Mark 1:21-45 ~ His Teaching

 

 

Mark 1:21-45

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 


23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 




28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


 
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

 


40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 

45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

When God decided to bring His Only Son here - God planned carefully.

And what God used other than climbing onto our Death Bed and taking Death from us - with Mercy and Love - Father God used - WORDS.

He knew we need to communicate to clearly understand all things.

Jesus could talk about Father God. You probably talk sometimes. Are you willing to talk about Father God? We should never share our faith. Ever. Until we want to say, "I love Jesus. I have found comfort in hard times. I have found joy in difficulty. I have seen affliction melt away. I know what I know what I know - Heaven and Jesus are for real and for my hope and my future. Why don't you come with me? Forever."

Sharing Love. God would tell us WHY He would choose to Run to us. What HE sees in us. The pleasure of Creating us. Billy Graham says, "I've seen the last chapter, This is going to turn out WELL."

Amen and Amen and Amen.

We cannot aspire to be Father GOD, we can REJOICE - Father God comes to us. He is trust worthy. His 12 Open Gates of Heaven - echo His Prayer Policy.

Prayer is always answered.
Yes
No.
You're Kidding.
Gosh, no.
Not today.
Oh, you thought?
And... SURPRISE!

Jesus called this - Our Father.







So... what's holding you up here? 


 You know you need your life to have more put-together-factor going on with higher general conduct?  Peter ditched Jesus. Paul consented to Christian murder without trial. Moses killed a man. Jacob cheated his father and brother. Eli, Samuel and Hezekiah were poor fathers. God has one set of goals - Save the World in His Grace - Jesus Christ. We are ALL Sinners. God says so.



We have to make this repartee a bit more jazzy than normal. 
Readability.

You don't want to be a missionary? Usually God uses our talents and we LIKE to use our Talents.

We have other plans. Right. So where and WHOM gave you the desire for those plans? Peter's mother found having Jesus going her way - was beneficial.

Oh, I'm not religious. Stunning. God had the Temple built and HE used HIS Greatest Works - Outside the Temple. You might have something in common with Father God!

Would you like to hear a little bit about Father God? Ok, if it doesn't take much time. That right there - that door is OPEN. The best invitation I ever heard was used in "Walk Across the Room." True love said, "I'm going to Heaven forever. I can't bear the thought of you not being there with me." (I see this " " that is wonderful in you.) This worked for my father-in-law - his grandmother told him he had to trust Jesus to be able to do this for him.

I don't believe the Bible is the Authority of the Holy Spirit.
Thomas Jefferson - looked for the Truth that warmed his heart, like the Disciples felt their heart strangely warmed as Jesus came to them.

The Bible. What about the History of the World. How for 400 years the World's Largest Empire trembled in fear for the Victory of Jesus as King of Kings over death. Emperors in 16 years were in fear. They sent legions across the Mediterranean to slay more boys and grown men in Nazareth for having the gall, sheer gall, to die for the belief - "Uncle" Jesus IS GOD. The Roman Emperor sent his nephew. Constantine. Constantine slaughtered all the descendants of Mary and Joseph he could find after torturing them for a week. Constantine had to - he'd have died not to. Those men and boys died so bravely - Constantine began a journey with Jesus and Christianity we have the sheer gall to debate 1,700 years later. Yep, Herod was not the only king to attack.

Oh the Bible is too old to matter and written about 400 A.D.
No. 300 Chapters of the Bible are available today - - -  From the first or second century and INTACT. Papyrus 46. That Bible in your hand can at ENORMOUS COST.






When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD.

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME THESE MEN WERE AFRAID of the scaries? No, the name of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Jesus converted thousands, leaving Jewish rabbi letters saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels where the Rabbi is extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180

166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)


During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.). It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius s the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians, though it does not necessarily follow that we should accept the elaborate detail of the story as given by Tertullian and later writers 161 - 169

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius

180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa

ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship

Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .

Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred

Gallienus (253-268)

Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .

Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions

Tacitus (275-276)

Probus (276-282)

Carus (282-283)

Carinus (283-284)

Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. + + + Personally sends troops (Constantine) to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)

Maxentius (306-312) .

Galerius (305-311)

Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon (A GOD THING) ... We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire and after two, three centuries go by, lo and behold that same group and its descendants have somehow taken over the Roman Empire and have become the official religion when it was people believing in Jesus Christ and having life transformations in hope in the life of Jesus Christ and the promises He brought.





