Irmela

Q14. (Galatians 4:4-5) Why do you think God sent Jesus into this world when He did? God had promised long ago through His prophets, throughout the ages to send the Redeemer/Messiah to His Own. When the time was right religeously, culturally, commercially and politically, then Jesus was sent into the world. God's timing was perfect. What does it mean that He "redeemed" you? I was condemned to spend eternity in hell because of my sins. There was a price to pay for this not to happen. A sacrifice had to be made. Christ paid that price to get me out of that situation. He redeemed me. He paid that sacrifice. He paid with His Life. What does it mean that He "adopted" you? I am no longer a 'slave', but a daughter. Part of God's family. Co-heir with Christ. I fully belong to God (boots and all) What is your inheritance? What is Christ's is also mine. What He inherits I too inherit. He is seated in the heavenlies. My place is there also.

3. Why does Jesus drive the money-changers and sacrifice-sellers out of the temple? What reason does He give? He drives them out because they have made a lucrative business out of it all. Extra is charged for the exchange of the coins and also the unblemished sacrifices are priced very high. The temple is not the place for this kind of business. He spells it out plainly. My house will be a place of prayer and you have made it into a den of thieves. So all He was doing was chasing out the thieves. Starting the cleansing work.

2.In what way is the Triumphal Entry a royal "visitation" or inspection tour? Why are the leaders unwilling or unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the King? Jesus came into the city on the donkey and afterwards went staight to the temple and 'inspected' it. HE threw out the money changers etc. and even stated why He was doing it. "My House shall be called a House of Prayer and you have made My House a cave/den of thieves." The leaders are unwilling to see because their eyes are blinded and hearts hardened to reality. They are lining their pockets with the extra money they are charging. Should they stop this money trafficking, they will not have the extra money.

1. Why does Jesus weep at the sight of Jerusalem? Because of their blindness or because of their fate? Both. He weeps at their willful blindness. They rejected Him as their Messiah. They did not acknowledge Him as their Lord. So much evidence pointed to the fact that He indeed was the One Awaited for for so long. But they stared blindly at that fact. Jesus saw prophetically what was about to happen and it pained Him to know that those He loved would go through such trauma.

Q10. (Psalm 110) According to verse 1, what is Jesus doing at present? He is sitting at the right hand of the Father. What will he ultimately succeed in doing? He will ultimately succeed in bringing the enemy as a footstool under His feet. The enemy will be conquered and He, Christ the Messiah, will rule over all the earth. What is the primary role of a priest? A priest serves as a mediator between God and man. How does Jesus function as a priest who brings us to God? (verse 4). Jesus was also the sacrifice who took our sin upon Himself. He gave Himself as the ransom.

Q9. (Psalm 2:1-12) Why does Jesus provoke such negative reactions from some people? They don't know Him and are afraid to give over the reigns of self control and rebellion. Why do people tend to resist any kind of authority? People tend to be rebellious and proud and prefer being in control and taking charge themselves. What should we do when we detect resistance in our own hearts? Cry to God to help us overcome stubbornness, rebellion and anything else stopping us from full surrender which is causing the resistance. What does it mean to "kiss the Son" (Psalm 2:12)? It means to show respect and honor to Him. To acknowledge His authority in your life. To show full submission to Him.

(Matthew 1:18-25) What do these verses tell us about Joseph's character? His faith? He was a faithful, kind, upright man. Definately thoughtful. We see his priority was to protect Mary, even as he sought to divorce her quietly. He trusted God. When he was told by the angel about Mary's pregnancy, he believed and did not fight against it but supported her and took her home as his wife When he takes Mary home to be his wife, how does this affect his reputation in Nazareth as an upright Jew? His reputation as an upright Jew is spoilt. The fact that he takes her home reflects to all and sundry that he "spoilt" Mary's flawless character and got her pregnant before they should officially have come together.

7. (Isaiah 9:6-7) Why is a never-ending Kingdom an anomaly in world history? Man is corrupt and so sometimes the ruling party is good and sometimes bad. In times of oppression it is often overthrown and a new government comes to rule. That is why a never-ending Kingdom is not found in world History. Why is a just and righteous government so rare? People in general are a selfish bunch. It is only when they meet up with Almighty God that tactics are changed. Very rarely does one find someone in high position being genuinely just and righteous to the poor. What justice will Jesus bring to you when he comes? Justice and righteousness will one day reign through Jeshuah reigning on this earth.

Isaiah 9:6) Paraphrase in your own words the amazing titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. How should knowledge of his titles affect our relationship to him? Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace Truly it encompasses all of life's needs. A Father is one who we look up to being the leader, the champion, the provider, the protector. And here we have Him being the EVERLASTING FATHER. He is always that. Never does it stop. A Counselor is someone you get advice from, whom you share your deepest secrets with, who guides you, who prays with you, who feels with you what you are going through. Here we have Him being a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR. Wonderful being admirable or terrific. Giving counsel that I can trust. A Prince taken to be a champion among men. A PRINCE Of PEACE is thus a champion peace bringer. Peace can be brought about in many ways. Can be by removing the "obstacles" causing problems or changing these obstacles or enabling the one without peace to experience peace in the storm. Then also MIGHTY GOD. Can be seen as a warrior God. No one can stand against Him. He is the King of kings.

Q5. (Isaiah 9:1-2) Why do people choose to live in darkness when light is available? (John 3:19). I think when one has not come fully into the open about the sin committed, then the light frightens one and the darkness seems more welcome. Also one believes that acquaintances and friends will look down on one when this "not so good" part of one's life is exposed. More often than not it is because one is bound by sin that has become a habit and one does not desire to let go of it. Why do people seem to resist the Light of Jesus? Because light automatically drives away darkness. When you live in sin (darkness) you shy away from the Light of Jesus because it will expose the sin. Why do you sometimes hesitate to step into Jesus' full light? Sin already committed or thinking wrong thoughts as reflected in Matthew 5- 7, in the Sermon on Mount, is what has made me hesitant or fear exposure. How did Light transform the reputation of Galilee? Galilee was an area of "mixed" people. It was known as Galilee of the Gentiles. So it was a despised place. Jesus came and showed compassion, acceptance and love in that community and shared His msg of the coming of the Kingdom of God. He healed many and many were set free from demonic power and influence. All this was because the Light had come and was allowed to perform a transformation. How has light transformed your reputation in your circle of friends? The language or vocabulary used, changed. When working in the squatter camp I was known as the woman who prays. Sin changes everything. But Praise God He is the One Who can change all so that the darkness flees and once again one can walk and live in the Light.

Q4. (Genesis 22:16-18; Galatians 3:16, 29) To whom are blessings promised through Abraham's descendant? All nations of the earth are blessed through Abraham's seed. In what way does Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac prefigure the Father's sacrifice of Jesus? Isaac is the son promised to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. They have only one son. (Ishmael was by Hagar, the Egyptian maid, then there were those later by Ketura) Abraham was requested to offer Isaac, his only son. Jeshuah is God's only Son. Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the altar and then prepared to kill him (he fully believed that God would raise him from the dead). So one can say he prepared to sacrifice his son. God did sacrifice His only begotten Son. What Abraham was prepared to do prefigured what God eventually did do.

Q3. (Genesis 49:10) What does the image of a lion tell us about Judah's descendant? The way Hanks has taken the image from the "whelp" right through describing the various stages and how they are described throughout the Word is excellently explained. Now we await the final return of the "Lion of Judah, in all His might" How does Jesus qualify for the promise of the ruling scepter? Jesus as the Son of Man comes from the tribe of Judah. He is the King that will return as King of kings and Lord of lords and will reign forevermore. Why is obedience so hard for us? We find it hard to submit to another. Our opinions might vary. I guess it's mainly stubbornness that makes it hard to bend and submit. Why is it so important for us? It is important to work under or submit to a leader so that there is unity.

Q2. (Luke 1:39-45) Why did the angel put Elizabeth and Mary together? Both women needed human support for what they were experiencing at the time. Elizabeth was carrying the child who was to be the "forerunner or announcer" of our Messiah, Who Mary was to bring into the world. How is Elizabeth a comfort to Mary? Mary is unmarried and yet pregnant. Elizabeth greets her excitedly and acknowledges her as "blessed". She is aware of Mary's state. She accepts it and is excited about it. This is a comfort to Mary, whose time of rejection by friends and community is looming ahead. So Mary is strengthened by her words and acceptance. How is Mary and encouragement to Elizabeth? The fact that Mary has come to her, Elizabeth, is a great encouragement, because Mary believed the angel and did not question him, whereas Zachariah doubted at first. Mary is prepared to be helped by the elderly Elizabeth and this also is a great encouragement to her. Together they support each other in the walk God ordained for them. To whom has God sent you to give and receive comfort? To those who are experiencing similar things I have gone through in the past. At the moment to the elderly and lonely.

Q1. (Luke 1:26-38) What honor did God bestow on Mary? To be the Mother of Jesus the Messiah (Son of God). What would this honor cost her? Disgrace/Dishonor in the community at large, disfavor with her family. Misunderstanding from Joseph her betrothed. Terrible anguish eventually as she would see her Son beaten and nailed to the cross. In general a Mother feels and shares her child's pain. This would be so too. What does her response to the angel indicate? She wanted to know how it would come about, but she was also totally submitting to God's will. What discipleship lesson can you learn from Mary's response? To not question the all knowing God. To submit to His will and guidance even if I do not understand. To obey no matter the cost.

