TRUMPETER'S CALL

John 19:15 “But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered we have no King but Caesar. 

PREAMBLE by Robert 

Our journey over these past months has, through following Yeshua’s footprints lead us to this point in history. We are about to relive that momentous day our Salvation and Grace was being offered because of Yeshua’s sacrifices for us. His real journey was just beginning to become the deity He was, his task which Yehwah had placed before him was completed, the doorway for his ascending was being opened right before those who were witnessing God bringing home His Son. Yeshua was in the first stages of re-entering Eternity to prepare a place in His Father’s house for us. As humans, we see the brutality put upon him, not recognizing it is for us, which Yeshua suffered all this day. John 19:28 After this Yeshua knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith “I thirst.” v29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar, and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. V30. When Yeshua, therefore, had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert 

Heavenly Father rain unto all spiritually following in your Son’s footprints, knowledge of the profound sacrifices Yeshua made for all. Place in our hearts and memories your love so we may know deep compassion and discernment. Not to mourn but to fully comprehend your gift of life and Eternity offered and the dear price paid. Bring to us Father knowledge that we might share this love and compassion to others as we go forward in your name, casting our nets or preaching about your gift of life and Eternity. Place unto us a spirit of compassion humility, gentleness caring, peacefulness and the desire to do goodwill to all men. In all of this, as obedient servants, we will know the pain and price already paid and offer your love freely with love, knowledge, and faith. Finally, raise our will, faith and hope,  so we can stand against all forms of darkness and evil even unto death. I pray in your name Yeshua.   Amen and Amen

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert 

So here we are some 2000 years plus following in his footprints, perhaps taking the sacrifice a little bit for granted or maybe really not fully understanding. Whatever the case, I am referring you back to the Junction where we were making an informed decision about the level of our walk and the depth of our faith. Where the Lord through the Holy Spirit brought me to John 19:1-15 to remind us what took place that day, so we will not during our renewed journey, forget how precious our gifts are. How vital our work in Yeshua’s name today is to those still trapped in the snares and wiles of Satan. We talk about the sacrifices Yeshua made while walking with us. However, time and the fact we did not witness the Crucifixion, we may tend to take some of it for granted or perhaps not see it as severe as we should. This is not to question our faith or walk. I believe Yeshua wants us to have a historical look at what transpired that day. Perhaps as described, we spiritually feel the lashes, the slaps, the humiliation, the thorny crown being pressed into our heads, the degradation of being stripped naked, and finally knowing we have not done anything wrong to our final demise Crucifixion.  In case you have forgotten, I warned you all about following in Yeshua’s footprints where it was going to lead us.

Well, here we are, and I hope you took the time to choose how you were going to serve and measured the depth of your faith and the strength of your will. The following is probably going to be the most heart wrenching spiritual experience you may ever encounter. However, I encourage you to draw from the thickest part of your being the endurance to complete this part of the journey, as the rewards at the end will be phenomenal. Now I am asking you to use your imagination during this section of the article while Yeshua’s trial and eventual demise are described. If this part is too graphic at any time, please skip forward. However, I pray you will endure.  I believe we are to experience as much as possible, which in the end will deepen our understanding and ability to share God’s love as well as our own. 

Please remember to use your imagination to bring the words the Apostle John gives us in John 19:1-15 to life so we might feel the event as it transpires. v.1) Then Pilate, therefore, took Yeshua, and scouraged him, v.2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. v.3) And said Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him with their hands. 

I am bringing in Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) who, in commentary details, the depth of a Roman scourging The Roman scourgings were ordinarily very severe, not limited, as among the Jews, to Forty stripes yet this pain and shame Yeshua submitted to for our sakes. 

Some are going to ask why I included the following information as it describes the brutality of scourging, so I am warning some of the explanations being shared are shocking disgusting and could provoke revolt and nausea. But I believe necessary for us to fully comprehend the depth of the suffering Yeshua submitted to. It is easy to say he was scourged, but to fully understand the extent of his suffering, we need to know what it physically means to grasp the full significance of his sacrifice. So we might fully acknowledge without a question how precious Yeshua’s sacrifice was and never from this point on ever take it for granted or become complacent in our walk. 

