Episodes
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
Passion Week Chronology {Crucifixion Day? Was it Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?}
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
https://podnews.net/podcast/1500410875/episode-links
In this lesson, we discuss the Lord's final week of His public ministry on earth. It is commonly referred to as His "Passion Week," and it began on Palm Sunday. We briefly talk about the events of each day of that most significant week, but the primary emphasis of this study is on the day of His crucifixion. There are three main views on this debate. They are the (1) Wednesday view, (2) the Thursday view, and (3) the Friday view (of which there are two). We discuss each view and its pros and cons.
The conclusion reached is that the Bible best supports a Thursday crucifixion. Although the most important fact is that Jesus did, indeed, die for the sins of the world, it is still good for believers in Him and His Word to know why they believe what they believe. Should we simply believe something because it has always been "the traditional" way of things, or should we search the Scriptures to find what best supports our view?
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Acts Lesson 2: A Last Look {The Ascension - Up, Up, and Away!}
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
The Lord's final post-resurrection appearance. It took place in Jerusalem, where He was again with His Apostles, teaching them for the last time about Himself from the Old Testament Scriptures. When He completed His teaching session, He took His men to the Mount of Olives; the same place He had gone 43 days earlier to pray in Gethsemane and then allowed Himself to be arrested. It had been the appointed hour for Him to be lifted up on a cross to die for the sins of the world. Now, in His glorified, resurrected body, it was the appointed hour for Him to again be lifted up, but not on a cross! This time, He would defy gravity and return to the glory He had with His Father in Eternity Past. Do you know what the last act of the Lord Jesus was before He left this earth? He lifted up His forever nailed-scarred hands to bless the men He entrusted with the task of blessing the world with the message of the blessed Gospel of salvation in Him!
Learn about Christ's Ascension, and the important words of two angelic messengers to the Apostles about His one-day Return!
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 193b: The Grand Finale - Part II
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Between the time of Christ's resurrection and His ascension, He met with His eleven Apostles numerous times (not all of them are recorded). That 40-day period of time was not only a time of fellowship, but, more importantly, of instruction. Luke 24:44049 contain the last recorded words of Christ in the four gospel accounts, and they were words that (1) opened the Apostles' minds (verses 44-47) and (2) promised the opening of their mouths (verses 48, 49).
On His eleventh post-resurrection appearance, 40 days after His resurrection, the Lord left His men in a dramatic, climactic way they would never forget! It would motivate them the rest of their lives. That unforgettable moment was His Ascension! In the concluding passages of the Mark and Luke, plus Acts 1:9-11, we discuss 3 topics related to Christ's amazing Ascension: (1) His Return to Heaven, (2) His future Return to Earth, and (3) His Disciples' Return to Jerusalem.
This is an exciting, emotional message; very inspirational and motivational.
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 193a: The Grand Finale - Part I
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Well, this is it. After an extensive study of the Life of Christ in which we went chronologically through every step, every word, every miracle, every event of His life as recorded in all four gospel accounts (a study that took 12 years), we come to "The Grand Finale". In this Part I look at the final verses of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (John was concluded in Lesson 192 called "Peter's Public Restoration"), we discuss Christ's final post-resurrection appearances to believers, His final commissioning statement to them, and (in Part II) His incredible, visible Ascension back to Heaven.
In the Lord's eighth post-resurrection appearance (upon a Galilean mountain), He appeared before more than 500 believers (I Corinthians 15:6), whose reaction was to worship Him (Matthew 28:17). In this lesson, we discuss the Lord's "Great Commission". Christianity is not (contrary to what some seem to believe) an entertainment faith. Nor is it a fellowship faith or a service-projects' faith. Christianity is a missionary faith! Everyone of us who call ourselves "Christian" are commissioned to "GO" forth with the Gospel message, sowing its seed, and teaching any and all who will listen! Amen.
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 192: Peter’s ”Public” Restoration
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
This is the continuation of the Lord's seventh post-resurrection appearance, which took place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and was witnessed by seven of His disciples. This lesson centers on the Lord's "public" restoration of Peter to his role as an Apostle. This message gives a lot of history about the famous "foot-in-mouth," impetuous, burly fisherman turned Apostle named Simon Peter! A lot of us can find ourselves revealed in this man! A very interesting message; you will not be bored listening.
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 191: Fishers of Men
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
John chapter 21 is the epilogue to the Gospel of John, and it is packed with great information. In the Lord's seventh post-resurrection appearance and His first in Galilee, He either spoke about or illustrated the three specific ministry roles His men and all His followers were to have in the world after His Ascension: (1) to be fishers of men, (2) to be shepherds over the flocks entrusted to their care (which can include your own children or a nursery class at your local church), and (3) to be disciples (learners and followers) of Him.
