Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study

Romans an Introduction

The book of Romans was written by Paul the Apostle who wrote 12 other Epistles (Letters) included as books in the New Testament. Romans was written to both Jews and Gentiles residing in the city of Rome which was the center of the Empire. It had a diverse population of approximately one million living in a ten square mile area. Historians estimate there were forty to fifty thousand Jews residing there when Paul wrote this letter.

Unlike other churches addressed by Paul, he did not plant the one in Rome. While we don’t know for certain, the most popular theory is that it was founded by Romans who were present at Pentecost. Acts 2:10-11

In 2 Cor 12:7, Paul refers to a “thorn in the flesh“. While people commonly project their own weaknesses onto this verse, Paul was probably referring to problems with his eyesight. Gal 4:15, Acts 23:5. Hence Paul had multiple scribes or what we might call “ghost writers”. This is important because disputing bible authorship is a common antichrist strategy for invalidating the gospel. Paul wrote Romans from the city of Corinth, while he was on his third missionary journey in 56 AD.

One thing that sets Romans apart from other epistles is that Paul was writing to a church he had never visited. Instead of addressing specific issues in the church, the book of Romans establishes the proverbial big picture regarding the theological foundations of the faith, especially the doctrine of soteriology (Salvation). Hence, the book of Romans is perhaps the first book of what is commonly known as Systematic Theology.

Paul begins his letter with a customary run-on sentence from Verse 1-7. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, was called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. Rom 1:1 is on one hand a standard greeting like we might use “Dear so and so” today. More importantly,  Paul is declaring his position, authority, and the purpose for that authority which is for the gospel of God. The context of this authority is servanthood.

“Servant” is doûlos. A Doûlos is not an employee, but one who is owned by his master. An apostle is a delegate, ambassador, or messenger.

Ironically where we were once slaves to sin, Eph 2:1-3 we are now slaves to righteousness. Our freedom is contained in our bondage as doûlos to Jesus. Many recoil at the idea of freedom in bondage to Jesus. Yet how many define true freedom as the right to remain in bondage to sin?

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20

Paul goes on to establish his authority as being in Jesus whose own authority is derived by His being declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations. Rom 1:4-5

Incidentally, nations is éthnos people groups. We can be certain that God is concerned with choosing individual people, not political entities, agendas like patriotism, or country borders because,

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:34-35

We know that the church in Rome is not new because Paul hopes that he and they may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. Rom 1:12

Paul goes on to share his desire to visit the Church in Rome but he has been unable to do so. Part of the reason seems to be the sheer volume of people to whom he was called to preach the gospel.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Rom 1:14-15

The theological meat begins in verse 16.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Rom 1:16-17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38, Hab 2:4

What is faith?

I listed Habakkuk 2:4 because just like so many believers today, Habakkuk was crying out to God over corruption, violence, and injustice.

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. Hab 1:1-4

God replies in verse 5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

He goes on to say that he is sending violent people called the Chaldeans to pillage the land where Habakkuk resides. It is within this context that God says The just shall live by faith! The question before us this week, if indeed we get that far is,

What exactly is faith? And how do we live by it?

Maranatha

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study, Red Pill Diaries

Biblical Manhood

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Cor 16:13

How many are aware that Biblical manhood has been under attack for decades? While the most recent roots of this phenomenon are decidedly Marxist, (see Expose What?) the fact remains that multiple generations of men are confused. Many are so confused that they don’t know they are confused.

Given that I was an adolescent in the 1970’s I can remember clearly when the controversy over manhood first emerged. Before that decade, boys were raised to endure pain. I remember being told, “Big boys don’t cry”. Not because we didn’t have feelings or that feelings were bad. But rather because the call to self-control is the call to manhood which is a hero’s journey.

As the Frankfurt School’s Critical Theorists rolled out their neo-Marxist agenda using radical feminism as a catalyst in the early 70s, men were increasingly framed as oppressors instead of protectors. I distinctly remember my mother reading an article in Cosmopolitan magazine stating one radical feminist’s view that “all male babies should be killed at birth.” While I never succumbed to it, I remember feeling pressured to feel guilty for being male.

