Continuing in the Gospels the story of who Jesus is that we started on September 16, 2016 with His conception and birth, through the beginning of His public ministry, His presenting what God's Kingdom will look like on Earth, His miracles showing His authority over all Creation, down to His trials, Crucifixion and death.
They buried His dead body in a grave, following the customs of the day, wrapping it in a clean linen cloth with spices that would stiffen and "cement" the cloth around the body. (See Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42.)
Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:11-15 also tells us about the scheme to try to secure the tomb so the Disciples couldn't steal His body; then when Jesus rose from the dead and the angel rolled the stone away, scaring the soldiers into fainting, they bribed the soldiers to say that the disciples did steal it while they slept!
You may read about how Mary Magdalene's sorrow turned to joy in my blog entry of 3/26/16, and a probable time-table I devised for everything that happened between Jesus' Resurrection and His Ascension in my blog entry on 3/27/16.
I was struck by the accounts of the Angel telling the women to remind the disciples of the appointment Jesus made with them to meet in Galilee, but when Jesus spoke to the women, He wants them to tell His brothers to go to the meeting, also. His concern for His Earthly family is touching, wanting His own siblings to recognize who He really is. And His brother James became the Church Leader in Jerusalem and wrote the Epistle of James, and His brother Jude wrote the Epistle that bears his name. So His own brothers became disciples after His Resurrection. This is understandable; imagine having a big Brother who never did anything wrong! Very frustrating. But His Resurrection proved that He is who He always said He is, the Son of God.
I didn't cover all Jesus' teachings in this series except in the Sermon on the Mount, but I did comment on many of them randomly as I have posted my journal entries on my blog through the years.
My prayer is that this blog will help you to get to know God better and grow closer to Him. He loves you passionately, like a newlywed groom is enamored with his new bride; have you ever fallen in love with Him? He is not as concerned with what we do, but with who we are in Christ. When we are more aware of who we are, then what we do will flow from that.
I invite you to comment below on any of my entries, any questions you may have, any alternate views on what I've covered, or anything else you feel led to share. I read all comments, and will reply.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Good Friday
Matthew 27:45-46,50-51
From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3:00 pm) darkness came over all the land. --
This is when the sun refused to shine.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated as, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me." --
This is when Jesus bore our sin-nature. He was born with a true human nature, but without the sin; here is when He "became sin for us." God is too pure to even look upon sin, and He had to turn His back on Jesus. The sun would not honor the execution of God who created it by shining on this spectacle.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. --
He died.
At that moment --
At Jesus' death.
The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split. --
The Earth could not stand the sun not shining, and after three hours it upheavaled. That earthquake is what God used (along with His or angels' hands?) to rip the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God dwelt. This shows us that, now that Jesus has paid our debt in full, we have direct access to the Throne of God through Jesus; we don't need a priest or any other mediator, Jesus alone is our Mediator and our High Priest. And every believer is a priest under Him in petitioning God on behalf of our fellow man.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3:00 pm) darkness came over all the land. --
This is when the sun refused to shine.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated as, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me." --
This is when Jesus bore our sin-nature. He was born with a true human nature, but without the sin; here is when He "became sin for us." God is too pure to even look upon sin, and He had to turn His back on Jesus. The sun would not honor the execution of God who created it by shining on this spectacle.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. --
He died.
At that moment --
At Jesus' death.
The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split. --
The Earth could not stand the sun not shining, and after three hours it upheavaled. That earthquake is what God used (along with His or angels' hands?) to rip the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God dwelt. This shows us that, now that Jesus has paid our debt in full, we have direct access to the Throne of God through Jesus; we don't need a priest or any other mediator, Jesus alone is our Mediator and our High Priest. And every believer is a priest under Him in petitioning God on behalf of our fellow man.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Jesus' Trials
John 18:12-13, 24
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
This is His first trial.
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Mark 14:53, 55
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.
This was in the middle of the night, an illegal time to meet.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any.
They had already decided the verdict before they brought Him in, and were trying to justify it.
Matthew 26:63-66
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to Him, "I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God."
"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven."
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
This is the second trial, a kangaroo trial, just an excuse to do what they already planned to do.
Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1
Very early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders and teachers, the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
I blended these two writers, as they both say virtually the same thing. The Sanhedrin, the political rulers over the Jewish people, had decided to get rid of Jesus by murdering Him, but didn't want to appear guilty of this crime, so they would accomplish it by execution. The Romans had conquered Judea, and didn't allow the Jews enough authority to execute their criminals, so they had to convince the Roman governor to condemn Him to death.
Luke 23:1-6
Then the whole assembly rose and led Him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this Man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king."
So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are You the King of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. The Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this Man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by His teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." On hearing this, Pilate asked if the Man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
This is the third trial, and found innocent, Not Guilty.
Luke 23:8-11
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see Him. From what he had heard about Him, he hoped to see Him perform a sign of some sort. He plied Him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing Him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.
Here's Jesus' fourth trial, still not found guilty of anything.
Luke 23:13-25
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this Man as one Who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish Him and then release Him. But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this Man! Release Barabbas to us! (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this Man committed? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty." But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that He be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this Man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" (Matthew 27:24)
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
This was Jesus' fifth trial, and still has not been convicted of wrong. He is still innocent.
Then the soldiers mock and scourge Jesus, before putting Him on the path to Golgotha, carrying His own cross. Being so weakened by the scourging, He fell, and the soldiers grabbed a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, to help Him carry the heavy cross up the hill. (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-24, Luke 23:26-31, John 19:16-17.)
Jesus, the Man who had no sin, died a criminal's death by execution. The Romans had devised the most inhumane method of execution that has ever been known. The Romans had also conquered the whole known world, and built good roads to reach every part of it. So God chose the perfect time for His Son to come as our Sacrificial Lamb, and, after all was said and done, for the disciples to be able to bring the Good News to every corner of the Earth. God's timing is always perfect.
Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 10, 2016
Jesus In The Garden
Matthew 26:36-56
This part covers Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His arrest.
Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch with Me."
Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."
This is Jesus' last night before He would be taken and executed, and He was very troubled and sorrowful. He left the disciples near the entrance to the garden, and took Peter, James and John with Him deeper into it, then He went a little beyond them, too. There He communed with His Father, earnestly asking if there could be any other way, as, in His humanity, when it came down to it, He really didn't want to have to go through this.
Jesus prayed this same prayer three times (vs. 42-44), and Luke tells us that, An angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).
This is possibly the only time in all Eternity Past and Future that the Father and Son didn't agree 100% in their wills. Jesus was born into our human family in order to be the "sacrificial Lamb" that would take away our sins, but in His Humanity He faced many temptations, every temptation we are all tempted with, including trying to get out of this obligation. He had never been separated from His Father, and He really dreaded it. That's why He asked three times. But He knew there was no other way to be able to take us to Heaven. That's how much He loves us!
Luke 22:45-48
When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" He asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to to kiss Him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
The culture Jesus lived in called for a close friend to greet another with a kiss on the cheek, as a sign of affection and respect. Judas was abusing this greeting in using it as a sign to His enemies. Surely, he didn't think he could deceive Jesus with it! So Jesus called him out.
John 18:3-11
So Judas came to the Garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked, them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied." "I am He," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
I can imagine that when Jesus, the great I AM, actually said, "I AM," to them, the effect knocked them backward onto the ground!
Again He asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. If you are looking for Me, then let these men go." This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those You gave Me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?"
And He touched the man's ear and healed him." (Luke 22:51.)
Here's Peter, again defending Jesus to keep Him "safe." But Jesus is now strengthened, and simply heals the man.
Matthew tells us that He said that could call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels. (26:53.)
And Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that Jesus told them that he had spent every day with them teaching in the temple courts, and they hadn't arrested Him there. (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:49, and Luke 22:53.)
He knew they were afraid of the people, that's why they didn't arrest Him there.
And Luke adds, But this is your hour--when darkness reigns. (22:53.)
Jesus knew that Satan would think he was destroying Man's hope, and would rejoice at Jesus' suffering and death. That's why He references darkness getting the upper hand, but only temporarily. And these chief priests and Pharisees were the ones who called for His crucifixion, because they refused to believe in Him.
Jesus' humanity is glaringly on display here: through His anguished prayers, the arrest, all of the trials they illegally put Him through, His crucifixion, death and burial.
All because He loves us that much. God the Father loves us that much, to agree to sacrifice His own Son. This love is greater, grander, purer, broader, bolder, more passionate than any earthly love that is possible.
