The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Disciples Not Understanding - Luke 18:34

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on. And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-four of his book Luke wrote how Jesus disciples, “understood none of these things” where we read:

And they understood none of these things:

and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

The verse reads, “And they understood none of these things:” Luke began with the words, “and they understood” or “and Jesus' disciples comprehended, considered or put together” “none of these things” which means “not any of the things Jesus spoke about His suffering and death”. Luke shared how Jesus's disciples did not “comprehend” what He was saying about His suffering and death.

The verse continues, “ and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke added the words, “and this saying” or “and what Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to His disciples” “was hid from them” which means “was concealed and kept secret from the disciples”, “neither knew they the things” or “no and not in any way did Jesus' disciples understand, comprehend or put together the words of Jesus” “which were spoken” which means “that were uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Luke shared how the words of Jesus were not only “kept secret” from His disciples, but they did not “understand” what He said.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' disciples did not “comprehend nor understand” what He meant by His suffering and death. Though Jesus clearly told them, they still did not put together what He was saying. God does not disclose all His plans and purposes, and sometimes, even when He has shared His will, many people do not understand. Those who are wise will believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and allow His Holy Spirit to “guide them into all truth, whatsoever, He has said unto them” (See John 16:13).

Next time Luke shares how, “a certain blind man sat by the way side begging”, 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".

Whimsical Wendy and Plentiful Patty

I'm attempting a new poem format ... The names implied have no one in mind, they just work well with the work I am doing ... enjoy

Whimsical Wendy

Whimsical Wendy winding her way

wading with wobbles to win

when what would make weir the waves windermere

whit Wendy not where, why or when

and...

Plentiful Patty

Plentiful Patty possessed but two pennies

poor as a popular pant

when passed by the plate she put in her pates

and prepared her populace plant

Friday, April 1, 2022

Scourged and Put to Death - Luke 18:33

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-three of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said, “they shall scourge him, and put him to death” where we read:

And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

The verse reads, “And they shall scourge him, and put him to death:” Luke began with the words, “and they shall scourge him” or “and the pagan Gentiles will flog with a whip the Son of man Jesus”, “and put him to death” which means “and kill, destroy, extinguish, abolish and inflict mortal death upon Jesus”. Luke shared how Jesus said He would be “beaten and flogged with a whip” and “extinguished and inflicted with mortal death”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the third day he shall rise again.” Luke continued with the words, “and the third day” or “and three days after” “he shall rise again” which means “the Son of man, Jesus, will be raised to life and resurrected from the dead”. Luke shared how Jesus said “three days after His death” He would be resurrected from the dead.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about what the “pagans” would do to Jesus when He was “betrayed” to them. In addition to being “mocked, spitefully entreated and spit upon”, Jesus was to be beaten and flogged with a whip and killed. Jesus knew all this and went to Jerusalem anyway. The question is “why”? The answer is because mankind needed to be “saved” from their sins and no longer separated from God. God loves people, and He wants them to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they submit their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive them and grant them “everlasting life”.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus disciples, “understood none of these things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Jesus Delivered to be Mocked, Spitefully Entreated and Spit Upon - Luke 18:32

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-two of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said, “he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles to be … mocked, spitefully entreated, and spitted upon” where we read:

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles,

and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

The verse reads, “For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, ...” Luke began with the words, “for he shall be delivered” or “because, since and on account that the Son of man Jesus will be given over, committed and betrayed” “unto the Gentiles” which means “to pagans or the foreign nations who do not worship the true God”. Luke shared how Jesus said He would be “betrayed” into the hands of “pagan and heathen” people.

The verse continues, “... and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:” Luke added the words, “and shall be mocked” or “and will be played with, trifled, deluded and deceived”, “and spitefully entreated” which means “and be insolently treated, outrageously injured and spoken evil of”, “and spitted on” or “and sprayed with the phlegm and mucus from mouths”. Luke shared how Jesus said He would be “played with, treated with insolence and spit upon” when He was delivered to the “Gentiles”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus knew what He would encounter in Jerusalem. This time, when He came to the city, He would not only be delivered over and betrayed to the “pagans”, but they would “mock Him, speak evil of Him and spit upon Him” even though He is the Son of God. Jesus would endure all these things to pay for the sins of mankind, and those who put their faith and trust in Him will be “saved”, forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life. Jesus knew the troubles He would endure, and He loved people so much that He demonstrated His love through His suffering.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said, “they shall scourge him, and put him to death”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

We Go Up to Jerusalem - Luke 18:31

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. When Jesus' disciples, “heard it” they “said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed you. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty-one of his book Luke wrote how Jesus, “took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem” where we read:

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

The verse reads, “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “the he took unto him the twelve” or “moreover and Jesus joined and received to himself His twelve disciples”, “and said unto them” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to His disciples”, “Behold” or “look, lo and consider”, “we go up to Jerusalem” which means “we, Jesus and His disciples, ascend toward Jerusalem which means set you double peace and was the capitol of Palestine”. Luke shared how Jesus gathered His “twelve disciples” unto Himself and told them they were “ascending” to the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.” Luke continued with the words, “and all things” or “and each, every, the whole and everything” “that are written” which means “that has been formed in letters and delineated on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material” “by the prophets” or “by means of the men who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman 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” “concerning the Son of man” which means “about which through the Son of man who was Jesus” “shall be accomplished” or “will be brought to pass, closed, finished, put to an end and completed”. Luke shared how Jesus said “everything” that was “written” about Him by the “prophets” of old would be “fulfilled and completed” when they reached Jerusalem.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus gathered His “twelve disciples” around Him so He could direct their path to “Jerusalem”. This would be their final “ascension” there because the time was upon Jesus for all the scriptures written by the prophets to be “fulfilled”. God had this planned all along, and because Jesus was destined to die for the sins of all mankind, He was determined to go to the place where God's plan of redemption could be completed. Those who examine Jesus' purpose to provide “salvation” to their lives will discover His passionate love for every person, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they will be forgiven their sins and receive “everlasting life” from God.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said, “he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted upon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Manifold More Presently and Life Everlasting - Luke 18:30

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. When Jesus' disciples, “heard it” they “said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed you. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, ...”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirty of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said they who leave these things are ones, “who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting” where we read:

Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

The verse reads, “Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, ...” Luke began with the words, “who shall not receive” or “the person who leaves all to follow Jesus will even so and indeed take aside and gain” “manifold more” which means “much much more abundantly” “in this present time” or “within due measure and a fixed, definite and right time”. Luke shared how Jesus said those who “leave all” “for the Kingdom of God's sake” will even so and indeed “gain” much, much more in due time and measure.

The verse continues, “... and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke added the words, “and in the world to come” or “and within the unbroken age to come, perpetuity of time and eternity and the future” “life everlasting” which means “the absolute fullness of life both essential and ethical which belongs to God that is without beginning and end that has been and always will be”. Luke shared how Jesus said the promise of “receiving manifold more” in the present time would also extend to the “future” eternal living.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we discover a great promise given by Jesus to His disciples. Jesus told them when they “left behind” their “belongings and family” for the “sake” of the Kingdom of God, they would receive much more in the current time and in the future. God desires to give every person “everlasting life” with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they “leave behind” all their possessions as “secondary” to God's Kingdom but receive “much more” in this life and the life to come.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus, “took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

No Man Leaving All will Lose - Luke 18:29

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. When Jesus' disciples, “heard it” they “said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed you”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-nine of his book Luke wrote how Jesus refers to a, “man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children ...” where we read:

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he said unto them” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to His disciples”, “verily” which means “surely, truly and most certainly” “I say unto you” or “I, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim to you, disciples” the following words. Luke shared how Jesus responded to Peter and the other disciples by certifying His following words.

The verse goes on to say, “... There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, ...” Luke added the words, “there is no man” or “there exists no male human being” “that has left house” which means “who has yielded up, let alone, disregarded, omitted, neglected and departed from his dwelling place, wealth, property or goods”, “or parents” which refers to “the person's progenitors and immediate ancestors”, “or brethren” which means “or brothers whether born of the same two parents or only of the same mother or father”, “of wife” which refers to “a man's female spouse”, “or children” which means “the person's offspring and progeny”, “for the kingdom of God's sake” or “on behalf of the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit's cause and account”. Luke shared how Jesus said no person who leaves their belongings or familial relationships for the cause of the “Kingdom of God” goes unnoticed according to our next verse.

When we mediate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see Jesus begin His thoughts concerning people who “leave” their “belongings” and “family” for the “sake” of “God's Kingdom”. He will say more about this in our next verse, but for now let it suffice us to know that God acknowledges those who leave things which are naturally “loved” for His cause in the world. God's plan for each individual may be different, and we must always compare scripture with scripture when these seemingly “extreme” statements are made by Jesus. The idea is that nothing or no one should be of greater importance than the purpose and plan of the Kingdom of God, and those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and allow Him to direct in what they are to leave and what they are to keep.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says these are they, “Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.