

### God's Roadmap to Heaven: Connecting the Dots

### By Carol Bowman

Copyright © 2014 by Carol Bowman

Smashwords Edition  
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Special Note from Carol:

I have used this book for several group discussions. During our time together, many great questions were asked. I'd research the questions and then email the answers out to the group. As you read this book, you may have some of the same questions.

If you are interested in reading the questions and answers, please go here to see them.

### Acknowledgements:

Jesus Christ:

We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. (NT-NLT[1]) Romans 3:22

To the one I trust and who has made me right in God's sight. Thank you, Jesus!

Bo:

And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her... (NT-NLT) Ephesians 5:25

To my husband Bo, who never stops giving up his life for me. Thank you for loving me.

Jessie:

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. (OT-NLT[2]) Psalm 127:3

To my amazing daughter, Jessie. You truly are a gift from God. Thank you for being my beautiful inspiration.

My Pilot Ladies:

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

(OT-NLT) Proverbs 17:17

To my wonderful friends who stayed beside me when three months of work turned into twelve. Thank you for blessing my life with your friendship, love and patience.

Liz Anderson:

When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out.... (NT-NLT) Romans 12:13

To my sweet friend, Liz. Thank you for giving your time and editing gift to help a friend in need.

Miranda:

But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away....(OT-NLT) Isaiah 59:2

... we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son... (NT-NLT) Romans 5:10

To my niece, Miranda, who asked me years ago, "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?" I wish I would have said, "Because of sin, our relationship with God is broken. Jesus died on the cross to give us back this friendship. When we believe this is why he died, then we are God's friends and He will welcome us into Heaven when we die."

Tyndale House Publishers:

Take this message to all the nations... "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." (NT-NLT) Luke 24:47

To Tyndale House, the publishing of this book would not be possible without your permission.

### Table of Contents:

PART A: Journey through the Old Testament Clues (Dots)

Introduction: Getting Ready for Our Journey

DAY 1: God Creates Day and Night

DAY 2: God Creates the Sky

DAY 3: God Creates Land, Sea, Plants and Trees

DAY 4: God Creates the Sun, Moon and Stars

DAY 5: God Creates Fish and Birds

DAY 6: God Creates Animals, People and a Garden

DAY 7: God Rests

DAY 8: The Serpent (Satan)

DAY 9: The Temptation

DAY 10: The Decision to Sin

DAY 11: How Sin Affected Adam and Eve

DAY 12: God Has the Solution for Sin

DAY 13: Cain and Abel

DAY 14: Noah and the Flood

DAY 15: Abraham - A Man of Faith

DAY 16: God Gives Abraham a Promise

DAY 17: Abraham: The Messiah's Ancestors

DAY 18: The Messiah's People

DAY 19: Jacob and His Descendants Go to Egypt

DAY 20: God Sends Ten Plagues to Egypt

DAY 21: The 10th Plague - Passover

DAY 22: The Ten Commandments

DAY 23: Breaking God's Commandments

DAY 24: The Payment for Sin... the Sin Offering

DAY 25: God Gives David a Promise

DAY 26: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Birth

DAY 27: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Birth Place

DAY 28: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Character

DAY 29: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Work

DAY 30: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Sacrifice

DAY 31: Last Billboard... Our Messiah's Timeline

DAY 32: Review of the Old Testament Clues (Dots)

PART B: God keeps His promises!

DAY 33: The Command Given and Jerusalem Rebuilt - God Is Ready

DAY 34: God prepares for Our Messiah

DAY 35: Our Messiah's Birth Mother

DAY 36: Jesus Christ's Birth and Early Childhood

DAY 37: Jesus Christ's Ancestors

DAY 38: John the Baptist makes the Announcement

DAY 39: Jesus Christ makes his announcement

DAY 40: Jesus Christ calls himself the Messiah

DAY 41: Jesus Christ Begins His Work: Healing and Comforting

DAY 42: Reasons for Jesus Christ's Miracles

DAY 43: Jesus Christ's Work: Bringing Good News

DAY 44: Jesus Christ's Work: Comforting the Brokenhearted

DAY 45: Jesus Shows His Authority through His Teachings

DAY 46: Reasons the Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus Christ

DAY 47: The Plot to Kill Jesus Christ

DAY 48: The Last Supper and the New Covenant

DAY 49: Jesus Christ's Betrayal and Court Trials

DAY 50: Jesus Christ's Crucifixion

DAY 51: Jesus Christ's Death

DAY 52: Jesus Christ's Work: Releasing the Captives

DAY 53: Jesus Christ's Resurrection

DAY 54: God shows us the only way to Heaven

DAY 55: Your Choices and Where Your Journey Will End?

Notes

The Old Testament part of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah (chapter 63, verse 15), tells us about Heaven:

LORD, look down from heaven and see us from your holy, glorious home.

Heaven is God's home. It is a holy and glorious place. The word holy actually means "set apart for God." Heaven is not a fairytale place. Heaven is a real place. Have you ever wondered what God's rules are for letting people into Heaven?

If you have a list of things that let people in or keep people out of Heaven then you need to throw it away. None of us can make a list like that. Why? It's because we do not have the right to make such a list. There's only One who will open the doors of Heaven and even He doesn't have a list. He has only one condition and the Bible tells us what it is.

If you are up to finding out the truth, then together we will go on a journey to find it. Are you ready to start?

Note: Every Bible verse in our journey is documented so you do not need a Bible. The verses printed in this book are from the New Living Translation[3] with permission from Tyndale House Publishers. (If you enjoy a different translation please feel free to refer to it.)

### PART A: Journey through the Old Testament Clues (Dots)

### Getting Ready for Our Journey

Our Guide: God

We first need to decide who will be our guide on our journey to Heaven. If we were to go on a journey to visit a friend, we'd ask our friend to give us directions. Our friend would know the best route, the roads to avoid and the landmarks to guide us along the way. For our journey, our goal is Heaven, God's "holy, glorious home." God knows the best route, roads and landmarks to get us to His home. Since Heaven is God's home, God will be our Guide on our journey.

God not only knows the way to Heaven, but He's also completely dependable. He will not let us down or lie to us. How do we know this about God? It's because He gives us His word. In the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Numbers (chapter 23, verse 19) it says:

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind.

Changing His mind and lying are not in God's nature. He doesn't choose not to do these things... He just can't do them. Remember, we are going somewhere we've never been and we need to know that the One who's guiding us will not let us down. There may be times when we will not understand why He takes us certain places, but we will continue to follow Him because we know we can completely trust Him. Any time we have doubts along our journey we need to go back to this fact: God CANNOT lie. He will always tell us the true way to go.

So who will be our guide? God! Now that we've chosen our Guide we need to make sure we take along two more items on our journey.

Our Map: The Bible

We've chosen our Guide and now we will get a map from Him. What map does God give us to follow? The Bible. During our journey we will continually check His map (the Bible) to make sure we are following God's directions.

Why is the Bible so important? In the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Timothy (chapter 3, verse 16) God tells us,

All Scripture (every word of the Bible) is

1) inspired (given to man) by God and is

2) useful to teach us what is true...

First, we need to know God gave the Bible to man. One way of explaining it is to say "God breathed it." He "breathed" it into different people to write down. Here's an example to help us understand. Let's say someone wants to write a book about you. He or she spends time with you and listens to you talk about your memories. The person then writes a book using the information you gave. The writer is the person who writes the words down, but the information is all yours. In the case of the Bible, the thoughts are all God's, but He used different people to write them. Remember, there's only one true Bible and it has one true source: God.

Second, we need to know that the Bible's purpose is to teach us what is true. God gave us the Bible for a purpose and He will do what he promises. He will use it to teach us the truth. The way to Heaven is not a secret and God wants us to know it. Even though other books claim to be from God, only the Bible says it is from Him. God wants to teach us the truth so much that He took thousands of years to put it all down in one convenient book: the Bible. God's done His part and now we need to do our part: Believe Him. That should be easy because God cannot lie!

Let's take a minute to look at the Bible. It is a collection of sixty six, written by more than 40 men over 1,600 years. The Bible is broken into two parts, the Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament tells us how everything began, how things became messed up, and how God plans to fix the mess. The New Testament shows how God carried out His plan.

Personal Item: Our Faith.

There's one other item we need to take along with us on our journey: our faith. The dictionary defines faith as "a trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof." In the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Hebrews (chapter 11, verse 1) gives God's definition of faith:

What is faith? It is the confident assurance (certainty) that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence (proof) of things we cannot yet see.

God describes our faith as our certainty "that what we hope for is going to happen." We can be certain that our hope of finding God and the true way to Heaven will happen because of our faith. Our faith is also proof of something we cannot see. We haven't seen heaven yet, but our faith proves we will see it. At times we may question our journey because we don't see something or we can't touch something. But God says it's not important that we see, touch or feel something. He says it is important to have faith even when we can't see, can't touch and can't feel. He says this is true faith. So, when we start to question our Guide or our journey, it's important to hold onto our faith and continue step-by-step. God will reward us for our faith and the reward will be that what we hope for will happen.

We have our Guide, our traveling items and we are ready to start on our journey. Where do we start? The same place we start all our journeys, the beginning.

### DAY 1: God Creates Day and Night

(Date: First Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.[4])

Let's trust our Guide and start our journey

Our journey starts with how everything began. Why is it important to start here? We need to understand where we came from before we can understand where we're going. If we start in the middle, we only have half the story. If we start at the end, we won't know how we got there. So we start at the beginning. We need to go to our Guide, get the directions from Him and grab our map (the Bible).

The beginning of our journey starts with the Bible's first verse. The Old Testament book of Genesis (chapter 1, verses 1-2) says:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness.

Okay, take a deep breath because here's our first step of faith. First, God tells us He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. If it weren't for God, the heavens and the earth wouldn't be here. This means that the heavens and the earth have a Maker. God decided and He made them, no one else. He gets all the credit for what we see. We need to remember this and make sure we don't give credit to anyone (or anything) else. If we do not give God credit then we are not doing what we promised to do: believe the truth. The truth is God chose to make the heavens and the earth. The Old Testament book of Isaiah (chapter 45, verse 18) says God made the earth for us to live in it:

For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.

What's the second thing we see in Genesis (chapter 1, verses 1-2)? We see the heavens and the earth have a beginning. Their beginning was the instant they came into existence. God even describes what earth was like before: empty, a formless mass. How can we possibly believe this huge earth was formless? God sums it up in one word: faith. In the New Testament book of Hebrews (chapter 11, verse 3), God reminds us that to understand this we need to have faith:

By _faith_ we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

God tells us how the earth started in the Old Testament and He repeats it in the New Testament. He tells us we need faith. Are we going to believe God or not? If we choose to not believe Him then our journey stops here. Is that really what we want? No, we want to believe the truth and continue on our journey. What's our choice? We can almost hear God encouraging us, "Trust me. I do not lie to you. You just need to choose to trust me." He knows this is our decision, and He won't make it for us. So, what do we do? We take the faith we have, whether a little or a lot, and we continue. Remember: it's not the amount of faith we have, but the Object of our faith that's important. Let's stay on the road and continue by faith.

The first two sentences of Genesis give us an overall description of the creation of heaven and earth, but the rest of Chapter One fills in the details. God does not keep the truth a secret. He puts it all in black and white. God's done His part and now we just need to do our part: trust Him and believe the truth no matter what. So, let's see the details of God's first day of creating everything. In the Old Testament book of Genesis (chapter 1, verses 3-5) God tells us:

Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day.

Let's review the details of the first day:

• What happened?

God made the earth out of a formless mass. He also made light. The earth started in darkness then there was light. Did you notice what was missing? The sun. We don't know how He did it, but we know there was light without the sun.

• How did it happen?

God spoke (or commanded) it to happen and the light appeared. He called it into being and there it was. He could have created light in any number of ways, but He chose to speak a command. His next step was to separate the light from the darkness. He even named them: "day" and "night."

• How long did it take?

It took 24-hours. How do we know it was 24-hours? It's because in the original language, when the words evening, morning and day were put together it always meant 24-hours. We have to check our way of thinking against God's word, the Bible. It was written as 24-hours and God means 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

### DAY 2: God Creates the Sky

(Date: Second Day of Creation / 4000 B.C)

On the first day God formed the earth. He also created light and set up the timing for our day and night. Let's see what He does next. In the Old Testament book of Genesis (chapter 1, verses 6-8) he tells us:

And God said, "Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water." And so it was. God made this space to separate the waters above from the waters below. And God called the space "sky." This happened on the second day.

Not much to it, was there? But picture when God spoke the sky into existence. It would have been so amazing to have watched Him do it!

Let's review the details of the second day:

• What happened?

God made a space between the waters above and the waters below. He also named it "sky."

• How did it happen?

God spoke a command and then it happened.

• How long did it take?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

### DAY 3: God Creates Land, Sea, Plants and Trees

(Date: Third Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.)

God then tells us what he did after He created the sky. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, (chapter 1, verses 9-13), He tells us:

And God said, "Let the waters beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear." And so it was. God named the dry ground "land" and the water "seas." And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And so it was. The land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good. This happened on the third day.

Let's review the details of the third day:

• What happened?

God gathered the waters beneath the sky into one place and dry ground appeared. He then named the ground land and the water seas. Did you notice God's reaction? He saw that it was good. This must have pleased him because he used the word good to describe it. He wasn't done with his day yet. He also created grass, plants and trees. Do you see God's order? He created the land and the water before He created the things that would need them. He is a God of order, not of chaos. The Old Testament book of Isaiah (chapter 45, verse 18) says:

For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.

• How did it happen?

He spoke a command and it happened.

• How long did it take?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

Day 3: God created the land, seas, plants and trees.

### DAY 4: God Creates the Sun, Moon and Stars

(Date: Fourth Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.)

God's done a lot in three days, but He wasn't done yet. Now we're going to see what He did on the fourth day. In the Old Testament book of Genesis (chapter 1, verses 14-19), He tells us:

And God said, "Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. Let their light shine down upon the earth." And so it was. For God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. The greater one, the sun, presides during the day; the lesser one, the moon, presides through the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the heavens to light the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. This all happened on the fourth day.

Let's review the details of the fourth day:

• What happened?

God made the sun, the moon and the stars. What was God's reaction? God saw that it was good.

God not only created the sun, moon and stars, but He also controls them. In the Old Testament book of Joshua (chapter 10, verses 12-14), the following event is recorded:

...Joshua prayed to the LORD in front of all the people of Israel. He said,

"Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon."

So the sun and moon stood still until the Israelites had defeated their enemies.

...The sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day. The LORD fought for Israel that day. Never before or since has there been a day like that one, when the LORD answered such a request from a human being.

Note: We need to remember the sun, moon and stars were created by God for His purpose: to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. It is okay to study them (as done by astronomers), but not to attempt to tell the future (as done by astrologers). In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah (chapter 10 verses 2-3), He warns us:

This is what the LORD says: "Do not act like other nations who try to read their future in the stars. ... their ways are futile (useless) and foolish."

• How did God create the sun, moon and stars?

God spoke a command and it happened.

• How long did it take?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

Day 3: God created the land, seas, plants and trees.

Day 4: God created the sun, moon and stars.

