Dispensation Bible Study #13

Approaching Grace - Jesus’ Third Year of Ministry - Later Galilean Period

Beginning His third year of ministry, Jesus had spent the majority of the past 14 months in Galilee ministering to the multitudes there. For the first half of the third year, He would remain in Galilee, but would instead focus on teaching and training His disciples. This first six month period is referred to as the Later Galilean Period. The latter part of this year Jesus divided equally in location, spending the first three months in Jerusalem and Judea (called the Later Judean Period) and the last three months in Perea (called the Perean Period). While some miracles were performed, Jesus spent the majority of His last year preparing the disciples and people for what was to come: His death. Because the majority of His ministry now focused on teaching and preaching, Jesus’ opposition grew steadily throughout this final year. It is thus popularly called the “Year of Opposition.”

Mark 7:1-3 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

The year begins with opposition! The Pharisees, seeking to find fault, ask Jesus why His disciples did not wash their hands before eating. The Pharisees had made this a law of God that if a Jew did not thoroughly cleanse His hands before eating, then he had sinned against their tradition. They had made their tradition as important as the scriptures!

Mark 7:15-23 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Jesus’ message is clear. Physical food which entereth the mouth does not affect the spiritual man. The effects of sin are much greater than dirty hands! However, because He dared stand up to the powerful Pharisees, Jesus’ opposition began to grow.

Mark 7:24-30 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

This story has often been misunderstood by readers, because Jesus actually referred to the woman as a “dog.” Notice that Jesus had gone into the northwest area of Tyre and Sidon. Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Judea, had become increasingly hostile toward Jesus because He was causing such an uproar in Israel. Throughout this ministry, Jesus makes several such trips away from Galilee into areas that Herod Antipas did not rule. The majority of the areas surrounding Galilee was under the control of rulers who were not yet bothered by Jesus. Jesus visited these surrounding, Gentile-inhabited areas to escape the crowds so that He could teach the disciples in private and get them ready for the foundation of the church. To do great miracles here, would cause a widespread revival among the Gentiles. Yet somehow the woman found out about Him and, because her daughter was possessed, sought Jesus out. Keep in mind that the general plan of God was to first give the Jewish people a chance at salvation and then through them, reach the Gentile world. This has always been God’s official plan, from Noah’s time, throughout Joshua’s time, and even into the present dispensation of Grace. On the day of Pentecost, Jews received the Holy Spirit first, and then they in turn shared the gospel with the Gentiles. This woman was asking Jesus to step out of His divine plan, and cause undo publicity for Himself in a time when He needed none. Her response, however, amazed Him and revealed her great faith! Jesus responded to this display of great faith as He always does even today: a miracle!

Mark 7:31-36 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

Leaving the northwest, Jesus traveled past the Sea of Galilee to the southeastern region of Decapolis. Here He healed a man that was deaf and dumb. The result? much more popularity. Notice Jesus is asking people to not broadcast the healings. He still has much ministry to accomplish before His death, and as His popularity grows so do His enemies.

Matt 15:30-31 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus also performed many other miracles in Decapolis. Notice that the people realize who Jesus Christ really is because they glorified “the God of Israel.” Yet they have been led to believe by the Pharisees’ teachings that the God of Israel would overthrow the Roman empire. Jesus will one day set up an earthly kingdom (the dispensation of the Millennial Reign), but at this time He had come to set up a spiritual kingdom. This misconception of the Jews would later lead to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Matt 15:34-39 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

The first time Jesus had fed 5,000 men plus the women and children, now He feeds a crowd of 4,000 men plus women and children! Jesus and His disciples then depart into the coasts of Magdala and began the journey to the northeast into Caesarea Phillippi. Several events happened on the journey:

Mark 8:11-14 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. 13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

The Pharisees are now actively trying to catch Jesus doing something that they can legally persecute. Jesus responded by sighing, and saying that their generation would not have a sign from heaven. Our generation, however, has been given many signs from heaven that we are in the last days (see Matthew 24). Why? We are now living near the time when Jesus will set up His earthly kingdom, but at this time that was not His intentions. Notice the disciples are hungry. Why didn’t they bring the leftovers from the feeding of the 4,000? Jesus goes on in verses 15-21 to explain to them to beware the teachings of the Pharisees and Saducees and keep His bread continually with them. His message is clear: only Jesus can spiritually feed them, and even today there is no substitute for the word of God in our lives.

Mark 8:22-26 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

While traveling throughout Bethsaida, Jesus heals a blind man. Notice that the man is not completely healed the first time. But on the second touch of Jesus’ hand, his sight is completely restored. Notice also that the man saw “men as trees.” How did he know what a tree looked like? The man had obviously seen at one time and then lost his sight. Sometimes we do not get exactly what we need the first time we spiritually touch Jesus. We must not be afraid to go back and get our second touch! Now Jesus continues to the northern region of Caesarea Philippi. Here He finally gets alone with the disciples.

Matt 16:13-14 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

This is the most important event in Jesus’ ministry in helping us to understand the coming Dispensation of Grace, since His conversations with Nicodemus and the woman from Samaria . Every time a demoniac was brought to Jesus throughout His public ministry, the demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God (God in flesh, or the Messiah). Jesus now needed to see if the disciples had gotten the point of all the miracles and events of His life. Did they understand who He really was? He began by asking who did the people in the region say that He was? There were many different opinions, but that was not the point. The real question was “Who did they believe that Jesus was?”

Matt 16:15-20 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

The only disciple that answered Jesus’ question was Simon Peter! Remember what Jesus had told Peter about being a Rock? Jesus now tells Peter that because He knows that He really is the Messiah, God in flesh, come to save His people, that the church will be built upon Peter, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it! All of the other disciples had seen the same miracles and heard the same teachings but only Peter was willing to stand up and proclaim Jesus’ true identity. Jesus continues to make an interesting prophecy concerning Peter: he will be given the “keys of the kingdom of Heaven.” A key unlocks a lock that prevented access to something. Peter was going to be given the keys to the Dispensation of Grace and “unlock” or reveal what man must do to be saved in the coming spiritual kingdom of God!

Matt 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

From this point Jesus’ ministry changes to one of preparing the disciples for His death. No doubt the disciples did not understand why He was talking about His death. Peter understood the basics but still did not see the entire master plan. Peter would later realize that Christ’ death fulfilled the law and ushered in a new dispensation.

Matt 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

This teaching of Jesus still applies to us today. Serving God is not always easy, but one day our reward will justify the cross! A major part of the Dispensation of Grace is going to spiritually take up a cross ourselves.

Matt 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

On the seventh day after His teaching, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the “Mount of Transfiguration.” “Transfigured” means to be changed into another form or appearance. As the three disciples watched, Jesus’ face began to shine and His clothing became white as light. Then to the disciples’ astonishment, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus!

Matt 17:4-8 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

This is the second time that God has confirmed with an audible voice from heaven that Jesus is who He says He is. Notice Peter certainly has a knack of speaking out: a trait that God would use many times later. This experience served to strengthen the disciples’ faith right before going through a time where their faith was to be greatly tested!

Matt 17:9-13 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

The Transfiguration answered the most serious question in disciples’ mind about the Messiahship of Jesus. The prophet Malachi had prophesied of Elijah’s return:

Mal 4:4-6 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

The Pharisees were saying that Jesus could not be the Messiah because Elijah had not first returned. The Pharisees did not understand that Jesus was coming TWICE. First to pay the price for sin and fulfill the law and then come again to set up His earthly kingdom. The prophecy had a double fulfillment. Yes, before Jesus comes the second time at the end of the dispensation of Grace, Elijah will come back and preach to the Jews (Revelation 11:3-13). But an “Elijah” had also came and prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry: John the Baptist. Notice Malachi’s prophecy mentioned two prophets, both of whom appeared talking to Jesus. When God answered the disciples’ question, He left no room for doubt! If Jesus could talk to Moses and Elijah, then surely His teachings were correct! Notice also that Jesus has established the inner circle of three disciple leaders.

