Friday, April 1, 2011

THE LAW, THE PROPHETS, AND THE LORD GOD, BEAR WITNESS

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB
Newsletter 237 April 3, 2011

In Bible days, three witnesses were considered adequate to confirm the truth of a fact. I don’t care for such titles as “Three Ducks in a Pond,” or I would title this with the homely title of “Three P’s in a Pod.” I don’t know how many others may have done so, but I would like us to look for the three “P’s” as we progress.

Peter James and John form an inner group from among the Apostles and are often singled out to be with Jesus on crucial occasions. They were with Jesus here, they were chosen to be present for the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and they were with him in Gethsemane.

Luke 9:28-36 (King James Version)

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Matthew 17:1, Mark 5:1, Luke 3:21, Luke 5:15, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18)

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. (Luke 3:21, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Mark 16:12)

This is the kind of brightness that Paul had seen on the road to Damascus when he had seen Jesus and was blinded for a time. Before that, I was the kind of bright light that is associated with God the Father as He led the Children of Israel in the wilderness, and at the dedication of the Tabernacle and of the Temple. It is one of the indications of the presence of God.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Moses is associated with the law of God given through him. The law was crucial to the preparation of God’s chosen people. Thus, the “P” represents the preparation of a people from whom would come the Messiah.

Elijah is representative of the prophets who prophesied of the Messiah who would come to be their king so they could not fail to know him He would fulfill all the prophecies about him years before. This “P“ stands for the prophecies.

God Himself, of course, is the final of the three witnesses. God proclaimed, “.This is my beloved Son, Hear Him.” This is the final “P”. Proclaim to the world, “Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God.” We have this message for the world. .

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (2 Peter 1:15)

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. (Matthew 26:43, Mark 14:40)

Peter, James and John were asleep when they were awakened by his glory, and the messengers just arrived from Heaven. As they heard them talking together, they assumed that they had come to usher in that wonderful kingdom they were expecting. It was then that God Himself spoke .

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. (Luke 5:5, Luke 9:49, Matthew 17:4, Mark 9:5, Mark 9:6)

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
(2 Peter 1:17, Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 12:18, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22)

God ties it all together into one wonderful fact. “This is my beloved Son, hear Him.” The world does not want to hear it, but this is our commission from the top, “hear ye Him.”

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. (Matthew 17:9, Mark 9:9)

Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He commanded “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost“: (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16).

That is exactly what the Apostles did. (Acts 2:38)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
APRIL

3rd. Sunday – Deuteronomy 5, 6, Luke 9:23-45. Psalm 40:9-17
4th. Monday – Deuteronomy 7, 8, 9, Luke 9:46-62, Psalm 41:1-6
5th. Tuesday – Deuteronomy 10, 11, Luke 10:1-20, Psalm 41:7-13
6th. Wednesday - Deuteronomy 12, 13, 14, Luke 10:21-42, Proverbs 8:32-36
7th. Thursday - Deuteronomy 15, 16, 17, Luke 11:1-26, Psalm 42:1-6
8th. Friday – Deuteronomy 18, 19. 20, Luke 11:27-54. Psalm 42:7-11
9th. Saturday - Deuteronomy 21, 22, Luke 12:1-30, Psalm 43

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.” Luke 12:23


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Where You Headed?

A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"

The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much."

The driver replied, "It's okay, thats not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver. I've been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years."