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You know, in the Gospels, what I think is just one of the most amazing, amazing vignettes, of the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels. He's in the garden of Gethsemane. This is in Matthew 26:36 and following.
Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane: Thy Will Be Done Amidst Pressure and Redemption
And Jesus really falls on his face and he's praying and he says, father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me yet not as I will, but as you will. We'll talk about this and much more. Plus take youe Bible questions on today's edition of the program. Alex McFarland here along along with Bert Harper. And we are deeply grateful that you're listening. We invite you to get a copy of God's Word. Turn to Matthew 26. And Gethsemane means the place of the oil press or the olive press.
Right?
That is so pictorial of what Jesus Christ was going through as he drank the cup. And he took the judgment for us that by putting our faith in him we might be forgiven, saved. you know the old phrase, dark night of the soul, Christ went through that, that we could be redeemed.
And what appropriate place, like you said, olive, I mean olive oil and all the purposes of that. And then the place of the press, under God's, ah, pressure, but his pressure to carry out the Lord's will. And there is pressure and pressure is not bad.
Jesus Takes Three Apostles to Gethsemane: Watch and Pray Lest You Enter Temptation
Without pressure there would be no form, you know, and so here it is. I've come to do your will. And one of the, I mean something that is so true. And he said it to those three apostles, three men that he took with him. And these three men were with him at three different times. He would take it and let them be a part of what Jesus was up to. They were on the mount of Transfiguration. They went to Jairus House and was in that when he was healed. And now here, these three guys, they really were on the inside track with Christ to develop them.
But here, Peter, James and Jon, that's them.
And look at verse 41. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Alex, no truer statement has ever been made. We are, Peter, he's already told him I'll not Deny you. Everybody else will. And his spirit was willing. But your spirit is weak. But watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. Alex, we got to be watchful, and we got to seek the Lord in his presence.
The Spiritual Battle: Walking in the Spirit Versus Gratifying the Desires of the Flesh
watching and praying. I'd say that's not just for them. That's for us as well today.
let me say this cross, referencing, you might want to also in that verse, you know, the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Look at Romans chapter eight, and look at Galatians chapter five, because, you know, really, victory is not just in human, resolve. Maybe on January 1st, people make new Year's resolutions. But we can, you know, have victory and we can have strength, and we can go the distance with the Lord when we are walking in the Spirit, you know, in verse 17 there of Galatians 5, it says, the desires of the flesh war against the spirit. That's Galatians 5, 16, 18. And we are not to gratify the desires of the flesh. the spirit and the flesh.
Jesus Prays a Second Time in Gethsemane and Reflects on His Upcoming Burial
Bert, I think it's for the Christians. Kind of like an arm wrestling match, isn't it? It is, and that's why we need to be by the Holy Spirit of God, who gives us strength. but the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says, watch and pray, and he prays a second time. Father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from me. I've always thought it was kind of poignant. I, mentioned yesterday how Jesus said, you know, when the woman anointed him, and he said, this was really pictorial of my burial. And of course, old Judas said, well, that money could have been used to feed the poor. Jesus said, the poor you always have with me. But you don't always have, the poor you always have. You don't always have the Son of Man. Here's something else really poignant. Verse 43. The son of God is about to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He comes back and he finds the disciples asleep, not praying for him and not keeping watch lest Romans or Pharisees should come. But they're napping. And, I don't know, Bert, that's always kind of been, a little painful to read about.
It is. And he doesn't wake them this time, Alex, you know, notice he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So he left them, went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words. You remember that song? And it starts here. Must Jesus bear the cross alone? And all the world go free. And here it is, as he is preparing, seeking the Lord, dealing with what was facing him again.
The Depth of Christ's Suffering: Sin and Separation, Not Just Physical Pain
It wasn't death, it was sin and separation from the Father. Those were the deep, deep hurts that, it wasn't even the whipping. There's no doubt in my mind because on the cross he says, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Those was his words. And again we find that. But he left them, went away again, prayed the third time saying the same words. Then he came his disciples and said to them, are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand. Now here's. This is new to Matthew a little bit, but in the book of Jon, and I've referred to this, probably more often than I should, but in the book of Jon several times. My hour has not yet come. The time is not now, but here in Matthew and also in Jon. The hour is at hand. And the Son of man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, Let us be going.
Jesus Maintains Control as Betrayal Approaches: The Hour Is at Hand
See, he who betrays me is at hand. Again, Jesus sets this up. And I know I said it yesterday, I'm going to say it again today. Jesus is the one that's in control here. Judas thinks, okay, he was looking for the hour when he could betray him. the Roman soldiers and the temple guards probably combined group of people with authority they thought they had. You, remember what he said? You have no authority except my Father give it to you. And here it is, these men really that's coming after Jesus, they that have no power. If he decided that this was not what he would do. So, Alex, I look at that, the three prayers. have you ever heard this? The victory was won in the garden when he said, you will be done.
Amen.
There's some truth in that, isn't there?
The Victory Won in Gethsemane: Angels Ready to Descend, But Christ Submits to God's Will
Well, there really is. And you know, I think about, there's another hymn that said he could have called 10,000 angels. I've mentioned this a time. Billy Graham's book, God's Secret Agents. And by the way, I was in a Christian bookstore. That book has been re released by the Billy Graham ministry. I cannot, overstate what a great book it is. God's Secret Agents. Go buy it by Billy Graham. It is such a great book. But Billy Graham wrote about how as Christ was being beaten and betrayed, then nailed to the cross, God incarnate. Those angels had been in the presence of God from much of eternity past. And Billy Graham said, no doubt legions of angels peered over the rim of heaven. That's what Billy Graham wrote and said if the Father or the Son had just given a nod, there would have been. The fury of heaven would have descended on this world.
Jesus' Willingness to Suffer for Redemption and Our Exoneration from Guilt
But you're right. Jesus in the garden, he prayed it through. And when they came, he said, look, my betrayer is coming. He didn't fight. He didn't resist. he had said, the Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and he will be crucified. But the third day, he will rise. And I don't know, it's just. We can't say enough about the love of God. And I just want to say to everybody listening, Jesus went through this. He was more than innocent. He is righteous, eternal God in human form. But he did it. He took the unfair beatings, the false accusations, the unjust execution and the imputed guilt of the human race and the wrath of God. He did all that so that we could be saved. You know, every now and then in a court case, you'll hear the word exonerated. They'll, say, the accused was exonerated, cleared of all guilt. That's how it is. The minute you put your faith in Jesus, in the eyes of God, you're exonerated. Cleared of guilt.
The Arrest in Gethsemane: Judas's Betrayal and the Kiss That Led to Judgment
And he suffered to make that possible. Because he loves us. that's just more than you can get your mind around.
There was no other way. There was no plan B, no alternate route. It's only through the death of Jesus on the cross, the shedding of blood. And here it goes. Verse 47 sets it up, the arrest, as we would call it. And I want to talk about two words here that really rings clear. And while he was still speaking, Behold Judas, one of the 12 with a great multitude, with swords and clubs, and came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now, his betrayer had given them a sign saying, whomever I kiss, he is the one sees him. Now, Alex, Judas Carrot goes through forever, the betrayer of Jesus, his betrayer. there are some titles that are awesome when he writes our title clear, but the title for Judas, his betrayer. And I know I said this, and when we've gone over it, whomever I kiss, he is the one sees him. And, I heard a sermon one time, and it was, a, great evangelist, Walter Burrell.
Judas's Proximity to Jesus and the Danger of Delaying a Decision for Christ
He's gone to be of the Lord, the man who kissed the door to heaven and yet went to hell.
Oh, my goodness.
Yeah.
Wow.
That's how close you can be. Here's how close Judas was Right there with Jesus, right there, hearing his words, seeing those miracles. And yet he would turn away from Jesus, who loved him. He would call him what friend? In verse 50. Yes, that was what Jesus would do. And he'll do that for you. You don't want to wait. The further you go, the longer you wait to come to Christ. I just want to tell you, the greater the danger of you not coming to Christ. Alex, it's just plain.
