The Jesus Gospel

The Only Word-for-Word Gospel Chronology

Jesus Gospel

Sleeping in the Storm

by Leave a Comment

Is Sleeping in the Storm a Bad Thing?

Asleep In The Storm

With all the news today about Hurricanes, I thought this blog would help us with some perspective.

The Jesus Gospel Book

The Jesus Gospel© book blends all 4 Gospels into a continuous easy to read record of Jesus’ ministry.  Below are 5 combined verses from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. These verses are about a storm on the Sea of Galilee with Jesus and His apostles on board. By blending all 3 versions you get a complete and rich account of what happened.

I am not saying that this storm compares to a Hurricane, but when you are on a small boat in the middle of any event that could capsize you, it really would not matter.

Sleeping in the Storm

As we read this short record we see that there were a number of ships that sailed with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus then fell asleep on a pillow.  Afterwards, a GREAT storm of wind arrived, so serious that the ship they were on began taking on water and they were in jeopardy of sinking. It was serious.

Jesus was, however, still asleep during all of this. He was not worried, since He knew he was already prepared.

Do Your Best, Let God Do the Rest

Immediately prior to getting on the ship, Jesus had just completed a full day of teachings, doing the work of His Father. That may have been one reason He was tired. But after doing God’s work, we need to rest in peace and assurance that He will take care of us.

I am not saying we should not be prepared for a storm. No, we need to do everything we need to do to get ready for the worst, but don’t forget to pray and seek God’s guidance.

When we have done all we can, including prayer, then we can rest in the assurance that God is with us.  If more action is needed, know that God is with you and He will let you know.

While on the sea, it took some time for the disciples to wake up Jesus as evidenced by their persistence. We can see the progression (see below)  in the disciples’ concern for their lives reflected in the language they used to address Christ. At first, the Greek word for “Master” “Epistates” in Luke 8:24 is used, which can be translated “an appointee over” It then progresses to “Didaskalos” which can be translated as “doctor, master, teacher” Finally, in Matthew 8:25 “kurios” which means supremacy; supremein authority. It is also probable that a number of those on board spoke at the same time and that each of the Gospels recorded each of the different sayings.

As Jesus continued to sleep, they increased in concern.  If Jesus is sleeping, all if well. We need to know that we are taken care of AFTER we have done everything we can. That means taking the advice of others, INCLUDING Government and local authorities.  Remember, it was a non-Jewish person who had to finally inform Moses how he needed to change to handle God’s people. We need to listen to all, test all, and pray for our guidance.

The Jesus Gospel
Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25

Mt 8:23
Mk 4:36
.Lk 8:22		 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And there were also with him other little ships. And they launched forth.
Mt 8:24
Mk 4:37
Lk 8:23		 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and, behold, there came down a great storm of wind on the lake; and arose a great tempest in the sea and the waves beat into the ship, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: so that they were now filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
Mt 8:25-26.
Mk 4:38
Lk 8:24.		 But he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we perish…” “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” “Lord, save us: we perish.” And he saith unto them, “Why are ye fearful, “O ye of little faith?”
Mk 4:39-40
.Mt 8:26
.Lk 8:24-25.		 And then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water and: said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, “Where is your faith?” “Why are ye so fearful? “How is it that ye have no faith?
Mt 8:27
.Lk 8:25
Mk 4:41		 But the men marvelled and they feared exceedingly saying one to another, “What manner of man is this? For he commandeth that even the winds and the sea and water, and they obey him?”

 

The Jesus Gospel Featured at this Years’ BEA

by Leave a Comment

The Jesus Gospel is Featured at this Years’ BEA

The Jesus Gospel© will be Featured and Displayed at this year’s Book Expo of AmericaBEA (Book Expo of America).
The Jesus Gospel to be Featured at the Book Expo of America from May 30th – June 1st at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC.
The BEA is the largest Publishing Trade Show in North America, with over 20,000 of the  “Who’s Who” in publishing in attendance!

The Jesus Gospel at 2018 BEA at the Jacob Javits CenterThe Jesus Gospel Featured at this Years’ BEA

Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States and many from other countries have booths and exhibits at BEA  to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell & buy subsidiary rights and international rights. Authors, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.

The Last Supper

by Leave a Comment

The Last SupperHow can someone easily lean on another’s chest during a meal?

During Jesus’ time, people ate not at a high table like we do today, but reclining at a much lower table (inches off the ground). In this way, it would be easy for someone next to you to lean (back) on your chest (see Jn 13:23-26).

In addition, a woman could be standing behind Jesus (since people had their feet placed behind them as they faced the table on their sides at an angle), but still be at His feet before she leaned down wiping them with her hair. This as the first of three times a woman anoints Jesus with oil, see Lk 7:38-39 and below.

The Jesus Gospel© References:

Jn 13:23-24 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
Jn 13:25-26 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.” And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

 See Q&A Topic 59-62. See also Ch 5, Pg. 51, Lk 7:38-39, Fn. 126.

Lk 7:38-39 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.[1] Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

[1]Three times a woman anointed Jesus with oil. 1) Ch 5, Pg. 51, Lk 7:38-39, in a Pharisees home during a meal, a crying woman only identified as a sinner, kisses and washes Jesus feet with her tears and hair. She also anoints his feet with an alabaster box of ointment. 2) In h 17, Pg. 138, Jn 12:1, in Lazarus, Martha, and Mary’s home. While Martha prepared served the meal, Mary “took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly” and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the smell of the ointment. This is also referenced as a future event the KJV places in parenthesis in Ch 15, Pg. 124, Jn 11:2-4). 3) In JGV Ch 19, Pg. 162, Mt 26:6-13, Mk 14:3-9, Jesus is in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper eating a meal. Another unidentified woman with an “alabaster box of very precious ointment” pours in on Jesus’ head.

(JGV = The Jesus Gospel Version, the blended text of the Gospels)

Three Wise Men

by Leave a Comment

Jesus Gospel 3-wise-menMost of us have heard the story of the Three Wise Men at Jesus Christ’s birth and the shepherds from the field visiting and paying homage to Him on His birthday.  We also heard about the “three kings” visiting Him on the same day.

But the record of the Magi that visited Jesus could be very different then what was most of us were taught.

How Did the Magi Know About
the Messiah from the Stars?
Most of us have heard the story of Three Wise Men, Jesus Christ’s birth and the shepherds from the field visiting and paying homage to Him on His birthday.  We also heard about the “three kings” visiting Him on the same day.

But the record of the Magi that visited Jesus could be very different then what was most of us were taught. The KJV translates the Greek word “magos” from Matthew 2:7 as “Wise Men,” but many other translations, such as the NIV, translate it as “Magi” (our word ‘magic’ comes from this). Magi were priests in a sect of the Persian religions such as Zoroastrianism. They were the Oriental scientist of the day (Strong’s).  The magi studied the stars religiously. They would have probably been wealthy and held high esteem in their society, but nowhere does it mention in the Bible that they were kings. Moreover, there is no indication there were only three of them.  These Wise Men were diligently looking for a sign in the stars for the coming Messiah (I will publish sometime in 2018 the MessiahScope© which will add more light on this).

But where did they get their knowledge to look for a Jewish Messiah? They were not even Jewish. The answer is in the book of Daniel. When Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, 1/3 of the Jewish people were killed; 1/3 were scattered, and 1/3 were captured. Daniel was one of them that was captured and through a series of amazing events he eventually was chosen to rule over all the wise men in the land (see Daniel 2:48), including the astrologers and magicians (considered scientists of the day).  In fact, Daniel was found to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all the King (KJV) Nebuchadnezzar’s realm. Now the Jewish people that were scattered did NOT retain the knowledge of the stars, but Daniel did and he taught the wise men of the day. It is amazing that they retained this knowledge and passed it down to future generations for what some estimate to be over 500 years to Jesus birth!

Three Wise Men

The Bible says the Magi came from the East, but it does not give a city or a country. Daniel taught in the city of Babylon which

Three Wise Men - The Journey of the Magi
“The Journey of the Magi” (1894) by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French painter and illustrator, 1836-1902), oil on canvas, Minneapolis Institute of Arts. At least 30 people pictured.

which is about 900 miles from Jerusalem.  Some theologians estimate the trip was over 1,000 miles. Since traveling was difficult and dangerous (e.g., there were gangs of thieves that preyed on travelers during that time. On Roman record says that one gang of robbers numbered at about 600!) It is highly unlikely only three people traveled this distance alone, especially with those expensive gifts. The tradition of three kings only came from the fact three gifts were given, but it does not mean there were only three people. Most likely it would have been a large caravan of people. They most likely only traveled about 7-15 miles a day. This trip could have taken as long a 5 months!

In Matthew 2:2-3, it says that not only was King Herod was troubled when the Magi came to inquire where in Israel the Messiah would be born, but the entire city was also.  It concerned Herod since he was King and he knew of the Jewish prophecy that a King of the Jews would be coming. He was concerned about his reign as King. The rest of the city, mostly made up of Jews, were troubled since they did not hear that the Messiah was born and they wanted to get ready to overthrow the Roman rule. It may be that the whole city knew since it was a large group of people were traveling, which would have drawn much attention.  How many, we do not know, but it certainly was much larger group than three people.

How Old Was Jesus When the Magi Came?
Matthew 2:11  tells us two very interesting things. First, the Magi did not come to the Manager, but to the house where they were staying.  Second, they did not see a “baby” but a “young child.”

JGV  Mt 2:11
 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Since traveling was so difficult during that time and Joseph and Mary had a new born, it appears they decided to stay in Bethlehem for a while, for roughly 18 months.  It mentions the difficulty of traveling with a young baby in the JGV (Jesus Gospel Version) Chapter 18, Luke 21:21-23, Mark 13:14-18, Matthew 24:15-20.

  The Abomination of Desolation
JGV Lk 21:21
Mk 13:14
Mt 24:15-16
 But when ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, in the holy place, (let him that readeth understand). Then let them that are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Mk 13:15-16
Mt 24:17-18
 “And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And neither let him that is in the field turn back again to take his clothes.
  The Days of Vengeance and the Great Tribulation
Lk 21:22-23
Mt 24:19-20
Mk 13:17-18
 “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter…

Herod had all children “Two years old” and under killed in Bethlehem. This is another indication Jesus could have been a toddler (under two years old) by the time the Wise Men visited Him.

Last Thoughts
It should not bother us when we see Christmas decorations with only three Magi worshiping Jesus and giving Him gifts in the manger.  The Bible always affords us the opportunity to show others the accuracy of the Word, but this should only be done in humbleness.  It is by showing people these simple things, that we may have the opportunity to witness the greater truths of the Bible and win people to Christ.