A collection of daily Bible commentaries from GoServ Global co-FOunder, Terry Baxter
Anguish
July 26, 2024
Anguish of Soul: Mark 14:32-36
“32) They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33) And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34) And He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35) And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36) And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”” Mark 14:32-36
These verses are hard to comprehend. Let me try to explain what was happening that caused Jesus so much inner pain and anguish.
It had started. At some point during the Passover meal, the sins of humanity were transferred to Jesus and He became the true Passover lamb. The separation between Father and Son had begun in earnest.
By the time they arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus became very distressed and troubled. This was anguish of soul. He was alone.
Matthew says, “He became grieved and distressed to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:37-38) Luke 22:44 says; “And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
It is hard to capture the inner torment Jesus was going through. “He made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteous of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Words cannot capture nor can the human mind comprehend the inner pain Jesus was enduring as He was assaulted by human sin and guilt.
Many point to the physical pain He endured during His scourging and crucifixion. It was small compared to the spiritual and emotional pain He was carrying by the full load of human sin suddenly dumped on Him.
In the middle of Isaiah 5::6-7 it says; “… But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and was afflicted…” It was not only that the full load of human sin was dumped upon Him, He literally became sin for us.
Isaiah 53:10 says; “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He wound render Himself as a guilt offering…” At this point in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was being crushed by the full weight of human sin and guilt.
His prayer life and communion with the Father was severed. He was abandoned and alone. Even His closest disciples slept through His ordeal.
I emphasize His anguish over sin that you might know how utterly awful sin really is. It separates people from God! Isaiah 59:2 says; “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.”
Sin turns people into slaves of Satan. It tears away at the human soul. It deadens the conscience. It leads downward to addictions and shameful lusts and acts of depravity. (See Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 4:17-19)
Sin acts like a novocaine that deadens the human soul to guilt and shame. It causes people to laugh and party without realizing they are dancing with the devil right into the pits of hell.
But Jesus had no novocaine. He was assaulted by the full brunt force of human guilt, shame and depravity. He alone paid for every sinful act committed by humanity. In the Garden, He was already being tied to the devils whipping post. It was the ultimate assault on innocence.
He voluntarily endured it all because of His great love for you and me. He took our place. He was separated from God that we might be reconciled to God!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“32) They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33) And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34) And He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35) And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36) And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”” Mark 14:32-36
These verses are hard to comprehend. Let me try to explain what was happening that caused Jesus so much inner pain and anguish.
It had started. At some point during the Passover meal, the sins of humanity were transferred to Jesus and He became the true Passover lamb. The separation between Father and Son had begun in earnest.
By the time they arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus became very distressed and troubled. This was anguish of soul. He was alone.
Matthew says, “He became grieved and distressed to the point of death.” (Matthew 26:37-38) Luke 22:44 says; “And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
It is hard to capture the inner torment Jesus was going through. “He made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteous of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Words cannot capture nor can the human mind comprehend the inner pain Jesus was enduring as He was assaulted by human sin and guilt.
Many point to the physical pain He endured during His scourging and crucifixion. It was small compared to the spiritual and emotional pain He was carrying by the full load of human sin suddenly dumped on Him.
In the middle of Isaiah 5::6-7 it says; “… But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and was afflicted…” It was not only that the full load of human sin was dumped upon Him, He literally became sin for us.
Isaiah 53:10 says; “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He wound render Himself as a guilt offering…” At this point in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was being crushed by the full weight of human sin and guilt.
His prayer life and communion with the Father was severed. He was abandoned and alone. Even His closest disciples slept through His ordeal.
I emphasize His anguish over sin that you might know how utterly awful sin really is. It separates people from God! Isaiah 59:2 says; “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.”
Sin turns people into slaves of Satan. It tears away at the human soul. It deadens the conscience. It leads downward to addictions and shameful lusts and acts of depravity. (See Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 4:17-19)
Sin acts like a novocaine that deadens the human soul to guilt and shame. It causes people to laugh and party without realizing they are dancing with the devil right into the pits of hell.
But Jesus had no novocaine. He was assaulted by the full brunt force of human guilt, shame and depravity. He alone paid for every sinful act committed by humanity. In the Garden, He was already being tied to the devils whipping post. It was the ultimate assault on innocence.