The Consequences of Delaying Faith: Pharaoh's Example and the Urgency to Turn to Christ
You put it off. Put it off. I think Pharaoh is an example of that. You know, his heart was hardened each time. And is that true today when people say no to him?
Hey, now, we got a break coming up. I got to tell you a, story that I heard, and then we're going to pick it up there at verse 52. But I was talking to a dear brother in the Lord earlier today, and he said in the early 70s, he, got a job during college selling Bibles door to door. And he said it was, you know, in the early 70s, the hippie movement. He said he wasn't saved. And for three years, very successfully, he went door to door selling Bibles. And, he said he had knocked on thousands of doors. He was like one of the top salesmen, selling, like, these very beautiful family Bibles. He said one day he knocked on a door and the man opened the door was a pastor. He said, son, if you died and stood before God, do you know that you'd go to heaven? And he said, no. And he told me the man led him to Christ. He said, I sold Bibles for three years. He said I had handled thousands of copies of God's Word. But it wasn't until that day that I really knew Jesus. Isn't that something?
Yes, it is. Listen, you're here in this radio station. You're listening to Exploring the Word. you can enjoy it, you can enjoy the music when it comes on, but yet, if you do not have that relationship with Jesus Christ, hell is that destination.
Listener Support and Reflections on God's Provision and Turning to Christ
Turn to Christ and do it now. Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported? Without people like you, this podcast would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.netgive that's afr.net give.
Everything I need, Everything I need. My father has. My father has. And every single time, the Lord will provide. That's right, my father has. It's my father as Amen.
Amen. If you don't know that, Father, through Jesus Christ you can. I pray you would turn to him today. Alex.
Continuing Matthew 26: Jesus' Control and Judas's Misplaced Term of 'Friend'
Again, we're in, Matthew, chapter 26. It's a long chapter. It really is, yeah. 75 verses. And here we find out. Because it all fits together. And when they were dividing it up into chapters and verses, they wanted this to be significant. And it really, really is. And again, friend, why have you come? Again, Jesus called Judas, friend. And Jesus stretched out his hand. here it is. One of those who were with him stretched out his hand, drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Now, Matthew does not tell us who it is, but Jon does. In Jon 18, we find out who would it be.
Peter's Reaction and Jesus' Restraint: The Sword Put Away and the Fulfillment of Scripture
Simon Peter. We even find the name of the man whose ear was cut off. Malchus. And so here it is that he cuts his ear off. And, Jesus said, put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my father? Here it is, what you were talking about earlier. And he will provide me with more than 12 legions of angels. And now, then could the Scriptures be. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen? Now, I'm just going to start at the last, and I'll throw it to you. Must happen. You remember over in the book of, Jon, he says, I must go through Samaria.
Yeah.
There's.
The Inevitability of Christ's Suffering and Betrayal for Scriptural Fulfillment
I must needs go.
I must needs go. I love the King James. Yeah, it's beautiful language when it says that. But he must do this. This must happen. And so, Alex, there's some must in our life, you know, you can't Jesus use those. But here, Jesus had the must in his life. This must happen. And, so here it is. But Simon Peter, who else would you expect to react in such a way of the 12 or the 11 that's left?
He was, I say this in a good way, impulsive, you know, Lord, I will never betray you. And I love Peter's, you know, quick reaction. Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.
I'm going to walk on the water. Would you let.
If it's really you, Lord bid me to get out of the boat. Yeah, he did, but. So, do you know what? I always thought it was interesting, like in verse 55, where. Where they're coming out the lynch mob, and they're going to do it. They're going to apprehend Jesus and ultimately take him to the cross. And he says, Are you come out against me as a thief? With swords and staves, you know, sticks and weapons? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not lay hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. You know, he was in the temple. he was not violent. He was not malicious. He was teaching them the way of God. And so here's the irony. The loving, merciful Son of God. but they came out as if he were a thief, or some criminal to be shackled. And everything they're doing is wrong, unjust and sinful. And, deep down, they probably knew it.
there's no doubt in my mind. But he said, this must happen.
Jesus Endures the Cross for the Joy of Our Salvation and Redemption
So Jesus did not want Peter to fight back. He could have called those legions of angels. He did not. Why listen. For the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross. He's enduring this. It's difficult and hard.
And do you know, Bert, forgive me. But you know what some of that joy set before him was? He knew that you and I would be saved.
That is the joy. There's no.
And, you might read that, you know, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame. Philippians 2. All right. What was that joy? You might think, oh, well, that he would be worshipped. and, of course, rightly so. 10,000 times 10,000 in heaven will worship Christ. But I truly believe he went through all that pain that you and I might be redeemed, that one day he could look us, in the face and say, well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. He was willing to go through all the pain and suffering because, well, you know, he said, fear not, little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. He enjoys blessing us, doesn't he?
He really does. I think that Philippians 2, even says that you have to look at it. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ. Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taken the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men and be found in appearances of man. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death. Even the death of the cross.
Jesus' Humility and Obedience to Death Fulfills Prophecy and Secures Our Salvation
Alex, that explains that joy. It's for us. We need to have that joy that he would come for us. And so this is what Jesus does. And again, 56. That the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Now let's go back just a little few weeks before that at the Mount of Transfiguration. Who appeared there? Moses and Elijah. And there's a key word. And they talked.
Yes.
okay. I don't know everything that was said, but there's no doubt in my mind when I read this in verse 56 of, Matthew 26, I think it reveals a little bit what at least he and Elijah talked about. And I think Moses do talk about all the prophets, that the prophets might be fulfilled. He was. Because right there, after that or before that, he tells them that he must go to Jerusalem and die and out them at after the Mount of Transfiguration, he tells them that again. And so, I just. When you connect those two together, that's, no wonder he would say this must happen, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, that you and I and everyone who is listening that would trust Jesus Christ as Savior, that we could know him as Savior and Lord and be saved. Hallelujah.
Jesus Led to Caiaphas: Scribes and Elders Assemble, Peter Follows Afar Off
What a savior.
Amen. Amen. well said, brother. in 57 and following, they that laid hold on him led Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Now they've got the scribes. Those are the copyists of the Bible that would make the copies and the elders, what, they've got, they've put together the judge and jury, everything they think they're going to need to get a conviction. Verse 58. Peter followed afar off, watching at a distance, in the way that the, King James renders it, to see the end. Now that's the Greek word telos. telos. Sometimes it's rendered teleos, but it means the outcome. How's this going to play out? Peter's watching now. Everybody is pretty much scattered to his credit.
False Witnesses Against Jesus and the Meaning of Pseudo Martyrdom
Peter, Peter, he's kind of lingering in the background, but he's watching. They all get together and they sought false witnesses against Jesus to put him to death. Verse 59 of Matthew 26. Bert, if you're convicted by false accusations of false witnesses, that's a false conviction.
It is. That's only kind of witnesses they could find.
Is that something?
It is. There was, I mean, there was nothing bad. He had healed, he had done those things that were good. And they could only find, I'm going to say it, liars, to come against him. And, that tells you, who he was, to do what? Put him to death. Now, this is amazing to me, and I've brought this up, too. they're going to take him to Pilate, but they won't go into Pilate's presence because that would make them unclean. But here they can connive and do everything they can to put Jesus to death. How crooked is that?
That is just ludicrous. You know, we're about to wrongly convict and horribly execute the Son of God, but we don't make, ourselves impure by going into the presence of Pilate. But I got to say this. In verse 59, they sought false witnesses. Now, words. I don't mean to get us off in the weeds too much, but words are so fascinating. The word witness. And Bert, I bet you know the Greek word. Somebody's a witness for Jesus, a witness to the gospel.
Are they a martyr or are they a martyr?
the word martyr. That's right. Now, when we think about. About a martyr, we think about somebody that's. Maybe they, they die in the cause of Christ. They. They're martyred for the gospel. A, witness. The, the word here translated in the English false witness or literally false evidencer. One who brings false evidence is pseudo. P S E U D O. Pseudo is fake, counterfeit, pseudo martyr. Not a true martyr, not a true witness. A false witness. Pseudo martyr is what's in the original language. let's make sure that we're true witnesses of the gospel. Now, I hope you never have to pay with your life like in much of the world. But we should die to our silence. We should die to our fears and disobedience and not be pseudo, but be authentic.
Amen. Alex. So real. And we are witnesses. So the issue.
Jesus' Silence and the High Priest's Adjournment: He Is the Christ, the Son of God
If you're a follower of Christ, you're a witness. What kind are you? And this is one of the two false witnesses came forward and said, this fellow said, I'm able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days. The high priest arose and said to him, do you answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against you? Jesus kept silent, and the high priest answered and said to him, I, adjure you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God. Jesus said to him, it is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
The.
The high priest tore his clothes, saying he has spoken blasphemy. What further need do we have of, witnesses? Look, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think? And they answered, surprisingly, surprisingly, he is deserving of death. Alex, you know, they had already rehearsed and practiced this. Oh, yeah, they had it. We call it fixed. It was a fixed thing, but yet, and I know I'm, repeating myself again and again, Jesus is still the one in control.
Well, and let me say, in this hallway of false witnesses, there is one man that told the truth. It's Jesus.
The Conundrum of Jesus' Silence and His Affirmation of Messiahship to the High Priest
I adjure you. I command you by the living God. Now, what's interesting is they wanted Jesus to start talking because they were hoping to trip him up in his words. And he says, do you answer? Nothing. I mean, here's the thing. They've brought in Christ, and he's standing there silent. And this is a conundrum, by the way. I've had, friends, very famously. There was a Christian apologist, that, his name was Alvin Plantinga, and he was in a debate with a bunch of atheists. And they wanted him to start setting forth evidence that they could refute. And he said, Alvin Plantinga, he said, no, God exists and you all know it. And they were like, well, take one of the arguments, like the argument from design, the cosmological argument. He said, no, no, I'm not going to argue for God's existence. You all know God exists. And Gary Habermas was there and Norm Geisler was there, and they said those atheists were in such a conundrum. And because they were like, no, we want you to argue with us. And Plantinga, he was very brilliant. He was like, nope, you know, you know God exists. Anyway, here's the thing. Jesus is not talking now. Finally, though, they. They don't know what to do because they were hoping he would start teaching. And they've got all the lawyers and the elders and the scribes, and they're going to try to twist up what he says. Maybe sometime you've, been in a place with people that's trying to twist your words. Satan has always been a wordsmith, you know. But Jesus, finally, he gives them more than they could have expected. are you the Son of the Highest? Jesus says, you have said it correctly. This is verse 64.
Jesus Claims Son of Man Status, Appropriating Messiahship and Divine Authority
But I'll go you one better. You're going to see me. And he calls himself the Son of Man. Now, that's from Daniel7, the one who is co. Eternal, co. Equal with the ancient of days. In fact, the Son of Man, the Son sent from the Father, is God incarnate. He's saying, essentially, and he's quoting a number of verses here. I'm coming at the end of time on the clouds of heaven. He's appropriating messiahship himself. They understood he was claiming to be almighty God.
He is. And that's what he said. But the thing. You will see it one day. I could not think of but anyone. Lazarus, when he went to hell and he could see into Abraham's bosom. that's. I can't get my head around it, Alex. I'm just trying to visualize it a little bit. In hell, torment, separation from God. But yet the same time knowing, seeing, I don't know, Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Oh, we. Can you imagine these men dying without Christ and seeing Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father? And they're the ones that said, let's. We need no further words. Let's put him to death.
Making It Personal: Turning to Jesus for Salvation from Sin and Lostness
Making it personal. Those who are listening make this personal. What are you saying to Jesus? Not about him, but to him. Have you set yourself up to say, lord, I need you? I'm a sinner. I'm lost. I'm coming to you. I turn from my way. There's a way that seems right unto a man. But I found out that way is wrong. And I want to know you and see you. So I ask you to come into my life as you died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. Alex, I don't know of anything more important than that that could happen even today. Do you?
Oh, my goodness. That is the most important decision you could or would ever make. Come to Jesus. He's as close by as a prayer. Hey, here's the number. Call us with a Bible call question. It's 888-589-8840. After this brief break, we'll take your telephone calls and questions. Stay tuned.
Sponsor Messages: Preborn Ultrasounds and Supporting Israel
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The Intolerance of the Left and Testimonies on Debt Management
the left always preaches tolerance, right? But they are the most intolerant. They not only want to shut their opposition down. No, it goes beyond. They want to punish them.
Yes.
When we go out and we're accused
of proselytizing or infringing on someone's rights, they themselves are doing the very thing
that they're accusing us of doing.
Today's issues, weekday mornings at 11 Eastern, 10 Central on American Family Radio.
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar.
Confession of Sins and AFR's Commitment to Truth
And his.
His word is not in US. First Jon 1:9, American Family Radio.
Preparing for Fire Away Friday: Discussing Bible Questions and the Power of Exploring the Word
Welcome back to Exploring the Word.
Alex and Bert here now. Tomorrow is going to be Fire Away Friday, and we take take questions all the hour. And we've, we've had a lot of fun with that name, Fire Away Friday. So we started, we had to have a name for this day. We called it Thursday, Thunder or Thunder Thursday.
Yeah.
And we want to take your Bible questions and call in. You'll get through and get in the queue. And that number is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And hey, 300 of the Bible questions have become three different books. And so when you call into exploring the Word, it goes places, doesn't it, Bert?
That is good.
Hey, will there be 400? I don't know.
The publisher has asked for more books. Yes, they have.
Hey, we might do 101 just to check.
No.
Okay. Hey, let's go to the phone lines and go to Texas. And it's Randy. Randy, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Understanding the 'Old Man' Crucified with Christ and the Ongoing Struggle with Sin
Thank you for taking my call. God bless your ministry. my question deals with the term old man or old self. Paul mentioned it in Romans, chapter 6, verse 6, that the old man is crucified at the moment of salvation. And my question is, what is really the old man? And, if the old man was crucified at the moment of salvation, why do we still struggle with sin?
Okay, Paul wrote something similar. Let me set this up and I'll throw it to you, Alex. To the Corinthian Church, he gave three types of individuals. he talked about the natural man. The natural man is one that is lost without Christ. But then he talked about the spiritual man as well. The spiritual man come to Christ and knowing Christ. But then he put a third one, carnal. And he was talking to the Christians there in Corinth, and he had say, are you yet not carnal? That old nature. Okay, take up your cross daily. I don't know everything that means. I have to admit that when you start looking at it and expand it as much as you can. But I know this, Bert Harper has to crucify self on a daily basis. So the spiritual can live in me. Alex, would you go further than that?
Yeah.
Thank you for this wonderful call. do you know the word interesting, by the way? in Romans 6:6, the old man was crucified with him. that the works of the body, the sins of the body, might be really annulled. Now, in the original language, the word there for the old man, anthropos, is man we know, or the old self. And the word is a word from which we get the word palatial. Now, you might think of, oh, a palatial house, but it really means of long ago. In some ancient manuscripts, it's translated antique, or. Here it is. The former self is crucified. So, yes, our guilt is washed away and the righteousness of Christ is imputed. But the sinful habits, the old self, the way we talked, the way we reacted, the things we prioritized. And so it doesn't mean that the. The flesh won't try to rear its head a time or two, and we don't want to lapse back into what the Bible calls the former conversation. But, Bert, aren't you glad? and I can just say, in my own life, I look back at stuff I used to think, for one, I used to believe in evolution because that's just all I knew growing up in K12, public schools and college and. But the new man, your identity is in Jesus, but your outlook or your worldview needs to be informed by Scripture. So do you ever think back on who you were and you think, I don't even know who that person is anymore?
Amen. The old is passing. The new is coming. It is discipleship. It is growing. And, that's what we want for you. That's one of the reasons we do exploring the Word so believers can grow in his word. Walk not in the flesh, but in the spirit. Let the spirit have control. So, Randy, again, I agree with that. Thank you for that. Good question. Hope it helps. Let's go to Louisiana and talk to Jon.
