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Jude 16-19 These false teachers are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. 17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
WHEN the apostles began teaching about Jesus, they used the Old Testament – the Hebrew Scriptures – as evidence of Jesus’ deity, his suffering, death and resurrection as the prophets foretold. Peter, for example, quoted the prophet Joel in his first sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2). Isaiah’s words help Philip open the Scriptures to the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. We also read Paul’s teaching method in Acts 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. This, of course, was the primary sources of the authority of God’s Word for the apostles. They were following Jesus’ teaching methods. Our Lord continually urged both his disciples and his enemies to diligently study the Scriptures for the evidence of his Lordship. This was even Jesus’ method on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. But now Jude indicates there is another God-inspired source for the gospel’s truth. In verses 17-18, he refers to the apostles. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” Instead of quoting solely from the Old Testament, he is teaching from the apostles’ lessons warning of false teachers: 2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. And Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. And why did Peter and Paul teach this? They are the Lord Jesus’ direct messengers. Jesus prophesied his warnings that deceit would infect the church. One example is his powerful Good Shepherd parable: John 10:10-11 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The Spirit and Son of God have delivered the Word of God from heaven to earth through the patriarchs, prophets, law, Savior and epistles. This is God’s plan to reveal his truth. We can trust the words built on the Spirit’s revelation through the ages and made plain to us in Holy Scripture. This leads to a most holy faith – see next lesson. Matthew 28:16-21 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
IF you were to read only Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, you would think some of Jesus’ closest disciples still doubted in his deity and authority. But we can learn more about this doubt from the other three gospels. Mark 16 informs us all disciples doubted Mary Magdalene’s first reports of Jesus’ resurrection. Mark 16:11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. There is also Luke’s account of Jesus’ walk to Emmaus with two men. When they expressed wonder at reports of Jesus’ resurrection, our Lord said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25) Reading only Matthew, you would not know either of Thomas’ doubt and Jesus’ loving restoration of his faith-challenged disciples. (John 20) And you would miss in Acts 1 the more detailed account of Jesus’ ascension and the disciples’ joyous reaction to their living Lord. No one doubted then! In addition, we read Paul’s description of Jesus’ ministry between his resurrection and his ascension in 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Thus, when we read Matthew’s brief account of Jesus resurrection, his appearance to the disciples, and his ascension, we must be aware that about 50 days passed from his resurrection to his ascension. When Matthew expressed some doubted, he likely was summarizing the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ appearances to them over those 50 days. The diverse group of men were undergoing a faith transformation. Just as during the days of his ministry, Jesus was moving their hearts from doubt, discouragement and wonder to an unwavering, fearless faith to know Jesus is alive. He is Lord and Savior. The Spirit teaches us through the disciples’ lives in these various resurrection accounts. To move past our doubts in Jesus, we must move toward him. Get to know Jesus personally. Know the truth of his words. Encounter him in your prayers. Worship him in your church. Experience him in your daily walk. Indeed, believe to the depths of your soul that Jesus is risen. Doubt disappears when you purposefully and personally encounter the living Savior. Matthew 28:9-10 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
WE can picture the physical scene – the women on the ground, grasping Jesus’ feet. But what does it mean that they “worshiped him”? First, worship requires they recognized Jesus is their risen Lord. The other gospels record various responses from people who saw the risen Lord. Some knew him almost immediately. Others needed more convincing, even a second meeting with Jesus. When each person did realize, “He is risen!” (Mark 16:6) everything changed in their relationship with Jesus. Everything changed in their lives. Worship of our holy God really begins when we proclaim, “Jesus is risen!” One of the great changes in people as they saw the risen Jesus was their joy. See how Jesus even told them to “Rejoice.” He invited them, instructed them to have hearts of joy because he is alive for their sake. Yes, worship is joy when we know Jesus’ resurrection is the sign that we, too, will have eternal resurrection from the dead as we confess him, “Lord and Savior.” A third aspect of worship occurs when Jesus comforts and assures them, “to not be afraid”. We have no fear of life, no fear of death, as we worship the risen Lord. We believe his promises. We know life because he is alive and Lod of all. And fourth, the scene concludes with, “go and tell”. Worship includes a loving, joyful expression to tell the world that Jesus is risen. When you go to church, do you rejoice because your Lord is alive? Does your heart fall at his feet and cling to him? Do you rejoice because his life offers you the way to eternal life? Does your worship time remind you to live in joy each day, even when life is hard? Does your worship send you to tell others, “Jesus is alive?” Does your worship change you? Matthew 27:61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
AS the sun began to set into the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, likely Mary, the mother of James and John, (verse 56), prepared to return the day after the Sabbath to honor Jesus by anointing his body with customary burial spices. Why would they wait until two days later? In our culture where we find so very many ways to dishonor the Sabbath, it is difficult for us to understand the Sabbath as God’s generous gift to mankind. He loves us so much he commanded us to take a day to rest: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God… the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:8-11) Yes, God made the day holy. He set it apart from the rest of the week, so we would rest. To observe the Sabbath means we receive God’s gift. It means we faithfully believe God will supply our “daily bread” as we work six days. The Sabbath is a reminder to us that God oversees our every need. The Sabbath day gives rhythm and order to our lives of a weekly pattern reflecting the daily rising and setting of the sun. And thus, in the order of God’s creation and the order of God’s command to rest and to work, two faithful women remembered the Sabbath. And even more we must see that Jesus rested on the Sabbath as at the dawn of creation: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had done. (Genesis 2:2) On the first day of the week, the women would come to do their work. But instead, Jesus would rise from the grave to begin the work of a new creation: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Jesus knows you need to rest, and you need to work. Matthew 27:57-61 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
