The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Life of Christ Lessons 95b/96: The Good Shepherd Sermon - Parts I and II

This is the continuation of the Lord's very comforting "Good Shepherd Sermon" of John chapter 7.   We discussed Him in the last lesson as "The Scriptural and the Saving Shepherd," and, in this lesson, He presents Himself as "The Sacrificial Shepherd" (giving more predictions of His voluntary death - and resurrection), "The Solitary Shepherd" (who brings both Jew and Gentile into one fold, under one Shepherd), and as "The Submissive Shepherd" (always obedient to His Father's will).

Of all the animals in the world to choose from, why did the Lord choose sheep to symbolize those who belong to Him (believers)?  Listen and find out!   Also, did you know that in the Old Testament there were five individual shepherds who, by some aspect of their lives, point to (foreshadowed) Jesus Christ, "The Good Shepherd"?  Fascinating - find out who there were and what they pictured about Him.  Also, there was a sixth shepherd, called "the idol shepherd" (see Zechariah 11:16, 17), which is a prophecy regarding the Antichrist!  How appropriate that he is the SIXTH (think of 666)!  Christ Jesus is the SEVENTH Shepherd - again very appropriate since SEVEN is the Biblical number for perfection and completion, and He is the Perfectly GOOD Shepherd!  A lot is given to think about in this great sermon by Him!

Life of Christ Lesson 95a: The Good Shepherd Sermon - Part I

John 10:1-10

John chapter 10 is one of the most beloved chapters of the Bible for believers in Christ. This is the first part of the Lord's "Good Shepherd Sermon," which presents Jesus Christ in His tender role as the good, gentle, and caring Shepherd of His flock.  There is a deep sense of security to the believer who reads this chapter and realizes he has a Shepherd Who knows him so intimately and loves him so unreservedly, that He was even willing to sacrifice His life for him.

This sermon grew out of the Lord's confrontation with the Jewish religious rulers following the excommunication of the formerly blind beggar (blind from birth), who Jesus healed.  Having just spoken about being the Light of the world and telling the Jews they were spiritually blind, He now changed His use of metaphors from that of light and darkness and sight and blindness (John 9) to that of shepherd and sheep.  Something very interesting you want to learn from this lesson is who is represented by the sheepfold, the House of Israel or the Church.  Also, who is represented by the thieves and robbers?  Who is represented by the porter?  You may be very surprised at the answers!

We have a five-point outline for this lesson.  The first three outline divisions are discussed in this lesson and the last two are in the lesson to follow (Lesson #95b).  They are: (1) The Scriptural Shepherd (learn about the two kinds of sheepfolds in Israel at the time of Christ, as well as the three "doors" that are found in verses 1 to 6.  Also, does the sheepfold symbolize).

Life of Christ Lesson 94b: The Light Gives Sight - Part II cont. {Religious Persecution}

This continues our look at the glorious biblical account of the first man to directly suffer for Christ's sake, the beggar who was born blind and healed on a Sabbath by the Lord Jesus.  He was callously excommunicated from Judaism by the cold-hearted, anti-Jesus Sanhedrin Council of Israel!  However, the Good Shepherd found him after he was "cast out" by Israel's false shepherds, and led him into the eternal fold! That which man meant for evil, God used for good!

The first thing the man did when Christ revealed Himself and the man believed on Him was to fall down and worship Him!  And Jesus did NOT stop him!  He accepted the worship because He is God!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 94a: The Light Gives Sight - Part II {Religious Persecution}

John 9:8-41

The man born blind, healed by Christ in this chapter, represents the spiritual condition of the unsaved person (we give six ways this is true).  The Lord's merciful dealings with the poor, blind beggar present a 7-step picture of the work of God in salvation (we present them in this lesson).

To this point in the narrative of Christ's healing of the blind beggar of John chapter 9, the man has received his sight - which was a unprecedented miracle!  Nobody had EVER healed a man who was BORN blind!  In this second part of this study on "The Light Gives Sight," we look at the process that then led to the far greater miracle, which was the opening of the man's spiritual eyes; the "eyes of his heart".  

The religious rulers were (of course) not pleased that the man could see for the first time in his life!  They were "upset" that he was healed on the Sabbath!  Thus, they begin a ridiculously cruel interrogation of the situation (hoping to discredit Jesus for breaking Sabbath Law).  First, they interrogate the former blind beggar, then his neighbors, then his cowardly parents, and then the beggar again!  The more they show forth their cold hearts and legalistic foolishness, the stronger the man's faith in Jesus becomes!  He goes from being astonished at their unbelief, to making a logical assessment of the situation (9:31), to having assurance in Christ being "of God" (9:32, 33)!

The remainder of this account is found in the next lesson (#94b).

Life of Christ Lesson 93: The Light Gives Sight - Part I {A Doubly-Great Miracle}

John 9:1-7

The Lord often performed a miracle to serve as a living illustration for a message containing spiritual truth.  In John chapter 9, His living illustration and confirmation of His "Light of the World Sermon" was a man born blind who He (Christ, the Light of the world) healed!  The greatest miracle in this chapter, however, is not the opening of the man's eyes, but the opening of his heart to the light of truth concerning the Person of Jesus Christ!

This is the first of a three-part study on this very moving, dramatic account of the healing of a man born blind!  If you are like me, you will really come to admire that man, who serves as a great role model for us regarding standing up for common sense and for TRUTH regarding Christ's Indentity!

Life of Christ Lesson 92: True Emancipation Proclamation - Part II {Jesus’ Response to Being Called a Devil}

John 8:48-59

This is the last part of the Lord's "Light of the World Sermon".  There are many interesting verses in the last section of what we call the Lord's "True Emancipation Proclamation".  Jesus asked the religious rulers if they could point out any sin in His life; their silence speaks volumes, although they resorted to name-calling.  They said He was a "Samaritan" (which they considered one of the worst insults) and that He had "a devil".  He ignored their first insult, but proceeded to tell them how His words and actions proved He was not demonically controlled.   Ever-patient, Jesus then invited them to trust His words so they would be set free from ever experiencing eternal separation from God. 

It was at this point the Jews again mentioned Abraham, asking Jesus, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?"  Christ had already made a statement that was really a claim of His Lordship over the Tomb (8:51); now He made a claim as to His Lordship over Time!  We get into a wonderful detailed study ofHis next words to the Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (8:56)!   We enjoy a quick review of "The Gospel on Moriah" (Abraham's almost sacrifice of Isaac) as we discover how it was that Abraham actually DID SEE (with eyes of faith) Christ's day!  

At the end of the Lord's "Emancipation Proclamation," the Jews were boiling with anger and they picked up heavy stones  to stone Him to death!  But, it was not His hour and, somehow, He miraculously hid Himself from them.

Life of Christ Lesson 91: True Emancipation Proclamation - Part I

John 8:31-47

"The True Emancipation Proclamation" is the title for a two-part study, which continues and completes the Lord's "Light of the World Sermon" given in the Temple Treasury, the day after the Feast of Tabernacles.  He spoke about true freedom and how anyone can find "Emancipation from Enslaving Sin" (8:31-41a), "Emancipation from Evil Satan" (8:41b-47), "Emancipation from Eternal Separation" (8:48-59).  The first two of these sub-divisions are discussed in this lesson.

Learn what the Lord meant by His words, "If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (8:31b, 32)!  IF YOU TRULY WANT FREEDOM, IT COMES FROM KNOWING THE LORD JESUS AND THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM IN SCRIPTURE.

Life of Christ Lesson 90: The Light of the World - Part II

John 8:13-30

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, John designed his account of Christ's life so that 3 wilderness pictures of Jesus are presented in sequential order in chapters 6, 7, and 8.  In chapter 6, manna was given as a picture of the Lord, the True Bread of Life Who came down from Heaven.  In chapter 7, the water from the rock in Horeb was given as a picture of the Living Water (the Spirit), Who only Christ, the Rock can offer.  In chapter 8, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night which led Israel in the wilderness is used to present a picture of the True Light of the world, the Lord Jesus - the Shekinah Glory veiled in Human flesh.

Jesus made a claim to Messiahship and Deity when He said He is the Light of the world.  The Jews were set on disproving His claim publicly.  The Law said a person's word of testimony with regard to himself was not acceptable in a judicial court unless other witnesses substantiated it.  This latest challenge and the Lord's response to it for the subject for this second half of a two-part study on "The Light of the World".

We discuss "The Lord's Witness" (8:13-16), "The Law's Witness" (8:17-20), "The Lord's Way" (8:21-24), and "The Lord's Word" (8:25-30).

Another prediction of His upcoming crucifixion is found in John 8:28, which literally reads, "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM" (the pronoun "He" is not in the original manuscript)!!  Another powerful lesson regarding the Person of Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Life of Christ Lesson 89: The Light of the World - Part I {A Super-Packed Study of Enlightenment}

John 8:12, 20a

Although this lesson only covers 1 and 1/2 verses, it is packed full of Bible "meat"!

After the adulteress woman episode, in which the religious rulers failed miserably to trap Jesus, they tried another approach.  When they heard Him make yet another claim to Deity when He said, "I am the Light of the world,"  they tried to prove Him false. and the result was "The Light of the World Sermon" (8:12-58) - to be covered through Lesson #92 (and illustrated as being TRUE in Lessons #93 and #94 regarding Christ's healing of a man born blind).

There is simply too much to "spell out" in this brief synopsis; you just need to hear it all for yourself, probably more than once!

Life of Christ Lesson 88: Dilemma After the Feast {The Adulteress Woman}

John 8:1-11

In John chapter 8, we find the nation of Israel represented symbolically as God's adulterous wife.  This lesson is the well-know account of the adulteress brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees to present Him with a seemingly impossible dilemma.  They figured He could not resolve this situation without either publicly disregarding the Mosaic Law (by saying, "Let her go") or by disappointing the people for not demonstrating compassion and mercy (by saying, "Stone her to death").

Incarnate Truth (Christ) cannot set aside the divinely inspired Law; Incarnate Grace (Christ) cannot ignore the hopelessness of the sinner.  How could grace flow from Jesus without doing damage to either justice or holiness?  Omnipotent Wisdom provided the solution!  He had the right to offer the woman grace because He was going to be condemned in her place!

Life of Christ Lesson 87: Division at End of the Feast {Learn about the Feast of Tabernacles}

John 7:32-53

Jesus stood in the Temple, raising His voice to people who thought He could not possibly be the Messiah because they "knew" His origin (birthplace and parentage), but they were wrong.  He gave repeated claims to His Deity (7:28, 29), which enraged the religious rulers, especially when many people did believe Jesus was Who He claimed to be.  The Jews felt it was time to send for the Temple guard to arrest Him.  In this lesson, the Lord spoke a prophecy to the religious rulers, "Ye shall seek Me and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come" (7:34).  They sarcastically said among themselves that he must be going among the Gentiles, for they would not "lower" themselves to associated with Gentiles.  

John recorded the events of the last day of the Feast of Taberncaldes.  We talk a lot about the rituals and ceremonies involved in celebrating this feast and how Jesus used them to point to Himself as the Fulfillment - for example - of the Rock smitten by Moses in the wilderness out from which flowed life-giving water!  He said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.  He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (7:37, 38).

There were three kinds of responses to His words - some heeded it; some hindered it; and others hated it.  Interestingly, the Temple officers sent by the Sanhedrin Council to arrest Jesus did not arrest Him; instead they returned to the Council with this testimony, "Never man spake like this man" (7:46)!  Then, too, one of their own Council members spoke up in defense of Jesus!  His name was Nicodemus!   This is a great lesson!  Lots of "meat".

Life of Christ Lesson 86: Debate in the Midst of the Feast

John 7:11-31

In this lesson, we discuss the various debates about Jesus taking place in Jerusalem both before His arrival there and following His appearance in the Temple in the midst of the festival week (the Feast of Tabernacles, which lasted 7 days).  There are five main divisions to this lesson: (1) Arguments about Christ's Character, (2) Astonishment at Christ's Doctrine, (3) Accusations of Christ's Person, (4) Anger Over Christ's Word, and (5) Ambivalence Over Christ's Origin.

Find out why it is impossible to conclude that Jesus was just a "good man"!  Also, learn how you can KNOW if what Jesus taught is true!  He gave the answer in John 7:17 and 7:18.  Learn how He pointed out yet another hypocrisy in the Jewish religious leaders concerning their supposed "love" for Moses and the Law!  Learn what particular "work" and what particular claim Christ did and made that made the Jews (rulers) so indignant that they wanted to kill Him.  The Jews could take no more of Christ's claims to Deity, so they sought to lay hands on Him to arrest Him, but they could not.  Why?  The answer is found in John 7:30, ". . . because His hour was not yet come"!  He had six more months of ministry remaining, and nobody could touch Him until it was the divinely appointed time for Him to give His life - willingly!  That time was the Passover.

Life of Christ Lesson 85: On the Road to Rejection {Spurned by Siblings and Samaritans}

Luke 9:51-56; John 7:1-10

The Lord now came to the end of His Galilean ministry.  In Luke 9:51, He is headed toward Jerusalem of Judea, and we read these words, "And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem".  It was near to the Feast of Tabernacles with only six months before the Feast of Passover - the one in which Christ would be the Passover Lamb!

Knowing His time was growing short and also knowing what awaited Him when He arrived in Jerusalem, nonetheless, He set His face like flint to complete the work He set out to do.  He had put His hand to the plow, and He would NOT turn back!  He was "On the Road to Rejection," and it would begin sadly.  It began with the rejection of His own half-brothers, which is what we look at first, "Spurned by His Siblings," and as He passed through Samaria, He was also "Spurned by the Samaritans".

Life of Christ Lesson 84: Barriers to Commitment

Matthew 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62

The Lord said His yoke is easy and His burden light, but it does not mean He makes easy and light demands of those who would be His followers (disciples).  He also said those who follow Him in committed discipleship must be willing to deny self and take up their cross.  In this lesson, the Lord encountered three "would-be" disciples - men who claimed they wanted to follow Him.  However, by way of these three living illustrations (and their "excuses"), we see just how real the demand of Christian discipleship are and how few people are truly willing to commit completely to Christ's service!  

In His conversation with the three "would be" disciples, we learn of the three most common barriers to total Christian commitment:  (1) The Barrier of Present Resources, (2) The Barrier of Future Riches, and (3) The Barrier of Past Relationships.

Life of Christ Lesson 83: Key to Family Unity: FORGIVENESS!

Matthew 18:21-35

The last section of the Lord's "Sermon on Being Children of God" came as a result of a question posed by Peter.  After hearing Jesus teach about the necessary steps believers must take in regard to the discipline of an offending brother, Peter became curious about the number of times a sinning brother should be forgiven.  Thinking he was being very generous, he then suggested his own number - 7 times.  In answer to Peter, the Lord spoke about the importance of forgiveness in the Christian's life.  This is the subject of this lesson, forgiveness is the Key to Family Unity!

Included in this lesson is the Lord's "Parable of the Wicked Servant" (Matthew 18:23-34).

Life of Christ Lesson 82b: Preserving Family Unity - Part II {Church Discipline - Oh Dear!}

Matthew 17:15-20

This is a difficult lesson (often ignored by many churches and Christians), for it on "Discipline With the Family" (speaking of the family of God).  It is the Lord's instructions for how to properly engage in church discipline.  He presented the necessary and sequential steps involved in godly, Biblical discipline of believers who have stumbled into sin by offending or despising a "brother or sister" in Christ.  These principles for preserving family unity are still applicable today!  

Life of Christ Lesson 82a: Preserving Family Unity - Part I {Parable of the Lost Sheep}

Matthew 18:10-20

This next two-part study entitled "Preserving Family Unity" is a continuation of the Lord's "Sermon on Being the Children of God" (Lesson #81), which was precipitated by the disciples' argument over which of them would be "the greatest" in the Kingdom.  He taught them about humility in the section we entitled "Servants, Not Celebrities," and He taught them about true servant-greatness in the section, "Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks".  

In this lesson (and #82b), He rebuked His men for their argument with each other about greatness, for in seeking self-promotion, they were actually pushing the others down.  It was a form of "despising" others in the family of God.   Learn from Him what some of the ways in which Christ despise each other (18:10a), and why Christians should NOT despise one another (18:10b-14).   

In this study, we discuss "The Parable of the Lost Sheep"!

Life of Christ Lesson 81: Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks

Matthew 18:5-9; Mark 9:36-50; Luke 9:48-50

Although the Lord Jesus shortly before had predicted His up-coming suffering and death (Matthew 17:22, 23), His disciples were so focused on their own selfish ambitions that they heatedly disputed over who among them was to be the greatest in the Kingdom!  This is what prompted the Lord to preach a sermon on being children of God.  This sermon, more than any other of His discourses, teaches Christians how to get along with one another!

With a small child in the midst of them (18:2), Christ taught about God's perspective on true greatness, which begins with childlike humility.  He also taught about the importance of having a servant-like attitude and spirit. 

Among other subjects discussed in this lesson are "The Problem of Sectarianism" (important!), "The Peril of Stumbling Blocks"(we can either influence people for the better and help them live more righteously, or we can influence them for the worse by causing them to stumble into sin), and "The Power of Salt" (Mark 9:49, 50).

Life of Christ Lesson 80: A Taxing Situation {Being Servants, Not Celebrities!”}

Matthew 17:24-18:4; Mark 9:33-35; Luke 9:46, 47

This lesson covers two major events, one in the form of a miracle ("Simon's Fishy Coin") and the other in the form of an instructional sermon, which we call "Sermon on Being Children of God".  The sermon is the Lord's personal instructions about being humble, harmonious, and forgiven children of God!  We begin it in this lesson by talking about the importance of being "Servants, Not Celebrities"!  In the lesson to follow (#81), the Lord teaches us to be "Stepping Stones, Not Stumbling Blocks"!

There is a lot of Bible teaching in this lesson about the Christian's behavior as a "citizen" of this world!  Although our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven and although the governments of this world are all, to one degree or another, corrupt, yet we are under obligation to human government (i.e. to pay our taxes, obey the laws) except when obedience would directly interfere with obedience to God.  By divine law, we are to be subject to human laws and government!  

Life of Christ Lesson 79: Moving Mountains in the Valley

Matthew 17:14-23; Mark 9:14-32; Luke 9:37-45

With this lesson, we move into "The Private Ministry of Christ" (the final year of His ministry), when He was focused on preparing His disciples for the work they would carry on once He returned to His Father in Heaven.  One of the first principles He taught His men, after He came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, was a principle regarding faith.  Coming down back into "the valley of life," the Lord encountered what we call "A Hellish Situation" (a boy demoniac and the utter failure of the nine Apostles to deliver him).  The Lord taught a valuable lesson on faith - not only must spiritual life initially be received by faith; it must also continually be lived out by faith!  He alone had "A Heavenly Solution".  He delivered the boy and not only cultivated the faith of the boy's father, but corrected the failure of His men!

Life of Christ Lesson 78: Messiah’s Metamorphosis {The Transfiguration!!}

Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36

For the first time, Jesus had revealed the fact of His Second Coming, something the Jews never understood about the Messiah.  He then revealed the reliability of the prophecy (of His Return) by giving a glimpse of His Second Coming "Kingly splendor" to three of His Apostles: Peter, James, and John on what has come to be called "The Mount of Transfiguration".  That revelation of His divine nature was a miniature preview of His Second Coming.

Learn about the conversation with two special Old Testament saints Christ had on the Mount!  Why is the word "exodus" mentioned as the center of that conversation and why is that term significant for believers?   Learn of Peter's suggestion and why it had to be corrected by God from Heaven!  Why did Christ only allow three men to witness this unveiling of His glory - and then forbid them from telling the others about it (until after His resurrection).  

Life of Christ Lesson 77: Profiting by Loss

Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27

The Lord was intently concentrated on teaching His twelve disciples the deeper truths concerning the divine plan for man's redemption.  They not only needed to hear about His need to die, His resurrection, their own need to suffer for His sake and bear their own crosses, but they needed to know the truth about His glorious Second Coming.  These subjects are discussed in the five divisions of this lesson, which are (1) The Sovereign Plan, (2) The Satanic Presumption (oh dear, Peter), (3) The Saviour's Protest, (4) The Sacrificial Paradox (profit in the Christian life only comes through loss, which is primarily the loss of pride and selfishness), and (5) The Sure Promise (of His Second Coming).

Learn what Jesus meant when He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross".

Life of Christ Lesson 76: Upon this Rock {WHAT is the Rock? Peter?? NOPE!}

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21

In the first part of this lesson, the Lord Jesus asked His men the question every person must eventually answer, ". . .Whom say ye that I am?".  This all-important questions and the response He received from the disciples are the subject matter contained under our heading, "The Choice".  This question session ended with Peter's great confession (given on behalf of the other men, as well), "Thou art teh Christ, the Son of the Living God".  The Lord accepted it because it is true!  He then took them to a new stage of enlightenment; for the first time, He spoke to them about The Church"! 

We get into a very important discussion about the Lord's words to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I will build My church".  Was He stating that Peter is the rock upon which He would build His Church - or does "this rock" refer to something else?  This is important, for this is the very verse Roman Catholicism bases its authority for the office of the pope!  CRITICAL DOCTRINAL STUDY about this and other matters (i.e. Christ's words to His men about "binding and loosing" in Matthew 16:19).

Life of Christ Lesson 75: Battling Blindness {Physical and Spiritual}

Matthew 15:39-16:12; Mark 8:10-26

In the next two chronological steps of Christ's earthly ministry, we have a picture of His battle with both complete and cloudy spiritual vision.  As He returned to Galilee from the area of Decapolis, He again encountered a battle with the willfully blind Jewish religious leader, who tried to tempt Him so as to discredit Him publicly.  They were (1) completely sightless (spiritually speaking).  Next, the Lord dealt with His disciples, who received their spiritual sight by their faith in Christ, but still had what we call (2) cloudy sight.  There were yet many things about Him, His plan of redemption, His Church, and His Second Coming they did not understand.  When He warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they thought he spoke about actual bread.  

Finally, in the Lord's healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, we have a picture of (3) cleared sight.  The blind man actually pictured the disciples, who spiritual sight would gradually clear (especially after the Lord's resurrection).  This is the only miracle Christ ever performed in which "the healing" took place gradually!  Learn how that unique miracle illustrates an important spiritual truth for all of us!

Life of Christ Lesson 74: Decapolis Ministry {Feeding the 4,000}

Matthew 15:29-38; Mark 7:31-37.

In this lesson, we learn the Lord's traveling schedule demonstrated that though He came to reveal and present Himself first to Israel, He also came as the Saviour of the world.  His ministry among Gentile people (i.e. Tyre, Sidon, the ten cities of Decapolis) was a "sneak preview" of the extension of His Kingdom to the entire world. 

Jesus performed many miracles while in the area of Decapolis (the Gadarene demoniac had spread word in Decapolis about the great thing he did for him), but two specific miracles are recorded and discussed in this lesson.  They are the healing of a deaf man (Mark 7:35) and the feeling of the 4,000+ (8:7-9).

Life of Christ Lesson 73: A Faith Called Great [And it is a Gentile Woman!}

Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

This is the account of the Lord's deliverance of a demon from a Syro-phoenician woman's daughter.  The woman had a desperate request, which she took to the right Source, the Lord Jesus!  He, however, seemed to be against her!  He did not speak a word to her pleading request for His mercy.  His disciples were rude to her.  She did not give up.  She overcame all kinds of obstacles (her nationality, her gender, Satan - who had done his part to attack her precious daughter, and the Lord's seeming apathy), but then Jesus said to her these strange words, "It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs"!  YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS LESSON SO YOU RIGHTLY UNDERSTAND HIS WORDS AND WHAT JESUS WAS DOING WITH THIS WOMAN!

Amazingly, the Syrophoenician woman humbly accepted her place in God's providential plan of things (Jew first, then the Gentile).  She was fully accepting of the divine order.  She willingly accepted God's plan and submitted to it.  She put away pride and became an illustration of the millions of Gentiles who have been blessed and saved by the Messiah of Israel.  She became the only woman the Lord Jesus is recorded to have commended for her GREAT FAITH!!  Her daughter was not only delivered, the woman was saved!  

Life of Christ Lesson 72: Defection and Defilement

John 6:59-71; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

The Lord Jesus had fed 5,000+ people with only five barley loaves and two fish.  It was such an amazing miracle, the people tried to crown Him their King, but their motive was wrong and their understanding of His Kingship and His Kingdom was wrong.  In His "Bread of Life Sermon," which He preached to the people the next day, He revealed Himself as the True Bread of Life (spiritual bread that gives eternal life).  The response of the people was resentment when they heard Him speak of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to receive everlasting life.  He was using metaphoric language to speak of the need to receive Him personally into the core of one's being to experience the New Birth.  The Jews murmured when they heard His claims to Deity in the first part of His sermon, but they aggressively began to argue among themselves when they heard His words about eating and drinking His flesh and blood.

Jesus was finished with His message.  He said to the people, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.  I am that Bread of life" (6:47, 48).  As always, there was division among the people when He finished.  Most of the people rejected His words and, subsequently, rejected Him.  Only a small minority received His words and determined to remain with Him.

Life of Christ Lesson 71b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part IV

This is the fourth lesson on the very important "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6.  It is critical to rightly interpret this discourse.  Much of Christendom follows a false interpretation of it, which has led to millions of people participating in a false doctrine called Transubstantiation!  

 

Life of Christ Lesson 71a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part III

From John chapter 6; the Lord's continued teaching on "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part III).  A very important sermon to understand on many levels, particularly when it comes to having correct Bible doctrine (literally multi-millions of people have been led astray about the significance of the ordinance of Communion due to improper interpretation of this critical sermon)!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 70b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part II

John chapter 6, "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part II - continuing look at verses 26-40).  The main point Jesus wanted the people and His disciples to understand through this discourse was that His Kingdom is not a political or even an earthly issue, but a spiritual one.  The crowd had wanted to crown Him King after the miraculous feeding, but He evaded their efforts.  They needed to understand He did not come to be a political King to free them from Roman bondage, but as a spiritual King (the only King of Heaven and Earth) to set them free from much more serious bondage - to sin and death!  

In this lesson, He taught them how He is the True Manna from Heaven and that He is far superior to Moses.  Manna was only for Israel and it was temporary.  He is the Bread of God Who gave His life for the world, and it is permanent.  Moses was merely the human instrument God used to feed the people, as the disciples had been Christ's instruments to distribute the food to the people the previous day.  Christ performed the miraculous miracle in His own power.  Manna was the shadow; He is the Substance.

Life of Christ Lesson 70a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part I

After feeding the 5,000+ people with five barley loaves and two fish (an amazing miracle), the Lord Jesus then presented a powerful message in what has come to be known as His "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6.  We present this very important discourse in four parts (of which this is the first).  

This sermon was a defining moment in Christ's life, for after hearing it and misunderstanding what He taught, most of His followers turned and walked no more with Him.  It is critical to rightly interpret this sermon, which we do!

Life of Christ Lesson 69: Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea {Handling Life’s Storms}

In this lesson from our 8-year Life of Christ study (through all four gospels), titled "Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea" in the accompany commentary-book ("Life of Christ Vol. 3), we discuss the Lord's amazing deliverance of His disciples from sure death in a very violent storm.  The Lord calmed that storm by simply getting into the ship with His disciples, but there was another miracle that occurred at the very same time!! That simultaneous miracle is mentioned so briefly, it is OFTEN NOT NOTICED AT ALL.  It also took place quickly (in the twinkling of an eye), and may very well serve as a beautiful prophetic picture of THE RAPTURE (and/or the individual Christian's "home-going").  The ship and all "on board" were instantly on the shore of safety (i.e. Heaven)!

 

 

Life of Christ Lesson 68: Lord Multiplies a Lad’s Lunch!

John 6:1-15; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-40; Luke 9:10-17

The feeding of the 5,000 men (plus women and children, so more likely at least 15,000 people) is the only specific miracle recorded in all four gospel accounts other than Christ's resurrection!   It was a spectacular miracle that produced a peak in the peoples' interest in Jesus, even causing them to want to crown Him king, but for the wrong reasons.  This is why after we discuss Part I of this lesson, "Jesus Feeds the Multitude," we then look at Part II, "Jesus Flees the Multitude".  Many spiritual lessons were taught the disciples of Christ through this miracle; they also apply to us today!  A "must" listen message!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 67: Fears and Follies of Herod

Matthew 14:1-12.  We come in this lesson to the death of one of the most fearless men of God who ever lived, John the Baptist.  In this same episode about the godly, fearless Baptist, we learn about a godless man who feared just about everyone except God!  His name was Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; the man responsible for the beheading of the Baptist.  This is a great lesson to illustrate the truth of Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man brings a snare".  It is also a good lesson on the human conscience, as well as on the very serious danger of lust and peer pressure.

Life of Christ Lesson 66: The Ordination Sermon IV

In the final section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men, found in Matthew 10:24-42, His words apply to all believers.  In fact, in this interesting passage, we find some of His most definitive teaching on the true nature of Christian discipleship in the New Testament.  He "pulled no punches".  He "painted" no pretentious pictures when it came to revealing what is involved when a person chooses to follow Him.  He spoke about the blessings and the bruises; the promises and the persecutions, and the rewards and the rejections.

This is the key passage in Scripture on Christian discipleship, which is the great task of the Church!  IMPORTANT LESSON

Life of Christ Lesson 65: The Ordination Sermon - Part III

In this next section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His Apostles, Matthew 10:16-23, we find that the Lord really had something important to say to all His "helpers" (followers), not only the ones present with Him at that time, but also to those who would serve Him in the future (us and the Tribulation believers).

As we cover the information of the Lord in verses 16 to 23, we will discuss His words of warning about the opposition of the "wolves" His disciples can expect to encounter (then, now, and in the future).  He forewarned that the opposition to their message about Him would come from the religionists, the rulers, and their own relatives.  So very true!

The persecution the godly believer can expect to encounter will give him or her opportunities to witness.  Jesus assured His men (and all future disciples) they need not be concerned what to say in those situations, for the Spirit would speak through them (10:19, 20).  We also hear the Lord talk about the disciples' obligation to withstand.  We discuss what He meant by His words, ". . . but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (10:22b) - often misunderstood.

Life of Christ Lesson 64b: The Ordination Sermon- Part II

In this lesson, we further discuss the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men.  We discuss the men in their groups of four and then in the pairs by which they were sent forth.  Also important is why they were to travel in pairs - we talk about the various wise reasons for that.  Jesus explains to them what their ministry was to be, as well as the message they were to give and the miracles they would be empowered to perform.  So, too, He talked about their "means" (to trust God to provide) and their method(s) they were to use as they went to towns and cities and stayed in homes, etc. 

There is a lot of practical information for us today as we go forth in the name of Christ, proclaiming Him to those of our communities and beyond!

Life of Christ Lesson 64a: The Ordination Sermon - Part I

Matthew 9:35-10:42.  This is the record of the very first ordination that ever took place among those who would serve as the foundational, living stones of Church, the lord's Apostles.  In the fourth recorded sermon of Christ's ministry, He gave the ordination charge to His men before sending them out, in pairs, on their first mission venture without Him.  

To this point in His ministry, Jesus was doing everything (teaching, healing, preaching) on His own.  His men were merely observers and learners, but not participators in His works.  They needed to learn how to also become directly involved as "laborers" in the ministry of sowing seed and harvesting souls for the Kingdom of God.  The Lord's time with them was getting short.  They needed to have some "hands-on" training!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 63: Binding Blindness

There are two kinds of blindness that afflict the human race: physical and spiritual.  The Lord encountered both types in this lesson, "Binding Blindness".  He healed the physically blind eyes of two man whose eyes may have seen nothing, but whose spiritual "eyes" were enlightened to "see" the Light of Christ!

The Lord also encountered the spiritual blindness that abundantly existed in Israel, particularly among the citizens of His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6a).  Sadly, Jesus encountered far more cases of spiritual blindness than ALL the other types of physical deficiencies and diseases put together!

There are two miracles discussed in this lesson: the miracle of sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:29) and the miracle of healing a dumb demonian (Matthew 9:33).

Life of Christ Lesson 62b: The Great Physician {Raising a Dead Girl} - Part III

Mark 5:22-24, 35:45 (also Matthew 9:18, 19, 23-26; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56).  This is the account of the "healing" by Jesus of the third humanly incurable situation in Mark chapter 5 (the first two were the healing of dehumanized demoniacs - Lesson #61 and the healing of the disgraced daughter of Israel - Lesson #62a).  The third consecutive healing miracle of the Great Physician (Jesus) in this chapter was the most "incurable" of all.  Jairus' dying 12-year old daughter actually died before Jesus made it to the home.  After the delay with the woman with issue of blood, the Lord arrived "too late" (it would seem), for the little girl was dead and the professional mourners had already arrived!  

If you don't already know this story, you will be richly blessed; if you do already know it, you will also be richly blessed.  Why?  Because we can never hear enough how our Great Physician Saviour, Who is incarnate God, can "heal" every humanly incurable situation, including the worst of all, death!  Halelluiah!

Life of Christ Lesson 62a: The Great Physician {Touching the Hem} - Part II

Mark 5:25-34 (also Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:43-48) is the record of the Lord's encounter, as He was on His way to Jairus' house to see his 12-year old daughter, who was dying, with a woman who suffered from an issue of blood for 12 years.  Not only did the woman suffer physically (never finding any physician who could help her), but she also emotionally and socially.  Her ailment made her ceremonially unclean, so in Jewish society this meant she would be excluded from all social gatherings, including to worship in her local synagogue.

The woman heard about Jesus and His incredible healing powers.  Thus, when she found out He was in her hometown of Capernaum, she carefully joined the thronging crowd around Him as He made His way to Jairus' house.  She believed that if she could just reach out and slightly touch His clothing (not Him), that she would be made whole!  When she managed to touch the hem of the Lord's clothes, the Lord felt power issue forth from Him.  He knew someone had reached out to Him in faith, and when the woman came forward to share "all the truth" about her situation and what she had done in secretly touching His garment, the Lord, on the only occasion in the gospel accounts, called her "Daughter".  Then He said to her, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (5:34).   It is a beautiful story about our Great Physician!

Life of Christ Lesson 61: The Great Physician {Delivering Demons} - Part I

Mark 5:1-20.  The fifth chapter of Mark is often referred to as the Bible chapter for "incurables" because it contains the written record of Christ's confrontations with three humanly incurable cases.

First, He had "a divine appointment" with two men who were mentally deranged because of demonic possession.  That will be the subject of this first of a three-part study on "The Great Physician". 

The Lord's second encounter was with a physically disabled woman who had gone to every doctor she could find, and none could cure her of the issue of blood that plagued her for 12 years.  The third situation was the most "incurable" of all, from the human perspective,  It was death, in this case it was the death of a 12-year old girl, the daughter of a man named Jairus.  Both of these situations will be discussed in the second part of this study (see Lesson #61a and b).

The three humanly incurable situations of Mark 5 picture man's incurable situation regarding sin.  Apart from the healing/saving power of the Great Physician (Jesus Christ), men are the hopeless, helpless victims of Satan (first case of this chapter), of disease (second case), and of death (third case).  

Life of Christ Lesson 60: Handling Life’s Storms! MUCH NEEDED TODAY!

America, and, in fact, the world, is in the midst of a "storm" this very hour.  These are unsettling times as we face the potential for World War III or some kind of nuclear or cyber attack, terrible inflation, open borders, high gas prices, continued possibility of another COVID variant, government corruption on every level, and on and on.  How are Christians to respond?  Well, actually, the same way we should respond to all the rest of life's storms!  It is often said if you are not in a storm, it is either because you have just come through one or one is just ahead!  Storms are a natural part of living in a sin-cursed world.  There is no way to avoid them, but there is a very calm way to "ride them out" free of fear and full of faith - not faith in ourselves (or we will surely sink); not faith in all the resources of government and science (we will still sink, for there are storms greater than mankind's combined intelligence and strength), but faith in the one Person Who is able to guide us safely through any and all storms. 

There is no reason to fear the furies and floods of life if you have invited Jesus Christ "on board" to be the Captain of your ship!  He will see you safely to your final destination, no matter what is happening in your personal life or in the world today.

This lesson comes in our "Caldwell Commentary" series "Life of Christ Vol. 3" (available through www.scripturetruth.com   and Amazon.com

Life of Christ Lesson 59: Mystery Kingdom Separation

From Matthew 13:44-52, the Lord continued to teach what theologians call "The Mystery Parables Discourse".  In the next two parables: "The Parable of the Hidden Treasure" and "The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price," He spoke of what God Himself would gain during the intermediate stage of His Kingdom.  He would gain a precious treasure an a valuable pearl.  

In the seventh parable, "The Parable of the Dragnet" (13:47-50), the Lord spoke of the judgment that would come at the consummation of the mystery form of the Kingdom, when He would return to establish the Messianic form of the Kingdom offered at His First Coming - but postponed because of Israel's rejection of Him, the King.  the judgment will be a time of separation (wheat from tares; good fish from bad fish).

Matthew 13 ends with "The Parable of the Householder," by which Christ charged His disciples with personal responsibility to generously distribute both the old and new truths they were so very privileged to have!

Life of Christ Lesson 58: Mystery Kingdom Sprouting

In this lesson from Matthew 13:24-43, the Lord Jesus fulfilled another Messianic prophecy, which is that the coming Messiah would speak in parables (Psalm 78:2), for in teaching His men on the inter-advent Kingdom of God on earth (roughly equivalent to the Church Age), He gave seven parables.  It was followed with an eighth parable, not directly related to the others, but one that taught a Biblical principle: with understanding comes responsibility (see "The Parable of the Householder" in Lesson #59).

 

We discuss the reason the Lord often taught by way of parables before we then get into an indepth look at three important parables which shed a lot of light on the current age of Christendom.  They are (1) "The Parable of the Wheat and Tares," (2) "The Parable of the Mustard Seed," and (3) "The Parable of the Leaven Hidden in Meal".  We spend valuable time explaining the varied interpretations of these parables, always settling on the one that best fits the context, the original meaning of the Greek, and the rest of Scripture.

Life of Christ Lesson 57b: Mystery Kingdom Sowing

This is the second half of our study of "The Parable of the Sower" and the four types of human heart types upon which the Seed (God's Word) is sown!

Life of Christ Lesson 57a: Mystery Kingdom Sowing - Part I {What about God’s Promise of a Messianic Kingdom if Israel Rejected her King?}

Witnessing the rejection of Jesus by both Israel's religious rulers and even His own step-brothers would cause the Lord's disciples and other followers to wonder what would happened to the promise of the Messianic Kingdom if Israel rejected the King?  The answer is the primary focus of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 13 (with parallel accounts in Mark 4 and Luke 8).  Through a series of parables, He told His men that the literal Kingdom on earth would be postponed until a time when Israel would accept Him (His Second Coming).  

 

However, though the literal Kingdom was postponed, the Lord taught about a "mystery" form of the Kingdom that would be established in the interval between His rejection and His return.  This "interregnum" would be an internal, spiritual Kingdom on earth - not visible because it would exist in the hearts of believers.  This truth was unknown to the Old Testament prophets and writers, which is why it is called a "mystery".  Through the parables presented in Matthew 13, the Lord revealed the "mysteries" or "secrets of the Kingdom" to those with ears to hear and understand.  

The first parable of "The Mystery Kingdom" is the very famous "Parable of the Sower".  The Sower is Christ (and His followers); the Seed is His Word; the four types of soil represent the four types of heart conditions (human responses) upon which the sown Word falls: (1) roadway soil, (2) rocky soil, (3) reprobate soil, and (4) ready soil.

Life of Christ Lesson 56: The Misunderstood Messiah {Also Parables of Divided Kingdom, Subduing the Strong Man, and the Empty House}

A deeply tragic truth about the Lord Jesus is how greatly misunderstood He was - not only by His foes (jealous of His power and popularity), but also by those closest to Him, His family.

In this lesson (Matthew 12:22-50), Israel's religious rulers gave their "official" decision that Jesus performed His works with satanic power.  At this same time, we also find that His own brothers thought He was not quite right in His mind.   

Included in this study: Christ's healing of a blind and mute demoniac; "The Parable of the Divided Kingdom," "The Parable of Subduing the Strong Man," "The Parable of the Empty House," and another prophecy given by Christ about His up-coming death and resurrection.

Life of Christ Lesson 55: To Whom Much is Given . . .

From Matthew 11:20-30, we discuss what the Lord had to say about greater spiritual privilege bringing greater judgment.  The citizens of the Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had greater spiritual privileges and opportunities for repentance and salvation than any other people, for Jesus Christ, God's Son, spent more time in their vicinity than anywhere else on earth.  However, although the people were amazed by His miracles and authoritative teaching, few were spiritually and eternally affected by putting their faith in Him as Saviour and Lord.  Thus, Jesus pronounced three "woe judgments" on them.  Discussed also in this lesson is the sin of indifference. 

From Luke 7:36-50, the Lord taught a second important Biblical principle: greater pardon brings greater love.  This is the account of the sinful woman who came uninvited to Simon the Pharisee's house to annoint Jesus' feet with her tears of joy and wiped them dry with her hair.  Simon and his other self-righteous guests were horrified that Jesus would allow the woman to even touch Him.  He used the occasion to make the contrast between a humble "babe" in Christ and a narcissitic "wise and prudent" man (see Matthew 11:25).  He then taught "The Parable of the Two Debtors".

Life of Christ Lesson 54: Christ Responds to Doubt {Compassion - Part II} The Baptist’s Doubt!

From Matthew 11:2-19 and Luke 7:18-35, we see more of the Lord's great heart (see Lesson 53 regarding His compassionate response to faith and to despair) as He responds compassionately to the doubts of those who belong to Him.  In this case, He had just received word from John the Baptist, who had been in prison for about one year after publicly denouncing the adulterous marriage of Herod Antipas with his brother's wife.  While in his confinement, the Baptist allowed certain doubts to captivate his thoughts, which is a danger every believer can fall into at times.  Fortunately, John rightly took his doubts, confusions, and perplexities to the right Source.  He dealt with his doubts by going to (via letter) Jesus, Who confirmed His identity to John in no uncertain terms!