Dispensation Bible Study #17

Approaching Grace - Passion Week - Tuesday and the beginning of Wednesday

Three months earlier, Jesus had left Jerusalem because His opposition wanted to kill Him and it was not yet the Passover. John the Baptist had christened Jesus as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) and for Jesus to fulfill the requirements for being the Passover Lamb, He had to be killed during the Passover feast. The passover lamb was killed and the supper was prepared on Wednesday, the 14th day of Nisan that year. Jesus fulfilled every requirement for the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12:6-14. For instance, the Passover Lamb could not be killed until the 14th day of the month:

Matt 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

From when God promised Abraham that his seed would be blessed during the dispensation of Promise, until God promised David that the Messiah would come from his seed, was 14 generations. From the time that God spoke to David until God spoke to Israel through the Exilic prophets, was 14 generations. From the Exile into Babylon until Jesus Christ was 14 generations. The numbers are not coincidence but proof of a divine plan!

Other fulfillments of the Passover met by Jesus were that the lamb had to be purchased and set apart to die on the 10th day of the month, the lamb had to be killed by the entire host of Israel, the lamb was killed in the evening of the 14th day of the month, the killing of the lamb enabled the children of Israel to escape from their sinful past (Egypt), the blood of the lamb saved God’s children from the judgment of death, the blood was no good until applied to the house, the lamb had to be completely consumed and not left until the morning, the lamb was not gutted after killed and no bones were to be broken, and the lamb had to be a spotless male. Jesus Christ fulfilled everyone of these requirements: He was the Lamb of God, He was purchased and set apart to die by Judas and the High priests on the 10th of the month, the entire host of Israel present at the trial of Jesus shouted “crucify Him,” He died in the evening of the 14th day of the month, His death allows us to escape from the awful curse of our sinful past which is death (Romans 6:23), we are able to escape that death from the blood that He shed, we too must apply His blood today to our fleshly “house” for it to do us any good (I Corinthians 6:19), Jesus was not left on the cross until morning but was removed the same evening and buried, Jesus was not “embalmed” or gutted but place immediately in the tomb, none of His bones were broken, He was male, and never ever sinned so thus was spotless (Hebrews 4:15)! Jesus’ death also fulfilled many other prophecies in scripture and we will not these as we go along.

Tuesday - Day of Teaching

Mark 14:13-17 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

Wednesday was the day that the Passover meal was prepared and eaten so Tuesday was the last day for the Jewish people to have everything in order for celebrating the Passover. We know that Jesus hid himself from the crowds most of the daylight hours by remaining in Bethany until the early afternoon (John 12:36). Before Jesus and His disciples came into Jerusalem from Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John to find a place to celebrate the Passover. Since Jesus would be the Passover Lamb the following evening, He and His disciples celebrated the Passover 24 hours early on the Tuesday evening right before sundown. Remember that Wedneday officially began at sundown, so during this meal the day changed from Tuesday to Wednesday. Similar to the arrangement of the colt upon which Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem, Jesus had already worked out the details to provide a nice, private place to dine with His disciples.

Luke 22:14-20 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

This is commonly referred to by bible scholars as the Eucharist or “taking communion.” We still partake of communion because Jesus commanded for His followers to do so. The bread represented the body that would be broken for their sins. The fruit of the vine represented the blood that would be shed for their sins. Notice that Jesus talks about a “new testament in my blood.” A testament is an agreement between two people. The law was the “old agreement” or “old testament” between God and man. Now after the shedding of Jesus’ blood, God would make a “new agreement” with man! No longer would the blood of sheep or goats be needed to cleanse man’s sin, the blood of Jesus would now be applied in a new covenant!

John 13:4-11 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

After supper, Jesus began to wash His disciples feet. When Peter tried to stop Him, Jesus revealed a beautiful truth about the coming New Covenant: if Jesus did not wash him, then a person has no part with Jesus Christ. Our attitude today to Christ cleansing us should be the same as Peter’s: “not just my feet, Lord but everything!”

John 13:12-16 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I

have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

Jesus goes on to reveal that He is showing the disciples by example how they are to treat one another. We are to have a servant’s heart, because Jesus did. We should never get so prideful that we could not wash our brother or sister’s feet! Jesus led by example and that style of leadership is still the only Biblical style!

Matt 26:21-24 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot had already secretly been making plans to betray Him. Now as they resume eating, Jesus reveals this information openly to the twelve. Jesus loved Judas enough to give one more warning before he betrayed Him! At this warning, the disciples began to inquire frantically, “Is it I, Lord; Is it I?”

John 13:26-30 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

In those days everyone at the supper setting did not have silverware and a plate. Everyone ate by rolling or tearing bits of bread and sopping or “dipping” the bread into the main dish. The bread was then used as a spoon or eating utensil. Jesus responded to the disciple’s questions by dipping a piece of bread and handing it to Judas Iscariot. Then Jesus commanded to Judas to do what he was going to do quickly. Judas Iscariot, disciple and follower of Christ, then quickly made his decision and leaving the room, left into the night. The other disciples did not catch the meaning of Jesus’ words to Judas as he was the treasurer, and such commands were no doubt common. Jesus then began to teach the remaining 11 disciples:

John 13:33-35 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Even thought the disciples really do not completely understand, Jesus is now openly telling them that the time of His death is near. He also commands that they are to love one another and that is how that everyone will know that they are truly disciples of Christ! Even today, one can tell the true disciples of Jesus by their love for each other!

John 13:36-38 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Peter misunderstands Jesus’ words and tells Him that he will follow Jesus anywhere. Jesus responds with the prophecy that before the rooster crows (signaling the next sunrise), Peter will have denied Jesus 3 times!

John 14:1-7 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Jesus then continues teaching the disciples about the future and His soon departure. Even though He would go away, Jesus promise to come again. While teaching, Jesus mentions “the Father” and Philip does not quite understand Jesus’ terminology.

John 14:8-11 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Jesus reveals a beautiful truth to Philip: He and “the Father” are the same person! If Philip has seen Jesus, then he has seen “the Father.” Jesus goes on to state that “the Father that dwelleth in me” is who has done all the miracles and wonders! The term “the Father” is used by Jesus to refer to the “eternal spirit of God.” The Spirit of God had taken on human form in order to be able to shed blood for mankind! The term “the Son of God” was used by the writers of the Gospels to refer to the body of Christ! The body and the spirit were not two separate persons, but the same God manifested two different ways! The image of Jesus is the only image of God we will ever see! (Colossians 1:15) Jesus was all God (Colossians 2:9 Isaiah 9:6), and all man (John 1:14) By realizing these truths, John 3:16 becomes much more precious: For God (who is a Spirit John 4:23-24) so loved the world (you and I) that He gave His only begotten Son (God became flesh I Timothy 3:16 John 1:14)! God did not send some other God to do His redeeming work, He became flesh Himself so that He could pay the blood sacrifice required to redeem you and I (Isaiah 43:10-11 John 1:10)

John 14:16-20 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Jesus goes on to teach the disciples that when He goes away, not to fret, because He will send another Comforter, “the Spirit of Truth,” that will abide with them forever! Who is this “Spirit of Truth?” Verse 17 states that the disciples know this “Spirit of Truth” because He dwells with them! Jesus is talking about Himself, as He is the one dwelling with them! But when this Comforter comes, Jesus stated that He “shall be in you.” The Comforter and the Spirit of Truth was not another God, but merely the one true living God coming in a different form to live inside of His followers. Jesus goes on to say in verse 18 that “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.” Either there has been a change of plans between verse 16 and verse 18 or this “Spirit of Truth” or “Comforter” is really Jesus, the one true living God, coming in another form to live inside of His followers!

John 14:25-26 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jesus goes on to reveal more about this Comforter, calling it “the Holy Ghost.” So the terms “Comforter, Spirit of Truth, and Holy Ghost” all refer to the same thing: Jesus coming back in Spirit form to dwell within His followers. The definition of “Ghost” is the spirit of a departed one, so the “Holy Ghost” would simply refer to the Spirit of God after He had departed earth in human form (the Son). Notice that the Holy Ghost would be sent “in my name.” The name of Jesus is the revealed name of God; not just “the Son,” but everything that God is, including “the Father” and the “Holy Ghost.” These are not three separate Gods or persons, but three different roles of God for different purposes and the name of this one God is “Jesus.” There is no “trinity” of God’s attributes and no “threeness” to His being. In fact God is much more to us than just the “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” Other titles include Healer, Miracle Worker, Advocate, Friend, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Creator, Brother, Judge, Mercy-Giver, Provider, Overseer, Deliverer, Saviour, Kinsman-Redeemer, Word, Light, and many more. In fact, there are thousands of titles of God mentioned in the Bible. If each title is a separate God, then there are thousands of Gods not just three. If each title is a separate person, then there are thousands of persons in the Godhead not just a “trinity.” The term “trinity” is never implied or mentioned in the scripture, in fact the only number associated with God is one not three! (Deuteronomy 6:4 John 10:30 Isaiah 44:6 43:10-12 45:6 45:21-22) Paul in writing to the church in Ephesus summed it up beautifully:

Eph 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

With these truths in mind, understanding the next event is not too difficult. Jesus then began to pray for His disciples, that they would understand and would make it through the events to come. Since Jesus Christ was God in Flesh, why did He pray to “the Father?” For the same reason that He was baptized, and prayed during His ministry: He was our example as the perfect man in every way, and wanted His disciples to pray for each other. Such prayer for someone else’s behalf is called “intercessory prayer.” We must intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and pray for God to keep them everyday!

John 17:1-6 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Some religions have mistakenly used this prayer as proof that “the Son,” and “the Father” are two separate persons. Other religions have used this prayer as proof that Jesus did not become a God until this point. Realizing that all of scripture does not teach a doctrine of trinity, to what is Christ referring here by “glorifying?” “To glorify” means to make manifest or to reveal. “The Son” always refers to God manifest or revealed in flesh. The purpose of “the Son” was to provide flesh for God to shed blood and redeem man. The Son is always referred to in scripture as “the Son of God” not “God the Son.” In fact the term “God the Son,” while used in the Nicene Creed, is never found in scripture. This is because the term “the Son” only refers to God in flesh! So when Jesus prayed in John 17, He was saying that “the hour has come;” what hour was near? The time when Jesus would be crucified and the flesh, “the Son,” would die. God is an eternal Spirit and can not die, so “the Father,” referring to the eternal spirit did not die on the cross, but the flesh in which God had manifested himself did die! Also notice that Jesus, in the role of “the Son” stated that He had come in “thy,” meaning the Father’s, name! What is the name of the Father then? Jesus! In our earlier scripture, John 14:26, Jesus said that the “Holy Ghost” would be sent in “my name.” So what is the name of the Holy Spirit? Jesus. The name of Jesus Christ is the revealed name of God, and the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names but titles revealing different attributes of God! To believe in a triune God of separate persons named the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost is to believe that “God the Father” sent another person, “God the Son,” to die and pay the price for sin and reconcile the world to Himself. But Scripture does not teach that God sent another person to do His work, the Scriptures teach that God Himself reconciled the world unto Himself:

2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

The Prophet Isaiah declared this truth before the Messiah ever stepped on the scene:

Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Notice that the scripture says that his own arm brought salvation. God is a spirit so not a literal arm, but that through the almighty God becoming flesh, and willing to come in the role of “the Son,” He would bring salvation!

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

When then did God call his coming in flesh, “the Son.” Because He was born of a woman. Notice Isaiah said that the son’s name would be called “The Mighty God,” and “The everlasting Father!” God did not send another “God” to come and pay the price for sin, but was willing to come Himself in Human form.

Isa 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

The God of Glory realized that there is no other Gods with Him, so if He was to be able to regain the relationship with man that He had lost in the Garden of Eden, He would have to come and pay the price! It was for this Jesus Christ, the name of the one true living God, came and died on the cross!

It was almost midnight and the day had now changed to early Wedsday when Jesus finished His prayer for His disciples. Even thought His disciples did not realize it, the day of His death had begun.