Parables of Matthew 25: Salvation by Works, Stewardship, and Accountability for Christians
Jon, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, in Matthew 25, we see this story of the palace, the talents, and, the ones that were profitable were granted, salvation and eternal life. And the one that wasn't was, condemned and, punished and then went into punishment. And then in the story of the Son of God, in his glory, judging. And the one that were helping his people were rewarded. And the ones that didn't went into everlasting punishment. So is there, a salvation by works? Is that what Jesus is, teaching?
Okay. Let me go to a question, and I think it sets it up. What are you going to do with Jesus? That's the whole idea. And when you look at the talents and you look at the money, what are you doing with what God has given you? Okay. And again, that is truth, too. God's given us truth. The grace of God has appeared to how many people, Alex?
All men.
All men. What are you going to do with it? Bear it? Or are you going to respond to it? Go ahead, brother.
and thank you for this wonderful call. When you look at Matthew 25, it's very interesting. I think that chapter begins with the wise and foolish virgins, some who had oil in their lamp and some that didn't. Now, at first they all were in this marriage processional, but when the bridegroom showed up, you could tell who actually had oil and whose lamp was empty. I think there is absolutely a salvation message. Really. But then in that very same chapter comes the story of the talent. Verse 14, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants. So understand the one talent, the two talent, the five talent. it is about stewardship, and it's about those that, were faithful or unfaithful with what they had been entrusted. I really think the parable of the talents is more about the accountability of those who actually are Christians. The one, though, the one talent, person that was very disobedient, you know, he is thrown out in verse 30, where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let me just say this. I don't know that you can make the talent, parable, verse 14 through verse 30. I'm not sure it's a salvation message so much as it's whether you're saved or lost. It's accountability for what's been entrusted to you.
Amen. Jon, hope that helps, brother. We appreciate it. Brent. I understand.
Questions About the Disciples' Baptisms and John the Baptist's Ministry
We got a question. Facebook or word. One or the other. It's off of Facebook. Go ahead. From Marjorie. Thank you so much for, sending those questions to us. We do actually read them, or I do, anyway. And he lets us answer them. M. He reads and we answer. Go ahead. Well, I don't want to show off. Okay, go ahead. Marjorie's question is, I would like to know if there are any verses that talk about the 12 disciples being baptized. Yeah, there are some. A few. Let me see. Jon the Baptist had already baptized them. They were in Jon's baptism, weren't they, Alex?
I think so, yes. I do baptizing and saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Which, was true because the king. Heaven was at hand.
Yeah.
when Paul. What city was it Paul was in and his preaching. They said, we haven't heard of anything but Jon's baptism. That's in the book of Acts. And, So, yeah, there was some. Some, of them. They were followers of Jon. And, so, yeah, that's true, Marjorie. Thank you for that. Let's go to Richard in Mississippi.
Judas's Fate: Remorse vs. Repentance and His Destination After Betrayal
Richard, thank you for calling.
Hey, sir. How are y' all doing today?
Doing good. Go right ahead.
So, my whole life, I've always been taught that, obviously we feel that Judas, as he betrayed Jesus, is now in hell. But I've also heard someone else say that there's a chance that maybe he repented before he killed himself. In the end, I don't know if there are any scriptures other than where Jesus said it would be better that he was never born. that kind of speaks that.
There's. Alex, what was that place? He said Judas went to his place. Not. Not my place that I've made for him, but his place is that in Acts, when they was talking about Matthias and him coming on board 25, I thought so. Go ahead, brother.
Went to his own place. I, You know, it's hard to think about, but I completely do not believe Judas ever repented. I mean, now, he took those 30 pieces of silver and threw them on the floor. He was remorseful. He, wasn't repentant. but Jesus. let me just say this. He said, woe to the one who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better that he had never been born. And if Judas ended up going to heaven, certainly Christ wouldn't have said it would be better that he had never been born. from everything that I read, he's called the son of Peter. Perdition. I mean, the Son of Hell and judgment. and of course, I mentioned Acts 1:25, that he went to his own place. where was Judas Place. condemnation or hell?
Perdition would answer that. And he went out and hung himself. There was, and you said it. Remorse. there is that sorrow that leads to godliness and led to destruction himself. Richard. Thank you, brother. And those are great questions, and we get it, and we understand. Oh, man, I messed up. I brought these 30 pieces of silver back. My opinion is this didn't work out the way I thought it would. Here, you take it back.
Well, and I got to say one more. Jon 6. 70 Jesus called Judas a devil. I cannot believe that he went to heaven. No.
Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to David.
Reconciling David's Lies with Scripture: Saving Life and Morally Sufficient Reasons
David, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. David, are you there?
I am. Can you hear me?
Yes, sir. Go right ahead, brother. It's good to have you on the radio, man.
Thank you guys for what you do. real joy to listen to you on my way home.
Well, thank you for listening.
Question. Praise God. My question is, from. I, believe it's first Samuel. when David was running from Saul, he, told a couple lies while he was running and getting to the caves and picking up the sword of Goliath and so forth. but while he was doing that, also he wrote psalms that said, you know, don't let lies escape your lips. how do you reconcile that?
Okay, Alex, the same thing is. Talked about Rahab, you know, being there, and they came to her, and, I don't know how her motion was, but, I'm saying she. They went that away and she was pointing or something. But do you. Is there justification for avoiding a greater disaster if you mislead someone?
Yeah. I mean, and this gets to be like in the Holocaust, where people, you know, they. They would lie to save life. Okay. David lied to Ahimelech, the priest, and he said that he was on a secret mission for Saul to, you know, get Goliath's sword. This is a gray area, and I want to be very clear. I would never, ever, ever condone lying, you know, because that's a sin. there are partial truths that, could be said. Here's what Norm Geisler would have said. And Geisler was a great theologian, great apologist. There is what's called graded absolutism. And I don't talk about this a lot because, again, in no way are we ever condoning evil or sin. But Geisler says the higher precept is the saving of human life. It would be almost like those that have, stood on sidewalks and engaged in protest about abortion clinics to try and save human life. And Norm Geisler would say this. And this is kind of, you know, you want m. To make sure you're not going to abuse this. there was a morally sufficient reason to be, somewhat judicious with how you're handling truth if it would mean the saving of human life. For example, you know, when Esther went in to, a time or two, fixed a meal, said, I need to talk to you. I need to talk to you. Well, she had an agenda, which was the saving of the Jewish people. She wasn't being dishonest or misleading, but just like David. had David not acted as he did, Saul was bent on him being killed. That would have messed up the messianic lineage. And, David generally was of a godly character, but the higher moral precept was that he was trying to save his own life and the life of his men and preserve the messianic work that God was unfolding. So Geisler would say David had a morally sufficient reason for misleading Ahimelech, the high priest. but here's the thing. Let me say this. I'll throw it back to you. Even if David had lied humanly, those psalms were the absolute words of God. So every bit of scripture God's ever given, he gave through sinners.
Amen. Amen. Great answer.
Do you see what I'm saying?
It is exactly right. David. Great question. Great answer. Let me give you another idea.
The Hardness of Heart, Divorce, and the Importance of Accurate Biblical Answers on Exploring the Word
Because of the hardness of your heart, Moses permitted divorce. Okay. you don't want to dissolve a marriage, but because of that, which. What would be the alternative? Death of the wife, you know, or the desertion? No. so there is that. That. It's hard to explain. But the big thing is, and Alex, you said it. Well, don't abuse it, you know, and, so we're not condoning it, but we see it. And, so we hope that helps. Well, tomorrow, as Alex said, is Fire Away Friday. We look forward to that. And it'll be questions the whole hour. And we want to have those answers that are accurate. Good. And give glory to God. That's what we try to do on, Exploring the Word. So tell someone about us.
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Welcome to Exploring the Word.
You know, in the Gospels, what I think is just one of the most amazing, amazing vignettes, of the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels. He's in the garden of Gethsemane. This is in Matthew 26:36 and following.
Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane: Thy Will Be Done Amidst Pressure and Redemption
And Jesus really falls on his face and he's praying and he says, father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me yet not as I will, but as you will. We'll talk about this and much more. Plus take youe Bible questions on today's edition of the program. Alex McFarland here along along with Bert Harper. And we are deeply grateful that you're listening. We invite you to get a copy of God's Word. Turn to Matthew 26. And Gethsemane means the place of the oil press or the olive press.
Right?
That is so pictorial of what Jesus Christ was going through as he drank the cup. And he took the judgment for us that by putting our faith in him we might be forgiven, saved. you know the old phrase, dark night of the soul, Christ went through that, that we could be redeemed.
And what appropriate place, like you said, olive, I mean olive oil and all the purposes of that. And then the place of the press, under God's, ah, pressure, but his pressure to carry out the Lord's will. And there is pressure and pressure is not bad.
Jesus Takes Three Apostles to Gethsemane: Watch and Pray Lest You Enter Temptation
Without pressure there would be no form, you know, and so here it is. I've come to do your will. And one of the, I mean something that is so true. And he said it to those three apostles, three men that he took with him. And these three men were with him at three different times. He would take it and let them be a part of what Jesus was up to. They were on the mount of Transfiguration. They went to Jairus House and was in that when he was healed. And now here, these three guys, they really were on the inside track with Christ to develop them.
But here, Peter, James and Jon, that's them.
And look at verse 41. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Alex, no truer statement has ever been made. We are, Peter, he's already told him I'll not Deny you. Everybody else will. And his spirit was willing. But your spirit is weak. But watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. Alex, we got to be watchful, and we got to seek the Lord in his presence.
The Spiritual Battle: Walking in the Spirit Versus Gratifying the Desires of the Flesh
watching and praying. I'd say that's not just for them. That's for us as well today.
let me say this cross, referencing, you might want to also in that verse, you know, the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Look at Romans chapter eight, and look at Galatians chapter five, because, you know, really, victory is not just in human, resolve. Maybe on January 1st, people make new Year's resolutions. But we can, you know, have victory and we can have strength, and we can go the distance with the Lord when we are walking in the Spirit, you know, in verse 17 there of Galatians 5, it says, the desires of the flesh war against the spirit. That's Galatians 5, 16, 18. And we are not to gratify the desires of the flesh. the spirit and the flesh.
Jesus Prays a Second Time in Gethsemane and Reflects on His Upcoming Burial
Bert, I think it's for the Christians. Kind of like an arm wrestling match, isn't it? It is, and that's why we need to be by the Holy Spirit of God, who gives us strength. but the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says, watch and pray, and he prays a second time. Father, if it's possible, let this cup pass from me. I've always thought it was kind of poignant. I, mentioned yesterday how Jesus said, you know, when the woman anointed him, and he said, this was really pictorial of my burial. And of course, old Judas said, well, that money could have been used to feed the poor. Jesus said, the poor you always have with me. But you don't always have, the poor you always have. You don't always have the Son of Man. Here's something else really poignant. Verse 43. The son of God is about to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He comes back and he finds the disciples asleep, not praying for him and not keeping watch lest Romans or Pharisees should come. But they're napping. And, I don't know, Bert, that's always kind of been, a little painful to read about.
It is. And he doesn't wake them this time, Alex, you know, notice he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So he left them, went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words. You remember that song? And it starts here. Must Jesus bear the cross alone? And all the world go free. And here it is, as he is preparing, seeking the Lord, dealing with what was facing him again.
The Depth of Christ's Suffering: Sin and Separation, Not Just Physical Pain
It wasn't death, it was sin and separation from the Father. Those were the deep, deep hurts that, it wasn't even the whipping. There's no doubt in my mind because on the cross he says, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Those was his words. And again we find that. But he left them, went away again, prayed the third time saying the same words. Then he came his disciples and said to them, are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand. Now here's. This is new to Matthew a little bit, but in the book of Jon, and I've referred to this, probably more often than I should, but in the book of Jon several times. My hour has not yet come. The time is not now, but here in Matthew and also in Jon. The hour is at hand. And the Son of man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, Let us be going.
Jesus Maintains Control as Betrayal Approaches: The Hour Is at Hand
See, he who betrays me is at hand. Again, Jesus sets this up. And I know I said it yesterday, I'm going to say it again today. Jesus is the one that's in control here. Judas thinks, okay, he was looking for the hour when he could betray him. the Roman soldiers and the temple guards probably combined group of people with authority they thought they had. You, remember what he said? You have no authority except my Father give it to you. And here it is, these men really that's coming after Jesus, they that have no power. If he decided that this was not what he would do. So, Alex, I look at that, the three prayers. have you ever heard this? The victory was won in the garden when he said, you will be done.
Amen.
There's some truth in that, isn't there?
The Victory Won in Gethsemane: Angels Ready to Descend, But Christ Submits to God's Will
Well, there really is. And you know, I think about, there's another hymn that said he could have called 10,000 angels. I've mentioned this a time. Billy Graham's book, God's Secret Agents. And by the way, I was in a Christian bookstore. That book has been re released by the Billy Graham ministry. I cannot, overstate what a great book it is. God's Secret Agents. Go buy it by Billy Graham. It is such a great book. But Billy Graham wrote about how as Christ was being beaten and betrayed, then nailed to the cross, God incarnate. Those angels had been in the presence of God from much of eternity past. And Billy Graham said, no doubt legions of angels peered over the rim of heaven. That's what Billy Graham wrote and said if the Father or the Son had just given a nod, there would have been. The fury of heaven would have descended on this world.
Jesus' Willingness to Suffer for Redemption and Our Exoneration from Guilt
But you're right. Jesus in the garden, he prayed it through. And when they came, he said, look, my betrayer is coming. He didn't fight. He didn't resist. he had said, the Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and he will be crucified. But the third day, he will rise. And I don't know, it's just. We can't say enough about the love of God. And I just want to say to everybody listening, Jesus went through this. He was more than innocent. He is righteous, eternal God in human form. But he did it. He took the unfair beatings, the false accusations, the unjust execution and the imputed guilt of the human race and the wrath of God. He did all that so that we could be saved. You know, every now and then in a court case, you'll hear the word exonerated. They'll, say, the accused was exonerated, cleared of all guilt. That's how it is. The minute you put your faith in Jesus, in the eyes of God, you're exonerated. Cleared of guilt.
The Arrest in Gethsemane: Judas's Betrayal and the Kiss That Led to Judgment
And he suffered to make that possible. Because he loves us. that's just more than you can get your mind around.
There was no other way. There was no plan B, no alternate route. It's only through the death of Jesus on the cross, the shedding of blood. And here it goes. Verse 47 sets it up, the arrest, as we would call it. And I want to talk about two words here that really rings clear. And while he was still speaking, Behold Judas, one of the 12 with a great multitude, with swords and clubs, and came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now, his betrayer had given them a sign saying, whomever I kiss, he is the one sees him. Now, Alex, Judas Carrot goes through forever, the betrayer of Jesus, his betrayer. there are some titles that are awesome when he writes our title clear, but the title for Judas, his betrayer. And I know I said this, and when we've gone over it, whomever I kiss, he is the one sees him. And, I heard a sermon one time, and it was, a, great evangelist, Walter Burrell.
Judas's Proximity to Jesus and the Danger of Delaying a Decision for Christ
He's gone to be of the Lord, the man who kissed the door to heaven and yet went to hell.
Oh, my goodness.
Yeah.
Wow.
That's how close you can be. Here's how close Judas was Right there with Jesus, right there, hearing his words, seeing those miracles. And yet he would turn away from Jesus, who loved him. He would call him what friend? In verse 50. Yes, that was what Jesus would do. And he'll do that for you. You don't want to wait. The further you go, the longer you wait to come to Christ. I just want to tell you, the greater the danger of you not coming to Christ. Alex, it's just plain.
The Consequences of Delaying Faith: Pharaoh's Example and the Urgency to Turn to Christ
You put it off. Put it off. I think Pharaoh is an example of that. You know, his heart was hardened each time. And is that true today when people say no to him?