5. What was the reaction of the pilgrims to Jesus' glorious entry? The pilgrims were excited and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. Messianic phrases were shouted, eg., "Hosannah to the Son of David; Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord! ; Blessed is the King of Israel". What was the reaction of the Pharisees? The Pharisees murmered and wanted Jesus to stop the crowd. They were not at all enamored with the crowd. Why the difference in reactions? The crowds believed Jesus to be the MESSIAH and the Pharisees did not believe.

4. Why do you think Jesus is now open about being the Messiah, whereas previously this was something he didn't want his disciples to discuss openly? He would have had difficulty to complete His ministry of teaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom. People hoped that He was coming to subdue their oppressors, they did not understand "coming in peace". Now that the end was drawing close, Jesus revealed Who He was, so there was no excuse about not knowing.

3. What elements of the Triumphal Entry point to Jesus' claim to be the King of the Jews, the rightful Anointed One, the Messiah? The donkey that was used had never been ridden before. It had been set apart for a specific use, viz., for when Jesus would use it to ride into Jerusalem. By doing this He is initiating a kingly act. Revealing His intention of coming in peace. Also, by this deed Jesus is revealing openly that He indeed is the long-awaited MESSIAH.

2. What is the significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Why a donkey that no one had previously ridden? Jesus comes in peace. If it was riding on a horse it would be as coming to war. An *** or donkey was ridden by non military personnel. Donkeys were also ridden by noblemen and kings. It is also tradition that no one should use the animal on which a king rides. This donkey had not been ridden before. It was kept for this specific purpose. We have Jesus actually showing openly that He was indeed the long awaited MESSIAH, coming in peace.

1. Why do you think Jesus gave such cryptic instructions to the two disciples about where to find the donkey and what to say if they were challenged? It was not a normal instruction to be given to anyone. Yet, that was exactly what Jesus needed at the time. He needed that donkey to fulfill His Kingly entry into Jerusalem He needed to enter on a donkey, which had nor been ridden before. He also knew where they would find that donkey. For there not to be any trouble Jesus also instructed the disciples as to what to say. Many people were willing to do something for the Master and for Him to use them in any way. So just saying "The Lord has need of it", was enough for there not to be an argument.

6. When you talk about the fruit of your service for God, do you sound more like a victor or a victim? Why? How will that change? Should be victor. If it is victim there is a big question as to who it was done for. The Word clearly states that whatever we do, we are to do it as unto the Lord. Somewhere along the line, there will then be fruit. Be it that I see or that comes at a later stage.

5.. In what way does this Parable promise us more if we need it to develop the Lord's work? What are the conditions? (19:26) If we use what we have then we can expect an increase. By shelving what we have we show that we have no faith at all. Almost like being angry and rebellious. It is like standing on a piece of ground with a spade in the hand doing nothing to get it dug up, but expecting it to get cultivated. What makes more sense is to start digging it up and then we can move on to the next and next..... steps to eventually make it productive.

4. What do the unproductive servant's words tell us about his character? (19:20-21) Why was the master so disgusted with the unproductive servant who never traded with his portion? (19:22-23) Quite brazen to be able to speak to his master like that. Dr Ralph calls it bold. Also possibly lazy in doing nothing with it. Without those bold words one would say he was scared he'd lose it so kept it in safe keeping. The master in turn took him to be wicked and worthless for not having traded with it or for not having deposited it into the bank for safe-keeping and earning interest. The servants actions can definitely be seen as rebellious. There was definately no show of faithfulness and productivity on his part.

3. Why was the master so delighted with the servants who earned 10-fold and 5-fold on his tiny investment? Was it the money or something else? (19:15-19) He was delighted, as this reflected the faithfulness and dependability of those subjects. It was definitely not the money as he had just given them a small amount to work with. It was character he was interested in.

2. In the Parable of the Talents each of the servants had huge sums to work with. In the Parable of the Pounds each has only $7800 or so. Why is Jesus emphasizing this test of faithfulness as a "small matter"? (19:17b) What is large by comparison? It was not the amounts that was looked at but the faithfulness of the servants. They proved dependable and trustworthy and could be entrusted with more.

1. This parable has some allegorical elements. Who is represented by the hated nobleman who becomes king? Jesus, the as yet unrecognized King of the Jews. The Messiah. He Who was hated by the religious people, the Pharisees .