Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages

Sermons by Evan Digby

 

Howard Baptist   01/03/2026 

 

We are taught by our parents to be honest, and tell the truth. But what happens when you tell the truth, and you are falsely accused by doing so? You would think that very unfair!

Today we see where Jesus spoke the truth of who he was, and yet he was found guilty of blasphemy, which would lead to his death.

Jesus claimed to be the divine Messiah, and of all people who claimed divinity, he is the only One who was not speaking blasphemy, rather he was speaking the truth!

 

Luke  Luke 22:47  While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns."

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.

 

Jesus was bound, by God and man.

Luke  Luke 22:47  While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49 When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

 

Judas lead the group as he knew where to find Jesus and the others. The betrayal of Jesus was accomplished with a prearranged signal of a kiss, this was done to identify Jesus in the darkness of the night, to make sure that they arrested the right man. But it was cruelly hypocritical.

To Judas, Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, so Judas would fully realise, that more than betraying just a mere human being, he was betraying the divine Messiah. His guilt was all the more evil and convicting.  Daniel 7:13.

 

A kiss in those days was a Jewish sign of affection, not betrayal. Paul would often commend greeting one another with a holy kiss.

Paul  Romans 16:16  Greet one another with a holy kiss.

    All the churches of Christ send greetings.

 

So Jesus was betrayed by a sign of affection, thus revealing the real character of Judas.

Even today, the term a ‘Judas kiss’ is a sign of betrayal!

 

The disciples saw this betrayal by Judas, and his leading the crowd and soldiers bearing swords and clubs. They knew that Jesus was being forcefully arrested.

The disciples asked the Lord if they should fight against this, and without waiting for a reply, Peter drew his sword, and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest.

John  John 18:10  Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

 

Matthew tells us the two main components of the crowd, a detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials. These soldiers, were likely Temple guards.

And Matthew tells us that they bound Jesus. But it must be said that Jesus was already bound, he had willingly bound himself to his arrest and death, stronger than any cords could do. He had bound himself in commitment to obey God’s will, to ‘drink the cup the Father has given me’. So you could say he was bound twice.

Firstly; bound to obey God. Secondly; bound by men.

 

Peter thought that he would protect Jesus with his sword, to distract the arresting party and perhaps they could all get away into the night. But Matthew tells us that Jesus was not short of self defense, rather he had to fulfill God’s plan for himself.

Jesus  Matthew 26:53  Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

 

There were about 5,000 soldiers in a legion, so Jesus looks at more than 60,000 angels that could come to his immediate defense and rescue. But this occasion was not a time for self defense, rather it was a time for God’s plan of salvation, to follow through at his timing. In allowing himself to be arrested and crucified, Jesus was coming to our defense and rescue.

Jesus had to die bearing our sin, so that he could save all who have faith in him, to be saved from God’s final judgment and wrath on sin and sinners.

Paul  1 Thessalonians 1:10  and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

 

Amazingly, before his hands are bound, Jesus uses his hand for one more miracle.

Jesus heals the ear of Malchus, out of mercy, and to attest that his kingdom would not come to fulfillment through violence.  John 18:36.

But it was as if Jesus was giving the arresting party, one last opportunity, to see him as the divine miraculous Messiah. An ear cut off, and them miraculously healed, was a great wonder for all to see.

Luke  Luke 22:52  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns."

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.

 

Jesus had been very well received by the general population, when he had been daily teaching at temple in Jerusalem, then in the evenings, he would retire to the Mount of Olives with his disciples.

To avoid an uproar by the people, the arrest occurred outside Jerusalem, and at night, so darkness would cloak their foul work.

But Jesus sees his time of destiny, in fact he pinpoints it to the very hour of his arrest.

this is your hour--when darkness reigns.

Jesus likely alludes to Satan as the one who reigns in darkness. God the Father was willing for Satan to exercise his authority for a time under God's plan of salvation.

Satan wanted to destroy the influence of Jesus Christ, but God ultimately used him, and Judas, in his plan of salvation for humanity.

The king of darkness tried to kill off the king of light, but the kingdom of light would go on to overcome the kingdom of darkness.  Colossians 1:12,13.

But the devil’s influence was also on the disciples.

