DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

The Chronology of Jesus' Death, Burial and Resurrection

The Ark of the Covenant ‎The Ark of the Covenant is a rectangular prism 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits tall.

Forgiveness and Pardon Isaiah 55:6-7 Excerpt It is in the free pardon that God offers the wicked that the sharpest difference between God’s thoughts and our thoughts are seen. We feel anger and outrage and call for revenge. God feels compassion and love and extends mercy. Thus God’s word is gentle and life–giving; in Isaiah’s analogy, like the gentle rain that waters the earth and causes life to spring up. What a warm and wonderful view of God (v.  10 ).  More Richards, Lawrence O.  The Bible Reader’s Companion . electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Masada ‎Masada. The fortified cliff casts a dark shadow over the surroundings lit up by the merciless sun of the Judean desert. The shadow accents and sharpens the remains of the magnificent northern palace that Herod built for himself on Masada. From the rounded upper terrace of the palace we can see Ein Gedi and—on a clear day—the plain of Jericho.

The Wilderness Exodus 3:1 Excerpt The wilderness  was not a wide, flat area of nothing but sand, as the word “desert” ( 3 : 1   TEV ) may imply. Rather it was a mostly dry and barren region through which Moses was leading the flock in search of seasonal pasturage. There would, however, be occasional patches of moisture and vegetation; but for the most part it was uncultivated. Nomads and their herds inhabited certain areas of the wilderness. In cultures where a wilderness is unknown, one may translate the term with a descriptive phrase; for example, “a dry, barren land,” “a rocky region,” “a place where people don’t settle,” “a place where no house is,” and so on. Translators may prefer to borrow a term from a national language and explain it in a footnote.  More Osborn, Noel D., and Howard A. Hatton.  A Handbook on Exodus . New York: United Bible Societies, 1999. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

Mundy’s Quote for the Day Reverend Lynwood F. Mundy 5     But  He   was   f wounded  2 for our transgressions, He  was   3 bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace  was  upon  Him , And by  His   g stripes   4 we are healed. 6     All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the  Lord   5 has laid on  Him  the iniquity of us all .( Isaiah 53:5-6 ) [1] f  [Is. 53:10; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4] 2  Or  pierced through 3  crushed g  [1 Pet. 2:24, 25] 4  Blows that cut in 5  Lit.  has caused to land on Him [1]   The New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Temptation Excerpt The proof of Christ’s ability to understand human  weakness sympathetically is found in his own experience of temptation ( Hebrews  4:15 ).  Christ was tempted in all areas in which man is tempted ( Matt.  4:1–11 ;  1 John  2:16 ), and with particular temptations suited for  him. He experienced  temptation to the full degree and yet did not sin.  More Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney.  Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary . Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.

March 31   The children of your Father which is in heaven         Matt. 5:45 The best name by which we can think of God is Father. It is a loving, deep, sweet, heart-touching, name, for the name of father is in its nature full of inborn sweetness and comfort. Therefore, also, we must confess ourselves children of God, for by this name we deeply touch our God, since there is not a sweeter sound to the father than the voice of the child. Martin Luther Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

March 31 TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS William H. Parker, 1845–1929 He explained to them what was said in all of the Scriptures concerning Himself. ( Luke 24:27 ) Children love to hear stories. It is critically important that we build upon this natural response and fill their minds with truths about Christ that will give them a solid foundation upon which to build their lives. Although Sunday schools are important, parental influence and instruction in the home are foundations of Christian education. The stories of Jesus—His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His promised return to take us to heaven—for the child of God of any age are always fresh, exciting, and spiritually refreshing. They never grow old. Telling the stories of Jesus must also be the mission of our Sunday schools. Portrayals of the person and work of Christ must always be the core of every Christian education curriculum along with appropriate songs that enhance the teaching of ...

March 31st Heedfulness v. hypocrisy in ourselves If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. 1 John 5:16. If we are not heedful of the way the Spirit of God works in us, we shall become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other folks are failing, and we turn our discernment into the gibe of criticism instead of into intercession on their behalf. The revelation is made to us not through the acuteness of our minds, but by the direct penetration of the Spirit of God, and if we are not heedful of the source of the revelation, we shall become criticizing centres and forget that God says—“… he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” Take care lest you play the hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right before you worship God yourself. One of the subtlest burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning ot...

Morning, March 31                                                Go To Evening Reading          “With his stripes we are healed.”           — Isaiah 53:5 Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of his flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over his poor stricken body. Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon him without tears, as he stands before you...

March 31: Gifts and Grace Numbers 35:1–36:13 ; 1 Corinthians 16:1–24 ; Psalm 30:1–12 “Yahweh spoke to Moses on the desert plains of Moab beyond the Jordan across Jericho, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their property cities to live in; and you will give to the Levites pastureland all around the cities’ ” (Num 35:1–2). The idea of giving is ancient. Before God’s people even enter the promised land, they’re commanded to help the Levites—who will be serving them as spiritual leaders—by giving them cities. Now that God has given to the people, He asks that they give back to His work. There is an opportunity for obedience, and this obedience will come with the blessing of continued spiritual guidance from the people to whom they are giving the land. But giving is not the only concept at play here. Shortly after this, God asks the people to provide refuge cities for murderers (Num 35:6–8). He institutes a sy...

