The Jesus of History Part 3

We will conclude our study of Matthew’s gospel beginning with chapter 21: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. When Jesus approached Jerusalem He told His disciples to find Him a colt to ride upon, and where to find the animal. They did so, and brought it to Him to fulfill a prophecy spoken by Zechariah around 500 B.C. which said, “Tell the daughter of Zion (Jerusalem), behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey,” Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9. Jesus, who would not quench smoking flax or break the bruised reed, enters Jerusalem on the most unseemly vehicle imaginable: a beast of burden. But the Son of Man had come to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. The verse following this in Zechariah’s prophecy speaks of Messiah dismantling arms and armies, and bringing genuine peace to the nations under His reign when He comes in glory. Which nations? We read in 9:10 of Zechariah that Messiah’s dominion is from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” All this shall yet be with our Lord’s second coming, but Jesus came first in humility and they rejected Him.

The Jesus of History Part 2

Before continuing this discourse, I think it would beneficial and edifying to learn what the purpose and plan of prophecy is. Prophecy (and prophetic fulfillment) are the hallmarks of the Bible, unique to it’s character, making it to stand utterly alone as a religious writing of any type. I have heard some Christians say that as much as 30% of the Bible is prophecy, so it serves us well, both as Christians doing the will of God, and as unbelievers seeking truth, to pay careful heed to the words God has been gracious enough beforehand to reveal, as He promised to reveal through the mouths of His prophets, Amos 3:7.

The Jesus of History Part 1

While this title may be misleading, I chose it to define by virtue of God’s written, inspired record in the Bible, the only Jesus Christ this world will ever truly and knowingly be acquainted with. I know there are those (such as the “Jesus Seminar”) who say the Christ presented in Scripture is distorted so as to be unreal, yet they speak such things out of their own unlearned and ignorant opinion, basing it upon nothing more than an utter disbelief that God exists, that He has revealed Himself in the Person of our Savior, and left for us the written account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Granted, Jesus name is mentioned in the annals of ancient writers such as Josephus. But very little is spoken of Him. The Talmud, written by the Hebrew Rabbis, considered Jesus an Egyptian sorcerer, for example. But as Jesus Himself declared, wisdom is vindicated by her children, Luke 7:35.

To Them That Have Ears, Part 2

You don't even know what questions to ask, because a created being has decided to redefine truth (to suit a preference, or impose an uncertainty on souls that happen to be seeking for reassurance).
Man always wants the last word but is happy to change the words as his "reason" allows, as cultures shift, as seasons change, etc...