The Deliverer; The Sign; The Apocalypse and Epiphany; The Exposer of Hearts

When we set out on a road trip to a particular destination we typically look for signs marking our way. We also may as use a GPS to direct us regarding different roads we must take. We may even use old fashioned maps to guide us on our journey. No matter the method of direction for the journey, we are observant to look for signs. Signs direct us and mark our travels, guiding us on the correct way. When we see a sign ahead we take special note to read it, no matter whether it is a marker for our journey or not, just because we would not want to miss our destination. Likewise, in the Bible we are told about a sign that we are to keep a look out for so that we don’t miss our destination. We may have indeed missed this particular sign, as it seems to get lost in the other events surrounding Jesus’ birth. This sign, once we recognize it, is unmistakable. This sign is a marker and a witness to everyone, whether one believes on Jesus or not. It is a marker for the entire human population and once observed we recognize its veracity. This truth is a sign of the deliverer. There are other things we uncover once we recognize this sign, and when we put it all together we see the hope of humanity. 

The word saviour/savior is translated “deliverer”, and it may be that we have heard the word savior so many times that we forget it also means deliverer. Before David was anointed, he wrote this song.

Psalms 27 G5568A psalm G3588to G*David; G4253before G3588his G5548anointing.

Psalms 27:1G2962The lord G5462is my illumination G1473 G2532and G4990my deliverer, G1473 G5100in whom G5399shall I fear? G2962The lord G5231.5is the defender G3588 G2222of my life, G1473 G575from G5100whom G1168shall I be timid?

These are words of encouragement to all of us, and it makes a great song to help edify us in turbulent times. Speaking of a deliverer, we are looking forward to a time of deliverance. David also wrote these words.

Psalm 65:5G2298WonderfulG1722in G1343righteousness -- G1873heed G1473us, G3588O G2316God G3588 G4990our deliverer! G1473 G3588He is the G1680hope G3956of all G3588the G4009ends G3588of the G1093earth, G2532and G3588of the ones G1722in G2281the sea G3112afar;

The deliverer is the hope of all the people on the earth. David looked forward to a day the deliverer would come. We also look forward to the day our deliverer will come. The deliverer came to earth and will come back again. This is our hope, the thing we trust in, the thing we rely on. To some it might seem like an empty hope, but we have been given a sign that we can’t miss.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. KJV

Luke 2:11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! [Mic 5:2.] AMP

Luke 2:11G3754For G5088was born G1473to you G4594today G4990a deliverer G3739who G1510.2.3is G5547Christ G2962the Lord, G1722in G4172the cityG*of David

Anointed Messiah, supreme in authority, Lord and master is the title given to the baby born that day. That baby was going to be a deliverer. At the time of Jesus’ birth an Angel manifested to shepherds who were outside attending their flocks, and a bright light flashed and shone around them. We have to wonder if those shepherds ever denied Jesus or if they simply knew from that time on that what the Angel told them was the truth. The Angel gave the shepherds a sign that they would find this deliverer wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This not our sign, it was a sign to the shepherds. We have a bigger sign. It is interesting that it was not just the Angel’s announcement to the shepherds about the deliverer, but Simeon prophesied in the temple over the baby, and this is where we find our sign. Simeon was promised he would not die until he saw the deliverer.

Luke 2:28-32 [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said, 29 And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word. 30 For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation [4992], [Isa 52:10.] 31 Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples, 32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel. [Isa 42:6; 49:6.] AMP

NT:4992 soterion (so-tay'-ree-on); neuter of the same as NT:4991 as (properly, concretely) noun; defender or (by implication) defence: KJV - salvation. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:4991 soteria (so-tay-ree'-ah); feminine of a derivative of NT:4990 as (properly, abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): KJV - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Another way to understand what Simeon said is that he saw the deliver that was prophesied and ordained for the people. A light for the nations to teach them and to bring praise, honor, and glory to Israel. Simeon didn’t know that the religious leaders would reject Jesus and that Jews would spend the next two thousand years denying the deliverer. Simeon says something we usually overlook, that the deliverer would be a sign in a precise facet. And sadly Simeon then tells Mary a sword will pierce through her own soul.

Luke 2:33-35 And His [legal] father and [His] mother were marveling at what was said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against —  [Isa 8:14,15.] 35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also — that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed. AMP

Luke 2:34G2532And G2127[²blessed G1473³them G*¹Simeon], G2532and G2036said G4314to G*Mary G3588 G3384his mother, G1473 G2400Behold, G3778this one G2749is situated G1519for G4431a downfall G2532and G386a rising up G4183of many G1722in G3588 G*Israel, G2532and G1519for G4592a sign G483being disputed;

 35G2532( [²even G1473³you G1161¹and], G1473[³your G3588 G5590⁴soul G1330²shall go through G4501¹a broadsword],) G3704so that G302[⁴should be G601⁵uncovered G1537 G4183²of many G2588³hearts G1261¹ the thoughts]

NT:483 antilego (an-til'-eg-o); from NT:473 and NT:3004; to dispute, refuse: KJV - answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay (-er), speak against.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3004 lego (leg'-o); a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas NT:2036 and NT:5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while NT:4483 is properly, to break silence merely, and NT:2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication, to mean: KJV - ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Anti-speech, or speaking against is anti-lego. But notice that Jesus is called the logos, the “word”. While Jesus is the living word, the sign Simeon is prophesying is “disputed speech”. The living word’s speech is disputed. Jesus would be a sign that is spoken against, refuted, contradicted, and opposed. Soooo…that’s true. This is the neon billboard the world is looking for on the journey of life. Regardless of whether one believes Jesus is Messiah or not, the consternation on the subject of Jesus is indisputable. Jesus is a divisive topic, and yet that in itself is the sign. Again, the fact that Jesus is hotly disputed IS THE SIGN. Today, the minds of men have become so twisted that the name of Jesus evokes anger, yet those same angry individuals can allow people to speak regarding any other religious individual without any emotion whatsoever. We see the same thing in Jesus’ later ministry years regarding the religious leaders. The simple fact that there is dispute over Jesus is the sign. One does not have to believe on Jesus to see that the sign we are looking for is a religious figure who causes anger, anxiety, hatred, and fighting among people in the world. No matter where we live, the name of Jesus stirs up emotions. This is the sign. 

Mary would witness all of this hatred toward her first born son. No mother wants to see her child spoken against or beaten down. A broad sword would cut through and wound Mary, but it would also be an apokalupto, uncovering of kardia, hearts and thoughts or reasoning’s. Think about this, anyone who held the Pharisees and Sadducees in high regard had their hearts broken when those religious leaders’ true selves were exposed by Jesus simply existing. Remember what we studied last week regarding what Jesus did, he healed the sick and brought the good news of the kingdom to people. And for that, they hated him. Jesus would be the apocalypse of people’s hearts and thoughts. The Holy Spirit is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts, and the sign of Jesus being opposed is a revealing of hearts and thoughts and reasoning’s.

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/apocalypse-revealing-what-has-been.html  

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-beauty-of-new-covenant-he-healed.html

We should not be upset that even the mention of Jesus’ name arouses anger and negative emotions. This is what he was born to do. Imagine having that as your “call in life”. Jesus was so hated by some that they tried to erase him from the Bible, especially the prophecies of the Old Covenant. How revealing is it that today we can trace and detect many of the alterations that men made to conceal the truth of Jesus as Messiah. But Jesus is a deliverer to the humans who make Him Lord, a light to the non-Jews. The Samaritans believed Jesus was the Savior of the world.

John 4:40-42 So when the Samaritans arrived, they asked Him to remain with them, and He did stay there two days. 41 Then many more believed in and adhered to and relied on Him because of His personal message [what He Himself said]. 42 And they told the woman, Now we no longer believe (trust, have faith) just because of what you said; for we have heard Him ourselves [personally], and we know that He truly is the Savior of the world, the Christ. AMP

The Samaritans (aka Samarians) believed Jesus was the deliverer of the world and the anointed one. Remember that the Samaritans were not liked by the Jews of the south and the Jews of the north because they were resettled by the Assyrians before the southern kingdom people came back to Judah. The southern kingdom Jews thought of the Samaritans as mixed or half breeds, and called them dogs. Isn’t it funny that Jesus uses the story of the Good Samaritan to insult the pious religious people? While a good Jew would travel around Samaria, either by water or over the mountains, Jesus walked right through the region and those people believed he was the Messiah. The heathen dogs believed Jesus was the anointed deliver of the world. The Samaritans are now part of the sign. We know that Peter had a bit to say to those same religious leaders after the day of Pentecost.

Acts 5:29-33 Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree (cross). [Deut 21:22,23.] 31 God exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince and Leader and Savior and Deliverer and Preserver, in order to grant repentance to Israel and to bestow forgiveness and release from sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit is also, Whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him. 33 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and infuriated and wanted to kill the disciples. AMP

The religious leaders who persecuted the Apostles are also part of the sign. Paul also had a speech to give regarding Jesus as deliverer. Paul gives us a great look at history, remember Paul was a rabbi who was converted by his experience on the road to Damascus.

Acts 13:15-23 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders [of the worship] of the synagogue sent to them saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it. 16 So Paul arose, and motioning with his hand said, Men of Israel and you who reverence and fear God, listen! 17 The God of this people Israel selected our forefathers and made this people great and important during their stay in the land of Egypt, and then with an uplifted arm He led them out from there. [Ex 6:1,6.] 18 And for about forty years like a fatherly nurse He cared for them in the wilderness and endured their behavior. [Deut 1:31.] 19 When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them [the Hebrews] their land as an inheritance [distributing it to them by lot; all of which took] about 450 years. [Deut 7:1; Josh 14:1.] 20 After that, He gave them judges until the prophet Samuel. 21 Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully. [1 Sam 13:14; Ps 89:20; Isa 44:28.] 23 Of this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior [in the person of Jesus], according to His promise. AMP

The promise was for a deliverer, but not just to establish Israel with her own government. Jesus will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords during the millennial kingdom, but today we are being delivered to a new homeland. Paul’s speech is awesome, and Luke took good notes. Now let’s note what happened when Paul was done speaking.

Acts 13:42-48 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. KJV

The TR and the NA27 disagree slightly here, so we read in the KJV that the non-Jews believed on Jesus as Messiah and deliverer. These people have now become another part of the sign to us. Jesus is a light to the nations, and the Jews became envious and started contradicting and blaspheming. Why would someone argue against Jesus who delivers us and transforms us? We are citizens of heaven.

Phil 3:17-21 Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). 19 They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. 20 But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, 21 Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself. AMP

We are awaiting the coming of Jesus, maybe not so patiently, as we agonize over our deteriorating society. We view the attacks against Christians and Christmas as a persecution, but really it is as Simeon prophesied, Jesus is the apocalypse of men’s’ thoughts, reasoning’s and hearts. It is the reason he came, to divide humanity. This emotional dispute is the sign. But we are to fix our hope on the living God who is the deliverer of all who trust on Him.

1 Tim 4:8-10 For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. 9 This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody. 10 With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him). AMP

Hope is what calms us in anxious times of chaos. Our hope is in the accomplished work of Jesus’ blood. Hope that death is abolished. Hope for immortality. Hope in our deliverer. Hope in epiphany.

2 Tim 1:8-10 Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God. 9 [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]. 10 [It is that purpose and grace] which He now has made known and has fully disclosed and made real [to us] through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who annulled death and made it of no effect and brought life and immortality (immunity from eternal death) to light through the Gospel. AMP

2 Tim 1:10G5319and made manifest G1161 G3568now G1223through G3588the G2015grandeur G3588 G4990of our deliverer G1473 G*Jesus G5547Christ, G2673the one clearing away G3303indeed G3588 G2288death, G5461and having enlightened G1161 G2222life G2532and G861incorruptibility G1223through G3588the G2098good news

NT:2015 epiphaneia (ep-if-an'-i-ah); from NT:2016; a manifestation, i.e. (specially) the advent of Christ (past or future):KJV - appearing, brightness. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:2016 epiphanes (ep-if-an-ace'); from NT:2014; conspicuous, i.e. (figuratively) memorable: KJV - notable. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:2014 epiphaino (ep-ee-fah'-ee-no); from NT:1909 and NT:5316; to shine upon, i.e. become (literally) visible or (figuratively) known: KJV - appear, give light. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Notice that Jesus’ appearing is our epiphany. When the Magi came with gifts for Jesus that was an epiphany. But any revealing, appearing or manifesting of Jesus is an epiphany. That is our hope. Jesus appeared to deliver us, offering us eternal salvation. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/11/epiphany-jesus-above-appearing.html

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) [2014] for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. 12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, 13 Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing [2015] of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. [Deut 14:2; Ps 130:8; Ezek 37:23.] AMP

Again we see the epiphany has a purpose for our hope. We are delivered from sin we could not atone for. There is no temple, and we can’t make atonement without a sacrifice in the temple. Therefore anyone who rejects Jesus’ atonement dies in their sins. His gift to us is the atonement of our sins. We have been released by ransom. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/07/release-by-ransom-purchased-redeemed.html

Titus 3:1-7 REMIND PEOPLE to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work, 2 To slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody. 3 For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.  AMP

Titus 3:4G3753And whenG1161 G3588theG5544graciousnessG2532andG3588theG5363humane treatmentG2014appearedG3588 G4990[²our delivererG1473 G2316¹of God],

Jesus appeared, epiphany, as deliverer he saved us and poured out the Holy Spirit so that now we are justified and able to inherit eternal life. That again is our hope. Solomon explained hope.

Wisdom 3:1-5 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. KJV

Solomon explains that a righteous person’s soul is in the hand of God. Even though they look as if they are punished, they have immortality. Understand the timing here, Solomon lived long before the first century; he died around 931 BC. This tells us that the knowledge of a deliverer, immortality, and hope were common to the Israelites one thousand years before Christ came and Paul wrote to explain it all. It was not a point of contention or disputation that a deliverer would bring immortality to the righteous. However, because the people looked at Jesus who did not look like a superhero or a Roman God, but an average man, he became spoken against. Solomon then points out that in the millennial kingdom the righteous will judge nations and rule over people. This is reiterated all throughout the New Covenant.

Wisdom 3:6-11 As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord.11 For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: KJV

Solomon’s contrast to the righteous is the ungodly and the ungodly person’s hope is vain. Solomon’s words show another reason why Jesus’ life is so divisive. The people that do not believe on Jesus put their hope in things for today while not looking towards their eternal destination. The people that believe on Jesus put their hope in eternity and endure the things of today. Therefore, when Paul reminds us of our deliverer and the hope that we have, it is not new revelation but a repeating of what Solomon and the people of 1000 BC already knew. We see then, that this has been a theme for humanity for 3000 years, a deliverer would save humanity by grace and mercy giving them immortality. Solomon’s prophecies so accurately speak of Jesus that someone thought it better to throw out the entire book of The Wisdom of Solomon. This is a sign. Once Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, erasing the entire book was the only logical thing to do, it is our sign. Peter then reminds us to stick to our calling so that we will be sure to have eternal entry into the kingdom of the Lord and deliverer Jesus, the anointed.  

2 Peter 1:10-11 Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. 11 Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMP

Peter also gives us another summation of our hope, our deliverance, and why it seems to be taking so long for Jesus’ epiphany. Impatience is obviously common among humans.

2 Peter 3:1-9 BELOVED, I am now writing you this second letter. In [both of] them I have stirred up your unsullied (sincere) mind by way of remembrance, 2 That you should recall the predictions of the holy (consecrated, dedicated) prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior [given] through your apostles (His special messengers). 3 To begin with, you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, [people who] walk after their own fleshly desires 4 And say, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the forefathers fell asleep, all things have continued exactly as they did from the beginning of creation. 5 For they willfully overlook and forget this [fact], that the heavens [came into] existence long ago by the word of God, and the earth also which was formed out of water and by means of water, 6 Through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished. [Gen 1:6-8; 7:11.] 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people. 8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. [Ps 90:4.] 9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. AMP

Keep in mind, Paul told us we are also waiting for the full number of the ingathering of the nations. Combine Peter and Paul’s ideas and we have a full picture, the ingathering of the righteous humans from all nations awaiting immortality and the destruction of the ungodly. This is Simeon’s prophecy, Jesus is the light to the nations, appointed and destined for the rising and the falling of many, the sign spoken against, the apocalypse of the heart and thoughts, and our hope of his epiphany.   

1 John 4:12-15 No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us! 13 By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit. 14 And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son [as the] Savior of the world. 15 Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. AMP

The sign of Jesus’ Messiahship is that he was and is still spoken against. Two thousand years of fighting, disputing, erasing, and opposing. Has this been the case for any other religious figure in history? Which religious figure has the most emotional dialogue concerning them in the world,  Budda, Gandhi, Moses, Abraham, any or all Pope’s, Muhammed, Zeus, Apollo, Osiris, or Jesus? Which one of these individuals, in name alone paralyzes people and forces debate? Which one of these individuals is hated? Which one of these individuals is loved? Which one of these individuals simply healed people and brought good news? Which one has been fought over for two thousand years? Which one fulfilled all the prophecies ever written about him up to this point in time? Which individual has prophecy to fulfill in the future? Which one of these individuals uncovers the thoughts and hearts of men? This is our sign. No matter what road we are on, this is a sign for all humanity which points to the direction we will decide to go. The deliverer is either our hope or our despair. Jesus reveals the thoughts and hearts of people. He is a paralyzing figure whether we love him or hate him, accept him or reject him. Our Deliverer is the most argued individual in the world. His title is Anointed Messiah, supreme in authority, Lord and master.

The Beauty of the New Covenant; He Healed Them; Caliphate or Separation of Church & State

Why does it seem as if our entire world is focused on the Middle East and one religion in particular? We cannot understand Islam with our western eyes and minds because the predominant western religion is Christianity which is very different in application compared to Islam. We try to judge all religions based on what we see of Christianity but Christianity is unique. As we have discussed, Christianity is not a national law of governance, but a belief system. A fundamentalist Christian follows the red letters, or the words Jesus spoke. Unlike Jews who follow the laws of Moses, Christians are to follow the words of Jesus and Paul’s words, then explain the change of the age, or dispensation. This is the New Covenant, or New Testament; the Gospel is the good news for humanity. Christianity has one commandment that Jesus gave us and that should be the simplicity of the Christian life. Jesus healed many people when he was on earth and taught about the kingdom of God. It is interesting that healing the sick caused the religious people to hate him, but this is what makes Christianity different from all other religions. Jesus cured people and brought them good news, the Gospel. Jesus was the sacrifice we all needed in order to receive eternal life. There is no need for anyone else to be martyred for people to be saved. Because he laid down His life and his sinless blood, He became the High Priest, even though while he was on earth he never entered the inner courts of the temple. Jesus was a servant of humanity and thus the followers of Christ are to be servants of humanity. Christianity is not a set of rules, formulas, or superstitions but a love walk, with a message of good news. When someone asked Jesus which commandment of Moses’ was the greatest, Jesus told him the following.

Matt 22:36-40 Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light — which are heavy?] 37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut 6:5.] 38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Lev 19:18.] 40 These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets. AMP

These two commandments sum up all the other commandments and the laws, and all the words of the Prophets hinge on these two commandments. By living in this manner Christians establish themselves as very different in comparison to other religions. Christians are not told to murder others to bring about the millennial kingdom of Christ. Christians are not told to force the general population to convert or be beheaded. Christians are not told to subvert or overthrow governments. Christians are not told to make Christianity the religious rule for the general population to live by. Instead Christians are told to love, serve, give generously, feed the hungry, and share the hope of Christ. Let’s look at what Jesus did on earth in a snapshot from Matthew. Jesus taught in synagogues as well as anywhere the need for teaching arose. Jesus brought good news as well as healing to the people all over the nation of Israel. Jesus gave.

