The Bible

THE BIBLE

I have learned over the past few years, that the Bible is an AMAZING book. Not only is it the word of God, but it has some amazing historical and archaeological facts built into it. 

The main thing I have learned is that the Bible has 66 books, and one (1) story… His Story…. History… 

The whole book is about Jesus. Our Lord and Messiah. 

From the beginning of the Old Testament (Old Covenant) through to the end of the New Testament (New Covenant), everything points to Jesus, the Son of the Father, coming from God, to the earth, taking on himself flesh, lowering himself below the angels, solely for the purpose of paying the debt for our sins (which penalty is death). 

Here are just a couple of insights into the Bible.  Some thoughts and things I have learned. 

I have been asked why I like to keep studying the Bible… I have two answers to this question…

1-) John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31- Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32- And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2-) Because the BIBLE TALKS TO ME! As it will you when you study it.

For instance, we all know the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. When Abraham was commanded to take his son and offer him up as a sacrifice. What an amazing story. The thing about this story, is I was always taught that the greatest lesson that this detailed was about obedience. That is a remarkable lesson, and one that great to take to heart, however, the greatest lesson that I feel this passage portrays is… Well, let us get into the passage and it will be revealed to us.

Abraham takes his son up to the hill Moriah to offer him up as a sacrifice. Isaac asks his dad where the animal is for the sacrifice. And he answers him.  Genesis 22:8- “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.9-And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.” He bound his son on the alter, and the Lord called to him and stopped him from sacrificing his son. Then, in verse 13- “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” A RAM! Not a LAMB!

Go back to verse 8.  “God will provide himself a lamb…” this is a prophesy of the crucifixion of Jesus, the Lamb of God! 

Look at the similarities of these two events. Both Abraham and God had sons to be offered as sacrifices, both sons carried wood for the sacrifices, both sons were bound to the wood. In Jesus’ case, there was not a RAM stuck in the thicket to take his place. 

What is also amazing, is that most scholars believe that these two hills, Moriah, and Golgotha, are the same place. Here is what one has said.

This evening we are looking at Mount Moriah, Golgotha, and Calvary. Where is Golgotha or the Place of the skull located today? Golgotha is located just outside the walls of Jerusalem, not more than 700 m from the spot where King Solomon built the first Jewish Temple.  According to Jewish tradition Solomon built the temple on Mount Moriah, commemorating the exact spot where Abraham stretched out Isaac upon the altar of sacrifice (Genesis 22: 1-19). Mount Moriah, the Temple of Solomon, the place of Isaac sacrifice, and Golgotha — are all the same place.  All mark the place where God bound himself to fulfill the promises of the Abraham the covenant.

So yes, obedience is a great lesson from this story, however, the greatest lesson that I feel this passage portrays is: The prophesy of Jesus’ Crucifixion on the hill, I feel this is the greater take away from it.

Now… back in the times of Israel, they built a tabernacle that would travel with them. This tabernacle was the same size and function of the ancient Temple once the Temple was built, there was no further need for the tabernacle. There was always only one Temple as there was only one High Priest. The purpose of the Temple was for sacrificing animals and other offerings to God. Some were for sins, others were for crops, etc. The High Priest ONLY would go into the Holy of Holies once a year to offer up a sacrifice for the SINS of the people.  MANY of these sacrifices were Lambs, without blemish. That is where the Spirit of God was. 

Jesus was God’s Lamb, offered up as a Sacrifice for my sins. (Yours also) When that happened, the veil in the Temple (Which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the inside of the Temple), was torn from top to bottom, releasing the Spirit of God which can now dwell within us. Later, the Apostle Paul taught in Corinthians 3:16 “…Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

I find this fascinating. God is all knowing. It is all part of his plan. Jesus is Lord of all. The Bible is God’s inspired word. 

3-) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:21)

This is one of the great teachings of the Apostle Paul. One that we need to take to heart and not just believe what others may have told us, neither recently, nor from a child. 

As I think of the greatest gift that was ever given to us, the gift of Gods Grace, through the shedding of the blood of his son, Jesus the Christ, my study has taken me to learn that this took place on the Cross, and NOT in the Garden of Gethsemane, as I was taught as a child. 

Here is a study. 

As you read in the Gospels, Jesus went to the Garden to pray with a few of his disciples. He left them in a spot, asking them to pray for him.

(Matt 26:39-45) 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

(Mark 14: 32-41) 32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,* (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

(Luke 22: 40-46) 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down*, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 

Luke does talk about the angel that comes to give him strength, and that he was in agony and prayed more earnestly. Knowing what he was about to go through caused him this tremendous pain. He is pleading with the Father, is there no other way?  If there is, let it happen. There was no other way. He would have to partake of the bitter cup (taking upon himself the sin of the world) … as was the will of the Father. 

So, did the cup pass from him at that time? Let’s look at John’s account. John doesn’t give the full account of the Garden prayer; however, he mentions that he went into the garden with his disciples and that Judas knew about the place as he went their often. 

(John 18: 1-12) 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them*,I am he, they went backward*, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake*,Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear*. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 

I am going to go back to verse 11 in John’s report. Highlighting a few points in the verse. 

11- Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up they sword into the sheath: THE CUP WHICH MY FATHER HATH GIVEN ME, SHALL I NOT DRINK IT? 

He has NOT drank the bitter cup yet, this is AFTER Gethsemane. 

Further studies have taken me to 1 Peter where he is VERY CLEAR where our sins were forgiven. 

(1 Peter 2:24) 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

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There are many other scriptures that tell us that Jesus took upon our sins on the tree or cross. Let’s not forget his last words, Tetelestai- “It is Finished”  (The Debt is Paid in Full) This is where he drank the bitter cup. 

With the "Wages of Sin" being death, sweating, as if it were, great drops of blood is not dying. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your Love and Grace. I feel so unworthy of your love and grace. Only in and through you can I be righteous. You paid that debt for me, taking away the wrath of our Father… I praise you in all things.

Hopefully this has inspired you in some way to want to read this record.  There are 66 different books, spanning around 4000 years.  Some history, some poetic, all AMAZING!!  If you need a copy, I will send you one.  (While supplies last).   Just send me a note with your address.