### DAY 5: God Creates Fish and Birds

(Date: Fifth Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.)

The next thing God did was to start filling the earth with living creatures. In the Old Testament book of Genesis (chapter 1, verses 20-23), He tells us:

And God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind." So, God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird--each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that is was good. Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."

And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.

Let's review the details of the fifth day:

• What happened?

God filled the waters with fish and other life. He also filled the skies with birds of every kind. He described it as "good."

• How did it happen?

He spoke a command and it happened.

• How long did it take?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

Day 3: God created the land, seas, plants and trees.

Day 4: God created the sun, moon and stars.

Day 5: God created the fish and birds.

Note: from this point forward the Bible references will appear as:

Old Testament – New Living Translation example -

(OT-NLT) Name of Book chapter: verse(s)

New Testament – New Living Translation example -

(NT-NLT) Name of Book chapter: verse(s)

### DAY 6: God Creates Animals, People and a Garden

(Date: Sixth Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.)

A lot happens in the twenty-four hours of the sixth day. The day can be separated into three events. We will start with the creation of the animals.
Part A: God Creates Animals

In (OT-NLT) Genesis 1:24-25, God tells us:

And God said, "Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal--livestock, small animals, and wildlife." And so it was. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to reproduce more of its own kind. And God saw that it was good.

God spoke and the animals came into being. The first animals came forth from the earth. He created all sorts of animals and each are able to reproduce more of its own kind. We need to trust God to tell us the truth about how the animals were created.

Why is it important to trust God on this? It's because He is telling us the first animals did not evolve from anything, He created them. The animals he created are the animals we see today: wild animals, livestock and small animals.

Part A Special Note:

Please consider the following regarding evolution. Evolution is a theory which Charles Darwin honestly acknowledged has flaws. Mr. Darwin stated:

"As by this theory, innumerable transitional forms must have existed, why do we not find them embedded in the crust of the earth? Why is all nature not in confusion instead of being as we see them, well-defined species? Geological research does not yield the infinitely many fine graduations between past and present species required by the theory; and this is the most obvious of the many objections which may be argued against it."1
Part B: God Creates People

In (OT-NLT) Genesis 1:26-27, God starts with the big picture:

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals."

So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.

Then God gives us the details of how He created the first man and woman. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 2:7, 18-23:

And the Lord formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.

And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him." So the LORD God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him. So the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which he had taken it. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam.

"At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called 'woman' because she was taken out of a man."

Let's go back to chapter 1, verses 27-31 for the rest of the details:

So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." And God said, "Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food." And so it was. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Let's look at the details. First, God chose to make people in His image. After He made the choice God then created a man from dust, breathed the breath of life into him and the man became a living person. Man did not start living until God breathed into him. For all the creations before this, God spoke and something happened, but this time God did something different: He breathed life into man. This shows that God has a special connection to people He doesn't have with plants or animals.

God created a man then He created a woman. How did God do it? He put the man into a deep sleep, removed a rib from his side and made the woman from the rib. Not only is she created in a unique way, but she has a special job: helper/companion for the man. She was created because she is the only one who is suitable for the man.

After God created the man and woman He gave them a blessing. This blessing shows they have God's special favor. The best part is who gave it. It was God. Can you see how special we are to God? He made us in His image, breathed life into us and He chose us to be special above all of His creation. He even announced how special we are to all the heavens and the earth. We are loved by God!

Right here and now, we have to get it into our minds and hearts that God loves us! We need to hold onto the truth that we are loved by God above everything else. We didn't do anything to be loved. We are special because God loves us.

Part B Special Notes:

Note #1: It's important at this point to understand all that God included in people. When we look at people, we know God made people with bodies. When we talk to people, we know God made them with minds. But is the body and mind all people have from God? The (OT-NLT) Psalms 84:2 says: With my whole being, body and soul... This tells us God also gave each person a soul (the inner being of a person). It's not something we can see in another person, but God says everyone has a soul because He includes it in a person's "whole being."

Have you ever wondered about your soul? God has the answers.

Why do we need a soul? God tells us we need our soul to stay alive. In (NT-NLT) James 2:26 God tells us: Just as the body is dead without a spirit (soul)...

What is the value of our soul? In (NT-NLT) Matthew 16:26, God tells us its value: And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? He says our soul is worth more than all the treasures of the world. God tells us if we put our soul up for bid and someone bids everything in the world to buy it, the bid wouldn't be worth it. Each of us has something priceless, our soul. It is the most important part of us. Since it is priceless we need to make sure it is protected by God. When we believe God and trust Him, He guards our souls. He promises to protect our souls forever.

Note #2: The way God created the first man and woman was unique. Everyone else came from a womb. The (OT-NLT) Psalm 139:13-17 gives the details for the rest of us:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

Did God "create" the rest of us? The answer is YES! We may not have come from dust or a rib, but each of us is His "workmanship." He made our parts and knit us together. He thinks about each one of us and His thoughts about us are precious!
Part C: God Creates A Garden

The third event of day six is God planted a special garden. (OT-NLT) Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 tells us:

Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man he created. And the LORD God planted all sorts of trees in the garden--beautiful trees that produced delicious fruit. At the center of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: "You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die."

God created the man and He knew the man needed a home. Let's look at the home God created for him:

The garden -- If you've ever heard of the Garden of Eden then you already know about this special place. God planted all sorts of trees in the garden, trees that were beautiful and produced delicious fruit. He planted the garden and then placed the man in it.

Two special trees -- God planted two special trees in the middle of the garden: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. These were special trees because God names them. He has specific instructions for one of the trees.

The special instructions -- God tells the man he can eat from any tree (including the tree of life), but he must NOT eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After the warning God tells the man the consequences if he chooses to disobey and eat its fruit: you will surely die.

Let's review the details of the sixth day:

• What happened?

God created animals, people and a garden. Is God still happy about everything He created? Yes, because He describes it as "very good."

• How did it happen?

He created the animals by letting the earth bring forth every kind of animal.

He created the man from the dust and breathed into it the breath of life.

He created the woman from one of Adam's ribs.

He placed two special trees in the garden He planted in Eden.

• How long did it take for God to create the animals, people and garden?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

Day 3: God created the land, seas, plants and trees.

Day 4: God created the sun, moon and stars.

Day 5: God created the fish and birds.

Day 6: God created the animals, people and a garden.

###  DAY 7: God Rests

(Date: Seventh Day of Creation / 4000 B.C.)

In (OT-NLT) Genesis 2:1-3 God tells us what happened on the seventh day:

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.

Let's review the details of the seventh day:

• What happened?

God rested from all His work because He finished his task. Do you think He took a nap because He was tired? No, He doesn't need to sleep. (OT-NLT) Psalm 121:4 says:

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.

So, if God doesn't need to take a nap why did He rest? It's because He finished what He set out to do. Everything on his creation to-do list was completed and checked off. We do the same when the tasks on our lists are completed. We reward ourselves by taking a break and enjoying our accomplishments.

• What was the task God finished?

The creation of the heavens, the earth and everything in them. It took Him 144 hours to finish creating everything! God confirms the length of time in an example. In (OT-NLT) Exodus 20:9-10, 11 God tells a group of people to work for six days, then rest. He also gives the reason for seven days:

Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God.... For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day.

• Why is the seventh day special?

It's special because God was finished creating everything. It was a special day of celebration. God even blessed the seventh day and declared it holy. It was a day that belonged to God.

• How long did He rest?

It took 24-hours.

Creation timetable:

Day 1: God created the day and night.

Day 2: God created the sky.

Day 3: God created the land, seas, plants and trees.

Day 4: God created the sun, moon and stars.

Day 5: God created the fish and birds.

Day 6: God the created the animals, a garden and people.

Day 7: God rested. End of Creation!

Special Notes:

God has no beginning or end

Over the last seven days we've gone down the road and have seen where everything came from. God created everything, but where did God come from? The (OT-NLT) Psalm 90:2 says:

Before the mountains were created, before you made the earth and the world, you are God, without beginning or end.

We know He was around before creation. On Day 1, God created the day and night. In other words, time was created on the first day. God was around even before there was time. He is "without beginning." There was never a time when He didn't exist. He wasn't born God or created into God. He has always been God. It's hard for us to understand because each of us knows the day we were born, but God is not like us. He has always been. So how old is God? Think of the oldest possible day, then keep adding a day to it.

What does the Bible tell us about God?

He created everything: (OT-NLT) Genesis 1:1 tells us ~

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

He has always been around & always will be: (OT-NLT) Psalm 90: 2 tells us ~

Before the mountains were created, before you made the earth and the world, you are God, without beginning or end.

He never changes: (OT-NLT) Malachi 3:6 tells us ~

I am the LORD, and I do not change....

He is everywhere, all the time: (OT-NLT) Psalm 139:8-12 tells us ~

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

His thoughts and his way of doing things are much better then our thoughts and ways: (OT-NLT) Isaiah 55:8-9 ~

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher then your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

He is holy (perfect and flawless): (OT-NLT) Psalm 22:3 tells us ~

Yet you are holy....

He is just, fair, faithful and He does no wrong: (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 32:4 ~

He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!

He is good and does what is right: (OT-NLT) Psalm 25:8 tells us ~

The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

He is kind, merciful and has unfailing love: (OT-NLT) Psalm 145:8 tells us ~

The LORD is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.

He is just and has no evil in Him: (OT-NLT) Psalm 92:15 tells us ~

They will declare, "The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!"

He is trustworthy: (OT-NLT) Psalm 33:4 tells us ~

For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust.

He is good and compassionate: (OT-NLT) Psalm 145:8 tells us ~

The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.

He never gets tires or weak and He understands everything: (OT-NLT) Isaiah 40:28 ~

Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

### DAY 8: The Serpent (Satan)

(Date: After the Seven Days of Creation - 4000 B.C.)

Up to now, God described everything as "very good." Today on our journey, we will learn about evil. God does not tell us how long after the seventh day the serpent arrived. He simply introduced him in (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:1 with these words:

Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made.

What do we need to know about the serpent? We need to know who he was and who he is. In (NT-NLT) Revelation 12:9, God gives us the answer:

... the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan.

God tells us the serpent is Satan. The Bible also calls him the Devil and Lucifer. Let's see where God used the name Lucifer and what we learn. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 14:12-15 recorded God's words:

How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star (Lucifer), son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, "I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High." But instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead (hell), down to its lowest depths.

Note: King James Version uses the name Lucifer instead of O shining star.

What can we learn from these verses? We can learn that Satan is not God and he is not equal to God. Let's look at the facts:

• He was in heaven at one time because he had fallen from heaven.

• He is not equal to God because he had been thrown down to the earth.

• He destroyed the nations of the world.

• He wanted to set his throne above God's stars.

• He wanted to preside (to be in charge) on the mountain of the gods.

• He would have to climb to the highest heavens.

• He wanted to be like the Most High (God).

• He will be brought down to the place of the dead.

God tells us Satan became prideful and wanted to be in control. Basically, he wanted to be God. God says Satan was thrown out of Heaven and down to earth. He doesn't tell us when it happened, but we know he was on earth because he was in the Garden of Eden. (We will learn more about what happened in the garden tomorrow, but the rest of today we'll get a clearer picture of Satan.) Let's look at what else the Bible says about Satan.

In (NT-NLT) 2 Corinthians 4:4, we are told:

Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe...

The (NT-NLT) Ephesians 2:2 tells us:

You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

The (NT-NLT) John 8:44 tells us:

For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

God has painted the following picture of Satan:

• He is the god of this evil world.

• He has blinded the minds of those who don't believe.

• He is the mighty prince of the power of the air.

• He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

• He does evil things.

• He was a murderer from the beginning.

• He has always hated the truth.

• He has no truth in him.

• He is a liar.

• He is the father of lies.

Satan is real. He is not a human, he is a spirit. He has two titles: god of this evil world and prince of the power of air. He also has a purpose: to blind the minds of those who don't believe. Our picture of Satan is clear. He is the "father of lies." God even gives us a warning about him. In (NT-NLT) 1 Peter 5:8, God warns us:

Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.

Tomorrow, Satan will find a victim.

### DAY 9: The Temptation

(Date: After the Seven Days of Creation - 4000 B.C.)

Satan was in the garden and he was there for a reason - to tempt Adam and the woman. (She will be called Eve from now on). Up to now Adam and Eve have obeyed God and haven't eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now comes the time when their obedience is tested. (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:1-6 it says:

Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?"

"Of course we may eat it," the woman told him. "It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die."

"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil."

The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise!

The dictionary defines the word temptation as "that which tries to persuade a person to do wrong by promising pleasure or gain." In this case, Eve could have had any fruit in the garden, but she wanted the fresh and delicious forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She also wanted all the wisdom that came with that fruit. This was Eve's temptation.

(NT-NLT) 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us a clear picture of temptation:

But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

This verse tells us when someone is being tempted:

• God knows about it.

• The temptation is no different from what others experience.

• God is faithful.

• God will help you stand up against it.

• God will show you a way out.

• God doesn't want you to give in to it.

In the case of the conversation between Satan and Eve, God was aware of everything. He was ready to help her and He had a way out of the temptation, but she must make her own decision.

Let's look at temptation from Satan's perspective. Maybe he tempted Eve on his own without God's permission. Can that be true? Does he have the power to do anything he wants? (OT-NLT) Job 1:6-12 tells us:

One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan.

And Satan answered the LORD, "I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that's going on."

Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth--a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil."

Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face!"

" _All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, BUT don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence._

This tells us Satan can not do anything he wants to do; He has to have God's permission, this includes tempting others. God is the one who's in control. Not only is God the one who gives permission, but God sets the limits for Satan. (God told Satan "don't harm him physically.")

So from everything we've learned so far, we know the following about the day Satan tempted Eve?

• God knew Satan was there.

• God allowed Satan to tempt Eve.

• God was aware of Eve's temptation.

• God had a way out for Eve.

• God was ready to help.

Each person receives a gift from God called free will. It means everyone has the right to choose his or her actions. In the Bible, God continually gives people options and consequences then tells them to choose. God doesn't make robots that march around and obey Him. He creates people who will choose to love Him and obey Him. He has given each person the right to make up his or her own mind.

In the case of Eve, she faced a choice: whether to obey God or to disobey Him. Tomorrow we will see her decision.

### DAY 10: The Decision to Sin

(Date: After the Seven Days of Creation - 4000 B.C.)

God warned about the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and gave the consequences. Now, it's time for Eve to choose to obey or disobey God. Let's see what she does. (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:6-13 says:

The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves.

Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The LORD God called to Adam, "Where are you?"

He replied, "I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

" _Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?"_

" _Yes," Adam admitted, "but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it."_

Then the LORD God asked the woman, "How could you do such a thing?"

" _The serpent tricked me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."_

Adam and Eve made their decision: they chose to disobey God. They wanted a piece of THAT fruit even though they knew it was off-limits. You'd think once they ate the piece of fruit they'd be happy, but instead they felt shame because they knew what they did was wrong. They knew they made a mistake, but what could they do about it? They could not undo it. They couldn't even pretend it never happened. They made their decision, then covered themselves and hid from God. They were no longer the same.

God saw exactly what they did and He saw their shame. He truly loves them, but Adam and Eve made their choice. They chose to disobey God. It'd be easy for us to say, "Just give them another chance." But would we respect and trust God if He didn't keep His word? The (OT-NLT) Numbers 23:19 tells us God is trustworthy:

God is not a man that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

God told Adam and Eve what would happen when they ate the fruit. God spoke and now He must act. He had to deal with Adam and Eve's disobedience (their sin).

### DAY 11: How Sin Affected Adam and Eve

(Date: After the Seven Days of Creation - 4000 B.C.)

Adam and Eve were warned: "If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die." Both of them made the choice, both of them took a bite and both of them had to face God. They stood before God and knew the truth: they would surely die, as God had promised. Seems a bit harsh, doesn't it? It was such a huge price to pay for choosing to disobey, but we need to view it from God's perspective. In (NT-NLT) Romans 6:23, God tells us the true price of sin:

For the wages of sin is death.

What does this mean? Let's start with the word wages. Wages are our "just rewards" for something we have done. For example, when we work we get money as our wages. In this case the wages (money) are good. But God is showing us we are paid something when we disobey Him. The rules for Adam and Eve are the same for us: sin=death.

Adam and Eve sinned. They would earn their wages ("just reward"): death. It didn't happen right away. They didn't immediately die from a heart attack, but they did pay for their sin.

Was the death of their bodies the only result of their sin or were there more? Let's see what else God said would happen because of their sin. (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:16-24 says:

Then He said to the woman, "You will bear children with intense pain and suffering. And though you may desire to control your husband, he will be your master."

And to Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit I told you not to eat, I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return."

Then Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all people everywhere. And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

Then the LORD God said, "The people have become as we are, knowing everything, both good and evil. What if they eat the fruit of the tree of life? Then they will live forever!" So the LORD God banished Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, and He sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.

After banishing them from the garden, the LORD God stationed mighty angelic beings to the east of Eden. And a flaming sword flashed back and forth, guarding the way to the tree of life.

What will happen to Eve (and all women)?

• She will have intense pain when she has a child.

• She will want to be in control of her husband, but God says he will be your master.

What will happen to Adam (and all men)?

• He will struggle to scratch a living from the ground.

• He will sweat to produce food until his dying day.

• He will die.

• He will return to dust.

What does God do?

• God confronts them with their sin.

• He tells them what will happen.

• He kills an animal (sheds its blood) to make clothes to cover their bodies and their shame.

• He sends Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.

• He places mighty angelic beings (angels) in the garden so no one can reach the tree of life.

Was God being unfair to Adam and Eve? After all, they only took a bite from a piece of fruit. We want God to say, "It's ok, I'll give you a second chance." But we have to see it from God's perspective. He is the one who made everything (including the rule). He's also the one who enforces His rule. His rule was: Eat of the fruit and die. God had no choice. He had to enforce His rule. He had to do what He promised to do. He had to allow Adam and Eve to die; - they gave Him no choice.

We have to trust God on this. We may not understand everything God does, but (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us everything God does is perfect and He does no wrong:

He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!

Sadly, Adam and Eve were no longer allowed to live forever. God covered them with animal skins and He sent them away, out of the Garden of Eden. Their choice to disobey separated them from God.

Sin separates us from God.

We need to understand sin from God's point of view. The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God they were infected with sin. God sees the disease of sin. He even sees how deep it goes: down to the soul. Let's use an example to understand this better. When people get skin cancer they get sores on their skin that we can see. But what we don't see is the disease under the skin: the cancer. It's the same with sin. We see the visible signs of sin: abuse, murder, stealing, etc. God sees beneath the surface to the actual sin. We may be able to get rid of the signs of sin by breaking our bad habits or by being nicer people, but we can't get rid of the root cause of the problem. God sees our sins even when the visible signs are gone.

It looks pretty bleak. In the (NT-NLT) Romans 5:12, God says sin is a problem for everyone:

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

When Adam sinned, he passed the sin onto everyone after him. Not only does each one of us have to face the fact that we will die, but we each have to face the fact that we have sin. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 64:6 God tells us:

_We are_ _all_ _infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags_.

We are all infected with sin and even our good deeds can't get rid of it. So, what's the solution? Let's continue on our journey to see God's solution.

### DAY 12: God Has the Solution for Sin

(Date: After Adam and Eve Sinned - 4000 B.C.)

When we started out on our journey we wanted to know how we can get into Heaven. Let's first look again at what keeps us out of heaven and away from God. The answer is sin. It's the one thing that separates us from God. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 59:2, God says:

But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away.

Sin is what cuts us off from God. Adam and Eve didn't want to be kept out of the Garden and away from God. It's the same with us. We don't want to be kept out of heaven and away from God. Because sin is the thing that keeps us away from God, how do we fix it? We can stop doing bad things, but that won't take care of sin at the root (in our souls). Is there any way to fix sin at the root?

God gives us the answer when He talks to Satan. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:15, God tells Satan:

From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring (seed) will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

Where's the answer? It's in that one little word: He. He (Eve's Seed) will "crush" Satan's head and get rid of him forever. Let's see if we can understand this better using an example. We're in our backyard and we see a snake. Our first instinct is to run, but we know we have to get rid of the snake because it might bite us or someone else. So we grab a big stick and we whack it over the head. Then we scoop up the dead snake and throw it in the trash. We have taken care of the problem of the snake and all the harm it would have caused.

This is what God says. He will send someone who will take care of the problem of Satan, just like we did with the snake. He will crush Satan's head to get rid of him and sin forever. This is God's promise not only to Satan but to us as well. God tells us not to worry about getting rid of sin ourselves because He will handle everything. Our job is not to "crush" Satan. Our job is to trust God's plan and to believe He will carry it out.

At this point, we know God will send someone, but we do not know the person's name. So, how will we recognize the one God sends? God is going to give us clues (dots) and signs on our journey to help us spot him. Where will the clues (dots) come from? They will all come from the Bible.

Note: From now on we are going to call the one God sends Messiah. The name Messiah means: "Anointed," "Chosen One" and "Savior (or Rescuer)." He's the one God will send to save/rescue us from Satan and sin. He, The Messiah, is the KEY to Heaven.

Today was a big day! We learned God will send the Messiah to rescue us from sin.

### DAY 13: Cain and Abel

(Date: 3870 B.C.)

Today we're going to see how sin affects Adam and Eve's children. In chapter 4 of Genesis, God tells us the effect sin had on their first two sons. Let's take a look at it. The (OT-NLT) Genesis 4:1-8 says:

Now Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the LORD's help, I have brought forth a man!" Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel.

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. At harvest time Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected.

" _Why are you angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."_

Later Cain suggested to his brother, Abel, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were there, Cain attacked and killed his brother.

It's terrible. Within one generation we see how horrible things become: a man murders his own brother. What was at the root of the murder? It was sin. Let's look at what God tells us so we can understand what happened.

First, we see that Adam and Eve had two sons: Cain and Abel. The sons grew up, but each had a different job. Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. Later they each brought a gift to God. The gifts were very different. One gift was produce and the other gift was animals. What was God's reaction to the gifts? He accepted Abel and his "choice lambs from the best of his flock." He rejected Cain and his "farm produce." Why was God being so picky about the gifts He was given? Why would God accept one and not the other? God gives us the answer in (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:4:

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. God accepted Abel's offering to show that he was a righteous man. And although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us because of his faith.

Abel: The Right Choice

God tells us Abel's gift was more acceptable then Cain's gift. Why? It's because God saw Abel's heart and it had something that Cain's did not: faith. Remember the Bible's definition of faith? The (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:1-2 says:

_What is faith? It is the confident assurance_ (certainty) _that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence_ (proof) _of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith._

Abel was confident that what he hoped for was going to happen. What was he hoping for? He was confident in the promise God gave his dad and mom. Abel trusted God to keep His promise to send the Messiah, and Abel's faith made God happy. When God accepted Abel's gift, He showed us Abel's faith pleased Him.

God's reward for Abel's faith and "choice lambs" was to give him the special title of "righteous." What does it mean when God says someone is "righteous"? It means the person is in good standing before Him. It means the person pleases God. Abel's actions only pleased God after Abel chose to trust God. Faith came first and the actions came second. The (NT-NLT) Romans 4:5 tells us clearly what God needs to see in a person before He says they are in "right standing" with Him:

But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.

Cain: The Wrong Choice

Abel had faith and his actions proved it. Let's take a minute to look at Abel's brother, Cain. When God accepted Abel's gift, Cain became angry. God saw Cain's anger and told Cain if he responded in the right way (with faith) then he would be accepted, too. God told Cain what to do, but the choice was up to Cain and he made his choice with his next actions. Cain's choice was to not trust God. He even became so angry he carried out the first murder in the Bible. In (NT-NLT) 1 John 3:12 God describes Cain to us:

We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil; and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

Sin is horrible and it's passed down. Cain and Abel may have been the first generation after Adam and Eve, but sin didn't skip them. Each of us has to deal with sin. Just like Cain and Abel we all start life the same way. But God gave us Abel as an example of someone who handled sin in God's way: he chose to believe God and God gave him "right standing." On the other hand, Cain is an example of someone who did not deal with sin in God's way. He never chose to believe God or His promise, and because of his unbelief God said Cain belonged to the evil one (Satan).

Each one of us has to make the same decision as Cain and Abel: whether to trust God or not. The choice we make will decide who we belong to. We trust God: we belong to Him. We do not trust God: we belong to Satan. It's a choice that no one can make for us. God gave us these two men - Cain and Abel - to show us what sin can do and to show us faith pleases Him. The best part is God tells each person: You will be accepted if you respond in the right way.

### DAY 14: Noah and the Flood

(Date: 2500 B.C.)

The road we go down today will show us how sin affected the entire world. (OT-NLT) Genesis 6:5-9, 14, 7:1, 11, 17-19, 23 and 8:14-17 tells us about the world during Noah's time:

Now the LORD observed the extent of the people's wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart. And the LORD said, "I will completely wipe out this human race that I have created. Yes, and I will destroy all the animals and birds, too. I am sorry I ever made them." But Noah found favor with the LORD.

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

God said to Noah, "Make a boat of resinous wood and seal it with tar, inside and out."

Finally, the day came when the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I consider you alone to be righteous."

When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, the underground waters burst forth on the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky.

For forty days the floods prevailed, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth...

God wiped out every living thing on the earth - people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat.

(One year later)..... the earth was dry!

Then God said to Noah, "Leave the boat, all of you. Release all the animals and birds so they can breed and reproduce in great numbers."

Whenever we think of Noah and the ark we think of a boat filled with a bunch of happy animals. But, that's not the picture we get from God. Before the flood, sin was out of control. It got so bad God said even the people's thoughts were "consistently and totally evil." People were out of control and it broke God's heart. He was so upset that He was ready to destroy every person on earth. It's a picture of total destruction.

What a huge difference between day six of creation (when He said it was "very good") and this point. What caused such a huge difference in just nine generations? Sin. Sin corrupted everyone on earth and God had enough. He looked into everyone's heart and all He saw was evil. No one was righteous. No one had faith in God or obeyed Him. No one, that was, except Noah.

God describes Noah as a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. What's the one thing that gave Noah "right standing" before God? It was his faith. In God's eyes, Noah wasn't set apart because he never sinned. He was infected with sin just like everyone else. What set Noah apart was his faith. That is the one and only thing that set Noah apart from everyone else: his trust was in God. He believed God would do what He said. He trusted God even in the middle of all the evil around him. God said He would kill everyone who wasn't in the boat and Noah believed Him. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:7 says:

It was by faith that Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about something that had never happened before.

What about the people who were not on the boat? Once the rain started, you were either in the boat or in the water. Noah knew God would send the flood, but what about everyone else? Doesn't seem fair to them, does it? After all Noah should have warned them the flood was coming. He had plenty of time because it would have taken years to build a boat big enough for all the animals and the supplies needed for a year. Did Noah ignore all the other people during those years? No, (NT-NLT) 2 Peter 2:5 says:

Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. Then God destroyed the whole world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

This shows us Noah warned everybody about the flood, even while he built the ark. The people were not caught off-guard by the flood. The other people made up their minds: they decided not to believe God. They made their choice and died for it. Once the rain started they knew God kept His promise. God respected their decision, but He also kept His promise.

What happened to everyone else was horrible, but we have to remember there were people in the ark. God didn't give up on us. He loves us too much.

### DAY 15: Abraham - A Man of Faith

(Date: 2091 B.C.)

Today God will give us another example of someone who believed and trusted Him. His name is Abraham and he is the Messiah's ancestor. (OT-NLT) Genesis 11:29-30, 12:1-3, 4-5, 15:1-6 tells us about Abraham:

Abraham married Sarah. Sarah was not able to have any children.

Then the LORD told Abraham, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."

So Abraham departed as the LORD had instructed him. Abraham was 75 when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarah, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth and finally arrived in Canaan.

(Many years after Abraham left his home, the following happened:)

The LORD spoke to Abraham in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abraham, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great."

But Abraham replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir."

_Then the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son (SEED) of your own to inherit everything I am giving you." Then the LORD brought Abraham outside beneath the night sky and told him, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that--too many to count!"_ _And Abraham believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith._

Abraham was 75 years old when he left his home, his relatives and his father's home. God told Abraham to move to a place where he'd never been before. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:8-9 tells us what motivated Abraham:

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith--

God told Abraham to leave his home and Abraham left because of his faith in God. God also promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation. There's only one catch: To be a father you need a child. This is the one thing Abraham didn't have because Sarah couldn't have any children. (NT-NLT) Romans 4:19 says:

_And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children_.

God gave Abraham a wonderful promise, but the facts didn't add up. Abraham even told God he had doubts when he said, "What good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son?"

Abraham was an intelligent man. He knew what it took for him to have a son and he had good reason to doubt God. He was very old and didn't have any children. But God replied "You will have a son of your own." God promises Abraham he will have a son. God even tells him that his descendants will be "too numerous to count."

Now, this is the best part! Up to this point Abraham had doubts, but after God tells him that his descendants will be "too numerous to count," Abraham believed the LORD. Abraham chose to look past all his doubts and trust God with all his heart.

You'd think all the things Abraham did before that point would have been good enough for God to declare him righteous. But God was not looking at the things Abraham did. He was looking at his heart. When Abraham chose to believe God, God took notice. God looked for one thing: FAITH.

(NT-NLT) Romans 4:2-5 tells us exactly what God needs to see before He declares someone righteous (i.e. in good standing with God). It says:

_Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him_ (Abraham) _? If so, he_ (Abraham) _would have had something to boast about. But from God's point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous."_

When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.

The moment God sees Abraham's faith is the moment He says Abraham is righteous. Being declared righteous is a gift from God; we can't do anything to make God give it to us. It's something God gives us as a gift. There's only one thing God needs to see before He gives the gift of righteousness: OUR FAITH. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:6 explains it clearly:

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

### DAY 16: God Gives Abraham a Promise

(Date: Between 2091-2066 B.C.)

Today we are going to watch God reassure Abraham about his future son. (OT-NLT) Genesis 15:8 says:

But Abraham replied, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?"