Matt 4:23-25 And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. 24 So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed [2323] them. 25 And great crowds joined and accompanied Him about, coming from Galilee and Decapolis [the district of the ten cities east of the Sea of Galilee] and Jerusalem and Judea and from the other [the east] side of the Jordan. AMP

NT:2323 therapeuo (ther-ap-yoo'-o); from the same as NT:2324; to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of disease): KJV - cure, heal, worship.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:2324  therapon (ther-ap'-ohn); apparently a participle from an otherwise obsolete derivative of the base of NT:2330; a menial attendant (as if cherishing): KJV - servant.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The word therapeuo has a broad meaning, as in attending to or serving, as well as healing, curing and worshipping. The understanding here is that healing is serving and attending to someone in need to cure their ailments. Jesus healed every disease and every weakness and every infirmity. Jesus didn’t make a show out of it, but Jesus healing people became well known among the people. Jesus didn’t ask for anything in return. He didn’t ask for money, and he didn’t ask for anyone to follow him either. He just simply gave them good news about the coming kingdom, and healed them.

Matt 8:1-4 WHEN JESUS came down from the mountain, great throngs followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came up to Him and, prostrating himself, worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me by curing me. 3 And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed by being cured. And instantly his leprosy was cured and cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, See that you tell nothing about this to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony [to your healing] and as an evidence to the people. [Lev 14:2.] AMP

Here Jesus asked the man cured of leprosy not to tell anyone. Jesus obviously wasn’t trying to build an army or a following, he simply healed a man in need. The man believed Jesus could heal him, which tells us he must have heard Jesus speak or he believed what other people told him regarding Jesus. Jesus touched the man with his hand. Jesus didn’t become contaminated nor did he contaminate others, but he touched the man, and I would guess that man had not had a human touch in a very long time.

Matt 8:5-8 As Jesus went into Capernaum, a centurion came up to Him, begging Him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pains. 7 And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him. 8 But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have You come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured. AMP

Jesus healed people who weren’t Jews. Here he healed a servant boy of a centurion. The centurion wasn’t a Jew and yet the centurion believed Jesus had the power to heal from afar. Imagine what the situation must have looked like. The Roman military leader believed Jesus could heal his servant, and approached him. This tells us Jesus was approachable and didn’t mind talking with people of other nations.

Matt 8:14-17 And when Jesus went into Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying ill with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her; and she got up and began waiting on Him. 16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick. 17 And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases. [Isa 53:4.] AMP

Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and then healed many people, restoring their health. Isaiah 53 gives us some insight into what Jesus looked like. He did not appear as glorious, neither did he appear beautiful, he was simply average. Jesus did not glow or have an aura. He did not have a halo. Jesus’ form was dishonorable or despised and omitted compared to the children of men. This tells us that instead of appearing as strong and handsome, he was simply average or even less than average in his physical body. He might well have been skinny, pasty, frail, soft spoken, and gentle.

Isaiah 53:1 O Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 We brought a report as of a child before him; he is as a root in a thirsty land: he has no form nor comeliness; and we saw him, but he had no form nor beauty. 3 But his form was ignoble, and inferior to that of the children of men; he was a man in suffering, and acquainted with the bearing of sickness, for his face is turned from us: he was dishonoured, and not esteemed. 4 He bears our sins, and is pained for us: yet we accounted him to be in trouble, and in suffering, and in affliction. 5 But he was wounded on account of our sins, and was bruised because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his bruises we were healed. 6 All we as sheep have gone astray; every one has gone astray in his way; and the Lord gave him up for our sins.  http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm

Jesus did not come as a superhero type. He did not rally the people to fight, or overthrow the Romans. That is what disappointed the Jews, they could not believe that Jesus was Messiah because they were expecting he would restore control of Jerusalem to the Jews. Timing is everything and Jesus hasn’t done that yet. Instead, he did come to heal people, take away our sins, and be our perfect sacrifice.

Matt 9:27-31 As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed Him, shouting loudly, Have pity and mercy on us, Son of David! 28 When He reached the house and went in, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, Yes, Lord. 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you; 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus earnestly and sternly charged them, See that you let no one know about this. 31 But they went off and blazed and spread His fame abroad throughout that whole district. AMP

Again Jesus tells the men healed of blindness not to tell anyone. Again it seems strange not to want the healed men to tell anyone. Remember when Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagogue regarding his ministry on earth? He read that he would bring recovery of sight to the blind.

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. KJV

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; 2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm

And as we have studied, the New Testament and the Septuagint agree, but the Masoretic text erased the phrase “recovery of sight to the blind” as they were trying to erase Jesus from being the Messiah. Then anyone could be declared the Messiah if they didn’t have to heal blind people. This is just one of hundreds of alterations to the original text done by people who did not want other people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Note the KJV which was taken from the Masoretic Text.

Isa 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord KJV

In any event, Jesus healed blind people, and the best we can tell is that he healed at least ten blind people, but it is possible that he could have healed more. As we continue, notice again that Jesus simply healed people, and the number of people asking for healing grew.

