Road to Calvary 16: Jesus heals the demoniac and sick woman

Jesus goes to Gerasenes

One day, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gerasenes.

Possessed man runs to Jesus

When they reached the other side, a man with an evil spirit came running up to Jesus.

No one can restrain him

This man was so strong that nobody could hold him down. People had even used chains to lock him up, but he kept breaking them.

He lived among the caves

He lived among the tombs in the area. Day and night this man would scream. He wore no clothes and cut himself repeatedly with stones. When the man came to Jesus, he fell on his knees in front of him. Jesus said, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit!”

Evil spirit cries out

The man with the evil spirit cried out in a loud voice and said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please do not torture me!” Then Jesus asked the man, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” (A legion was a group of up to 6,000 soldiers.) It is interesting that the evil spirits knew who Jesus was but the people didn’t.

The herd of pigs

The evil spirits begged Jesus, “Please do not send us out of this area!” There was a herd of pigs feeding on a nearby hill. So, the evil spirits begged Jesus, “Please send us into the pigs instead!” Jesus said, “Go!”

Pigs plunge into the sea

The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs. The pigs ran down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. There were about 2,000 pigs in the herd. (It’s not stated if the owners of the unclean animals were Jewish).
When the people taking care of the pigs saw what happened, they ran and told everyone what Jesus had done. All the people came from the town and saw the man who used to have the evil spirits. He was sitting down, wearing clothes, and acting like a normal person.

Healed man asks to go with Jesus

The people were very afraid and asked Jesus to leave. So Jesus got into the boat and prepared to leave. The man who had been healed begged to go along with Jesus.

Go and tell everyone

But Jesus said to him, “Go home and tell your friends and family how much God has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.”

Everyone is amazed

So the man went away and told everyone about what Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard his story was filled with wonder and amazement.

Woman with an issue

Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd gathered around him and pressed in on him. In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors trying to get better, but she only got worse.

Hem of His garment

She heard how Jesus had healed many sick people and thought to herself, “If I only touch Jesus’ clothes, then I, too, will be healed!” She came up behind Jesus and touched his clothes. As soon as she touched Jesus, the bleeding stopped!

Jesus turns to the woman

Immediately Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. So he turned around and asked, “Who touched me?” The disciples replied, “Jesus, there are many people crowding around you and bumping into you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

Your faith has healed you.

The woman fell on her knees before Jesus, shaking and very afraid. Then she told the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be healed of your sickness.” 

NEXT: Jesus teaches other stories

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 15: The Good Samaritan

The Lawyer

One day, a lawyer came to Jesus to test him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “What is written in God’s law?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself,” the lawyer said. Jesus answered, “You are correct! Do this and you will live.” But the lawyer wanted to prove that he was right, so he asked, “Who is my neighbour?“

Jewish man

Jesus answered with a story. “There was a Jewish man who was traveling along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.”

Robbers

“While he was traveling, he was attacked by a group of robbers. They took everything he had and beat him until he was almost dead. Then they went away.”

Jewish priest

“Soon after that, a Jewish priest happened to walk down that same road. When this religious leader saw the man who had been robbed and beaten, he moved to the other side of the road, ignored the man in need, and kept on going.”

the Levite

“Not long after that, a Levite came down the road. (Levites were a tribe of Jews who helped the priests at the Temple.) The Levite also crossed over to the other side of the road and ignored the man who had been  robbed and beaten.”

Samaritan

“The next person to walk down that road was a Samaritan. (Samaritans were the descendants of Jews and people from other nations. Samaritans and Jews hated each other.) When the Samaritan saw the man, he was filled with compassion. He cared for him and bandaged his wounds.”

donkey to hotel

“The Samaritan then lifted the man onto his own donkey and took him to a hotel where he took care of him.”

Samaritan pays hotelier

“The next day, the Samaritan needed to continue his journey. He gave the person in charge of the hotel some money and said, ‘Take care of him, and if any extra money is spent, I will repay those expenses when I return.”

Then Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which one of the three men do you think was a neighbour to the man who was robbed and beaten?” The lawyer replied, “The one who showed mercy.”

Jesus told the lawyer, “You go and do the same thing.

NEXT: Jesus Heals The Demoniac and sick woman

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 14: the Rich young ruler

Rich young ruler

One day a rich young ruler came up to Jesus and asked him, “Good teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? There is only One who is good, and that is God. But if you want to have eternal life, obey God’s laws.”

“Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not lie. Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

I have obeyed all these things

The young man, trying to prove that he was right, said, “I have obeyed all these laws ever since I was a boy. What do I still need to do?” Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure waiting for you in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

Rich young ruler saddened

When the young man heard this, he became very sad, because he was very rich. He turned and went away from Jesus, unwilling to give up his wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples,“How hard it is for rich people to enter into the Kingdom of God! Yes, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Disciples are shocked

When the disciples heard this they were shocked and said, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With people this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
Peter said to Jesus, “We have left everything and followed you. What will be our reward?”

Jesus promises

Jesus answered, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or property for my name’s sake, will inherit 100 times more in the next world and also eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.”

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Because you say,“ I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
Rev. 3:17

NEXT: The Good Samaritan

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 13: The story of the farmer

Jesus tells a parable

One day, Jesus was down by the sea, teaching great crowds of people. The crowd got so big that Jesus got into a boat and began speaking from there.

Story of the farmer

Jesus told this story. “A farmer went out to plant some grain. As he was spreading the seeds by hand, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it all.”

Seeds fall on rocky ground

“Other seeds fell on a rocky place, where there was not much soil. The seeds in the rocky soil sprouted quickly. But when the sun came up and it got hot, the plants withered and died since their roots did not go deep.”

Seed falls on thorny bushes

“Still other seeds fell among thorny bushes. Those seeds were choked by the thorns and did not produce any grain.”

Good soil

“Other seeds fell into good soil. These seeds grew up and produced 30, 60, or even 100 times as much grain as had been planted. He who has ears, let him hear!”

confused disciples

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke.9:12 kjv

Jesus explains

“The seeds on the rocky soil are like people who hear God’s Word and accept it with joy. But in times of hardship or persecution, they fall away because they have no maturity.”

Jesus and the disciples

“The seeds in the thorns are like people who hear God’s Word and believe it. But as time passes, their love for God is choked out by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life. The teaching they heard does not produce fruit.”

“But the seeds that fall on good soil represent people who hear the Word of God, believe it, and produce spiritual fruit.”

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. 7:20 (KJV)

NEXT: The Rich Young Ruler

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 12: Jesus walks on water.

Jesus prays alone

Then Jesus told the disciples to get into a boat and sail to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowd. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he went up on a mountain to pray. Jesus was there all alone, and he prayed long into the evening.

Disciples tossed by storm

Meanwhile, the disciples’ boat was a long way from land. They were in danger, because a storm had come up and the boat was being tossed around by the waves and the wind.

Jesus walks on water

Mark 6: 48-49: “And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: ⁴⁹ but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out” 

Disciples afraid in the storm

The disciples were very afraid when they saw Jesus, because they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus knew that they were afraid, so he called out to them and said, “Do not be afraid. It is I!”

Peter cries out

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

Note: Peter didn’t have to give Jesus deep, long, boring prayers. He just had to step out of the boat and keep his eyes on Jesus. Does the same not apply to everyone reading this and to every born-again person in the world. So step out of your comfort zone, keep your eyes on Jesus and then you will learn to walk on water.

Then Jesus replied: “Come”.

Note: He did not go into any long explanations and He still does not today.
Heb. 13:8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.

Peter steps out of the boat

So, Peter got out of the boat and started walking to Jesus on the surface of the water. But after a short distance, he turned his eyes away from Jesus and began to look at the strong wind and waves.

Peter becomes afraid

Then Peter became afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reached out right away and grabbed him. Then he said to Peter, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Jesus and Peter in boat

When Peter and Jesus got into the boat, the wind immediately stopped. The disciples were amazed. They worshiped Jesus, saying to him, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

NEXT: The Story of The Farmer

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 11: Jesus feeds 5,000+

Jesus and disciples set sail

Jesus sent his disciples to preach and teach. When they returned, they told Jesus what they had taught and done. Then Jesus invited them to come with him to a quiet place to rest for a while. So, they got into a boat and left. But there were many people who saw Jesus and the disciples leave. They ran along the shore of the lake to get to the other side ahead of them. When Jesus and the disciples arrived, they were greeted by great crowds of people.

