WHEN HE WAS SET
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 5:1 ¶ And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Over the years of careful Bible study, (although we greatly appreciate the learned scholars who have wisely set forth the structure of our King James Bibles), we have seen several places where the chapter divisions, in our opinion, were ill advisedly placed. This present text is one of them. Another is the division between the second and third chapters of the Gospel of John. In our opinion the third chapter of that gospel should begin with the 23rd verse of the second chapter. And in both these places, a careful reading of these divisions will make it apparent to the serious Bible student.
Even in the early years of public school we were required to memorize “The Beatitudes,” impressing upon our minds the morality that is the only concern of the Harlot Church. But later in life the Holy Spirit revealed to us the importance of those last three verses, harmfully separated into the fourth chapter of this gospel. And with the reading of Matthew chapter five actually beginning with Matthew 4:23, that first phrase of Matthew five began to take on its proper meaning. For then we see that the “great multitudes” which were every one delivered from their physical malady and put into a healthy body, were not those to whom the Lord would deliver into a healthy spiritual condition.
For “seeing the multitudes” of those only concerned for their physical condition, he separated himself into an elevated place, requiring those to whom he would minister regarding their spiritual health to put forth the effort of coming apart from the world in order to attend the things of the spiritual! For knowing the secret intents of the human hearts, he knew the difference of the religious from the spiritual. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. For there was a great difference between those who only sought the Lord Jesus for the physical bread from those who sought him as the living Bread to nourish their souls!
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The Lord brought this very matter up to the nobleman whose son was sick. John 4:45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. 46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
And yet being among these sinful multitudes he was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:26 But he was not just among sinful mankind, as he came, “Out of the Ivory Palaces, into a world of woe.” But he was surrounded by multitudes of both sinful and diseased humans. And as he had truthfully stated, “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23 What a severe trial this was to the god-man, who thought it not robbery to be equal with God! Philippians 2:6
But he would yet farther abase himself in order to accomplish his Father’s will! What a glorious Saviour! Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
For here we find it stated, “and when he was set” upon soil that had been cursed due to these human’s sin. Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Yet His unbelievable suffering and separation from his Father was going to rectify his people’s fall into such a sinful condition. For his atoning aroma, pictured by Noah’s sacrifice upon the washed earth, had great affect upon his Father’s heart as it filled his Father’s nostrils! Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
He is truly worthy of all praise! Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
He had been, prior to his Incarnation, so far above the view even of the angels, that they came in multitudes to crowd around that manger in order to view God’s achieved humanity! Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
For heretofore, prior to his Incarnation, his throne was upon a sapphire pavement, far above the angels heads. Ezekiel 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 10:1 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
Yet within only a few additional chapters of Ezekiel’s writings we find Him pictured as being set among Israelites sent into Babylonian captivity for their sins against Jehovah! Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. He most certainly was truly gracious in order to condescend to men of low estate. He surely is Emmanuel – “God with us!”
Our sin had lost us the glory! Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; And He alone was the only one who could recover it for us! John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
All Glory To God, And The Lamb Forever!
And where is he physically set now? Consider these verses: Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry (various) times and in divers (different) manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
How then are present day believers able to benefit from their Saviour, being so highly exalted above them? Those who are keeping his spiritual instructions, do so by the other Comforter whom he has sent unto us. For we have communion with him by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
John 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
The Holy Spirit completes the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ was to die to provide us entrance into the presence of the Father. And the Spirit’s ministry is to make application of that cleansing blood and to progressively reveal the Lord’s will for each of us as we progress through the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
For He is that “unction” – anointing – whereby we know the mind of God for our daily walk! 1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Each believer must learn to both identify and trust the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. For He is always with them, even when they cannot have access to their Bibles, nor fellow believers, nor any human minister! Isaiah 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Harlot religion has crippled us by making us believe we must have human help and support in order to walk pleasing to the Lord. But just as the star disappeared after it stood over the house where the young child was, so the need of human helps gradually fade as the trembling believer ventures out on their own God-granted faith! Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Pastor Gene Breed
April 22, 2023
