March 16, 2025 – A Study of Matthew – The Choice for Salvation

The Choice for Salvation

Zechariah 11:4-13 - New International Version (NIV)

⁴ This is what the Lord my God says: “Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter. ⁵ Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the Lord, I am rich!’ Their own shepherds do not spare them. ⁶ For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the Lord. “I will give everyone into the hands of their neighbors and their king. They will devastate the land, and I will not rescue anyone from their hands.”

⁷ So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock. ⁸ In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.

The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them ⁹ and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”

¹⁰ Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. ¹¹ It was revoked on that day, and so the oppressed of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the Lord.

¹² I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

¹³ And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.

Which flock is Zechariah to shepherd (verse 4)?

Who does “not spare them” (verse 5)?

What will the Lord no longer have “on the people of the land” (verse 6)?

Which members of the flock did Zechariah “particularly” shepherd (verse 7)?

What were the names of the two staffs that Zechariah took (verse 7)?

How did the flock react to Zechariah (verse 8)?

What was going to happen to the “perishing” (verse 9)?

What was revoked with the breaking of the staff called Favor (verse 10)?

Who “knew it was the word of the Lord” (verse 11)?

How much was Zechariah paid (verse 12)?

What did Zechariah do with what he was paid (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal to us about the choice for salvation?

Matthew 27:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

⁶ The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. ⁸ That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, ¹⁰ and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

When did “all the chief priests and the elders of the people” make their plans (verse 1)?

What did the chief priests and elders do (verse 2)?

How did Judas react when he saw Jesus was condemned (verse 3)?

How did the chief priests and elders respond when Judas said “I have betrayed innocent blood” (verse 4)?

Where did Judas throw the money (verse 5)?

What did Judas do next (verse 5)?

Why was it against the law to put the money “into the treasury” (verse 6)?

What did they decide to do with the money (verse 7)?

What has the field been called (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal to us about the choice for salvation?

In your opinion, how do the reactions of the chief priests and elders to Jesus in Matthew 27:1-10 and the flock the Zechariah to Zechariah 11:4-13 compare?

Acts 22:1-16 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

² When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Then Paul said: ³ “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵ as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

⁶ “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

⁸ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ⁹ My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

¹⁰ “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ ¹¹ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

¹² “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. ¹³ He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

¹⁴ “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. ¹⁵ You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Who did Paul want to listen to his defense (verse 1)?

How zealous was Paul (verse 3)?

Who did Paul persecute “to their deaths” (verse 4)?

What did the voice say to Paul (verse 7)?

Whose voice was it (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why is Paul’s question, “what shall I do, Lord” crucial (verse 10)?

How did Paul get to Damascus (verse 11)?

What did Ananias say as he stood beside Paul (verse 13)?

What did Ananias tell Paul to do (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal to us about the choice for salvation?

In your opinion, how would the flock who detested Zechariah in Zechariah 11:4-13 have been transformed by asking the questions that Paul did in Acts 22:1-16, “who are you” and “what shall I do”?

In your opinion, why did Judas, who “betrayed innocent blood” in Matthew 27:1-10, have such a different outcome than Paul, who admitted to persecuting “followers of this Way to their death”, did in Acts 28:1-16?

Romans 10:11-17 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 

Who “will never be put to shame” (verse 11)?

Who does the Lord “richly” bless (verse 12)?

Who will be saved (verse 13)?

Who has beautiful feet (verse 15)?

What did not all the Israelites accept (verse 16)?

How is the message heard (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal to us about the choice for salvation?

In your opinion, why would the flock, and especially the oppressed of the flock, detest Zechariah in Zechariah 11:4-13 and likewise some of those who heard the message of salvation not accept it in Romans 10:11-17?

In your opinion, what do the “how” questions of Romans 10:11-17 reveal to us about the closeness of Judas to salvation in Matthew 27:1-10?

In your opinion, how does the salvation of Paul in Acts 22:1-16 serve to illustrate the salvation process outlined by the “how” questions of Romans 10:11-17? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from Zechariah, Matthew, Acts and Romans teach us the difference between being saved and remaining lost?

In your opinion, how is the teamwork of Jesus and Ananias in the salvation of Paul an example for us today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

March 22, 2020 – Mark’s Good News about Jesus – What are You Waiting For

What are You Waiting For


Genesis 32:22-32 - New International Version (NIV)

²² That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. ²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

³¹ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

Who did Jacob send across the ford of the Jabbok (verse 22?