John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

Father God, 

So many people praise You. We join their voices in Salvation. And Gratitude.

We lift up our concerns to Your able hands. Knowing You hear all of our prayers. We lift up the ones we Love in peace. You give rest and comfort. Especially for the weary. Your Goodness and Your Plans will carry us along this journey of Life. We can trust in You, Jesus. We rest this Nation in Your hands as well.

In the Strong Name of Jesus. We Pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 97 ~ For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth

Mount Nebo, view Moses saw last of the Children of Israel going forth. Where Maccabees 6 records Jeremiah obtained authority and manpower to hide the Ark of the Covenant. Then had Celestial help to hide the Ark. The Temple Tools list of the Chaldean Babylonians does not list the Ark of the Covenant.

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.


3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sowna for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

We are so used to our lives, we've forgotten the width and depth life has changed. This generation has seen amazing advances and wonders.

Bethlehem was vastly unchanged for 2 millenniums and even 3. This is Bethlehem by photo of 1880 A.D. About the same as David's era. Notice the barns are built into the hills!

David sat and thought of all the histories of Israel and knew this to be our Father God. If David wanted to hear music, he'd have to learn to play and instrument. Music was usually humming. David brought many, many songs especially music that created thoughts to ascend to God. David would have delighted in radio.




For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth

Our great-grandparents might have flown in a plane and then again, depending on your age or financial situation. Maybe not. They did not see views that only Father God had seen before.

We've all seen two rivers merge, but few have seen the amazing confluence of bodies of water - which eventually do mingle - but our generation can see this.

Alaska' Pacific meets Glacier Water. Eventually mingle.

Jialing and Yangtze River China

Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in Illinois

Mosel and Rhine Rivers Germany.

Danube in Germany

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.


And we have to recall why the world was more amazed with Father God in prior centuries.
We watch movies of outer space to recall the enormous universe. Before street lights, the night sky wondrously filled the species John's Gospel says all of mankind is Lighted with the Light of God.

This is still the Night Sky of Southern Africa.

Routinely the Continent Africa, with the least lights, looks like this:

His lightnings light up the world !!!

In these last two years only, we have found lightning, is from solar flairs and pulls the magnetosphere of the whole earth when one bolt strikes. The Temple of Jerusalem was positioned where the sun set. The Ascents on the Stairs, were done in front of the setting sun.

 You are exalted far above all gods

The Scriptures reveal more and more wisdom for those who want to have eyes to see this.
The earth continues to reveal more and more of the Biblical Archaeology!


SOME OF THE TOP BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY


A Common Flood Story. Not just the Hebrews (Genesis 6–8), but Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, Sumerian  and Babylonians all report a flood in primordial times. A Sumerian king list from c. 2100 BC divides itself into two categories: those kings who ruled before a great flood and those who ruled after it. One of the earliest examples of Sumero-Akkadian-Babylonian literature, the Gilgamesh Epic, describes a great flood sent as punishment by the gods, with humanity saved only when the pious Utnapishtim (AKA, “the Mesopotamian Noah”) builds a ship and saves the animal world thereon. A later Greek counterpart, the story of Deucalion and Phyrra, tells of a couple who survived a great flood sent by an angry Zeus.

The Code of Hammurabi. This seven-foot black diorite stele, presently located in the Louvre museum, contains 282 engraved laws of Babylonian King Hammurabi ( 1750 BC). The common basis, a common Semitic law of retribution in the ancient Near East, equals the Pentateuch. Exodus 21:23–25:: “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot…”


The Existence of Hittites. Genesis 23

The Merneptah Stele. “Israel — his seed c. 1230 BC, the Hebrews were already living in the Promised Land.

Biblical Cities Attested Archaeologically. In addition to Jericho, places such as Haran, Hazor, Dan, Megiddo, Shechem, Samaria, Shiloh, Gezer, Gibeah, Beth Shemesh, Beth Shean, Beersheba, Lachish, and many other urban sites have been excavated, quite apart from such larger and obvious locations as Jerusalem or Babylon. Such geographical markers are extremely significant in demonstrating that fact, not fantasy.

Israel’s enemies in the Hebrew Bible likewise are not contrived but solidly historical.

Shishak’s Invasion of Judah. First Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 12 tell of Pharaoh Shishak’s conquest of Judah in the fifth year of the reign of King Rehoboam.

The Moabite Stone. Second Kings 3

Obelisk of Shalmaneser III. In 2 Kings 9–10

Burial Plaque of King Uzziah.  Judah, ruled from 792 to 740 BC, a contemporary of Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah He ended badly. In 2 Chronicles 26 his sin is recorded, which resulted in his being struck with leprosy. Uzziah died, interred in a “field of burial that belonged to the kings.” His stone burial plaque has been discovered on the Mount of Olives, and it reads: “Here, the bones of Uzziah, King of Judah, were brought. Do not open.”

Hezekiah’s Siloam Tunnel Inscription. King Hezekiah of Judah ruled from 721 to 686 BC. Fearing a siege by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, Hezekiah preserved Jerusalem’s water supply by cutting a tunnel through 1,750 feet of solid rock from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam inside the city walls (2 Kings 20; 2 Chron. 32)

The Sennacherib Prism.
Prophet Isaiah,  told Hezekiah God would protect Judah and Jerusalem against Sennacherib (2 Chron. 32; Isa. 36–37). Assyrian records virtually confirm this. The cuneiform on a hexagonal, 15-inch baked clay prism found at the Assyrian capital of Nineveh describes Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 BC


The lists continue:

Top 20 Biblical Archaeology Events and Discoveries of 2012

VERDICT: NOT GUILTY: Two Remaining Defendants Cleared of Forgery Charges After 5-year Trial for the burial sarcophagus lid of James, brother of Jesus, son of Joseph. Louvre Antiquities and the head of the FBI testify to the authenticity. 

Scorched Wheat May Provide Answers on the Destruction of Canaanite Tel Hazor

City of David Archaeologists Unearth Late Bronze Age Egyptian Scarab

First Temple Period ‘Matanyahu’ Seal Discovered in Jerusalem

Book of Nehemiah Found Among the Scrolls:Scroll scholars find first fragment of Nehemiah

Archaeologists Discover “New” Ancient Language from the Eighth-Century B.C.

Bilingual Boundary Stone Discovered at Tel Gezer

Yeshiva University Project Shines a Colorful Digital Light on the Arch of Titus



Ancient Reservoir Provided Water for First Temple Period Jerusalem


First Temple Period Ritual Structure Discovered Near Jerusalem

Bountiful Hoard Discovered Near Kiryat Gat: Gold, Silver and Jewelry Hidden During the Bar Kokhba Revolt


Archaeologists Expose Israel’s Largest Hellenistic Harbor






Biblical Archaeology's Top Ten Discoveries of 2013

1. The Egyptian Scarab of Khirbet el-Maqatir
Joshua 8.

2. Jezreel Winepress
Ancient winepresses are found all over Israel. The fact that this winepress is one of the largest, and is located near one of the most famous vineyards of the Bible, makes it of interest.

3. The Wine Cellar of Tel Kabri
The ingredients detected in the wine residues discovered inside the jars are similar to the ingredients described in cuneiform tablets excavated in the 1930s in the ruins of Mari, a Sumerian and Amorite city on the Euphrates River.

4. Royal Buildings at Khirbet Qeiyafa the time of King David.
Overlooking the Elah Valley, where David famously confronted Goliath, Khirbet Qeiyafa was clearly constructed to help protect Jerusalem and the Judean highlands from the lowland Philistines.




Top 10 Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2014

The Animals Went in Two by Two, According to Babylonian Ark Tablet
An Old Babylonian flood tablet translated by British Museum scholar Irving Finkel

Qumran Phylacteries Reveal Nine New Dead Sea Scrolls
Yonatan Adler’s work revealed new phylacteries containing unopened tefillin Dead Sea Scrolls texts,

Canaanite Fortress Discovered in the City of David
An enormous 18th-century B.C. structure that isolates and protects the Gihon Spring  perhaps the fortress described in Samuel - King David later conquered.

Huqoq 2014: excavation a new mosaic depicts the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest. My son Alexander was part of this dig team and found a 4th century coin (!), he did not work on the Synagogue of the mosaic. The team had no idea of the mosaic, this was in the Sea of Galilee region. My Alexander went with Baylor and NC Universities working for Prof. Nathan Elkins (has a new book on antique coinage to be published soon!)

My Alexander looks rather like this Famous Alexander!

Monumental Entryway to King Herod’s Palace at Herodium Excavated

Coins Celebrating the Great Revolt Against the Romans Unearthed near Jerusalem  (69/70 A.D.).

The discovery of a 7,000-year-old copper awl at Tel Tsaf  metal was used several hundred years earlier than thought.

Early Bronze Age: Megiddo’s Great Temple   “has proven to be the most monumental single edifice so far uncovered and ranks among the largest structures of its time in the Near East.”

Skilled Craftsmen, Not Slaves, Smelted Copper at Timna



Father God, the faithful are encouraged with all of the new facts supporting the Scriptures. Yet people do not want to know just of the facts - people long to know - You hold them in Your Heart. That Your Book of Days is written with Love and not ink.

Father God, that is indeed You. You engrave our names on Your hands. You know all of our days. Your Throne described in Revelation - is timeless. You have unique Angels even Steven Spielburg would be pleased to know. Your Throne sounds more like a Rock Opera than a quartet. You inhale our prayers. Your Word tells us You are Orderly. And You well know more Science than Einstein. And in the middle of all the beauty that earth could boast You tell us Your Throne has a bright and shining river just beside You.

Your Home has 12 Open Gates. And this is never dark or away from Love. The ones so blessed to see You tell us - Light flows from You and clothes You. Surely Your garments tell us You are the Comforter. You are the Father who runs to his homecoming child. Your Word tells us - You have named us. We are Your Beloved. Thank You Father God, that while we will never be equipped to build a Universe, create life - only using Your tools - You are the God who chose to arrive to walk this life and know and see and feel and taste and touch and love and die and worry and hurt - just as we do. You are Love. And You will never leave or forsake us.

In that Great Day, we will see those 12 Open Gates and we will see all of Your Wisdom and Love - because - You have invited us for - Eternity. Heaven is at Hand, we dwell with You - Today. In Jesus we lift up to You - those we Love.

Thank You, Father. In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 17 ~ That they also may be sanctified in truth.

Computer Photo taken from 3D Graphing of the Shroud of Turin by Ray Downing

John 17:6

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.




To read the early histories of the men who knew John and his disciple Polycarp, is to read John approved of the Gospels. Bishop Papias of Hierapolis contacted as many people as he could who had seen Jesus or seen Him heal. Bishop Papias of Hierapolis then interwove the Chapters of the Gospels doing this.

We debate today if Paul wrote Hebrews suddenly after 2 millenniums, yet if you travel to the University of Michigan and pull out the Book of Hebrews owned by University of Michigan, you see the 1900 year old documents say Hebrews was written by Paul on each cataloged page.

Paul was known to converse with Peter. Loudly sometimes.

Let's see what Paul learned about Jesus from the men who walked, lived, ate and believed Jesus from Hebrews 5.

See in this Passage, so many biblical people raised their children harshly - Adam and Eve, Isaac, Hezekiah, Hannah - Samuel's mother, Eli, Samuel, Hezekiah - in the middle of questioning (in the middle of 2 Gospels in heated discussions) exactly whom Jesus is - his parents are praised for their parenting and their family. Jesus' Holy Father is at work here. Jesus brings us - His Goodness.

University of Michigan owns 300 pages of the New Testament that were possibly from the time the Disciple John was still alive.

Hebrews 5

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;


6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.


We see the disciples and Paul spoke of Jesus by saying the days of his flesh. A man. A Son of God. And this John 17 is the Chapter Hebrews 5 is describing from talking to the eye witnesses.

The eye witnesses tell us:

Jesus has deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.

Before He died for us, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to God who was able to save us from death. Jesus was making the Covenant with Father God on our behalf.

Jesus knew what was to happen next. The Chapters of Luke 1 and 2 are wonderful. God would sign on for us.

Jesus saves us from death, His victory is ours. The manner of this prayer is reverence. Obedient to God.

Jesus knew how to talk to His Father, Jesus has been part of creation since before Abraham. Jesus fully knew in addressing Father God what distinguishes good from evil.


Jesus was making one perfect sacrifice for us. To live with Father God always.

Jesus opened His arms for us.

Father God,
Help us to pray knowing You dwell within us. You've said as we pray, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. You are here.

We will never ascend to be God. You alone are God. And in Your Goodness, for there to be relationship, You choose to dwell among mankind. You are the Light in all of mankind.

Keep us alert and help our days to please You. We lift up the real prayer concerns of the ones we love. Thanking You for listening and acting upon Your Word. You work all things for good, for those who Love the Lord. Thank You Father we entrust the ones we love to you, the people You have Given. Our Nation to be build up in You. 

We are glad for Your Good Will. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †