The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul spoke to the people in the synagogue in Antioch and said, “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul referred to, “they that dwell at Jerusalem … condemning him” where we read:
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
The verse begins, “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, ...” Luke began with the words, “for they that dwell at Jerusalem” which means “because, since and on account that the people who lived, resided, abode and inhabited the city of Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”, “and their rulers” or “and the people in Jerusalem's leaders, princes, commanders and lords of the land”, “because they knew him not” which means “since and on account that the people and the rulers were unaware and without knowledge of who Jesus is”. Luke shared how the “people and rulers” within the city of “Jerusalem” were unaware of who Jesus actually was.
The verse continues, “... nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.” Luke added the words, “nor yet the voices” which means “no and not in any way the sounds and tones of uttered words” “of the prophets” or “from the men who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organs or spokesmen who solemnly declared to men what they received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “which are read” which means “that are recognized, accurately known and acknowledged” “every sabbath day” or “each seventh day of the week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work”, “they have fulfilled them” which means “the people and rulers in Jerusalem have made full, furnished and liberally supplied the voices of the prophets” “in condemning him” or “by pronouncing judgment upon, censuring and punishing Jesus”. Luke shared how the people and rulers in Jerusalem actually fulfilled the words of the “prophets” which were read every “Sabbath day” when they “judged” Jesus to be worthy of death.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” told the people within the “synagogue” the people and rulers of the Jerusalem “fulfilled” the words of the “prophets” when they “condemned” Jesus to death. These prophetic words were read every “Sabbath day”, but the people did not recognize or understand what they meant. God's intention, throughout the Holy Bible, is to redeem mankind from their sins, and His law, the prophets and the people He employed to share His desire were all an important part of pointing to His Son Jesus as the “Savior and Lord” of the world. God wants a personal relationship with every person who believes and trusts in Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus and know the purpose of the words of the “prophets”.
Next time Luke shares how Paul refers to how the people in Jerusalem, “found no cause of death in him”, 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".
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