IT may seem a surprising mystery that “disciple” refers to Joseph from Arimathea, who came to bury Jesus. Yet, this man Joseph was the one to petition Pilate for his Lord’s body. We read in Luke that Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, who had condemned Jesus. Joseph, though, had voted, “No.” regarding Jesus’ death: “Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed.” (Luke 23:50-51a) Joseph was a true disciple to fearlessly stand up for Jesus in the council. John’s gospel also records Nicodemus helped bury Jesus. He was a Pharisee who talked with Jesus in one of Scripture’s most powerful conversations between man and God (John 3). Nicodemus also defended Jesus among the Pharisees (John 7). These were men of the “church” who risked their position in the ruling religious and political structures. They loved the true Savior of the world more than they feared man. They risked becoming outcasts in their community when they cared for the One who came to cast out sin from our souls. Joseph also lay Jesus in an expensive tomb. Sacrificially he cared for the one who sacrificed for him. Are we willing to defend Jesus, to love Jesus, even if it means we become outcasts? Jesus knows you need courage to follow him. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Matthew 27:55-56 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
HOW mournful it was for these women to look upon their dying, suffering rabbi. He was their teacher and friend. They deeply loved him for the ways he had transformed their lives. Who were these women? Jesus had healed Mary Magdalene of seven demons. The second Mary is the mother of James and Joseph (Joses). James may be the disciple “James the Lesser”, so-called because we know less of him than of James, John’s brother. His brother Joseph was apparently well-known in the early church. There, too, is James’ and John’s mother. We know from Mark 15:40her name is Salome. In one way or another each woman had obeyed Jesus’ command, “Follow me”. (Matthew 4:19). John’s gospel also tells us that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was present. Consider the deep emotions of this highly favored (Luke 1:28) women who watched her son suffer the horrid execution. Do you think the chosen virgin remembered the angel’s words, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33). As she watched her son, God’s Son, die, did her mind echo with the question she asked the angel, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34)? These women and others had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. (Luke 24:10) They had walked with their Master to feed him, to nurture his tired body, to bring physical peace to the One restless to bring peace to his people’s souls. Now they are at the cross. In Jewish customs to have more than two women close to the execution would be scandalous. But these women stood above the norm to minister their love to the One who commands, “Love.” Faithful in their love for Jesus, they would be among the first to embrace the Living Savior of the World. Jesus knows you need love to faithfully be present with him. Matthew 26:36-37 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
HERE is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, about to be arrested. Notice who he takes with him - Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - James and John . Yes, these three especially chosen disciples would go to pray that the Father might show them his glory and that he would come in power to deliver them from the evil one. Together, Jesus, Peter, James and John had also met the Father on the Mount of Transfiguration: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” (Mark 9:2-3) Jesus entered fully into the Father’s presence at that moment. The three disciples saw and worshiped their Lord. They didn’t want to leave: Mark 9:5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” But on that day in the Garden, it was time for Jesus to enter into the Father’s presence through a different kind of transfiguration – a most profound demonstration of God’s glory. He would endure the agony of the cross and the sorrow of death. The disciples saw and turned away. Peter and James did not want to stay with Jesus. They left the Garden in fear and despair. Only John watched Jesus die at Golgotha. But then came the transfiguration! Jesus’ dead body rose from the grave into his resurrected glory. Through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension all of Jesus’ true disciples would fully see God’s glory on that magnificent day. Jesus knows you need to see the sorrow of sin’s penalty. He knows you need to see the glory of his resurrection. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6-7) Matthew 26:24-25 “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
JESUS pronounced judgment over Judas, who is about to betray him, “It would be better for him if he had not been born.” It is difficult to imagine the Savior speaking so severely to this man chosen to be his disciple. But we must see this as evidence of the harsh judgment that comes to all people who betray Jesus' truth. “Woe (despair, anguish) to that man who betrays the Son of Man!” Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal are tools in God's eternal plan to save you. From long before this day the prophets foretold the events of Jesus’ death. Hear, for example, from Psalms 55:12-14 “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” These words prophesy a close companion who walked and worshiped with Jesus would betray his Lord. Read, too, the prophecy of what that death would be like: Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our sins; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Mankind chose sin and decided to betray God’s will, his commands to live a blessed and abundant life in his presence. Without Jesus, it would be better if one had not been born. Jesus knew you needed him to be wounded, so you would be healed. Confess your sins. Confess the Christ. Be born anew into his eternal kingdom. We pause to consider in the next several lessons our Savior’s redemptive suffering and resurrection.