He voluntarily endured it all because of His great love for you and me. He took our place. He was separated from God that we might be reconciled to God!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Falling Away
July 25, 2024
The Futility of Good Intensions: Mark 14:27-31
“27) And Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ 28) But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29) But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.” 30) And Jesus *said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31) But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.” Mark 14:27-31
Jesus warned that they were all going to fall away from Him. The shepherd was about to be struck down and the sheep were going to be scattered.
Peter meant well. He was even sincere. But good intentions in the flesh cannot please God. There is futility in good intensions. The flesh lacks what the Bible calls “power.”
How do we know Peter was operating out of the flesh? This was before Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was not yet given. The flesh cannot be trusted.
This is the thrust behind Romans 6-8. Until a man or woman is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be plagued by fleshly weakness and failure. They can be legalistic and sincere, but like the testimony of Paul in Romans 7:14-25, they will loose the inner battles to sin.
Peter was a radically different man after Pentecost. Repeatedly in the book of Acts he stood strong and steadfast in the face of harsh opposition.
The difference was the indwelling Holy Spirit. He was no longer living according to the flesh. He began living and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:29-31 is a prime example. They were continually filled with the Holy Spirit. They walked in divine power and holy boldness. God changed them from within.
Good intentions in the flesh cannot please God. In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul contrasted the deeds of the flesh with the walk in the Spirit. They produce radically different results.
It took me years to get over my theological inhibitions against the Holy Spirit. The Bible School I attended was biased against the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It set us up for failure.
Yet in Acts 1:4-8, Jesus focused on the Holy Spirit as the promise of the Father. He promised that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was going to fill them with inner power.
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul stressed the importance of being “continually filled” with the Spirit. I believe in one baptism but many fillings.
This text in Mark 14:27-21 is the greatest example of being religious, committed, sincere and legalistic apart from the inner power of the Holy Spirit. Peter was all of those things, but he lacked the inner power of the Holy Spirit. He was destined for failure.
Peter was sincere and religious, but he was missing the inner flow of rivers of living water. (See John 7:37-39) Radical changes were about to take place in his life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“27) And Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ 28) But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29) But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.” 30) And Jesus *said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31) But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.” Mark 14:27-31
Jesus warned that they were all going to fall away from Him. The shepherd was about to be struck down and the sheep were going to be scattered.
Peter meant well. He was even sincere. But good intentions in the flesh cannot please God. There is futility in good intensions. The flesh lacks what the Bible calls “power.”
How do we know Peter was operating out of the flesh? This was before Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was not yet given. The flesh cannot be trusted.
This is the thrust behind Romans 6-8. Until a man or woman is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be plagued by fleshly weakness and failure. They can be legalistic and sincere, but like the testimony of Paul in Romans 7:14-25, they will loose the inner battles to sin.
Peter was a radically different man after Pentecost. Repeatedly in the book of Acts he stood strong and steadfast in the face of harsh opposition.
The difference was the indwelling Holy Spirit. He was no longer living according to the flesh. He began living and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:29-31 is a prime example. They were continually filled with the Holy Spirit. They walked in divine power and holy boldness. God changed them from within.
Good intentions in the flesh cannot please God. In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul contrasted the deeds of the flesh with the walk in the Spirit. They produce radically different results.
It took me years to get over my theological inhibitions against the Holy Spirit. The Bible School I attended was biased against the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It set us up for failure.
Yet in Acts 1:4-8, Jesus focused on the Holy Spirit as the promise of the Father. He promised that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was going to fill them with inner power.
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul stressed the importance of being “continually filled” with the Spirit. I believe in one baptism but many fillings.
This text in Mark 14:27-21 is the greatest example of being religious, committed, sincere and legalistic apart from the inner power of the Holy Spirit. Peter was all of those things, but he lacked the inner power of the Holy Spirit. He was destined for failure.
Peter was sincere and religious, but he was missing the inner flow of rivers of living water. (See John 7:37-39) Radical changes were about to take place in his life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Passover Hymns
July 24, 2024
The Concluding Hymn: Mark 14:26
“26) After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26
Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the end of the Passover meal. (See also Matthew 26:30) In both cases the statement is both a sentence and a complete paragraph. It was intended to stand alone as a complete thought. Though a very short paragraph, it is packed with meaning.
The record does not state which hymn they sang. Jewish tradition reveals that the Passover meal was concluded by singing the last portion of the Hallel. The Hallel is comprised of Psalms 113 through 118. It is a joyous celebration of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Why is this significant? By looking at these Psalms, we see that there were many references to the eventual salvation of the Lord’s people brought by the death and resurrection of Christ. This is especially true of Psalm 118, which served as the conclusion of the Passover meal. It is well worth the time to stop and read these six psalms while imagining Jesus singing portions of them with His disciples as they departed from the upper room.
Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:16–17 both point to the importance of using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs for teaching and making disciples. Jesus was no exception. Putting the psalms to music was a common method of memorization.
But there is another important lesson in this short verse. At the conclusion on the Passover meal, Jesus was in the spirit of worship and in control of His emotions. He alone understood what the next several hours would bring, yet He was singing hymns of praise to His Father.
The inner battle was about to begin in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at this moment He was completely reconciled with His mission. He was the Living Word walking in harmony with the written Word.
Herein is a great secret to walking in the Spirit. Always harmonize yourself with the Word of God. (Compare to John 4:23-24) Walk in the spirit of worship. That is exactly what Jesus was doing as He departed the upper room with His disciples.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“26) After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26
Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the end of the Passover meal. (See also Matthew 26:30) In both cases the statement is both a sentence and a complete paragraph. It was intended to stand alone as a complete thought. Though a very short paragraph, it is packed with meaning.
The record does not state which hymn they sang. Jewish tradition reveals that the Passover meal was concluded by singing the last portion of the Hallel. The Hallel is comprised of Psalms 113 through 118. It is a joyous celebration of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Why is this significant? By looking at these Psalms, we see that there were many references to the eventual salvation of the Lord’s people brought by the death and resurrection of Christ. This is especially true of Psalm 118, which served as the conclusion of the Passover meal. It is well worth the time to stop and read these six psalms while imagining Jesus singing portions of them with His disciples as they departed from the upper room.
Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:16–17 both point to the importance of using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs for teaching and making disciples. Jesus was no exception. Putting the psalms to music was a common method of memorization.
But there is another important lesson in this short verse. At the conclusion on the Passover meal, Jesus was in the spirit of worship and in control of His emotions. He alone understood what the next several hours would bring, yet He was singing hymns of praise to His Father.
The inner battle was about to begin in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at this moment He was completely reconciled with His mission. He was the Living Word walking in harmony with the written Word.
Herein is a great secret to walking in the Spirit. Always harmonize yourself with the Word of God. (Compare to John 4:23-24) Walk in the spirit of worship. That is exactly what Jesus was doing as He departed the upper room with His disciples.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Passover
July 23, 2024
The Passover Meal: Mark 14:22-25
“22) While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23) And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24) And He said to them, “. 25) Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.””Mark 14:22-25
Of the four gospel accounts of Jesus keeping the Passover meal with His disciples, Mark was by far the most brief.
Mark records that Jesus took a piece of bread from the Passover meal and broke it and said; “take it, this is my body.” He was pointing to His forthcoming scourging and work on the cross where His body would be broken. By His stripes we are healed.
Then He reached down and took the cup and gave a blessing. As He did, He drank from it and then passed it to His disciples and they all in turn drank from it. As He passed it to them, He said; “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
In so doing, He was making the bold claim of being the Passover lamb. He was the fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:8 that God would prepare Himself as the Lamb of sacrifice. He was also presenting Himself as the fulfillment of the Passover kept by Israel as they were preparing to leave Egypt under Moses. (See Exodus 12)
It was the blood of the Passover Lamb placed on the doorpost of every believing family in Israel that caused the destroying angel who killed the first born in every house in Egypt to pass them by. (Exodus 12:23) Why? The blood of the lamb was a sign that a substitutionary death had already taken place in those homes. A lamb had died in the place of the first born.
This is what the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross became for us. It was not a coincidence that Jesus was crucified during the Passover celebration. It is impossible to read this account without remembering the words of John the Baptist as he introduced Jesus to Israel as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29, 36)
Jesus was about to fulfill every prophecy, type and shadow about the lamb of sacrifice presented in the Old Testament. He was indeed “ the Lamb of God.” From this meal He instituted what we call “The Lords Supper” as an ordinance of remembrance celebrated by Christians.
He was about to fulfill the Old Covenant. The New Covenant based on faith in Him as the Savior of the world was about to be inaugurated.
This was the pivot point of human history. Jesus Christ became the substantial sacrifice for every believer. Faith in Him means that our sins have already been judged and paid in full. He died in our place.
His role as the Lamb for the Redemption of humanity is also pictured in Revelation chapter five. The whole chapter is worthy of careful study. The chapter ends with Him being worshipped together with the Father.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“22) While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23) And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24) And He said to them, “. 25) Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.””Mark 14:22-25
Of the four gospel accounts of Jesus keeping the Passover meal with His disciples, Mark was by far the most brief.
Mark records that Jesus took a piece of bread from the Passover meal and broke it and said; “take it, this is my body.” He was pointing to His forthcoming scourging and work on the cross where His body would be broken. By His stripes we are healed.
Then He reached down and took the cup and gave a blessing. As He did, He drank from it and then passed it to His disciples and they all in turn drank from it. As He passed it to them, He said; “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
In so doing, He was making the bold claim of being the Passover lamb. He was the fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:8 that God would prepare Himself as the Lamb of sacrifice. He was also presenting Himself as the fulfillment of the Passover kept by Israel as they were preparing to leave Egypt under Moses. (See Exodus 12)
It was the blood of the Passover Lamb placed on the doorpost of every believing family in Israel that caused the destroying angel who killed the first born in every house in Egypt to pass them by. (Exodus 12:23) Why? The blood of the lamb was a sign that a substitutionary death had already taken place in those homes. A lamb had died in the place of the first born.
This is what the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross became for us. It was not a coincidence that Jesus was crucified during the Passover celebration. It is impossible to read this account without remembering the words of John the Baptist as he introduced Jesus to Israel as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29, 36)
Jesus was about to fulfill every prophecy, type and shadow about the lamb of sacrifice presented in the Old Testament. He was indeed “ the Lamb of God.” From this meal He instituted what we call “The Lords Supper” as an ordinance of remembrance celebrated by Christians.
He was about to fulfill the Old Covenant. The New Covenant based on faith in Him as the Savior of the world was about to be inaugurated.
This was the pivot point of human history. Jesus Christ became the substantial sacrifice for every believer. Faith in Him means that our sins have already been judged and paid in full. He died in our place.
His role as the Lamb for the Redemption of humanity is also pictured in Revelation chapter five. The whole chapter is worthy of careful study. The chapter ends with Him being worshipped together with the Father.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Exposure
July 22, 2024
The Exposure of Judas: Mark 14:17-21
“17) When it was evening He *came with the twelve. 18) As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 19) They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20) And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21) For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”” Mark 14:17-21
Mark devotes the least time writing about the upper room discourse between Jesus and His disciples of the four gospels. But He does touch on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.
According to Mark 14:10-11, Judas had already made the deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus. He was present at the Passover meal, but had a guilty conscience. He was going through the outward motions of the Passover, but inwardly he was full of hypocrisy, deceit and guile.
Instead of trying to reach Judas, Jesus merely exposed him and pronounced sentence on him; “21) For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.””
This may have been the last chance for Judas. John 13:21-30 tells this same story but adds a few derails. First, John pointed out that after Jesus gave the morsel to Judas, Satan entered into him.” (Vs 27) The actions of Judas left the door for Satan wide open. Judas opened the door for demonic activity.
Second, verse 30 says that Judas left immediately from the meal to go and carry out his betrayal of Jesus. He was absent for the amazing teachings of Jesus to His disciples as recorded in John 14-17.
He missed the promise of the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit. It did not apply to him. He was also not included in the teaching of the true vine. He did not belong to Jesus. He made a compact with the devil. He opted for citizenship in the kingdom of darkness rather than the kingdom of light. He was religious but lost and deceived.
I have discovered over the years that there is often a Judas present in churches, Christisn organizations and leadership roles. They look good, talk good and go through the motions of the Christian life. But they are planted by Satan to run interference with the work of God. They are not in tune with the Holy Spirit and often focused on self.
However, in an unusual twist of fate, God used Judas to accomplish His ultimate purpose. Judas became a tag team with Satan and the Sanhedrin to accomplish the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus.
Judas had fooled the other disciples with his hypocrisy, but he had not fooled Jesus. In the end, “a Judas” is always exposed. Satans workers can masquerade as angels of light, but at some point their true nature and agenda comes through. Their eternal condemnation is just.
If your heart and life are not right with God, take heed from the story of Judas and repent. Get in the right posture with Jesus Christ before it’s too late. Don’t become the victim of your own dark heart, deception and hypocrisy.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“17) When it was evening He *came with the twelve. 18) As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 19) They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20) And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21) For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”” Mark 14:17-21
Mark devotes the least time writing about the upper room discourse between Jesus and His disciples of the four gospels. But He does touch on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.
According to Mark 14:10-11, Judas had already made the deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus. He was present at the Passover meal, but had a guilty conscience. He was going through the outward motions of the Passover, but inwardly he was full of hypocrisy, deceit and guile.
Instead of trying to reach Judas, Jesus merely exposed him and pronounced sentence on him; “21) For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.””
This may have been the last chance for Judas. John 13:21-30 tells this same story but adds a few derails. First, John pointed out that after Jesus gave the morsel to Judas, Satan entered into him.” (Vs 27) The actions of Judas left the door for Satan wide open. Judas opened the door for demonic activity.
Second, verse 30 says that Judas left immediately from the meal to go and carry out his betrayal of Jesus. He was absent for the amazing teachings of Jesus to His disciples as recorded in John 14-17.
He missed the promise of the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit. It did not apply to him. He was also not included in the teaching of the true vine. He did not belong to Jesus. He made a compact with the devil. He opted for citizenship in the kingdom of darkness rather than the kingdom of light. He was religious but lost and deceived.
I have discovered over the years that there is often a Judas present in churches, Christisn organizations and leadership roles. They look good, talk good and go through the motions of the Christian life. But they are planted by Satan to run interference with the work of God. They are not in tune with the Holy Spirit and often focused on self.
However, in an unusual twist of fate, God used Judas to accomplish His ultimate purpose. Judas became a tag team with Satan and the Sanhedrin to accomplish the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus.
Judas had fooled the other disciples with his hypocrisy, but he had not fooled Jesus. In the end, “a Judas” is always exposed. Satans workers can masquerade as angels of light, but at some point their true nature and agenda comes through. Their eternal condemnation is just.
If your heart and life are not right with God, take heed from the story of Judas and repent. Get in the right posture with Jesus Christ before it’s too late. Don’t become the victim of your own dark heart, deception and hypocrisy.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
Omniscience
July 21, 2024
The Omniscience of Jesus: Mark 14:12-16
“12) On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13) And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14) and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15) And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” 16) The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.”Mark 12-26
The way Mark tells this story hints that he may have been one of the two disciples sent on this mission. Jesus told them exactly what to do in the city, and so it happened.
They followed the man with the pitcher into the house and talked to the owner. Sure enough, the owner showed them the upper room where Jesus and His disciples kept the Passover. The room had mostly been prepared for them.
This story emphasizes the omniscience of Jesus. As God, He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows every detail. He knew this home owner would serve as the last host for Him and His disciples. He knew that the cross awaited Him just beyond the Passover meal in that room.
He also knows the details of your life and my life. He is a very present help in our time of need.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“12) On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13) And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14) and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15) And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” 16) The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.”Mark 12-26
The way Mark tells this story hints that he may have been one of the two disciples sent on this mission. Jesus told them exactly what to do in the city, and so it happened.
They followed the man with the pitcher into the house and talked to the owner. Sure enough, the owner showed them the upper room where Jesus and His disciples kept the Passover. The room had mostly been prepared for them.
This story emphasizes the omniscience of Jesus. As God, He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows every detail. He knew this home owner would serve as the last host for Him and His disciples. He knew that the cross awaited Him just beyond the Passover meal in that room.
He also knows the details of your life and my life. He is a very present help in our time of need.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