How to feed the multitude?

The crowd had over 5,000 men in it, not counting the women and children. Jesus felt great kindness towards the people. To Jesus, these people were like sheep without a shepherd. So He taught them and healed their sick. As it got later in the evening, the disciples told Jesus, “It is late and there are no towns nearby. Send the people away so they can go get something to eat, for two hundred shillings worth of bread is not sufficient for them that every one may take a little”.

But Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat!”
The disciples replied, “There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?”

Jesus call the crowd

Jesus called the crowd to him and told them to sit down in groups on the grass. Then he took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed the food.

Jesus blesses the loaves and fishes

Jesus then started breaking the bread and fish. He gave the pieces to his disciples to give to the people. The disciples kept passing out the food, and it never ran out! All the people ate and were satisfied. The disciples even picked up twelve baskets full of leftover food that had not been eaten. All the food came from the five loaves of bread and two fish.

Note that the lad who gave a little (but it was ALL he had), got a LOT back. Is it not the same today when we give to God?

NEXT: Jesus Walks On Water

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 10: Jesus starts His ministry

After overcoming Satan’s temptations, Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to the region of Galilee where he lived. Jesus went from place to place teaching. Everyone spoke well of him.

Jesus in Nazareth

Jesus went to the town of Nazareth where he had grown up. On the Sabbath, he went to the place of worship. He was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus opened up the scroll and read from it.
“God has poured His Spirit on me to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom to captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and release to prisoners. This is the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Then Jesus sat down. Everybody watched him closely. They knew this passage was talking about the Messiah. Jesus said, “Today these words have been fulfilled in your hearing.” All the people were amazed. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they said.

Then Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. When the prophet Elijah was alive there were many widows in Israel. But when it did not rain for three and a half years, God did not send Elijah to help a widow from Israel but a widow from a different nation.” “And when the prophet Elisha was alive, there were many people in Israel with skin diseases. But Elisha did not heal any of them, he only healed Naaman, a commander of Israel’s enemies.” When the people heard this, they were furious.

Rejected without Reason

They dragged Jesus out of the place of worship and brought him to the edge of a cliff to throw him off. But Jesus walked through the crowd and left the town of Nazareth. Then Jesus went through that area, and great crowds came to him. They brought all the sick people, including those who could not see, walk, hear, or speak, and Jesus healed them.

Jesus cast out demons

Many people with demons were brought to Jesus. The demons came out, often shouting, “You are the Son of God!” The crowds were amazed and worshiped God. It’s interesting that the demons recognised Jesus and the self-righteous church leaders did not.

Then Jesus chose twelve men who were called his disciples. The disciples were Jesus’ students. They traveled with him and learned from him

NEXT: Jesus feeds 5,000+

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 9: Satan tempts Jesus

Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him out into the desert, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights. During that time he was tempted by Satan.

Satan tempts Jesus

Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, turn these rocks into bread so you can eat!
Jesus replied, “It is written in God’s Word, ‘Man does not live only on bread, but on every word that God speaks!“

Jesus on top of the temple.

Then Satan took Jesus to the highest point on the Temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command His angels to catch you so your foot does not hit the ground. But Jesus replied, “It is also written in God’s Word, ‘Do not test God.”

Satan show Jesus the world

Then Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory and said, “I will give you all this if you bow down and worship me.
Jesus replied, “Get away from me, Satan! It is written in God’s Word, ‘Worship only the Lord your God.”

Satan leaves in defeat.

Then Satan left him to wait for a better time. Angels came and took care of Jesus.

Satan was so foolish to offer Jesus, something that He already owned. Rather than sending him to Hell where he belonged, Jesus simply defeated Satan by quoting the Word of God. 

NEXT: Jesus starts His ministry

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 8: John baptises Jesus

When John grew up, he became a prophet. He lived in the wilderness, ate wild honey and locusts, and wore clothes made from camel-hair.

John proclaims the first coming of the Messiah

Many people came to listen to John. He preached to them, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near. Some people repented and were baptized when they heard John’s message, but there were many religious leaders who came to be baptized without repenting and confessing their sins.

John rebukes the religious leaders

John said to the religious leaders, “You bunch of snakes! Repent and change your behavior. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah said,

“Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”
(Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ) Matt. 7:20(KJV)

Some Jews asked John if he was the Messiah. John replied, “I am not the Messiah, but there is someone coming after me who is much greater than I am. I am not even worthy to untie his sandals. 

