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The Messiah’s Secret – God Appointed Positions

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The Messiah’s Secret –  God Appointed Positions

C S Lewis wrote, “The work of Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman (a woman who cleans houses)  become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly “as to the Lord”. This does not of course, mean that it is for anyone a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow.”
In our reading this morning: Mark 10: 35 – 45 James and John were looking to be appointed to sit either side of Jesus in his kingdom. James and John were certainly close to Jesus, he had singled them out on three occasions to support him, but Peter was always with them:
When Jairus’ daughter died Jesus asked Peter, James and John to go into the room while he prayed for the little girl, his prayer was answered, God raised her up. At the transfiguration all three watched as Jesus was transfigured before them and in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus called on all three to watch and pray with him. His suffering made him shed tears as he cried out in prayer to his Father who was able to save him from death. He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it is possible, the hour might pass from him. Jesus said, “Abba, Father all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me, yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.” His Father always heard him and realised his son’s suffering in his Godly fear. Mark 5: 21-43. 9:2. 14: 32-36.

Looking at the other reading in Hebrews 5: 1-10 we realise why Jesus gently let James and John down, as he knew that those appointments to sit on his right and left hand in his kingdom were chosen by God.

I think it’s true to say that the disciples only saw Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah they did not know at that time that he was the High priest of God.  
In the TV series of ‘Dad’s Army’ in one of the episodes sergeant Wilson kept it to himself that he would inherit his father’s title. When Captain Mainwaring   found out he was most upset; because it lifted Sergeant Wilson above his rank. The disciples were upset with James and John when they heard that James and John were seeking these prominent positions.
Jesus the Son of God was appointed high priest, by God his Father to be the mediator between God and humanity, after the order of Melchizedek.
The writer of Hebrews wrote of Melchizedek, “He is without father or mother or genealogy and has neither beginning nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever.” Hebrews 7: 3 Melchizedek part of the eternal priesthood. Jesus is the high priest of the eternal priesthood
We know that Jesus laid down his life which was the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus as high priest brought his sacrificial offering of his life down to God, God accepted his offering. From the depths of the grave, God raised Jesus up.
As high priest of God he intercedes on behalf of a person’s faith for both sins forgiven and as intercessor for every Christian, he presents our prayers to God the Father.
Prayer
Husband and wife were in car discussing prayer. The husband said, “I do my best praying while I’m driving.” His wife replied, “I too, do my best praying, while you’re driving.”
As far back as the Book of Genesis we find the prayer of a man like James and John, his name was Jabez in his prayer he wanted God to bless him.
This was the word that the Lord gave last week,  “If we humble ourselves and pray, the Lord will enlarge our boundaries”. I couldn’t remember where it fell in the Bible and as I was leading the service I hadn’t time to look it up.
It’s in 1 Chronicles 4: 10 in the middle of Judah’s genealogy list “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my border!  And that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not hurt me.” And God granted his request.”  RSV Bible.
Like James and John Jabez asked God to bless him and enlarge his border.

Jabez had a relationship with God in humility, His prayer, “O that you would bless me.” He sought God’s face and favour. He was dependent on his blessing, he didn’t look to bless himself, he couldn’t, and his heart was turned towards the heart of God. Jesus says to us, “Look to me, I love you, my heart yearns for you to pray, so I can bless you.”

Jabez asked God to enlarge his border – to be lifted up from a lower place to a higher place.  
Jesus gave the example in a parable of going to a wedding, don’t go and sit at the top table where the special guests of the bride and groom are appointed to sit. Go and sit elsewhere, so that you might be asked to go and sit at the top table and therefore be honoured before all the guests. (humility in action)  
“For everyone who exalts himself will be  humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14: 7-11.                                                                                                                                                                      
To extend our boundaries  
To  pray, not looking to what we can do, in our own strength, but what the Lord wants to do in our lives, in our church.  
Jesus entered a world through a door marked no entry and left through a door marked ‘No exit.” We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Philippians 4: 13                                                                                                                                                                       
Jabez said, “That your hand might be with me,” he didn’t assume it was his right because he was a descendant of Judah; he sought God’s love for him to help him and lead him, and to support him.
We look for the Holy Spirit’s leading; he separated Saul and Barnabas to go on their first missionary tour. 
For us to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance  to reach out in our community to make Christ known.

A Disciples’ CV. Supporting all that we do in prayer it’s the role of the servant; we are all servants of the Lord. In verses 42-44 James and John found out what the appointment of a disciple required: it was to be a servant: To serve having a gentle, tolerant, and humble disposition, not ambitious, to be prepared to suffer and die for Jesus.

And Jesus said to be the leader among the disciples: it was to be like a slave: a slave in Christ is completely owned by the Lord. In practise to be poor in Spirit: empty of self, obedient in serving God and others as Jesus has done and to be prepared to suffer and die for him. As many are doing in the world today.                                                                                                             
Jabez ended his prayer, “Keep me from harm so that it might not hurt me.” trouble and sickness and grief, he was aware of his own frailty.