Matt 9:27-32-33 And while they were going away, behold, a dumb man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds were stunned with bewildered wonder, saying, Never before has anything like this been seen in Israel. AMP

Never before had a man merely walked around bringing good news and healing people. Being a servant to all humans Jesus became a living sacrifice and we are told to do the same.  Again, bringing the good news, the gospel of the kingdom, and healing people. Jesus didn’t ask for anything, and he didn’t make a show of it, but the crowds of people were awed by him.   

Matt 9:34-36 But the Pharisees said, He drives out demons through and with the help of the prince of demons. 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. 36 When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. [Zech 10:2.] AMP

Jesus cured all diseases, weakness and infirmities. He was moved with pity and sympathy for the people. Imagine, Jesus who looks rather average or slightly less than average, was feeling badly because the people were harassed, distressed, dejected, and helpless. Jesus’ compassion for the people was a slap in the face to the religious leaders. The religious leaders did not care for the people, but instead oppressed them, stole from widows, and accused someone who did care for the people as being evil. Logically, the devil has no interest in healing people who praise Yahweh.

Zechariah 10:2 For the speakers have uttered grievous things, and the diviners have seen false visions, and they have spoken false dreams, they have given vain comfort: therefore have they fallen away like sheep, and been afflicted, because there was no healing. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Zacharias/index.htm

If Jesus looked and acted like Superman he would have gained a following for the wrong reasons. Jesus didn’t want a group of administrators following him, or a bunch of handlers or politicians strategizing his every move.  He did not want people following him who didn’t understand the heart of why he was here. He didn’t want people to become legalists about healing, because people already had their legalism and superstitions as to why people were sick and not healthy. He simply brought good news and healing because Israel’s leaders led them astray. This is important to note. We cannot look at this with our modern day understanding of political leaders. Today, we have separation between our political systems and governments, and our religious leaders and our beliefs and practices. But in Israel, the people were to live under the law which was a national rule and a religion. The Kings as well as the Priests were to all obey the laws Moses gave. Today, our nations have separated laws and religion so that many people with different religious views can live in the same nation. The governing laws are for all people, but the religious laws are only for the groups who ascribe to them, not to everyone.

ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has become a global Islamic Caliphate. This is the dream of the jihadists, to establish a global caliphate which Ataturk abolished 90 years ago. 

“ISIS, or IS, believes that pledging allegiance to the new caliph is a duty for every Muslim, and those who fail or refuse to do so shall be deemed as apostates, and will be fought and struck down. This was clearly stated by Adnani, who said, “Beware of splitting the ranks. Those who want to split the ranks, strike their heads with bullets […].”

But what is the meaning of declaring an Islamic caliphate? A Salafi cleric says, “It means that borders and barriers among Islamic countries are now invalid. There will be a single Islamic economic system and currency, and an army to defend it.” He continued, “It also means there will no longer be any subservience to any country, requiring the establishment of universities and factories to make Muslims a major power in all fields.”” http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20378

If we understand this thinking, what we see going on in the world today makes a little more sense. Islamists believe they will rule the world one day, and they are absolutely correct. The Bible tells us they will rule for 3 ½ years. That’s it. But that’s another story for a different day. So what we see is a clash of mid-eastern religious legalism, with western national laws. In other words, people with their beliefs in the religion of Islam are pushing their religious laws onto other nations that do not operate by religious laws. What the western nations do not understand is that it is impossible to separate Islam from its religious laws. Whereas Christianity is not meant to usurp national laws, so people cannot understand why there is so much turmoil with Middle Eastern Islamic sects. In western thinking, people go to church or the synagogue, or Buddhist or Hindu temples once or twice a week, and then live under the laws of the land they live in. But for the Muslim, Islam is the law and all nations must adhere to Islamic law, and they are mandated to bring that about by force.  

Jesus came to give good news and healing, not to force people to believe on him, not to force people to take over the world for him. He will rule on earth for one thousand years, but he doesn’t need us to beat people into it. The comparison between Christianity and Islam is clear. As we know from Jesus’ own words, Christians are not to usurp governments but live within all governmental rule. Islam intends to force the world to live under its rule. This is the beauty of the Gospel and the Beauty of Christianity. Jesus didn’t come to demand anything from anyone.  Jesus gave his disciple’s exousia, authority and super human abilities to heal people.  

Matt 10:1-8 AND JESUS summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity. 2 Now these are the names of the twelve apostles (special messengers): first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew [Nathaniel]; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus [Judas, not Iscariot]; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 5 Jesus sent out these twelve, charging them, Go nowhere among the Gentiles and do not go into any town of the Samaritans; 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. AMP

This was before the day of Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers. Today, we still have exousia, the same super human abilities to heal the sick. Jesus charged the disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but today we are charged to go out to all nations healing everyone. Notice that the disciples were to freely give, they were not to ask for donations, or gifts. That should be our directive when we minister healing to those in need as well. We now come to the section of scripture we touched on last week, a discussion about the man with the withered hand who Jesus healed on the Sabbath.