Fast forward to the 1980s with T.V. shows like Married With Children and the 90s with The King of Queens and men went from being cast as oppressors to buffoons. The compulsion to feel guilty turned to shame for being born male.

Al Bundy from Married With Children

Masculinity by contemporary cultural standards today is nothing other than mental illness.

Given that we now have somewhere between one hundred and one thousand imaginary genders, it should be no surprise that masculinity has been subdivided into hyper, hegemonic, complicit, marginalized, toxic, and subordinate masculinities. I am sure there is more…

Garbage!

If you are interested in the definitions of this absurdity then by all means research them yourself. As for me, I am a biblical man. I’ll die on that hill.

What is Biblical Manhood?

I teach the boys whom I serve at the children’s home that the primary difference between a man and a boy is self-control. Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. Gal 5:22-24 Self-control applies to every fleshly impulse, especially anger. Men who are easily overtaken by what the Bible calls fits of anger or fits of rage Gal 5:19-22 might be saved and loved by God, but they have yet to attain anything resembling mature manhood. Eph 4:11-16

Wait a minute. Didn’t Jesus rage when he made a whip and drove the money changers out of the temple? Mat 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, John 2:13-16

Only John states that Jesus made a whip which only implies that the emphasis is not the whip. Nowhere does it say that Jesus raged let alone whipped any human being. I see Jesus as uncompromising and assertive, not hostile and aggressive. Given that Jesus is God it would be pretty safe to assume that His behavior never once departed from the nine fruits of the spirit. He may have been angry, but He didn’t sin.

We are called to be like Jesus. Rom 8:29

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 1 Pet 1:15-17

The Bible is full of verses regarding the importance of self-control concerning anger. Here are just a few.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Psalm 4:4

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Eph 4:26

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Ecc 7:9

A rebuke from a friend is sweeter than kisses from an enemy. Prov 27:6

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov 15:1

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Prov 15:18

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Prov 16:32

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Prov 22:24-25

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, Titus 1:7

It is in the context of true Biblical Manhood that genuine Love is modeled. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:4-8

I have observed that men prone to fits of rage tend to minimize, justify, and or rationalize their lack in one or more of the bolded areas above. This is one root of religious abuse. Many maintain a facade of kindness and holy self-control while in public. Then they explode when those who might hold them accountable are not present. Defenseless women and or children often receive the brunt of their anger.

Perhaps the most pure and genuine expression of biblical manhood is found in our relationships with women and children. Not just the women and children in our families, but all women and children. After all, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

Ironically it is within the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood where the capacity to harm another is established that patience, kindness, the desire and ability to honor others, self-control, and the inner drive to protect are formed. If that seems confusing then consider how many adolescent boys punch holes in walls. It is only through the comprehension that we can harm that we develop a healthy fear that we might harm. Hence it is the fear of losing control of our own power that provides an initial spark of self-control. Self-control brings with it the recognition that we have a capacity and therefore a responsibility to protect those weaker than ourselves. We begin as boys dependent on our parents for protection. Then one day we realize that if someone comes through the door with the intent to harm others it is up to us to stop them. No one else is coming. This revelation may be literal or proverbial.  Unfortunately, most traditional rites of passage have been lost. This is especially true in a society that begrudges masculinity. What may have been intended to soften men and create a more peaceful society has backfired. We now have legions of insecure uninitiated boys in men’s bodies without a higher purpose and something to prove. Instead of fully stepping into their roles as priests, providers, and protectors of those called by God to birth the bearers of His image, these uninitiated men are compelled to compete with and subsequently view women as a threat. Having never embraced and understood their own power to harm, they lack an awareness of how intimidating and even terrifying their fits of rage may be to a weaker vessel especially a woman or a child.

Given the neo-Marxist and therefore satanically induced competition between men and women in our society I should probably qualify the term “Weaker Vessel” 1 Pet 3:7  “Weaker Vessel” does not mean “inferior vessel”. Peter is clear. We are to honor them as the weaker vessel since they are heirs with us. Proverbially speaking, we honor the weaker vessels as we would fine china instead of treating them like cast iron frying pans.