John points out and proclaims Jesus

The next day, Jesus came to be baptized by John. When John saw him, he said,

“Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John

John said to Jesus, “I am not worthy to baptize you. You should baptize me instead.” But Jesus said, “You should baptize me, because it is the right thing to do.” So John baptized him, but not because Jesus had sinned—he never sinned.

Holy Spirit settles on Jesus

When Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit of God took the appearance of a dove and landed on him. At the same time a voice from heaven said, “You are My beloved Son, and with you I am well pleased.”

Later when Jesus went into Caesarea, Philipippi He asked His disciples, “Who do men say I am?” They replied, some say John the Baptist, some say a prophet. This was we believe, plain silly. Although John was a great man He was no comparison to Jesus. He never worked a miracle in his life, never healed anyone. His job was to proclaim the first coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Above, God the Father didn’t mention John, only His Son.

John bears witness to the Son of God

God had told John, “The Holy Spirit will land on someone you baptise. He is the Son of God.” There is only one God. But God is three persons, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God had stated who Jesus was. John saw and bore record that this was the Son of God. Then, in our opinion, this is where John erred. He pointed to Jesus, others began to follow Jesus. Yet why did he not? What was wrong with him? He continued in dead works. And this is what many churches do, continue in works that produce No fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. 7:20(KJV)

In John’s case, this is why the enemy was able to move so quickly. After many years preaching without hindrance, now he was promptly arrested and beheaded. He was continuing in a work that was already finished.

NEXT: Satan tempts JESUS

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 7: The Birth of JESUS

When Joseph heard that Mary was pregnant, he knew it was not his baby, so he planned to quietly divorce her. Before he could do that, an angel appeared to him in a dream

The angel said, “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. What is in her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son. Name him Jesus, because he will save the people from their sins.”

So Joseph married Mary and took her home as his wife. About the time she was to give birth, the Roman government told everyone to go to the town of their ancestors for a census. Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey from where they lived in Nazareth to Bethlehem.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no place to stay. The only room they could find was a place where animals stayed. The baby was born there and his mother laid him in a feeding trough, since they did not have a bed for him. They named him Jesus.

That night, there were some shepherds in a nearby field watching their flocks. Suddenly, a shining angel appeared to them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, because I have some good news for you. The Messiah has been born! “Go search for the baby, and you will find him wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the skies were filled with angels singing and praising God, saying, “Glory to God in heaven and peace on earth to the people He favours!”

When the shepherds arrived at the place where Jesus was, they found him lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them. They were very excited. Mary was very happy, too. The shepherds returned to the fields, praising God for all they had heard and seen.

Some time later, wise men from countries far to the east saw an unusual star in the sky. They realized it meant a new king of the Jews was born. So, they traveled a great distance to see this king. They came to Bethlehem and found the place where Jesus was living. When they saw Jesus with his mother, they fell down and worshiped him. They gave Jesus expensive gifts. Then they returned home.

Isaiah lived approx 700 years before jesus walked the dusty streets of Jerusalem

NEXT: John Baptises JESUS

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 6: Birth of John

More than 400 years after the last prophet spoke to the Jews, an angel appeared to an old priest named Zechariah. He was a godly man, but his wife, Elizabeth, could not have any children.

The angel said to Zechariah, “Your wife will have a son. You will name him John. He will be the great prophet that comes before the Messiah!” Zechariah responded, “My wife and I are too old to have children! How will I know this will happen?” The angel answered, “I was sent by God to bring you this good news. Because you did not believe me, you will not be able to speak until the child is born.” Immediately, Zechariah was unable to speak. Then the angel left. Zechariah returned home, and his wife became pregnant.

Angel Gabriel announces to Mary

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the same angel appeared to Elizabeth’s relative, whose name was Mary. She was a virgin and was betrothed to a man named Joseph. The angel said, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son.”
The angel continued, “You are to name him Jesus. He will be the Messiah!” Mary replied, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come over you, and you will conceive. So your son will be called the Son of the Most High God.” 

Holy Spirit

Not long after this, Mary went and visited Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s baby jumped inside her. The women rejoiced together about what God had done for them. After visiting for three months, Mary returned home.

After Elizabeth gave birth to her baby boy, they named him John as the angel commanded. Then God allowed Zechariah to speak again. He said, “Praise God, because He has remembered His people! You, my son, will be called the prophet of the Most High God! You will prepare the way for the Messiah!”

NEXT: The Birth of Jesus

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 5: Not everyone welcomed Jesus

Jesus – the one true healer.

The prophets also prophesied about the Messiah’s ministry. Isaiah said he would live in Galilee, comfort the broken-hearted, proclaim freedom to captives, and release to prisoners. He also predicted that the Messiah would heal sick people, including those who could not hear, see, speak, or walk.

Did you think this healing only occurred 2,000 years ago?

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Did you think this healing only occurred 2,000 years ago?
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available TODAY.

Witness the Power of our Miracle-working God, manifested at over 100 public outreaches and numerous smaller events at http://www.fivefoldministryireland.com

Rejected without Reason

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be hated without reason and rejected. The Psalms foretold the Messiah, that people would gamble for his clothes and he would be betrayed by a friend. (Psalms are Jewish worship songs in the Scriptures.) Zechariah foretold that the friend would be paid thirty pieces of silver for betraying him

But Jesus, said unto them, a prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:4

Without Calvary there is no gospel to preach. He died to save you and I from hell.

The prophets also told about how the Messiah would die. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be spit on, mocked, and beaten. Then he would be pierced and hung on a tree where he would die. The Messiah would be perfect, having no sin. He would die to receive the punishment for other people’s sin. His punishment would bring peace between God and people. For this reason, it pleased God to crush the Messiah.

Sin has a cost. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.

Not only would the Messiah die, but the prophets foretold that God would raise him from the dead. Through the Messiah’s death and resurrection, God would complete His plan of salvation and start the New Covenant.

God showed the prophets many things about the coming Messiah, but the Messiah had not come yet. More than 400 years after the last of these prophecies was given, when the time was perfect, God sent the Messiah into the world.

NEXT: Birth of John

Five Fold Ministry Ireland

Road to Calvary 4: Messiah Foretold

Jesus, Paul, Peter, the apostles and prophets testified to the accuracy and truthfulness of the scriptures. Here are some of the scriptural prophecies relating to Jesus, the promised Messiah.

The first promise of the coming Messiah came to Adam and Eve. God promised that a descendant of Eve would be born who would crush the snake’s head. The snake who deceived Eve is Satan. The promise means the coming Messiah would defeat Satan completely.

Gods promise to Moses

God promised Moses that He would raise up another prophet like Moses. This was another reference to the coming Messiah.

Gods promise to David

God promised David that the Messiah would be one of David’s own descendants. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised that He would make a New Covenant, but not like God’s Covenant with Israel. In the New Covenant, God would write His law on the people’s hearts, the people would know God, they would be His people, and God would forgive their sins. The Messiah would start the New Covenant.

Messiah’s birth predicted

The prophets also predicted the birth of the coming Messiah. Malachi foretold that a great prophet would come before the Messiah came. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born from a virgin. Micah said that he would be born in the town of Bethlehem.            ………. more next post.

NEXT: Not everyone welcomed Jesus

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Road to Calvary 3: God’s Promise

Gods covenant with Abraham

God promised Abraham that through him all people groups of the world would be blessed. This blessing was the coming Messiah who would one day provide the way of salvation for all people groups.  

I will make of thee a great nation

God

God’s covenant with Abraham, “I will make of thee a great nation,” was fulfilled in three ways.

(a) In a natural posterity – “as the dust of the earth,” Gen. 13:16; John 8:37 namely the Hebrew people.

(b) In a spiritual posterity – “look now toward heaven… so shall the seed be” (John 8:39); (Rom 4:16-17); (Rom 9:7-8); (Gal 3:6); (Gal 3:7); (Gal 3:29), namely all men of faith, whether jew or gentile.

(c) fulfilled also through Ishmael (Gen 17:18-20).

NEXT: Messiah Foretold

The Road to Calvary – 2: Mary at the temple with Jesus

Simeon sees the Messiah

Our God is a faithful God. He would not let his just and righteous servant die until as promised he saw the salvation of the world.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:25-40 (KJV)

NEXT: God’s Promise

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