Jabez was totally dependent on God and we read that God answered his prayer.  He prospered with God; he put his hand in his and kept close to him.
God blessed him, in that the people named a city after him ‘Jabez.’ 1 Chronicles 2:55.                                                                                                                             
And so to end with a prayer. 
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we assume our divine right for our prayers to be answered, and help us to stay close to you when our life in the world demands our attention. May we be blessed as we seek your hand to guide us in order to bring people to faith in Jesus and keep us by grace in your loving care. 
In Jesus’ name, Amen                                                                                             

(This week we have interviews for Priest-in-Charge of St Mary’s and St Paul’s) 
., Holocaust, Isaiah, mercy not sacrifice, prophesies, servant, the messiah's secret

The Messiah’s Secret – Isaiah’s Prophesies Fulfilled

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John carried a cross from Liverpool to London
Once a year my husband and I we spent a week at Scargill House in Kettlewell Yorkshire. The house is run by a community. In 2007 we where on a walking holiday there, when we met a young man who came for an interview to become a member of the community. In conversation with him he shared with me how God had spoken to him through his grandmother’s Bible. John at that time was on drugs and his life was in a mess. That day he was in his room when he picked up his grandmother’s Bible, it fell open and he read the words, “Whoever looses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10: 39 He said, “It was like someone breaking down the door of his bedroom, releasing him into freedom.” He went on to say that as a result of his meeting with Jesus he made a cross from part of their garden fence and he carried it from Liverpool to London, camping on the way. When people asked him why was he carrying a cross? He told them what Jesus had done for him. Jesus had sought and found him.

Jesus established the New Covenant through faith in what he accomplished on the cross in making the final sacrifice of himself to make us right with God. All that is required is for us to sincerely repent of our sin and to receive the Lord our God’s forgiveness.

For the last two thousand years it has not been necessary to bring to God a sacrifice ( a bird, an animal or grain)as a substitute for our sins against God.

The Messiah’s Secret – Mercy not Sacrifice Pages 92, 93.
“As Jesus sat at table in the house of Matthew, many tax collectors and outcasts came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9: 10-13.
Jesus the greatest person, who has ever lived on the earth, knowingly identified himself with ‘outcast’: the Jews of his day who were regarded as the lowest people in Jewish society. They had no status and no position because of their poverty, ill health, because they were lepers or had fallen away from the Jewish law or because they had been calibrating with the Romans and other Gentiles. Jesus described himself as a doctor, a physician. He had the cure for all ills. Turn back to God and His laws and he would heal them, belief in the Gospel of the kingdom, belief in him. Jesus said, ‘Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’”
Mercy not Sacrifice
Jesus said, ‘turn to me and I will heal you’; this was an appeal of love and reconciliation through the law,(Zacchaeus) steadfast love, and not sacrifice. His words and signs proved that he was from God. Jesus had the words of eternal life, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6
Jesus in saying that he desired ‘mercy not sacrifice’ he was pointing to the new covenant, which he brought into force after his death and resurrection and ascension. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, steadfast love and the knowledge of God, reconciliation forgiveness of sins, the law written in the heart through faith in him. Jesus endorses the commandments for all time by them being written on the heart, circumcision of the heart.
A scribe came to Jesus asking which the first commandment was. Jesus replied, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is this to love your neighbour as yourself.” The scribe said that it was right to love your neighbour as oneself. To do this is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus told his disciples to love one another as he loved them; this was a new commandment, which fulfilled the law through faith in him.”

The Burnt Sacrifice
The offerings made at the temple in Jerusalem varied: the burnt offerings, the meal offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering and other various sacrifices.
Extract from “The Book of Leviticus.” Charles R Erdman.
The first and most familiar of the sacrifices was the burnt offering, which expressed dedication. The very name indicates its distinct characteristic. The term means “that which ascends,” that is, to Jehovah. The entire sacrifice was consumed by fire on the altar, so that it was also described as the “whole burnt offering.” Of the other sacrifices, part was burned and part eaten by the priests or even by the offerer himself; but of the burnt offering, all ascended to God in flame and smoke. “
“The fire once kindled on the brazen altar was never to be extinguished. It was to be replenished, and a burnt offering was to be presented for the people every morning and evening. Therefore, this sacrifice became known as the “continual burnt offering.” The application is quite obvious. The consecration which God required of His people was not merely once for all. It was to be continuous, yet renewed consciously at the opening and close of each day. “The fire shall be kept on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”
The consecration as was symbolized by this ancient institution of the burnt offering has been embodied and realized only in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The continual burnt offering has not been offered since the destruction of the temple in 70 AD

Shoah Seminar – May 5th 2000 held at the Menorah Synagogue, Manchester.
Ten years ago I was invited to attend the Shoah Seminar at Menorah Synagogue in Manchester England. This day was in preparation for the first Holocaust Memorial Day in our area that took place on 27th January 2001. The government wants to ensure that the terrible crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten and its relevance for each new generation is understood.

Several speakers gave reports: 1. An historical account of Hitler’s rise to power. 2. Examining the Christian response to the ghettoes and concentration camps. 3. The lack of concern by the leaders of European countries for the plight of the Jews.
Eye witness accounts were given of the terrible suffering and death of Jews in the concentration camps throughout Europe.
It was made clear that today Christians deplore threats to ethnically cleanse or exterminate any race of people.

The Rabbi of Menorah Synagogue when he spoke on the Holocaust, Holocaust meaning ‘burnt sacrifice.’ he referred to the Jews that had been taken by the Nazis to the concentration camps fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 ‘the suffering servant’. The people of the Holocaust were the burnt offerings for the atonement for their nation’s sin against God. Also he said, God established the new covenant when the state of Israel came into being after the war, and the land of Israel, was their Messiah.

Whilst I respect Rabbi’s interpretation of his own Jewish scriptures, I as a Christian through the churches study of the Hebrew Scriptures, see the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the ‘suffering servant’ in Jesus.

King David prophesied that the Messiah’s body would not be burnt by fire.
Jesus’ body was not corrupted by sin. “David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Acts 2: 31, 32. Psalm 16: 10. 49: 9.

The Book of Isaiah was written over a period of 200 years 740 BC – 510 BC by three prophets: Isaiah of Jerusalem, Isaiah of Babylon and the third prophet not named. (Introducing the Old Testament by John Drain, The Complete Bible Handbook by John Bowker was Dean of Trinity College Cambridge.)
At the time of Isaiah the land of Israel was divided into Judah in the south and Israel in the north.
Isaiah of Jerusalem lived in Jerusalem during the days of Ahaz and Hezekiah, he wrote the first 39 chapters. He prophesied in chapter 5 of the destruction of Jerusalem, this prophesy was fulfilled approx 100 years later when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem and shortly afterwards he destroyed Solomon’s Temple.
He prophesied about the birth of the Messiah in chapter 7: Behold a young woman shall bear a son and call him Immanuel. In chapter 9:6 “For unto us a child is born a son is given and the government upon him, his name shall be called: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
In chapter 11 Isaiah prophesied of the distant future that has still to be fulfilled. The tree felled with only the stump remaining, referring to the stump of Jesse, the Jewish remnant that will survive the Great Tribulation period through the Messiah’s intervention destroying their enemies.
“Then the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.” Isaiah 11: 9.
In chapter 14: 12-16 Isaiah has given us insight into the history of Satan.
Isaiah of Jerusalem was killed in the reign of King Manasseh. 687BC.

Isaiah of Babylon was a student of Isaiah’s prophesies.
After Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, Jewish people were taken to Babylon as slaves 597 BC. Isaiah of Babylon (150 years after Isaiah of Jerusalem) was one of them. He wrote chapters 40 – 55 in these he prophesied of the exiles return and the restoration of Jerusalem. God would make a road through the wilderness where streams of water would make the desert bloom. Jerusalem would be restored like a garden planted in Eden, full of joy and gladness. He also described Israel as God’s servants and the Messiah as the suffering servant.

“Introducing the Old Testament” by John Drane.
“The prophet talks of the nation of Israel as the servant of God and the person mentioned in the servant songs is often described in the same language as is used for Israel.”
Both were created by God himself.
This has led many scholars to conclude that when Israel talks of the suffering servant he is simply talking of God’s people Israel in another way. But there are four servant songs that speak of a person, a servant. 42: 1-4. 49: 1-6. 50: 4-9. 52: 13-53: 12

Israel the servants of God
‘But you, Israel my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen’. 41: 8
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not for I have redeemed you . . . For I am the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” 43: 1-7, 21.
“Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun (title of Israel – upright one.) whom I have chosen.” 44: 2, 21, 24.

The servant the Messiah
“This servant will not loose hope or courage, nor has he rebelled or turned away from God.”
“Behold my servant whom I have chosen my beloved with whom my soul is pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will no wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” Isaiah 42: 1-4. & Isaiah 50: 4-9 and so is the servant of 42:1 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring forth justice to the nations.”
In addition he suffers patiently – not for his own wrongdoings, like the nation, but for the wrongdoings of others. 53: 3-5
Most significantly of all is the fact that while the nation needed restoration, this servant is sent to restore and renew Israel. 49: 5, 6. 53: 4-6.

(Print off and give a copy of these prophesies to a friend.)

These prophesies below are taken from the Book of Isaiah and also I’ve included 25 other prophesies that were fulfilled on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion is just amazing, only God could do this.

“32 Prophesies Fulfilled in One Day” 6pm – 6pm

Isaiah 52: 14 – end Isaiah 53: 5 – 12.
1/14. The prophecy of his marred body, due to the brutality of the soldiers. “As many were astonished at you; his body was so marred more than any man and his form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah 52: 14.
Fulfilled. Pilate had Jesus flogged. ”Then Pilate released for them Barabbas, and having scourged, delivered him to be crucified.” Matthew 27: 26.