And this unlimited and eternal love can be yours, in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This part covers Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His arrest.
Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch with Me."
Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."
This is Jesus' last night before He would be taken and executed, and He was very troubled and sorrowful. He left the disciples near the entrance to the garden, and took Peter, James and John with Him deeper into it, then He went a little beyond them, too. There He communed with His Father, earnestly asking if there could be any other way, as, in His humanity, when it came down to it, He really didn't want to have to go through this.
Jesus prayed this same prayer three times (vs. 42-44), and Luke tells us that, An angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).
This is possibly the only time in all Eternity Past and Future that the Father and Son didn't agree 100% in their wills. Jesus was born into our human family in order to be the "sacrificial Lamb" that would take away our sins, but in His Humanity He faced many temptations, every temptation we are all tempted with, including trying to get out of this obligation. He had never been separated from His Father, and He really dreaded it. That's why He asked three times. But He knew there was no other way to be able to take us to Heaven. That's how much He loves us!
Luke 22:45-48
When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" He asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to to kiss Him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
The culture Jesus lived in called for a close friend to greet another with a kiss on the cheek, as a sign of affection and respect. Judas was abusing this greeting in using it as a sign to His enemies. Surely, he didn't think he could deceive Jesus with it! So Jesus called him out.
John 18:3-11
So Judas came to the Garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked, them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied." "I am He," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
I can imagine that when Jesus, the great I AM, actually said, "I AM," to them, the effect knocked them backward onto the ground!
Again He asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. If you are looking for Me, then let these men go." This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those You gave Me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?"
And He touched the man's ear and healed him." (Luke 22:51.)
Here's Peter, again defending Jesus to keep Him "safe." But Jesus is now strengthened, and simply heals the man.
Matthew tells us that He said that could call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels. (26:53.)
And Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that Jesus told them that he had spent every day with them teaching in the temple courts, and they hadn't arrested Him there. (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:49, and Luke 22:53.)
He knew they were afraid of the people, that's why they didn't arrest Him there.
And Luke adds, But this is your hour--when darkness reigns. (22:53.)
Jesus knew that Satan would think he was destroying Man's hope, and would rejoice at Jesus' suffering and death. That's why He references darkness getting the upper hand, but only temporarily. And these chief priests and Pharisees were the ones who called for His crucifixion, because they refused to believe in Him.
Jesus' humanity is glaringly on display here: through His anguished prayers, the arrest, all of the trials they illegally put Him through, His crucifixion, death and burial.
All because He loves us that much. God the Father loves us that much, to agree to sacrifice His own Son. This love is greater, grander, purer, broader, bolder, more passionate than any earthly love that is possible.
And this unlimited and eternal love can be yours, in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
From Supper To The Garden
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19
Jesus' last week begins with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the King and Messiah over Israel. He went immediately to the Temple and cleansed it, all which incensed the Jewish leaders, who were afraid of Him, and also envious of His popularity. They are the ones who demanded His crucifixion later in the week.
Jesus then left the Temple, going back to Martha, Mary and Lazarus' home in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, where He spent the night.
When He came back to Jerusalem, He went into the Temple again and stymied the teachers who hated Him, told parables against them, tripped them up in their own words, and taught the people to watch out for them, to do what they say but not what they do.
By the time of the Passover, the Jewish teachers had decided it would be best for Jesus to die and plotted to kill Him, and hired Judas to betray Him.
Matt 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, and John 13:18-30
Then at the Last Supper He tells them again of His death and resurrection, institutes the Lord's Supper Communion ordinance of the church, prays His High Priestly Prayer (John 17), and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, teaching all the way.
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, and John 18:1-2
Here we have the personal prayer Jesus prayed, as He asked His Father to release Him from having to be tortured to death, and separated from His Father, if it was possible, and still be able to save us. In His human body, He really didn't want to face this ultimate horror; but He knew that there was no other way, and He submitted to His Father's will, not His human one. Probably the only time in all eternity past and future when the Son and Father were not in perfect agreement in their wills.
Then He was arrested.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus' last week begins with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the King and Messiah over Israel. He went immediately to the Temple and cleansed it, all which incensed the Jewish leaders, who were afraid of Him, and also envious of His popularity. They are the ones who demanded His crucifixion later in the week.