 

After Jesus was arrested, the eleven disciples and other followers very afraid and confused, they fled the scene. A reason for this is the soldiers were trying to apprehend the disciples as well.

Mark  Mark 14:50  Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

 

Most commentators see this young man as being Mark, writing about himself, he was not one of the twelve, but one of the many close followers of Jesus. The arresting party also wanted to arrest him and the others.

To the crowd,  John 18:8 --- Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."

 

All was in fulfillment of what Jesus had told them.

Matthew 26:31  Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:  " `I will strike the shepherd,

    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  Zechariah 13:7.

 

The disciples, had deserted Jesus, but Luke and the other gospel writers focus on Peter, he fled with the others, but he stayed in the vicinity of where Jesus was being held - no mention was made of the other disciples doing the same.

 

According to John’s gospel, Jesus had an initial hearing before Annas the previous high priest, he was father-in-law of the current high priest Caiaphas. He may have shared a wing of the same building as Caiaphas.  John 18:12-13.

Afterwards Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas for the formal trial.  John 18:19-24.

There, at night, a large gathering was assembled.

Mark  Mark 14:55  The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.

 

Mark reveals that had the whole Sanhedrin was assembled, that is 70 men plus the Chief Priest, but it only took 23 to make a quorum - which represented the whole.  Luke 23:50-53.

The Sanhedrin were primed and prepared, and to undertake their religious trial. They had their minds made up, they wanted Jesus put to death. This process, including it being at night, breached several procedures designed to protect the accused!  Deuteronomy 19:15,18.

They were rushing to get it accomplished before Passover.  Many false witnesses came before the assembly, but their fabricated statements did not agree.  Psalm 27:12.

We will need to read from Matthew for what happened at that Sanhedrin trial.

Matthew  Matthew 26:57  Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

    Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent.

    The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?"

    "He is worthy of death," they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"  Mark 14:53-65.

 

This trial tells us the despicable aim of this assembly, by the supposed wise godly leaders of Israel. Their false witnesses brought no clear evidence against Jesus. So finally Caiaphas stood up and directly asked Jesus - if you are the Christ, the Son of God

To which Jesus replied with the truth. Yes, it is as you say

 

Jesus agreed that he was the Christ, the Son of God, and he went on to say that they will see him in a place of glory, just as attributed to the Messiah by David in Psalm 110:1 and Daniel in Daniel 7:13.

David  Psalm 110:1  The LORD says to my Lord:    "Sit at my right hand

  until I make your enemies    a footstool for your feet."

 

Daniel  Daniel 7:13  "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.

 

The Jews would have known that Jesus was attributing these Lord and Messiah verses to himself. Thus Jesus was claiming divinity, Lordship and Messiahship.

Jesus tells the members of the Sanhedrin that soon, they should not see him as he now is, being judged by them, but in his capacity as the undisputed King and Messiah whom will judge them. They would swap places of judgment!

But the response from the Sanhedrin, was that he had committed blasphemy by claiming divine status, which by law required the death sentence, they there agreed.  Leviticus 24:16.

 

The idea that the Messiah could be arrested, bound and sentenced to death was to them absurd, so they mocked Jesus,

Matthew  Matthew 26:67  Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" 

 

Like the Sanhedrin, we have to make a decision about who Jesus is. Is he a false prophet, making out he was the Christ, that is the Messiah, or is he the Christ, sent by God in his great plan of salvation, and in fulfillment of the many Old Testament scriptures.

Jesus to the disciples  Mark 8:27 --- On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

 

Many answers, then and today! Who do you say Jesus is? It is the most important question you can ask yourself. Jesus states that he is the Christ, the Son of God. Do you believe Jesus?

We either receive him as our Lord and Saviour, and receive forgiveness, or, we will stand before him as our judge. Jesus bound himself in love, to save us from judgement.

 

Jesus wants you to receive him today. As God’s gift to you!

Matthew 11:28-30.  Ephesians 2:8,9.

 

Message above; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.

Taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, by the International Bible Society.

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Howard Baptist  15/02/2026 

 

In Jesus’ day, under the hated Roman occupation, the Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah to come and set up an earthly kingdom.

Life would be wonderful and blessed in that new kingdom. The Messiah, would ensure that peace and prosperity would prevail. Other nations of the world would have to have to submit to God’s kingdom. This is what the Jews wanted.

 

The twelve disciples being Jews, also had this belief of the Messiah coming to setup his kingdom on earth, their understanding was that Jesus Christ as king, would soon setup that kingdom, and they would have important positions within it.  Luke 19:11.

For Jews, the Messiah is to appear once, and set up his earthly kingdom, and Orthodox Jews are still waiting for this. Whereas the Christian faith looks at two appearances of the Messiah. Jews criticse Christians who look to a first and second coming of the Messiah.

So who is right? This morning we will look what the Bible tells us about the kingdom that the Messiah came to establish.

 

Luke  Luke 22:20  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Jesus is coming again!

 

Luke  Luke 22:20  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

 

Our Bible reading today overlaps a little from last week, where we looked at the last Supper, when Jesus instiuted what we now see as being Holy Communion

This was his last meal Jesus would have with his disciples, before being arrested/executed.

And at that meal, Jesus states twice that he would not eat or drink it again, until his future kingdom was established.

Jesus  Luke 22:16  -- I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

Jesus  Luke 22:18  -- I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

 

So clearly, Jesus sees a future gathering of his disciples, in the fully realised kingdom of God.

As one of the twelve, Judas Iscarot was attending; in John 13, we are told

John  John 13:27  As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

    "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

 

So Judas, had eaten the bread only, then under the influence of Satan, he left the upper room to arrange the arrest of Jesus, into the hands of the chief priests and elders of the people.

This betrayal by Judas was of no surprise to Jesus, as this was foreknown to him.

The selfish and hyporcrital character of Judas, was used by God in his stragegy to have Jesus die for our sins. So God’s plans were under way. 

In Matthew 26:22,25. Re betrayal, eleven disciples refer to Jesus as ‘Lord’, Judas addresses Jesus as ‘Rabbi’.

Why did Judas betray Jesus? He was paid to betray Jesus.

Matthew  Matthew 26:14  Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

 

Judas was a man greedy for money.

John  John 12:4  But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. " 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

 

This payment of thirty silver coins, indicates a reason why he betrayed Jesus. But another suggestion, is that Judas betrayed Jesus for more reason than just 30 silver coins.

Judas may have been tired of Jesus talking of himself being killed and rising again on the third day after, Jesus said this repeatedly.  Matthew 20:19, 27:6., Luke 18:33, 24:7, 21.

 

A Messiah being killed, did not fit in with the Jewish expectation of a conquoring Messiah.

This was an impossibility to them an ‘oxymoron’, - like a married batchler,deafening silence, a square circle.

so perhaps by having Jesus arrested, Judas was trying to force Jesus to boldly move on to being the powerful victorious leader, the Jews wanted and needed him to be.

And in such a kingdom, Judas would have access to much more money and influence.

So Satan also motivated Judas, to set up the death of Jesus.

But when Jesus was later condemed to death, Judas took the money back.

Matthew  Matthew 27:3  When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."  Matthew 27:3-10

 

It seems that money was not the central motivation of Judas, and if the betrayal was to force Jesus into becoming a victorious conquoring king, then Judas’ plan had failed, and now Judas saw his foolishness, and even the money did not matter.

 

The kingdom that the Jews were waiting for, is described many times throughout the Old Testament. The prophet Daniel sees the Messiah in his fulfilled kingdom.

Daniel  Daniel 7:13  "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

 

Zechariah  Zechariah 14:3  Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, ----

 

Zechariah  Zechariah 14:9  The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

 

The Jews see these prophecies being fulfilled at the son of man’s first and only appearence, whereas Christians see them being fulfilled at the son of man’s second appearance.

 

Isaiah also looks poetically a time of ultimate peace when the Lord reigns.

Isaiah  Isaiah 2:4  He will judge between the nations    and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares    and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,    nor will they train for war anymore.

 

This are what the Jews in Jesus day wanted, but Jesus had a different time schedual of events, firstly as being the servant king, he had to serve by setting up a spiritual kingdom through the gospel message, and that is what he did.

After the resurrection - the disciples to Jesus  Acts 1:6  So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

Jesus did not deny a future earthly kingdom, but until then, his spiritual kingdom would grow consistantly, to the ends of the earth, through the witness of his growing group of disciples. In our reading, Jesus describes his spiritual kingdom.

Luke  Luke 22:24  Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

The disciples were looking to not only the earthly kingdom being set up by Jesus, but they expected to have places of honour in that kingdom, and there was debate who amongst them, would lead in honour and position - who was the greatest!  Matthew 20:20-28. Mark 10:35-45.

But Jesus calls his disciples to be servants, just as he was.

Jesus  Matthew 20:26 ------ Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

Jesus calls his followers - that is us - to be humble in his kingdom, to serve, and to be a Christlike example to others. John tells us, that Jesus actually washed the feet of those who attended the last Supper in the upper room.

Jesus  John 13:14  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

 

It was Jewish custom that a servant would wash the dust off a guests’s feet. These days we wear shoes, rather than sandles, but the lession is clear, humilty of service for the Lord’s glory, is what makes a disciple ‘great’ in God’s kingdom.  Luke 14:11.

Whereas secular rulers saw themselves as ‘benefactors’, this was a title used to portray them as generous and benevolent, but in fact was a facade to maintain selfish power and control.

Whereas, selfless service in God’s kingdom, would lead to great honour in the future.

Luke  Luke 22:30  so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Jesus here looks to when he comes a second time in judgement, in his kingdom, with his faithful disciples included.  Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias – Acts 1:26.

A clear second appearance is referred to in the books of Hebrews, and John.

Hebrews 9:28  so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

 

Jesus  John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me/ that you also/ may be/ where I am.

 

Jews and Christians agree that the Messiah will one day come in final power and majesty, to directly rule over earth, but Christians also see in the Old Testament many references to the Messiah’a first coming as a humble servant of God.  This is how can we answer Jews.

Zechariah 480 BC   Zechariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!    Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

  See, your king comes to you,    righteous and having salvation,

    gentle and riding on a donkey,    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Matthew 21:5

 

The Messiah King would then go on to die for our sins, by ‘crucifixion’ - unknown of then!

David 1000 BC  Psalms 22:16  Dogs have surrounded me;    a band of evil men has encircled me,

    they have pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;    people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my garments among them    and cast lots for my clothing.  John 19:23,24.

 

Isaiah 700 BC  Isaiah 53:4  Surely he took up our infirmities    and carried our sorrows,

  yet we considered him stricken by God,    smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,    he was crushed for our iniquities;

  the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,    and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,    each of us has turned to his own way;

  and the LORD has laid on him    the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,    yet he did not open his mouth;

  he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,    and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

    so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

    And who can speak of his descendants?

  For he was cut off from the land of the living;

    for the transgression of my people he was stricken.  Cut off/dead. Isaiah 53:2-12. 50:6,7. 1 John 2:2.

 

The LORD 480 BC  Zechariah 12:10  "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.  They pierced the LORD/me. How do you pierce the LORD?

 

Daniel 535 BC  Daniel 9:26  After the sixty-two `sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing.  Predicts the ‘Anointed one’ (Messiah) will be killed. Resurrection Psalm 16:10. Acts 2:27.

 

In the last book of the Old Testament, the LORD foretold that the Messiah was coming.

The LORD re John the Baptist, then Jesus/me  430 BC   Malachi 3:1  "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.

The Lord would come, with one before him, who would prepare the way before me!

There are many Old Testament references that point to the Messiah coming humbly as one who will sacrificed, like a lamb to the slaughter. And there are other references where the Messiah is described as The LORD will be king over the whole earth.

The Jews mistakenly blended the first and second Messiah appearances into a single event.

Other Jews formed a notion of two Messiahs coming at one time.

Messiah ben David - who would conquor, triumph and reign.

Messiah ben Ephraim (Joseph) - who would suffer and be put to death.

But of most importance, Jesus is coming again, he came the first time and died for our sin, and he will come a second time to judge sinners and set up his kingdom. Jesus invites all to come into his kingdom. He calls all people to turn to him in repentance.

 

Jesus is coming again, turn to him, repent, and enter his Kingdom.

 

 

Message above; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.

Taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, by the International Bible Society.

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