God planned that the Jews would follow a legal plan that would ultimately lead to Jesus’ death at Jerusalem. Peter proved this truth, when in his address at Pentecost he said, “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 your midst, as you yourselves know —this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Romans) Acts 2: 23.
Peter’s words indicate that it was God’s plan for Jesus to die at the hand of the Roman lawless men. (man’s laws) God’s purpose to bring the nations of the world into the New Covenant. Fulfilling God’s Covenant promise to Abraham, through Abraham all the nations would bless themselves. Genesis 12: 3. 27: 29.
God’s plan was for Jesus to deliberately heal people on the sabbath day, The Pharisees and Lawyers had added rules to the laws of Moses, as they earned their righteousness from keeping the law.
God’s purpose to shine his light on the added rules, Jesus pointed out that it was God’s intention to do good works on the sabbath day. The council accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath Day Laws of Moses. ”Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work. . . .” Exodus 20: 8. The Messiah’s Secret D Newton Published 2001
A Rabbi in more modern times rightly observed that “Some of the laws of the Sabbath are like mountains suspended on a hair” wrote Victor Buksbazen in his book The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel. Buksbazen describes the treatise ‘Sabbath’. “This treatise was based on the commandments being spoken by God to the Children of Israel in Exodus Chapter 20 verses 8-11. . . .“All travel on the Sabbath; even to a synagogue service is forbidden. The kindling of fire and even the turning on or off an electric lights is prohibited on the Sabbath. Also writing of any kind is forbidden, etc. Such questions are discussed at great length. How far may a man walk on the Sabbath Day? What may he carry on the Sabbath Day without breaking the law of burdens? What is a burden? Is the carrying of a handkerchief a burden? The answer is yes, if it is in the pocket; but no, if it is tied around the neck and thus used as a piece of apparel.”
Matthew records the Pharisee asking Jesus “Is it right to heal on the sabbath? “Jesus went on from there and entered their synagogue. And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And the Pharisee asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “What man of you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So, it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him.” Matthew 12: 9-14
Luke records from his eyewitness account, Jesus asking the Pharisee, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?” “One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. (to accuse Jesus) And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent. Then he took him and healed him and let him go. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.” Luke 14: 1-6
God’s plan embraced the people who were considered the least in Jewish society: the poor, the sick and disabled. “Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.”Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.” Luke 13: 10-16. God’s presence convicted the people in the synagogue of the truth of Jesus’ words. The ruler of the synagogue observed the rules coming from his obedience to the law.
God’s purpose to pull down the strongholds of the laws added by their leaders, who thought they were pleasing God by keeping to the letter of the law. Jesus making the comparison between the action of ‘untying’ their animals to lead them to the water and the woman being loosed, ‘untied’ from the bindings of her infirmity.
God’s plan for Jesus to reveal himself as the Son of God, “The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus because he did this on the sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working. This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5: 15-18 The words of Jesus were noted by the council, they accused Jesus of blasphemy by making himself equal with God. John 5: 18
God’s purpose to prove that Jesus was God made visible in the flesh and proved it when he forgave the sick man from his sins and healed him. Jesus healed the paralytic man at Capernaum. His four friends had made an opening in the roof and lowered him down on a pallet into the room where Jesus was speaking. Jesus said to the man, “Son your sins are forgiven.” Jesus discerned that the Scribes were accusing him in their hearts of blasphemy because he had said this to the paralytic man. In response to the Scribes inner thoughts, Jesus asked whether it was easier to say to the paralytic man the short phrase “Your sins are forgiven” or to give more convoluted explanation such as “Rise take up your bed and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” If anyone listening had missed the subtly of Jesus’ initial statement to the paralytic man, they could not miss the meaning behind Jesus further remarks to the Scribes. His follow up comments were blasphemy to any devout Jew. As stipulated by the law of Moses, the Jews sought forgiveness for sin through the offering of sacrifices at the temple and by water cleansing. The Jews believed that sin was the cause of infirmity, so here was a classic case of a paralytic man needing to be taken to the temple to get his sins forgiven and then maybe he would be able to walk again. Only God could forgive sins. However, by healing the paralytic, Jesus proved that he had the authority from God to forgive sins without an atonement offering being made at the temple. His actions and words clearly, and without leaving anything to be misinterpreted, proved that Jesus and the Father were one. His authority was confirmed by healing this man. Jesus proved that he was God to all watching and listening. Mark 2: 1-12. The Messiah’s Secret D Newton Published 2001
God’s plan to reveal the truth, through Jesus accomplishing the resurrection from the dead. God would prove through false witnesses the truth of Jesus’ words. After Jesus was arrested, he was taken to Caiaphas the high priests’ house, where the council came and Jesus stood trial before them, Matthew writes, “The whole council sought false testimony against Jesus.” Two witnesses came forward and accused Jesus of saying that he would destroy the temple and build it in three days.
