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He will give you another Helper
Our situation now appears desperate in this place isolated from the world. In the past three years we have come to know what to expect, but now it seems that everything will change.

Can you relate?

In case you missed it, Church.., we’ve reached a pivotal point in the history of the world where the Lord will change all of our relationships to God and to each other.

The Gospel of John

The Apostle John now looks back on a pivotal moment in Jerusalem with the Lord Jesus in the seclusion of an upper room. He teaches the church the New Covenant relationship with God our Father, Jesus the Son our Lord and the Holy Spirit of the LORD God.

This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 3:23-24 NASB

Do you need help?

John asks a persecuted church to love one another, as the Lord Jesus commanded us. (By this time all other Apostles of Jesus except John had already suffered death by the hand of this world’s powers and principalities.)

The early church, a mere remnant of the unsettled sojourners of Abraham joined by faith in the Messiah, Son of David, with those of the world adopted in love by a New Covenant of forgiveness — these Christians also needed a helper just as you and I cry out for help. John’s Good News assures those who believe that in the Lord Jesus Christ we have help from above.

Recalling Jesus’ ascent into Jerusalem

Briefly recalling some of John’s journey with Jesus and the Apostles into Jerusalem, which would lead to the Lord’s trial after this pivotal moment before Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension:

In the third year of Jesus’ teaching on earth after having made many proofs of His Authority from God through the witness of many signs and wonders, the Messiah Jesus (John’s Teacher and Lord):
- Came to Bethany and commanded Lazarus to come out of the grave after four days! John 11:
- The High Priest Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus would ‘die for the people.’ John 11:47-53
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https://talkofjesus.com/12-men-texting-as-their-messiah-approaches-3/
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Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves.
John 11:55 NASB
- Jesus and the Apostles travel to Ephraim then return to dine with Lazarus and his sisters before entering Jerusalem. John 12
… the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
- Jesus Enters Jerusalem
12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”
- 27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
  - 31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
- These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
- 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.
Before continuing with Jesus’ New Commandment and promise of help, let us briefly witness from the Psalms of Ascent.

Jesus and the Apostles and crowds would have sung these Psalms on ascent of Mount Zion, approaching Jerusalem from the valley below. The words of praise to the LORD would no doubt have been fresh in the memory of each Apostle later in the upper room.

Psalms of Ascent

As worshipers recognized their Messiah on the foal of a donkey, a sign of Jerusalem’s King, they near Zion’s gate.

Recall now John’s Jewish understanding of these annual songs of worship as they now apply to the Messiah of Israel, our Lord Jesus.

שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲלֹ֥ות

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalm 122:1 KJV

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

132:1 שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲלֹ֥ות זְכֹור־יְהוָ֥ה לְדָוִ֑ד אֵ֝ת כָּל־עֻנֹּותֹֽו׃

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah…

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
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אָרוֹן
So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, 
and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. - Gen 50:26
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. Exodus 25:16
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Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

133:1 שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲלֹ֗ות לְדָ֫וִ֥ד הִנֵּ֣ה מַה־֭טֹּוב וּמַה־נָּעִ֑ים שֶׁ֖בֶת אַחִ֣ים גַּם־יָֽחַד׃

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

134:1 שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲלֹ֥ות הִנֵּ֤ה בָּרֲכ֣וּ אֶת־֭יְהוָה כָּל־עַבְדֵ֣י

יְהוָ֑ה הָעֹמְדִ֥ים בְּבֵית־֝יְהוָ֗ה בַּלֵּילֹֽות׃

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Hosanna!

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”

Now that we recall the events leading up to Jesus’ New Commandment; NEXT, God-willing, we will return to the upper room where the Lord Jesus promises us HELP.
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To be continued... 
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May 7, 2020
In case you missed it, disciple
Disciples receive a New Command

John witnessed previously a NEW COMMANDMENT of Jesus, who also said:

You are My friends if you do what I command you.
John 15:14

The setting was the table of Communion of the ‘last supper,’ our picture of the scene most likely too Italian and not accurately set in first century Jerusalem. So for a moment let’s take a closer first century look at Jesus with His Disciples. But first, let’s define discipleship.

