Thursday, July 2, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 41
Luke 22; John 13
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover,
was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of
the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of
the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one
of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the
officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray
Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He
consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no
crowd was present. 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on
which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent
Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the
Passover." 9 "Where do you want us to prepare for
it?" they asked. 10He replied, "As you enter the city, a
man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he
enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher
asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?' 12 He will show you a large upper room, all
furnished. Make preparations there." 13 They left and
found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When
the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And
he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again
until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17 After
taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among
you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of
the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my
body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In
the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the
new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But
the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22The
Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays
him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of
them it might be who would do this. 24 Also a dispute arose
among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus
said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who
exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.26 But you
are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the
youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For
who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not
the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You
are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer
on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 "Simon, Simon,
Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for
you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen
your brothers." 33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready
to go with you to prison and to death." 34 Jesus
answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will
deny three times that you know me." 35 Then Jesus asked
them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack
anything?" "Nothing," they answered. 36 He said
to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you
don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is
written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this
must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its
fulfillment." 38 The disciples said, "See, Lord,
here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied. 39 Jesus
went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.40 On
reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into
temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond
them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An
angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And
being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of
blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and
went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why
are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will
not fall into temptation." 47 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 kiss him, 48 but Jesus
asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a
kiss?" 49 When Jesus' followers saw what was going to
happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50 And
one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right
ear. 51 But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And
he touched the man's ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to
the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had
come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords
and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts,
and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness
reigns." 54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took
him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But
when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down
together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated
there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was
with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know
him," he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and
said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter
replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted,
"Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter
replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he
was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and
looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to
him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three
times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. 63The
men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They
blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" 65 And
they said many other insulting things to him. 66 At daybreak
the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of
the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 "If
you are the Christ, " they said, "tell us." Jesus answered,
"If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I
asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son
of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." 70 They
all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are
right in saying I am." 71 Then they said, "Why do we
need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the
time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved
his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his
love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had
already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus
knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come
from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the
meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After
that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He
came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my
feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what
I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No,"
said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered,
"Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then,
Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my
head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person who has
had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are
clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who
was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was
clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on
his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done
for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher'
and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that
I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should
do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant
is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent
him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if
you do them. 18 "I am not referring to all of you; I know
those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my
bread has lifted up his heel against me.' 19 "I am
telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe
that I am He. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone
I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent
me." 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in
spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray
me." 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to
know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom
Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter
motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he
means." 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him,
"Lord, who is it?"26 Jesus answered, "It is the one
to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the
dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son
of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered
into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him,28 but
no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since
Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what
was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As
soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. 31When
he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is
glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will
glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 "My
children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and
just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot
come. 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As
I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all
men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 36 Simon
Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied,
"Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow
later." 37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow
you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Then Jesus
answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the
truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."[b]
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Revelation 1
Revelation 1 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 1
Prologue
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology
4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds,"[b] and "every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him."[c] So shall it be! Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
John's Vision of Christ
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[d] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[e] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Revelation 1
Prologue
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology
4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds,"[b] and "every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him."[c] So shall it be! Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
John's Vision of Christ
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[d] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[e] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 40
Matthew 26; Mark 14
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said
to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover is two
days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." 3 Then
the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the
high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they plotted to
arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5 "But not
during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the
people." 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a
man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an
alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was
reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they
were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This
perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the
poor." 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why
are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The
poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When
she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I
tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what
she has done will also be told, in memory of her." 14 Then
one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief
priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if
I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver
coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to
hand him over. 17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened
Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to
make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He
replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher
says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my
disciples at your house.' " 19 So the disciples did as
Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When
evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And
while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will
betray me." 22 They were very sad and began to say to him
one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23 Jesus
replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will
betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written
about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better
for him if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, the one
who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered,
"Yes, it is you." 26 While they were eating, Jesus
took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
"Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the
cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of
you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will
not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it
anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 30 When they had
sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then
Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me,
for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the
flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have risen, I will go
ahead of you into Galilee." 33 Peter replied, "Even
if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 34 "I
tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the
rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35 But
Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown
you." And all the other disciples said the same. 36 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." 37 He
took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be
sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul
is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with
me." 39 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." 40Then he
returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep
watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch
and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but
the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and
prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away
unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he
came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So
he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same
thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son
of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us
go! Here comes my betrayer!" 47 While he was still
speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed
with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the
people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
"The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at
once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus
replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped
forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of
Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of
the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword
back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword
will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my
Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of
angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that
say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus
said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with
swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,
and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place
that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the
disciples deserted him and fled. 57 Those who had arrested
Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and
the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a
distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down
with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and
the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they
could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many
false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61and
declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and
rebuild it in three days.' "62 Then the high priest stood up
and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony
that these men are bringing against you?" 63 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 Christ, the Son of God." 64"Yes,
it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the
future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One
and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 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. 66 What
do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. 67 Then
they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and
said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" 69 Now
Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.
"You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said. 70 But
he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking
about," he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway,
where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was
with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 He denied it again, with an
oath: "I don't know the man!" 73 After a little
while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one
of them, for your accent gives you away." 74 Then he
began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know
the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter
remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will
disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 (New International Version, ©2010)
Ephesians 3
God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3
God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 22
Revelation 22 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 22
Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."
7 "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll."
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"
10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning 12 "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Revelation 22
Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."
7 "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll."
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"
10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning 12 "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 39
Matthew 25 NIV
1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like1 ten virgins who took their lamps2 and went out to meet the bridegroom.3
3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with
them.
4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come
out to meet him!'
7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
9 " 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us
and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the
bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding
banquet.7 And
the door was shut.
11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open
the door for us!'
14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,10 who called his servants and entrusted his property to
them.
15 To one he gave five talentsa of money, to another two talents, and to another one
talent, each according to his ability.11 Then he went on his journey.
16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put
his money to work and gained five more.
17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole
in the ground and hid his master's money.
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other
five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have
gained five more.'
21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things.13 Come
and share your master's happiness!'
22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said,
'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things.14 Come
and share your master's happiness!'
24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came.
'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have
not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.
See, here is what belongs to you.'
26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew
that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed?
27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the
bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 " 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has
the ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.15
30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'16
31 "When the Son of Man comes17 in his glory, and all the angels with
him, he will sit on his throne18 in heavenly glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will
separate19 the
people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.20
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you
who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom21 prepared for you since the creation of
the world.22
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty
and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,23
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,24 I was sick and you looked after me,25 I was in prison and you came to visit me.'26
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing
clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'27
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me,28 you who are cursed, into the eternal
fire29 prepared
for the devil and his angels.30
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty
and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes
and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after
me.'
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry
or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not
help you?'
45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not
do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'31
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