In this lesson, we discuss the only post-resurrection miracle of Christ (other than His Ascension), and it was a miraculous catch of fish. Was it wrong for the seven disciples in this event to have gone fishing while waiting for the Lord to appear? What about some of the spiritually significant differences between this miraculous catch of fish and an earlier one Luke 5:1-7? Why did one net break, causing some fish to escape, and the other did not? Why was there no count of the number of fish in the first miracle, but an exact count of 153 in the second, and is there significance in that number?
How does the seven disciples' morning breakfast with Christ on the shore give a picture of the yet-future Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Why did the Lord Jesus, for the first time, not bless the bread before they ate? Along with a lot of great Bible truths, these and other questions are answered in this packed lesson!
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 190: Christ Deals with Doubt {Thomas}
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
The sixth recorded post-resurrection appearance of Christ took place one week after Resurrection Sunday evening. Both the Aramaic name "Thomas," and the Greek version, which is "Didymas," mean "twin" (as in "ditto"). Thomas has "twins" all over this skeptical world of ours! He can be said to symbolize the "scientific approach" to life: "I will only believe what I can test; what I can touch and see and feel". Sadly, Thomas also has "twins" ("dittos") all over Christendom, for the Lord has many weak children in His family. Thomas was a true sheep who fell briefly into the trap of insisting on the world's way of "proving" things - which is that seeing is believing.
It took a loving, living, resurrected Saviour to make a special appearance just for Thomas to "resurrect" a buried faith! He will do it for you, too! DO YOU KNOW THIS TRUTH - Thomas is the first person in all four gospels to openly confess Jesus as "God"!? "Doubting Didymas" became the Apostle to give the strongest and most conclusive testimony to the Deity of Jesus! How's that for the grace of the Good Shepherd toward a wandering sheep?
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 189: Behind Closed Doors
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
We take a look at the fifth post-resurrection appearance of the Lord Jesus in this lesson, "Behind Closed Doors". It was now Resurrection Sunday evening. All the Apostles, except Thomas, were gathered in the Upper Room with a group of other believers (including the two who had returned to Jerusalem after their journey with Jesus to Emmaus).
Wouldn't you have loved to be in that room when Christ suddenly appeared in their midst, even though they had the door locked and He had not knocked and waited for someone to open it? They were "terrified and affrighted" and thought He was a ghost! His first words to them after they had scattered from Him? "Peace be unto you"! What a gracious Saviour!
This is an exciting lesson. A lot of "meat" and good information. We also discover what our own resurrected bodies will be like by observing the Lord and what He was able to do in His resurrected, glorified Human body! Poor Thomas had to go through a whole additional week of disbelief and gloom because he had forsaken the assemblage with the others!
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 188b: Emmaus Road Spiritual Heartburn
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MESSAGES YOU NEED TO HEAR AND SHARE WITH OTHERS, especially with those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! There is no doubt He is the True Messiah of Israel and One and Only Saviour of mankind, and this lesson shows that fact from ALL the Scripture, Old and New Testaments.
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 188a: Emmaus Road Despondency
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
This is the account of Christ's fourth recorded post-resurrection appearance; the one that launched us into a study of Old Testament Christology (see Lesson 1 in our Christ in Genesis series). If it was possible to take a time machine into the past, I personally would join the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus Resurrection Sunday afternoon to hear the unrecognized Lord Jesus preach "the things concerning Himself" from the Old Testament Scriptures. Having their eyes opened to see how Christ has always been the Subject of Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi (and, of course, the entire New Testament), is what dramatically changed those disciples! They went from utter despair to the utmost delight during their 7-mile walk with the Greatest-ever Bible Teacher, and we're never the same again! They became infected with spiritual heartburn and couldn't wait to spread it to others (see Lesson 188b)!
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Matthew 28:11-15
Mark Twain once stated that a lie can go around the whole world while truth is still lacing up her boots! Sinful human nature somehow causes men to prefer to believe lies than truth. While the women were going about bringing the truth of Christ's resurrection to the disciples (who did not believe them), the soldiers assigned to guard the tomb were bringing their remarkable, eye-witness report to the chief priests. However, because the priests DID believe what they heard, they paid the soldiers a large amount of money to spread the LIE that Jesus' disciples had stolen His body!
Since that original lie, many others have been concocted over the passing centuries regarding Christ's resurrection. In this interesting lesson, we discuss many logical reasons why the chief priests' lie is false, before then showing why many other "theories" (lies) invented by unbelievers wanting to explain away the resurrection are likewise false. Examples we consider are: "the swoon theory," "the no-burial theory," "the telepathy theory," "the séance theory," "the mistaken identity theory," and "the theft theory". IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS TO KNOW HOW TO REFUTE THESE LIES!!
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 187b: Resurrecion Morning Conversations
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
The resurrected Lord Jesus' first two recorded conversations, which were with Mary Magdalene and the Galilean women, who (like Mary) had an encounter with the living Christ on Resurrection Sunday morning!
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 186b: Joy Comes in the Morning!
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Mary Magdalene's blinding despair and confusion are turned to blessed joy unspeakable!
Think of this: Mary wept for the wrong reason; she wept because she found the tomb empty. The fact is, because the tomb WAS empty, she had every reason to be rejoicing! THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU AND ME!
THIS will be one of your favorite lessons! It will fill your cup to over-flowing with joy, love, hope, and true comfort!
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
You will want to hear this study to find out how the grave clothes appeared (and the folded head napkin) to give the women invited into the tomb by the angel and the Apostle John instant proof that Jesus had, indeed, RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
The grave clothes of the Lord Jesus are a very exciting subject.
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 12, 2024
NOTE: Correction to this message - replace Katherine's words about "Thursday evening" with "Wednesday evening". To understand this change, listen to podcast message entitled, "Passion Week Chronology".
There was so much activity taking place at the Lord's EMPTY tomb early Sunday morning, it is difficult to get the sequence all put together, but it is explained very clearly in this study - and in a very exciting manner! Bible critics who claim inconsistencies in the accounts of the four gospel authors are addressed and easily answered!
This is a fascinating lesson! It is informative in many ways; even humorous in the way the differences between women and men are demonstrated! Did you know it was a group of three women who first announced the full Gospel message - the death, burial, and resurrection! To whom did they make that announcement? The Apostles. What was their reaction? Disbelief. In fact, they thought the women were full of delirious wild talk! How ironic that when they publicly shared the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost, they were accused of being drunk! We should not be surprised when people to whom we share the Good News of salvation in Christ think we are narrow-minded, non-woke, backwoods, ignorant fools - should we? It has always been that way! Nonetheless, the Truth is the Truth and we sow the seed and leave the response of "the soil" to the Lord!
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 185a: The Resurrection Announced
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it, there would be no Christian faith: ". . . if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith is also vain . . . and ye are yet in your sins". Of all the major world religions, only four are based on personalities instead of philosophical propositions. Of the billions who are Jews, Buddhists, or Muslims, no one claims that their founder came out his grave in a resurrected, glorified body. Christianity alone makes that claim for Jesus Christ, and for a valid reason: because it is true.
In these messages on "The Resurrection of Christ," we give repeated reasons for its truth from Scripture, logical reasoning, post-resurrection historical circumstances, and absolutely changed lives. The women disciples of Christ were the first people in the world to hear and share the marvelous message of His resurrection, and that is a wonderful compensation for the mess Eve began!
Learn, too, about the appearances, messages, and various locations of what we call "the tomb stone angel," "the tomb shelf angel," and "the two standing angels". The angels gave confirmation of the reality of Christ's resurrection in two ways: He fulfilled His own predictions about a third-day resurrection, and the empty tomb ("Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 28:6). The women were to compare what they SAW inside that tomb with what the had HEARD from the Lord's own lips - and when they put those two things together . . . BINGO! They believed, and their sorrow was turned to joy, just as the Lord promised (John 16:20)!
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 184c: Sunday Morning Wonder!
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
In this study "Sunday Morning Wonder!" we discuss: (1) the astonishment of the Roman guard at the tomb, (2) the amazing tombstone angel (you can't help but love this guy), (3) the arrival of the women and their conversation about how they would move the giant stone to the tomb when they got there, and (4) the incorrect assumption made by the extremely distraught Mary Magdalene, who figured someone had stolen the Lord's body. It is exciting to travel back in time with us and picture the reaction and responses of the various people just mentioned when faced with the supernatural! One thing is clear: nobody was expecting the third-day resurrection, despite how many times Jesus predicted it.
Interesting to know is that all four gospel accounts mention the condition of the morning sky ("yet dark," " began to dawn," "very early in the morning," and "rising of the sun"), and they together symbolically picture the salvation experience! Here's a question for you, "Who first heard the news that Christ had risen"? This lesson will help you get the Sunday morning chronology of events straightened out in your mind.
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS HEARING THIS LESSON! Not only do we discuss some of the early Resurrection Sunday morning activities at the tomb, but then we get into a deep discussion about what the Lord's soul was doing while His body rested! What exactly did Peter refer to when he wrote that Christ "preached unto the spirits in prison" (I Peter 3:19)? Does this mean unsaved, dead people in Hades were given a second chance for salvation? Who exactly were "the spirits"? What is the Greek word for "preached" (it's not what you might think)? How is this passage connected to some horrific demonic activity that took place before the Flood (Genesis 6)? Did the Lord's body see corruption in the tomb? A LOT of INFORMATION you may never have heard explained before!
In this lesson, we discuss the astonishment of the guard over the tomb, the angel of the tomb, and the arrival of the women at the tomb (to further anoint the Lord's wrapped body with spices). There was a lot of activity at the tomb on that day, and it is only by putting together the accounts of all four gospels (which this study does) that we can learn the proper sequence of events (often not presented correctly).
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Learn of the post-death actions of several women who remained at the crucifixion site of Christ until He gave up His spirit. Learn, too, of the tender post-death acts of two very prominent religious rulers (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who boldly emerged from his secret discipleship).
In the early morning hours of the "high day" Sabbath, the chief priests joined with the Pharisees in a further attempt to discredit and destroy the name of Jesus. He was dead, but they still were not satisfied. They were so concerned about His continuing influence, they held an illegal Sabbath meeting and decided to again solicit the help of Pontius Pilate. They wanted to make sure the Lord's followers did not turn His death into something even greater than His life had been. Ha! That was an impossible venture on their part! Find out the extent they went to make sure the tomb was sealed tight (interesting how they did that) and well-guarded - and how all their foolish efforts only backfired on them to be used as further evidence of the reality of Christ's Resurrection!
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 183b: Burial Preparations Fit for a King!
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Two formerly secret disciples of Christ emerge just at the right time to provide the most respectable burial for the body of their Lord - and, of course, one that also fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. If Jesus was not buried in a rich man's tomb, He would not have qualified to be Messiah (see Isaiah 53:9)! Again, we find the amazing providence of Almighty God at work in such specific ways that ensure His Son was buried as the royal Prince He is, but also to fulfill His prophetic word!
There is so much "meat" found in this study on Christ' burial (the method, the strip wrappings, the 100-pound mixture of costly spices, the head "napkin"), but here is just one truth to whet your hunger: Wealthy, wise men (Magi) lavished their expensive gifts on Christ early in His life. Wealthy, wise men (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) lavished their rich gifts upon Him at the end of His life! Though "the world" rejected Him, nonetheless, He was and IS THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 183a: Post-Death Providential Care
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
There is perhaps no single account in Scripture that gives more evidence of God's providence than the record of the circumstances relating to the after-death care and burial of the Lord Jesus. This subject is often passed over quickly as something necessary, but not significant when compared to Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances. This is a mistake, for the gospel accounts on this matter contain astounding truths that present additional testimony to both the providence of God and the identity of Jesus as His true Son!
If Christ had not given up His spirit when He did, His leg bones would have been broken. He would not qualify as Messiah, for Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20 would not have been fulfilled by Him. If He had not have been pierced through with a Roman spear, we would not know the actual physical cause of His death and how it fulfilled Psalm 69:20 (not the normal crucifixion deaths, which were either by exhaustion asphyxia or hypovolemic shock).
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 181b: The Victor’s Death {It is Finished Part XI}
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
In the first part of this lesson (see Lesson #181a), we discussed "The Victor's Declaration" (John 19:30a); we conclude with this lesson on "The Victor's Death". Included in this great, great study is a look at Christ's final (of seven) cross saying, which, as the first saying, was a prayer. It was significant, not only because it was His last word before He died, but because His use of the term, "Father," tells us He was back in communion/fellowship with His heavenly Father! The "cup" He had been given to drink was fully drained; the storm of God's wrath upon the sins of the world was spent. All was calm. The darkness lifted. The Lord quoted one more verse of Scripture (Psalm 31:5) when He said in a loud voice, "Father, into Thine hand I commit My spirit". He had willingly delivered His body into the hands of His enemies; He now voluntarily delivered His spirit into the hands of His Father.
Discover a number of evidences that NOBODY TOOK CHRIST'S LIFE; HE LAID IT DOWN HIS OWN WAY and ON HIS OWN TIME SCHEDULE (which was exactly the time of day when the Passover lambs were be slain - 3:00 p.m.). Much "meat" for the spiritually hungry in this two-part study!
This lesson is given in written form in "The Caldwell Commentary" book entitled "The Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com).
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 180: The Ninth Hour Thirst {It is Finished IX}
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
"The Ninth Hour Thirst" - Matthew 27:47-49; Mark 15:35, 36; John 19:28, 29. This lesson is divided into three parts: The Devious Deception, The Divine Desire, and The Davidic Drink. Learn of a centuries' long debate about the motive of those who said the Lord was crying out to Elijah when He said, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" ("My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?"). It is an interesting debate; likely the misunderstanding intentionally originated with Israel's religious rulers as a devious deception to maliciously mock Jesus.
There is a lengthy discussion in this lesson about the Lord's fifth saying from the cross, "I thirst". Find out why those words give evidence of His Humanity, but how the reason He spoke them gives evidence of His Deity!
Who was the last person to demonstrate a degree of compassion to the Lord Jesus? Find out! What are some of the obvious similarities between the Passover events concerning Christ's crucifixion and the original Passover of Moses' day? Again, find out (hint: darkness, hyssop, sacrificial Lamb).
This lesson in written form (with Homework Questions) is found in our "Caldwell Commentary" - "Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com). See also Amazon.com for other Caldwell Commentaries
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 179: The Sixth Hour Darkness {It is Finished VIII}
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
This lesson begins our discussion of the Lord's second three hours on the cross (from noon to 3:00 p.m., or was called the sixth to ninth hours). This time frame began with an eerie, mysterious darkness over the land, and an intense darkness over the Lord Himself as He was separated, for the first and only time ever, from fellowship with the Father.
What were God's reasons for the darkness that shrouded the suffering of His Son from human eyes for three hours?
If Jesus is Deity (and He is), then why would He ask why God had forsaken Him (His fourth saying from the cross)? Did He not know? Yes, He knew! In fact, His knowledge of that mandatory separation, when He literally became the curse of sin for us, was the whole reason for His agony in Gethsemane! Also, the preincarnate Christ answered His own question in the prophetic preview of His cross-work recorded in Psalm 22. Actually, by asking the question, He fulfilled yet one more Messianic prophecy!
One further point of interest: Jesus asked the question so the world would know He paid the FULL wages of death for our sin, which includes not only physical death, but also spiritual deathm (separation from God)!
Deep, theological lesson made easy to understand and to deepen faith and appreciation for "What Jesus Did for YOU" . . . and for me. Critical lesson for every believer; convicting lesson to use evangelistically with every non-believer.
This lesson in written form (with Homework Questions) is in our "Caldwell Commentary" series, "The Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com).
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
"Love: A Personal Concern" - John 19:25-27. John's gospel record of the crucifixion of Christ immediately ushers his readers from the Lord's foes to His friends! He is the only one of the four gospel authors to record Christ's third (of seven) saying from the cross, which was about His mother's care. To the end, the Lord Jesus obeyed the Law, for He honored His widowed mother by providing (as her eldest Son) for her future care. He not only obeyed the letter of the Law, He displayed the spirit of the Law, for He exhibited genuine love toward the woman who gave Him physical birth and an eternal home in her heart.
Ivor Powell (great Bible commentator) said if he were a woman, one of his favorite passages of Scripture would be John 19:25, 26. Why? Because, at the most critical time in Christ's life (as He hung on the cross to pay for the sins of the world), all but one Apostle had forsaken Him. Only young John was present at the cross However, there were four faithful women who had both the courage and love to stand with Jesus in the midst of widespread, open hostility and mockery. Find out who they were, as well as interesting information about each of them.
Was Mary, the mother of Jesus, still at the cross when He died? A lot of religious paintings would lead us to think so! Listen and hear what the Bible actually tells us!
This study is found in written form (with Homework Questions) in our "Caldwell Commentary" series, "Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com)
Find Katherine Caldwell Commentaries on Amazon.com
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
The sub-title for this concluding lesson on our mini-series, "It is Finished" (What Jesus Did for You) is, "Faith: A Penitent Criminal". The conversion of one of the two thieves dying with the Lord is a wonderful demonstration of His triumphant victory over the wicked forces of Satan's principalities and powers even when He was seemingly at His weakest (He was really at His strongest). This is the true account of a sinner who experienced the transforming power of God's grace. There are some very significant doctrinal teachings that come to light in the Lord's promise to the penitent thief. What appears to be five short and simple verses (Luke 23:39-43) about a man's dying salvation are actually complex and packed full of deep, spiritual, and eternal truths regarding the Christian faith.
Did you know the thief's salvation was fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy? It was! Be surprised to learn where that prophecy was given.
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
The title of this fifth lesson of our "It is Finished" series concerning Christ's cross-work is "Hate: A Provoking Crowd". As Satan was in the very process of bruising the Saviour's heel (Genesis 3:15), he was also seeing to it that representatives of each First Century "people group" voiced hatred and scorn at his age-old enemy, God's Son (the One Who cast him like lightning from Heaven). The events of this lesson occurred during the Lord's first three hours on the cross, before it became eerily dark. The outline for this study is four-fold: (1) The Scoffer Passing By the Saviour, (2) The Sanhedrin Calling Down the Saviour, (3) The Soldiers Mocking Under the Saviour, and (4) The Sinners Hanging Next to the Saviour.
Please understand this truth: Many people erroneously think the crucifixion manifested the Lord's weakness. The total opposite is true! Christ crucified is the power of God (II Corinthians 13:4)!
This lesson in written form (with Homework Questions) is found in "The Caldwell Commentaries" - Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com).
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 175b: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished IV}
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
This is the continuation of Lesson 175a on the Lord's crucifixion. Repeatedly, throughout His earthly ministry, Christ's enemies sought to destroy Him, but they could not. HIS predetermined "hour" had not come. But finally it did, and their desires were granted by the will of God Himself. The Lord Jesus, Prince of Life, willingly yielded Himself into their hands. At any minute - even hanging nailed to a cross - He could have used His power to escape, but He did not. He was fully surrendered to carry through to completion His divinely ordained mission to redeem mankind. Regardless what it meant for Him personally by way of spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental anguish, He would drink the full, bitter cup of His Father's wrath and holy judgment against sin - for you and for me.