Who is a disciple anyway?

אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהֹוִ֗ה נָ֤תַן לִי֙ לְשֹׁ֣ון לִמּוּדִ֔ים לָדַ֛עַת לָע֥וּת אֶת־יָעֵ֖ף דָּבָ֑ר יָעִ֣יר בַּבֹּ֣קֶר בַּבֹּ֗קֶר יָעִ֥יר לִי֙ אֹ֔זֶן לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ כַּלִּמּוּדִֽים׃
Isaiah 50:4 Masoretic Text

Isaiah 50:

The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples,
That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
5 The Lord God has opened My ear;
And I was not disobedient
Nor did I turn back.

Isaiah here refers to himself as a disciple of ‘Adonay Yĕhovah.

‘disciples’ – לִמּוּד – “taught, learned, discipled, from לָמַד – lä·mad’ – to learn. teach, exercise in

That is to learn and exercise the teaching of the Lord God as in:

Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn H3925 them and observe them carefully.
Deuteronomy 5:1 – Strong’s H3925 – לָמַד

Has the Lord God given you ‘the tongue of disciples’ ‘to sustain the weary one?’

And are your beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord not weary ones in need of encouragement in the Word?

Even Jesus’ example of obedience to our Father God can be seen in this same prophecy of Isaiah.

Prophecy of the Suffering Servant

6 I will offer my back to those who whip me
and my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard.

I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me
and spit on me.

Who accuses me?
Let him confront me!

9 The Almighty Lord helps me.
Who will find me guilty?

11 But all of you light fires
and arm yourselves with flaming torches.
So walk in your own light
and among the torches you have lit.

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
Who seek the Lord:
Isaiah 51:1a NASB

“It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.
The words of Jesus – John 6:45

Who is Jesus’ disciple?

Of course we correctly speak of Jesus’ twelve “Apostles” or “Disciples” (with a capital ‘D’), even appropriately adding Matthias who replaced Judas and Paul, the “Apostle to the gentiles” (though he was a Jew among jews in all his jewish learning).

These were all chosen by our Lord as an intimate inner circle of teachers to be sent into the world with the Gospel (except His betrayer, Judas Iscariot).

Again, it comes down to a definition.

μαθητής – ‘disciple‘
- a learner, pupil, disciple
The Greek, Hebrew and other concepts imply that a disciple is a student and follower of a teacher. The ONE teacher IS JESUS, Son of God, Son of Man, a Personal Teacher to His disciples.

This, of course, includes the Twelve, includes Paul and also includes the many diciples who witnessed Jesus in the flesh (both before and after His resurrection of the Body).

Those who call Him Master and Lord AND obey the Very Word of God.

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8:31-32 NASB

Jesus is speaking to all the disciples following Him (just like now), however His lesson and command speak only to those who truly believe and obey our Master and Lord, the Teacher Who IS the Word.

Disciples include those who continue to believe Jesus as our Lord, our Master and Teacher, those pupils schooled by the Living God.

Therefore, Jesus’ disciples include any of all generations of faith who belong to Him, those who obey our Lord and Savior.

The saints (small ‘s’) of the Church belong to Christ and therefore must obey the Lord’s command – including a new command to the church:
a new commandment from our Teacher and Lord that we LOVE ONE ANOTHER as Jesus has loved us.

And to emphasis the importance of this relationship of pupils our Teacher Jesus adds His reason for giving us a new commandment:

Why does Jesus give his disciples a NEW COMMANDMENT so specific to His Own love?
So that we also love each other.
Roger Harned – talkofJesus.com – on John 13:34

To be continued, Lord-willing... What Jesus' New Commandment means to the church.
April 25, 2020
DEATH cries out! from many perspectives
A poem of death’s despair.
From cries of pain

Surrounded by suffering

Entombed in death

Men and women

Hung their heads

In death’s despair.

+

His pain I now know

His suffering I deserve

From this dark place of justice

My sorrow must pierce.

Roger Harned - TalkofJESUS.com
“ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?”
22:1 אֵלִי אֵלִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי רָחֹוק מִֽישׁוּעָתִי דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִֽי׃
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“Eli, Eli, lama” are Hebrew words in the Hebrew Bible (Ps. 22:2)
David said “lama azavthani” (why have you forsaken me?) and 
Jesus said “lama sabachthani” (why have you sacrificed me?). 
-source [2016 site not secure]: http://messiah-study.net/sabachthani.htm
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Jesus from the Cross

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
John 19:32-34 CSB

Zechariah 12:10 וְשָׁפַכְתִּי עַל־בֵּית דָּוִיד וְעַל יֹושֵׁב יְרוּשָׁלִַם רוּחַ חֵן וְתַחֲנוּנִים וְהִבִּיטוּ אֵלַי אֵת אֲשֶׁר־דָּקָרוּ וְסָפְדוּ עָלָיו כְּמִסְפֵּד עַל־הַיָּחִיד וְהָמֵר עָלָיו כְּהָמֵר עַֽל־הַבְּכֹֽור׃

DEATH! surrounding a Cross

Is your own heart pierced by the cry of death — the death of a loved one, that of your own inevitable failing flesh?

Would your soul cry out even from the grave that the death of God’s own Son should have been your own?

What those imprisoned in the dark dungeons of death must have thought as Jesus cried out as Sacrifice of Blood and Flesh from the Cross!

Who is the Son of Man entering the Jerusalem of the Jews?

In the year of our Lord, 2020, of these last days of a new covenant, I have been sharing the Good News of John.

We cannot cover all of the nuances of reactions to the Messiah entering Jerusalem for the Passover some two thousand years ago, but look back to some of the thoughts of those encountering Jesus between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday which the church celebrates with great joy.

The context of their first century perspective also includes witnesses of many signs of the Messiah including healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, miraculously feeding crowds of followers and raising the dead who include recently Lazarus of Bethany.

The Apostle Philip & the crowds

John 12:

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

The Apostle Philip, of course, travels with Jesus when the Messiah returns to Bethany. Crowds follow them into Jerusalem and friends of the Apostle hear about Jesus the Rabbi of their friend Philip.

21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying,

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…

Jesus has much more to say and then this witness before them:

“…and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
John 12:27b-28a NASB

Then a voice came out of heaven:

“I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.

Philip witnesses this truly awesome scene after Jesus had said,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit…
John 12:24 NASB

Thomas: ‘Lord, we know not..’

Don’t you have to love a guy who just has to ask the questions you want to ask the Lord?

Peter was one of these sometimes clueless Disciples who asked Jesus the obvious. We have heard much preaching on Peter, this anointed Apostle of the early church, about his denials and restorations in this Holy Week.

Like Peter, a man of bold faith, Thomas, a man of bold questions often gets a bad wrap for questions and doubt exactly like ours.

Observe the Lord’s Supper from this perspective of Thomas.

The Lord got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself, after which Jesus washes his feet along with the other eleven.

[Later] He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”

22 The disciples began looking at one another…

33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come…’

36 Simon Peter said to Him,

“Lord, where are You going?”

Jesus answered,

“Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”

37 Peter said to Him,

“Lord, why can I not follow You right now?

[Thomas must have also have wondered what Peter so typically blurts out.

Why? We all wonder.]

John 14:

Perhaps Thomas’ perspective was something like this:

‘Jesus was troubled in spirit then Judas left {on an errand for the festival, I guess.’}

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2 CSB – Jesus comforting Disciples about death and resurrection

… And you know where I am going, and you know the way

5 Thomas said to Him,

“Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”

Be honest, fellow saint:

Don’t you have days of doubting the resurrection as well?

Yet though you may quote the assurance which follows of Jesus to Thomas, your faith frequently falters .

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6 NASB

Again, fellow believer, consider the gravity of Jesus’ exclusive claim.

For the Lord draws a line in the dust we often omit, when witnessing to win others to Christ through our own blurred vision of this life.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life;

no one comes to the Father

but through Me. –

John 14:6

Jesus’ exclusive ____line____ in the dust between death and eternal life

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him,

“Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?

Let’s pause a moment there, fellow saint of Christ:

Has Jesus been so part of your routine that you have failed to know your Lord?

Jesus continues instructing Thomas:

He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say,

‘Show us the Father’?

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?
John 14:10a NASB

The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.

12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Between Gethsemane & Doubt

We know that Thomas and the Disciples fail to keep alert in the late hours after Jesus shares the New Covenant Cup of communion and broken bread symbolizing and making memorial of what is about to happen to His broken Body and shed Blood of Sacrifice for our sins.

Jesus prays, is betrayed by Judas as the eleven stand near, then bound and taken away to appear in secret before those who will judge their Messiah. They will then sentence their Redeemer to death on a Cross — ALL in fulfillment of Scripture.

We may self-righteously go on about Peter denying Jesus as he also attempts to run away from death for a time.

In fact, all of us may only escape death — for a time.

CHRIST DIED!

The Apostle John relates more details of these events worth your perspective on DEATH from the darkness of these days.

DEATH then Resurrection

From the depth of isolation and despair

of darkness and fear

of the judgment of your dust

in the grave —

beyond the — line — of hope

found only in Jesus

we peer dimly from the depths

of our soul seeking the Light

of the Resurrection —

the Way of Truth

to eternal life

born anew

in a raised body and soul

to the glory of the LORD

our Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

John 20:

Perspectives of these first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection

Mary of Magdala (a small village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee) discovers Jesus’ tomb EMPTY!

“They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
Mary tells Peter and John

They all return to the tomb with the sealed stone rolled away.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

“Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” [My great teacher, master.]

Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Later Appearance to the Disciples

When it was evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews.

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them,

“Peace to you.“

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again,

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit…

Did you miss the RESURRECTION OF JESUS?

Don’t some of the most important things in life often happen when you least expect?

Returning later to the scene of the Disciples (but not all of them) in the locked room), Thomas returns.

He missed it! (and perhaps was somewhat sceptical when he heard the witness of his fellow Disciples).

“We’ve seen the Lord!”

“Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Eight more days pass

What disappointment. To have followed Jesus the Messiah as He walked the earth for three years of His ministry prior to His fulfillment of Scripture. AND you missed HIS return!

His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst…

“Peace to you.“

And the Lord, turning to Thomas,

“Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

“My Lord and my God!”

And yet again…

John tells us:

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book…

John 21:

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias…

12 Jesus said to them,

“Come and have breakfast.”

None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

CHRIST IS RISEN!

— a traditional opening to a sunrise service on Resurrection Sunday or other Easter Sunday worship.

And the joyous response of the congregation of worshipers:

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

ALLELUIA – ἁλληλουϊά

praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!

יָהּ הָלַל

Yet without DEATH! resurrection remains irrelevant

— that is, until the inevitable inescapable day.

CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN!

You will die — your body returning to dust…

And your soul — the spirit that is you in this ever-so-brief mortal life…

What will the judgment and resurrection be like for your fallen flesh and soul forgotten?

Jesus reveals even more to John long after the deaths of all the other Apostles.

apokalypsis Iēsous Christos

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.

And He placed His right hand on me, saying,

“Do not be afraid;

I am the first and the last, and the living One;

and I was dead, and behold,

I am alive forevermore,

and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Revelation 21:

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

אָמֵן אָמֵן

amen, amen.
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Even so, Come Lord Jesus.
AMEN.
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April 11, 2020