Mark Vestal Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

They understood none of that which was "hid" from them.

Mark 9:31-32
"For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him."

Luke 9:44-45
"Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying."

Israel was awaiting her promised earthly kingdom of heaven to come, where they would become the nation of priests to the world to declare that God was with them. It was finally within their reach when the Messiah Jesus Christ arrived. The requirement to receive their kingdom was to believe that Christ was indeed the Messiah. The result, however, was that Israel as a nation refused to believe this, thus rejecting Jesus Christ. They instead had Christ crucified, but they still had the opportunity to receive "the kingdom". The disciples were to go into the world and preach that the kingdom of heaven was still at hand. If they could convince Israel that they had indeed killed their Messiah, changing their mind about who Christ truly was (repent), Christ would then return and bring with Him Israel's kingdom of heaven.

(prior to Christ's death...)
Matt 10:5-7
"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Israel had to believe first in order to receive her kingdom. When the kingdom would come Israel could then proceed to the uttermost parts of the world and bring the good news of God to all.

(after Christ's resurrection...)
Acts 11:19
"Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."

This good news of the kingdom was to be Israel's message unto the world, but because Israel still rejected this truth at the blaspheming of the Spirit at the stoning death of Stephen, Israel went into her fallen state with God. God then did something unheard of by Israel. He turned to us Gentile "dogs" (Matt 15:26) and offered salvation freely to anyone who will simply believe as an unmerited gift (Eph 2:8-9) without first having to go through Israel, which would "provoke them to jealousy" (Rom 11:11).

God entrusted a new apostle, Saul of Tarsus (Paul), to be the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom 11:13, Gal 2:7-9). This is when He revealed the "hidden" truths of His crucifixion, where by God's grace having faith alone in Christ's shed blood is the only acceptable means of salvation today (Eph 3:2).

Rom 16:25-26
"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:"

Rom 3:25
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"

1 Cor 2:8
"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Paul's good news is not that Israel's long awaited kingdom of heaven is at hand, but that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of the world's sins, and although He was killed and buried, He was resurrected on the third day, so that by belief in this we too may have an eternal life with Him (1 Cor 15:1-4)!

March 29 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler

The apostles heard but did not understand that the following scripture could be fulfilled.
Matthew 26: 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

April 01 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report