John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."







Wednesday, November 18, 2015

22nd lesson = God's Purpose in loving the Human Being


The Purpose Of Gethsemane.



Gethsemane is part of the life of the Perfect Man in Christ.

One day as Jesus was talking with his disciples; He taught them about who wants to be the greatest. Jesus does not promise the highest rank in his kingdom here on earth to those who serve him. It is necessary to be willing to pay the price of being a servant of God, just as Jesus did.

 
Jesus taught his disciples during three years, he led them in their growth in discipleship; until transforming them into future leaders of the Church here on earth. The disciples walked with Jesus from town to town, village to village. Jesus taught in front of them, healed, raised the dead, multiplied the loaves of bread, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, and innumerable other miracles. John makes an emphasis here to say: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" - Jo. 20:30-31


"When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles" - Lk. 6:13, Mt 10:1-8. These twelve were given the power to cast out demons and heal and they came back with the report as succeeded in their mission. Let's read Lc.10 :17-20 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven".


Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to give His life for humankind; and he talks with his disciples at supper time, but his disciples began to question who was the greatest among them. Jesus had trained them all the same, the twelve and the seventy alike, (some scriptures say seventy-two) giving the same power and authority at all alike, but at this time at the supper began an inquiry who was the greatest among them.


Let's read the passage:
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.
36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
37 It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  - Lk. 22:23-39.

 
®    This passage starts where they began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.  Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. = During three years Jesus had taught them to love one another, to treat them equal and that no one was to be called master, except for Him, who truly was the Master. He taught them to serve and be humble and they start to dispute to see who was considered to be the greatest. I think if these were my students, I would fail them all in the test, they did exactly the opposite that they were told.
®    Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Jesus in his loving kind way of guiding them in all He taught them directs them into the right vision they were suppose to have. He says: But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, (some translations say the smallest) and the one who rules like the one who serves.
®    For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Jesus made it very clear that He as the Savior, the Son of God, should be the one to be served; and he was teaching how to serve by serving them.
®    You are those who have stood by me in my trials. Jesus makes it clear to them that He knew that the disciples were with Him in His trials; then He says: And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was showing them that there was an appointed time when his disciples would get special seats in heaven; but only when the time was right, and not here on earth.
®    Jesus says to Simon Peter: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers". = Jesus knows when we are weak, He knows when we are going to be tempted, He knows if we are going to fail; and He knows how we are going to succeed. So, once your come out of the struggle, and when you overcome the tough battle than use the experience to lead other people to be strong as well. This indicates very strongly why God allows us to go through trials and temptations; so we can help others when they struggle.
®    But Peter replied to Jesus saying: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death".
®    Jesus knew ahead of time what was going to happen so he  answered him: "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me".
®    Jesus knows everything we need in every scenario and in each occasion. Then Jesus asked them: "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
®    Jesus made sure to show them that He was aware of everything that was about to happen and making His disciples prepared for everything, and after that He took them to the Mount of Olives. Verse 39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  At this supper Jesus was preparing them to see, it was not about being the best and the greatest; but it was about paying the price and going to the Mount of Olives to pray and be prepared for the upcoming battle.

The stature of a perfect man does not describe who is greater or lesser in the heavenly Kingdom and yes, it is about obeying and walking as Jesus did. Jesus was an example in everything. He explains about this saying: But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. For this very reason it is important that we all remain faithful in the work that Jesus gave us. Do not let greed or love of money, status or high positions here on earth take our attention of the target. We have already studied in the present study that when the first human being took his gaze of the target he sinned and all mankind fell from God's grace.

 
After this conversation went to the Mount of Olives, the disciples followed him. It is essential that everyone who says that he is a disciple of Jesus follows his footsteps. Many people desire to be leaders, to shine and receive a very high salary and have a wealthy lifestyle as pastors and teachers being the head (senior pastor to be honoured) in the leadership of the Church of Jesus. According to this passage in Luke 22, these places were given to the apostles. We have to pay attention to the teaching that Jesus gave to His disciples, we shall walk as they were taught to walk; and continue steadfast as Jesus commanded them. Neither I nor you should go after something that will get us from the goal as Jesus instructed them. It is of utmost importance that we keep our eyes on Jesus, who begins and ends the good work in our lives. It is Jesus our Lord and King of Glory that is who determines what we are in his kingdom, therefore we submit and surrender unto Him as He pleases.

 
We have learned so far the stages that each one passes, and it is not possible for someone to want to do the works what the disciples did after Pentecost when we are still young in our faith. Fact is, not even Jesus began while he was young at age, and yes, He waited properly as the Father had commanded him. "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" - Jn. 5:30.

 
He made it very clear to them in several occasions that he was working and acting as he heard the Father speak. Jesus makes it clear in his teaching that we should live as He taught in the Sermon on the Mount. He instructed them how they should behave and conduct himself as his disciple. Jesus said that would transform them into fishers of men, and he did. The apostle Paul says that if someone desires the position of a bishop, or be an elder, or deacon, and so on, he aspires a good thing, but that should not be someone new in the faith. Notice how he writes this to Timothy. "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil" - 1 Tm. 3:6. I think for the same reason, we should not desire high positions; if God did not put us there, not to fall into the condemnation of the devil.
 
Many people believe that because they experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit when they received Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives; that this enables them to work immediately in Gods’ Kingdom. Nothing is further from the truth than this. Jesus, at the age of twelve was in the synagogue and he was listening and questioning the doctors, according to Lk. 2:46-47 = "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers”. Jesus at this time was already filled with the Holy Spirit, but he waited to descend upon him the anointing that came from his Father, at the right time for the right work.

Although he knew that He was the Christ who came to save the world, at twelve years he did nothing beyond what he was permitted to do. Jesus obeyed his parents at age twelve. “When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you". - Vs. 48 of Chapter 2. The truth that I want to emphasize here is the fact that Jesus was aware of everything he was going to do here on earth, he knew it all; that had to be a perfect grown up man before starting his journey as the Messiah. Jesus in spite of being God, He waited for the right time to act in God's Kingdom here on earth.

All of us that are His children and disciples we should only act and start working when the Holy Spirit enable us to do so, and when He leads us thereby. But when it comes to preaching and being a pastor, evangelist and so on, it must not be a neophyte; a recent convert. We should talk about our faith since the first day on, yes, just as Jesus did in the temple; he spoke, he was questioned in the temple among the doctors, but he submitted himself to those who were above him. It requires training to be transformed into an apostle of Jesus. Paul when he was converted, he was taken away for 14 years, and when he returned God began to use him. He still needed to be trained by Barnabas and the other apostles. In Luke chapter 4:16 we read that Jesus at age of thirty, on a Saturday he entered in the synagogue according to his custom; and He stood up to read. Jesus knew how to wait for the right day to go and read and proclaim that now was fulfilled what was written about him; Oh Hallelujahs.

 
The disciples were trained for three years in the teaching of Jesus before Pentecost. Each of them already knew that they should preach the Gospel; but they waited for the day that Jesus had appointed for them. Jesus suffered for the fact that he positioned himself and when he did this, he was persecuted by the enemy to whom He came to overcome. Jesus defeated the enemy dying on the cross and no one suffered more than Him. But, Jesus warns us that the disciple is not greater than his master, nor the servant above his Lord. He was persecuted, and we will be as well.

Something really beautiful happens when a life is tested, when we go through the fire and the trials here on earth, the best of us comes up. A lesson to be learned from the Garden Gethsemane is that our lives will go through experiences where we will be grinded and transformed to the point on which is brought out the better of us. On the Mount of Olives is where the olives are processed which grow there. These olives pass through the press to extract the oil from them. I researched a bit as how the olives are processed in order to extract the oil from them. When we go through trials, we are processed just as the olives are. As we go through trials and we act in spirit and live in spirit, than the fruit which is extracted from us is spiritual; that is what Jesus wishes to produce through us. We pay a high price yes we will go through temptations and be tested.

 
The greatest purpose to be lived on this earth is to bring forth through our life the image and likeness of God in us. We all are tested in the same way as master was tested, this will cause to come forth through us HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS: if we do walk and live as Jesus did. Just as the master the servants are too. We are not better than Jesus and if he was tested, so we will be. The Bible says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and I can live my life here as He did; through Him.

 
It is sufficient for the disciple to be such as his Master, and it is enough for the servant to be as his Lord. If Jesus was honored, we will also be. If Jesus was accepted, we will accept as well. The Master was persecuted, and it will also happen with his disciples. The disciple needs to be willing to deny himself, in order to be a faithful servant, as God requires it.

 
One Day in the Garden Gethsemane, Jesus prayed the following:

Gethsemane = 14:32-42pp -- Mt 26:36-46; Lk 22:40-46
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
36"Abba", Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.


In chapter 13 of John, in verse one we read that Jesus knew that the time had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Jesus knew what He had to do and what He would pass. And we can see in the three year trajectory he took his disciples wherever he would go; he was never caught by surprise of anything that happened, but He was aware of everything before it happened. Let us take a look at what takes place: He arrives at the Garden, and he says to his disciples: stay here, sit down, and I will pray. I do not know how you would have felt if you would have been there. But here is how I pondered over this in my heart: they were with Jesus at the supper, they were part of the scenario in the last week as Jesus entered Jerusalem; applauded by the people around Him as King. "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" "- Jn. 12:13.


With no doubt for Jesus it was very difficult to go through this experience that he had there in the Garden. Jesus had to submit himself to the Will Of His Father who is in heaven. God the Son, knew what he had to do here on earth, and what he came here for. But as a human being says the Bible he learned obedience unto death. If, they called the father of the family Beelzebub, how much more those of his household, he warns us.

 
The olive undergoes a process for the oil to be extracted from it. Every one of us needs to deny him selves so that the life of Jesus can be seen through us; that is the similarity of how we undergo the process as the olives. There in the Garden was extracted the Son of Man who came to save those who were lost, from Jesus the human being. At the same time that he was Jesus from Nazareth, seen in an earthly perspective; he was the Messiah, the Christ from the heavenly perspective. Jesus had to learn to position Himself as the Messiah, who had been sent. God allows us to go through trials, Jesus passed through them, for the purpose to be lived is the fact that God actually dwells within us, and his presence is reflected in our lives if we walk in His light.

 
We mentioned earlier in this book that Peter had to make a decision. And Peter took that decision. Jesus confronted him if asking him if he loved him. As Peter responded yes; Jesus told him: take care of my sheep. Do you love Jesus? If so, than, make your decision whether you will take care of Jesus’ sheep as He determined! Jesus confronted Peter with the question and repeated the same question three times.


Does it seem to you sometimes as if God says things over and over again to you? He will proceed this way until He sees we grasped it. We see that Jesus only did this with Peter. He asked his disciples about the fact of he loved Him. Peter had to decide whether he would receive "God is Love" in his life and allow Him to reign or not. Every human being will be questioned by God whether he loves Him or not; and if he does, he will be commanded to go and take care of Gods’ sheep. It is necessary to decide here on earth if we will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives or not. Since this is the entrance to the eternal home; Jesus is the door. When we make our life dwelling place of our God, then we are written in the book of life. Jn. 1:12-13 says it very clear: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”


Maybe you're walking in the desert of your life, or might be climbing the highest mountain as Moses had to climb. Some of us are asking just like Peter, if is You oh Lord, tell me to walk upon the waters. Many tasks and things that God sends his disciples to do here on earth, it to test their faith, but if God commanded us to go; He enables us to this, according to his good pleasure. When we are slandered, and maybe even called Beelzebub, as they did with our Lord and Savior Jesus, we must learn with God how to respond as Jesus did. Submit everything to God the Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus and allow Him to reign in every circumstance.



 In the Lord's Service 
I greet you in His Love
Antonina Penner.
Missionary
Masters inTheology..
 
ISBN- 978-0-9881063-1-4
Copyright 2012/11/26 by: “Ministério Visão de Águias”.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
 
 
 

 

Rev. Billy Graham