Hey, now, we got a break coming up. I got to tell you a, story that I heard, and then we're going to pick it up there at verse 52. But I was talking to a dear brother in the Lord earlier today, and he said in the early 70s, he, got a job during college selling Bibles door to door. And he said it was, you know, in the early 70s, the hippie movement. He said he wasn't saved. And for three years, very successfully, he went door to door selling Bibles. And, he said he had knocked on thousands of doors. He was like one of the top salesmen, selling, like, these very beautiful family Bibles. He said one day he knocked on a door and the man opened the door was a pastor. He said, son, if you died and stood before God, do you know that you'd go to heaven? And he said, no. And he told me the man led him to Christ. He said, I sold Bibles for three years. He said I had handled thousands of copies of God's Word. But it wasn't until that day that I really knew Jesus. Isn't that something?
Yes, it is. Listen, you're here in this radio station. You're listening to Exploring the Word. you can enjoy it, you can enjoy the music when it comes on, but yet, if you do not have that relationship with Jesus Christ, hell is that destination.
Listener Support and Reflections on God's Provision and Turning to Christ
Turn to Christ and do it now. Hello, I'm Bert Harper. Did you know that this content is listener supported? Without people like you, this podcast would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.netgive that's afr.net give.
Everything I need, Everything I need. My father has. My father has. And every single time, the Lord will provide. That's right, my father has. It's my father as Amen.
Amen. If you don't know that, Father, through Jesus Christ you can. I pray you would turn to him today. Alex.
Continuing Matthew 26: Jesus' Control and Judas's Misplaced Term of 'Friend'
Again, we're in, Matthew, chapter 26. It's a long chapter. It really is, yeah. 75 verses. And here we find out. Because it all fits together. And when they were dividing it up into chapters and verses, they wanted this to be significant. And it really, really is. And again, friend, why have you come? Again, Jesus called Judas, friend. And Jesus stretched out his hand. here it is. One of those who were with him stretched out his hand, drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Now, Matthew does not tell us who it is, but Jon does. In Jon 18, we find out who would it be.
Peter's Reaction and Jesus' Restraint: The Sword Put Away and the Fulfillment of Scripture
Simon Peter. We even find the name of the man whose ear was cut off. Malchus. And so here it is that he cuts his ear off. And, Jesus said, put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my father? Here it is, what you were talking about earlier. And he will provide me with more than 12 legions of angels. And now, then could the Scriptures be. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen? Now, I'm just going to start at the last, and I'll throw it to you. Must happen. You remember over in the book of, Jon, he says, I must go through Samaria.
Yeah.
There's.
The Inevitability of Christ's Suffering and Betrayal for Scriptural Fulfillment
I must needs go.
I must needs go. I love the King James. Yeah, it's beautiful language when it says that. But he must do this. This must happen. And so, Alex, there's some must in our life, you know, you can't Jesus use those. But here, Jesus had the must in his life. This must happen. And, so here it is. But Simon Peter, who else would you expect to react in such a way of the 12 or the 11 that's left?
He was, I say this in a good way, impulsive, you know, Lord, I will never betray you. And I love Peter's, you know, quick reaction. Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.
I'm going to walk on the water. Would you let.
If it's really you, Lord bid me to get out of the boat. Yeah, he did, but. So, do you know what? I always thought it was interesting, like in verse 55, where. Where they're coming out the lynch mob, and they're going to do it. They're going to apprehend Jesus and ultimately take him to the cross. And he says, Are you come out against me as a thief? With swords and staves, you know, sticks and weapons? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not lay hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. You know, he was in the temple. he was not violent. He was not malicious. He was teaching them the way of God. And so here's the irony. The loving, merciful Son of God. but they came out as if he were a thief, or some criminal to be shackled. And everything they're doing is wrong, unjust and sinful. And, deep down, they probably knew it.
there's no doubt in my mind. But he said, this must happen.
Jesus Endures the Cross for the Joy of Our Salvation and Redemption
So Jesus did not want Peter to fight back. He could have called those legions of angels. He did not. Why listen. For the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross. He's enduring this. It's difficult and hard.
And do you know, Bert, forgive me. But you know what some of that joy set before him was? He knew that you and I would be saved.
That is the joy. There's no.
And, you might read that, you know, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame. Philippians 2. All right. What was that joy? You might think, oh, well, that he would be worshipped. and, of course, rightly so. 10,000 times 10,000 in heaven will worship Christ. But I truly believe he went through all that pain that you and I might be redeemed, that one day he could look us, in the face and say, well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. He was willing to go through all the pain and suffering because, well, you know, he said, fear not, little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. He enjoys blessing us, doesn't he?
He really does. I think that Philippians 2, even says that you have to look at it. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ. Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taken the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men and be found in appearances of man. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death. Even the death of the cross.
Jesus' Humility and Obedience to Death Fulfills Prophecy and Secures Our Salvation
Alex, that explains that joy. It's for us. We need to have that joy that he would come for us. And so this is what Jesus does. And again, 56. That the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Now let's go back just a little few weeks before that at the Mount of Transfiguration. Who appeared there? Moses and Elijah. And there's a key word. And they talked.
Yes.
okay. I don't know everything that was said, but there's no doubt in my mind when I read this in verse 56 of, Matthew 26, I think it reveals a little bit what at least he and Elijah talked about. And I think Moses do talk about all the prophets, that the prophets might be fulfilled. He was. Because right there, after that or before that, he tells them that he must go to Jerusalem and die and out them at after the Mount of Transfiguration, he tells them that again. And so, I just. When you connect those two together, that's, no wonder he would say this must happen, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, that you and I and everyone who is listening that would trust Jesus Christ as Savior, that we could know him as Savior and Lord and be saved. Hallelujah.
Jesus Led to Caiaphas: Scribes and Elders Assemble, Peter Follows Afar Off
What a savior.
Amen. Amen. well said, brother. in 57 and following, they that laid hold on him led Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Now they've got the scribes. Those are the copyists of the Bible that would make the copies and the elders, what, they've got, they've put together the judge and jury, everything they think they're going to need to get a conviction. Verse 58. Peter followed afar off, watching at a distance, in the way that the, King James renders it, to see the end. Now that's the Greek word telos. telos. Sometimes it's rendered teleos, but it means the outcome. How's this going to play out? Peter's watching now. Everybody is pretty much scattered to his credit.
False Witnesses Against Jesus and the Meaning of Pseudo Martyrdom
Peter, Peter, he's kind of lingering in the background, but he's watching. They all get together and they sought false witnesses against Jesus to put him to death. Verse 59 of Matthew 26. Bert, if you're convicted by false accusations of false witnesses, that's a false conviction.
It is. That's only kind of witnesses they could find.
Is that something?
It is. There was, I mean, there was nothing bad. He had healed, he had done those things that were good. And they could only find, I'm going to say it, liars, to come against him. And, that tells you, who he was, to do what? Put him to death. Now, this is amazing to me, and I've brought this up, too. they're going to take him to Pilate, but they won't go into Pilate's presence because that would make them unclean. But here they can connive and do everything they can to put Jesus to death. How crooked is that?
That is just ludicrous. You know, we're about to wrongly convict and horribly execute the Son of God, but we don't make, ourselves impure by going into the presence of Pilate. But I got to say this. In verse 59, they sought false witnesses. Now, words. I don't mean to get us off in the weeds too much, but words are so fascinating. The word witness. And Bert, I bet you know the Greek word. Somebody's a witness for Jesus, a witness to the gospel.
Are they a martyr or are they a martyr?
the word martyr. That's right. Now, when we think about. About a martyr, we think about somebody that's. Maybe they, they die in the cause of Christ. They. They're martyred for the gospel. A, witness. The, the word here translated in the English false witness or literally false evidencer. One who brings false evidence is pseudo. P S E U D O. Pseudo is fake, counterfeit, pseudo martyr. Not a true martyr, not a true witness. A false witness. Pseudo martyr is what's in the original language. let's make sure that we're true witnesses of the gospel. Now, I hope you never have to pay with your life like in much of the world. But we should die to our silence. We should die to our fears and disobedience and not be pseudo, but be authentic.