Matt 12:13-23 Then He said to the man, Reach out your hand. And the man reached it out and it was restored, as sound as the other one. 14 But the Pharisees went out and held a consultation against Him, how they might do away with Him. 15 But being aware of this, Jesus went away from there. And many people joined and accompanied Him, and He cured all of them, 16 And strictly charged them and sharply warned them not to make Him publicly known. 17 This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations. 19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets; 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory. 21 And in and on His name will the Gentiles (the peoples outside of Israel) set their hopes. [Isa 42:1-4.] 22 Then a blind and dumb man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus, and He cured him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the [crowds of] people were stunned with bewildered wonder and said, This cannot be the Son of David, can it? AMP

Imagine how exasperating it must have been for the Pharisees at this time. The Pharisees were in charge religiously speaking, and they enjoyed their prominence and position. But Jesus, who was not glorious or beautiful and without as nice of a human form as men, was healing people and breaking the rules by healing on the Sabbath and many people followed him. The Pharisees were losing their congregants to Jesus and they didn’t like it, yet they couldn’t heal people and cure all their aliments. And they didn’t have any good news for the people, nor did they themselves know the Gospel or the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 42:1 Jacob is my servant, I will help him: Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles Nations. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor shall his voice be heard without. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench; but he shall bring forth judgment to truth. 4He shall shine out, and shall not be discouraged, until he have set judgment on the earth: and in his name shall the Gentiles Nations trust. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm

Jesus didn’t come yelling or literally croaking. He didn’t make a commotion, but he brought judgment to the nations, and the Nations trust Jesus. Israel was not the only nation the Messiah came to save, Jesus came for the entire world, but Israel was to evangelize the nations from the time of Moses. They were then to accept Jesus as Messiah and evangelize the world; but instead they rejected Jesus and continue to do so to this day. Yet what did Jesus do on earth? He gave everyone good news, the gospel, and healed the people. Why would the people of that time period reject him? Was it because he didn’t look like a super hero, or a Greek or Roman God? Was it because he didn’t glow or have a halo so that people could recognize him as Messiah? But he healed so many people, shouldn’t that have been enough? Notice verse 23 again.  

Matt 12:23-28 And all the [crowds of] people were stunned with bewildered wonder and said, This cannot be the Son of David, can it? 24 But the Pharisees, hearing it, said, This Man drives out demons only by and with the help of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. 25 And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand. 26 And if Satan drives out Satan, he has become divided against himself and disunified; how then will his kingdom last or continue to stand? 27 And if I drive out the demons by [help of] Beelzebub, by whose [help] do your sons drive them out? For this reason they shall be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [before you expected it]. AMP

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus answered their unasked questions. He told them the good news again, if he drives out demons by the Holy Spirit, then the kingdom of God has been shown to them. Isaiah prophecies that the Spirit would be upon this special servant. Here the people were questioning if he was the Messiah, and the Pharisees were attempting to dissuade the people by their accusations. But Jesus brought good news. Who discourages good news? Well, Herod didn’t like the good news John the Baptist was declaring.

Matt 14:10-21 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it, they followed Him [by land] on foot from the towns. 14 When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick. 15 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, This is a remote and barren place, and the day is now over; send the throngs away into the villages to buy food for themselves. 16 Jesus said, They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat. 17 They said to Him, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish. 18 He said, Bring them here to Me. 19 Then He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve [small hand] baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about 5,000 men, not including women and children. AMP

Jesus needs a moment alone on a boat, but the people followed him. They were there all day long. Again Jesus cures them, then feeds them; all 5,000+ people. People were so determined to get healed and bring their sick for healing that they did not care to eat, but Jesus knew their needs and took care of them. Jesus did not feed people just one time, but he did it again with more than 4,000 people.

Matt 15:29-39 And Jesus went on from there and passed along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up into the hills and kept sitting there. 30 And a great multitude came to Him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them down at His feet; and He cured them, 31 So that the crowd was amazed when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they recognized and praised and thanked and glorified the God of Israel. 32 Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint or become exhausted on the way. 33 And the disciples said to Him, Where are we to get bread sufficient to feed so great a crowd in this isolated and desert place? 34 And Jesus asked them, How many loaves of bread do you have? They replied, Seven, and a few small fish. 35 And ordering the crowd to recline on the ground, 36 He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they gathered up seven [large provision] baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 38 Those who ate were 4,000 men, not including the women and the children. 39 Then He dismissed the crowds, got into the boat, and went to the district of Magadan. AMP

Jesus had a bit of alone time, and then again a great multitude came to him. We can see the progression in the number of people bringing the sick and needy to him.  Last time there was a great throng, now we have a great multitude. The crowd got it right, they praised, thanked, and glorified God. This time of healing the sick took three days. Three days. That is a long time for a healing service, so we now understand just how large a number of people there were in the desert. 

Even after being given exousia, and seeing all these people healed and fed, the disciples had a bit of trouble casting out a demon.

Matt 17:17-21 And Jesus answered, O you unbelieving (warped, wayward, rebellious) and thoroughly perverse generation! How long am I to remain with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to Me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked privately, Why could we not drive it out? 20 He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. AMP

Once again, this was before the day of Pentecost. Today the Holy Spirit resides within believers and demons are under the subjection of the Holy Spirit. Therefore if the disciples were on earth today, they would not have had any trouble casting out this demon via the direction of the Holy Spirit. 