What else did Jacob send across the stream (verse 23)?

What did Jacob do until daybreak (verse 24)?

Why did the man touch “the socket of Jacob’s hip” (verse 25)?

What did Jacob want before he released the man (verse 26)?

In your opinion, why did the man ask for Jacob’s name (verse 27)?

Why was Jacob’s name to be changed to Israel (verse 28)?

In your opinion, why does the man not tell Jacob his name (verse 29)?

Why does Jacob call the place Peniel (verse 30)?

Why was Jacob limping (verse 31)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 6:14-29 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, ²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

²¹ Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵ At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶ The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, ²⁸ and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. ²⁹ On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Why had King Herod head about Jesus (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why would people say that Jesus was Elijah or a prophet (verse 15)?

Who did Herod think Jesus was (verse 16)?

Where did Herod order John to be put (verse 17)?

What had John been saying (verse 18)?

Who nursed a grudge against John (verse 19)?

In your opinion, how could Herod like to listen to John, even if he feared him (verse 20)?

What did Herod do on his birthday (verse 21)?

How did the daughter of Herodias please Herod and the guests (verse 22)?

What did Herod promise the daughter of Herodias (verse 23)?

Who told the daughter of Herodias to ask for the head of John the Baptist (verse 24)?

How did the daughter of Herodias want the head to be presented to her (verse 25)?

Why did Herod give her the head of John the Baptist even though he was greatly distressed (verse 26)?

What did John’s disciples do when they heard about what had happened (verse 29)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what could be similar between Jacob’s emotions as he anticipated meeting his brother, who he had overcome years before, in Genesis 32:22-32 and Herod’s emotions as he heard about Jesus and thought that He was John the Baptist raised from the dead in Mark 6:14-29?

Acts 22:1-16 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

² When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Then Paul said: ³ “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵ as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

⁶ “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

⁸ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ⁹ My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

¹⁰ “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ ¹¹ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

¹² “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. ¹³ He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

¹⁴ “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. ¹⁵ You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

What was Paul asking people to listen to (verse 1)?

How did the people respond when Paul spoke in Aramaic (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why does Paul mention that he was a Jew, who studied under Gamaliel and was zealous for God (verse 3)?

Who did Paul persecute (verse 4)?

Why did Paul obtain letters from the high priest and the council (verse 5)?

What happened about noon as Paul was nearing Damascus (verse 6)?

What did the voice Paul heard say (verse 7)?

Whose voice was it that Paul heard (verse 8)?

How did Paul’s companions perceive what was happening (verse 9)?

What was Paul to do (verse 10)?

Why did Paul’s companions lead him by the hand (verse 11)?

Who was Ananias (verse 12)?

When was Paul able to see (verse 13)?

Who had chosen Paul (verse 14)?

What was Paul to be (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why did Ananias say “what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is Jacob being given a new name in Genesis 32:22-32 similar to Paul getting up, being baptized and calling on God’s name in Acts 22:1-16?

In your opinion, how might Herod’s reaction to hearing about Jesus and thinking that He was John the Baptist, who he had liked to listen to but still had killed in Mark 6:14-29 been different if he’d followed the instructions Ananias gave to Paul in Acts 22:1-16?

Hebrews 12:1-3 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What are we surrounded by (verse 1)?

What should Christians throw off (verse 1)?

How should we run “the race marked out for us” (verse 1)?

Who should we fix our eyes on (verse 2)?

Why did Jesus endure the cross (verse 2)?

Where did Jesus sit (verse 2)?

What can help us “not grow weary and lose heart” (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is Jacob struggling with God before getting a new name in Genesis 32:22-32 similar to our throwing “off everything that hinders” as Paul instructs in Hebrews 12:1-3?

In your opinion, how is Herodias in Mark 6:14-29 an example of what can happen if we don’t “throw off . . . the sin that so easily entangles” as instructed by Paul in Hebrews 12:1-3?

In your opinion, how might Ananias’s instruction to Paul to “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” in Acts 22:1-16 have influenced Paul as he was instructing us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” in Hebrews 12:1-3?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Genesis, Mark, Acts and Hebrews teach us about struggling with, holding grudges, seeing the light and persevering?

In your opinion, how can we run our race to Jesus without becoming weary or losing heart?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)