Part 2 of 2
His sixth miracle when he comes down from the mountain illustrates his power over the fallen host of heaven
Mat 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
Now notice the outcome of all these miracles…
Mat 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
This pattern continues all the way up to chapter 17 where he once again goes up the mountain… when he comes back down.. he heads towards Calvary.
In Chapter 16 we see the continued pattern of unbelief and the "departing" of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Could there be a sadder pronouncement? The evil Jewish leaders have rejected the son of God…. John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.. and now the Lord Jesus Christ has two more mountains to climb. The mount of Transfiguration and CALVERY!
The Mount Of Transfiguration
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
God is now free to initiate the Mystery program and send the gospel of grace to the Gentiles.
God raises up the apostle Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, and sends him forth with a new and different gospel, the gospel of the grace of God, not the gospel of the kingdom given to Peter and the 11.
As Paul goes forth he continues to plead with Israel to come to Christ under his gospel message. This message too is rejected three times.
Strike One: Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Strike Two: Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Strike Three: Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Conclusion: Israel rejected God the Father in the Old Testament, God the Son in the New Testament and God the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. God then sets them aside for that reason and for a season. He then offers them and us, as Gentiles, salvation by grace through faith through the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.
Israel, 3 times again, rejects the provision of God. By the close of the book of Acts they are accounted as the heathen by God and Paul. They become nationally one of the Gentile nations.
Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Questions???
pastor@bereanbiblechurch.comBy Pastor Doug Dodd
Posted By Brother Love