Matt 19:1-2 NOW WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan; 2 And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there. AMP

Jesus taught the people, then healed great multitudes; and once again the Pharisees tried to dissuade the people by attacking Jesus. But Jesus always gave the Pharisees an answer they were not expecting, and this mixed them up. And Jesus was traveling from place to place with a crowd of people following along. Jesus was not allowed into the inner courts of the temple, nor into the Holy of Holies even though he was our perfect sacrifice and now he is our High Priest who tore the veil of the temple. So when he went into the temple area, he only went into the outer courts. Even though his earthly body was not particularly noticeable, he turned over tables of the corrupt businessmen making profits on the people who came to buy animals for sacrifice.

Matt 21:12-16 And Jesus went into the temple (whole temple enclosure) and drove out all who bought and sold in the sacred place, and He turned over the four-footed tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves. 13 He said to them, The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers. [Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.] 14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the porches and courts of the temple, and He cured them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did and the boys and the girls and the youths and the maidens crying out in the porches and courts of the temple, Hosanna (O be propitious, graciously inclined) to the Son of David! they were indignant. 16 And they said to Him, Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus replied to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise? [Ps 8:2.] AMP

Now Jesus is healing the sick, lame, and blind in the temple courts. People started singing about Jesus healing the needy and calling him the Son of David. The Priests and Scribes were very mad. We can imagine that Jesus healing people in the deserts 100 miles north in the Galilee region was a far better place because it kept the religious leaders from doing anything about Jesus healing people, and kept the religious leaders away from the crowds that followed Jesus. But Jesus healing people in the temple courts was bringing the reality of his Messiahship right to the doorstep of those who rejected him. He gave his life for us, as a sacrifice. He laid down his rights to a nice life, a nice home, a wife and children, a nice vacation home at the beach and instead served, ministered, gave and then served some more.

Jesus gave us one commandment. Only one. We would think that by giving only one commandment, it should be easy for us to do. We should see all Christians living this. We should be able to achieve this goal of living only one commandment. However we get tricked out of it sometimes.

John 15:10-14 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. AMP

No one gets persecuted by the government because they are too kind to others. No one gets arrested because they are too generous in helping the poor. No one is condemned for loving others. But for years there have been people who made Christians the “enemy of the state” so to speak, believing that Christians created all the problems in the world. Many times those people who attacked Christians had a reason, Christians tried to act like Jews and Muslims, pushing for laws to force people to live like Christians. While Christians feel justified in doing that, it is not what Jesus told us to do. Yet today we have a religious group who wants to enforce their religious laws on the world and most people don’t understand what is happening, and many even defend it. Looking back, maybe Christians were not the worst enemy of liberty and freedom after all. But, as noted before, Islam will rule the world for three and one half years, but that is still a future event. Meanwhile, Christianity should become more prominent to the world as a contrast to what we see in the news.

John 15:18-23 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. 20 Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours. 21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father. AMP

If we live Christianity the right way, no one will have an excuse for persecuting Christians or rejecting Jesus. We still may be persecuted but people will persecute us without justification or just cause. Again John reiterates what Jesus said.

1 John 3:23 And this is His order (His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us. AMP

Love one another as Jesus commanded. Christianity is a most brilliant religion. It is not about getting but giving. It is about serving others, it is about loving others. It is about healing the sick, helping the needy, feeding the poor and hungry. Jesus spent three days in the desert healing people, it should not be hard for us to serve others for an hour per week. John sums up the heart of the red letters.

1 John 4:15-21 Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. 16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. 17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen. 21 And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother [believer] also. AMP

Jesus didn’t look special, but average or even below average in physical form, and he didn’t yell or loudly announce who he was. Therefore it doesn’t matter what we look like physically, we can serve and love others. And we don’t have to be loud about it, making a big show of our service is the opposite of what Jesus did. As the crowds of people needing healing grew and followed him, he told them the good news, which is the New Covenant reality we live under today. We can never love too much. We shouldn’t hate, we shouldn’t attack others and their ideas, we should be simple in our approach as Jesus was, and recognize the world will hate us no matter what we do. Rationally, the world should run to Jesus because of what he did, but there are still people who will reject Him. Christianity is such a different religion compared to all the other religions in the world and we are Christianity’s ambassadors as to its magnificence in our crazy world.   

In these days of turmoil, where we attempt to make sense of a religion that seems to believe in murdering others to achieve world dominance, we can and should live the example and the command Jesus gave us. While it seems we should fight and argue and protest the Caliphate that is attempting to rule the world, we should remember the genius of the New Covenant. The New Covenant is not a governmental law. The New Covenant brings good news. The New Covenant brings healing. The New Covenant sympathizes and has compassion on those who need help. The New Covenant is not about us making a name for ourselves, or dressing in expensive clothes to be well accepted. Instead the New Covenant is about simplicity. Living who we are, the way we look, and loving the others around us.