Grace Community Church of Ramona Podcast

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection

The consequences will be two-fold: the religious leaders will suffer divine judgment (v.41, 44) and the mediation of God's Kingdom will be taken away from these religious leaders and given to a people who will produce the fruit of righteous living before God (v. 41, 43).

By His authority, Jesus executed instant judgment upon the fig tree. Jesus assured the disciples that, when they were absolutely confident it was God's will, they, too, will be able to execute instant judgment.

Jesus' anger was about the location rather than the activity itself.

Honor and recognition will come to believers who follow Jesus' example of sacrificial service.

Jesus has made it clear He is going to reward His followers who faithfully serve Him in this life because it is His right and it pleases Him to do so. Jesus is generous. Amazingly, He will be generous in the rewards with which He will reward His faithful in the Messianic Kingdom (i.e. hundredfold).

The disciples assume wealth is a sign of God's blessing - divine affirmation a person is living in the kingdom now. Jesus warns it is impossible for a rich person to enter kingdom life. The disciples ask, "Who then can be saved?"

Jesus responds that God's will is that the man and woman whom He joins in the "one flesh" union of marriage be not separated by man. Jesus' answer makes clear that God's original design for marriage did not include divorce.

Freely Reflecting Forgiveness

The two or more gathered are agreeing on the sin of the brother and bringing a request to God in relation to that. They can be confident that the very presence and authority of Jesus is with them as they "bind and loose" the various issues, attitudes and actions that would arise in the early church.

The Apostle Paul explicitly forbids his readers from paying attention to any Pseudepigraphal myths. Therefore neither Jesus nor the Apostles, even if they were aware of them, would ever use the Valley of Hinnom as a metaphor for hell even if there was an example of that equivalence in these fantasies.

Though Jesus, as the Son of the God of the Temple is "free" (exempt), He pays the Temple tax anyway for Himself and Peter to avoid giving offense.  Some things are just not worth hassling over.

The Transfiguration makes clear that the rejection, murder and resurrection of Jesus does not mark the cancelation of the promised earthly Messianic Kingdom (vss.10-11). The Transfiguration was a glimpse of the coming Kingdom.

Blessed Is The Word Filled Life

God's Desire All Along

It is far better to follow me to Jerusalem even if it costs you your life and wealth because the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Who do the crowds think Jesus Is? Who do the disciples think Jesus is?

Jesus warns His disciples to not fall prey to the false teachings of the Scribes and Pharisees. You need to watch and beware of those who twist the scriptures!

Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised to the Jewish nation of Israel. We gentile believers are eternally grateful Yahweh included us in the spiritual blessings of His New Covenant with Israel.

The Scribes and Pharisees use the tradition of the elders to justify breaking Yahweh's command to honor fathers and mothers. In addition, they horribly dishonor Yahweh by using Him as the reason for their transgression when, in fact, they are serving themselves.

Jesus will train those who follow him, despite their limited understanding and their doubts.

They were the evidence given when John the Baptizer doubted. They forced the Pharisees to accept or reject his claims. So, how would his "home crowd" respond? How will Herod, who has only heard of him, respond?

Jesus has been rejected by the nation of Israel. His offer of the Messianic Kingdom has been withdrawn from that generation. Through the following parables Jesus reveals the nature of the interim Kingdom. He is preparing His disciples for their role in interim Kingdom.

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth after three days in the grave! The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign and proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah-King. But as Matthew will report, even the ultimate sign of the resurrection of Jesus will be rejected by the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew interprets Jesus' withdrawal as the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4 which emphasizes that Messiah's ministry will be Holy Spirit empowered, non-combative, expanded to include Gentiles and ultimately successful.