Matthew records, Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’ ” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus was silent.” Matthew 26: 59-63.
These two witnesses spoke the truth as John in his gospel recorded the incident. “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” John 2: 19-22.
The question arises, why did Matthew refer to the two men false witnesses when they spoke the truth? The two witnesses were casting aspersion on Jesus’ words. Aspersion meaning – slander – defamation of words spoken – to speak evil of.
They were using Jesus’ words against him, “And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus was silent.” The two witnesses were implying that Jesus really had something more sinister in mind. This is why I understand Matthew used the words – ‘false witnesses.’
God’s purpose Jesus bore on the cross all aspersions. The two witnesses highlighted the truth in John’s words, “But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” John 2: 21,22. The Messiah’s Secret Revealed 2024
God’s plan Jesus was born a king, whereas kings are crowned kings at their coronation The significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on an ass and being hailed by the people as they spread their garments before him. It indicates how Jesus was both born, and died, acknowledged as a King, the King of the Jews.
A King has a kingdom, and God’s purpose for Jesus to bear witness to the truth, and to witness to the kingdom that is to come. Mark writes, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ Mark 11: 10. The kingdom of God that John the Baptist prepared the nation to receive through his baptism of repentance. Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fulfilling Joel’s prophecy.
God’s plan did not allow the leaders and people to crown Jesus and install him on King David’s throne before he had accomplished the purpose of his death, which was to redeem all humanity from the devil’s power over death, by him taking sin that leads to eternal death upon himself. Jesus bore all sin on the cross and in his resurrection his life’s blood has redeemed all who come to him in repentance and faith, and by grace will receive God’s forgiveness and become a child of God. Entrance into God’s eternal kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ.
God’s plan to involve the Gentile Romans through their occupation of Israel. Pilate asked the Jewish leaders, why the Jews had not passed sentence on Jesus themselves. The leaders told Pilate that it was not lawful for them to put any man to death.(Roman rule) Pilate summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?” Jesus answered, “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 Jesus, “So you are a King,” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a King. For this purpose, I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” John 18: 29-37.19: 19.
The Messiah’s Secret.
God’s purpose in keeping the Jewish leaders in ignorance, was because Jesus had to die and if they had realised he was their Messiah before his death, God’s plan would have failed. The Jews did not believe that the descendant of King David, the Messiah would come and die. The man in the crowd when he heard Jesus say, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. ”He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up, who is this Son of man?” John 12: 32-34. God did not reveal the scriptures that alluded to the Messiah’s death and resurrection until the evening of his resurrection. Luke 24: 44-46. (Jesus clarified the identity of the Son of man Matthew 16: 13-16.)
God planned for Jesus’ return within the lifetime of his apostles. Mark 13: 30. Jesus must have discussed his return with his disciples during the 40 days before his ascension, because Peter said to the crowd at Solomon’s Portico, “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also 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 times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.” Acts 3: 17-21.
God’s purpose: Peter would not have said those words on his own authority. If the leaders had recognised Jesus as their Messiah at and after Pentecost and repented, Jesus would have returned and restored the land and throne of King David as Israel’s King. (The times of refreshing)
Even though the Jewish leaders had treated Jesus with contempt casting aspersions upon him by accusing him of blasphemy, they had fulfilled the plans and purposes of God by Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah.