Satan: God’S Servant
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
The Naked Runaway and the Enrobed Reporter of Mark 14 and 16: What Is the Author Doing with What He Is Saying?
JETS 54.3 (September 2011) 527–45 THE NAKED RUNAWAY AND THE ENROBED REPORTER OF MARK 14 AND 16: WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING WITH WHAT HE IS SAYING? !"#!$!% &'#'()**!* There is no question that Mark 14:51–52 is a major crux of Mark’s Gos- pel—the account of a “young man” +eeing naked from the scene as Jesus was arrested. 1 These verses are “a total enigma,” concluded Morna Hooker. A “bizarre episode,” said Eugene Boring. Francis Moloney called it a “strange passage.” “Confusing” and “unclear,” labeled Robert Stein. “[M]akes no sense as an actual incident,” claimed Robin Scroggs and Kent Gro,. “Whimsical,” declared John Knox. 2 This degree of interpretive chaos has resulted in an inordinate amount of speculation, inversely proportional to the evangelist’s reticence, as many a scholar and preacher has exercised upon this crux his or her own expository creativity. The reason for these hermeneutical acrobat- ics is obvious: if 14:51–52 is erased from the account—which apparently is what Matthew and Luke did in their respective Gospels (Matt 26:56–57; Luke 22:54)—what is left actually makes for a seamless reading of a coherent story. 3 But, as far as scholarship can tell us, those two verses remain in the canonical version and -nal form of the Gospel of Mark; and so, preachers have to make some sense of this perplexing text situated in this locus in Mark’s passion. Hence, the proliferation of explanations, particularly dealing with the identity of the “young man” (νεανίσκος) in 14:51–52, who “appears out of nowhere at the wrong place in the story, at the wrong place in the text, like a clown at a funeral, this τις [a certain] young man, this unnamed literary follower following the departure of all followers.” 4 Howard Jackson concludes that, “freed of the shackles of narrative coherence and contextual integrity, many * Abraham Kuruvilla is associate professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, 3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX 75204. -
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY Lesson 26 Part 2 David – the Census Problem
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY Lesson 26 Part 2 David – The Census Problem On January 12, 1966, the first episode of Batman appeared on television. I was five, and still remember sitting with Mom, Dad, and Kathryn to watch those early Batman shows. The first episode was entitled “Hi Diddle Riddle” and featured Frank Gorshin as the Riddler.1 This was the first of a number of episodes that featured the Riddler as Batman’s nemesis. Those episodes were fun as a kid because the Riddler would leave riddles as clues at each of his crime scenes. Batman and Robin would work to solve the Riddles, frequently using a master computer in the Batcave! As a youngster, I was always trying to figure out the riddles on my own. Perhaps this was an early clue that riddles would be fun mental pre-occupations for me in my lifetime ahead. After all, I was the kind of goofy-kid who actually enjoyed algebra because “solving for x” seemed like a fun adventure. It seemed to me a mental treasure hunt to get to take a standardized test and figure out the answers to problems. Some riddles are little more than mind games that are challenging and fun; others are more serious and perplexing. A popular television show today is House, based on a set of doctors working week after week to figure out the bizarre and unexplainable illness that threaten the patients. Dr. House has his own technique for solving his riddles. Unlike Batman and Robin, he has no Batcave. Instead he uses the people around him as a sounding board along with an assortment of medical tests that never seem to reveal the true problem until 40 minutes or so into the show. -
1 Chronicles Chapter 21
1 Chronicles Chapter 21 For (21:1-27), see the explanation of this section (in the notes on 2 Sam. 24:1-25). Verses 1-8: This was not the first time the people of Israel had been numbered (Num. chapters 1, 2 and 26), the purpose of the earlier censuses was to ascertain the number of men who could fight for Israel. Despite Joab’s warnings, David went ahead with the census. Recounting David’s failure shows how this good king responded through repentance. 1 Chronicles 21:1 "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." “Satan … provoked” (2 Sam. 24:1), reports that “the anger of the Lord burned against Israel,” and this “incited” David to take the census. This apparent discrepancy is resolved by understanding that God sovereignly and permissively uses Satan to achieve His purposes. God uses Satan to judge sinners (Mark 4:15; 2 Cor. 4:4), to refine saints (Job 1:8 - 2:10; Luke 22:31- 32), to discipline those in the church (1 Cor. 5:1-5; 1 Tim. 1:20), and to further purify obedient believers (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Neither God nor Satan forced David to sin (James 1:13-15), but God allowed Satan to tempt David and he chose to sin. The sin surfaced his proud heart and God dealt with him for it. “Number Israel”: David’s census brought tragedy because, unlike the census in Moses’ time (Num. Chapters 1 and 2), which God had commanded, this census by David was to gratify his pride in the great strength of his army and consequent military power. -
Mark 14:1-11 a Sacrifice of Extravagant Love
