The Plain Gospel

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way, he said to them, Matthew 20:17-19 https://biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matt.20.17-Matt.20.19&version=ESV

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day, he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Luke 18:31-34 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2018:31-34&version=ESV

“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Matthew 26:2 –

His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. John 12:16 – 

Note But they understood none of these things. It was hidden from them, and they did not grasp Jesus said, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days, I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When, therefore, he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:18-22 

In other passage He said  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15  Jesus stated  32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32-33 –

The Apostle Peter wrote, Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 1 Peter 1:10-11 

Daniel said in Daniel 12:8-10  I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel,  for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

It is clear from the Old Testament and the New Testament  that the prophets, the disciples, and Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews they, did not  understood any of things Jesus taught it them even He clearly spelled it out.

Even thou  Jesus stated it three times to His disciples, See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he willing be raised on the third day. The disciples were witnesses when  Jesus was arrested, was put on trial by the pharisee, beaten, handed over to Gentiles and died and rose from the dead. As the Scriptures declare,  When, therefore, he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

 Another example is when Jesus declares to Nicodemus, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.   Nicodemus understood the snake in the wilderness referring to Bronze Snake found in Numbers 22; 4-9 since he understood and was familiar with the story. where  Jewish were complaining about food and God sent fiery snakes and many of the people died And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

What Nicodemus did not understand so must the Son of Man  must be lifted up, until Jesus was lifted up When  He was crucified on the cross is when Nicodemus connected the dots.  Remember it was Nicodemus and Joseph who buried Jesus,  So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 19:40 

How many has us  declares the plain  gospel that Jesus is Son who sacrificed Himself on the cross took the Father wrath and  humanity sins and arose from the dead after three days 

The scriptures throughout the Old and New Testament plainly this  spell out. As scriptures declares, “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7.

During my rebellious years my parents taught me the gospel, the church I  attend taught the gospel yet these thought these Christian were holier than thou. Until I understood Jesus took my place every sins I committed was forgiving by Christ . Also learn My mother was sinner just like me she said Paul I am not perfected 

Such men  like Noah , Abraham ,Issac ,Jacobs, Moses, King David the Apostle Peter and Paul they all failed God  miserly  yet they  understood God forgave them and they understood God’s grace As Scriptures declares, Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1  or Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

 That why we need to pray for the lost since they the gospel clearly for them as well .  Since Jesus redeemed mankind from Adam curse their Jesus came for them as well so that why we need the Holy Spirit transformed theirs lives. As scriptures declares, no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Or how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.  They need our prayers well they are still a live there still hope, 

Yet not  all will not accept Jesus  as Lord even a lavished  life style  For example, the parable  of rich man  and Lazarus  found in Luke 16: 19- 31 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. They both died the rich man was living a lavished 

Paul funeral and was remember for the  great deeds he accomplished well here on earth while poor  man thrown pile garbage heaps  long forgotten not peep was mention concerning his death

Yet heaven tell a different story The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

And the rich called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Since poor man  is in heaven is likely told about God  and mercy yet dismissed as nobody forgetting who gave him the wealth in the first place As Scriptureses, You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18  or  1 Samuel 2:7cThe Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.

1 Samuel 2:8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 

    As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 –

It not suggesting  nor parable is not suggesting that all wealthy people are going to hell or every poor is person going to heaven. The salvation plan is meant for the wealthy and the poor The rich  simply did believe and Lazarus believe in God

This Friday is Good Friday a important day for those who follow Christ is day where we commentate and where we reflect on the Jesus death