Monday, December 24, 2012

The Collage of Love

It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise the from the dead the third day.  That men may know Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.  He is my help and my shield.  He saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  I know whom I have believed.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.  He abideth faithful.

* His Birth and Childhood:  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.  Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost, and the days were accomplished that Mary would be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and there was no room for them in the inn.

God was manifest in the flesh.  Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared me.  He took on Him the seed of Abraham.  In all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren.  As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same.  God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.  And she brought forth her firstborn son.  There shall come a star out of Jacob.  And the wise men fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.  He was made in the likeness of men.  Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.  Herod slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years and under.  And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  He shall save His people from their sins.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness.  Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to guide my feet into the way of peace.  As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them from who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  But now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, who gave himself for our sins.  

* His Ministry:  And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age.  Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. The Spirit led Him into the wilderness, and He was there forty days, tempted of Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him. He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Unite my heart to fear Thy name.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.  And all bare Him witness at the gracious words, which proceeded out of His mouth. Never man spake like this man.  And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  The LORD bindeth up the breach of His people.  He woundeth, and His hands make whole.  He delivered my soul from the lowest hell.   He came to give Himself a Ransom for all.  Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.

He went about doing good.  He took upon Him the form of a servant.  Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved of God by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him.  He was moved with compassion toward them. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him headlong.  But He passing through the midst of them went His way. They hated Him without a cause.

All men seek for thee. He took upon Him the form of a servant. He preached the word unto them.  And the fame of Him went out into every place of the country round about.  Who can forgive sins but God only?  Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.  Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness:  and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.  I looked on my right hand, and behold, but there was no man that would know me:  refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.  He is despised and rejected of men.  A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Then they took up stones to cast at Him:  but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.  Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand.  And when His friends heard of it, they went out lay hold on Him:  for they said, He is beside Himself.  And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye Him?  For neither did His brethren believe in Him.  He walked not in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him.  He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Art thou also of Galilee?  Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. Then said they to Him, We be not born of fornication.  We know that this man is a sinner. We know that God spake unto Moses:  as for this fellow, we know not from whence He is.  And they were filled with madness:  and communed with another what they might do to Jesus.  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him.  He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.  Then they sought to take him:  but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.  And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.  He continued all night in prayer to God.  He was a friend of publicans and sinners.  He has holpen me, and comforted me.  And as many as He touched were made perfectly whole.  Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.  And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.  And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, and they were filled with wrath and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus, And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians, how they might destroy Him. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose, This one thing I know, But one thing is needful, choose the good part.  And He them that had need of healing. And He was alone praying. But as they sailed, He fell asleep.

* His Shame and Reproach:  The Gadarenes besought Him to depart out of their coasts. And they went into another village.  Thy sins are forgiven.  Where is your faith? Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.  The Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him, and they derided Him.  He called me out of darkness into His marvellous light.  He delivered me from the power of darkness, and translated me into kingdom of His dear Son.  Then they reviled him.  And his disciples follow Him.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:  who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not.

And they laughed Him to scorn.  He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.  The Son of Man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever Thou goest. He departed into a mountain to pray.  As many as touched Him were made whole.  He hath done all things well.  And He sighed deeply in the spirit.  The foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head. He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.  And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart.  But He knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

The Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke Him to speak of many things: Laying wait for Him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.  All His adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.  So there was a division among the people because of Him.  They sought to lay hold on Him, but feared the people.

Where are the nine?  He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  He went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.  When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.  And as He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought.  And He taught daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy Him.  And could not find what they might do:  for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.  He made Himself of no reputation.  He fed me with the finest of the wheat:  and with honey out of the rock.

And He perceived their craftiness.  Look up, lift your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. They sought how they might take Him by craft, and put Him to death.  And the chief priests, scribes and elders of the people consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him.  The Son of man mut suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Judas then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.  Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.  And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

* His Passion:  The Passover must be killed.  It is the LORDS’S Passover.  Your lamb shall be without blemish.  This is your hour and the power of darkness.  The Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long.  I will praise thee more and more.  His blood was shed for you.  And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it unto them: and they all drank of it.  And when they had sung an hymn, He came out and went to the mount of Olives, and they came to a place which was named Gethsemane.