Luke 22:54-62 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the fire light. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. SADLY, this seems to be the most remembered event of Peter’s life. Yes, it was a terrible, tragic moment in this especially anointed apostle’s life. But let’s remember Jesus’ resurrection is about living a restored new life. Jesus’ return to life is proof that our spiritual lives can return to life after even the most serious crimes against our God. God had chosen Peter to be the church’s first preacher and evangelist. Peter did remarkable healing and resurrection miracles, and he was the first to preach to the Gentiles. But before he could do those life-giving works, the LORD needed to work on Peter. Jesus told him, “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.” (Luke 22:31-32) God will sometimes permit Satan’s temptation as a tool to strengthen us. It was God’s will – his permission and his purpose – that Peter would deny him. Through the denial Peter would come to know two things: One, the weakness of his flesh. Two, the power of Jesus’ transforming forgiveness. Peter was forceful and it seems he was proud. He assured his loyalty to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33) Peter’s firm belief in his own faith did no good. Even such emphatic human emotions are inadequate to withstand the Lord’s purpose. Then the insistent, “I’ll never deny you.” disciple became equally forceful to thrice deny his relationship with Jesus. In the original Greek, Peter’s words are curses. The devil wanted Peter’s faith to become chaff in the wind, a useless remnant of a once promising harvest. But then the sifting began to produce fruit. Peter’s first response to his crime was he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61) Grieving our sin is the first step to welcoming Jesus’ forgiveness. John 21 records Peter receiving that forgiveness on Galilee’s shore. Jesus lovingly and firmly commanded Peter to “Feed my sheep.” Three times the Lord affirmed Peter’s ministry. Three times Peter affirmed, “Lord, you know I love you.” Because Peter loved Jesus, he was eager and willing to receive Jesus’ love. He was ready to receive the Spirit’s anointing to preach, evangelize and heal. The summary statement of Peter’s life is not denial but faithful obedience. We can say, “Peter proclaimed Jesus to the nations.” How have you denied Jesus? Perhaps it was a moment of submitting to temptation. Maybe it’s been a lifetime of doubt regarding your value in God’s Kingdom. Might you focus too much on your failures and too little on your Lord? The Bible’s message, remember, is forgiveness and redemption. Each name recorded in Scripture represents a man or woman who needed to be sifted from their sin to receive Jesus’ salvation. This is the only way they could move forward into God’s calling. Be aware of evil’s persistent attacks on your faith. Be even more aware of Jesus’ call on your life. Each person is valuable to God. He teaches us he is aware how much we need him. Jude 12-13 These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted – twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
WE have one of Jesus’ comforting images in John 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Thieves are trying to change the gospel. We must know it is only our Good Shepherd who leads us into a full life. A full life enjoys the reality of loving relationships with God and with others. We find joy in our daily lives because we know the most important truth is that we belong to God. Peace covers our thoughts and heart when we submit to God’s will, including forgiving those who sin against us. Patience guides our thoughts to help us through uncertain times. We treasure the fellowship of God’s people. God’s Word guides us to be gentle, faithful and self-controlled. A full life leads other lives toward the Savior. In contrast, false shepherds lead us into discord. They direct us to themselves with words as empty as clouds without rain and autumn leaves without fruit. They may be in our church, even celebrating love feasts (communion) with us, but they are not in communion with God. If we are blind to their deceit, they will lead us toward hearts just as barren as theirs. For them, the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Then Jude once more refers to the past to enforce God’s truth. Jude 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Enoch, seventh generation from Adam, is described in Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis does not record Enoch’s prophecy that Jude wrote. Other documents record Enoch’s prophecy. As with Jude’s reference to Michael disputing with Satan over Moses’ body, it is believed Jude had Spirit-inspired knowledge. Jude’s short letter is long on warning. Let’s be sure to see this as God’s warnings to keep in step with the Good Shepherd. Be as rain-giving clouds to end a drought. Be fruitful people of grace and mercy. Defend the truth that leads to the full life. Be a good shepherd. |
AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
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