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Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. Genesis 37:36 (ESV)

How can anyone say the bible is boring, the true stories it records are relayed in such captivating way and trump the false stories from hollywood as the bibles accounts hold important lessons of eternal significance. If you read through the chapter quickly… read it again… this time enjoy the story… see the providence and plan of God working itself out.

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 (ESV)

This is a bold declaration by Jesus that he is the Son of God. The start of the answer is only cautious because the contemporary understanding of the messiah was flawed. The second part of the answer is a forceful and affirmative declaration, warning and identification with the prophesies of Daniel and the Psalms that Jesus is the “Son of Man” (The Messiah) who the council would later know as sovereign king and judge.

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. Matthew 26:65 (ESV)

Further confirmation that to the Sanhedrin, Jesus had just boldly declared himself to be the Son of God, which would make him equal to God which in their eyes was blasphemy

Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Matthew 26:67–68 (ESV)

Jesus endured this suffering and shame because of his love, primarily for the Father but also his love for us… Stop and think about this and be thankful.

But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” Matthew 27:6 (ESV)

The sin of legalism had them so bound that while they we scheming to kill Jesus and had just held and illegal trial they were still concerned with this rule

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Matthew 27:11–12 (ESV)

Jesus answer to Pilate again confirms that he is indeed the prophesied king of the Jews but not in the way that Pilate would imagine

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Matthew 27:24 (ESV)

Pilate displayed complete cowardice in trying to please the people. We should not be anything like that.

Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.Matthew 27:26 (ESV)

The scourging of Jesus was one of the cruelest punishments Jesus endured, the following is a note on it from the ESV Study Bible. “Roman flogging was a horrifically cruel punishment. Those condemned to it were tied to a post and beaten with a leather whip that was interwoven with pieces of bone and metal, which tore through skin and tissue, often exposing bones and intestines. In many cases, the flogging itself was fatal. The Romans scourged Jesus nearly to death so that he would not remain alive on the cross after sundown.” Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1885). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. Ecclesiastes 9:2 (ESV)

One appointment we all need have to keep… death! Thank God for Jesus resurrection which gives us eternal life

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 (ESV)

This is what we remember when we have communion. Jesus blood was poured out to save the “many” that would put their trust in him, so our sin could be forgiven. The meal they were eating was the Passover which is fulfilled in Jesus as the true Passover lamb of the New Covenant.

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Matthew 26:35 (ESV)

We must avoid false confidence in the flesh

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 (ESV)

This is where Jesus in a sense won the battle for our souls, by laying down his own will because his deepest desire was to do the will of the Father. We should be the same.

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. Ecclesiastes 8:12 (ESV)

This is very encouraging

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. Genesis 34:2 (ESV)

In today’s language this would be called rape

Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us.” Genesis 34:23 (ESV)

Be careful who you enter into agreement with, you are tying yourself to the person and often it is to their benefit and not yours

And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, Genesis 35:5–6 (ESV)

As we purify ourselves for his service and move forward in faith, God will deal with our adversaries and those around us.

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. Genesis 35:11 (ESV)

God reaffirms and reminds Jacob of his promises (concerning the people and the land) on the basis of His self revelation as God Almighty / El Shaddai (the one able to bring his promises to pass because he has all might). One of the major purposes and themes of the Bible is God’s revelation or self disclosure to man.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

We are called to faithful stewardship of the opportunities and abilities given to us by God. Scholars say one talent was so much money that an average worker would take 19 years to earn it which possibly points to the value we should put on our time, energy, resources and abilities. Like the song that is an anthem for us right now we should serve him with everything. It is encouraging to see the account of the reward that the Lord will give to the faithful slaves (slaves were often like family, more than just a hired servant, nothing like the slavery of modern times) even more joyful responsibility in the kingdom… so we will not be floating around heaven playing harps, we will have joy filled work to do for the king.

But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Matthew 25:26 (ESV)

The climax of this parable is with the last slave, the wicked, slothful and lazy one. Although the parable has encouraged us in the positive sense to invest our lives for the sake of the King and his kingdom the main point is to warn us against lazy inaction, fearful human reasoning and indifference. Let’s not be lazy, we need to wake up, be alert, actively, deliberately and violently serving the king with everything (the 1st and greatest commandment).

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34 (ESV)

God’s pre-ordained plan for the sheep (his elect) is so sure that it was prepared from the creation of the world. This should encourage us to press on to obtain the sure prize laid up for us through “living out” our lives as disciples.

Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Matthew 25:45 (ESV)

The way we treat fellow believers, the Jewish people, the poor etc reveals the truth of who we are in our hearts and points to our relationship (or lack of it) with the Lord.

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. Matthew 26:10 (ESV)

This extravagant worship and sacrifice for Jesus should characterise all believers and should trump any social outreach we are a part of (the 1st command over and above the 2nd). This is one of the reasons her act is remembered in the Gospel accounts as Jesus prophesied.

No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (ESV)

A sober reminder and a good point for evangelism

But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ” Genesis 32:12 (ESV)

Jacob is afraid and so comes to God in humble prayer. He brings Gods promise to him before God in prayer showing that he had faith in the promise and Gods ability to fulfil the promise, although his faith was not perfect as he sent gifts etc to his brother in fear.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Genesis 32:24–25 (ESV)

Jacob wrestled with the pre-incarnate Christ. This is called a theophany when God would appear as a man in the old testament. This is not just symbolic, it actually happened but it does point us to the truth that we too need to persevere and wrestle as it were with God in prayer

Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 (ESV)

This is the origin of the name Israel, God blessed Jacob with this new name and it becomes the name of the nation, it basically means to strive and persevere which has been the character of the nation throughout the ages. We should have the same nature to fight and persevere.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30–31 (ESV)

This is clear the whole world will know and mourn at the Kings return, this is the answer to all Adventist movements including Rastafarianism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses and any other cult claiming the Lord has already returned in anyway.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

Gods word and in this case the specific prophecies of Jesus are settled and eternal. God is sovereign over history and is able to back up his word.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36 (ESV)

This shows the gravity of the incarnation, that the Son was not all knowing in the same way as when he was in his usual state as God

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Matthew 24:42–43 (ESV)

As individual disciples and as a collective church we need to stay awake and alert because Jesus tells us we will not know when he is coming so we should live everyday with the understanding that he may come today (return or call us home).

but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Matthew 25:4 (ESV)

The main point in this parable is explained by Jesus himself in verse 13. We must be alert and prepared for the Lord’s return or call. In practical terms this would involve actively living as disciples of Jesus Christ through reading the bible, prayer, fellowship, serving and worshiping.

But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ Matthew 25:9 (ESV)

preparedness and a life lived working out its sanctification in Christ can not be simply transferred, it is the personal responsibility of every believer to eat (the Bible), breathe (Prayer) and live themselves. Each of us must stand individually before God, we can not live through or on behalf of others.