Matt 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus was able to heal and deliver the boy instantly, and used the incident to teach His disciples about faith and spiritual warfare. Notice that every miracle that Jesus performs in this phase of His ministry is used to teach or train the disciples. Jesus revealed the secret to spiritual healing today: prayer and fasting. The subject is faith, and the point is clear: nothing increases our faith like prayer and fasting, and if we have faith nothing is impossible to us!

Matt 17:22-23 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Jesus and the disciples then returned quietly through Galilee. Jesus again reminded them of His coming death. The disciples are beginning to accept the fact but are extremely disturbed at what is to come. These prophecies are important, however, because after Jesus death, they would remember that He said He would be raised again after three days.

Matt 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Jesus no longer held a regular job or any worldly possessions, and He should not have had to pay tax. Peter, however, defends Jesus to the tax collectors by telling them that “of course He pays taxes.” Jesus gently rebukes Peter and then helps him out of his situation by providing for money. Peter catches a fish like Jesus said, and in the fishes mouth was just enough money for both Jesus’ and Peter’s taxes! God does provide!

Matt 18:1-4 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Remember Jesus was setting up the dispensation of Grace and the period of the Church, but these disciples would be the leaders of His church. Jesus then began to teach and deal with some of the groups’ inner problems, the first being pride. Jesus taught them that whoever humbled themselves as a little child, will be the greatest! Children usually do not hold lasting grudges, but are quick to forgive and forget; so we must also be!

Matt 18:7-9 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

The next issue was offense and offendedness. The disciples (and us) had to learn the importance of getting to heaven. No issue was important enough to lose out on salvation!

Matt 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Children would be of utmost importance in the kingdom of God, therefore the disciples must love the children and teach them in the ways of God. Notice also the reference to angels watching over the children. God cares about children.

Matt 18:11-14 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

This taught the disciples (and us) the importance of reaching the lost. One soul is worth whatever the effort required to reach it.

Matt 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

This teaches how to handle a situation when someone has offended you. The person offended is required to go to the person who offended them alone and--in the correct attitude--speak with them. Notice the Bible says not to go to someone else until after you have gone to the person who offended you. Also, notice it is not the responsibility of the person who offended to go, because they may not realize that they have offended someone. Then if they will not hear, then the offended person must approach them with two or three witnesses. If they still will not hear, then tell the entire church. How many church problems do we create today by following Jesus’ instruction in reverse order? Notice also the reference to “the church.” Jesus is preparing the disciples for leadership in the spiritual kingdom that He is setting up called “His church.”

Matt 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

This taught the disciples the power of unity and of the Name of Jesus!

Matt 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Seven is the number representing God’s completeness and perfection. There were seven days of creation. The candelabra in the tabernacle held seven candlesticks. Elijah performed seven miracles, including cleansing a man of leprosy by dipping in the river seven times. Elisha who wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit performed 14 (7x2) miracles. There are many other sevens throughout the Bible. Jesus was not telling Peter to forgive until the 491st time, but rather forgive until the forgiveness was complete and made “perfect.” Jesus then went on to teach more great truths about forgiveness in verses 23-34 in the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Matt 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Forgiveness was an important principle for the disciples to learn. Within six months, Jesus would be hanging on a cross, crucified by the Jewish people that He was training the disciples to reach. In order to perform God’s perfect will in their lives, the disciples would have to forgive the Jewish people for killing their Messiah and reach out in love and teaching. Unforgiveness to this day blocks the perfect will of God in men’s lives. This concludes Jesus’ Galilean ministry. For almost one and a half years, He has ministered to the people of His home region. Now He turns to Judea and His eventual death place: Jerusalem.