2/5. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Fulfilled. “And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to be crucified.” Mark 15: 20

Matthew wrote in his Gospel, “Jesus cast out spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16, 17.
Jesus bore on the cross, the causes and results of sin that came into the world with the fall of Adam.

3/6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Fulfilled. “Jesus said on the cross, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34.

4/7. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.”
Fulfilled. “Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you but he gave no answer, not even to a single charge; so that Pilate wondered greatly.” Matthew 27: 13, 14.

5/8. “By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgressions of my people.
Fulfilled. ”Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, “Let him be crucified.” And he said what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more. “Let him be crucified.” Matthew 27: 22, 23.

6/9. “The place of the burial of Christ was predicted.”And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth.”
Fulfilled. Joseph from the town of Arimathea, believed the words that Jesus had spoken. Joseph was a member of the Jewish Council. “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.” Matthew 27: 57, 60.

7/10. “Yet it pleased him to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand;
Fulfilled. It was in the plan of God that Jesus would suffer and be killed and that on the third day God would raise him from the dead.
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22: 37.

8/11. He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.”
Fulfilled. ”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

9/12. “He bares the sin of many; He was numbered with the transgressors.”
Fulfilled. “And when they came to a place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left” Luke 23: 33

10. Prophecy. 1,000 B.C. The prophecy of the betrayal of the Lord Jesus by Judas,
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41: 9.
Fulfilled. ”And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.” Mark 14: 10.(Just before Day of Preparation)

11. Prophecy. The price paid for his betrayal foretold. “And I said to them, if you think good, give me my price; and if not forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” Zechariah 11: 12.
Fulfilled. “What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26: 15

12. Prophecy. What would be done with the money? How would Judas use the betrayal money? “And the Lord said to me, Cast it into the treasury: a goodly price that I was paid off by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the treasury in the house of the Lord.” Zechariah 11: 13.
Fulfilled. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that. And he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said. It is not lawful for us to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel and brought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in.” Matthew 27: 3-7.

13. Prophecy. The prophecy of his scourging. “I gave my back to the smitters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” Isaiah 50: 6.
Fulfilled. “And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on his head.” Matthew 27: 30.

14. Prophecy of shame, reproach and dishonour. “You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour.” Psalm 69: 19.
Fulfilled. “They stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.” Matthew 27: 28.

15. Prophecy of the false witnesses against Christ at his trial. “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” Psalm 35: 11
Fulfilled. “Many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree.” Mark 14: 56.

16. Prophecy of the smitten shepherd. “Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” Zechariah 13: 7.
Fulfilled. “Then Jesus said to them . . . it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Matthew 26: 31. “And they all forsook him and fled.” Mark 14: 50.

17. Prophecy of the parting of his garment. “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22: 18.
Fulfilled. “So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.”. John 19: 24

18. Prophecy. It was seen in prophecy that he would fall beneath the cross. “My knees are weak through fasting.” Psalm 109: 24
Fulfilled. “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.” John 19: 17.
“And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: they compelled him to carry his cross.” Matthew 27: 32.

19. The prophecy of his thirst. ”I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried.” Psalm 69: 3.
Fulfilled. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.” John 19: 28.

20. Prophecy. What would they give him to drink? “In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69: 21.
Fulfilled. ““When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19: 30.

21. Prophecy. They stared at Jesus on the cross. “They look and stare upon me.” Psalm 22: 17.
Fulfilled. “They stare and gloat over me.” Luke 23: 35.

22. Prophecy. The pierced hands and feet. “They pierced my hands and my feet.”Psalm 22: 16.
Fulfilled. “And they crucified him.” Matthew 27: 35.

23. Prophecy . The pierced side. “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” Zechariah 12: 10.
Fulfilled. “And sitting down they watched him there.” Matthew 27: 36.

24. Prophecy. His heart was broken. “I’m poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.” Psalm 22: 14.
Fulfilled. “But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” John 19:34 The blood and water issuing from his side, indicated extravasations of the heart: I.e., a broken heart.

25. Prophecy . Our Lord’s mother and friends in prophecy. “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my wounds and my kinsman stand away off.” Psalm 38: 11.
Fulfilled. “And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.” Luke 23: 49.

26. Prophecy. The mockery of the people in prophecy. “I became also a reproach to them: when they looked upon me they shake their heads.” Psalm 109: 25.
Fulfilled. “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God then come down from the cross.” Matthew 27: 39, 40.

27. Prophecy. The railing, hatred, and taunting of the mob. “ He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22: 8.
Fulfilled. “He trusted in God let him deliver him: let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” Matthew 27: 43.

28. Prophecy. The intense lonely cry in the hour of his suffering. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22: 1.
Fulfilled. “Jesus cried with a loud voice . . . My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27: 46.

29. Prophecy. The cry of victory and triumph. “It is finished!” Psalm 22: 31.
Fulfilled. “When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19: 30.

30. Prophecy. Jesus commends his Spirit to his Father. “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Psalm 31: 5.
Fulfilled. “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23: 46.