Can't we relate? We believe something, but we need a little reassurance. Abraham was the same. He believes God but would like to be a little more confident. God knows what Abraham needs. Abraham needs a promise and God is quick to give it. (OT-NLT) Genesis 15:9-10, 17-18 says:

Then the LORD told him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon." Abraham took all these and killed them. He cut each one down the middle and laid the halves side by side. He did not, however, divide the birds in half.

As the sun went down and it became dark, Abraham saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. So the LORD made a covenant with Abraham that day.

Confusing, isn't it? How would cutting up an animal reassure anyone? To help us understand we need to put ourselves in Abraham's shoes. Back in Abraham's time, people would make a promise and then back it up by making a "covenant." This is how a covenant worked: The person would find certain animals (in this case a heifer, goat and ram). He would cut the animals in half, from head to tail. Then he would lay both halves on the ground side by side. The person would then walk in the blood between the two halves. When the person passed between the pieces of flesh it meant he promised the person that if he should break the promise he should be killed just like the animals. A covenant was very serious that's why blood was needed. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:16 says:

_Now when someone makes a covenant, it is necessary to ratify_ (confirm) _it with the death of a sacrifice._

The blood represents the person's life. The person is pledging his life to keep his promise. In the case of Abraham and God, God made the promise and the covenant. He was the only one who passed between the animal halves. Abraham didn't because he was the one who "saw a smoking firepot and a torch pass between the halves." But how do we know it was God who passed between the halves? We know this because the Bible says, "the LORD made a covenant with Abraham that day." (NT-NLT) Galatians 3:20 confirms this:

... _God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham._

Abraham needed a guarantee and God gave it to him. The guarantee was the covenant God made with Abraham. Abraham received the reassurance he needed because he knew God would never break His covenant promise.

### DAY 17: Abraham: The Messiah's Ancestors

(Date: Between 4000-2006 B.C.)

Today we're going to take a moment to review the Messiah's ancestors from the previous days. We will trace them using biblical events, the word seed and the word covenant. The first man we will list is Adam. We start with him because he was the first man God created. Also, on DAY 12 God promised the seed would come from Adam and Eve. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:15, God told Satan about Adam and Eve's offspring:

_From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring_ (actual word is _seed_ ) _will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel._

Why is the word seed so important? It's because God uses it to help us trace the true Messiah. We know God promised the seed (Messiah) would come from Adam and Eve. At this point, let's put a dot by Adam to show he is our starting point to create the Messiah's family tree.

(Adam*)

By the time of Noah, the family tree branched off to thousands of different people. When the flood happened only Noah and his family survived the flood. Because of the flood, the family tree can only continue through one man: Noah. Now, let's connect the dots from Adam to Noah.

(Adam*-----*Noah*)

As Noah's family tree grows, the choices of who will be the next important person on the family tree grow. What does God do? He again narrows down the possibilities on DAY 15 to just one man. God narrows it down to Abraham when He uses the words seed and covenant in His promise to him. God's promise is given in (OT-NLT) Genesis 17:4, 5-7:

" _This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of not just one nation, but a multitude of nations!... I will give you millions of descendants who will represent many national. Kings will be among them!_

" _I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring_ (actual word is _seed_ ) _forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you."_

Using the words seed and covenant and we know to connect the next dot to Abraham:

(Adam*-----*Noah*-----*Abraham*)

God connects the dots from Adam to Noah to Abraham. We have three main ancestors and we are not done yet. In the (OT-NLT), we read Abraham had two sons: Ishmael (born to Hagar) and Isaac (born to Sarah). This gives us two possible choices as to the Messiah's ancestor. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 17:19-21, God promises:

But God replied, "Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will cause him to multiply and become a great nation. Twelve princes will be among his descendants. But my covenant is with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year."

In this promise, God tells us to connect the line to Isaac because His covenant is with Isaac, not Ishmael. The covenant tells us Isaac will be the Messiah's ancestor. Now we connect the dots from Abraham to Isaac:

(Adam*-----*Noah*-----*Abraham*-----*Isaac*)

Later Isaac has twin sons (Esau and Jacob) through his wife Rebekah. We could connect the line to either one of them, but which one? This is very important because we don't want to connect the dots to the wrong person. We find the answer in a promise God gives to Isaac's son Jacob. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 28:10-15 God tells Jacob:

Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone for a pillow and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down on it.

_At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, "I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants_ (actual word is _seed). What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised._

God tells us Jacob is the one. God reminds us He made covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in (OT-NLT) Exodus 2:24:

God heard their cries and remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So, let's connect the dot to Isaac's son Jacob.

(Adam*-----*Noah*-----*Abraham*-----*Isaac*-----*Jacob)

Throughout the (OT-NLT), God continues to give the Messiah's ancestors. Tracing the bloodline helps us spot the Messiah when he arrives. As we follow God's clues (dots), He asks us for one thing: our faith.

### DAY 18: The Messiah's People

(Date: 2006-1885 B.C.)

Today God will tell us the name of the Messiah's group of people. The main clue to the group starts with God's promise to Abraham. (OT-NLT) Genesis 12:1-2 says:

_Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a_ _great nation_ _._

Abraham left everything and moved away from his home. Years later, Abraham's grandson Jacob is born. A special event in Jacob's life gives us the name of the Messiah's people. (OT-NLT) Genesis 32:24-28, 30 tells us what happened:

_A man came and wrestled with him_ (Jacob) _until dawn. When the man saw that he couldn't win the match, he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is dawn."_

But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

" _What is your name?" the man asked._

He replied, "Jacob."

" _Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now_ _Israel_ _, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."_

_He_ (Jacob) _said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared."_

Jacob's name being changed to Israel is extremely important. What do we need to understand about this?

• We need to see who gave Jacob his new name. Jacob gives us the answer when he says, "I have seen God face to face." The "man" Jacob struggled with could only be God. During the fight, God knocks Jacob's hip out of joint and changes his name to Israel. (The word Israel actually means "God prevails." Prevails means: unbeaten or in control.)

• This is the first time the word Israel appears in the Bible. After this event, God uses the word Israel throughout the rest of the Bible.

• There is no land connected with Israel at this time. The country of Israel is NOT on the map yet. Israel is the name of a man living on the earth. So for now, the name Israel will refer to Jacob and his descendants.

• Jacob, or Israel's, people will eventually become a "great nation." Why is this important? It's because (NT-NLT) John 4:22 says the solution for our sins comes from the descendants of Israel, the Jews:

... for salvation (rescue of sins) comes from the Jews.

### DAY 19: Jacob and His Descendants Go to Egypt

(Date: 1876 B.C.)

Today we will follow Jacob and his descendants on a special journey. The start of our journey focuses on Jacob's son Joseph. Joseph is loved by his dad but he is hated by his brothers. (OT-NLT) Genesis 37:4 tells us why:

But his brothers hated Joseph because of their father's partiality.

His brothers hate Joseph because he is their dad's favorite. Their hatred grows so intense they plan to kill him. (OT-NLT) Genesis 37:17-18, 23, 25, 28 tells us what happens because of their hatred:

Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

They recognized him in the distance and made plans to kill him.

_When Joseph arrived, they pulled off his beautiful robe_ (a gift from his father) _and threw him into the pit._

Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they noticed a caravan. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders going to Egypt.

When the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver, and the Ishmaelite traders took him along to Egypt.

After they sold Joseph, the brothers went home to their father. When Jacob discovers Joseph is not with them, he is overwhelmed with grief. Meanwhile, the Ishmaelite traders take Joseph to Egypt where he is sold as a slave and grows into a man. Joseph has many trials (he is accused of a crime he did not commit and is thrown into prison), but eventually he is released from prison and put in charge of managing the entire country of Egypt. The only person higher than Joseph is Pharaoh, the king.

At this point, Joseph is living in Egypt and the rest of his family is still in the land of Canaan. (OT-NLT) Genesis 41:54, 42:1-2 gives us the reason everyone else eventually moves to Egypt:

There were crop failures in all the surrounding countries, too, but in Egypt there was plenty of grain in the storehouses.

When Jacob heard that there was grain available in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why are you standing around looking at one another? I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some for us before we all starve to death."

Joseph is in charge of Egypt and Egypt has extra grain to sell. Jacob hears about it and sends his sons there to get grain for his family. What is God doing? You guessed it... He is rescuing the family from starvation and bringing them back together. When Joseph sees his brothers he doesn't feel the need for revenge, instead he is overwhelmed with happiness. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 45:4-8, Joseph tells his brothers:

... _I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. These two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation. Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you!_

Joseph is able to see God's plan through all of his trials. Joseph knows:

• God is the One who sent him to Egypt.

• God is the One who preserves (protects) their lives.

• God sent Joseph to keep Jacob's family (the people of Israel) alive.

• God will make them become a great nation.

Joseph knows God is behind everything that happened. Not only does he know the family (the people of Israel) will survive, but he also has a plan to make sure they do. (OT-NLT) Genesis 45:9-10 says:

Joseph said, "Hurry, return to my father and tell him, "This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. Come down to me right away! You will live in the land of Goshen so you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all that you have."

When Jacob hears the news that Joseph is alive and is in charge of Egypt, he must be overwhelmed with joy. Not only is Joseph alive, but he also has a way for his family (the people of Israel) to survive the famine. Jacob and his family move to a part of Egypt called the land of Goshen. (OT-NLT) Genesis 46:26-27 tells us the size of Jacob's family:

So the total number of Jacob's direct descendants who went with him to Egypt, not counting his sons' wives, was sixty-six. Joseph also had two sons who had been born in Egypt. So altogether, there were seventy members of Jacob's family in the land of Egypt.

Jacob's family, including 66 direct male descendants, moves down to Egypt to survive the famine. The people of Israel didn't just survive the famine, their population grows quickly. (OT-NLT) Genesis 47:27-28 says:

So the people of Israel settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt. And before long, they began to prosper there, and their population grew rapidly. Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he was 147 years old when he died.

That's a pretty good start to a nation. We need to remember the reason God protected Jacob's family. God does it because He promised He would send the Messiah through this family. This family has to survive. Why? It's because if there is no Jacob, or Israel, there will be no Messiah. (NT-NLT) John 4:22 tells us:

... _for salvation_ (rescue from sin) _comes through the Jews._

If Jacob's family, the Jews, dies off, there will be no Messiah. With no Messiah, there's no solution for sin.

### DAY 20: God Sends Ten Plagues to Egypt

(Date: 1446 B.C.)

Today we're going to see what happens to Israel over the next 430 years. (OT-NLT) Genesis 47:27 tells us everything starts well for Jacob and his descendants:

So the people of Israel settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt. And before long, they began to prosper there, and their population grew rapidly.

They quickly settle into their new homeland and start populating the land of Goshen. Unfortunately, the situation changes. (OT-NLT) Exodus 1:8-11 tells us a new king starts to rule Egypt:

Then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. He told his people, "These Israelites are becoming a threat to us because there are so many of them. We must find a way to put an end to this. If we don't and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country."

So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves and put brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down under heavy burdens.

The Egyptians think they will wear down the Israelites, but the opposite happens. (OT-NLT) Exodus 1:12 says:

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more quickly the Israelites multiplied!

Pharaoh, the king, began to feel threatened by the Israelites' growing numbers. (OT-NLT) Exodus 1:22 tells us what Pharaoh ordered because of his fear:

Throw all the newborn Israelite boys into the Nile River. But you may spare the baby girls.

How horrible! Pharaoh is so scared of the people of Israel and how fast they are growing he actually orders the murder of the baby boys. The Egyptians change from honoring Israel (when Joseph was around) to beating the people and murdering their babies. God sees their suffering and is ready to rescue the people of Israel. The key to his plan is an Israelite baby boy. This baby boy has a unique start to life. (OT-NLT) Exodus 2:1-3, 5-6, 10 tells us about it:

During this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son.... But when she could no longer hide him, she got a little basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile River.

Soon after this, one of Pharaoh's daughters came down to bathe in the river... When the princess saw the little basket among the reeds, she told one of her servant girls to get it for her. As the princess opened it, she found the baby boy. His helpless cries touched her heart.

(The princess needs someone to nurse the infant. Without knowing it, she chooses the baby's mother to nurse him.)

_Later, when he is older, the child's mother brought him back to the princess, who adopted him as her son. The princess named him Moses, for she said, "I drew him out of the water."_ (Moses sounds like the Hebrew word for "draw out.")

Moses is adopted by the princess, Pharaoh's daughter. He grows up in Egypt as Pharaoh's adopted grandson. Later Moses runs from Egypt and lives in the desert for many years, until one day, God chooses Moses. Why did God choose him? (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:24-26 gives us the reason:

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.

What does God see in Moses? It is faith. Moses' faith in the Messiah is more important to him then all the advantages of being in the royal family. God sees his faith and decides to give Moses a special mission. In (OT-NLT) Exodus 3:7, 8, 10, we read God's instructions to Moses:

_Then the LORD told him_ (Moses) _, "You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So, I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."_

God has seen Israel suffer for over 400 years. He is ready to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and out of their slavery. God gives Moses his mission and Moses accepts it. God sends Moses to Egypt as His prophet (God's messenger). He tells Moses the Egyptians will let the Israelites leave after they see all the signs God performs. Moses travels to Egypt and, in (OT-NLT) Exodus 7:16, he gives Pharaoh this message from God:

_The LORD, the God of the Hebrews_ (people of Israel), _has sent me to say, "Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness."_

Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites leave. Pharaoh makes the wrong choice. Now, it is time for God to rescue His people. God sends 10 signs (or miracles) to Egypt to convince Pharaoh to change his mind. Pharaoh remains stubborn through every sign, but after the 10th sign he allows the people of Israel to leave. In (OT-NLT) Exodus, God tells us the signs:

1. The Nile River changes to blood. Water in bowls and pots changed, too. (7:20)

2. Frogs cover all of Egypt. (8:6)

3. Gnats overrun all of Egypt. (8:17)

• The rest of the signs happen everywhere in Egypt, except in Goshen where the Israelites are living. God did this to distinguish between Pharaoh's people and God's people.

4. Swarms of flies cover Egypt, but not Goshen. (8:21)

5. A plague kills Egyptian livestock, but not the Israelites' livestock. (9:6)

6. Boils break out on the Egyptian people and animals, but not the Israelites. (9:9)

7. A hailstorm destroys the crops in Egypt, but not those in Goshen. (9:26)

8. Locusts eat the crops of Egypt, but not those in Goshen. (10:14)

9. Darkness covers Egypt for three days, but it is light in Goshen. (10:22)

10. A plague of death kills all firstborn males. (11:5).

Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go until God performs the 10th sign. The 10th sign is so important they have a yearly celebration, called Passover, to remember it. Tomorrow we will look at the plague of death.

Special note:

What does God say were the reasons for the plagues? Let's read His words from the (OT-NLT) and then list out His reasons. Starting in (OT-NLT) Genesis 15:13-14:

Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth."

In (OT-NLT) Exodus 2:23-25 we read:

Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites still groaned beneath their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their pleas for deliverance rose up to God. God heard their cries and remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the Israelites and felt deep concern for their welfare.

God's conversation with Moses in (OT-NLT) Exodus 3:8 gives us more details:

_So I_ (God) _have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey -..._

In (OT-NLT) Exodus 3:19-21 God tells us more:

_But I_ (God) _know that the king of Egypt will not let you go except under heavy pressure. So I will reach out and strike at the heart of Egypt with all kinds of miracles. Then at last he will let you go. And I will see to it that the Egyptians treat you well. They will load you down with gifts so you will not leave empty-handed._

God tells us in (OT-NLT) Exodus 7:5:

_When I_ (God) _show the Egyptians my power and force them to let the Israelites go, they will realize that I am the LORD._

Another reason is in (OT-NLT) Exodus 8:22-23:

But it will be very different in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I have power even in the heart of your land. I will make a clear distinction between your people and my people. ...

(OT-NLT) Exodus 9:13-16gives us more reasons:

" _The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you don't, I will send a plague that will really speak to you and your officials and all the Egyptian people. I will prove to you that there is no other God like me in all the earth. I could have killed you all by now. I could have attacked you with a plague that would have wiped you from the face of the earth. But I have let you live for this reason \- that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth."_

In (OT-NLT) Exodus 10:2 God tells Moses:

_You_ (Israel) _will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the LORD._

God gives us another reason in (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:12:

... _I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD!_

The Israelites cried out for help, and God heard their pleas. After hearing their cries for help God used the plagues to:

• Keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

• To punish the nation that enslaved their descendants.

• Show His deep concern for Israel's well-being.

• Get the Israelites to a land He had ready for them: a land flowing with milk and honey.

• Push pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave, He knew He had to apply heavy pressure.

• Show the Egyptians His power and force.

• Help the Egyptians realize that He is LORD.

• Show Pharaoh He (God) had power even in the heart of Egypt.

• Make a clear distinction between Pharaoh's people and God's people.

• Communicate with Pharaoh, his officials and all the Egyptians.

• Prove to the Egyptians there is no other God like Him in all the earth.

• Show His power.

• Spread God's fame throughout the earth.

• Give the Israelites wonderful stories to tell their children and grandchildren. Stories about the marvelous things God did among the Egyptians to prove He was the LORD.

• Execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for God is the LORD!

On the surface it is confusing, but that is because we are only looking at the surface. After looking at God's list of reasons for the plagues, we begin to see them from God's perspective. We need to remember the words in (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 32:4:

_He_ (God) _is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!_

### DAY 21: The 10th Plague - Plague of Death and Passover

(Date: 1446 B.C.)

Today we are going to take a detailed look at the 10th plague. This plague is so important God gives a yearly reminder of it: Passover. The plague becomes important because it provides a huge clue to the Messiah. So let's get started on the details. (OT-NLT) Exodus

11:4-5, 7 describes the plague of death:

So Moses announced to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will pass through Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave."

But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.

God promises the plague of death will not touch the Israelites, as long as they follow His instructions. God tells them to do certain things so that the plague passes over them. In (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 23 God tells Moses:

_Announce to the whole community_ (the people of Israel) _that... each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice. This animal must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no physical defects._

Take special care of these lambs until the evening... Then each family in the community must slaughter its lamb. They are to take some of the lamb's blood and smear it on the top and sides of the doorframes of the house where the lamb will be eaten.

_On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn sons... in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! The blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will_ _pass over_ _you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt._

For the LORD will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter your house and strike down your firstborn.

How will God's instructions help us spot the Messiah? Let's take a look at each of the steps God gives the people of Israel.

1. Find the perfect (flawless) lamb.

2. The lamb is to be killed.

3. The blood is to be smeared on the doorframes of their homes.

4. The blood is to be a sign to God.

5. When God sees the sign (the lamb's blood), death will not touch the people.

These are huge clues. We need to remember them. Now, let's go back to Egypt and see what happened to the people of Israel. Moses passed God's instructions to the people of Israel and God carries out his promise. (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:28-29 says:

So the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded. And at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon.

Even though they have never seen this plague before, the Israelites do exactly what God tells them. Each family kills the perfect lamb and smears its blood on the home's doorposts. When the LORD comes, He looks for one thing: blood. The rule is simple: if blood covers the door all the occupants are allowed to live, but if blood does not cover the door the firstborn of the family dies. When God sees the blood, He rewards the family.

The Israelites are not completely free yet. Let's see what happens after the plague of death. (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:37, 38, 40, and 41 says:

That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds.

The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. In fact, it was on that last day of the 430th year that all the LORD's forces left the land.

Shortly after they leave, Pharaoh gathers his army and chases after the Israelites. The Israelites are stuck between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. God performs another miracle. (OT-NLT) Exodus 14:21-23, 26-27 says:

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

Then the Egyptians--all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers--followed them across the bottom of the sea.

When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the sea again." Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place... and the LORD swept the terrified Egyptians into the surging currents.

God heard the cries of His people and He freed them using 10 plagues. God always keeps his promises. To this day, people remember His signs and they celebrate His special instructions, the Passover celebration.

Special note:

God gives His instructions for Passover. The name is a reminder of the night He "past over" the houses marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. God tells the Israelites to celebrate the Passover every year so they will remember it. (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:14, 26-27 God says:

This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time.

You will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, "What does this ceremony mean?" And you will reply, "It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families."

The people of Israel are told to celebrate Passover every year. So, they remember the sacrifice (or gift) when death passed over the people because of the blood of the perfect lamb. God doesn't want anyone to forget this event.

It's a celebration to remember something important, like the 4th of July. Americans celebrate the 4th of July every year to remind them of the special day in history when they won their independence and freedom. As people take part in the celebration the next generation learns about the special event in the country's history. The fireworks and the parades are signs of this special day. In the same way, Passover is a special celebration to remember an important day in the Israelite's history.

### DAY 22: The Ten Commandments

(Date: 1445 B.C.)

Today we are going to watch God make another covenant, this time with all of the Israelites. It starts with the Ten Commandments. The word commandment means "a rule or law from a person in charge." If someone makes a commandment, he or she makes a rule, or a law, and other people are expected to obey it. In the case of the Ten Commandments, God made the rules and Israelites are expected to obey them.

In the Bible, God lists many rules (more than 1,600) for the people of Israel to follow, but we will only spend time looking at the most famous ones. First, let's look at how God gave Israel the rules. (OT-NLT) Exodus 19:1-5 says:

The Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Sinai exactly two months after they left Egypt. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the base of Mount Sinai and set up camp.

Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called out to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel. 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me.'"

Okay, let's picture this in our minds. We know the Israelites left Egypt and traveled for two months. They have set up their camp at the base of a mountain called Mount Sinai. (Note: this is the same place God told Moses: "Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.") Moses gives God's message to the Israelites: Obey me and keep my covenant. After they agree to obey, God personally tells the people His first Ten rules. (OT-NLT) Exodus chapter 20 gives us the commandments they agree to obey:

1. Do not worship any other gods besides me. (verse 3)

2. Do not make idols of any kind. You must not bow down to them or worship them. (verse 4-5)

3. Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. (verse 7)

4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. (verse 8)

5. Honor your father and mother. (verse 12)

6. Do not murder. (verse 13)

7. Do not commit adultery. (verse 14)

8. Do not steal. (verse 15)

9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbor. (verse 16)

10. Do not covet (desire something that belongs to someone else). (verse 17)

Once the people of Israel hear the rules, they agree to obey them. (OT-NLT) Exodus 24:3,

5-8 shows us their choice:

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the LORD had given him. All the people answered with one voice, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded."

Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins.

Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people declaring, "Look, this blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these instructions."

Each of the rules is very clear and the Israelites agree to "do everything the LORD has commanded." This is a very serious agreement between God and the Israelites. To show how serious, blood is needed. The blood also confirms the covenant between God and the people of Israel. Tomorrow we will see how well the Israelites obey God.

Special note:

Is there more the Bible tells us about the Ten Commandments? Let's read from the (NT-NLT) book of Galatians and see what God says. In (NT-NLT) Galatians 3:19 we're told:

Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of the law was only until the coming of the child to whom God's promise was made.

The Bible says the Ten Commandments were given for a specific purpose: to help us see we have a problem with sin. Have you ever compared yourself to the Ten Commandments? That's good, because when we compare ourselves to it, we are allowing the Ten Commandments to do their work: help us see we are guilty and we need help with our problem of sin.

Not only does the New Testament tells us what the Ten Commandments are meant to do, but it also tells us what they are NOT meant to do. (NT-NLT) Galatians 3:11 tells us:

Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

The Bible tells us the purpose of the Ten Commandments is not to make us right with God. It can't make us right with God, ONLY faith can do make us right with Him. This was true for Abel, Noah, Abraham, the Israelites... and for us.

### DAY 23: Breaking God's Commandments

(Date: 1445 B.C.)

Today we are going to learn more about the Ten Commandments. Let's first look at how well the Israelites obeyed God's.

After the Israelites agreed to "do everything the LORD has commanded," Moses went up the mountain and is given more instructions from God. God also gives Moses two stone tablets with The Ten Commandments written "by the finger of God." While God gives Moses more instructions, the people become impatient waiting for Moses to return. (OT-NLT) Exodus 32:1-4, 7 says:

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain they gathered around Aaron. "Come on," they said, "make us some gods who can lead us."

So Aaron said, "Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me."

All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf.

The LORD told Moses. "Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live!"

Not long after the Israelites agree to obey God, they strayed away. In a very short time, we see them break the first and second commandments (laws):

1) Do not worship any other gods besides God.

2) Do not make idols of any kind, in the shape of birds or animals or fish.

It isn't hard for us to put ourselves in their place. We start to get impatient and take things into our own hands. Instead of obeying rules, we break them. We may not melt down gold to make a calf, but we break rules in other ways. How about His rule #10: Do not covet. Seems like an easy one to follow. We are not supposed to want something that belongs to someone else. But it's not easy to obey. We think to ourselves "Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else's car/house/great job/money? Or someone's athletic ability/good looks/health? We even says things like: "If only I had..." Each time we think or say something like that, we are breaking God's law not to covet.

What does God require from us when it comes to His rules? He says we are to obey each one of them and not break even one. In (NT-NLT) James 2:10-11, God tells us how He sees us when we break just one of His commandments:

_For the person who keeps all of the laws_ (rules) _except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.... So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law._

We think because we only "wanted" something we are better in God's eyes then someone who has committed murder. But from God's point of view we are as guilty of the breaking the law as a murderer.

There is no gray area with God on this. He sees things as they truly are; says one broken rule is the same as 10 broken rules. It doesn't matter which one we break. God doesn't pull any punches. He tells us every single person has broken His rules. Not one person has gone an entire life without breaking a commandment. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:6 says:

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own.

Each one of us has broken God's rules and sinned. And each one of us will pay the price for breaking the rules. What price tag does God put on our sin? God tells us in (NT-NLT) Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death....

God says the cost of breaking His rules is death. Stunning, isn't it? Just think, even one sin costs each of us our life. Does this mean the first time we sin we die? No, because Adam and Eve would have died the moment they ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden. The Bible says our death is actually a two-part process. The first part is the separation of our soul from our body. (NT-NLT) James 2:26 says:

... _the body is dead without a spirit..._

The second part of the process is called judgment. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:27 tells us this judgment happens only one time:

_And just as it is destined that each person dies_ _only once_ _and after that comes judgment._

When the first separation takes place; our body stops breathing. After this, our soul (or spirit) stands before God to be judged. (It doesn't get a second chance.) What happens during this judgment? God reminds us the "the wages of sin is death" and He tell us to pay the price for our sins. The payment is eternal separation from God.

Is this where our journey ends, judged and separated from God for our sins when we die? No! Remember, God has a solution. We just have to have faith He will carry it out. We will see the hope God gives the Israelites tomorrow & it will give us hope as well.

### DAY 24: The Payment for Sin... the Sin Offering

(Date: 1445 B.C.)

The Israelites broke God's law and sinned against Him. The "wages of sin" have to be paid. God loves His people, so what will He do? He chooses to give them a method to atone (or pay the price) for the sin. Today we will study what God sets up for the people of Israel: the Sin Offering.

To help us understand the Sin Offering better, let's look at an example. (OT-NLT) Leviticus 4:3-7 says:

If the High priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must bring to the LORD a young bull with no physical defects. He must present the bull to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter it there in the LORD's presence. The priest on duty will then take some of the animal's blood into the Tabernacle, dip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place. The priest will put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar that stands in the LORD's presence in the Tabernacle. The rest of the bull's blood must be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

God gives the instructions for the Sin Offering. In (OT-NLT) Leviticus 4:20 He gives the reason for it:

... _In this way, the priest will make atonement_ (payment of wages) _for the people, and they will be forgiven._

The Sin Offering (i.e. the bull) pays the price and is killed. The bull's death allows the sinner to live. In this example, the Israelites do not pay for the sin, the bull does. God's instructions are very clear, the sinner must:

1. Find the sacrifice (offering) that met God's requirement.

2. Make sure the sacrifice is perfect (no defects).

3. Lay their hands on the sacrifice. This shows the transfer of the sin from the sinner to the sacrifice.

4. Kill the sacrifice.

5. Sprinkle the blood before the LORD.

God tells the sinner to slaughter an animal to pay for the sins. Why? It's because the blood shows the payment of the sins. Let's look closer at the animal's death and the blood:

• An animal dies because a life has to be given to pay for the sin. God loves people and He doesn't want the person to pay the price. In God's mercy, He allows the person to substitute a perfect animal. When the person puts his hand on the animal it is as if the sin travels down the sinner's arm to the animal. (OT-NLT) Leviticus 1:4 tells us God sees the animal as the substitute:

_Lay your hand on its head so the LORD will accept it as your substitute, thus making atonement_ (the payment of wages) _for you._

• The sprinkling of the blood proves the "wages have been paid." (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:18 says:

That is why blood was required under the first covenant as a proof of death.

• The blood is required for the sin to be forgiven. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:22 tells us very clearly:

For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

The Old Testament Sin Offering is extremely important because it has given us many clues to help us spot the Messiah. The substitution for the sinner, the death of the offering and the blood will all help us recognize him.

Special Notes on the Sin Offering:

• The Sin offering could not fix sin at its root: In the person's soul. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 10:2-4 says:

_If they_ (the offerings) _could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared._

But just the opposite happened. Those yearly sacrifices reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

• The Sin Offering was an example of something better to come. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 10:1 says:

_The old system of the law of Moses was only a shadow_ (example) _of the things to come..._

• God gives us a glimpse of the new, better system in (OT-NLT) Jeremiah 31:31-32:

" _The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD._

We break God's commandments, but because He loves us He will make a new way to pay the price for our sins. The Messiah will give us the new way and the new covenant.

### DAY 25: God Gives David a Promise

(Date: 1000 B.C.)

A lot happens between the day God gives the Israelites the directions for the Sin Offering and the day David arrives on the scene. The Israelites settle in the land which we now know as the country of Israel. They have homes, towns and businesses.

Today we are going to learn about an important man who grows up in Israel in the town of Bethlehem. His name is David, and he is Jacob's descendant (11 generations have passed). Most of us have heard the story of the fight between David and Goliath. In (OT-NLT) 1 Samuel chapter 17, God tells us how David, armed with his faith and a slingshot, fights and kills a giant named Goliath.

