Archive for category Jesus
Matthew 28:16-20 Reconsidered
Posted by L.G. Parkhurst in Bible, Christianity, Jesus on June 1, 2010
It has come to my attention that recently there has been some discussion of a short article or comment I wrote for The Expository Times in March of 1979. It has also come to my attention that the article is difficult to find. Therefore, you can see The Expository Times cover and read the article by selecting these links:
The Expository Times Cover for March 1979
Matthew 28:16-20 Reconsidered by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
I learned about this recent discussion from a blog entry by Nick Norelli:
Bowman’s Understanding of Matthew 28:17. I was not aware that my comments had been discussed in commentaries subsequent to my writing the article until I read these blog postings. Thank you Nick!
I do hope these comments on Matthew 28:16-20 will be helpful. It is interesting to me at this time to think back that I met Dr. Francis Schaeffer in Rochester, MN in late 1978, and recommitted myself to teaching historic biblical Christianity in one of his meetings in January of 1979. Shortly thereafter, I wrote the above comment for The Expository Times and began a writing and editing ministry in April of 1979. I cannot help but be amazed at the providence of God and give thanks to Him for the blessing of being called to serve Him since my renewed commitment to Jesus Christ in 1979. To learn about some of the lessons I learned from Francis Schaeffer visit: The L’Abri Network.
Love in the Lamb of God,
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
The Death of Lazarus and Jesus Compared
Posted by L.G. Parkhurst in Christianity, Church, Jesus on May 21, 2009
We read about the death of Lazarus and Jesus resuscitating him in John 11. We can make these comparisons and contrasts. Perhaps you can think of others.
1. Jesus asked that the stone be rolled away from the tomb of Lazarus so Lazarus could walk out of the tomb. The women wondered who would roll the stone away for them, for it must have been quite heavy, on their way to Jesus’ tomb. They found the stone rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let the women and Jesus’ disciples into the tomb. In His resurrected body, Jesus could pass through walls. See John 20:26, “A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
2. Lazarus would die again, for Lazarus was resuscitated from the dead, not resurrected. Later, after he died a second time, Lazarus would be resurrected at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
3. Lazarus’ dead body decayed, for his family was concerned about the stench of his body after four days. Jesus died, but even after three days in the tomb, Jesus’ body did not decay. See Acts 13:34-35 in reference to Jesus’ death and burial: “The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: ”I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ So it is stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’” Perhaps even more clear, see “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay” (Acts 2:31).
4. Lazarus had to be unwrapped from the grave clothes; whereas, Jesus passed through His. The fact that Jesus’ body did not decay and He passed through His wrappings give good reasons (among others) for why the Shroud of Turin is probably authentic.
5. Jesus told those present that if they believed they would see God’s glory. They believed, and Jesus acted because they believed, and they saw Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus. After Jesus died, they doubted. Seeing Jesus’ glory as raised from the dead, they came to believe in Him and His resurrection. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He acted because they did not believe.
6. Jesus prayed and knew that His Father would raise Lazarus from the dead. The Father and the Son worked together in raising Lazarus from the dead and defeating death. It was not the case that the Father wanted Lazarus to die and Jesus wanted Lazarus to live. The Father sent Jesus to die in our behalf, and Jesus was willing to die in our behalf. Then, the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus said that He would lay down His life and then take it up again. The Father and the Son worked together in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
7. Lazarus’ death demonstrated the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Because Lazarus died and Jesus raised him from the dead, many believed; while some wanted to murder Lazarus because Jesus had raised him from the dead. Jesus’ death was a substitutionary death for our sins, so God could be just and merciful in forgiving those who repent and believe in Jesus.
Can you think of other comparisons and contrasts?