Jesus then left the Temple, going back to Martha, Mary and Lazarus' home in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, where He spent the night.
When He came back to Jerusalem, He went into the Temple again and stymied the teachers who hated Him, told parables against them, tripped them up in their own words, and taught the people to watch out for them, to do what they say but not what they do.
By the time of the Passover, the Jewish teachers had decided it would be best for Jesus to die and plotted to kill Him, and hired Judas to betray Him.
Matt 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, and John 13:18-30
Then at the Last Supper He tells them again of His death and resurrection, institutes the Lord's Supper Communion ordinance of the church, prays His High Priestly Prayer (John 17), and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, teaching all the way.
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, and John 18:1-2
Here we have the personal prayer Jesus prayed, as He asked His Father to release Him from having to be tortured to death, and separated from His Father, if it was possible, and still be able to save us. In His human body, He really didn't want to face this ultimate horror; but He knew that there was no other way, and He submitted to His Father's will, not His human one. Probably the only time in all eternity past and future when the Son and Father were not in perfect agreement in their wills.
Then He was arrested.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Jesus' Authority Over The Spiritual And Material Worlds
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
All of Jesus' miracles show His authority over:
physical conditions:
sicknesses,
paralysis,
lameness,
blindness,
deafness,
muteness;
His authority over:
food: loaves and fishes, water to wine;
weather: calming the wind and the waves, walking on water, letting Peter walk on water;
demons: to command them, limit them, to cast them out, even at a distance;
Life and death: to raise from the dead;
And the most amazing: to forgive sins.
All these miracles show His authority over the material world and spiritual world He created, to do whatever He wants with His own property.
And all His teachings: the parables, the prophesies, the stories; all show His complete understanding of all He has made and how it works, how everything works together, and how we are to regard God and one another. And how this world will function in His Kingdom; in His own (who have received Him) who are living now, and under His rule as King of the World for that 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-7), and continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth forever.
Next we will see what He accomplished, the work He finished.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
All of Jesus' miracles show His authority over:
physical conditions:
sicknesses,
paralysis,
lameness,
blindness,
deafness,
muteness;
His authority over:
food: loaves and fishes, water to wine;
weather: calming the wind and the waves, walking on water, letting Peter walk on water;
demons: to command them, limit them, to cast them out, even at a distance;
Life and death: to raise from the dead;
And the most amazing: to forgive sins.
All these miracles show His authority over the material world and spiritual world He created, to do whatever He wants with His own property.
And all His teachings: the parables, the prophesies, the stories; all show His complete understanding of all He has made and how it works, how everything works together, and how we are to regard God and one another. And how this world will function in His Kingdom; in His own (who have received Him) who are living now, and under His rule as King of the World for that 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-7), and continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth forever.
Next we will see what He accomplished, the work He finished.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 7, 2016
Jesus' Authority
Matthew 7: 28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Even the multitudes who heard Jesus teaching this Sermon on the Mount recognized that Jesus wasn't just repeating what God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as their teachers of the law did; Jesus expanded and deepened the principles that the Law was designed to portray, as only the Lawgiver would be able to do. This whole passage shows us that Jesus is the Creator Who designed and made this world, this universe, and is the One Who laid out the parameters, the rules by which it would function. So He does have the authority to explain how these statutes are to be applied to living in this world. And He is the rightful King and sovereign God over all, as the Owner Who cares for it all.
This is who Jesus is, Who He was, and will always be.
Next we will see what Jesus did, the work He came to do, and finished; and then, the results that come from His finished work, including His further authority.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Even the multitudes who heard Jesus teaching this Sermon on the Mount recognized that Jesus wasn't just repeating what God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as their teachers of the law did; Jesus expanded and deepened the principles that the Law was designed to portray, as only the Lawgiver would be able to do. This whole passage shows us that Jesus is the Creator Who designed and made this world, this universe, and is the One Who laid out the parameters, the rules by which it would function. So He does have the authority to explain how these statutes are to be applied to living in this world. And He is the rightful King and sovereign God over all, as the Owner Who cares for it all.
This is who Jesus is, Who He was, and will always be.
Next we will see what Jesus did, the work He came to do, and finished; and then, the results that come from His finished work, including His further authority.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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