As in the first part of this two-part look at Christ's horrific crucifixion, we will see how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled. Learn, too, who wrote the first Gospel tract and what it said. Also, did you know the Holy Spirit did NOT inspire any of the four gospel writers to record details about the Lord's actual crucifixion! Why do you think that is?
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 175a: The Crucifixion - Part I {It is Finished III}
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)
In this lesson, we engage in the unpleasant task of describing the suffering of the cruelest, most disgraceful death instrument depraved mankind ever invented. We discuss a four-point outline in this two-part study of "The Crucifixion": the Pain of Crucifixion, the Prayer of Christ ("Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"), the Parting of Clothing (a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18), and the Placard of the Cross.
Similar to the lack of any details recorded in the four gospels about the Lord's scourging by the Romans, we also find that none of the four divinely inspired authors wrote anything more about His crucifixion than simply to say, "they crucified Him" along with "two robbers". From the human perspective, we can assume Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John saw little reason to describe the horrors of crucifixion to their contemporary readers, for everyone in that day knew more about crucifixion than they wanted to know.
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 174b: The Way of the Cross - Part II {It is Finished II}
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
An extremely serious lesson (continuation of Lesson 174a)!
BE BLESSED!
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 174a: The Way of the Cross - Part I {It is Finished I}
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
You do not want to miss this two-part study (see also Lesson 174b) on the Lord's "Way of the Cross"! We promise you will be blessed!
In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 173b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part IV
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.comuand scripturetruth.com Search under Katherine Caldwell Commentaries)
A number of prophecies were fulfilled during "Satan's Hour of Darkness" - in this lesson, Isaiah 49:7, 53:3, and First Samuel 8:5, which all predicted Israel's rejection of her King/Messiah, were fulfilled. Also, the Lord's own prediction in Mark 10:34 and Matthew 27:30 that He would be spat upon by the Gentiles was fulfilled. Isaiah 50:6b, which Jesus mentioned in Mark 15:19, was fulfilled. It said that the Messiah would not hide His face from shame and spitting!
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 173a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part III
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Matthew 27:23b-30; Mark 15:15-19; Luke 23:23-25; John 19:12-16
In this third part of our look at "Satan's Hour of Darkness," we look at a four-point outline (some in this lesson and the rest in the lesson to follow - 173b): (1) The Demand of the Crowd, (2) The Denouncement of a Coward, (3) The Death Sentence of the Christ, and (4) The Depravity of a Cohort.
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 172b: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part II
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Satan's enmity against God was manifested throughout the Old Testament era by his continual striving to prevent the Christ from being born! Satan sought to eliminate the ancestral line from which He (the Saviour) was prophesied to come. When he failed in that mission, Satan attempted to eliminate Him shortly after He was born by using Herod the Great's horrific "Bethlehem Massacre". God intervened, and the old dragon was again foiled in his quest. Then, repeatedly throughout the Lord's earthly life, Satan continued in his attempts to destroy Him - either through temptations to sin or premature death. Again, he was always hindered by the Lord from accomplishing his mission.
But during Christ's trials and crucifixion, God no longer hindered the powers of darkness. The hour had arrived when the serpent would bruise the Saviour's heel (Genesis 3:15). Satan fully availed himself of his opportunity to persecute, mock, and kill his age-old Enemy (his very Creator), which he did through his human dupes.
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 172a: Satan’s Hour of Darkness - Part I
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
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John 19:1-5 SCOURGED. MOCKED. EXHIBITED. HATED. The horrible atrocities heaped upon the One Who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost went beyond the bounds of reasonable human understanding. Where was the divinely inspired, Scripturally-based justice of Israel in the Jews' dealings with Jesus? Where was the much praised Roman justice when it came to His civil trials? Why was a bound Prisoner scourged and mocked and condemned to die when "the judge" repeatedly declared His innocence? Why was the Lord Jesus treated in a way that unparalleled the treatment of any other person in history? What is the secret of His gross mistreatment and injustice?
The answer is that divine restraint was removed so human depravity was permitted to demonstrate itself in all its deceitful fulness as representatives of both Jews and Gentiles crucified the Son of God Who came to save them. We are also told by Christ Himself that His unparalleled mistreatment was due to the fact that it was "Satan's Hour of Darkness" (see Luke 22:53). The "hour" had arrived when the serpent would bruise the Saviour's "heel" (Genesis 3:15).
Learn about this "hour" in both this and the following two lessons.
