christianity

JESUS DELIVERED OVER TO DEATH ~ THE SHEPHERD SMITTEN AND THE SHEEP SCATTERED

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. ~ Zechariah 13:7

Zechariah 13:7 is interpreted in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 during the time of the arrest of Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus had said to his disciples, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. ~ Matthew 26:31

Mark ‘s quotation is very similar: And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

At first glance it might appear that God himself personally smote Jesus and scattered the sheep, but it is my conviction that if we examine this text in view of the context as well as the overall narrative regarding the death of Jesus, we will find that Zechariah’s prophecy speaks to the foreknowledge of God regarding the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. The things Jesus endured from the time of his arrest until his death on the cross were the ordained will of God for the salvation of sinners. 

When we examine how the New Testament interprets Zechariah’s prophecy, both Matthew and Mark refer to this passage as the fulfillment of prophecy that Jesus would be forsaken by his disciples. The emphasis is placed on the scattering of the sheep. 

Notice how this verse is used within the overall context in Matthew 26:31-35

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. ~ Matthew 26:31-35

Notice that the emphasis is on how the disciples would respond to the arrest of Jesus. Now, let’s continue reading from Matthew 26.

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. ~ Matthew 26:36-47

Remember Zechariah’s prophecy begins with ‘Awake, O sword, against my shepherd…’ Judas, who betrayed Jesus, led a great multitude with swords and staves. God was foretelling by Zechariah the things which were going to happen on the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas into the hands of men. 

Notice what else Zechariah’s prophecy says: “smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”

What could possibly be meant by “I will turn mine hands upon the little ones ?” The little ones refer to the sheep (the disciples) who were scattered. The same voice which says: “Smite the shepherd” also says “I will turn my hand upon the little ones.” 

Did God personally scatter the sheep? Is there anything within the context or the gospels which would imply that God was personally causing the disciples to faint during Jesus’ time of grief and sorrow?  

Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 22, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” ~ v. 31

Now let’s continue reading from Matthew. 

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. ~ Matthew 26:48-52 

Notice that it wasn’t by the sword that Jesus was smitten, even though Zechariah’s prophecy had said, “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow.” Jesus actually stopped what could have been a very bloody scene. But it was at this time during his passion that Jesus was forsaken by his disciples as was prophesied by the scriptures. Jesus goes one to say, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? ~ v. 53

Jesus could have prayed and received deliverance. This would not have been so if God were personally opposing him (smiting him) in that hour. Jesus wasn’t slain against his will. When he was arrested, he had already taken up his cross by his surrendered obedience to the will of His Father.

Even though those who hated him had sought to kill him from the beginning, they could not touch his life until the Father delivered him into their hands and this did not begin to happen until Jesus gave Judas the command: “What you are going to do, do quickly. ~ John 13:27 

Jesus was given the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again: and though they came with a band of soldiers to take him by force, he was in complete control even as he had been from the beginning. In fact, John tells us that when Jesus told those who came to arrest him who he was, those with the swords and staves went backward and fell to the ground.

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. ~ John 18:3-5

Jesus certainly could have escaped had he chosen too. 

Now, let’s continue:

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. ~ Matthew 26:55-56

Notice how at the beginning of the context in Matthew 26:31, Jesus interprets Zachariah 13:7 as being fulfilled by the disciples forsaking him. Then towards the end of the same context (verse 56) Matthew says: ‘then all the disciples forsook him and fled.’ 

This is the fulfillment of the scripture spoken in Zechariah 13:7.

We must be careful not to create a scenario that the New Testament does not give based on the words “I will smite the shepherd” which is a reference to God’s divine purposes and foreknowledge. Remember that Jesus could have had more than 12 legions of angels at his disposal, even after he prayed through, denying his will for the will of God, 

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. ~ v. 39

It was God’s will for Jesus to be delivered over to death, not delivered from death. Yet in no way did God become opposed to Jesus for that to happen. Jesus took up the cross because it was the Father’s will that he do so and Jesus always did those things that pleased the Father. Thus Jesus laid down his life of his own free will in obedience to the Father’s will to fulfill all that was written concerning him. God did not personally condemn him or afflict him. 

The phrase “I will smite the shepherd” refers specifically to the word of God foretelling in advance what would happen according to the will of God. It does not refer in any way to an angry God pouring out his wrath on his innocent Son. 

The Bible clearly reveals that the offering of Jesus was the gift of God. God was the one who sent his Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. The scriptures had foretold of the Messiah’s death for his people and Christ laid down his life to fulfill the scriptures. In this way he was smitten by God.  

By the divine counsel and wisdom of God he was delivered over to death for our sins (Acts 2:23; Romans 4:24-25; Romans 8:32).  Yet he was unjustly murdered by the hands of wicked men who actually carried out what the scriptures foresaw. 

If we interpret the cross as the wrath of God’s justice whereby God turned against his innocent Son, we face a major conundrum because we have now placed the justice of God at the scene of the crime, and the scriptures clearly state that Jesus was deprived of justice (Isaiah 53:7-8; Acts 8:33) and suffered wrongfully (1 Peter 1:19-25). 

When Jesus suffered and died for us, he was literally showing us the Father’s love for us. 

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. ~ Romans 15:3

May those words “the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me” resonate with us all. And may the Lord give us all understanding.

LOSING THE CALL OF GOD FOR MINISTRY

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

It seems that in recent times there have been more ministry scandals than I can remember in years gone by. Especially among long tenured ministers.

But why?

When ministry becomes one’s career, it is very easy to lose the passion for the call of God that led you into the ministry in the first place. When ministry becomes an occupation rather than obedience from the heart, one might be  more inclined to cover sin than to deal with in head on.

Obedience to the call of God demands that we walk with God and seek his face, while keeping our hearts and lives clean so that we can do his will. This is what burns in the heart of every person who senses the call of God to any real ministry. We want to be right with God so as to please him and fulfill what he has called us to do.

When a called person loses this, they lose the ministry to which they were called. Real ministry is to be done from a pure heart and a clean life. Too many paid ministers have lost their calling and are now serving for a paycheck.

Those who are called by God while working for a living outside of ministry don’t tend to have the same issues with covering up sin as those who are ministers by profession. I am sure there are exceptions, but for the most part those who feel called by God desire to obey him and tend to seek God’s face and shun sin and ungodliness.

Their ministry depends on their devotion to God (their prayer time, study of God’s word, and commitment to service unto the Lord). If they fall into sin, they either repent and make things right or stop ministering altogether.

When ministry becomes a job for a paycheck, it’s easy to lose the passion for the call of God in your life. If the truth were known, I think we would find that many “professional” ministers have very limited skills, if any beyond their ministry career. They would be completely lost if they had to rely on a non ministry job to pay their bills.

Professional ministry tends to cover sins because exposing sin is bad for business. In other words, it could affect the pay check. When a paycheck is not in the equation, it’s much easier to stay focused on what the Lord would have you do, and to take a break if you need time to get things in your life right with God.

While there is nothing wrong with being supported in ministry, we must always remember that ministry is a calling and not a business opportunity. Whether you are a salaried minister or you minister with no financial support, make sure to serve God from the heart as one who has answered the call of God and will give an account to Him.

KING JAMES ONLY? HMM… NOT SURE ABOUT THAT

/ Michael Battle / 2 Comments

Recently I have stumbled upon the King James only crowd. Now, I knew they were out there, but I had never taken the time to pay much attention to their views, but wow, they are pretty extreme in my opinion.

Now before I continue, allow me to say that I personally like the KJV. I have used the KJV for scripture references in my writing more than any other translation of the Bible. There are multiple reasons why I have done this. One is that the KJV is generally recognized and accepted by most Christians, even by those who prefer a different translation. Another reason is that I simply did not want to deal with people who might complain about my using a translation they viewed as corrupt, so the KJV was a safe translation to use. I also used it because I actually like it, and because it is in the public domain, so I didn’t need to be concerned about any copyright issues.

With that being said, I am not a King James only advocate, and quite honestly I don’t comprehend how anyone who actually gives any time to critical thought on the issue could take such a position. It’s one thing to prefer the KJV version, it’s another to claim that it is the authorized version and all other English translations are corrupt.

I find the argument that the KJV is the only reliable English translation, while all other English translations are corrupt, sadly lacking any sound reasoning. Now, this will not be an exhaustive rebuttal to King James only, not by any means, but maybe it will help others sort through the confusion.

Before starting this article, I came across another article titled, “Why I Am King James Only.” Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I did not read all of the article, but I read enough to draw an example from that I see from the KJ only crowd.

The author of the article talked about the time when he switched from the KJV to another translation many years ago and later discovered that the other translation was corrupt. The other translation was NASV according to his article, but I think he meant the NASB because the two “corrupted” texts which he cites reads exactly as it appears in the NASB.

One of the verses referenced was Luke 2:33. Here is how they appear in the NASB in contrast to the KJV.

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. ~ NASB

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. ~ KJV

Because Joseph and Mary were referred to as Jesus’s father and mother in the NASB (which is a reference to Jesus in his childhood), the writer of the article has ascertained that the NASB was denying the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. He writes: Did you notice the difference in the two versions? In the NASV, Luke 2:33 refers to Joseph as the father of Christ which would deny the Virgin birth.

Full stop! No it doesn’t. 


This is the kind of thing I am referring to when I speak of the need for critical thought. If the NASB were trying to deny the virgin birth, why would there be the detailed account of the angel Gabriel appearing to the virgin Mary, telling her that she is pregnant and will give birth to the Son of God, Jesus?

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God. ~ Luke 1:26-35 NASB

How can anyone read these verses and reach the conclusion that the NASB is denying virgin birth in 2:33? Yet this is the kind of thinking I see among the KJ only crowd. They seem to like cherry picking certain texts and projecting onto those texts accusations that are easily proven to be false.

And it gets even worse, I recently came across a King James only advocate who claimed that the King James Bible supersedes the Hebrew and the Greek. He has a YouTube Video with that very title.

Hearing someone claim that the KJV somehow supersedes the original texts which were given by the Holy Spirit to the prophets, apostles, and holy men of God is quite disturbing, especially when we consider that Jesus’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension were the fulfillment of what was written in the holy scriptures concerning him.

Jesus fulfilled those scriptures more than 1500 years before King James was even born, so no one should elevate the King James Version as being the authorized Word of God and superior to the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of the scriptures. Without the Hebrew and Greek texts, the KJV would not exist.

How anyone could promote the idea that elevates the KJV to the status of the scroll of the book of Isaiah that Jesus read from when he said “this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” is beyond me. Many scriptures were fulfilled many centuries before the KJV translation existed. It cannot possibly supersede what it is translating.

Furthermore, the King James Version was translated from later manuscripts which date from the 5th to the 12th century. In contrast, the NIV was translated using earlier manuscripts than the KJV. The NIV does not answer to the KJV, but to the manuscripts from which it was translated.

Even so, the King James Only crowd likes to pile on the NIV as corrupt, but it only takes a little investment of one’s time to find out that their claims are flawed.

One argument that is made is that other translations such as the NIV detracts from the deity of Christ. For example, the NIV uses the words, one and only rather than only begotten, when referring to Jesus as the Son of God.  Yet, these expressions are saying the same exact thing. A translation does not have to use the words only begotten to communicate that Jesus is God’s only Son, having the same divine nature as God the Father.

Another text that the King James Only crowd makes an issue of is 1 Timothy 3:16, which in the KJV says, God was manifest in the flesh.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ~ KJV

I actually love this translation that God was manifest in the flesh, but if it is worded differently in another translation that does not mean that it is corrupted. For example, the NIV rendering of the same text says the following.

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. ~ NIV

Using the pronoun “He” in 1 Timothy 3:16 is not an attack on the deity of Christ. How can you attack the deity of Christ when you say “He” in whom the mystery of godliness is revealed, has appeared in the flesh? That is exactly what the NIV is saying.

The one in whom the mystery of godliness dwells appeared in the flesh. No other person in scripture is spoken of as appearing in the flesh. Not Abraham, not Moses, Not David, not the prophets, not anyone. Only Jesus. The declaration that the mystery of godliness has been revealed because “He appeared in the flesh” speaks overwhelmingly to the deity of Christ.

Now, consider the following texts which all confirm the deity of Christ in the NIV. There are more, but these ought to suffice. If the NIV were corrupt and attempting to detract from the deity of Christ in 1 Timothy 3:16, they would not have overwhelmingly affirmed Christ’s deity in other texts.

In Matthew 1:23, the NIV confirms that the name Immanuel means God with us. Don’t get hung up on the Elizabethan English of the KJV which spells Immanuel with an E instead of an I. They are communicating the same message, that Christ incarnate is God with us.

In Titus 2:13 the NIV refers to Jesus Christ as our great God and Savior.

If the NIV is some sort of corrupt translation that hides the deity of Christ in 1 Timothy 3:16, then why doesn’t it hide the deity of Christ Titus 2:13?

Just a little bit of critical thought would guide a person to consider the whole of a translation’s texts to determine if that translation is in opposition to orthodox truth. The NIV (as with other translations) confirms the deity of Christ over and over again.

Most English translations of Titus 2:13 refer to Jesus as the great God and Savior. One translation says, “Mighty God and our Savior.” Is that translation corrupt because it uses the word mighty rather than great? Absolutely not! God is referred to as mighty in the scriptures, and in the KJV! Thus, no one should have a problem with it because it is a good rendering of the same truth.

Why anyone needs to explain such is what is most concerning to me. If I say my wife is my bride, I am in no way denying that she is my wife. The fact that all English translations refer to Jesus as God in Titus 2:13 is evidence that there is not a collective effort by those translations to deny his deity.

In Colossians 2:9 the NIV says in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.

In John 8:58, the NIV quotes Jesus as saying,  “before Abraham was born, I am!” The name “I Am” is the name that God told Moses would be his memorial to all generations. When Jesus says “I AM” he is claiming to be God and the NIV doesn’t hide this from us.

Consider the NIV translation of John 1:1-4, 10, and 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ` v.1-4

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ~ v.10

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ v.14

All of these verses speak of Christ’s deity. Now consider Colossians 1:15-16 where the NIV once again confirms that Jesus is the creator.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

The NIV testifies that Jesus is the Almighty God in Revelation 1:8, 17, and 18

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” ~ v. 8

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ~ v. 17

I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. ~ v.18

The NIV speaks of Jesus again, as the Word of God in Revelation 19:11-13.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ~ Revelation 19:11-13

Furthermore, in Hebrews 1:8 in the NIV speaks of Jesus as God.

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
There are other texts that could be given, but these ought to be enough to show that the NIV is not a corrupt translation that detracts from the deity of Christ. Making such claims is simply a false witness.

It is fine to love and cherish the KJV, and there is nothing wrong with it being a person’s favorite version or only choice they want to read and study, but to refer to other translations as corrupt because of your personal bias is not good.

We need to mature in our thinking.