31. A wonderful prophecy uttered 1490 years before its fulfilment. “In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside of the house; and you shall not break a bone of it.” Exodus 12: 46.
Fulfilled. “But when they came to Jesus they saw that he was dead already, they did not break his legs.” John 19: 33. “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled. A bone of him shall not be broken.” John 19: 36.

32. Prophecy The Messiah was to be cut off, but not for him. “And after three score and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, but not for himself.” Daniel 9: 26.
Fulfilled. “You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather the children of God who are scattered abroad. “ John 11: 50-52.

33. Prophecy. The oldest prophecy of all, uttered by the Lord himself at least 4,000 years before. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3: 15.
Fulfilled. The heel of the Lord Jesus Christ was bruised when he was crucified, for the nails were driven through his feet, thus bruising his heels. John 19: 18.
The serpents head was there also bruised. John 12: 31-33. The execution of this sentence will take place when Christ returns. Romans 16: 20.

34. Prophecy. A great Calvary miracle prophecy uttered about 800 years before. “ And it shall come to pass in that day, said the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” Amos 8: 9
Fulfilled. This is one of the most profound prophesies of the word of God. On the day that the Saviour would be crucified, there would be darkness at noonday.
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (12noon – 3pm) Matthew 27: 45.

Isaiah the Third Prophet
This prophet wrote chapters 56 – 66. He wrote at the time of the return from exile in Babylon 525 BC.
Cyrus the Persian King encouraged the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple. The actual building began a year before Darius became King and it was finished in the sixth year of his reign. Ezra 5 & 6.
Nehemiah did not arrive in Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls until 445 BC 55 years after the temples completion.
King Herod added buildings to this second temple which took forty six years to complete. John 2:20

Isaiah wrote of the Israelite rebellion against keeping God’s Laws and traditions
When the exiles returned they found that foreigners had settled in the land, bringing in with them their religious worship and practices. As a result over a period of time some of these practices had been combined with the Jews traditions and worship.
This was regarded as rebellion against keeping God’s Laws and traditions by the prophet. He prophesied in 65: 1 of God’s call to the Gentiles. “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation that did not call on my name.” God was ready to speak to the other nation, the Gentiles. (In the Bible two nations Jew and Gentile.) It was approx five hundred years later when this prophecy was fulfilled.
Paul mentions this prophecy when he wrote to the church in Rome. “Isaiah was is so bold to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me. I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” Romans 10: 20
The Gentiles were being brought into the New Covenant by God calling them to hear the good news about Jesus.
God was reconciling all nations to himself through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Peter’s Vision.
The Lord confirmed in Peter’s vision that God showed no impartiality between Jew and Gentile.
After Pentecost the apostle Peter was staying at Simon the tanner’s house at Joppa. Whilst Simon and Peter were preparing the evening meal, Peter had a vision, he saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.”
Acts 10: 9 – 16
While Peter was still pondering the vision, three men arrived at the house and asked for Peter. They informed him that the centurion Cornelius had been visited by an angel. The angel directed Cornelius to send for Peter who was lodging at Simon the tanner’s house at Joppa.

Peter accompanied the men to the home of Cornelius at Caesarea. Peter related to them all about Jesus, “God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest . . . To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Peter and his companions were amazed; God had shown no partiality between Jew and Gentile.” Acts 10: 38 – 45.

Today people are being found by God.

John the Telephone Engineer
My husband and I where on a walking holiday staying at Scargill House in Yorkshire. On the final day I was talking to a man who had been walking too and he shared with me how Jesus called him to be his disciple. John was a telephone engineer it was while he was working installing cable into a building when he heard within himself the word, ‘repent,’ over and over again the word kept coming to him. After work he searched his neighbourhood to find the Vicar of his local Anglican Church and when he did eventually find him, he asked the Vicar to explained to him what the word, ‘repent’ meant. John had never had any contact with the church, but he been sought and found by God.

Jane’s Testimony
In Sept 1989 Jane who had no links with any church met Jesus as she walked along the disused railway line.

“First I would like to explain that I finally forgiven someone, I mean truly forgiven. A few days later I was walking along the disused railway in Helmshore with our dogs. It was a pleasant day, very still. I felt a wind blow up, but nothing was moving. I saw in front of me a life size Jesus on the cross. He was dead, his body grey, stone like, I couldn’t bear to look, I turned away. I felt all the wrong that I had done being taken away from me, but I didn’t want him to, because I physically felt the pain that I had caused him. I felt ashamed and started crying. The next minute I felt a presence next to me. I wasn’t sure if it was Jesus or God, but I couldn’t see anyone. All the weight I had been carrying inside had been taken away. I felt so happy, so clean. Everywhere was so beautiful, the colours were so bright, I had never seen colour like it before.”

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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the King

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“The Messiah’s Secret” – Jesus the King
Using the Revised Standard Version (RSV) Bible.

Visual Aids are used in this talk.
A Cross is made of textile material large enough to accommodate items on the following list.

