Daily Archives: February 18, 2020

JESUS’ FINAL MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

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JESUS’ FINAL MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM


Time
Place
Event
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
33, Nisan 8 (April 1-2, 2020)
Bethany
Jesus arrives six days before Passover
Nisan 9 (April 2-3, 2020)
Bethany
Mary pours oil on his head and feet
Bethany-Bethphage-Jerusalem
Enters Jerusalem triumphantly, riding on a donkey
Nisan 10 (April 3-4, 2020)
Bethany-Jerusalem
Curses fig tree; cleanses temple again
Jerusalem
Chief priests and scribes scheme to destroy Jesus
Jehovah speaks; Jesus foretells his death; disbelief of Jews fulfills prophecy of Isaiah
Nisan 11 (April 4-5, 2020)
Bethany-Jerusalem
Withered fig tree lesson
Jerusalem, temple
His authority challenged; illustration of two sons
Illustrations: murderous cultivators, marriage feast
Answers questions on God and Caesar, resurrection, greatest commandment
Asks crowd if Christ is David’s son
Woes to scribes and Pharisees
Observes widow’s contribution
Mount of Olives
Gives sign of future presence
Illustrations: ten virgins, talents, sheep and goats
Nisan 12 (April 5-6, 2020)
Jerusalem
Jewish leaders plot to kill him
Judas arranges betrayal
Nisan 13 (April 6-7, 2020)
Near and in Jerusalem
Prepares for last Passover
Nisan 14 (April 7-8, 2020)
Jerusalem
Eats Passover with apostles
Washes feet of apostles
Jesus identifies Judas as traitor and dismisses him
Institutes the Lord’s Evening Meal (1Co 11:23-25)
Foretells Peter’s denials and scattering of apostles
Promises helper; illustration of true vine; gives command to love; last prayer with apostles
Gethsemane
Agony in the garden; Jesus’ betrayal and arrest
Jerusalem
Questioned by Annas; trial by Caiaphas, Sanhedrin; Peter denies him
Judas the betrayer hangs himself (Ac 1:18, 19)
Before Pilate, then Herod, and back to Pilate
Pilate seeks his release but Jews ask for Barabbas; sentenced to death on the torture stake
(c. 3:00 p.m.)
Golgotha
Dies on torture stake
Jerusalem
Body taken from the stake and placed in tomb
Nisan 15 (April 8-9, 2020)
Jerusalem
Priests and Pharisees get guard for tomb and seal it
Nisan 16 (April 9-10, 2020)
Jerusalem and vicinity; Emmaus
Jesus resurrected; appears five times to disciples
After Nisan 16
Jerusalem; Galilee
Makes more appearances to disciples (1Co 15:5-7;Ac 1:3-8); instructs; commissions disciple-making

from Blogger http://meekspaceng.blogspot.com/2020/02/jesus-final-ministry-in-jerusalem.html

Tuesday, April 7, 2020​—The Memorial of Christ’s Deat

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Tuesday, April 7, 2020​—The Memorial of Christ’s Death

During the Memorial season each year, many Christians meditate on the two greatest expressions of love ever shown​—those of Jehovah God and of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Joh 3:16; 15:13) Using this chart, you can compare the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ final ministry in Jerusalem. These events are discussed in section 6 of the book Jesus​—The Way, the Truth, the Life. How will the love of God and of Christ motivate you?​—2Co 5:14, 15; 1Jo 4:16, 19.

from Blogger http://meekspaceng.blogspot.com/2020/02/tuesday-april-7-2020the-memorial-of.html

Digging for Spiritual Gems – February 17-23 | GENESIS 18-19

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Digging for Spiritual Gems – February 17-23
GENESIS 18-19
Ge 18:1, 22​—How was it that “Jehovah appeared to” Abraham and “remained with” him? (w88 5/15 23 ¶4-5)
Now it is possible to understand why Abraham addressed the materialized angelic spokesman of God as if he were talking to Jehovah God himself. Since this angel spoke precisely what God wanted to have said to Abraham and was there personally representing Him, the Biblical record could say that “Jehovah appeared to him.”​—Genesis 18:1.
Remember that an angelic spokesman for God could transmit His messages just as precisely as a telephone or a radio can transmit our words to another person. Hence, it can be understood how Abraham, Moses, Manoah, and others could speak with a materialized angel as if they were talking to God. While such individuals were able to see these angels and the glory of Jehovah reflected by them, they were not able to see God. Therefore, this in no way contradicts the apostle John’s statement: “No man has seen God at any time.” (John 1:18) What these men saw were angelic representatives and not God himself.
Ge 19:26​—Why did Lot’s wife become “a pillar of salt”? (w19.06 20 ¶3)
3 Lot made a bad decision when he chose to live among the grossly immoral people of Sodom. (Read 2 Peter 2:7, 8.) The region was prosperous, but Lot paid a high price for moving to Sodom. (Gen. 13:8-13; 14:12) His wife apparently became so attached to the city or to some of the people living there that she disobeyed Jehovah. She lost her life when God rained fire and sulfur on the region. And think of Lot’s two daughters. They were engaged to men who died in Sodom. Lot lost his home, his possessions and, most painful of all, his wife. (Gen. 19:12-14, 17, 26) During this stressful period, did Jehovah lose patience with Lot? No.
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?
Genesis 19:16
To save Lot, Jehovah sent angels to warn him that the cities were going to be destroyed and that he and his family had to flee. “When he continued to delay,” the angels grabbed “his hand and his wife’s hand and the hands of his two daughters and proceeded to take him out and place him outside the city.” This case teaches us that Jehovah knows very well the difficulties that his faithful servants face.
Genesis 18: 23-33
Jehovah does not destroy people indiscriminately, but protects the upright. We learn that he does not let himself be carried away by anger but that he is patient and gives time to the wicked to change, but he will bring the end for justice to his faithful servants.
Genesis 19:16
Lot “continued to delay”, and the angels almost had to drag him and his family out of Sodom. We do well not to lose our sense of urgency while waiting for the end of the bad world.
Genesis 19:26
It is totally foolish to yearn for what we have left behind in the world or to be distracted by it. That is why we never look back, like lamenting what we have left, or perhaps opportunities in this wicked world.
Genesis 19: 8
Wasn’t it wrong that Lot offered his daughters to the inhabitants of Sodom? According to Eastern ethics, it was the responsibility of the host to protect and defend guests even with life, if necessary. And Lot was willing to do it. With courage he left, closed the door behind him and appeared alone before the crowd. By the time Lot offered his daughters, he probably already knew that his guests were messengers of God and, therefore, he thought that God could take care of protecting them just as he protected his aunt Sarah in Egypt (Genesis 12: 17-20). And so it was, both Lot and his daughters received protection.
Genesis 19: 30-38
Did Jehovah approve of Lot getting drunk and begetting offspring with his two daughters? Jehovah does not approve of incest or drunkenness (Leviticus 18: 6, 7, 29; 1 Corinthians 6: 9, 10). Lot actually deplored the “wild facts” of the inhabitants of Sodom (2 Peter 2: 6-8). The fact that his daughters got him drunk indicates that they knew that his father would not consent to having sex with them while he was sober. But being foreigners in the country, his daughters thought that this was the only way to prevent Lot’s family from becoming extinct. The story is in the Bible to reveal the relationship between the Moabites (through Moab) and the Ammonites (through Ben-Ammi) with Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites.
Genesis 18: 22-33
What does this story teach us about Jehovah’s way of thinking? It is obvious that God did not need to consult Abraham to make the right decision. Now, he could have explained from the beginning the reasons why he had made that decision. But by letting him question it, he gave him time to accept the situation and to understand his way of looking at matters, as well as the magnitude of his compassion and justice. Certainly, Jehovah treated Abraham like a friend.
Genesis 18: 22-33
Why did Jehovah allow Abraham to speak to him so openly? First, because he realized that Abraham was distressed. He knew that his nephew Lot lived in Sodom, and that Abraham was concerned for his safety. In addition, Abraham was a friend of God. When a person speaks to us roughly, do we strive to understand their feelings and take them into consideration, especially if they are a friend who is under some emotional pressure? Isn’t it comforting to know that Jehovah will be understanding when we speak frankly as he was in the case of Abraham?
Genesis 18:25
Who is going to resurrect? Sometimes we can make our conversations turn to those who are going to resurrect or not, issues that may concern us, generate doubts or debates “that are nothing more than a waste of time” (w10 4/15). That is why Jehovah’s recommendation in this verse is to have the same faith as Abraham and to be convinced that Jehovah will do justice.
Genesis 19:26
How easy it is to let ourselves be disturbed by the world! Even some have returned to the world after meeting Jehovah! We must examine ourselves regularly to determine if our faith may be diverting from the things of the world. Application: Let’s reflect on how far we are from the world and its attitudes.

from Blogger http://meekspaceng.blogspot.com/2020/02/digging-for-spiritual-gems-february-17.html

2020 Examining the Scriptures Daily—Tuesday, February 18

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2020 Examining the Scriptures Daily—Tuesday, February 18

Let each one examine his own actions, . . . and not in comparison with the other person.​—Gal. 6:4.
The Creator envisioned that perfect humans would cooperate with him to accomplish his purposes. Despite mankind’s current imperfect state, faithful people can still work with Jehovah each day. For example, we become “God’s fellow workers” by preaching the good news of his Kingdom and making disciples. (1 Cor. 3:5-9) Just think what a privilege we have to be counted worthy of cooperating with the almighty Creator of the universe in a work that he considers important! Yet, preaching and making disciples are not the only ways that we work with Jehovah. Other ways we can do so are by assisting our family and fellow worshippers, by being hospitable, by volunteering for theocratic projects, and by expanding our sacred service. (Col. 3:23) However, do not compare what you can do for Jehovah with what others can do. Remember that age, health, circumstances, and abilities vary from one person to another. w18.08 23 ¶1-2

from Blogger http://meekspaceng.blogspot.com/2020/02/2020-examining-scriptures-dailytuesday_18.html