“But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.”
Acts of the Apostles 6:1 NLT
At this moment the church is growing, but there is some issues between the congregation . The Greek believers are complaining about the Hebrew because to their eyes the Greek widows are not being able to get food from the daily distribution.
Now the meaning of the word widow is
a woman who has lost her spouse by death and has not remarried.
So these Greek widows have no husbands therefore, they have no one to fend for them support them, feed them, or take care of them. So we brought great distraught on the Greek believers, knowing that their widows were not being able to receive food. They believe they were being discriminated because they were Greek, not Hebrew. Because of this there was discontent in the church.
Now we have to understand. How they feel imagine your Grandmother lets say because she was a different race wasn’t able to get food how would that makes you feel it would be sad you would be angry. Why are they treating her like she didn’t do anything wrong. She has no husband to support her. They shouldn’t be like that.
“So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.”
Acts of the Apostles 6:2
Now in the apostles, see this day, tell the believers, Hebrew Greek, and all that they should be preaching the word of God they should be teaching people about Jesus and all the miracles he has done . They should not be spending their time running a food program. Now they are not saying they should not have a food program. They are saying they would be more valuable teaching the word of God, for they have seen Jesus the eight slept, and walked with him. They seen him do miraculous things, including raise from the dead. So they would definitely be more valuable teaching nonbelievers about him rather than keep the peace and run a food program.
“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.””
Acts of the Apostles 6:3-4
That the apostles decided the best thing to do would be to select men who are respected and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and let them run the food program and deal with any complications with the congregation . This will give the apostles the ability to spend their time in prayer, teaching the word and teaching about the miraculous things Jesus has done.
“Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.”
Acts of the Apostles 6:5-6 NLT
The whole congregation like the idea, and they chose to seven men above, who were all well respected, had wisdom, and especially were blessed with the Holy Spirit.
This might be completely off topic, but when I got out of this was even though the church was People were having conflict and discontent, and by having discontent and conflict in the church it was causing the apostles to not be able to focus on prayer and teaching the word of God so they had to find a solution for this. They decided to have seven other people run a program so that they can focus their time on prayer and teaching the word of God.
I know I speak for myself when I say sometimes we all have that sometimes there’s something that is preventing us from listening to the word of God, or joining a Bible study or even a prayer line and we need to figure out and be like the apostles. First we need to figure out what is stopping us what is taking our attention away from God, and then We need to find a solution that works the best.
For example, let’s say you want to join the Bible study or you want to do your homework but the TikTok is too interesting well find a solution even if you have to make it where you don’t go on TikTok that whole day that you know you’re gonna need to be on the Bible study then you cut that out for that day.
Acts Chapter 5 Verses 1-11
“But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.”
Acts of the Apostles 5:1-2 NLT
Right off the top, Ananias and Sapphira have broken, a commandment. They have broken commandment number nine, which in exodus chapter 20 verse 16 says You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
This means, do not lie.
The lie they have committed, was claiming only part of the amount that was given was all they got for the property. Just to let you know them keeping part of the money was not the sin it was lying about it.
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!””
Acts of the Apostles 5:3-4 NLT
Peter is telling Ananias, so what he did is wrong. He’s telling him that Satan filled his heart. What does that mean? What it means is because he lied obviously lying is not from God all sin is from the devil. So, by Ananias, lying to Peter, and to God, he let the devil corrupt his heart. Peter also tell him you weren’t lying to us, but to God God knows our hearts he knows our thoughts before we even sync them, so who are we to try and trick God this is what Ananias was trying to do let’s say, Peter believed him for a second of course God knew he was lying so this is why Peter is saying you weren’t lying to us, (which is the apostles,) but to God.
Psalms chapter 44 verse 21 says “Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.”
There is no way to lie God he is all knowing and anyone who thinks they can lie or get one over on God is only lying to them selves. For our God is all knowing.
“As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.”
Acts of the Apostles 5:5-6 NLT
Ananias did a horrible sin he lied to the Holy Spirit and to God so as soon as he heard what Peter said he instantly fell to the floor and died . In Romans chapter 6verse 23 it says “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.””
Acts of the Apostles 5:7-8 NLT
Now hours later Sapphira the wife of Ananias came to peter and at this time she didn’t know anything that happen but peter gave this woman a chance to see if she would do the right thing. He asked her “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
And she of course lied saying yes that was the price. Again she has broken the commandment and lied to the Holy Spirit and to God .
“And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”
Acts of the Apostles 5:9-10 NLT
The actions her and her husband have done takes us to how bad sin is and how our sins can lead us to our death
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Roman’s 6:23
“Keep the commandments and keep your
life; despising them leads to death.”
Proverbs 19:16 NLT
They did not only break the commandments which the lord said to keep holy, but they have sinned against the Holy Spirit and to God whom is our Lord . He gave his one and only son for us . For them and yet they believed that they could trick him when they did not understand that the property was theirs and the money after they sold the property was theirs to keep . They could have burned it and no one would have said anything and nothing would have happened to them they had no reason to lie . They could have gave $1 to the apostles and kept the rest and bought more property but instead they wanted it to seem as if they were Christian’s they tried to show the people “ look at me I sold everything and gave it to the poor “ when instead they should have told this to peter “ Peter we sold out property for so much but I only want to give half to you for the poor “ but no they didn’t they decided to be greedy and foolish and lie to God.
The moral of this story is that you can not lie ,trick, or pull one over on God he is all knowing and knows the words you think before you can think them. These people were foolish enough to lie to the Holy Spirit and to God.
Acts Chapter 4 Verses 13-22
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:13 NLT
Boldness meaning
willingness to take risks and act innovatively; other similar words are confidence or courage
The members of the council seen that Peter and John were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. Now, this means that they knew they were not prophets They were not people who studied the Scriptures, or who were trained to know every scripture so they were regular men. The council members also realized these men have been seen with Jesus. Again, these men did not study or go to special scholar school to study the scriptures, they wasn’t apart of this council, nor were they rabbis or priests . In fact they were fishermen. In Mark, chapter 1 verses 16 to 20 it tells us how Jesus found them.
16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon[a] and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
I know I said it multiple times, but again the council seen they were ordinary men, doing amazing things by the name of a man whom they crucified.
“But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves. “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:14-16 NLT
Now the council members are talking about what to do. They can’t sit there and tell everybody that Peter and John are liars, and that they didn’t heal this man because they saw it, everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. So now this would just look bad on them. So the next best thing to do for them was to forbid John and Peter to teach and do in the name of Jesus.
“But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:17 NLT
What does propaganda mean?
The definition for propaganda is
information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
So the council members did not want John and Peter, spreading misleading information about the man whom they killed, whom they also believed, was a false prophet they believed he was blasphemous so they did not want these men going around, saying “we healed this man, in the name of Jesus”.
“So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:18-20 NLT
No, when the members of the council Not to do anything in the name of Jesus they responded and said, do you think God wants us to obey you him we cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard. This is something that they could not do for one. Jesus told them before he ascended to tell everybody what they have seen. It says right here in acts, chapter 1 verse 8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT
And second, I believe this was hard for them to do because if I was to see everything Jesus had done, I would want to tell everybody I would never stop talking about it.
“The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:21-22 NLT
So the council threatened them but had to let them go. There was no way to punish them that wouldn’t start a riot . Why would there be a riot ? There would be a riot because the people of Jerusalem saw these men heal a man who had been lame for more than forty years in the name of Jesus. So to arrest or punish these men would start a riot they would have been punished for doing a marvelous miracle.
Acts Chapter 3 Verses 3-8
in Acts of the Apostles Chapter 3 Verses 3-5 it says,
“When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.
What does the word lame mean?
The word lame means that a person or animal is unable to walk without difficulty as the result of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot.
So this beggar was a cripple he wasn’t able to walk he was born crippled so he had never walked before in his life it tells us that he was carried to the gate each day so that he could beg for money.
In Verse 6 it says,
“But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!””
Acts of the Apostles 3:6 NLT
Now Peter didn’t have money but he gave the man what he had . Okay but what did he have? Peter had FAITH in Jesus and that is what made it possible for him to heal this man. Peter doesn’t use the words “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” as a magical spell. He has faith in the name and the person who is Jesus . He also has the power of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:1-4.
He has authority from Jesus to heal if it is for Jesus’ purposes mentioned in John Chapter 16 Verse 23 which says “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.”
John 16:23 NLT
Peter also has the confidence that Jesus will heal and honor his words because in John Chapter 14 Verses 13-14 it says ,
“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
John 14:13-14 NLT
Now in verses 7 and 8 it tells us Peter heals this man so let’s take a look at that.
“Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”
Acts of the Apostles 3:7-8 NLT
Now this man did not ask to be healed. He asked for money , he was a beggar. This man didn’t wake up that day and say I want to be healed. No, he had a plan he was gonna do what he does every day get carried to the beautiful gate and beg for money. But something greater happened Peter healed him. Now when this man sees that his ankles were healed and strengthen,, he doesn’t complain that he didn’t get money from Peter , instead he gets up , and what did he do next? It says, in verse 8 what he did
“He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.”
Acts of the Apostles 3:8 NLT
We need to be more like this man, we should be happy and praise God even though he didn’t give us what we wanted he gave us what we needed even though it’s not what we asked for. God created us he formed us in the womb. He knows what’s best for us. So instead of complaining because he didn’t give us what we wanted we should be thankful because he gave us what we needed. He gave us what we needed before we even knew we needed it.
Acts Chapter 2 Verses 42-47
Once reading all 5 verses in the section you can easily understand what’s going on. People are listening to the apostles and are becoming a family in religion. They became a community they follows the laws of God ,it says in verse 42
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Acts of the Apostles 2:42 NLT
So we can see they are doing what is right here and if you also look back to verses 46 and 47 you can see other acts the people was doing .
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts of the Apostles 2:46-47 NLT
So right from the first verse in this section you can see these people who believed are starting to become one in the Lords eyes, for they are doing what is right, they are changing their ways and listening to what the apostles have to say. It says they devoted themselves to the apostles teachings, and to fellowship now what does the word devoted mean?
The word devote or devoted means to give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to ( for example ,a person, activity, or cause).
So not only was they listening to what the apostles had to say, but they were giving a large part of their time ,their energy , and their lives to do what the apostles was teaching them. Such as fellowship, praying sharing their meals ,participating in the lords supper and worshiping at the Temple.
Now anyone can say they’re devoted to something, but as I always say, words without actions are merely empty air if you’re going to say something or not, do it might as well save your breath but here in verse 45 it shows us that these believers were actually devoted They didn’t just say it
“They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” Acts of the Apostles 2:45 NLT
They physically sold their property and possessions, and shared the money with those in need. Now if that’s not really devoted I don’t know what is, because I know for a fact, none of yous or me would sell our property and possessions and give the money to somebody In need.
When you put this chapter in a different translation, this section I studied on, comes up as “ a vital church grows”
The word vital means absolutely necessary or important.
So that title means a very important church grows, and upon reading it, you can really see how a church is forming . Some people may think a church Has to be in a building but it doesn’t the building doesn’t make it a church. The people do, without people the church would just be a building. Now without a building, a bunch of people praising God is still a church.
In Matthew, chapter 18, verse 20 it says
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”” Matthew 18:20 NLT
And in 2 Corinthians chapter 6:16 it says
“And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT
These people were creating a very important church. They devoted themselves to what the apostles were saying. They were believers. They did what we think we can do. We think when the time comes, we will be able to sell our jewelry our house, our clothes, and then give the money to people who need it but in all reality, you’re only lying to yourself when you say that.
We need to be more like these people. We need to devote our self to God. We need to make time to join that livestream ,to join that Bible study ,to do the Bible homework ,to read the Bible ,to pray we need to devote ourselves to make time for him.
In John chapter 3 verse 16 it says
““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT
He gave his son for you , at least make time for him.
Acts Chapter 1 Verses
“So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”” Acts of the Apostles 1:6
In Acts chapter 1 verse 3 it says “During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” Acts of the Apostles 1:3 NLT
So we know for the whole 40 days after he resurrected Jesus was with the apostles and was talking to them about the Kingdom of God. Now Jesus has told them many parables about the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven, in the book Matthew the words “Kingdom of heaven” is mentioned 31 times.
The whole time up until his death , Jesus has talked about the Kingdom of Heaven and how the 12 Apostles will be with him on the 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel
In Luke chapter 22 verses 28-30 it says
““You have stayed with me in my time of trial. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:28-30 NLT
And in Matthew Chapter 19 Verse 28 it says
“Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Matthew 19:28 NLT
Now after hearing this for a while they apostles were eager to know when it would happen this is why they kept asking if the time had come for Jesus to free israel and restore the kingdom.
Now In the next verse of Acts Jesus explains that only the father knows the date this will happen .
“He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” Acts of the Apostles 1:7-8 NLT
So we can see here that after Jesus ascends to heaven, the Holy Spirit will come and be upon them.
It says in John Chapter 16 Verse 7 “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NLT
Now why was it important that the Holy Spirit had to come after Jesus ascended into heaven? Well it tells us in John Chapter 14 Verse 26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26 NLT
The Holy Spirit is important because he will be the thing that guides us in the right path and deliver us from temptation and sinful choices.
It tells us this in John Chapter 16 Verse 8
“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” John 16:8 NLT
Now the next verses of Acts say.
“After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11 NLT
After Jesus ascended 2 men in white robes came down and spoke to the apostles he was explain to them that Jesus is in heaven and he will return someday the same way he left.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 Verse 16 says..
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 NLT
Luke Chapter 24 verses 25-32
First id like to explain why I went from Matthew chapter 27 straight to Luke chapter 24. In Luke chapter 24 it explains a bit more than Matthew chapter 28 does, so that is why and you will understand more as you read, so lets get started.
At the beginning of this story you can start to notice immediately that the two men are sad because of all the events that had happen. They were sad because of the torture, mocking, and the death of Jesus. They hoped he was the Messiah who would rescue Israel yet their leading priests and leaders handed him over to die. Now God had made it where the men did not know who Jesus was, he disguised him , he did this so they would speak truthfully, and not yet know about Jesus’ resurrection.
“Then Jesus said to them ,”You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Luke 24: 25-26
Jesus is now calling and foolish people. The reason being this is because with everything they have heard ,everything prophets have wrote down in the Scriptures. They still were foolish, and did not know. They still didn’t understand enough to see the truth. they were negligent, reckless and foolish people. The truth was right in front of their eyes yet they could not see it.
Sometimes we are these people sometimes God is showing us amazing things that we should pay attention to yet we’re so foolish and ignorant. We can’t see what’s in front of us.
“Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 NLT
Here Jesus is now showing them everything. Moses, in all the prophets wrote, and explaining every. So that they Can understand everything that was written about Jesus. He was showing them scripture and writing to show about himself and the events that would happen but they didn’t know they was talking to Jesus because remember God made it so they wouldn’t recognize him.
“By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.” Luke 24:28-29 NLT
Now they walked almost 7 miles that’s 2 and a half hours and they was talking with Jesus and near the end Jesus acted as if he wasn’t gonna stop and as if he was gonna keep walking I believe this was to see what they would do. For them this man talking to them and walking with them was just a stranger, not a prophet , not a priest let alone did they think he was the messiah. And yet the kindness in their heart they begged him to stay the night with them as well as to eat with them. They did this for a mere stranger whom they have never seen before yet they had kindness in their hearts.
Now after they sat down Jesus broke bread and their eyes was opened they realized who he was and just then he vanished .
“They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 NLT
After realizing who he was they immediately understood who he was.
Matthew Chapter 27 Verses 44-53
“At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.”
Matthew 27:45 NLT
“It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.”
Mark 15:25 NLT
6 hours he was on the cross before he died from 9am till 3pm. The pain he endured on that cross was unimaginable, his feet and hands was pierced into the cross with nails, his body was at an angle it wasn’t straight . Jesus went thru beatings and it still wasn’t enough for then . Every single breath he took for 6 hours was painful . Literally every breath , every breath he took he needed to pull himself up so he can get air . Now imagine his hands are nailed to the cross as well as his feet and yet he had to pull himself up to breathe it’s almost impossible . The pain he went thru was not right, but he did it for you.
“At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?””
Matthew 27:46 NLT
Jesus cries out to his father in heaven asking him why has he forsaken him. Even here he was fufilling the scriptures because it Psalms Chapter 22 verse 1 it says .
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?”
Psalms 22:1 NLT
“Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.”
Matthew 27:47 NLT
They thought when he said “ Eli , Eli” that he was calling out Elijah which is easy to understand why
“One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.”
Matthew 27:48 NLT
the word vinegar is derived from French words vin aigre which means ‘sour wine’. When wine was first made, natural sugars were fermented into alcohol. Over time, bacteria in the air transformed the alcohol into acetic acid, which gave the ‘sour wine’ its bite
Now Jesus is offered sour wine 3 times before he dies first in Matthew Chapter 27 Verse 34 it says
“The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.”
Matthew 27:34 NLT
So I found out that Wine mixed with gall was used as a pain numbing drink to help with pain. What’s gall? Gall is a berry type plant
“The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!””
Luke 23:36-37 NLT
Why is he being offered sour wine????
Roman soldiers would drink sour wine normally to stay hydrated they called is posca. Sour wine was a cheap wine that peasants and soldiers would drink.
I believe at this point on the cross they were simply trying to give Jesus something to drink and that’s all they had
This is the scripture that was fulfilled
“But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.”
Psalms 69:21 NLT
“But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.””
Matthew 27:49 NLT
Elijah was known as a big prophet someone who did such great miracles by faith in God .
He made fire fall from heaven in 2 Kings 1:12 it says.
“Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!” And again the fire of God fell from heaven and killed them all.”
He resurrected people
1 Kings 17:21-22
“And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!”
He went fully body and all into heaven with out physically dying
2 Kings 2:11 NLT
“As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.”
So it’s understandable why they thought Jesus was calling out to Elijah and why they thought he of all people might save Jesus from the cross.
“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.”
Matthew 27:50 NLT
Once again he fulfilled scriptures that was said before he was on this earth.
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:28-30 NLT
Jesus made sure that he complete his mission and fulfilled prophecy before he died . His final last words were “it is finished”
“At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,”
Matthew 27:51 NLT
What curtain?
The curtain mentioned is being referred to the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place which is mentioned is exodus chapter 26 verses 31-33
““For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases. Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
Well why did he tear it ?
As a symbol to show he was the final and most important sacrifice. His blood was offered for all of our sins, for the sins of people he didn’t even know, for the sins of the people he knew would be against him and not even acknowledge him in the future. He did it for US knowing that we will sin everyday and abuse the word forgiveness.
“But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”
Hebrews 9:7 NLT
“With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.”
Hebrews 9:12 NLT
“and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.”
Matthew 27:52-53 NLT
Was they raised and seen before Jesus rose? Or was they raised and uncovered and waited until Jesus rose to be seen by people?
Matthew Chapter 20 Verses 20-28
This study was done by a faithful woman in Christ named Laura
James and John Mother came to Jesus to basically ask a favor. She wanted her sons to sit on the right and left of Jesus in heaven She wanted them to have a high Position, Jesus. Said You don’t Know what Your asking, Can You drink The cup lam going to drink. That is the cup of Suffering, Suffering is a Christian denying our flesh to serve God and his will, its hard being a Christian it comes with all kinds of trials, Pain But mostly Sacrificing and thats the cup Jesus is talking about
Luke 9:23 If anyone would come after Me he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
James and John wasted to be the greatess in heaven not understanding what they was asking, to be the greatest in heaven is to be a servant for others Just as Jesus is to really desire caring for others and serving them not Yourself that is what Pleases God. being like Jesus comes with suffering and hardships the hardest thing to do is serving others and not ourselves Gods will for us is to humble ourselves and be a servant we are to have to beatitudes ,
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ,Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth Blessed are the merciful for they will be Shown mercy,
As Gods Children we are not to be like the world But like Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit , Jesus is our role model an how to be a Christian and live for God and his will,
The Son of Man did nat come to be served But to serve so we have to do the same
no Matter What will be in Gods kingdom we must focus on being like Jesus being humble and sacrifice our flesh and desires to be a servant, honoring, and pleasing to God
Matthew Chapter 26 Verses 31-35
“On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”
Matthew 26:31 NLT
The scripture in which Jesus is referring to is
Zechariah 13:7 and it says
““Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs.”
Now when Jesus tells this to Peter he is telling him that once he is crucified all the disciples will scatter from each other
“But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.””
Matthew 26:32 NLT
Jesus is letting them know that he will be raised from the dead and meet them in Galilee he’s telling them what will happen after he is crucified.
“The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.””
Matthew 28:8-10 NLT
This is where Jesus is telling Mary Madeline and the other Mary to tell his brothers who are the disciples to start to leave for Galilee and they will see him there.