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.  I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.  He went forward a little and fell on the ground. His soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly, He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Now is my soul troubled, Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done, He died for the ungodly, He swallowed up death in victory, He went a little farther, and fell on His face.  O my God, my soul is cast down within me. My soul cleaveth unto the dust, He began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Saying, Abba, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done. He bore my griefs and carried my sorrows.  Mine eye poureth out tears unto God.  His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground, He first loved me.  I delight to thy will, O my God.  The hour is come; behold, the Son of manis betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

And Judas drew near and with him a great multitude with swords, and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Judas goeth straightway to Jesus and saith, Master, master: and kissed Him. He was betrayed to be crucified. Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled.  There is a friend that sticketh closer than brother.

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed; They led Him thro' the streets in shame. They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin; They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame.” He could have called ten thousand angels, To destroy the world and set Him free, But He died alone, for you and me.

I find in Him no fault at all, This man hath done nothing amiss, Have thou nothing to do with that just man, Judas betrayed the innocent blood, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot.  He was manifested to take away our sins: and in Him is no sin.  He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.  He delighteth in mercy.  So by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.  Even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. Then they took Jesus and led Him, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of His doctrine.

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.  Many bare false witness against Him but their witness agreed not together.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.  They buffeted Him, and others smote Him with the palms of their hands.  And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?  And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him. He daily loadeth me with benefits.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.  What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?  The elders of the people and chief priests and the scribes came together; and led him into their council.

The high priest asked Jesus, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am.”  And they all condemned Him to be guilty of death.  He is my help and my deliverer.  He is a very present help in time of trouble. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.  And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet Him.

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  In the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.  He remembered me in my low estate. He hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  And they began to accuse Him of many things:  but Jesus answered nothing.

I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed; I was not rebellious, neither turned away back; The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame; He hath poured out His soul unto death; He was numbered with the transgressors; He keepeth all His bones: not one of them is broken; They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.  He is the author and finisher of my faith.

And as soon as Pilate knew that He belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.  And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.  And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together:  for before they were at enmity between themselves.  Be still, and know that I am God.  He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people.  They delivered Jesus for envy. Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns; They laughed and said, "Behold the King!" They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name, All alone He suffered everything. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Behold the Man. Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall – friendless, forsaken, and betrayed by all.  Pilate took water and washed his hand before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:  see ye to it.

With His stripes I am healed, He gave His back to the smiters, the plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.  He was bruised for my iniquities, He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  He suffered many things and was set at nought and rejected. His visage was so marred more than any man.

Then the soldiers of Pilate took Jesus and led into the hall, call Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.  They stripped Him, and put on Him a purple robe, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and a reed in His right hand, and mocked Him, bowing the knee, and saying, “Hail, King of Jews!” He endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself.  He despised the shame.  And they spit upon Him and took the reed, He hid not His face from shame and spitting, and smote Him on the head.  And bowing their knees they worshipped Him. He gave His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, led Him out to crucify Him.

Pilate went forth again unto the people, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring Him forth to you.  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.  And Pilate saith unto them, “Behold the man!”  Pilate sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha, and he saith unto Jews, “Behold your King!”  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:  they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.  Pilate willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus to their will.  Pilate when he had scourged Jesus delivered Him to be crucified.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, to bear His cross.  And there followed Him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him.  And there were also two other, malefactors, led with Him to be put ot death.  And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull.  Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.  And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh:  but He received it not.  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.  When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shal ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself.

Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  He was numbered with the transgressors.  They parted His garments, and upon His vesture they cast lots.  And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, offering Him vinegar.

And one of the malefactors, said unto Jesus, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.  Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, To day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”  They look and stare upon Me, and sitting down they watched Him there, all they that see me laugh Me to scorn, they shoot out the lip, they shake the head; Is it noting to you, all ye that pass by?  Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger.  For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me:  they have spoken against me with a lying tongue; I became also a reproach unto them:  when they looked upon me they shaked their heads, Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.  He saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold thy son!”  Then saith He to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!”

When they nailed Him to the cross, His mother stood nearby, He said, "Woman, behold thy son!" He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink. Then the sinful work of man was done.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death.  Not for any injustice in mine hands:  also my prayer is pure.  We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  The waters came into His soul, He went into deep waters, where the floods overflowed Him.  And He that sent me is with me:  the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?”  

For the transgression of my people was He stricken.  It pleased the LORD to bruise Hiim; He hath put Him to grief.  Christ hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.  Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfullied, saith, “I thirst.”  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” Blotting out the handwriting of the ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit:” and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.  Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.  The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.   Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.  God will provide Himself a lamb for the burnt offering.  Behold how He loved.

He endured the cross.  That He might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.  He bore my sins in His own body on the tree.  He drank the dregs of the cup of His fury, He was wounded for my transgressions, and they that passed by reviled Him wagging their heads, It pleased the Lord to bruise Him, the pains of hell gat hold upon Him. The waters compassed me about even unto the soul. He was weary with crying, He keepeth all His bones, not one of them is broken. He took away the sin of the world. They set Him at nought, and they pierced My hands and feet.

Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.  Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. He offered one sacrifice for sins for ever. He loved me and gave Himself for me.  He is the captain of your salvation.  Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry. The cross of shame He took alone. And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die; Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children, Thy wrath lieth hard on Me, and thou hast afflicted Me with all thy waves, I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished, my bones are burned as an hearth, For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth unto the grave, I am counted with them that go down into the pit, Thou hast laid Me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps; Shall thy wonders be known in the dark, and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness; He made intercession for the transgressors; LORD why castest Thou off My soul, why hidest thou thy face from me; while I suffer Thy terrors I am distracted; Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.  Many O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, If I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbered.  Then they brought forth the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends;” Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD; Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; False witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth; He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. He made an end of sins, and made reconciliation for iniquity.  He shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.
They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water; and after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself, Smite the Shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered, the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all, when Thou shall make His soul an offering for sin. He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.  The good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.  Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.  I lay down my life for the sheep. He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. Truly this was the Son of God.  He that is our God is the God of salvation.   God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.  Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, and that He might reconcile both unto God into one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

* His Burial:  Joseph of Arimathaea went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. He was cut off out of the land of the living.  And Joseph took Jesus’ body down and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher. And he rolled a great stone to the door and departed.  And that He was buried.
He made His grave with the wicked. No man taketh my life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.  Except a corn of wheat fall into ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  One died for all.  Jesus was made little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.  We love Him, because He first loved us.  There was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

Pilate said unto chief priest and Pharisees, Ye have a watch:  go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and make the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.  Our Savior Jesus Christ hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

* His Resurrection:  Upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, there was a great earthquake, the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  The last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall He live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  That like as Christ as raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Being put to death in th flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:  By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

The women found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, but they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.  He is not here:  for He is risen.  He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption.  The rod of Aaron was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.  He sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins.  God raised Him from the dead.

This Jesus hath God raised up.  That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.  They took up twelve stones out of midst of Jordan.  And Noah went forth out of ark.  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it. Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.  He was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him a figure. We believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore and have the keys of hell and of death.  Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.  But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Christ from the dead shall also qucken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.  For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Therefore doth the Father love Me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  Death is swallowed up in victory.

But now is Christ risen from the dead.  And the iron did swim.  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly.  O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?  Though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God.  He declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly.  Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.  Then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:  and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD.

We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  God raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.  We shall be saved by His life. And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.  God raised Him up from the dead. He hath given assurance unto all men, in that God hath raised Jesus from the dead. Why seek ye the living among the dead?  We believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.  Jesus was raised again for our justification.  And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by His own power. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.  When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.  And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

But His enemies shall lick the dust.  He only is my rock and my salvation.  He is my defence.  My expectation is from Him.  Thy lovingkindness is better than life.  Peter beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves.  He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  After that He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once.  After that, He was seen of James; then all of the apostles.  Until the dayin which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen.  To whom He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  Of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.  That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

According to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

* His Ascension:  And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?   Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?  Or who shall stand in his holy place?  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou has received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD GOD might dwell among them.  Ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.  God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  He shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.

Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.  But by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Christ is not entered into the holy place made with hands, which are figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

* His Intercession:  There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.  We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Jesus Christ is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him, He ever liveth to make intercession for us.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.

* The Church’s Ministry:  Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:  and great grace was upon them all.  Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.  We walk by faith, and not by sight.  I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Lo, I am with you always, even unto end of the world.  Let us go therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Lord, increase our faith. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.  Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.  Paul preached the kingdom of God, and taught those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.  Through this man is preached unto the forgiveness of sins:  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Come, and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.  Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  Now we see not yet all things put under Him.  Now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face.  The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.  He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  He looketh forth at windows, shewing Himself through the lattice.  For our light affliction which but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory.  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  Know that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

* His Coming:  The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  The Lord is at hand.  The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  For in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them form death:  O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.  The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.   For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth.  We have trusted in His holy name.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  Come up hither.  Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.  Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust:  for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better.  Waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.  When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.  It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is.  Set you affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible hall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God:  and they that hear shall live.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner, that in all things He might have the preeminence.  For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.