Jewelled crown
Towel
Picture of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey
Picture of the empty cross
Purple Robe & Crown
Aid Agencies Brochure
Bunch of grapes

These are placed inside the cross.
Each one is pulled out in turn and its significance explained.
The verses of scripture can be handed out and read at the appropriate time.

Material large enough to accommodate the largest object. (An A3 piece of paper would be quite large enough)
A piece of cloth is cut to form two crosses and then sewn together along the dotted lines.
Leave open the four ends to enable the objects to be placed inside the cross and pulled out at the appropriate time. This cross does not have an image of Jesus on it because it represents the risen Christ.
The cross a place of change, a cross roads.
Life is often described as a journey and at some point we may be challenged to take a step of faith in the direction of Jesus.

Faith
A couple sat in their car on the hard should of a motorway as their car had broken down. Eventually someone stopped and asked if they could help. Only to find that the couple were deaf and they had been praying and waiting for some one to stop and give assistance. Their prayers had been answered.

Jesus born a King

When wise men from the East came to Jerusalem they asked Herod, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” Matthew 2: 1, 2.
These men who visited Jerusalem were eastern in origin and probably came from Persia or Media.
They used a significant term; “Born a King” Jesus’ was not anointed a King by the chief priest or by a prophet like Samuel who had anointed Saul and David to be King. Jesus was born a king.

Jesus the Servant King

The description of the Servant King found in the Old Testament.
King Solomon had died and his son Rehoboam was made King by the people at Shechem. Afterwards they asked the new King to relieve them of the heavy yoke that his father Solomon had placed upon them.” Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke upon us, and we will serve you.” 1 Kings 12: 4
Wisely King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served under Solomon. The advice that they gave him pointed to the mark of a good King.
“And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants for ever.” 1 Kings 12: 7.King Rehoboam took no notice of the elder’s advice; instead he took the advice of his friends who encouraged him to increase the burdens upon his people.

The Elders description of the Servant King verse 7 in two parts:
Part 1 “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them.”Jesus taught his disciples, if anyone would be first, he must be last and servant of all.
Jesus demonstrated this when he himself took upon the servants role in doing the menial task of washing his disciples feet. On arrival at the house were they were to eat the Passover meal. With Jesus showing complete loss of distinction, the greatest man who has ever lived becoming the servant of all. Jesus took off his garments and wrapped a towel around his waist and washed his disciples feet, afterwards he put his garments back on and said to them, ”Do you understand what I have done to you. You call me teacher and Lord. You are right for so I am.” Their Lord and teacher had taken off his garments and became their servant.
Jesus must have seen the basin, towel and water were already there in the room. It was customary to have their feet washed on arrival. No one from among his disciples had offered to do the servants job of washing their feet on entering the house. So Jesus used this every day task to demonstrate the greatest becoming the servant of all.

Part 2 “And speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants for ever.”
“Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28 – 30.
These are the good words of our servant King, ‘Come to me,’ Jesus’ personal testimony of suffering being weary and burdened with well doing and the cost of laying down his life. We learn to give our burdens to the one who was willing to shoulder them on the cross. At some point on our Christian journey we will suffer, if we lean on Jesus as we go through it, then we find suffering strengthens us. This results in lightening the burden. His call upon us, to follow him, and enter into his rest. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God for ever.

Jesus King of Peace

From my reading of the gospels Jesus had a great presence of peace about him. He always spoke the truth and with great authority interpreted the Hebrew Scriptures, with signs following his message of healing and miracles. I also see a side to him of meekness, unassuming kindness, being at everyone’s beck and call. It is not surprising that the people wanted to make him their King.
Leaders of the Jewish Sanhedrin would be aware of Jesus’ growing influence upon the people especially after Lazarus had been raised from the dead. The crowd who had witnessed this bore witness to others. The reason many of the people who laid down palm branches when Jesus entered Jerusalem was because they had heard about Lazarus. They recognised Jesus as their King, they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
John records the fulfilment of Zechariah’s prophecy, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt!” John 12: 13 – 17.
After Jesus entered the city he was soon surrounded by a crowd, when he finished speaking with them, John wrote, “When Jesus said this, he departed and hid himself from the crowd.” John 12: 36. Jesus knew that being recognised by the people as their King was good, but it was not the time to make him their King.

On another occasion
“Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him King, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” John 6: 15
After the miracle of feeding of the 5,000 people on the hillside, some of them wanted make Jesus their King. When Jesus heard of their plan, he withdrew himself, walked away.

Had the people taken Jesus by force to be their King without the approval, acceptance of the Sanhedrin. It would have been unlawful, insurrection. God would not allow that to take place, it was for the nation’s leaders to recognise Jesus as the Messiah. But that couldn’t take place until after Jesus’ death and resurrection and ascension. He had first had to accomplish God’s plan of salvation for Israel and the rest of the world.

The Jews did not believe that the Christ would come and die.
“And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and the other on his left. And they who passed by derided him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross”” So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying,” He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” Mark 15:26 – 32

They were taught under law that the Christ would not come and die. “The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that when the Christ comes he will remain for ever.” John 12: 34
The Jews at that time didn’t believe that God would allow their Messiah to come and die. They expected the Christ to come and take up the throne of King David and rule from Jerusalem the eternal kingdom of God. 2 Samuel 7: 12 – 17

Even Jesus’ own brothers did not understand his secrecy.
The Messiah’s Secret” page 72“His brothers tried to advise Jesus to go to Judea even though they knew that the Jews sought to kill him there. They said,”For no man works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his brothers did not believe in him” John7: 3-5
After the ascension we read that his brothers were in the house waiting with the other disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1: 14.
Jesus’ brothers discovered the truth about Jesus and they were open about it. Our hearts search for the truth, but when we find it, it is not easy to overcome our pride and be open to others acknowledging a change of heart.

Jesus prophesied his death and resurrection on many occasions.
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Matthew 16: 21
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Luke 18:31-34
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension Peter at Pentecost proclaims that Jesus’ death was in the plan of God. “Men of Israel hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in you midst, as you yourselves know this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God . . . . .”Acts 2: 22,23.

Jesus the king of the Jews

One of the charges brought against Jesus by the council, was that they accused him of making himself a king like Cesar. The soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; mocking him they came up to him saying,”Hail, King of the Jews!” They also put a reed in his hand.

The chief priest opposed the inscription “This is the King of the Jews” being nailed to Jesus’ cross. Inspite of this the inscription was put on the cross in several languages.

Those authorities who did believe in him did not acknowledge Jesus openly for fear of being put out of the synagogue. John12: 42. The leading Jews had already agreed if any one should acknowledge Jesus as being the Christ they would be put out of the synagogue. John 9: 22.

Jesus the King of Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16

Jesus descended to the dead
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus’ dead body down from the cross. They carried him to Joseph of Arimathea’s empty tomb. Matthew 27: 57 – 60.
Peter wrote in his letter to the Jews of the dispersion wrote that Jesus during those three days after his death he went and preached the gospel to those who were being held in what Peter described as a prison. Those who had died, without having the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Saviour during their life time.
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. In which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who in former days did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.” 1 Peter 3:18 – 20
“For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.” 1 Peter 4: 6.
Those who accepted Jesus rose with him on the day of his resurrection. “”And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared too many.” Matthew 27: 53. “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?”)
Ephesians 4: 8, 9.
Another teaching from this is the separation between the flesh and the spirit.
When God created us he gave a physical body and he breathed life into us so we became a living being. Comprising of body, soul and spirit. The soul and the spirit being the parts of us that leaves the body at death.
Taking an envelope in it we place the letter. The envelope is like our bodies and the letter like our spirit. When we remove the letter from the envelope it is like the separation that takes place when we die our soul/spirit leaves our bodies.
The envelope of our bodies returns to dust, dead matter, which cannot be destroyed and will one day be gathered by God, to form our resurrected body. Our soul/spirit is escorted by angels to be with Jesus in a place prepared for us in his Father’s house in heaven.

Living our lives in the Spirit
Just as in death a separation takes place between the flesh and the spirit/soul. When we accepted Jesus as our Saviour a transformation takes place within our human soul/spirit, this change unites us with Jesus, God our Father and his Holy Spirit, separating us from our former way of life.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4: 12.
As we progress on our Christian journey there can be a struggle between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit of God dwelling within us. Please myself rather than pleasing the Lord. The Holy Spirit will help us to discern and how to apply scripture to enable us to overcome them.

Jesus King of Kings

He said to Pilate, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth.”

Most Kings have titles: Supreme governor, Chief of Military, Defender of the Faith etc. Some of Jesus’ titles: King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called . . . . . . . . .of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7. Isaiah prophesied the Messiah’s reign.

The prophesies of King David had been fulfilled by Jesus.
“But God raised Jesus up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For thou will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. “ Acts 2: 24 – 27. Psalm 16: 8 -11.”For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make all your enemies a stool for your feet.” Acts 2: 34,35.

Jesus could only be received by the nation of Israel as their Messiah, after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension.

Jesus would have brought in the times of refreshing, restoration of the land, establishing the eternal kingdom and throne of King David. If he had been recognised as the Messiah at and after Pentecost by the leaders of Israel.

It was at Pentecost when for the first time the disciples proclaimed Jesus as the promised Messiah. “Peter and John spoke to the crowd in Solomon’s Portico, ‘and now brethren, I know you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. . . . . . ’” Acts 3:17 – 20.
Now was the time for the leaders of Israel to recognise their King and Messiah.

A word I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.” It was as I understood to be in preparation for his return with the angels of God. Mark 8:38

The Aid agencies have schemes to buy a goat for Africans etc as a present for a friend.
It really does work! In a village in Bangladesh villagers have been given goats paid for by these gifts that make the difference between survival or death. 5 goats then sold to buy a cow.

