QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (110)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   It is our Q&A Sunday.  We will be asking and answering questions you have submitted for our consideration.

 

B.   We often focus on the word “questions” in our introductory remarks.  Let’s consider the word “answers” today.

1.    Some answers can be wrong.  Some can be right.

2.    Some answers are deceptive.  Some answers are bold truth.

3.    Some answers can be concise.   Some can be very long.

4.    Some answers skirt the issue.  Some answers are right on point.

5.    Some answers answer the question.  Some answers leave the question hanging.

6.    Some answers are satisfying.  Some answers only leave us with more questions.

 

C.   When an answer is given, it is up to the person asking the question to study and discern the answer that is given (1 Thess. 5:21-22).

 

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  The Chronology of the Four Gospels

 

A.   Stated:  Are the verses in the gospels in chronological order?

 

B.   Answer: 

1.    Simply stated, the answer is:  “Yes.”

2.    Mathew, Mark, and Luke are called “The Synoptic Gospels.”

a.    Synoptic:  taking a common view

b.    As you read through the first three gospels, it is relatively easy to compare the writings of the three authors.

c.    What will we find:

a.    Differing starting points

b.    All three authors mentioning a subject

c.    Only two authors mentioning a subject.

d.    Only one author mentioning a subject.

e.    The way the account is told by each author may vary a little.

1)    One contains a lot of information.

2)    One contains only a little information.

f.     Some slightly different wording because the Spirit inspired these men but used their experiences to tell the story.

d.    NOTE:  Each of the three writers wrote to different audiences for different purposes.  This, too, accounts for differences.

3.    John’s gospel is very unique. 

a.    It was the last gospel written.

b.    It was written to a general audience.

c.    It was written to combat the seeds of Gnosticism that were sprouting in the first century.

d.    It is in chronological order, but John has a definite purpose in mind (John 20:30-31).

 

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book:  but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

 

e.    John only focuses upon about eight days in the life of Christ after he concludes the Prelude of John 1:1-18.  In verse 19, he writes:  “And this is the record of John…”

f.     NOTE:  John does give us information that the other gospel writers do not.

1)    The Prelude (John 1:1-18).

2)    The Miracle of Water to Wine (John 2:1-11).

3)    Discussions with the Nicodemus (John 3) and the woman at the well (John 4).

4)    The Raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11).

5)    The complete narrative of Jesus in the upper room with His disciples (John 13-17).

6)    Jesus’ discussion with Peter following the resurrection (John 21:15-17).

4.    It is okay to study each gospel independently.  However, when there is an account of something discussed in the other gospels, it is good to go to those accounts so you get the complete picture.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  The Swords of the Disciples

 

A.   Stated:  Why did Jesus tell His disciples to buy a sword?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The words of Jesus to this end are found only in Luke’s gospel (Luke 22:35-38).

2.    In verse 36, we find Jesus exhorting His disciples to buy a sword.

 

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his script:  and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

 

3.    Jesus is contrasting the two commissions the disciples were sent upon.

a.    The first was the limited commission.

1)    They were only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:5).

2)    They were sent for a limited time.

3)    They were to rely on their brethren to take care of them (Matt. 10:9-10).  The principle was stressed that “the workman is worthy of his meat.”

4)    NOTE:  Luke 22:35

 

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and script, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?  And they said, Nothing.

 

b.    He contrasts that commission with their future mission in verse 36 using the words:  “But now…”

1)    The Great Commission would be much different.

a.    The mission is “forever” in scope.

b.    The mission is far beyond the borders of the land of Canaan.

c.    The mission will take them into dangerous places.

d.    The mission will bring them in contact with some very evil individuals.

2)    On this journey, He exhorts them to bring a purse, script, and a sword.

a)    Purse = money       Script = leather pouch for goods  Sword

b)    Why the sword?  The most obvious answer is for protection.

-      They would come in contact with wild beasts.

-      Too, they might be overtaken by thieves and murderers and would need to defend themselves (Exo.22:2).

 

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

 

c)    Jesus was informed that at the time they had two swords among the group.  “And he said unto them, It is enough” (v. 38).

c.    An important point:

1)    Jesus never authorized the use of sword in order to advance the kingdom or to protect one from persecution for His name’s sake.

2)    In fact, it was just the opposite.

a)    When Peter drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus commanded him to put his sword back into its sheath (Matt. 26:52).

b)    When Jesus explained the nature of His kingdom to Pilate, He noted that because it was spiritual kingdom, His servants would not fight (John 18:36).

 

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  Luke 16:17

 

A.   Stated:  What is the meaning of Jesus’ words in Luke 16:17, when He says: “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The context:

a.    Jesus taught:  “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13).

b.    The Pharisees who were covetous heard this, “and they derided him” (Luke16:14).

1)    Literally:  to turn the nose up

2)    They outwardly sneered at Jesus’ words.

c.    Jesus, then, confronted their hearts and said that the things men highly esteem such as riches are an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).

d.    Jesus seems to change the subject in Luke 16:16.

 

The law and the prophets were until John:  since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

 

1)    Jesus’s teachings were part of the doctrine of the coming kingdom.

2)    This kingdom began with the preaching of John the Baptist.

a)    Matthew 3:1-2

 

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.  And saying, Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

b)    By this time, Herod had already beheaded John.

3)    Jesus’ teachings had been sternly challenged and rejected by the Jewish leaders.  They did all they could do to keep men from adhering to the doctrines of Jesus Christ.

4)    Thus, men were being taught to enter the kingdom under duress and the threat of violence.  This is the meaning of Jesus’ words:  “…and every man presseth into it.”

e.    It was at this point that Jesus made the statement that our questioner is concerned about. 

 

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

 

1)    The law had predicted the coming kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:2-4).

2)    It was now on the verge of coming into physical existence.

3)    Jesus asserted that it was easier for heaven and earth to pass away than it was for “one tittle” of the law to fail.

a)    It would take something beyond human effort to bring the earth to its destruction.

b)    In essence Jesus is saying that the law is true, faithful, and will no doubt be fulfilled in its completeness, down to the smallest tittle.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have examined three questions.

1.    One dealt with information dealing with the gospels.

2.    One dealt with a passage only recorded in Luke’s gospel about swords.

3.    One dealt with the meaning of the words of Jesus regarding the Law of Moses.

 

B.   As we look at books, chapters, and verses, let us remember:

1.    Context is important.

2.    Comparisons are important.

3.    Contemplation is important.

4.    Conclusions are important.

5.    Compliance is important.