At this point, the missing rite of passage can only be fulfilled by deep repentance. Having terrified or harmed those he is called by God to nurture and protect, he must stand accountable before God and man. The hero’s journey now looks like a willingness to humbly own and embrace any hard truth that is presented about himself. He must remove any permission he has given himself to lash out in a fit of rage.  He must resolve to be patient, gentle, and self-controlled even when it hurts. Even when it is unfair. It is within this process that the transformation of the uninitiated inner child takes place and the flesh-driven man steps into biblical manhood as a priest, provider, and protector within his family and his community. 

Be one who calms the storms in people’s lives instead of the storm itself. Mark 4:35-41

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Cor 16:13-14

Maranatha

Brian and Cathy Gray Tennessee

Lion Man

This is the story of a Super Hero. Some people know him as Judah. I know him as “Lion Man”. Judah is a living epistle of perseverance in tribulation which produces character, and character hope. Lion Man bolsters my hope because I can so clearly see the love of God that is poured out in Judah’s heart. Rom 5:3-5.

Biblically speaking, Judah was the youngest of Jacob’s sons through whom the lineage of Jesus, The Lion of Judah came.

I have known Judah the Lion Man for just over two years. In that time I have watched him persevere amidst Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that causes muscle weakness and atrophy (when muscles get smaller). SMA can affect a child’s ability to crawl, walk, sit up, and control head movements. Severe SMA can damage the muscles used for breathing and swallowing.

When I say persevere, I do mean PERSEVERE. I don’t know if I could ever handle what Judah faced in his 5 years. Most superhero’s are known for thier ability to avoid pain and suffering and inflict it on their designated villians. Super Heros like Lion Man endure pain and suffering with patience and abundant joy to build faith and bring hope to a world obsessed with self image. I am convinced that God sent super heros like Lion Man to a world obsessed with physicality, in order to smash the idol of self that most people don’t even know they worship. If that seems hyperbolic consider that the net worth of the entire  beauty industry was $579.22 billion in 2023. American consumers alone spent nearly $88 billion on beauty products that same year. Meanwhile American consumer spending on fitness supplements came in at $13.5 billion. Just to give you some perspective, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), estimated that an annual investment of around $267 billion is needed to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. Ironically the 200,000,000 skin cells we smother with lotions and potions die every hour regardless of how much money we spend. Meanwhile the hair we strive to keep shiny and in style is dead before can touch it. Again, I’m not putting anyone down, just lending some perspective.

Jacob who God renamed Israel fathered the nation through whom salvation, reconciliation and restoration would come to a very broken world. It is no coincidence that Jacob’s blessing and true identity began with a physical disability given to him by God. Gen 32:22-32

Recently, I learned that Lion Man was feeling a bit dejected and was seeing himself as a broken toy, namely Woody from the movie series Toy Story. Having only seen the first movie where Buzz is broken, I had no idea that Woody, Buzz’s friendly, rational and pragmatic side kick had his arm torn off as well. 

I wanted to cry. Not because Judah was feeling down – Lion Man always bounces back. But rather because he was losing sight of his blessing and being tempted to view himself through the lens of a completely fake and broken world.

Most adults who arrive at an understanding of their identity do so like Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 1. By the way, if you think you are above being ministerd to by a children’s story then you are the quintessential representation of Buzz Lightyear. But then I am writing to, and for Judah more than anyone else.

In Toy Story One Buzz Lightyear, is a toy astronaut with an identity complex.  You see, Buzz thinks he is a real superhero and does not know he is a toy.  As the story begins we see Buzz comparing himself to, and competing with, the other characters for Andy the toy owners love.  Buzz denies his obvious weakness, then rationalizes and justifies his failures to the point of the absurd until one day he sees himself on a television commercial and is confronted with truth.  

Never the less he seizes upon his powers of denial, pulls himself together and once again tries to fly only to fall with less style than ever and loses an arm.

In the next scene we see a broken and dejected Buzz drinking Darjeeling tea with a bunch of headless dolls in Andy’s sisters’ room. 

His friends try to rescue his shattered self-worth but to no avail.  Buzz must go through the fiery process of transformation and discovery of his true identity. 

Fast forward to the conclusion, we see Buzz rallying a bunch of broken toys to overcome the wiles of the evil Sid and save the day. In the end He becomes a real super hero but within the context of brokenness and in partnership with those who had also been broken.

The paradoxical truth is that everyone’s true identity is found amidst thier brokenness. Everything else is a facade. That brokenness usually comes packaged as a loss. It might be found in a full revelation of Ephesians 2:1-10. Or in the context of an addiction, a disease, a prison sentence or any other tragedy that shatters our silly narcissistic, illusions about ourselves. No sermon, no apologetic argument, no amount of proof will change the mind let alone the heart of the unbroken. The good news is that the blessing is in the brokenness. That includes the blessing that God has for us as well as the blessing that we can be to others. True anointing does not come with gifting or celebrity. True anointing is conferred by God within brokenness.

I’m no prophet but I can clearly see the anointing on Judah the Lion Man. While so many others must make the journey through their brokenness. Judah was born into his. His legs may not be working at this time, but he is farther along in his walk than many who are ten times his age. He is living up to the heritage contained in his name. He is Judah blessed by God to walk in the spiritual footsteps of Jacob and Jesus the Lion of Judah. You are not a broken toy Judah. You are Lion Man. You will aleays be a superhero in our eyes. Now kick that lying devil out of your head and get back to being the super hero that brings laughter and joy to everyone you meet and above all Glory to your Maker. You have alot to teach us.

MARANATHA

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study, Commentary

FIRST-FRUITS

An Overview

The Feast of First Fruits is the third and final feast of the Lord in the season of Passover. The actual Passover Feast took place on the 14th of Nissan, (April 21, 2024) The Feast of Unleavened Bread on the 15th of Nissan (April 22, 2024) The Feast of First Fruits on 22 Nissan (April 29, 2024). It occurs to me that we find varying dates for the feasts on Google. Keep in mind that the original sacred Hebrew calendar is lunar and must be adjusted every year. Our modern Gregorian calendar is solar and and adjusts every four years. The sacred calendar was preserved with the original scriptures at Qumran following the sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of the 2nd Jewish Temple under the Roman Emperor Titus in 70 AD. It is believed that the Jewish priests known as the Sons of Zadock and or the Essenes are the ones who preserved the scriptures. In addition, they resisted the Hellenization of Judaism and the changing of the sacred calendar under the Pharasees and Sadducees. It is believed that John the Baptist was probably an Essene.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.  And on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb a year old without blemish as a burnt offering to the Lord. And the grain offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the Lord with a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin. And you shall eat neither bread nor grain parched or fresh until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Lev 23:9-14

The very first Barley sheeves were waved in air by the Priest as a firstfruits offering to the Lord. This process continued daily for fifty days up to The Feast of Pentecost in what is called the counting of the Omer (measure of Barley). Counting the Omer was a way of remembering God is our provider that man’s true purpose was to worship and obey God amidst the daily labour of bringing in the harvest.

What makes this relevant for us is that Jesus was resurrected on the exact of day of The Feast of Firstfruits celebration.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Mat 28:1-6

Once again, the dawn of the first day of the week is sunset on saturday not sunrise on Sunday. Mary arrived sometime near sunset, not at sunset. Jesus rose when the first offering was being waved before God as the fulfillment of The Feast of Firstfruits that the Jews had been rehearsing for 1500 years.

Apart from the correct correlation with the Feasts, we miss the significance of several events and statements of Jesus described in the Gospels.

For example,

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” John 20:16-17

Jesus told the women not to touch Him in accordance with the fact that the first barley sheeve could not be touched until it was offered to God by the Priest in the Temple. Similarly, Jesus could not be touched until He ascended to the Father to offer Himself as the Fristfruits from the dead. Furthermore, the barely offering consisted of multiple barley sheeves bound together. Consider that multiple people were raised with Jesus.

The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Mat 27:52-53

Naturally we could go into more detail regarding the season of Passover. However, what is most important for us as believers is found in the application that proceeds from thier fulfillment in Jesus. We don’t have to to celebrate the feasts, we get to. Still, apart from the feasts we miss the details, timing and depth of God’s carefully orchestrated will and plan for eternity. We miss a deeper experience of reverence and awe that is at the heart of true worship.

Where Unleavened bread is a separation onto God that is putting off the old man.

…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Eph 4:22-23

Firstfruits is consecration that is putting on the new man.

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:22-24

As Christians the Feast of Firstfruits means we offer ourselves and our lives that are His gift as firstfuits.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:16-18

That offering manifests itself in daily life as fruits of the spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23

Maranatha

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study, Commentary

Blasphemy of Holy Spirit?

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Mat 12:31-32

I have often heard the interpretation of the above passage as “Jesus said that blasphemy against Himself is ok. Blasphemy against Holy Spirit is not.” Therfore let us first establish the context of Mathew 12 before we delve into translation details. 

First the Pharasees try to trap Jesus because His disciples are picking and eating  wheat on the Sabbath. Jesus counters with For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. Verse 8 They attempt to trap Jesus again for healing the man with the withered hand. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Verse 14 Then Jesus casts out a demon. The Pharasees accuse Him of being Satan to which Jesus replies,

And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Verse 27-28

Jesus is declaring His Diety!

The confusion arises in the use of the term Son of Man. Son of man in Greek is the same in every context huiós ánthrōpos and literally means male human offspring. While Strong’s concordance does indicate the possible use of the term to indicate Jesus as Messiah, we must dig deeper to understand the true context.

English speakers often assume that the term Son of God which occurs 67 times in the New Testament is the declaration of Jesus’ diety. Yet consider that all of us are given the right to become Sons of God when we are saved and sanctified. John 1:12-13  In truth, Jesus’ reference to Himself as the Son of Man occurs 78 times in the New Testament and declares His Diety.

Ben-Adam – Bar-Adam

How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, (ben-adam) which is a worm? Job 25:6

Son of Man in Hebrew is Ben-Adam and literally means a descendent of Adam that can be equated with huiós ánthrōpos, a human man in Greek.

Coming with Clouds

Anytime Jesus refers to Himself as The Son of Man in the New Testament it is always in reference to Daniel chapter seven.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Dan 7:13-14

Son of man in this verse clearly describes the return of Jesus the Messiah to establish His Kingdom on earth at the end of days. Hence, it is in reference to these verses that Jesus describes His second coming in the Olivet Discourse Mathew 24-25.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mat 24:30

It was Jesus’ declaration to Caiaphas the high priest that He was the Son of Man that caused him to tear his robes, spit in Jesus’ face, strike him and later demand He be crucified.

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”  And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, Mat 26:57-67

It is reference to Dan 7:13-14 that the two men in white robes addressed the disciples at the ascension of Jesus in Acts, thus further clarifying that Jesus is indeed the Daniel seven Son Of Man. 

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

It is important to note that while the New Testament was written in Greek, Jesus would have known Hebrew as Jewish Rabbi, and spoken Aramaic as it was the common spoken language of the day. What makes this even more fascinating is that most of the book of Daniel is written in Hebrew. However Daniel chapter 7 just happens to be written in Aramaic.  Once again, Son of Man in Hebrew is Ben-Adam. Son of Man in Aramaic is Bar-Adam. When Jesus declared Himself to be the Son of Man he would have done so in Aramaic and in refrence to Daniel 7. That the only available term in Greek was huiós ánthrōpos illustrates that fact that word definions can be misleading apart from the correct context.  

As for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in Mathew 12.

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

The English does seem to say that blasphemy against the son of man will be forgiven. The Pharasees were trying frame Jesus and calling Him Beelzebul (Satan). Yet if we understand the Trinity then we understand that God (all aspects of God) is a Spirit. John 4:24 not just the third part of the Trinity. The idea that it’s ok to blasphemy against one part of the Godhead but not another violates the laws of Coherance and non contradiction that we covered in our very first Acts 17:11 Bereans Bible study. If we call one aspect of the Trinity evil then we are calling all of the Trinity evil. The root issue is defined in Isaiah 5:20.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

In addition, Jesus was not declaring Himself to be the Son of Man in this passage. Rather He seemed to be making a blanket statement about them. Hence the logical conclusion concerning Jesus’ words in Mathew 12 regarding the Son of Man is that he was talking about blasphemy against mere human beings that will be forgiven. Blasphemy against any aspect of God as the Pharasees were doing will not. Still, the remaing question is,

“What exactly constitutes blasphemy?”. 

As I see it, hence I could be wrong, the Pharisees were God’s anointed voice and representatives on earth at the time. They should have recogized and welcomed Jesus. Yet they were opposing God to the point of trying to destroy Him and teaching others to do the same. Perhaps this is the essence of blasphemy of Holy Spirit and is highlighted in the warnings in James and Mathew.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Mat 18:6

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Mat 12:36

When I personalize these I am certain that given what I know about God and what He has done for me, turning my back on any aspect, Father, Son or Holy Spirit now and teaching others to do the same would definitely constitute blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

MARANATHA

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

An overview

The Feast of Unleavened Bread which follows the Feast of Passover begins Monday, 22 April 2024, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

Leaven is the symbol of Israel’s old life in Egypt. Exodus 13:3-16  God called them out of Egypt to separate a people onto Himself. Today leaven represents deliverance from the bondage of sin and friendship with the world that is enmity with God. James 4:4

The idea of consciously seeking out sin within ourselves and our lives is not a popular idea within charismatic circles that emphasize identity and imputed righteousness. Those believers who take a seeker-friendly approach to evangelism and discipleship tend to forget that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Gal 5:9 The resulting tendency to ignore the leaven (sin) and emphasize that God loves us as we are is common.  This is in my opinion, one major reason for so much sin and resulting heresy in the charismatic church today.  As the saying goes, “When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change. The devil changes you.” Jesus did NOT come to Christianize culture. He came to call us out of it. 2 Cor 6:17, Rev 18:4 The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a time to take inventory of ourselves.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24

The unleavened bread of affliction

You will note that the bread known as the unleavened bread of affliction is bruised, striped, and pierced. Isaiah 53. Its reference to Jesus might have been obvious had God not given the Jews a

“spirit of stupor,
    eyes that would not see
    and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.” Rom 11:8

If that is confusing then we invite you to read Romans 11 and maybe Those Dern Zionists.

The leaven-free bread of affliction is a picture of Jesus the sinless lamb of God who took upon Himself the sin of the world John 1:29, so that we might become children of God, John 1:12, righteous in Him. 2 Cor 5:21

The Feasts of the Lord are easy to see throughout Jesus’ ministry once we have a basic understanding of their role.

For example, “The Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.” when Jesus fed the 5000. John 6:1-14. Once again, while the actual Passover Feast is on the 14th of Nissan, Passover also denotes the season that includes the Feasts of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. Many Christians miss the fact that some of Jesus’ most prophetic acts took place on or around the very feasts He came to fulfill. For example, it was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread that Jesus cleansed the Temple of worldly leaven in John 2:13-17.  It was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread that Jesus declared Himself to be its fulfillment.  “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Jesus‘ emphasis on His being the bread of life culminates with

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the breadfn the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:53-58

Jesus was taken down from the Cross before Sundown on the 14th. Sundown marked the beginning of the 15th, The Feast of Unleavened Bread. While the Jews were ritualistically sweeping Leaven from their houses, Jesus was spiritually sweeping the Leaven of Sin from the world as the fulfillment of the feast. In other words

He took, our sin in His Spirit, “our leaven of sorrows in His soul, our leaven of sickness, disease and death His body.” Richard Booker Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts

How does this apply to born-again believers?

It is in the context of addressing sexual sin that Paul says,

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor 5:6-8

Leaven for us today is sin and or friendship with the world in any form for which we have not repented. James 1:27, Rom 12:1-2 The tradition of sweeping the house clean of Leaven is where we get the idea of “Spring Cleaning.” That the traditional Unleavened Bread dinner includes the father going about the house with a candle, and a feather and spoon to search out and sweep up any remaining bits of leaven is a picture of what we are called to do regarding any remaining sin and worldliness within ourselves. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:10-15  The father deposits the collected leaven into a bag that is removed from the home and burned. This is a picture of Paul’s words, But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 1 Cor 11:1 The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a time to do just that. We voluntarily subject our sins and false doctrines to fire so that we are not subjected to fire ourselves.

each one’s work will become manifest, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he will be saved, but only through fire. 1 Cor 3:13-15

While we are saved (justified) by grace through faith which itself is a gift Eph 2:8-9 we are sanctified, purified, transformed, and made Holy in partnership with God in our beliefs, and resulting actions. Our actions testify to what we actually believe.  Romans 12, James 5:16 Hence we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12 We purpose to sweep the proverbial leaven from our lives and God meets us there to sanctify us. Phil 2:13, 1 Thess 5:23,

Maranatha

Brian and Cathy Gray Bible study

Passover

An overview

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke 24:44

Jesus and scripture repeatedly affirm the validity and importance of all prophecy and scripture regarding Himself.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” John 5:46-47

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Rom 15:4

The importance of this is further confirmed by the fact that only twenty-seven percent of prophecy in the Bible has been fulfilled.  That said, given that Jesus fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost, we can rest assured that He will fulfill, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles as well.

The Meaning of Passover

The ten plagues leading up to the first Passover are found in Exodus 7:14- 11-10. The instructions for insuring that the angel of death spared the households covered by the blood of the Passover lamb are found in Ex 12:1-14.

We need to pay careful attention to the established days and hours as the timing, preparation, and killing of the Passover lamb is a clear picture of the preparation and crucifixion of Jesus for which the Jewish people conducted a dress rehearsal for 1500 years.

  • The first thing to note is the establishment of the Lord’s sacred calendar in Ex 12:2 It (Passover) shall be the first month of the year for you. This first month is called Nissan.
  • Next, we have the instructions leading to preparation. “on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.” Verse 3 The Passover lamb was selected and set aside to be examined.
  • The Passover lamb had to be without blemish verse 5
  • …and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month.  Verse 6 The lamb was examined for any imperfections until the 14th day (Passover)
  • …when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. Verse 6 The lamb was killed at the Sunset of the 14th which marks the end of the day and the beginning of the high Sabbath. A high Sabbath occurs when a Feast Sabbath coincides with the regular weekly Sabbath. In this case it was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The instructions for preparing the lamb included that none of its bones should be broken. Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12
  • The entire lamb was consumed before morning. Lintels were covered by the blood of the lamb and the Jews were rescued from the plague of death. Verses 7-14 A lintel is a horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.
Lintel

Jesus Fulfills Passover

Keep in mind, that the word “fulfill” does not mean to “do away with” or “replace”. Rather it means to “give the correct and complete interpretation”.

John 12 describes the preparation of Jesus, whom John first identified as the Lamb of God John 1:36.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. John 12:1

Passover is on the 14th. Therefore we know that Jesus arrived in Bethany on the 9th.

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,  “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-14.

The next day was the 10th. Jesus was set aside and examined as the Jews were following the Exodus 12:3-6 instructions to set aside the Passover lamb. The examination and testing of Jesus, The Lamb of God began on 10th, and continued for the next five days. First, Jesus was arrested John 18:1-11 then brought before Annas, Caiaphas and an assembly of religious leaders called the Sanhedrin. Matthew 26:57-75. After this, He was taken before Pilate, the Roman Governor who then sent Him off to Herod for further examination. Herod returned Jesus to Pilate Luke 23:6-12 who washed His hands and turned Jesus over to the Jewish leaders. John 18:28-19:16 Having thoroughly examined Jesus The Lamb of God and found Him to be flawless, and blameless, without spot or blemish they nailed Him to the cross at the exact same time that the rest of Israel were afixing their Passover lambs to a spit to be roasted.

Note: the exact Exodus 12 instructions were not followed with this modern rendition of a lamb on a spit.

Jesus was crucified on the third hour (9 am) on the 14th Mark 15:25  Darkness covered the land at noon. He died in the 9th hour (3 pm). This was the same hour that Jews were killing their traditional Passover lambs.

Jesus suffered on the cross for six hours. Given that a high Sabbath was due to begin at the 12th hour (sundown), His body had to be taken down beforehand. Mat 27:45-54 To hasten death, a Roman Centurion would break the legs of the crucified victims thus preventing them from pushing themselves upward to take a breath. Their lungs would subsequently fill with fluid and they would drown in minutes. Jesus died before they could break His legs in fulfillment of scripture Psalm 34:20, John 19:31-36.

To be continued…

MARANATHA!

Brian and Cathy Gray Sum-Mo, Tennessee

Till The End of Age

Recovering Hearts is a women’s recovery and discipleship program located on the Holston property in Greeneville TN. Cathy and I have the unique privilege of volunteering there. We see a woman individually two or three days a week and run a process group on Fridays. The people in our congregation see them twice a week at church and have occasional opportunities to fellowship with them. Aside from the full-time Recovering Hearts staff, most people do not have the privilege of seeing and hearing their struggles and victories should they choose to endure and overcome them. Sadly many are deceived into quitting just before the breakthrough. From our perspective, those who do overcome have a revelation of Mathew 16:24.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

As I’ve said, while I may have been a professional substance abuse treatment counselor by trade and Cathy and I ran a transitional house for prison inmates, our former brokenness is what qualifies us to work with these ladies whom we regard as treasurers of gold. We get to be gold miners digging and panning for gold. Sometimes we liken our being here to Marshal Tucker’s song Fire on the Mountain.

And there’s fire on the mountain
Lightening in the air
Gold in them hills and it’s waiting for me there.

Sometimes fire on the mountain
Lightening in the air looks like an episode of the Jerry Springer Show as sandpaper sisters get triggered amid process group. These tend to be the best and most healing groups of all as they end in personal ownership of issues, disclosing past traumas, and prayer. It’s beautiful to watch in the context of Proverbs 14:4.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Today marks two years since Cathy and I arrived in Greeneville. We’ve met with a lot of women during that time and heard details of trauma beyond anything many people can imagine. Things like being trafficked and chained in basements to be abused by both men and women. Several have been subjected to some of the worst religious abuse by fathers and pastors who just happened to be methheads and pedophiles. It is a sheer miracle that any of them would be willing to trust Jesus. We’ve heard stories of being nailed into wooden boxes to be transported overseas only to be miraculously rescued by the hand of God. Many have been clinically dead from Fentanyl overdoses multiple times. Thus far the record is six before the age of twenty-six. They have been imprisoned and homeless fighting off predators and pimps, beaten nearly to death by husbands and boyfriends they were terrified to leave. They’ve lost children – sometimes forever. Some have shot up friends and lovers with intravenous drugs only to watch them die. Quite often we see that having given in to these requests to shoot up friends produces the kind of guilt that results in suicidal ideation.  And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg under which they must persevere each day.

While the community at large often recognizes passion and fervency as these women worship, they may not know the intensity of the battle within as they are asked to submit to God and the leadership He has appointed over them. The struggle to raise one’s hands in submission to God might be a real battle for a woman who’s default definition of submission is being chained to a wall to be brutally beaten and raped. That said, how often do we recognize, let alone appreciate them for the women warriors they are or the intensity of the spiritual battle that accompanies hanging in there for just one more day? It is such an honor and blessing to be part of Recovering Hearts where we get to witness women who refuse to fake it till they make it but are willing to be real so that – and until – they can heal. We think there is so much that the body of Christ could learn from them. Especially those who remain safely hidden behind a facade of a smile, histrionic spirituality, or worldly success. Never have we seen a group so willing to be so honest and so raw and yet so willing to take responsibility for their sins and repent, than the women warriors at Recovering Hearts. We love these women more than they could know. And while this is just a snapshot, we hope that you will know that love as well. 

In case you were wondering what prompted me to write this blog post; it was Summer. If you know her – then you know her. If you don’t, you should. She writes the most amazing poems and spoken word. She asked me if I would post this poem on a blog. And while you might never suspect that such an insightful, wise, loving, gregarious, and talented person might struggle with feeling rejected; she does. All we can say is that if you don’t know Summer and the rest of the women whom we do not have permission to name, then it is you who are missing out. Here is Summer’s poem about the loneliness that comes with dying to self and the courage and perseverance required to begin walking in faith instead of sight.

Til The End of Age

Straight ahead and at the fork turn right
I fear I’ll get lost for the end of the road isn’t in sight.
I question each curve and exit along the way
Wondering which town am I to rest and stay?
A weary traveler running from the dead.
The lost loner seeking God up ahead.
When I first started I was excited for the journey.
Now I’ve grown old, heartbroken, and dirty.
Every step feels like the wrong path to take.
Every decision is the wrong one to make.
But thank God your thoughts are higher than mine.
Your blessings and plans have no time.
When I am broken and defeated within
Your love God, guides me to the very end.

We say “Amen sister!” Mathew 24:13

Maranatha