Scripture Reference: John 19:28-30

3. Jesus Addressed Those He Had Come to Redeem – Continued

From Last Lesson: “Peter, you will be “filled with the Holy Ghost” (see Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31) as I was filled with the Holy Ghost when I told the Pharisees they were of their father the devil, and you will fear no man, not even those who will be out to destroy you in the attempt to erase My name from the minds of men.

“I can already hear you say:

‘Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’ (Acts 4:10-12).

“Now Peter, you know that Satan will continue in his desperation to wipe out the memory of My name from the earth. You also know, Peter, and now all eleven of you, My disciples, will know how to meet and to defeat Satan’s efforts to separate you from Me. When Satan comes as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, you will fearlessly defy him, knowing that his followers can at most kill the body but never the soul (see 1 Peter 5:8-10).

“When Satan comes as an angel of light, quoting Scripture and professing belief in my name, talking sweetly of love, even of love for Me, you will expose his wiles so that he may not lead My people away with him to eternal death (see 2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

“You will henceforth feed my sheep. I am, you know, the bread of life. I am the water of life (see John 4:10-14; 6:35; 21:17). You and the disciples will remind My people to:

‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you . . .’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

“What I have said to you, Peter, I also say to all of you, My disciples, those here now and those who will be given to Me in times to come.”

In his desperation, knowing that his time is short, Satan will continue in his bid seeking to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect of God by means of theoretical science and worldly philosophy. The Lord will send His servant Paul to challenge the wisdom of this world:

“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).

Will the wise men of this era ask, with Pilate, what is truth? Will they say that all is relative, that no one knows the truth? Paul will answer them even now, that they are face to face with truth, as clearly and as directly as was Pilate when Jesus stood before him in the judgment hall. “For from him and through him and to him are all things” (Romans 11:36). All doubt that may be in your mind, with respect to Jesus and His work, is now at an end. With Paul we might all say:

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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