Place of Herod, Samaria or Sebaste ‎ Thirty years of silence in the midst of which our Savior grew up is broken only once. This was upon the occasion of the visit of the Holy Family to the feast of the Passover, when Jesus was twelve years of age. “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.” The feast of the Passover began on the 8th of April, according to Dr. Andrews, and this visit to Jerusalem was made by the Holy Family in the year A. D. 8, according to the same authority. It must be remembered, in order to understand the calendar which began the Christian era, that from some error in the calculation it is four years too late. The journey of Jesus and His mother, from Nazareth in Galilee to the Holy City of Jerusalem, would be full of historic associations which the lad with His ample knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures would readily recall. The lad of...

Altar and pillar ‎The altar (on the left) belongs to a private house in Shechem, perhaps dating back to the first half of the 1st millennium BCE; the pillar is from Megiddo (12th-10th century BCE). Perhaps fragrant incense was burnt on the altar, whereas a drink offering could have been poured in the dish on top of the pillar (on the left). ‎Altar of incense: Exod 30:1 , 30:27 ; 31:8 ; 35:15 ; 40:5 ; 1 Macc 4:49 ; 2 Macc 2:5 ; Luke 1:11

Ships ‎This Assyrian relief shows a rowing boat at the top, and beneath it a galley that can be propelled by either oarsmen or sail. The oars made the ship independent of the wind, but galleys without sail had to remain near the Mediterranean coast. ‎James 3:4

Magi in the Ancient World Excerpt Extrabiblical evidence offers various clues that shed light on the place of origin and positions held by the magi of  Matthew 2 . The historian Herodotus mentioned magi as a priestly caste of Media, or Persia, and, as the religion in Persia at the time was Zoroastrinism, Herodotus’s magi were probably Zoroastrian priests. Herodotus, together with Plutarch and Strabo, suggested that magi were partly responsible for ritual and cultic life (supervising sacrifices and prayers) and partly responsible as royal advisers to the courts of the East. Believing the affairs of history were reflected in the movements of the stars and other phenomena, Herodotus said, the rulers of the East commonly utilized the magi’s knowledge of astrology and dream interpretation to determine affairs of state. The magi were, therefore, concerned with what the movement of the stars (as signs and portents) might signify for the future affairs of history. Such an intere...

Power Ephesians 1:19 Excerpt The word “power” ( dynamis;  cf.  3:20 ) means a spiritually dynamic and living force. This power of God is directed toward believers. Paul then used three additional words to describe God’s power. It is according to  the working  ( energeian,  “energetic power,” from which comes the Eng. “energy”)  of  the might ( kratous,  “power that overcomes resistance,” as in Christ’s miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers) of God’s inherent strength  ( ischyos )  which He  provides (cf.  6:10 ; 1 Peter  4:11 ). This magnificent accumulation of words for power under scores the magnitude of God’s “great power” available to Christians.  More Hoehner, Harold W. “Ephesians.”  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 620. Print

The Word and the Shepherd Excerpt The final stanza contains concluding petitions. Once more the psalmist prays for fuller understanding or discernment, and for the freedom of outward circumstance which will enable him to use it. As a ground of both of these appeals he pleads God’s word of promise. He prays for a spirit of joyous, exuberant thankfulness for God’s continuous teaching, and for the character of the law which is the substance of that teaching. He asks for help on three grounds: (1) he has deliberately resolved to obey God’s precepts; (2) he has long been waiting eagerly for deliverance from the hindrances to obedience which surround him; and (3) his devotion has been no grudging service, but his constant delight. The object of the revived life for which he has prayed so often in this psalm is that his whole self may praise God. At the moment he is as defenseless as a sheep which has wandered from the flock. Therefore he desperately needs for the good shepherd to ...

Mundy's Quote for the Day Reverend Lynwood F. Mundy 3      b He  is despised and  4 rejected by men, A  Man  of  5 sorrows and  c acquainted with  6 grief. And we hid, as it were,  our  faces from  Him ; He  was despised, and  d we did not esteem  Him . 4     Surely  e He  has borne our  7 griefs And carried our  8 sorrows; Yet we  9 esteemed  Him  stricken, 1 Smitten by  God , and afflicted. [1]   [2] b   Ps. 22: 6; [ Is. 49: 7;  Matt. 27:30, 31 ;  Luke 18:31–33 ;  23:18 ] 4  Or  forsaken 5  Lit.  pains c  [ Heb. 4:15 ] 6  Lit.  sickness d  [ John 1:10 ,  11 ] e  [ Matt. 8:17 ;  Heb. 9:28 ;  1 Pet. 2:24 ] 7  Lit.  sicknesses 8  Lit.  pains 9  reckoned 1  S...

March 30   Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom         Song of Sol. 2:15 ( R.V. ) How numerous the little foxes are! Little compromises with the world; disobedience to the still, small voice in little things; little indulgences to the flesh to the neglect of duty; little strokes of policy; doing evil in little things that good may come; and the beauty, and the fruitfulness of the vine are sacrificed! J. Hudson Taylor Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

March 30 NOW THE DAY IS OVER Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834–1924   I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. ( Psalm 4:8 )   Upon God’s care I lay me down, as a child upon its mother’s breast;   No silken couch, nor softest bed could ever give me such deep rest. —Unknown Trusting God throughout the day allows us to rest peacefully at night. Fear and anxiety are the chief causes of the tension that leads to disturbed rest. And sound rest is an absolute necessity for the renewing of our bodies, minds, and emotions. Only a peaceful relationship with God and with others allows us this total renewal at the close of each day. We must learn to relax and release our cares and burdens to the Lord and then claim His promised rest.   ’Tis sweet to keep my hand in His, while all is dim—   To close my weary, aching eyes, and trust in Him! —Unknown Whenever there are those occasional times when sleep eludes us, it ...

Abide John 15:4-7 , 9-10 , 16 Excerpt R. Bultmann ( John  [Eng. tr., 1971] 535n.1) correctly emphasizes two aspects of  μένω ἐν : In reference to humankind “ abide  in” designates “loyalty”; in reference to the revealer or God it designates “the eternal validity of the divine act of salvation for the believer.”  More Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider.  Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament  1990– : 408. Print.

March 30th Holiness v. hardness towards God And He … wondered that there was no intercessor. Isaiah 59:16 . The reason many of us leave off praying and become hard towards God is because we have only a sentimental interest in prayer. It sounds right to say that we pray; we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial, that our minds are quieted and our souls uplifted when we pray; but Isaiah implies that God is amazed at such thoughts of prayer. Worship and intercession must go together, the one is impossible without the other. Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray. Too often instead of worshipping God, we construct statements as to how prayer works. Are we worshipping or are we in dispute with God—‘I don’t see how You are going to do it.’ This is a sure sign that we are not worshipping. When we lose sight of God we become hard and dogmatic. We hurl our own petitions at God’s throne and dic...

Morning, March 30                                              Go To Evening Reading          “He was numbered with the transgressors.”           — Isaiah 53:12 Why did Jesus suffer himself to be enrolled amongst sinners? This wonderful condescension was justified by many powerful reasons. In such a character he could the better become their advocate. In some trials there is an identification of the counsellor with the client, nor can they be looked upon in the eye of the law as apart from one another. Now, when the sinner is brought to the bar, Jesus appears there himself. He stands to answer the accusation. He points to his side, his hands, his feet, and challenges Justice to bring anything against the sinners whom he represents; he pleads his blood, and pleads so triumphantly, being numbered with them and having...

March 30: Taunting Death Numbers 33:50–34:29 ; 1 Corinthians 15:35–58 ; Psalm 29:1–11 My best friend’s mother, a dear family friend, died of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Over the span of three years, the disease attacked her nerve cells, starting with her hands and feet and moving inward to her vital organs. Every time I visited her, she would be changed—her cane became a wheelchair, and her warbled words were muffled into silence. Although she was fully alert, she slowly lost the ability to communicate her feelings and needs. In the end, only her eyes displayed the tumultuous feelings underneath. Those who confront the reality of death or the death of a loved one don’t doubt their own fallibility. They are closely acquainted with the reality that so many strangely disregard. And they cling to the hope of the resurrection that Paul eloquently relays, and that the Corinthians were slow to understand and believe: “We will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an ...

Elpis Romans 12:12 Excerpt The Greek word  elpis  in the New Testament is confident trust rather than uncertain expectation. Käsemann says that hope is “confident reaching out for the eschatological future.”41 According to Calvin (commenting on “rejoicing in hope”), Paul warned us against remaining content with earthly joys and counseled us to “raise our minds to heaven, that we may enjoy full and solid joy.”42 The apostle Peter spoke of being born anew “into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” ( 1 Pet 1:3 ). The reality of that hope brings joy.  More Mounce, Robert H.  Romans . Vol. 27. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995. Print. The New American Commentary

March 29 Lesson 5 THE SON OF DAVID DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 45:20–25 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE : Mark 11:1–11 MARK 11:1–11 1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus , and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their ga...

Lesson for March 29, 2015 The Son of David Mark 11:1-11 This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD . It is published in the March 22 issue of  The Lookout  magazine, and is also available online at  www.lookoutmag.com . ______ By Sam E. Stone  The “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem is significant for many reasons. It is one of the few events in his life that is recorded in all four Gospels. It marked the beginning of his last week on the earth. For three years he had taught and lived God’s message for the world. While his popularity was extremely high among the common people, the religious leaders took a different view. They saw him as a troublemaker. Although Jesus was always true to Scripture , he did not go along with their faulty interpretations and misapplications of Scripture . They were headed on a collision course. The King Prepares |  Mark 11:1...