with its blood, that the destroying angel, seeing the blood, might pass over their dwellings”. Luke shared how the “holy festival” named “the Passover” when the “paschal lamb” was to be sacrificed in remembrance of the people of Israel preparing to escape Egypt was the “festival” that was “near”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we are given the timing of the next events to occur in Jesus' life. This would lead to when He would become God's “paschal lamb” who would be slain for the sins of the entire world. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and the timing of this event would lead to Jesus fulfilling God's desire. Those who are wise will pay particular close attention to what happens to Jesus at this time and know He followed through with all these things so they may have a personal relationship with His Father God.

Next time Luke shares how, “the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The People Coming to Jesus - Luke 21:38

The beloved physician Luke shared about Jesus, “in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-eight of his book Luke shared how, “all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple” where we read:

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

The verse reads, “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, ...” Luke began with the words, “and all the people” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings both male and female” “came early in the morning to him” which means “appeared and approached Jesus at the dawn” “in the temple” or “within the sacred worship place in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how “everyone” came at dawn to see Jesus within the “temple” in Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “... for to hear him.” Luke continued with the words, “for” or “because, since and on account that the people desired” “to hear him” which means “to attend to, consider, understand and perceive what Jesus had to say”. Luke shared how the “people” wanted to “listen” to what Jesus had to say.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how everyone wanted to “hear” what Jesus proclaimed. They arose early in the morning to meet Jesus in the temple so they could listen to Him again. God loves people to “hear” His Son Jesus, and when they yield to His teachings and allow Him to be their personal “Savior and Lord”, they obey what He has to say. Those who are wise desire to “hear” Jesus, and they will do everything possible to be in a position to do so.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Jesus Teaching and Abiding in the Mount of Olives - Luke 21:37

Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-seven of his book Luke shared how Jesus, “was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives” where we read:

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple;

and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

The verse reads, “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple;” Luke began with the words, “and in the day time” or “and within the interval between sunrise and sunset” “he was teaching” which means “Jesus was holding discourse with others in order to instruct them, delivering didactic discourses and imparting instruction” “in the temple” or “within the sacred place in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how Jesus was “giving instruction and delivering didactic discourses” within the “sacred temple” in Jerusalem.

The verse continues, “and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.” Luke added the words, “and at night” or “and at the time when work ceases and people slumber” “he went out” which means “Jesus left and departed”, “and abode” or “and lodged and passed the night in the open air” “in the mount” which means “within the hill or rising above the plain” “that is called the mount of Olives” or “that is named and saluted as the mountain pertaining to olive trees or berries”. Luke shared how Jesus spent the “night” outside in the open air upon the “mountain” known as the “mount of Olives”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus “taught” during the “day, and “slept in the open air” at night upon the “mount of Olives”. Jesus was always busy about the Kingdom of God, and He desired for people to know the “good news” of God and His Kingdom. Often at night Jesus would retreat to a mountainous area to pray, and this night was not unlike those others. God wants people to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise will listen to His teachings and submit their lives to Him. Let all who read these words yield themselves to Jesus.

Next time Luke shares about Jesus, “all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Watch and Pray - Luke 21:36

Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-six of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape” where we read:

Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The verse reads, “Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, ...” Luke began with the words, “Watch you therefore” or “be circumspect, attentive, be ready and keep awake then, wherefore and on account of this you, disciples of Jesus”, “and pray always” which means “and beg, desire, long for and ask limitless and continuously”, “that you may be accounted worthy to escape” or “so you, disciples of Jesus, might be judged and deemed entirely deserving of seeking safety in flight” “all these things” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the things of which Jesus spoke” “that shall come to pass” or “that will happen and come into existence”. Luke shared how Jesus instructed His disciples to “be ready and keep awake” so they would be “judged as deserving” to “seek safety” from the cataclysmic events that will appear on the earth.

The verse goes on to say, “... and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke continued with the words, “and to stand” or “and to be established, put, placed and made firm” “before the Son of man” which means “in front and in the presence of Jesus Himself who is God's Son”. Luke shared how Jesus added that His disciples should “watch” and “pray always” to be “worthy” to “stand” before Him as well.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn Jesus' instructions given to the “disciples of Jesus” before all the things He spoke of happen. They were to “watch”, and they were to “pray”. They were to “be on alert” and “call out to God in prayer” so they may be deemed as “entirely deserving” to be “saved and rescued” from the “times to come” and to “stand” before Jesus in judgment. God knows everything that will “come to pass”, and He warns in advance to give them an opportunity to “escape” them. Those who are wise will yield their lives to God's Son Jesus and allow Him to prepare them to be “deemed deserving” to “escape” and “stand” before Him.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus, “was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Friday, April 29, 2022

A Snare on the Whole Earth - Luke 21:35

The beloved physician Luke shared how Jesus spoke to His disciples, “a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-five of his book Luke shared how Jesus says, “for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth” where we read:

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

The verse reads, “For as a snare shall it come on all them ...” Luke began with the words, “for as a snare” or “because, since and on account in the likeness and manner as a unexpected, sudden trap or noose” “shall it come” which means “will the times arise and appear” “on all them” or “upon each, every, the whole and everyone of the people” who exist on the following. Luke shared how Jesus said the horrific “signs of the times” will “suddenly appear” like a “trap” on “all” the people who are according to the following.

The verse continues, “... that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke added the words, “that dwell” or “who remain, reside, live, are fixed and established” “on the face” which means “upon the surface” “of the whole earth” or “belonging to all the world, region, territory and country”. Luke shared how Jesus said “everyone” in the entire world will be “suddenly trapped” by the “signs” of the time before God's Kingdom arrives.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus said the appearance of the “Kingdom of God” would be “sudden” and catch many people off guard because they ignore Him. God knows all things, including the future, and His desire is to warn everyone through His Son Jesus that “perilous times” shall come. Only those who put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus will be “saved”, and all others, like a suddenly “trapped” animal, will be “unaware” how quickly everything changes.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.