Biblical Book Review

The Training of the Twelve. Chapter 27. Part 2. Sifted as Wheat

This is good news bad news for Peter and by extension us. Satan demanded permission to sift the disciples and Jesus allows it to happen. Satan still knows who is in charge and goes to the master to get the permission he must ask. Jesus warns his disciples the crisis is coming, and they should prepare. During the minor crisis that they had already experienced they all remained faithful but now that Jesus is physically leaving them, he prays that they don’t lose their faith. They were weak but they were not wicked and so Jesus allowed them to be sifted. In going through this sifting there was a benefit for the disciples just as going though spiritual trials today still provides benefits. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH

The Training of the Twelve. Chapter 27. Part 1. The Sheep Scattered

This week we look at the sad reality that at the end of Jesus’ ministry all the disciples forsook him and fled. A.B. Bruce asks the question how should they have acted? Why did they fail? They could have resisted the mob with violence, Peter actually does this with his sword, but this is not the answer. Should they suffer? Jesus says they will, but it is not at this time, at this time they should have faith. All faith comes from hearing the word of God and the same was true for them at this time they should of listened. Their weakness was in forethought, clear perceptions of truth, self-knowledge, and discipline of experience. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH

The Training of the Twelve. Chapter 26. The Intercessory Prayer

A.B. Bruce does a deep dive into what we call the high priestly prayer that is found in John chapter 17. After Jesus talks to his disciples he goes to God In prayer and spends some serious time discussing his immediate followers and those that will follow based off their work. Jesus knows he is on a timeline and tells his heavenly father that the hour has come, it is time for him to go home. The plan has always been for Jesus to die to save us and on the cross Jesus says it is finished. He starts this prayer talking about the 11, these men are the hope of the future, he prays that they remain unified in the truth so they can accomplish what they are sent to do. Then Jesus speaks of us, and we must be sanctified in the truth of God and like the apostles we must remain unified in that truth. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH

The Training of the Twelve. Chapter 25. Part 3. The Little While and The End

Jesus wraps up his farewell address with his disciples with a paradox, he tells them he must go away to be with them. In a little while all this discourse is pointing to, they are all going to be sad for a little while. The spiritual illumination that Jesus is after will be here in a little while. They are shown the light at the end of the tunnel to give them hope and this light is the Holy Spirit with all truth. They will also have unlimited influence with God via the avenue of prayer which was a brand-new concept at the time. Jesus gives them an enlarged heart with hope, and he leaves his peace with them to face all trials. He reassures them that they will have trouble but to take heart he has overcome the world. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH

The Training of the Twelve. Chapter 25. Part 2. Apostolic Tribulations

While Jesus is speaking of the fruit that the apostles will produce, he warns them that they will have trouble. The lesson that he wants them and by extension us to learn is we get to have trouble, it is a privilege. First Jesus says don’t be blindsided by this trouble he tells them upfront that it is coming so they can prepare now. Jesus warns them that the world hated him first and so be ready for the world to hate them to. Jesus also promises them that they will not be alone the Holy Spirit will come but Jesus must leave for that to happen. He must die be buried and then resurrected for the ministry of the Holy Spirit to begin. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz License code: TYRTZVKJOEAFUFTH