1 A Sacrifice Of Extravagant Love Mark 14:1-11 Introduction: 1) Let me ask you a question that I hope you will be brutally honest in answering: “have you in your life as a follower of King Jesus ever made a sacrifice of extravagant love?” Can you recall a time when you did something that really cost you? You actually went without something you really wanted because of a sacrifice of extravagant love for Jesus? I believe I did. Once. Yes, to my shame, once. 2) The sad fact is we are good at giving Jesus our leftovers and hand-me-downs. I served a church once that’s student building was filled with old, worn, ratty couches. Sweet folks in our church had bought new couches for their homes and so they donated their old, worn couches to the church and in the process got a tax break and felt good that they had done something noble. But, had they really? In the spirit of full discourse, I must confess one of the couches in the youth center had been given by me. It was no longer worthy of being in my house but it was good enough for Jesus. 3) In Mark 14:1-11 we seek something all together different, something truly remarkable, an indisputable sacrifice of extravagant love by a woman Mark allows to remain anonymous. And we also see the tale of 2 lives that could not stand in greater contrast when it comes to true and unreserved devotion to our Lord: an 2 unnamed woman who gave her very best and a man named Judas who betrayed the Son of God. -
READING 1 Chronicles 21
Thought for the Week 21th March 2021 READING 1 Chronicles 21 David counts the fighting men 1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, ‘Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.’ 3 But Joab replied, ‘May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?’ 4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: in all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah. 6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel. 8 Then David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.’ 9 The LORD said to Gad, David’s seer, 10 ‘Go and tell David, “This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.”’ 11 So Gad went to David and said to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Take your choice: 12 three years of famine, three months of being swept away[a] before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the LORD – days of plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.” Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.’ 13 David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress. -
The Promise We Cannot Keep Mark 14:1-15:39
The Promise We Cannot Keep Mark 14:1-15:39 “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Having spent the season of Lent ringing the changes on the promises God made to us through Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jeremiah, promises God kept in Jesus Christ, now we leave the season of Lent and enter Holy Week, the week when God calls our bluff in this “on again, off again” relationship that was originated by the God who chose not to be God without us. This is Passion Sunday, when the church remembers the entire last week of Jesus’ life in one hour. We do this because the next time most Christians show up is on Easter and, without the back story, our alleluias will be meaningless. The part of the Passion sung by the choir this morning begins on the evening of the first day of Passover, when the lamb is sacrificed to mark God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the same God who is about to deliver humankind from the thrall of death. During supper with his disciples, Jesus announces that one among them will betray him. The new is devastating enough; but then, on the way to the place called Gethsemane where he will pray, he tells the remaining eleven that they will all become deserters. In response, Peter says, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” It is the promise we cannot keep. We have known this about ourselves from the beginning in another garden. In that garden, the promise of note is the serpent’s. -
Mark 14:43-65 (HCSB)
Mark 14:43-65 (HCSB) The Judas Kiss 43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear. 48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[a]to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man,[b] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked. Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin 53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribesconvened. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,[c] warming himself by the fire.[d] 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. -
Treasures of the Heart a Man Who Isolates Himself Seeks His Own Desire; He Rages Against All Wise Judgment
Life of The Judgement of God The Making of a King 1 Chronicles 21 Lesson 21 Background Information Though God had established David as the rightful king, Absalom’s rebellion had stirred up tension in the hearts of Israel. Even as the people moved to bring their king back, jealous rumblings moved among Israel’s leaders bringing with it a new threat to David’s crown. Joab assumed command and put an end to the uprising. All was not at peace in the kingdom. Famine broke out as God’s judgment for a broken promise and the cruel treatment against the Gibeonites. Though Saul had been the one to break the promise, David was compelled to make it right. God’s justice would be served. David’s final years were spent mostly within the city wall, he no longer went in out for battle, but there were still personal battles to be dealt with. Once again, his failure to keep his eyes on God led Israel into a devastating national crisis. Though satan is the one who moved David’s heart to number the people, we must recognize that he cannot exercise his evil intentions apart from the permission of God. (1 Kings 22:19-23). God could use him to accomplish His own purpose of judgment or discipline as in David’s case. Treasures of the Heart A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. Proverbs 18:1 1 What does it say? The first step is getting the lay of the land. -
Mark 14:1-11 We're Continuing Our Study Through Mark's Gospel. We've
Wasteful or Beautiful? Mark 14:1-11 We’re continuing our study through Mark’s Gospel. We’ve been looking at this all-important question, “Who is this Jesus?” If you’re here and you’re not a Christian, we’re really glad you’re here. You’re always welcome here. And I can think of no better study for you to be in than this one! We believe that Jesus Himself is the main argument for why you should become a Christian. Pray Who are some good role models for young ladies? We have three girls, so it’s especially important question for us (ages 12-15). And we have many young ladies in this church. I read a parenting article that listed the best 7 female role models today: 1. Jennifer Lawrence 2. Hillary Clinton 3. Miranda Cosgrove 4. Ellen DeGeneres 5. Oprah Winfrey 6. Emma Watson 7. Abby Douglas These are popular ladies in American culture. They’re popular because of their power, their influence, their physical beauty, and/or their ability to perform/act. You can read other articles with different pop icons, and you will find similar qualities exalted. What comes to your mind when you hear these answers? Well, I have no desire to put down these ladies, or any other lady in American culture that appears on such lists. My reaction is this: Most American young girls know these ladies. But most American girls don’t know the ladies in Mark’s Gospel, and that’s a tragedy. Once again in Mark’s Gospel, it’s an amazing lady that gives us a pattern to follow. -
Mary Magdalene: Her Image and Relationship to Jesus
Mary Magdalene: Her Image and Relationship to Jesus by Linda Elaine Vogt Turner B.G.S., Simon Fraser University, 2001 PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Liberal Studies Program Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences © Linda Elaine Vogt Turner 2011 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2011 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for "Fair Dealing." Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. APPROVAL Name: Linda Elaine Vogt Turner Degree: Master of Arts (Liberal Studies) Title of Project: Mary Magdalene: Her Image and Relationship to Jesus Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. June Sturrock, Professor Emeritus, English ______________________________________ Dr. Michael Kenny Senior Supervisor Professor of Anthropology ______________________________________ Dr. Eleanor Stebner Supervisor Associate Professor of Humanities, Graduate Chair, Graduate Liberal Studies ______________________________________ Rev. Dr. Donald Grayston External Examiner Director, Institute for the Humanities, Retired Date Defended/Approved: December 14, 2011 _______________________ ii Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. -
Living in Covenant
SUMMER QUARTER—JUNE, JULY, AUGUST 2019 Living in Covenant GENERAL INTRODUCTION This quarter will teach how Jesus fulfilled the Law—in the sense that it was given full meaning. Jesus emphasized the deep, underlying messages of the Gospel, and this same message is continued through the apostle Paul and the writer of the book of Hebrews. Relationships of faith empower us to live the covenant and spread the Gospel message. Unit I, “A Fulfilled Covenant,” contains four lessons that reveal a new sign of the covenant for Jewish and Gentile believers, as recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Hebrews, and Colossians. During the celebration of the Passover, Jesus explained to the disciples that He would initiate a new covenant through His death. Paul explains that the sign of the covenant is now a relationship of the heart between God and God’s people, not circumcision. Unit II, “A Heartfelt Covenant,” has five lessons and gives new meaning and purpose to the Law. According to Matthew, Jesus began teaching the Law in a way that gave life to the hearer and doer. Unlike other teachers of the Law, Jesus preached the transforming righteousness of the kingdom. Jesus challenged the mere external observance of God’s law without internal transformation. Unit III, “Covenant: A Personal Perspective,” has four lessons. It focuses on personal relationships between people as recorded in the books of 1 Samuel, Ruth, and Ephesians. Ultimately, those relationships pave the way for the Messiah. After Christ established the New Testament church, relationships between people have been based on relationship with Christ Jesus. -
Dr. Robert Jeffress Palm Sunday | April 14, 2019
GOD ON TRIAL SELECTED SCRIPTURES DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS PALM SUNDAY | APRIL 14, 2019 Introduction: The six trials of Jesus that resulted in His death were flagrant examples of injustice. Yet, we will see today how God used the injustice of man to accomplish His eternal plan of redemption for those who trust in Christ. Acts 2:23 “This Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” I. An Overview Of The Trials Of Jesus Christ A. Their Chronology Chronology of Events in Life of Jesus Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Cross Historic Event Scripture Approximate Time Matthew 26:36–46 Prayer and agony in the garden of Mark 14:32–42 1:00AM Gethsemane Luke 22:39–46 John 18:1 Matthew 26:47–56 Mark 14:43–52 Betrayal by Judas and arrest of Jesus 1:30AM Luke 22:47–53 John 18:2–12 Jesus taken to ex-high priest Annas’ John 18:12–14, 19–23 2:00AM house for interrogation (trial #1) Matthew 26:58, 69–70 Mark 14:54, 66–68 Peter’s first denial 2:00AM Luke 22:54–57 John 18:15–18 Jesus taken to high priest Caiaphas’ Matthew 26:57–68 house for interrogation, where He is Mark 14:53, 55–65 3:00AM beaten and mocked (trial #2) Luke 22:54, 63–65 John 18:24 Matthew 26:71–75 Mark 14:69–72 Peter’s second and third denials 3:00AM Luke 22:58–62 John 18:25–27 Matthew 27:1 6:00AM Jesus appears before the Sanhedrin Mark 15:1 “when it was day” and is condemned to death (trial #3) Luke 22:66–71 Judas commits suicide Matthew 27:3–10 6:30AM 1 DR.