David is a man of faith and he trusts God with all his heart. He loves God so much that in (OT-NLT) 1 Samuel 13:14 when "the LORD sought out a man after his own heart" David is the man God finds. David grows up and is king of Israel for 40 years.

David is a man after God's heart and God blesses him during his life. Let's take a moment to look at a special event in David's life. We are going to look at the day God gives him a promise. This promise is very important because it provides us another clue to help us spot the true Messiah. In (OT-NLT) 2 Samuel 7:12-14, 16 God promises David:

_For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring_ (seed), _and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house--a temple--for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever._

Let's look at the details God gives David:

• God promises He will elevate (promote) one of David's descendants. He will make Him more important then anyone on earth.

• The one God promotes will have a strong kingdom.

• God will make sure he will rule forever (secure his royal throne forever.)

• God will be his father.

• He will be God's son.

• The throne will be secure forever.

God is giving David a promise about the Messiah, one of David's own descendants will be the Messiah. (NT-NLT) Acts 2:30 confirms the promise God gave David:

_But he_ (David) _was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath_ (covenant) _that one of David's own descendants would sit on David's throne as the Messiah._

With God's promise to David we now add David to our list of the Messiah's ancestors. Let's add David's name to the list of the Messiah's ancestor's:

(Adam*----*Noah*----*Abraham*----*Isaac*----*Jacob*----*David)

### DAY 26: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Birth

(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)

Today our journey will take us past the billboard of Our Messiah's birth. This billboard comes from a man in the (OT-NLT). His name is Isaiah and we're going to look at the special job God gives him.

God assigns Isaiah to give His messages to the people of Israel. This occupation has a special title: prophet. Why can't everyone do this job? It's because the prophets are chosen by God. Moses was another great prophet for the people of Israel. Moses was a prophet because God chose him to deliver messages to Pharaoh and the Israelites.

How do prophets get their messages? (NT-NLT) 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us:

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

The prophesies came from God through the Holy Spirit. In (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 18:22 God tells us how we can know the messages came from His:

" _You may wonder, 'How will we know whether the prophesy is from the LORD or not?' If the prophet predicts something in the LORD's name and it does not happen, the LORD did not did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own and need not be feared."_

How can you tell? If the message comes true then it is from God and His messenger, a true prophet. If it doesn't come true, then the message is not from God and the person is not a true prophet. How do we know Isaiah was a true prophet of God? We know because in (OT-NLT) Isaiah 42:9 Isaiah says:

Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens.

The Israelites know Isaiah is a true prophet because "everything" he tells them happens. Years later, we know he was a true prophet since history confirms his prophesies have come true. Since all Isaiah's prophesies came true, we know what he says about the Messiah will also come true.

The (OT-NLT) book of Isaiah is full of prophesies, but we'll start with the Messiah's birth. God doesn't want us to miss the Messiah and He will make sure the birth captures everyone's attention. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah passed along the following message from God:

All right then, the LORD himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel -- 'God is with us.'

How amazing! In this one verse God gives us seven clues about the birth of the Messiah. He tells us:

• The Lord chose how Our Messiah would arrive on earth

• The birth will be a "sign" from God that He is keeping his promise

• The sign: A virgin will become pregnant and have a child

• The mother will be a virgin

• The child will be a male

• He will be God, because he will be called Immanuel ("God is with us")

From all this, we know if someone claims to be the Messiah, his birth needs to match all of Isaiah's prophesies (clues/dots).

### DAY 27: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Birth Place

(Prophesy Date: 700 B.C.)

So far, we have seen a lot of clues about Our Messiah, but today we will look at a town. Our Messiah could have been born in any of thousands of towns. To make sure we do not miss Our Messiah's birth, God tells us the town through another prophet named Micah. In (OT-NLT) Micah 5:2, God tells us exactly where Our Messiah will be born:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you...

God tells us Our Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. (It's the same town where David was born and raised! Our Messiah will be born in his ancestor's hometown.) Seven hundred years after this clue, a king asked experts for the name of the town. (NT-NLT) Matthew 2:3-6 has the experts' answer:

King Herod called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"

" _In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: 'And you, O Bethlehem in Judea, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"_

God gives us the clues about Our Messiah. He will be:

• Born into this world

• Born in the country of Israel

• Born in a town called Bethlehem

### DAY 28: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Character

(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)

Today we are going to see a billboard that shows us Our Messiah's character. Let's see what God says about the Messiah that will help us find him in a crowd. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 9:6-7 gives us the Messiah's titles:

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.

Look at those titles:

• Wonderful Counselor

• Mighty God

• Everlasting Father

• Prince of Peace

The person who fits these titles will not be able to hide in a crowd. The Messiah must be a person who understands fairness and justice. He will live and rule forever. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 11:1-3, God tells us more about the Messiah:

Out of a stump of David's family will grow a shoot \--- Yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.

This description, just like his names, sets the Messiah apart. It says the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him. This means he will have God's:

• Wisdom

• Understanding

• Counsel

• Might

• Knowledge

Everything Our Messiah says will be identical to God's word. He will be able to answer people's questions about God because every answer will be God's truth. God continues to gives us more information about how he will "delight in obeying the LORD." (OT-NLT) Isaiah 42:1-4 tells us:

Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations. He will be gentle--he will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope. He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.

In this description God starts by reminding us Our Messiah will be His Chosen One. What else do we learn about God's Chosen One? We know:

• God is pleased with him

• God put His Spirit upon him

• He will reveal justice to the nations

• He will be gentle

• He will not shout or raise his voice in public

• He will not crush the weak

• He will not quench the smallest hope

• He will bring full justice

• He will not stop until truth prevails throughout the earth

• He will not stop until righteousness prevails throughout the earth

• Distant lands will wait for his instructions

As we learn more about the Messiah we see a sad side. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:3 tells us:

He was despised and rejected -- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

From these verses we know Our Messiah will:

• Be despised

• Be rejected

• Be full of sorrows

• Have people turn their backs on him

• Be acquainted with the deepest grief

From everything we know about Our Messiah's character, we won't have any problem spotting him. It's hard to believe a person can be like this, but when we find the one who fits this description we find Our Messiah. But God doesn't stop here. He gives us more billboards full of clues. Tomorrow we'll look at what God tells us about the Messiah's work.

### DAY 29: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Work

(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)

Today we'll look in the (OT-NLT) book of Isaiah for more clues about Our Messiah. This time we will study his work. Let's start with his job description. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 42:6 says:

I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.

God says, "I, the LORD, have called you to..." He has chosen Our Messiah to do certain tasks:

• Demonstrate God's righteousness. This means the Messiah will do the same things as God. The person God chooses will be perfect (sinless). He will "demonstrate God's righteousness."

• Be a symbol to Israel of God's covenant with them. This person will be a sign to Israel that God is carrying out His promise.

• Be a light to the nations. Just like God is our guide on this journey, the Messiah will also be a guide. He will guide all the nations (including Israel.)

The job description helps us a lot because we know the Messiah will do everything God says. God goes on to tell us the special tasks Our Messiah will do. Let's look at three verses that give us the tasks and then we'll list them

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 35:5-6:

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:4:

The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 61:1:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and the blind will see.

We will spot Our Messiah, when someone comes into this world and does the following:

• Open the eyes of the blind.

• Unplug the ears of the deaf.

• Heal the lame so they leap.

• Mute will sing for joy!

• Comfort the weary.

• Bring good news.

• Comfort the brokenhearted.

• Release the captives.

When Our Messiah comes he will do all eight of these things, but before he starts someone will make an announcement. God gives us the announcement in (OT-NLT) Isaiah 40:3-5:

Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, "Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!"

When we hear this special announcement we will know Our Messiah is ready to start his work. It will be our sign to watch "the glory of the LORD" being revealed.

### DAY 30: God's Billboard... Our Messiah's Sacrifice

(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)

Today we are going to look at Our Messiah's sacrifice. Before we do this we need to remember this is a journey of faith and trust. In the beginning we chose to trust God to be our Guide and to tell us the truth. Remember why we trusted Him? It's because God cannot lie.

The picture God gives us today will not be a pretty one. Today, He is going to take us down a road that will be hard for some of us to travel. Even though these will be hard clues, they will strengthen our faith because they will help us spot Our Messiah. Let's see where God takes us. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:6-7, God tells us how Our Messiah will be treated:

I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide my face from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I triumph.

Horrible picture, isn't it? Our Messiah will:

• Be beaten

• Have his beard pulled out

• Be mocked

• Spit on

• Be determined to do God's will

• Triumph!

He will endure it all because he will be "determined to do God's will." We see Our Messiah will be hurt, but he will get through with his determination and with God's help. Unfortunately, this isn't all he goes through. God shows us more and it gets worse. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:4-9 and 12, God describes more:

Yet, it was our weaknesses, he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they lead him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of man...

This picture of Our Messiah is not an easy one. God tells us the Messiah will do no wrong, but he will be abused and killed. God tells us what will happen to Our Messiah:

• Wounded

• Crushed for our sins

• Beaten

• Whipped

• Our guilt (sin) laid on him

• Oppressed

• Treated harshly

• Led like a lamb to the slaughter

• Prison and trial

• Lead him away to his death

• Suffer their punishment

• Put in a rich man's grave

• Exposed to death

• Counted among those who were sinners.

• Bore the sins of man...

Isaiah says the Messiah "had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone." He never sinned. So why did he endure all this pain and suffering? It's because of us. It is our weaknesses (sins) and sorrows God puts on him. We are looking at God's punishment for us, not for Our Messiah. Look closely, it says:

• Our Messiah was wounded and crushed for our sins.

• Our Messiah was beaten that we might have peace.

• Our Messiah was whipped, and we were healed!

• The LORD laid on him the guilt of us all.

• Who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins?

• He was suffering their punishment.

After suffering all of this for us, Our Messiah dies. We even have details on his death: He dies like a criminal and is buried "in a rich man's grave."

Wait a minute! Didn't God tell us on Day 28 the Messiah will live forever? But today, God says Our Messiah will die. How can someone die but live forever? It doesn't make sense. So right now we are going to do what Abraham did when he didn't understand, we are going to choose to trust God and wait for Him to explain it. We're not going to turn our backs on God because we don't understand. Instead, we're going to continue by faith and stay with our Guide.

We know the Messiah will die. Why does he have to die? (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:10 tells us the reason he has to die:

But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin....

God tells us Our Messiah's death is part of His good plan. What is His plan? It's to make "an offering for sin." Remember the Sin Offering from Day 24? (OT-NLT) Leviticus 4:3-6 says:

If the high priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must bring to the LORD a young bull with no physical defects. He must present the bull to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter it there in the LORD's presence. The priest on duty will then take some of the animal's blood into the Tabernacle, dip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place.

After giving the instructions for the Sin Offering, God gives the reason for it. (OT-NLT) Leviticus 4:20 says:

... _In this way, the priest will make atonement_ (payment) _for the people, and they will be forgiven._

The Sin Offering pays for the sin and this allows the sinner to live. Let's look at the details of the Sin Offering:

1. Find the sacrifice (gift) God tells the sinner to find.

2. Make sure the sacrifice is perfect (no defects).

3. Lay a hand on the sacrifice. This shows the transfer of the sin from the sinner to the sacrifice.

4. Kill the sacrifice.

5. Sprinkle the blood before the LORD.

6. Atonement (substitution) will be made for the sinner.

The method given to Moses was not the perfect Sin Offering. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 10:1-4 tells us the offerings were never able to remove sin from the sinner:

The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come... The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

But just the opposite happened. Those yearly sacrifices reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

The Messiah's death will be part of God's perfect Sin Offering. Remember how we said everything in the Old Testament was set up to help us recognize Our Messiah? The Sin Offering will help us recognize him: the perfect sacrifice, the transfer of sin and the death of the sacrifice.

### DAY 31: Last Billboard... Our Messiah's Timeline

(Prophesy Date: 542 B.C.)

God wanted us to know when He would send Our Messiah, so He gave us a specific time. His message comes from the (OT-NLT) prophet Daniel. (A little background: Daniel was a prophet who's hometown was Jerusalem, but he was not living there when he wrote the book bearing his name. At the time Daniel wrote down God's words Jerusalem had been destroyed and he was living in another country.) The message from God to Daniel was given in a special way. The message started with a vision and a special visit. (OT-NLT) Daniel 9:21-23 gives us the details:

_As I_ (Daniel) _was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, "Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. I am here to tell you what it was, for God loves you very much. Now listen, so you can understand the meaning of your vision."_

God answered Daniel's prayers by sending the angel Gabriel to explain the meaning of Daniel's vision and to give God's timetable for Our Messiah's arrival. The explanation and timetable come in the next verses. (OT-NLT) Daniel 9:25-26 tells us:

Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.

After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.

Amazing, isn't it? God not only promised us He would send Our Messiah, but He also told us when He would send him. Let's start with the length of a "set of seven." Basically, the phrase "set of seven" means seven years (one year = 365 days). Now that we know a "set of seven" equals seven years, let's read the verses again:

_Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven_ (7 x 7 = 49 years) _plus sixty-two sets of seven_ (62 x 7 = 434 years) _will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times._

_After this period of sixty-two sets of seven_ (62 x 7 = 434 years) _, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple._

We know the number of years and God gives us the event to start the clock. The event God says to watch for is the command to rebuild Jerusalem. Once the event happens then we simply start counting off the years.

We know the number of years, the event, but God also gives more details. The last details we get from God is the order of events. God gives us the following series:

• The command is given to rebuild Jerusalem.

• Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses (time of command + 49 years).

• The Anointed One will be on earth.

• The Anointed One will be killed (time of command + 49 + 434 years).

• A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple (time of command + 49 + 434 years +? years).

God tells us in (OT-NLT) Daniel to look for these events. These are specific historical events that will help us spot Our Messiah, the Anointed One. The last two clues (dots), Our Messiah's birth place and the arrival date, are huge because they will really limit the possibilities. Only someone born around 483 years after the command to rebuild Jerusalem is given AND born in Bethlehem can possibly be the Messiah.

Now, what do we do? We look for "the command" and when it comes we start counting the years until the Messiah arrives.

Note:

Throughout the rest of the book, two tools will be used to highlight when the Old Testament promise is fulfilled. One tool is a historical timeline. (See below.) The second tool is a checkmark to show a fulfillment from a list of promises.

### DAY 32: Review of the Old Testament Clues (Dots)

We've taken an amazing journey so far. We have just spent the last 31 days choosing, by faith, to follow God's road map. Let's take a short rest and review the last 31. As we followed God's road map, here are some snapshots of our journey:

DAYS 1-7: CREATION

_In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth._ (OT-NLT) Genesis 1:1

We saw God create everything, from the stars above the earth, to the fish below, and everything in between (including Adam and Eve). People are unique and special to God. Why? It's because they are the only ones God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves." The seventh day was a day of rest for God because He had finished His task of creation.

DAYS 8-11: SIN ENTERS

_The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too._ (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:6

We learned about the devil and how he tempted Eve. Sadly, we also saw Eve disobey God by eating the fruit. Adam disobeyed shortly after her. When they disobeyed God, sin entered the world. Unfortunately, we are all infected with sin.

DAY 12: GOD'S ANSWER: OUR MESSIAH

From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring (seed) will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:15. God has the answer to the problems of sin and the devil. He promised to send the SEED. At this point of our journey, we were given the promise of the SEED and his name: Messiah.

DAYS 13-15: SIN AFFECTED EVERYONE

_Now the LORD observed the extent of the people's wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. But Noah found favor with the LORD._ (OT-NLT) Genesis 6:5, 8. On these days, we were told the bad news and the good news. The bad news: Sin affects everyone. Through Abel, Noah and Abraham, we learned the good news: There is a way to have favor with God. Faith is the one thing that gives us "right standing" with God.

DAY 16: GOD MADE A COVENANT

So the LORD made a covenant with Abraham that day. (OT-NLT) Genesis 15:18. We watched as God made a covenant with Abraham. There were several extremely important things to remember from this day: A covenant is a binding agreement, blood is required and God is the one who made the covenant.

DAYS 17-18: THE MESSIAH'S FAMILY TREE

... for salvation (rescue of sins) comes from the Jews. (NT-NLT) John 4:22

On these days, God gave us the Messiah's family tree to help us spot him. Using the word SEED we connected the dots: Adam-Noah-Abraham-Isaac-Jacob. When God changed Jacob's name to Israel, He told us the Messiah would come from one people: the Jews.

DAYS 19-21: EGYPT AND PASSOVER

The blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will pass over you.... Exodus 12:13. On these days we watched Jacob's family (i.e. Israel) travel to Egypt due to a food shortage. After 400 years of living in Egypt the Israelites were rescued when God sent 10 plagues. The last plague reminds us blood is required for death to "pass over." Passover celebrates the night God saved them because of the blood of the perfect lamb.

DAYS 22-24: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND THE SIN OFFERING

Lay your hand on its head so the LORD will accept it as your substitute, thus making atonement (the payment of wages) for you. (OT-NLT) Leviticus 1:4. These were the days we went over the Ten Commandments. We saw how blood was used to confirm the covenant between God and the Israelites. Unfortunately, we also saw the Israelites break their covenant. God gave the Israelites a temporary method to pay for their sins called the Sin Offering. The Sin Offering gave us the picture of sin transferring to the offering when the person laid a hand on the offering. God showed us, because the "wages of sin is death," sin costs the life of the offering.

DAY 25: DAVID IS ADDED TO THE FAMILY TREE

For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring (SEED), and I will make his kingdom strong. (OT-NLT) 2 Samuel 7:12. The promise given to David on this day helped us add one more name to the family tree. At this point, we added David and finished connecting the dots: Adam-Noah-Abraham-Isaac-Jacob/Israel-David.

DAYS 26-30: MESSIAH'S BIRTH, HIS CHARACTER, HIS WORK AND HIS SACRIFICE

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. (NT-NLT) 2 Peter 1:20-21. Before going past several huge billboards, we learned that every prophecy in the Bible came from the Holy Spirit. The billboards were placed by God to help us spot the Messiah. We learned the Messiah will be born of a virgin in Bethlehem and his character will be perfect. Also, the Messiah's work will include performing miracles, bringing good news, comforting the brokenhearted and releasing the captives. The last billboard we saw was his sacrifice: his life.

DAY 31: THE TIMELINE

Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven [7 x 7 = 49 years] plus sixty-two sets of seven [62 x 7 = 434 years] will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes....

(OT-NLT) Daniel 9:25. On this day, God gave us our last billboard. God wants us to spot the Messiah so badly that He actually tells us when, in time, the Messiah will arrive. All we have to do is make a timeline based on His clues and wait for God to carry out His promises.

It's been an exciting journey so far! And the second half will be even more exciting. Are you ready for God to guide us through the rest of our journey? Let's take our faith and continue. As we travel further, let's keep (OT-NLT) Numbers 23:19 as our special reminder:

God is not a man that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

God has given us His promises. Now we will watch Him carry them out.

### PART B: God keeps His promises!

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 31: The clock starts

Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler the Anointed One comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.

After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple.

Daniel 9:25-26  
(Prophesy Date: 542 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 445-396 B.C.)

### DAY 33: The Command Given and Jerusalem Rebuilt - God Is Ready

(Date: 445-396 B.C.)

On Day 31, God gave us specific events to help us pinpoint when Our Messiah would arrive on earth. Let's look at the events again:

• The command is given to rebuild Jerusalem.

• Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses (time of command + 49 years).

• The Anointed One will be on earth.

• The Anointed One will be killed (time of command + 49 + 434 years).

• A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple (time of command + 49 + 434 years +? years).

Note:

• The checkmark shows us God fulfilled His promise.

God gives us actual historical events to watch for. Let's start our day by confirming when "the command" in (OT-NLT) Daniel was given. We find all the details in (OT-NLT) Nehemiah 1:1-3, 2:1, 4-5, 7-8:

_In the late autumn of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I (_ Nehemiah) _was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned."_

_Early the following spring, during the twentieth year_ (April-May 445 B.C.) _of King Artaxerxes' reign I was serving the king his wine._

The king asked, "Well, how can I help you?"

_With a prayer to God of Heaven, I replied, "If it please Your Majesty and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city_ (Jerusalem) _where my ancestors are buried."_

_I also said to the king, "And please send a letter to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself."_ _And the king granted these requests_ _, because the gracious hand of God was on me._

The command to have the city and the wall of Jerusalem rebuilt was given by King Artaxerxes, king of Persia. King Artaxerxes gave the command in 445 B.C. Years later Jerusalem was rebuilt with walls, and a new temple stood inside the walls. In 400 B.C., the last words of the Old Testament were written. God had everything ready for the Messiah's arrival. Now, we are ready to travel on to the New Testament.

Let's add the dates to our timeline:

Special Note: History confirms the first two events on our timeline: 1) the command to rebuild Jerusalem and 2) the actually rebuilding of Jerusalem. As we continue on our journey, the Bible and history will confirm God carries out His promises. Most of the events are recorded in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four books have a special name: the Gospels. The word Gospel actually means "Good News." The Good News that God carries out Him promise of Our Messiah. As we continue, God will help us connect the Old Testament clues to the New Testament fulfillments. Our first huge sign we see is in the second book of the New Testament. (NT-NLT) Mark 1:1 tells us:

Here begins the Good News...

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: The one who will announce Our Messiah

Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, "Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!"

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 40:3-5  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 2-4 A.D.)

### DAY 34: God prepares for Our Messiah

(Date: 2-4 A.D.)

Let's meet the parents of the one God will send to announce (introduce) the Messiah to the world. In (NT-NLT) Luke 5-7 God tells us about them:

It all begins with a Jewish priest, Zechariah, who lived when Herod was king of Judea.... Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and now they were both very old.

God has chosen the parents and now it's time for Him to tell them about their special child. He sends an angel to give them the news in (NT-NLT) Luke 1:11-13, 15-17:

Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense alter. Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John.... he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival."

Shortly after the angel's appearance, Elizabeth becomes pregnant. When their child is born, Elizabeth and Zechariah obey God and name him John. Listen to the amazing words Zechariah says about John in (NT-NLT) Luke 1:76-77:

" _And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins."_

Only God can give a baby to a barren couple and only God can carry out His promise to give the Messiah to a virgin. The virgin God chooses is Elizabeth's relative. Interestingly, they are actually pregnant at the same time. (NT-NLT) Luke 1:26-27 tells us:

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary.

Let's meet Mary...

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 26: Our Messiah's birth mom

All right then, the LORD himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel -- 'God is with us.'

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 7:14  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 2-4 A.D.)

### DAY 35: Our Messiah's Birth Mother

(Date: 2-4 A.D.)

On Day 26, we learned the details about Our Messiah's birth mother and his birth. Let's look at the details:

• The LORD himself chose this sign.

• The "sign" from God will be arrival of Our Messiah, showing God keeps His promise.

• Our Messiah's arrival will be through a virgin who gives birth to a child.

• The mother will be a virgin.

• Her child will be a son.

• Her son, Our Messiah, will be God because he will be called Immanuel. ("God is with us")

Now, let's see if Mary matches the description. (NT-NLT) Luke 1:26-27, 30-35, 37 says:

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin."

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.... For nothing is impossible with God."

Nothing is impossible for God. God keeps all of his promises, even the ones we think are impossible. God sent the angel Gabriel to give the message to Mary. She is the virgin God chose to fulfill His promise.

Did God choose Mary because she is perfect and never sinned? No, Mary needed the Messiah, too. She sinned just like everyone else because, We are ALL infected with sin. In (NT-NLT) Luke 1:46-47 Mary tells us she's a sinner just like everyone and she needs forgiveness of her sins:

_Mary responded, "Oh how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God_ _my Savior_ _!"_

Every sinner needs a Savior and Mary rejoiced in God her Savior! God saw Mary's sin, but He saw something else in her. (NT-NLT) Luke 1:45 tells us what God saw in Mary to make Him choose her:

You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.

God looked for a woman who had faith to help Him carry out His plan. He chose Mary because of her faith. When Mary asked the angel Gabriel how this would happen he told her it would be done by the Holy Spirit. We don't know how God did it, but we know nothing is impossible for God. (NT-NLT) Matthew 1:18 proves nothing is impossible for God:

Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

The virgin was pregnant! This is the sign God himself chose. (Isn't it awesome that hundreds of years earlier Isaiah told us this would happen?) But when Mary becomes pregnant, Joseph does not understand this is a miracle from God. (NT-NLT) Matthew 1:19-21, 24-25 gives us the special message God gave to convince Joseph:

_Joseph, her fiancé, being a just_ (righteous) _man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly._

_As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus_ (the Lord saves) _, for he will save his people from their sins."_

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

God promised to send us Our Messiah. He is the One who chose a virgin of faith to be the Messiah's birth mother. He is also the One who chose a righteous man to be the Messiah's earthly father.

A virgin was ready to give birth. Nothing is impossible for God!

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 27: Our Messiah's birthplace

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you...

(OT-NLT) Micah 5:2  
(Prophesy Date: 700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 2-4 A.D.)

### DAY 36: Jesus Christ's Birth and Early Childhood

(Date: 2-4 A.D.)

God chose Mary to be the mother of Our Messiah. Mary, just like us, matched the clues given in the Old Testament. Now, we will look at the birth place. Let's review the clues from Day 26. Our Messiah was to be:

• Born into this world

• Born in the country of Israel

• Born in a town called Bethlehem

God told us the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, but Joseph and Mary live in Nazareth. Let's make sure Jesus' birth place matches the given clues. (NT-NLT) Luke 2:3-7 says:

_All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea_ (a region within Israel) _, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time._

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son.

Why did they go to Bethlehem? They went there because Joseph was King David's descendant. While they were in Bethlehem registering for the census, Jesus Christ is born exactly where God promised. God's promise was carried out.

Jesus' birth is very important and God makes the announcement. Just like before when God sent an angel to Daniel, Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary, He sends an angel again. (NT-NLT) Luke 2:9-10 records the angel's words:

_Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them_ (the shepherds) _, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!"_

The angel tells them:

• He has good news.

• This good news is for everyone.

• The Savior has been born.

• The Messiah, the Lord, has been born.

• He was born in Bethlehem, the city of David.

The angel gives the good news. Why is it good? It's because God's promise of the Messiah, the one to save us from our sin is born. He is born in the city of David, exactly where God said he would be born. When he was born? (NT-NLT) Luke 2:1-3 helps us pin point the time when Jesus was born:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This is the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census.

Because of these recorded events, historians narrow down the time to the first years in A.D.

With this information we can plot Jesus' birth on our timeline:

• The command is given to rebuild Jerusalem

• Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses (command + 49 years)

• A ruler - the Anointed One - will be on earth

• The Anointed One will be killed (command + 483 years)

• A ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple

Jesus Christ is born at the right time. God promised He would send Our Messiah and He keeps His promises. He was just waiting for the perfect time. (NT-NLT) Galatians 4:4 says:

But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman...

Eight days after Jesus' birth, his parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem. (NT-NLT) Luke 2:23-32 gives us the details:

The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord-"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

" _Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"_

Mary and Joseph brought their gift to the Temple because Jesus was their firstborn baby boy. While they were there the Holy Spirit lead Simeon to the Temple so he could see the Messiah before he died. Simeon looked past the baby boy of this poor family and by faith he recognized this baby as the Messiah. Simeon said Jesus was:

• The Savior (Rescuer)

• Given to all people

• A light to reveal God to the nations

• The glory of Israel

Jesus Christ was no ordinary child, he's Our Messiah. (NT-NLT) Luke 2:40 says Jesus "was filled with wisdom beyond his years." To help us see his "wisdom", the Bible gives us an event in Jesus' life at the age of twelve. (NT-NLT) Luke 2:40-52 tells us:

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first, because they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.

_When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him._ _He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers._

His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."

" _But why did you need to search?" he asked. "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." But they didn't understand what he meant._

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart. So Jesus grew in both height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.

Now we need to add Jesus' birth to our timeline:

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 25: Our Messiah's family tree

_For when you_ (King David) _die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring_ (seed) _, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house-a temple-for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever._

(OT-NLT) 2 Samuel 7:12-14, 16  
(Prophesy Date: 1000 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 2-4 A.D.)

### DAY 37: Jesus Christ's Ancestors

(Date: 2-4 A.D.)

In the Old Testament, God used the word seed to trace Our Messiah's ancestors. (NT-NLT) Galatians 3:16 tells us exactly who the seed is:

_God gave the promise to Abraham and his child_ (SEED). _And notice that it doesn't say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his_ _child (SEED)_ _\-- and that, of course, means_ _(Jesus_ _) Christ._

The name we have been waiting for is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the seed God promised in the Old Testament. In the New Testament God uses two genealogies to trace the seed. He traces both genealogies through David, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Noah and Adam. Here are the genealogies:

ADAM (The promise of the SEED was given on Day 12)

NOAH (The flood narrowed our choices to Noah on Day 14)

ABRAHAM (The promise of the SEED was given on Day 17)

ISAAC (The promise of the SEED was given on Day 17)

JACOB / ISRAEL (The promise of the SEED was given on Day 17)

DAVID (The promise of the SEED was given on Day 25)

At this point, the genealogies divide into two different lines. The first line of ancestors is in (NT-NLT) Matthew 1:7-16:

Solomon – Rehoboam – Abijah – Asaph – Jehoshaphat – Jehoram – Uzziah – Jotham – Ahaz – Hezekiah – Manasseh – Amos – Josiah – Jehoiachin – Shealtiel – Zerubbabel – Abiud – Eliakim – Azor – Zadok – Akim – Eliud – Eleazar – Matthan – Jacob – Joseph, husband of Mary – Mary was the mother of Jesus

The second line of ancestors is in (NT-NLT) Luke 3:23-31:

Nathan – Mattatha – Menna – Melea – Eliakim – Jonam – Joseph – Judah – Simeon – Levi – Matthat – Jorim – Eliezer – Joshua – Er – Elmadam – Cosam – Addi – Melki – Neri – Shealtiel – Zerubbabel – Rhesa – Joanan – Joda – Josech – Semein – Mattathias – Maath – Naggai – Esli – Nahum – Amos – Mattathias – Joseph – Jannai – Melki – Levi – Matthat – Heli – Joseph (Jesus Christ was known as the son of Joseph)

The descendant (SEED) we have been waiting for is Jesus Christ. He truly is the "Son of David!"