To fully understand the severity of this scourging, I did some research on the type of whip used during Yeshua’s Crucifixion. 

THE STYLE OF WHIP USED ON YESHUA DURING THE FLOGGING.

 The Romans called it The Flagrum. It was a whip with a short handle and generally with long thongs, each weighted at some distance from their extremity with lead balls or mutton bones. In action, the straps cut the skin, while the balls or bones created deep contusions. The result was significant hemorrhage and a considerable weakening of the vital resistance of the victims. In Compensation, if one may call it that, this weakening shortened their agony on the cross. As Matthew Henry (1662-1774) pointed out, “there were no limits to the number of strokes ministered. The research stated that upon examining the Shroud, approximately 100 or more strokes were administered to Yeshua.“ This was evidenced by the fact he could not in his weakened state finish carrying his cross. 

“THE STYLE OF THORNS WHICH SHAPED THE CROWN PLACED ON YESHUA’S HEAD”

Pilate turned Yeshua over to his soldiers, to be ridiculed and made sport with as a fool (John 19:23). The soldiers, who were the governor’s lifeguard, put a crown of thorns upon his head such a crown they thought fittest for such a king. They put on him a purple robe, some old threadbare coat of that colour, which they considered good enough to be the badge of his royalty and they complimented him with, Hail king of the Jews (like people like King), and they smote him with their hands. Keep, in mind, these were seasoned warriors who were striking Yeshua with their hands strengthened through battle preparation.  

John Gill (1697 – 1774) describes what came next “Then came Yeshua forth out of the judgment hall, or place where he had been scourged. As soon as Pilate had said these words: wearing the thorny crown, and blood running down from thence, and his face and eyes swollen with the blows he had received from their closed fists, and all besmeared with his own blood and the soldier’s spittle. His body appears to be almost of the same colour with the purple or scarlet robe, through the stripes and lashes he had received, when that was thrown back. 

This image is a makeup created with information provided from the Shroud, it shows the depth of brutality ministered to Yeshua during the scourging.  

And Pilate saith unto them, behold the man, not their King, that would have provoked them. Though he did say so afterward when he found he could not prevail upon them to agree to his release, the man, to move their compassion, signifying, that he was a man as they were. And that they ought to use him as such, and treat him with humanity and pity. That he was a poor despicable man, as the condition, he was revealed, and that it was a weak thing in them to fear anything concerning any change of, or influence in civil government from one that made such a figure. Therefore should be satisfied with what had been done to him and dismiss him. 

John Gill 1697 -1771) relates the true feelings of the prosecutors, “instead of being pacified, they were but the more exasperated. (John 19:6-7). The chief priests, who headed the mob, “cried out” with fury and indignation, and their officers or servants, who must say as they said joined with them in crying, Crucify him crucify him.  The check Pilate gave to their fury, still insisting upon the prisoner’s innocence. “Take you him and crucify him, for I find no fault in him.” This was not permission to do it, as appears from the reason he gives, in which the innocence of Yeshua is again asserted, nor did the Jews take it in this light, as is evident from their reply.

The Jews answered him, finding they could make nothing of the charge of sedition against him, and that Pilate could not be prevailed upon to condemn him to death upon that score. They try another method and charge him with blasphemy. We have a law, meaning the law of Moses, which they had received by his hands from God. And by our constitution, he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 

 “This is the turning point where Pilate begins to conceive a plan to free Yeshua because with this new charge, he became fearful, and in doing so, made himself vulnerable to the Jews. His fear was on account of his wife’s message, and partly upon a conviction of the innocence of Yeshua. As well it was a well-known fact when the Romans conquered a nation, they scorned the leaders, however, respected their gods. He knew little of their law and could not understand the meaning of it. If he didn’t pay attention, it could cause more tumult since they were already very clamorous and noisy.”  

When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying he was the more afraid. And went again into the judgment hall, taking Yeshua along with him to interrogate him alone upon this head. And saith unto Yeshua “whence art thou? But Yeshua gave him no answer, for his question was frivolous and deserved none. Since Yeshua was come to die for the salvation of his people, it was not proper, he should say anything that might be a means of hindering it. Then saith Pilate unto him being angry with him, resenting his silence, and looking upon it as a contempt of him. “Speakest thou not unto me?” “Knowest thou not that I have the power to crucify thee, the power to release thee?” 

Yeshua answered, “thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it was given thee from above.” Power was given to Pilate from heaven against him, not for any evil he himself had committed, or merely to gratify the envy and malice of the Jews. But for the salvation of God’s elect, and for the glorifying of the divine perfections. “therefore, he that delivereth me unto thee, hath the greater sin.” All sins are not equal, the circumstances of things making an alteration, so that God’s decree concerning the delivery of his Son into the hands of sinful men, does not excuse the sin of the betrayers of him. And thenceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar, returning to their former charge of sedition, finding that that of blasphemy had not its effect. 

It is here where the Jews sprung their trap on Pilate, taking him past the fear of Yeshua’s deity and replacing it with his fear of nonservice to Caesar. 

When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying that a freeing of Yeshua would show unfriendliness to Caesar. And gave very broad hints. They would accuse him to Caesar of treachery and unfaithfulness in letting go of a man that made pretensions to be a king in his territories. And know well the jealousies and suspicions of Tiberius, and fearing lest it would turn to his own disrepute and disadvantage, immediately brought Yeshua forth to pass sentence on him. Pilate sat down in the judgment seat for that purpose. In the place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King, But they cried out, Away with him, away with him. They were impatient until he was ordered away for execution; therefore, they say, “Crucify him.” Pilate saith unto them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered we have no king but Caesar. 

Pilate hoped to release Yeshua via a Roman custom which was used at each feast in the year at the Passover, every year on the day of Passover the governor was want to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. It was not a law, but a custom, peculiar to the Roman governor who either by order of Caesar or of himself, introduced such a tradition to get the favour of the people. For it was to them the release was made, and the person whom they pleased, being repeated annually for some time was expected by them, and at last, became necessary.  

John Gill (1697 – 1771) relates the following, And they had a notable prisoner called Barabbas, who Pilate had committed to prison. He was a thief, and a robber, and had been guilty of sedition, had made or joined with others in an insurrection, and committed murder in it. And so on more accounts than one was deserving of death.  

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, “Whom will ye that I should release unto you Barabbas or Yeshua, which is called Christ?”  He puts it to them, whom they would choose to have released. His view was not to reproach Yeshua, by joining him with so wicked a man, but to save him. 

For Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered him, he saw in their countenance and by their charges against him, and by the whole of their conduct, that it was not out of any regard to Caesar or the Peace and tranquillity of the civic government.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas to be released to them and destroy Yeshua. The governor answered and said unto them a second time, after some time had been allowed and taken up to consider the matter and which the chief priests and elders improved among the people against Yeshua. “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?” For as these two were proposed, one of them must be released, and it lay in the breast of the people to choose which they would: “they said Barabbas.” So that Yeshua was not only numbered among and reckoned with transgressors, but he was accounted worse than the worse of them, a seditious person, a robber, and a murderer were preferred before him. (Acts 3:14). 

Pilate was astonished at their choice. He could not have thought they would have asked the life of so vile a wretch that had been guilty of such capital crimes, crimes to be abhorred by all men. His scheme had failed to produce the freedom he so sought for Yeshua. 

Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Yeshua, which is called Christ? “Surely, you would not have me put him to death, and that for no other reason but this, because he is called either by himself or others, Christ, or the Messiah, or the king of the Jews?” They all say unto him, “let him be crucified.”

Which was a Roman punishment, inflicted on the meanest and worst of men, like wicked servants, thieves, robbers, and cutthroats! So was not only a torturing and painful death but a very shameful and ignominious one, yea an accursed one. 

 And the governor said, “why, what evil hath he done?” He came into the world without sin, he did none in it, he knew no sin, nor could any be found in him, by Satan, nor his accusers, nor his judge. But they cried out the more saying, “let him be crucified.” When Pilate saw he could prevail nothing but rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands brfor3e the multitude, saying, ” I am innocent of the blood of this just person see ye to it.” Then answered all the people and said: “his blood be on us, and our children.” 

Then he released Barabbas unto them, And when he scourged Yeshua, he delivered him to be crucified. The soldiers of the governor took Yeshua into the common hall, and they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. This was an emblem of his being clothed as it were with our sins, which are as scarlet, and of his bloody sufferings in human nature. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head and a reed (or cane) in his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him saying, Hail King of the Jews. They spit upon him, and took the reed or cane and smote him on the head, whereby they drove the sharp points of the thorns into it which must give him inexpressible pain and torture. And after they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him and put his own raiment on him and lead him away to crucify him. 

Research shows that the distance from the city because no stoning or crucifixions were done in the city, was approximately six miles. This is why the Romans compelled Simon. 

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene a place in Libya, Simon, by naming him they forced to bear his cross. Which they did, not out of the kind will to Yeshua but fearing lest, through his faintness and weakness, he should die before he got to the place of execution. It may be observed from hence, that taking up the cross and following Christ, is disagreeable to flesh and blood: though the spirit may be willing, the flesh recoils none to care for it, or choose to bear it unless constrained to it.

And when they were come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull. They gave him vinegar to drink. It was a custom with the Jews vinegar mixed with gall, and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

And they crucified him and parted his garments casting lots. They stripped him of his clothes before they fixed him to the cross and crucified him naked. That is the soldiers; they laid the cross upon the ground and stretched Yeshua upon it. They extended his two arms as far as they could, to the traverse part of it, and nailed his hands unto it. His two feet they fixed by each other on a basis, in the body of the cross, through which they also drove nails and then raising it up, set it in the earth, and left him hanging on it till he expired. 

 CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert

This has been the most life-altering article I have written as a humble servant of God. I honestly had throughout my life inklings about the depth of suffering Yeshua went through; however, I never fully understood what that represented for me as an individual. I had always considered it yes for me as a follower but had never personalized it enough to actually comprehend the depth of love Yeshua felt for me. Not everyone else just me not saying he didn’t feel or do the same for others as I know and understand he did it for all. This article for me put everything into perspective, so it becomes easier to recognize how little I truly know about suffering or genuinely sacrificing not only in my life but for those who are a part of my journey to life and Eternity. 

I commented to my wife (Bunnie Marie) that I’m just a few weeks away from 72 and how beautiful it is to be doing the Lord’s work. Not just feeling His blessings but actually living them. Experiencing the joys of submission and comfort of support and love flowing into our lives. Knowing we will never be without love and caring, I realized there is no other need once you accept we have no power only that which our Father in heaven bestows on us when we actually need it. Did you think he was just talking to Pilate and telling him he has no power it was only in his head until God brings you yours? As the article unfolded before me, I recognized there was so much I could learn so much Yeshua was teaching me about my walk how much there was missing. I could see in his silence Yeshua was actually speaking out to us on a spiritual level. His actions were pearls of strength for us. We just needed to stop and take the time to learn and decipher. He was demonstrating what it means to do God’s will even knowing that our hour has come, Yeshua demonstrated we need to submit to God’s will saying “Not as I will, but as thou wilt” recognizing we need to seek the knowledge of what God’s will is for us and silently commit ourselves to it. We must not by our silence throw away our lives because we are not lords over our lives, As Yeshua was of his nor can we know as he did when our hour has come. But we must learn, not to render railing for railing (1Peter2:23). I learned to decipher all questions and recognize the person asking if they are worthy to ask the question, and if it’s frivolous, know they deserve no answer. I found in spite of how strong or intelligent or influential, I believe I am I hold nothing if it is not from above. All things of this world depend on above, and when they agree above first, they agree below and that “there is no power below until that power is given from above.” I learned to use this example when dealing with Pilate Yeshua used this wisdom when Pilate was impertinent he was silent (answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him) But saw it fit to answer him when he was imperious you answer a fool according to his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit. In my opening statement, I related there were many benefits and treasures to be found here in the conclusion I just described a few I have seen, and there are much more as you research and learn who Yeshua was and is today.  

God’s Blessings 

Robert

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert 

Heavenly Father bring us to the river, which bringeth forth fruit that we may partake of its sustenance and be filled spiritually with nurturing and wisdom. Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifices so we all may have an opportunity to walk the narrow path to life and Eternity. Praise be unto you, Father, for all things in this world which you have created. Thank you, Father, for all increases we have received and will receive as we continue on our journey. Amen and Amen in Yeshua’s name. 

Today I stand before you all humbled and grateful for all I have received doing this article. I know our Father gives us a tender heart when we come to him through faith and walk under his grace. If it is possible, I believe mine has been further tenderized. May you all go in Peace and under God’s care. Robert 

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

“GOD’S SPEED TO ALL.”

PRELUDE: It is my desire to bring forward this information.

Please note that the Commentary offered are quotes by Matthew Henry.

The Observations offered are from Robert offering his commentary as Yeshua’s obedient servant, a Watchman (Ezekiel 33:9).

I make this plea as a victim of vindictive so-called believers, commenting they are offended by my posts, causing Facebook to prevent my future posts from being shared. My call to you if you agree with the posts content, please, in Yeshua’s name, share it far and wide!

To share once post is open on the bottom right corner tap … a menu will appear you can copy the link as well subscribe to receive daily posts. Blessings and peace be with you and your family!

COMMENTARY!
Elijah lifted his prayer in preparation for the Lord to show his Diety.
PRAYER!
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that these people may know thou art the Lord God, and thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water which was in the trench. And when the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, The Lord, he is the God, the Lord, he is the God. (1King 18:37- – 39).
OBSERVATION!
The Lord through the Holy Spirit brought me to The Book of 1Kings in the Old Testament to reveal the similarities of how far from God the modern churches worshipping their worldly god of love, have fallen and in similar actions how far from God the Israelites under King Ahab had fallen away from God.
Like Elijah, we as “Modern Day Disciples” are being lead to revealing who Yeshua is and why God placed Him among us. John 3:16
[16]For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
“Yes,” we recognize the original saying, and it is true Yeshua came to save our, souls, and “Yeshua” did.
However, do we fully comprehend and understand what really took place that, day? Remember we have been shown Adam and Eves’s sins separated our spirit from God.
We were given a fleshly body which perishes, however, as well an opportunity in this lifetime to spiritually reconnect with God.
In the July article “ADOPTION” published July 10, 2018, we were shown the true meaning of that adoption.
Now when we look at the event, Elijah put on display it is easy to see what his final goal was, Elijah’s sacrifice displayed God’s existence and glorious power (1King 18:38). After this event the people declared “The LORD, he is the God; The LORD, he is the God. (1Kings 18:39)
To premise this event we see Elijah saying onto the prophets of Baal. Choose you one Bulloch for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many, and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
Those who followed Baal as prophets took the Bullock who was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
Midday passed Elijah mocked them and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakened.
We no longer perform animal sacrifices to God, and I am going to bring forward what is being revealed through the Holy Spirit, the sacrifices we perform to demonstrate “Yeshua is the Son of God,” and His sacrifice is proof God is the Father of all mankind. It becomes apparent an understanding of our acceptance of Yeshua is not in question. But what it truly means on a spiritual level and what sacrifices we demonstrate so others will see and recognize and accept Him as the Son of God.
OPENING PRAYER!
Father in heaven, we are calling out Lord to the multitudes to know your love, compassion, and forgiveness. We ask Father for your wisdom and discernment to demonstrate your greatness that they would know you as God. Fill us with the strength to endure all the attacks of the enemy. Polish us Lord that we might shine brightly before their eyes as we demonstrate your love for us so the multitudes would know it is you who is lifting us above the evil in this world. It is you who has freed us from the snares and trappings of Satan. Demonstrate through us Lord your greatness that they would see your sacrifice and know you are the Son of God. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.
OBSERVATION!
I want to delve into this article as quickly as possible as there is a considerable amount of information to absorb and discern. From (1Kings) the Holy Spirit lead me to (Romans 12), where we find the Apostle Paul in his writings explaining the prime fundamental doctrines of being a follower and believer in Yeshua the Son of God.
“We mistake our belief in Yeshua if we look upon it only as a system of notions and
a guide to speculation. It is a reasonable belief, that tends to the right ordering of conversation. It is designed not only to inform our judgments but to reform our hearts and lives. From the method of the apostle’s writing in this, as in some other of the epistles, the stewards of the mysteries of God may take direction how to divide the word of truth. Not to press duty abstracted from privilege, nor privilege abstracted from duty but let both go together, with a complicated design, they will greatly promote and befriend each other,”
COMMENTARY!
Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) relates the following, “The foundation of believers assembling must be laid in spiritual knowledge and faith. We must first understand how we receive Yeshua our Lord, and then we shall know the better how to walk in him. The exhortations are short and pithy, briefly summing up what is good, and what the Lord our God in Yeshua requires of us. It is an abridgment of the Assemblies directory, an excellent collection of rules for the right ordering of the conversation, as becomes the gospel. It is joined to the preceding discourse by the word “therefore.” It is the practical application of doctrinal truths that is the life of preaching. Therefore what God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Paul had been discoursing at large of the justification by faith, and of the riches of free grace, and the pledges and assurances we have. The particular exhortations of this chapter are reducible to the three principal heads of Assembly duty: our duty to God, to ourselves, and to our brother. The grace of God teaches us in general, to live “godly, soberly, and righteously” and to deny all that which is contrary hereunto.
OBSERVATION!
We will grow to understand what godliness, sobriety, and righteousness, are though somewhat intermixed. Paul entreated the Romans, like his brethren in Yeshua, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a
powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receiving? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewings of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work until it is perfected in glory.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-21 lays out the scheme mentioned earlier what is godliness.
COMMENTARY!
It is to surrender ourselves to God, and so to lay a good foundation. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord, (2Corinthians 8:5). This is here pressed as the spring of all duty and obedience, (Romans 12:1,2). Man consists of body and soul, (Genisis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7). The duty pressed–to present our bodies a living sacrifice, alluding to the sacrifices under the law, which were presented or set before God at the altar, ready to be offered to him.
Your bodies — your whole selves so expressed because under the law the bodies of beasts were offered in sacrifice, (1Cor. 6:2). Our bodies and spirits are intended. The offering was sacrificed by the priest, but offered by the offerer, who transferred to God all his right, title, and interest in it, by laying his hand on the head of it, Sacrifice is here taken for whatsoever is by Gods own appointment dedicated to himself (1Peter 2:5).
We are a temple, priest, and sacrifice, as Yeshua was in his peculiar sacrificing. There were sacrifices of atonement and sacrifices of acknowledgment. Yeshua, who was once offered to bear the sins of many, is the only sacrifice of atonement but our persons and performances, tendered to God through Yeshua, our priest, are as sacrifices of acknowledgment to the honor of God. Presenting them denotes a voluntary act, done by virtue of the absolute despotic power which the will has over the body and all the members of it, It must be a free-will offering. Your bodies, not your beasts. The presenting of the body to God implies not only the avoiding of the sins that are committed with or against the body but the using of the body as a servant of the soul in the service of God.
OBSERVATION!
So to sum this up To be religious is to serve God. How? 1). We must make a business of it, and not be slothful in that business.
2). We must be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. God must be served with the spirit (Romans 1:9; John 4:24), under the influences of the Holy Spirit. Whatever we do in spirituality it is pleasing to God no further than it is done with our spirits wrought upon the Spirit of God.
3). Rejoicing in hope God is worshipped and honored by our hope and trust in Him, especially when we rejoice in that hope, take a complacency in that confidence, which argues a great assurance of the reality and a great esteem of the excellency of the good hoped for.
4). Patient, in tribulation. Thus also God is served, not only by working for him when he calls us to work but by sitting still quietly when he calls us to suffer.
Patience, for God’s sake, and with an eye to his will and glory, is true piety.
5). Continuing instant in prayer, Prayer is a friend to hope and patience, and we do in it serve the Lord. It signifies both fervency and perseverance in prayer. We should not be cold in the duty, nor soon weary of it, (1Thess,v17; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4: 2).
This is our duty which immediately respects God.
COMMENTARY!
Next, Paul offered an explanation; A sober opinion of ourselves, (Romans 12:3). It is ushered in with a solemn preface: I say through the grace given unto me: the grace of wisdom, by which Paul understood the necessity and excellency of this duty the grace of apostleship, by which Paul had the authority to press and enjoin it. We must not be self-conceited, nor esteem too much our own wisdom and other attainments, not think ourselves to be something (Gal.6:3). There is a highly thought of ourselves which we may and must have to imagine ourselves too good to be slaves of sin and drudges to this world. On the other hand, we think soberly, that is, we must have a low and modest opinion of ourselves and to what we have received from God our own abilities, our gifts and graces, according to what we have received from God.
OBSERVATION!
Moving forward we are now looking for an understanding and description of righteousness under faith. However, fully comprehend what we have in righteousness through faith a look at righteousness which is of the law I believe is needed first. Paul in [Romans 10] desired for the Jews to come out from under the law to be truly saved from the wrath to come, eternal wrath, which was hanging over their heads.
With his rendition, Paul believed they could be convinced and converted but knew he could not pray in faith so they might be saved in their unbelief. Paul was merciful, as God is, who is not willing that any should perish (2Peter 3:9), desires not the death of sinners.
Paul, in this chapter set the tone: it is our duty as “modern-day disciples” honestly and earnestly to desire the salvation of our own. To complete what has been set before us. I believe we need the following information to identify which righteousness those we are about meet are walking in.
COMMENTARY!
Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) offers an in-depth look at both walks in righteousness the first being the righteousness of the law. “This Paul shows in (Romans 10:5). The tenor of it is, Do, and live. Though it directs us to a better and more effectual righteousness in Yeshua, yet in itself, considered as a law abstracted from its respect to Yeshua and the gospel (for so the unbelieving Jews embraced and retained it), it owneth nothing as a righteousness sufficient to justify a man but that of perfect obedience. For this, he quotes that scripture (Leviticus 18:5), You shall, therefore, keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man does, he shall live in them. To this, he refers to (Galatians 3:12), The man that doeth them, shall live in them. Live that is, be happy, not only in the land of Canaan but in heaven, of which Canaan was a type and figure. The doing supposed must be perfect and sinless, without the least breach or violation. Now, was it not extreme folly in the Jews to adhere so strictly to this way of justification and salvation, which was in itself so hard, and by the corruption of nature now become impossible, when there was a new and a living way opened?
Now we turn to the definition of righteousness which is of faith. Is described in the words of Moses, in
Deuteronomy, in the second law (so Deuteronomy signifies), where there was a much clearer revelation of Yeshua and the gospel than there was in the first giving of the law: he quotes it from (Deuteronomy 30:11-14), and shows: 1). That it is not at all hard or complicated. The way of justification and salvation has in it no such depths or knots as may discourage us, no insuperable difficulties attending it but, as was foretold, it is a highway, (Isaiah 35:8). We are not put to climb for it, it is not in heaven we are not set to dive for it, it is not in the deep.
First, we need not go to heaven, to search the records or to inquire into the secrets of the divine counsel. It is true Yeshua is alive in heaven, but we may be justified and saved without going thither, to fetch him thence, or sending a special messenger to him.
OBSERVATION!
Secondly, we need not go to the deep, to carry Yeshua out of the grave, or from the state of the dead: into the deep to bring up Yeshua from the dead. This plainly shows that Yeshua’s descent into the deep, or into Hades was no more than his going into the state of the dead, in allusion to Jonah. It is true Yeshua was in the grave, and it is as accurate he is now in heaven. But we need not perplex and puzzle ourselves with fancied difficulties, nor must we create to ourselves such gross and carnal ideas of these things as if the method of salvation was impracticable, and the design of the revelation was only to amuse us.
No, salvation is not put at so vast a distance from us. 2). But it is very understandable and manageable. “The word is nigh thee.” When we speak of looking upon Yeshua, and receiving Yeshua, and feeding upon Yeshua, it is not Yeshua in heaven, nor Christ in the deep that we mean but Yeshua in the promise, Christ exhibited to us, and offered, in the word. Yeshua is nigh thee, for the word is nigh thee: nigh thee indeed: it is in thy mouth and in thy heart, there is no difficulty in understanding, believing, and owning it. The work thou hast to do lies within thee; the kingdom of God is in you, (Luke 17:21).
So now we have these definitions to work with, which give us a solid foundation.
Where like Peter we stand on the Rock Yeshua is building His Assembly upon.
COMMENTARY!
Matthew 16:18 “The grant is put into Peter’s hand [I say it to thee.] The Old Testament promises relating to the Assembly were given immediately to particular persons, eminent for faith and holiness, as to Abraham and David which yet gave no supremacy to them, much less to any of their successors, so the New Testament charter is here delivered to Peter as an agent, but to the use and behoof of the Assembly in all ages, according to the purposes therein specified and contained.
Now it is here promised.
That Yeshua would build his Assembly upon a rock. This body politic is incorporated by the style and title of Yeshua’s Assembly. It is a number of the children of men called out of the world, and set apart from it, and dedicated to Yeshua. It is not thy Assembly, but mine. Peter remembered this when he cautioned ministers not to lord it over God’s heritage. The Assembly is Yeshua’s peculiar, appropriated to him. The world is God’s, and they that dwell therein but the Assembly is a chosen remnant, that stands in relation to God through Yeshua as Mediator. It bears his image and superscription. The Builder and Maker of the Assembly are Yeshua himself [I will build it]. The Assembly is a temple which Yeshua is the Builder of (Zechariah 6:11-12.)
CLOSING OBSERVATION!
So now knowing what our sacrifices represent as “Modern Day Disciples,” it becomes clear, our Assembly is built upon a rock a firm, strong, and lasting foundation, which time will not waste, nor will it sink under the weight of the building. Yeshua would not build his Assembly upon the sand, for he knew that storms would arise.
So the call goes out to us as disciples like it did to Peter we must show strength and stability are with us. We must show that we are not shaken by the waves of men’s fluctuating opinions concerning us, but be established in the present truth (2Peter 1:12). The Holy Spirit brought me to Hebrews 12:7-8 to recognize the position of the modern day Churches offering a god who only loves you and does not chasten. Those who follow this walk need to know without the sacrifice of being Chastened you will be seen being outside of the Assembly and seen as bastards and not sons.
The captain of our salvation Yeshua does not call his people out to the hardest trials at first, but wisely trains them up with fewer sufferings to be prepared for greater. As “Modern Day Disciples” we must demonstrate the gentleness of Yeshua in accommodating their trial to their strength. We must demonstrate how not to magnify our afflictions, but as disciples, identify the mercies which are mixed with the hardships.
In closing, I want to share this message from God as he has directed his people how we should behave towards all our afflictions they must avoid the extremes that many will run into:
We must not despise the chastening of the Lord we must not make light of afflictions and be stupid and insensible under them, for they are the hand and rod of God and His rebukes for sin. Those who make light of affliction make light of God and make light of sin.
They must not faint when they are rebuked they must not despond and sink under their trial, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience.
If they run into either of these extremes, it is a sign they have forgotten their heavenly Father’s advice and exhortation, which he has given them in pure and tender affection.
CLOSING PRAYER!
Father in heaven hear our petitions for your knowledge strength and discernment to demonstrate your love and compassion. Bring us your understanding and wisdom that when we please you, Father, you will bring peace into our lives even from our enemies.
Show us the way to walk in your light that we demonstrate your deity. We pray this in your name Yeshua and all of God’s children say Amen and Amen.
Remember, these articles are messages given to a humble, dedicated servant of Yeshua going forward as His Watchman sounding the Trumpet of trials and tribulations coming upon the Assembly and the believers within it.
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty if I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. (2Kings 1:10)
May our Father send His blessings to you lifting all curses and infirmities smoothing your path as you go forward in His name as “Modern Day Disciples.”