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 171b: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part II
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Matthew 27:15-21; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:17-19; John 18:39, 40
In this second half of our study on "The Lamb Before His Shearers" (see Lesson 171a), we do not so much look at the silence of Christ as we did when He stood before His accusers and before Herod Antipas, but we look at the selection of the crowd. Pilate presented the crowd assembled around the Praetorium with a "Passover Bargain". They could choose to free one prisoner, and the choice was between Jesus and Barabbas, a robber, murderer, and insurrectionist against Rome.
We also discuss "Mrs. Pilate's Precautionary Dream" - one her husband should have paid great attention to! Thirdly, we then look at "The Multitude's Providential Choice". Sadly, they chose to free Barabbas instead of Jesus - but, of course, Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world!
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 171a: The Lamb Before His Shearers - Part I
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
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Matthew 27:12-14; Mark 15:3-5; Luke 23:5-16
This is the first of a two-part study entitled, "The Lamb Before His Shearers," speaking of the Lord Jesus, the True Lamb of God sent to redeem mankind from our sin, as He appeared before the official representatives of Rome in a three-phased "civil" trial. After having failed to find a legitimate indictment against Jesus, the Jewish Sanhedrin Council accused Him of blasphemy when He truthfully claimed to be "the Christ, the Son of God". The condemned Him to die. However, since the Jews did not have the legal authority to exact the death penalty themselves, they had to turn to Rome (although this didn't stop them a little later when it came to stoning Stephen to death). They really wanted Jesus crucified because the Old Testament declared any one who hung from a tree to be "cursed"! They figured this would surely disqualify Him as the Messiah in the eyes of the people. Little did they know how He literally became the curse of sin for you, me, and for them!
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 170b: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prisoner}
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
In-depth commentary/study books to ACCOMPANY EVERY STUDY on our podcast are available through Amazon.com and scripturetruth.com
This is the continuation of our study of the Lord's first "civil" trial, which was before Pontius Pilate (see Lesson 170a and our discussion of Pilate's conversation with the prosecutors of Jesus, the Jews).
In this lesson, we learn why Pilate suspected the Jews' accusations against Jesus to be false (Luke 23:2). We discuss why Jesus answered Pilate's first question with a question of His own (John 18:33,34). We see WHO was really the one on trial, and it wasn't Jesus! We find out what the religious rulers said to Pilate that actually fulfilled the prophecy of Genesis 49:10, proving that Shiloh (Messiah) had come!
We also learn of the "proof" Jesus gave Pilate that His Kingdom was "not of this world" and, thus, no immediate threat to political Rome. Then, too, we discuss Pilate's famous question (asked sarcastically and rhetorically, not expecting an answer), "What is truth?" Little did he know - or care to know - that Truth incarnate was standing before Him (John 14:6)!
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 170a: Christ Before Pilate {Pilate with the Prosecutors}
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
A two-part study that covers: Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:1-4; and John 18:28-38
The Lord's prediction of Matthew 27:2 that the Jewish leaders of Israel would turn Him over to the Gentiles (Mark 10:33) came to pass. The Sanhedrin Council and its two corrupt, co-reigning high priests (Annas and Caiaphas) decided it was expedient for them that "one man should die for the people" (John 11:50), so they condemned Him to death and sent Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to execute Him.
There is a great deal of important dialogue to discuss in all that transpired as the Lord's three "civil" trials (they were anything but civil) began. We only cover part of His first appearance before Pilate in this lesson (Part I), so be sure to also listen to Part II (Lesson 170b)!
Monday Jan 08, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 169c: The Alarm Cock Sounds - Part III
Monday Jan 08, 2024
Monday Jan 08, 2024
This lesson concludes our three-part study of Peter's three-part denial of Christ prior to the three cock crows (as the Lord predicted Peter would do earlier that night). It must have pained both the Lord's and Peter's hearts as the two made eye contact right after Peter's third denial. The good news is that Peter repented and was later fully restored by the grace of the resurrected Lord of glory! We discuss the difference between Judas and Peter; between regret and true repentance, among other things.
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
This is the continuation of the biblical narrative concerning Peter's three denials of Christ the night of the Lord's arrest and trials.
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 168b: Christ Before Caiaphas {Testimony Shock}
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Matthew 26:63b-68; Mark 14:61b-65; Luke 22:63-65
The Lord Jesus gave a prediction regarding His Second Coming that absolutely shocked everyone listening at His second trial! He affirmed His Deity, calling Himself the Son of God. He likewise affirmed His Messiahship, calling Himself the Son of man by associating Himself with two well-known Messianic passages of Scripture (Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13. His statement was also a prediction of His resurrection, ascension, and return!
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 168a: Christ Before Caiaphas {Trial Deadlock}
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:63-66; John 18:24
In this lesson, we look at the second phase of the Lord's religious trial, which was held before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Council of Israel in an informal setting shortly before dawn. Like the "trial" before Annas, the second one before the co-reigning high priest, was totally illegal. Yet, even though the trial was illegal and the witnesses brought in to testify were false, yet the Council members still could not gain a charge against Jesus! They came to a deadlock of frustration, which we talk about in the first part of our outline, "The Trial Deadlock".
