Divers Temptations

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King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]

Date: Thursday, November 09, 2023
Chapters: MARK 14, LUKE 22
Message: Divers Temptations

Hello My Friend,

As I was reading the chapters for today, two things came to mind, temptation and prayer. Did you know that there are two types of temptation? We have the temptation that we all are aware of and that is the enticement to sin. Well, more often than we realize the temptations we face as saved, born again Christians is not an enticement to sin. What we face are what is called divers temptations, [James 1:2-4  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.]

Divers temptations, are the trials and tribulations that we face as Christians. This is why Jesus, when He taught us how we are to pray, told us to ask our Father not to lead us into temptation, [Matthew 6:9-13  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  11  Give us this day our daily bread.  12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.]

Did you ever pray to God for something and received the total opposite of what you prayed for? Can you believe that people actually believe that Jesus was referring to the temptation to sin? Keep in mind that God may test our faithfulness, but He will never lead us to sin. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Mark and Luke also give the account of the events that took place leaded up to Jesus being captured and crucified, beginning with the plot to kill Him. I do not know if you noticed this, but Mark’s testimony is almost identical to Matthew’s, with the exception of a line or two to give us a little more insight.

[Mark 14:1-4,6,8-9  After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.  2  But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.  3  And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.  4  And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?  6  And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 8  She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.]

[Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.] The uproar meaning, many believed on Him and may go after them if they would just up and take Him like they wanted to. Now, while some of the things that Luke said in his testimony were similar to Matthew’s and Mark’s, Luke tells us a little more, in fact, he goes on to tell us who it was that enticed Judas, Satan himself, [Luke 22:3-6  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.  4  And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.  5  And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.  6  And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.]

[and sought opportunity to betray him…in the absence of the multitude.] Judas, was a thief so it was highly likely that he would be sneaking around. That was when he heard about the bounty on Christ’s head and went to the Jews. Of course, since he was not a believer it was easy for the devil to possess his soul and follow through with this horrible agreement that he made with these men. Did you know that the devil cannot be in more that one place at a time? This is why he has his demons hanging around us. Did you also know that he has personally afflicted you at least once in your lifetime? I believe that he tempts us after we first get saved or are in our most vulnerable state, which is when he tempted Jesus, [Luke 4:1-3  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,  2  Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.  3  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.]

Now, the very next day, Jesus, sent a couple of the disciples to go prepare for the Passover meal, and He had a specific place in mind, [Mark 14:12-15  And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?  13  And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.  14  And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?  15  And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.]

[a large upper room furnished and prepared:] When I read this I could not help, but think about the wedding feast that all Christ’s saints will enjoy, and it would not have been possible if Jesus did not actually become the Passover lamb for His believers, [1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:]

Yes, it is truly interesting that all this took place during Passover and after the Passover meal, but think about what the Passover feast represents. It was a day to remember when the Israelites were still captive in Egypt, God sent the death angel that would take all the first born in the land. If they wanted to spare death in their home they needed to kill a lamb, take the blood, apply it to the doorpost, roast the lamb, and eat it. When the death angel passed by their homes, he only passed over those homes if he saw the blood upon the doorpost, [Exodus 12:1-28]. Jesus, is that Passover lamb, the spiritual flesh that we eat and the spiritual blood that we drink for our soul to be saved from death. And this is exactly why Jesus had the communion with the disciples.

[Luke 22:14-20  And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  15  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  16  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  17  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:  18  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.  19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.]

[I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:] This brought me to tears as Jesus wanted one last meal with His beloved disciples, even though He knew one of them was possessed of the devil. Jesus knew that shortly after they left that room that He was going to be captured. So, as they are eating and rather enjoying each others company, Jesus, pops up and announces that one of them was going to betray Him, [Mark 14:18-21  And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.  19  And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?  20  And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.  21  The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.]

[good were it for that man if he had never been born.] In other words, that man is going to wish he were never born. I find it interesting that the disciples were wondering just exactly which one of them were capable of betraying Jesus. I mean, who would be so bold to ever attempt to betray Jesus. Well, one of them was and that conversation literally had them bickering at each other over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, to which Jesus responds.

[Luke 22:25-32  And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  26  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.  28  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  29  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  30  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.]

[Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.] These would be the trials and tribulations that I was talking about. Jesus, is His afflictions, reproaches, and ensnaring questions of the Scribes and Pharisees, and their numerous attempts to take away His life. We are going to be reproached with a lot of divers temptations, but Christ will give us the way to endure them all, [1 Peter 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.]

Of all the disciples, why was Satan able to get to Judas? Well, the truth is, he was probably desiring to sift all of them like wheat, but Judas was unlike the rest of the disciples, who truly believed that Jesus is the Christ. This was all the ammunition Satan needed to bring him to want to betray Jesus. However, watch what Jesus says to them as they were headed out.

[Mark 14:26-31  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  27  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.  28  But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.  29  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.  30  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  31  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.]

[I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.] Jesus was referring to this verse, [Zechariah 13:7  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.] However, we need to also recognize the rest of the passage, [Zechariah 13:8-9  And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.  9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.]

As strong as our faith is, there are times when we do get offended, and I am not talking about doubting our salvation, I am talking about enduring those temptations. We get scared or worried that we are going to get hurt, and therefore, we end up trying to handle things on our own rather than trust God. Well, all of those trials and tribulations that we encounter after we are saved are being used to put us in the fire and refine us into someone resembling God’s Son. Now, there is a time to actually lay low and to fight, Jesus, has always told us that it is better to turn the other cheek than fight, but we are not push overs. Jesus, goes on to tell them that now it was time for them to be ready to fight.

[Luke 22:35-38  And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.  36  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  37  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  38  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.]

[for the things concerning me have an end.] We too have an expected end, all of the temptations that we will be face with, both kind, and all of the pain and suffering that comes with them will all come to an expected end, and we will never have to suffer ever again, [Jeremiah 29:11-13  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.]

None of us will say that we will deny Christ, and yet there are times when we actually do without realizing this. I have been guilty of this a time or two, especially when I was a young Christian, I did not speak about Jesus to avoid confrontation. You know though, there is a time to be silent, and then there is a time to speak. Jesus tells the disciples, that this was now time to fight, even if they had to go buy a sword. Well, the time drew near that Jesus would be captured, He left the disciples that were with him and went up to pray.

[Mark 14:32-38  And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.  33  And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;  34  And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.  35  And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.  37  And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?  38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.]

[And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground,] I think about this and it reminds me that we all have a cup that we must bear that is similar to what Jesus bared (although not so severe), and we are given these little cups that we endure that keep reminding us that all things truly are possible with God. Now, while Jesus went up to Mount Olives, He went up to Gethsemane and began to pray to His faith, and I can truly relate to the disciples who kept falling asleep.

[Luke 22:41-46  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  44  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  45  And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  46  And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.]

[and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down] Can you imagine praying so hard that you sweat blood down from your face? I have had some deep and sorrowful prayers where I truly felt those angels ministering to me, strengthening me. And yes, all Christ’s saints have angels watching over us, ministering to us, giving us strength to endure our temptations. Sometimes, we cannot utter one word to God because we are in such pain. I recall several times when all I do is continually call out His name, and nothing more. God knows exactly what our sorrow is, and is always right there, and with His angels, [Psalms 91:9-11  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.]

At this point, Jesus, fully God, yet individually in the person of the Son of God, feels that deep sorrow that we all have when we are faced with temptation. Jesus, He came here for one reason, and that was to be that Passover lamb that would save every soul who believes in Him, and therefore, He was willing to do whatever it took. And now, His passion was about to begin, no sooner than Jesus tells the disciples to wake up, here comes Judas with an army.

[Mark 14:42-50  Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.  43  And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  44  And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.  45  And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.  46  And they laid their hands on him, and took him.  47  And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  48  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?  49  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.  50  And they all forsook him, and fled.]

[And they all forsook him, and fled.] Not just one, but all twelve disciples fled. Did you notice what Judas said? [take him, and lead him away safely.] Did he really not understand that they were going to kill Jesus? We learn that later on as he discovers what he did was wrong, and ends up hanging himself, [Matthew 27:5]. No one wants to endure the temptations that come with life, but they are some things appointed to us that we must endure, [Romans 8:28-30  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]

Now, even though Satan cannot get to a saved soul, that does not mean that he cannot put doubts and fears into us to influence us to go against God. The key to keeping our faith strong so that when Satan does sift us like wheat is to keep our heart perfect toward Christ. Make no mistake, since life is not perfect our heart is not always going to be perfect, but as long as we are faithful, He will never leave nor forsake us. Why? Jesus knows our true faith, He also knows that we are capable of doing some crazy things out of fear. And this is why Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him after He had been taken.

[Mark 14:51-59  And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:  52  And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.  53  And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.  54  And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.  55  And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.  56  For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57  And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58  We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.  59  But neither so did their witness agree together.]

[I will destroy this temple…and within three days I will build another] What Jesus actually said was, [John 2:19b  Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.]. He was referring to the Jews who wanted to kill Him, and He proved them right when they condemned Him to death. Let me tell you, God uses every temptation we face to determine our faith, and that is what He responds to. We are not always going to endure that temptation so well, in fact, we will fail Him quite often, but He knows our heart, and just like He went to Peter and told him to take care of His sheep, He wants us to do the same thing. That is why Jesus places us in the midst of the wolves, He sends us out there to take care of His sheep. Let me tell you, true joy comes when we minister to those who are weaker than we are,

[Romans 15:1-4,13  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.  3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.  4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.]

How would you like to have Jesus look over at you after you have denied knowing Him? Let me tell you, God uses every temptation we face to determine our faith, and that is what He responds to. We are not always going to endure that temptation so well, in fact, we will fail Him quite often, but He knows our heart, and just like He went to Peter and told him to take care of His sheep, He wants us to do the same thing. That is why Jesus places us in the midst of the wolves, He sends us out there to take care of His sheep. Let me tell you, true joy comes when we minister to those who are weaker than we are.

[Luke 22:63-71  And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.  64  And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?  65  And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.  66  And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,  67  Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:  68  And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.  69  Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.  70  Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.  71  And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.]

[If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me,] I suppose at any point, Jesus, could have called the devil to come out of him like He had done with so many others who were possessed with demons, but I believe there were two reasons why. One; Judas was a reprobate and two; the prophecies were about to be fulfilled. Satan, can oppress believers, but he cannot possess believers, and let me tell you, this is all God’s plan and I much rather be on the Jesus side rather the Judas side any day, thank you God! [Romans 9:21-23  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?  22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:  23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,]

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I know that my flesh is weak and my faith is not always strong, I might not always be in Your will, but I do know that You are with me every step of the way. Living in Your will is not always easy, I have to give up some of the things I love, suffer through some things, deal with ungodly people, who say they are Christians, even do some things I do not want to do, but I know that it comes with the greatest rewards. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, mercy, and grace, keep my heart tender and willing, show me the path You have for me, give me the wisdom, understanding, discernment, and strength I need to endure its temptations. Keep me looking to You at all times so that I can boldly proclaim You are mine, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from all evil. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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