Amen. Alex. So real. And we are witnesses. So the issue.
Jesus' Silence and the High Priest's Adjournment: He Is the Christ, the Son of God
If you're a follower of Christ, you're a witness. What kind are you? And this is one of the two false witnesses came forward and said, this fellow said, I'm able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days. The high priest arose and said to him, do you answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against you? Jesus kept silent, and the high priest answered and said to him, I, adjure you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God. Jesus said to him, it is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
The.
The high priest tore his clothes, saying he has spoken blasphemy. What further need do we have of, witnesses? Look, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think? And they answered, surprisingly, surprisingly, he is deserving of death. Alex, you know, they had already rehearsed and practiced this. Oh, yeah, they had it. We call it fixed. It was a fixed thing, but yet, and I know I'm, repeating myself again and again, Jesus is still the one in control.
Well, and let me say, in this hallway of false witnesses, there is one man that told the truth. It's Jesus.
The Conundrum of Jesus' Silence and His Affirmation of Messiahship to the High Priest
I adjure you. I command you by the living God. Now, what's interesting is they wanted Jesus to start talking because they were hoping to trip him up in his words. And he says, do you answer? Nothing. I mean, here's the thing. They've brought in Christ, and he's standing there silent. And this is a conundrum, by the way. I've had, friends, very famously. There was a Christian apologist, that, his name was Alvin Plantinga, and he was in a debate with a bunch of atheists. And they wanted him to start setting forth evidence that they could refute. And he said, Alvin Plantinga, he said, no, God exists and you all know it. And they were like, well, take one of the arguments, like the argument from design, the cosmological argument. He said, no, no, I'm not going to argue for God's existence. You all know God exists. And Gary Habermas was there and Norm Geisler was there, and they said those atheists were in such a conundrum. And because they were like, no, we want you to argue with us. And Plantinga, he was very brilliant. He was like, nope, you know, you know God exists. Anyway, here's the thing. Jesus is not talking now. Finally, though, they. They don't know what to do because they were hoping he would start teaching. And they've got all the lawyers and the elders and the scribes, and they're going to try to twist up what he says. Maybe sometime you've, been in a place with people that's trying to twist your words. Satan has always been a wordsmith, you know. But Jesus, finally, he gives them more than they could have expected. are you the Son of the Highest? Jesus says, you have said it correctly. This is verse 64.
Jesus Claims Son of Man Status, Appropriating Messiahship and Divine Authority
But I'll go you one better. You're going to see me. And he calls himself the Son of Man. Now, that's from Daniel7, the one who is co. Eternal, co. Equal with the ancient of days. In fact, the Son of Man, the Son sent from the Father, is God incarnate. He's saying, essentially, and he's quoting a number of verses here. I'm coming at the end of time on the clouds of heaven. He's appropriating messiahship himself. They understood he was claiming to be almighty God.
He is. And that's what he said. But the thing. You will see it one day. I could not think of but anyone. Lazarus, when he went to hell and he could see into Abraham's bosom. that's. I can't get my head around it, Alex. I'm just trying to visualize it a little bit. In hell, torment, separation from God. But yet the same time knowing, seeing, I don't know, Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Oh, we. Can you imagine these men dying without Christ and seeing Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father? And they're the ones that said, let's. We need no further words. Let's put him to death.
Making It Personal: Turning to Jesus for Salvation from Sin and Lostness
Making it personal. Those who are listening make this personal. What are you saying to Jesus? Not about him, but to him. Have you set yourself up to say, lord, I need you? I'm a sinner. I'm lost. I'm coming to you. I turn from my way. There's a way that seems right unto a man. But I found out that way is wrong. And I want to know you and see you. So I ask you to come into my life as you died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. Alex, I don't know of anything more important than that that could happen even today. Do you?
Oh, my goodness. That is the most important decision you could or would ever make. Come to Jesus. He's as close by as a prayer. Hey, here's the number. Call us with a Bible call question. It's 888-589-8840. After this brief break, we'll take your telephone calls and questions. Stay tuned.
Sponsor Messages: Preborn Ultrasounds and Supporting Israel
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The Intolerance of the Left and Testimonies on Debt Management
the left always preaches tolerance, right? But they are the most intolerant. They not only want to shut their opposition down. No, it goes beyond. They want to punish them.
Yes.
When we go out and we're accused
of proselytizing or infringing on someone's rights, they themselves are doing the very thing
that they're accusing us of doing.
Today's issues, weekday mornings at 11 Eastern, 10 Central on American Family Radio.
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar.
Confession of Sins and AFR's Commitment to Truth
And his.
His word is not in US. First Jon 1:9, American Family Radio.
Preparing for Fire Away Friday: Discussing Bible Questions and the Power of Exploring the Word
Welcome back to Exploring the Word.
Alex and Bert here now. Tomorrow is going to be Fire Away Friday, and we take take questions all the hour. And we've, we've had a lot of fun with that name, Fire Away Friday. So we started, we had to have a name for this day. We called it Thursday, Thunder or Thunder Thursday.
Yeah.
And we want to take your Bible questions and call in. You'll get through and get in the queue. And that number is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And hey, 300 of the Bible questions have become three different books. And so when you call into exploring the Word, it goes places, doesn't it, Bert?
That is good.
Hey, will there be 400? I don't know.
The publisher has asked for more books. Yes, they have.
Hey, we might do 101 just to check.
No.
Okay. Hey, let's go to the phone lines and go to Texas. And it's Randy. Randy, thank you for calling. Go right ahead, brother.
Understanding the 'Old Man' Crucified with Christ and the Ongoing Struggle with Sin
Thank you for taking my call. God bless your ministry. my question deals with the term old man or old self. Paul mentioned it in Romans, chapter 6, verse 6, that the old man is crucified at the moment of salvation. And my question is, what is really the old man? And, if the old man was crucified at the moment of salvation, why do we still struggle with sin?
Okay, Paul wrote something similar. Let me set this up and I'll throw it to you, Alex. To the Corinthian Church, he gave three types of individuals. he talked about the natural man. The natural man is one that is lost without Christ. But then he talked about the spiritual man as well. The spiritual man come to Christ and knowing Christ. But then he put a third one, carnal. And he was talking to the Christians there in Corinth, and he had say, are you yet not carnal? That old nature. Okay, take up your cross daily. I don't know everything that means. I have to admit that when you start looking at it and expand it as much as you can. But I know this, Bert Harper has to crucify self on a daily basis. So the spiritual can live in me. Alex, would you go further than that?
Yeah.
Thank you for this wonderful call. do you know the word interesting, by the way? in Romans 6:6, the old man was crucified with him. that the works of the body, the sins of the body, might be really annulled. Now, in the original language, the word there for the old man, anthropos, is man we know, or the old self. And the word is a word from which we get the word palatial. Now, you might think of, oh, a palatial house, but it really means of long ago. In some ancient manuscripts, it's translated antique, or. Here it is. The former self is crucified. So, yes, our guilt is washed away and the righteousness of Christ is imputed. But the sinful habits, the old self, the way we talked, the way we reacted, the things we prioritized. And so it doesn't mean that the. The flesh won't try to rear its head a time or two, and we don't want to lapse back into what the Bible calls the former conversation. But, Bert, aren't you glad? and I can just say, in my own life, I look back at stuff I used to think, for one, I used to believe in evolution because that's just all I knew growing up in K12, public schools and college and. But the new man, your identity is in Jesus, but your outlook or your worldview needs to be informed by Scripture. So do you ever think back on who you were and you think, I don't even know who that person is anymore?
Amen. The old is passing. The new is coming. It is discipleship. It is growing. And, that's what we want for you. That's one of the reasons we do exploring the Word so believers can grow in his word. Walk not in the flesh, but in the spirit. Let the spirit have control. So, Randy, again, I agree with that. Thank you for that. Good question. Hope it helps. Let's go to Louisiana and talk to Jon.
Parables of Matthew 25: Salvation by Works, Stewardship, and Accountability for Christians
Jon, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Yes, in Matthew 25, we see this story of the palace, the talents, and, the ones that were profitable were granted, salvation and eternal life. And the one that wasn't was, condemned and, punished and then went into punishment. And then in the story of the Son of God, in his glory, judging. And the one that were helping his people were rewarded. And the ones that didn't went into everlasting punishment. So is there, a salvation by works? Is that what Jesus is, teaching?
Okay. Let me go to a question, and I think it sets it up. What are you going to do with Jesus? That's the whole idea. And when you look at the talents and you look at the money, what are you doing with what God has given you? Okay. And again, that is truth, too. God's given us truth. The grace of God has appeared to how many people, Alex?
All men.
All men. What are you going to do with it? Bear it? Or are you going to respond to it? Go ahead, brother.
and thank you for this wonderful call. When you look at Matthew 25, it's very interesting. I think that chapter begins with the wise and foolish virgins, some who had oil in their lamp and some that didn't. Now, at first they all were in this marriage processional, but when the bridegroom showed up, you could tell who actually had oil and whose lamp was empty. I think there is absolutely a salvation message. Really. But then in that very same chapter comes the story of the talent. Verse 14, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants. So understand the one talent, the two talent, the five talent. it is about stewardship, and it's about those that, were faithful or unfaithful with what they had been entrusted. I really think the parable of the talents is more about the accountability of those who actually are Christians. The one, though, the one talent, person that was very disobedient, you know, he is thrown out in verse 30, where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let me just say this. I don't know that you can make the talent, parable, verse 14 through verse 30. I'm not sure it's a salvation message so much as it's whether you're saved or lost. It's accountability for what's been entrusted to you.
Amen. Jon, hope that helps, brother. We appreciate it. Brent. I understand.
Questions About the Disciples' Baptisms and John the Baptist's Ministry
We got a question. Facebook or word. One or the other. It's off of Facebook. Go ahead. From Marjorie. Thank you so much for, sending those questions to us. We do actually read them, or I do, anyway. And he lets us answer them. M. He reads and we answer. Go ahead. Well, I don't want to show off. Okay, go ahead. Marjorie's question is, I would like to know if there are any verses that talk about the 12 disciples being baptized. Yeah, there are some. A few. Let me see. Jon the Baptist had already baptized them. They were in Jon's baptism, weren't they, Alex?
I think so, yes. I do baptizing and saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Which, was true because the king. Heaven was at hand.
Yeah.
when Paul. What city was it Paul was in and his preaching. They said, we haven't heard of anything but Jon's baptism. That's in the book of Acts. And, So, yeah, there was some. Some, of them. They were followers of Jon. And, so, yeah, that's true, Marjorie. Thank you for that. Let's go to Richard in Mississippi.
Judas's Fate: Remorse vs. Repentance and His Destination After Betrayal
Richard, thank you for calling.
Hey, sir. How are y' all doing today?
Doing good. Go right ahead.
So, my whole life, I've always been taught that, obviously we feel that Judas, as he betrayed Jesus, is now in hell. But I've also heard someone else say that there's a chance that maybe he repented before he killed himself. In the end, I don't know if there are any scriptures other than where Jesus said it would be better that he was never born. that kind of speaks that.
There's. Alex, what was that place? He said Judas went to his place. Not. Not my place that I've made for him, but his place is that in Acts, when they was talking about Matthias and him coming on board 25, I thought so. Go ahead, brother.
Went to his own place. I, You know, it's hard to think about, but I completely do not believe Judas ever repented. I mean, now, he took those 30 pieces of silver and threw them on the floor. He was remorseful. He, wasn't repentant. but Jesus. let me just say this. He said, woe to the one who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better that he had never been born. And if Judas ended up going to heaven, certainly Christ wouldn't have said it would be better that he had never been born. from everything that I read, he's called the son of Peter. Perdition. I mean, the Son of Hell and judgment. and of course, I mentioned Acts 1:25, that he went to his own place. where was Judas Place. condemnation or hell?
Perdition would answer that. And he went out and hung himself. There was, and you said it. Remorse. there is that sorrow that leads to godliness and led to destruction himself. Richard. Thank you, brother. And those are great questions, and we get it, and we understand. Oh, man, I messed up. I brought these 30 pieces of silver back. My opinion is this didn't work out the way I thought it would. Here, you take it back.
Well, and I got to say one more. Jon 6. 70 Jesus called Judas a devil. I cannot believe that he went to heaven. No.
Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to David.
Reconciling David's Lies with Scripture: Saving Life and Morally Sufficient Reasons
David, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. David, are you there?
I am. Can you hear me?
Yes, sir. Go right ahead, brother. It's good to have you on the radio, man.
Thank you guys for what you do. real joy to listen to you on my way home.
Well, thank you for listening.
Question. Praise God. My question is, from. I, believe it's first Samuel. when David was running from Saul, he, told a couple lies while he was running and getting to the caves and picking up the sword of Goliath and so forth. but while he was doing that, also he wrote psalms that said, you know, don't let lies escape your lips. how do you reconcile that?
Okay, Alex, the same thing is. Talked about Rahab, you know, being there, and they came to her, and, I don't know how her motion was, but, I'm saying she. They went that away and she was pointing or something. But do you. Is there justification for avoiding a greater disaster if you mislead someone?
Yeah. I mean, and this gets to be like in the Holocaust, where people, you know, they. They would lie to save life. Okay. David lied to Ahimelech, the priest, and he said that he was on a secret mission for Saul to, you know, get Goliath's sword. This is a gray area, and I want to be very clear. I would never, ever, ever condone lying, you know, because that's a sin. there are partial truths that, could be said. Here's what Norm Geisler would have said. And Geisler was a great theologian, great apologist. There is what's called graded absolutism. And I don't talk about this a lot because, again, in no way are we ever condoning evil or sin. But Geisler says the higher precept is the saving of human life. It would be almost like those that have, stood on sidewalks and engaged in protest about abortion clinics to try and save human life. And Norm Geisler would say this. And this is kind of, you know, you want m. To make sure you're not going to abuse this. there was a morally sufficient reason to be, somewhat judicious with how you're handling truth if it would mean the saving of human life. For example, you know, when Esther went in to, a time or two, fixed a meal, said, I need to talk to you. I need to talk to you. Well, she had an agenda, which was the saving of the Jewish people. She wasn't being dishonest or misleading, but just like David. had David not acted as he did, Saul was bent on him being killed. That would have messed up the messianic lineage. And, David generally was of a godly character, but the higher moral precept was that he was trying to save his own life and the life of his men and preserve the messianic work that God was unfolding. So Geisler would say David had a morally sufficient reason for misleading Ahimelech, the high priest. but here's the thing. Let me say this. I'll throw it back to you. Even if David had lied humanly, those psalms were the absolute words of God. So every bit of scripture God's ever given, he gave through sinners.
Amen. Amen. Great answer.
Do you see what I'm saying?
It is exactly right. David. Great question. Great answer. Let me give you another idea.
The Hardness of Heart, Divorce, and the Importance of Accurate Biblical Answers on Exploring the Word
Because of the hardness of your heart, Moses permitted divorce. Okay. you don't want to dissolve a marriage, but because of that, which. What would be the alternative? Death of the wife, you know, or the desertion? No. so there is that. That. It's hard to explain. But the big thing is, and Alex, you said it. Well, don't abuse it, you know, and, so we're not condoning it, but we see it. And, so we hope that helps. Well, tomorrow, as Alex said, is Fire Away Friday. We look forward to that. And it'll be questions the whole hour. And we want to have those answers that are accurate. Good. And give glory to God. That's what we try to do on, Exploring the Word. So tell someone about us.
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Join Alex McFarland and Bert Harper on Exploring the Word as they dive deep into Matthew 26, examining Jesus' agonizing prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, the spiritual battle of walking in the Spirit, and the profound depth of Christ's suffering for our redemption. Plus, listen in as the hosts take live listener Bible questions on topics ranging from the "old man" in Romans to David's actions while fleeing from Sau
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