Christian prophet Agabus prophesied a great famine over the entire world.
In the days of Emperor Claudius there was a famine over the entire known world. The Christians at Antioch sent relief to the Christians who lived in Judea.
King Herod was in authority to distribute grain and other food grown in Galilee. The people in Tyre and Sidon depended on their trade links with Galilee to obtain food.

“Herod Agrippa grandson of Herod the great was born in 11BC. He grew up in Rome. In AD37 Herod was given the tetrarchies of Iturea, Trachonitis and Gaulinitis by the Roman Emperor Gaius, who also conferred on him the title of King. Later he was given rule over Galilee and Perea, and still later, under Claudius, his rule was extended to include Judea and Sameria. (Eyre and Spottiswoode Study Bible.)

Centuries before trade links had been established, when Hiram King of Sidon had made a treaty with King Solomon. Hiram would supply Solomon with Lebanon Cedars and Cypress trees along with carpenters to help build Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. In exchange for 20,000 cors of wheat and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. 1 Kings 5: 1 – 12.
Much later in Ezekiel time he records the trade between Judah and Tyre. Tyre exchanged there merchandise for wheat, olives, early figs, honey, oil and balm. Ezekiel 27: 17

Herod Agrippa was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. The reason for his displeasure is not known. A delegation from Tyre and Sidon seeking peace had arranged with Herod’s Chamberlain Blastus to meet with King Herod.

Herod put on his kingly robes and sat on his throne gave an oration to the delegates from Tyre and Sidon. After Herod had spoken the delegates shouted, “The voice of a god and not of man!”
Herod’s demise, “Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod with an illness. He died 5 days later. First century historian Josephus wrote: “Herod fell into the deepest sorrow; a severe pain arose in his bowels, and he died after 5 days of illness.”
Herod’s death was seen by the writer of this account as an act of God because he did not give God the glory. In the following verse he wrote, “But the word of God grew and multiplied.”

Herod had earlier Killed James the brother of John and had arrested Peter and later by a miracle was freed from the jail by an angel. With the death of Herod Agrippa 1, the threat of Christians being arrested was diminished.

King of the Kingdom of God
Taking the view of the writer of this account in Acts 12: 23 “Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not givethe glory to God; and he was eaten up by worms and died.” I saw this as evidence that God was upholding the disciples and followers of Jesus in their preparation for Jesus’ return within their life time. They were setting up the Kingdom of God in anticipation of Jesus’ return with the angels of God. Mark 8: 38.

Moses and John the Apostle prophesied the Messiah’s ruling with a rod of iron.
“Moses said, “The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in what ever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet will be destroyed from the people.” Acts 3: 22, 23
“He who conquers and who keeps my works until the end. I will give power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father.” Revelations 2: 27

Jesus’ parable of the Vineyard
Israel the tenants were left in charge of the vineyard, the owner of the vineyard sent a servant to collect a proportion of the fruit. He was beaten and sent away empty handed. Another servant was sent but he was wounded and sent away. Finally the owner sent his son thinking that they would respect him. They killed him, casting him out of the vineyard. Jesus asked them a question, “What will the owner do? Jesus told them, “He will destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others to produce the fruit of it.”
The Pharisees who were listening when they heard, they said, “God forbid.”
Jesus continued and quoted from Psalm 118: 22 “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on any one it will crush him.” These words at the end speak of the ruling rod of iron of the Messiah’s reign.

The Jews were a rebellious people. During their history they were constantly falling away from the Laws of Moses. Prophets had been sent by God to make them aware of their sin, but they were treated with contempt. Finally God sent his Son and the leaders took no notice of his word and when he was proclaimed the Messiah by the Apostles at Pentecost the leaders rejected their witness of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
Those who did accept him were broken, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said this to the apostles. What shall we do? And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2: 37, 38.
Those who rejected the message would be crushed. Woe to you Lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” Luke 11: 52

Jesus’ return delayed.
Clearly Jesus did not return within the life time of the Apostles. The authority the apostles had in setting up the Kingdom of God in preparation for Jesus’ return, changed with the destruction of the temple in AD70.

Daniel’s Vision of 70 Week’s“Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince there shall be 7 weeks. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off, and shall have nothing; and the people and the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and sanctuary.”
Daniel 9:25, 26.

One week in Daniel’s vision is counted as 7 years
Total 69 weeks 483 years. 1 week still to be fulfilled.
The rebuilding of the second temple took place during the reign of Darius 522 – 486 BC and was completed in the sixth year of his reign 516 BC. Ezra 6: 15.
(Abraham’s prophecy of Israel’s slavery was 400 years Genesis 15: 13. Prophecy was fulfilled after 430 years Exodus 12: 40. Not to the exact prophesied year)

The Jews were expecting Daniel’s prophesy in to be fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah. The leaders of the council of the Jews considered whether John the Baptist was the Messiah.
“As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ.” Luke 3: 15
Fulfilment of these two verses of Daniel’s vision with Jesus’ coming near to the prophesied time and ‘The anointed one cut off’ speaks of his rejection as being the King and Messiah of Israel and as Daniel’s prophecy predicted the destruction of Jerusalem along with the temple by the Romans in AD70