The rest of this study is presented in Lesson 168b.
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Life of Christ Lesson 167: Tied, Tried, and Denied
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
John 18-12-23; Matthew 26:58, 69, 70; Mark 14:54, 66-68; Luke 22:54-57
The threefold name for this lesson, "Tied, Tried, and Denied," is based on the threefold outline of the events that took place the night of Christ's arrest recorded in the gospel passages listed above. We look sequentially at these topics: (1) Jesus being prophetically tied by His enemies, (2) Jesus being tragically denied by Peter (which He had prophesied earlier that night), and (3) Jesus being illegally tried by Annas (the high priest of Israel).
The Holy Spirit's intention in these passages of alternating the reader's focus from the unfair trials of the innocent Lord Jesus to the shameful, sinful denials of Peter is to emphasize the great need for Christ's redemption by ALL men!
Learn a lot about how absolutely ILLEGAL the trial of Jesus held by Annas, Israel's high priest, was! It may shock you, but the illegalities continue throughout the night! Corruption today is not anything new, is it?
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Matthew 26:48-56; Mark 14:44-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:10-12
The single outstanding feature of Jesus Christ in this third and final garden scene (Gethsemane), where He was betrayed by Judas with a kiss, disappointed by Peter with a sword, arrested by soldiers, and deserted by His disciples, is His GRACE. In stark contrast, the one thing that stands out about everyone else in the garden is their GUILT.
This is a loaded lesson with lots of details to learn about matters you may have missed before!
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 165: The Majesty of the Gethsemane King
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023
Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47a; John 18:2-9
For all Caldwell Commentary study books go to
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The title for this second lesson on Christ's Gethsemane experience is "The Majesty of the Gethsemane King" because even though that garden on the Mount of Olives was where He was betrayed and arrested, it is also where His divine majesty is displayed in all that took place! In Gethsemane, we find Jesus as the Victor over and the Designer of the circumstances! He was not tricked or surprised what happened to Him. He is the sovereign Son of God Who displayed both His power and authority not only to those who belong to Him (the disciples), but to those who came to arrest Him.
Believe it or not, the Scripture of this lesson reveals the excellencies of the Lord Jesus in a way that few other passages of Scripture do!
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 164: The Mystery of the Gethsemane Cup
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1
A VERY IMPORTANT STUDY!!
The three aspects of this study on "The Mystery of the Gethsemane Cup" deal with the Gethsemane Mystery, the Gethsemane Agony, and the Gethsemane Victory! You will learn about "the Apostles' sleep," "the angelic strengthening," and "the agonizing sweat". The Lord Jesus really won the victory over sin and death for us in Gethsemane. At the cross of Calvary, He yielded His body, but in the garden of Gethsemane, He yielded His will.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
John 17:20-26
This is the section (verses 20 to 24) of Christ's High Priestly Prayer in which He prayed for all future believers (if you are a believer in Him, this is what Jesus prayed for you)! What did He pray? He asked for our witness for Him to be successful on earth and in Heaven; for the world and for His glory.
In some of the Lord's last words spoken in the presence of His men, the Apostles heard Him pray for yet-unborn people who would believe on Him because of their witness! He was telling them, through the prayer, that the Gospel would prevail even in the face of the world's hatred and their weaknesses. In the midst of all their confusion and despair, that must have been a blessed comfort to hear. Facing soon betrayal, arrest, and death, Jesus was not discouraged nor did He sound in any way defeated! In future vision, He could behold the faces of the millions of people who would swell the ranks of His current little flock! It was part of the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2)! I hope that flock includes YOU!
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 162: The Lord’s High Priestly Prayer - Part IV
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
John 17:11b-19
The longest recorded prayer from the Lord Jesus in Scripture is found only in the gospel of John; it is called His "High Priestly Prayer" in that much of it is a prayer of intercession on behalf of those He loves. It was actually a pre-cross "sneak" preview of Christ's post-cross intercessory work as High Priest of His Church.
In this lesson, we discuss the Lord's requests made to His Heavenly Father on behalf of the Apostles. He prayed for their unity, for their joy, for their protection, and for their sanctification.
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Life of Christ Lesson 161: The Lords High Priestly Prayer - Part III
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
John 17:6-11a
This lesson continues our study of Christ's "High Priestly Prayer" of John 17, which very neatly falls into three outline parts. First, the Lord prayed for Himself (see Lessons 160a and 160b). Second, He prayed for the Apostles. Third, He lifted up His voice in prayer to His Heavenly Father to pray for all future believers.
We talk about the reasons the Son of God prayed for His men (the Apostles), and there were four of them given. The specific requests He asked for them are found in Lesson 162a.