Note: There are several different theories on why one genealogy follows David's son Nathan and the other follows David's son Solomon. God could have just given us one line and that would have been good enough, but God gives us two! He's kept His promise from (OT-NLT) 2 Samuel 7:12: For when you (King David) die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring (seed)...

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: The announcement

Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, "Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!"

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 40:3-5  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34 A.D.)

### DAY 38: John the Baptist makes the Announcement

(Date: 34 A.D.)

Today we will look at John's life and his announcement. Let's start with the special work God gave John while he waited to make the announcement. (NT-NLT) Luke 3:2-3 tells us:

_At this time a message from God came to John_ (the Baptist) _son of Zechariah, who was living out in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized_ _to show_ _that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven._

John's work was to tell everyone to turn from their sins and God to be forgiven. He was also chosen to point people to the Messiah. John uses the word from the (OT-NLT) book of Isaiah to help people find the Messiah. Let's look at his words in (NT-NLT) John 1:19-23:

This is the testimony of John when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John whether he claimed to be the Messiah. He flatly denied it, "I am not the Messiah," he said.

" _Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?"_

" _No," he replied._

" _Are you the Prophet?"_

" _No."_

" _Then who are you? Tell us so we can give the answer to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"_

John replied in the words of Isaiah:

" _I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord's coming!'"_

Everyone was eager for the Messiah, but they were not sure who to look for. John the Baptist was also eager to make the announcement, but he was waiting for the signal from God before making the announcement. (NT-NLT) John 1:33-34 tells us the signal he was waiting for:

... _when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, "When you see the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon someone, he is the one you are looking for."_

The people were ready, John the Baptist was ready, and God had been ready since the beginning. It is time for God to reveal His Chosen One. In (NT-NLT) Luke 3:21-22, God gives the signal:

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you."

John the Baptist sees the Holy Spirit descend and knows this is the signal from God. God not only gives John the signal, but God then confirms it with His voice. He said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." God sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be Our Messiah.

In (NT-NLT) John 3:31-36, John the Baptist gives us the reasons God chose Jesus Christ:

He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God's Son have eternal life.

From these New Testament verses we know:

• Jesus Christ has come from above: heaven.

• Jesus Christ is greater than anyone else.

• Jesus Christ tells what he has seen and heard.

• Jesus Christ proves God is true.

• Jesus Christ is sent by God.

• Jesus Christ speaks God's words.

• Jesus Christ has God's Spirit upon him without measure or limit.

• Jesus Christ is the Son (of God).

• The Father (God) loves the Son (Jesus Christ).

• Jesus Christ has been given authority over everything by the Father (God).

• Belief in God's Son (Jesus Christ) gives eternal life.

God didn't just pick someone off the street. He chose the only one who can do the work of the Messiah: Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only choice because:

• Jesus Christ is the Son (of God).

Jesus Christ isn't just an ordinary man who lived on earth 2,000 years ago. He is God in the flesh. He is God walking alongside ordinary people. As we continue on our journey with God, we must remember the purpose behind all this. It's so All who believe in God's Son have eternal life.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: Our Messiah's announcement

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 61:1-2  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34 A.D.)

### DAY 39: Jesus Christ makes his announcement

(Date: 34 A.D.)

John the Baptist made his announcement. Shortly after Jesus Christ is baptized Jesus is ready to start his work. (NT-NLT) Luke 3:23 tells us:

Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.

About thirty years after his birth Jesus Christ is ready to tell everyone he is God's Chosen One, Our Messiah. Let's look at his formal announcement. We find his words in (NT-NLT) Luke 4:16-21:

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. Then he said, "This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!"

Jesus Christ stood up in front of the people in the synagogue and used the Old Testament words of Isaiah to make his announcement. He tells them the Old Testament prophesy of the Messiah has come true! In his announcement, he reminds them he is here to do his divine work - the same work listed on Day 29:

• Open the eyes of the blind

• Unplug the ears of the deaf

• Heal the lame

• Heal the mute

• Comfort the weary

• Bring good news

• Comfort the brokenhearted

• Release the captives

Later Jesus tells the crowd on a mountain why God sent him. In (NT-NLT) Matthew 5:17, Jesus tells them:

_Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No,_ _I came to fulfill them._

Jesus Christ says isn't there to undo the things they were told about in the Old Testament, he is there to carry them out. He tells the people in the synagogue and the people on the mountain the same thing: they are looking into the eyes of the Messiah. They are looking at the Messiah God promised in the Old Testament. Just takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Jesus makes his announcement. Now, it's time for Jesus Christ to begin his work.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 12: God's promise, the SEED (Our Messiah)

_From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring_ (SEED) _will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel._

(OT-NLT) Genesis 3:15  
(Prophesy Date: After Adam and Eve sinned)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34 A.D.)

### DAY 40: Jesus Christ calls himself the Messiah

(Date: 34 A.D.)

God keeps his promise. He sends Our Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jesus even tells people he is the Messiah. In (NT-NLT) John 5:39, Jesus says:

_You search the Scriptures_ (OT-NLT) _because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!_

He tells people the Old Testament points to him. He tells us we have found the one who matches all of our clues. As we continue on this journey, connecting our clues (dots), we can be confident Jesus Christ is Our Messiah.

When God moves us from the Old Testament to the New Testament he changes from clues to fulfillment. To guide us through this He uses the New Testament Greek name for Messiah: Christ. The words Messiah and Christ actually mean the same thing. John 1:41 confirms this:

" _We have found the Messiah" (which means the Christ)._

The New Testament records the people asking Jesus Christ if he is the Messiah. It also records the times he answers them. Let's look at examples. (NT-NLT) John 4:25-26 says:

The woman said, "I know the Messiah will come -- the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

_Then Jesus told her, "_ _I am the Messiah_ _!"_

Jesus answers the question again in (NT-NLT) Mark 14:61-62:

Then the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed God?"

_Jesus said, "_ _I am_ _."_

(NT-NLT) Luke 23:1- 2 tells us the people have heard him call himself the Messiah:

_Then the entire council took Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor. They began at once to state their case: "This man has been...._ _claiming he is the Messiah_ _, a king."_

Jesus Christ isn't just a man who lived on earth thousands of years ago... he is the promise God gave us in the Old Testament. What would the Old Testament be without the New Testament? It would be God not carrying out His most important promises. (OT-NLT) Numbers 23:19 tells us:

God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

When has God not kept His promise? The answer is never!! God keeps every promise, including the most important one: Our Messiah. In the beginning, God told Satan He would send the SEED to "crush your head." Jesus is the SEED God promised.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: Our Messiah's work

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 35:5-6  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:4  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 41: Jesus Christ Begins His Work: Healing and Comforting

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

Today we are going to see Jesus Christ perform his miracles. Let's look again at the list from Day 29:

• Opening the eyes of the blind

• Unplugging the ears of the deaf

• Healing the lame

• Healing the mute

• Comforting the weary

• Bringing good news.

• Comforting the brokenhearted.

• Releasing the captives.

(NT-NLT) Mathew 15:29-31 gives us an example with the first five types of miracles:

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought him the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others with physical difficulties, and they laid them before Jesus. And he healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking around, and those who had been blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.

Jesus Christ carried out the first four things on the list. He completely healed people! Not only did he completely heal, but "he healed them all." The people watch as Jesus Christ carried out God promise before their eyes. He fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies of healing. The people who gathered around Jesus believed he would heal them, and he did. The people also sought another kind of healing and he provided it: comforting the weary.

We'll start by hearing Jesus Christ's promise. (NT-NLT) Matthew 11:28-29 says:

Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls."

The news of Jesus Christ healing spreads. People can't believe their ears so they need to see for themselves. They are tired from their work and tired of all their lives' heavy burdens. They seek relief and rest. Jesus Christ promises them this rest when he tells them "I will give you rest." But he provides a special rest: "rest for their souls." It's the rest people have when their souls are at peace. He even tells the people how to find this rest. He tells them:

1. Come to me. (Trust Jesus and come close to him.)

2. Take my yoke upon you. (A yoke ties two animals together so they can carry a load together.)

3. Let me teach you. (Allow Jesus Christ to be the teacher and learn from him.)

Jesus tells them: If you want rest for your soul do the three things he says. This takes trust, faith and a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

Today we learned how Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophesies of healing. Tomorrow we will look at the reasons he carried out the miracles.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 28: Our Messiah's miracles

_I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness_ ( ion).

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 42:6  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 42: Reasons for Jesus Christ's Miracles

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

Today we will look at the reasons Jesus Christ performed his miracles.

Reason #1: Miracles helped people recognize the Messiah.

Back on Day 28, we learned the Messiah would perform miracles. (OT-NLT) Isaiah

35:5-6 tells us:

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!

The miracles Jesus Christ performed leave us no doubt that he is Our Messiah.

Reason #2: Miracles brought people to him.

In Jesus' time, there were no televisions, computers or radios. When something important happened, the news spread by word-of-mouth. So this means whatever caught people's attention had to be huge. It couldn't be just a little unusual... it had to be amazing! He had to do something to make people stop and check the truth for themselves. (NT-NLT) Mark 3:7-8 tells us how far the news of Jesus' miracles spread:

Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake, followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves.

The people heard about the amazing miracles Jesus Christ performed and they couldn't believe it. They had to see him for themselves. They stopped what they were doing and went to see for themselves. They traveled hundreds and hundreds of miles on foot to see with their own eyes and experience the healing for themselves.

Reason #3: Miracles convinced people that Jesus is the Messiah.

The people who lived during Jesus' time knew God's promise to send the Messiah. They heard all about the Messiah from the time they were young. They were not going to believe Jesus was the Messiah just because he said it. They needed Jesus Christ to prove it. So Jesus Christ gave them the proof by performing miracles. (NT-NLT) John 2:23 tells us:

Because of the miraculous signs he did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many people were convinced that he was indeed the Messiah.

The people at the celebration saw the proof and they knew, without a doubt, that he was the Messiah.

Reason #4: Miracles proved Jesus Christ was sent by God.

In (NT-NLT) John 5:36, Jesus tells people his miracles prove he is the one God chose to send:

" _I have a greater witness than John_ (the Baptist) _\--my teachings and my miracles. They have been assigned to me by the Father, and they testify that the Father has sent me."_

(NT-NLT) John 9:10-11 and 32-33 tell us of a man who believes God sent Jesus Christ because of a miracle:

They asked, "Who healed you? What happened?"

He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and smoothed it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash off the mud.' I went and washed, and now I can see!... Never since the world began has anyone been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn't do it."

Reason #5: Jesus' miracles help convince people to repent.

In (NT-NLT) Matthew 11:20-21, Jesus says he does miracles to help convince people to turn from their sins and turn to God:

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God. "What horrors await you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have sat in deep repentance long ago, clothed in sackcloth and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse."

Reason #6: Jesus Christ used miracles to prove he had the power to forgive sins.

In (NT-NLT) Matthew 9:1-7, Jesus performed a miracle to prove he had the power to forgive sin:

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven."

" _Blasphemy! This man talks like he is God!" some of the teachers of religious law said among themselves._

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? Is it easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or 'Get up and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!"

And the man jumped up and went home!

Jesus saw the man's faith and forgave the man's sins, but the religious teachers could not see the forgiveness. Jesus cured the paralyzed man to give them a visible sign of his power to forgive sins.

When we think of miracles we think about what we see with our eyes, the greatest miracle of all is the forgiveness of sins. We will spend more time looking at Jesus Christ's power to forgive, but for now we need to remember the reasons for his miracles:

1. Miracles brought people to Jesus.

2. Helped people recognize the Messiah.

3. Convinced people Jesus is the Messiah.

4. Proved Jesus Christ was sent by God.

5. Help convince people to repent.

6. Proved he had the power to forgive sins.

Sadly, not everyone chose to believe in Jesus. (NT-NLT) Mark 6:1-3 tells us of a group of people who refused to believe:

Jesus left that part of the country, and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They asked, "Where did he get all his wisdom, and the power to perform such miracles? He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."

When the people of Nazareth saw the miracles they refused to believe in him. Instead of seeing the Messiah, the Son of God, they saw a man who grew up in their town. A man who was:

• Only a carpenter.

• Only Mary's son.

• Only the half brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.

• Only the half brother of his sisters.

• Only a man from their hometown.

• Only a relative.

• Only a member of their family.

Just like them, we each face a decision. Jesus Christ stands in front of us, but do we see him for who he really is? Our part takes faith. He is more than a man. He is the Messiah and the Son of God. He is fully man and fully God.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: Our Messiah brings Good News

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and the blind will see.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 61:1  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 43: Jesus Christ's Work ~ Bringing Good News

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

Today we will hear the Good News from Jesus Christ:

• Opening the eyes of the blind.

• Unplugging the ears of the deaf.

• Healing the lame.

• Healing the mute.

• Comforting the weary.

• Bringing Good News.

• Comforting the brokenhearted.

• Releasing the captives.

Jesus was traveling, teaching, preaching and healing. Let's look at the details in (NT-NLT) Matthew 4:23:

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching everywhere the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed people who had every kind of sickness and disease.

What was Jesus preaching? He was preaching the Good News. His words are in (NT-NLT) Matthew 4:17:

From then on, Jesus began to preach, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

The Good News Jesus was telling everyone was: turn from your sins and turn to God. His words are straightforward. Why does he say to turn from our sins? It's because our sins and God are completely opposite each other. When we turn to our sins we turn our backs on God. When we turn to God we turn our backs on our sins. Let's get more details from (NT-NLT) John 3:16-18:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

Jesus says when someone "turns from their sins" is when they choose to stop loving the darkness (their sins) and starts loving the light (Jesus Christ). The next step is "turning to God." This happens when someone believes in Jesus and trusts him. The Good News is for every person on earth. But this Good News only works if everyone (God, Jesus and each person) does their part. Let's look at the different parts.

We'll first look at God's part:

• He loved the world: love is His motivation

• He gave his only Son: Jesus is His gift.

• He gave Jesus so that everyone who believes in him will not perish (go to hell).

• His reason for sending Jesus was to give eternal life to all who believe.

• His reason for sending Jesus was not to condemn the world, but to save it.

Next, let's look at Jesus' part:

• He was preaching everywhere the Good News.

• He told people "Turn from your sins and turn to God."

• He is the light from heaven that came into the world.

• He came into this world to save it.

• He came so people could choose to trust him and believe in the only Son of God.

Last, we need to look at each person's part:

• Each of us needs to listen to Jesus' words: Turn from your sins and turn to God.

• Each of us needs to believe in Jesus so we will not perish (go to hell)

• Each of us needs to believe in Jesus so we will have eternal life (life with God and no longer separated from Him.)

• Each of us needs to trust in Jesus so we will have no judgment.

• Each of us needs to love the light more than the darkness.

God and Jesus have done their parts. Each person has to do their part: make their decision to either trust Jesus or not trust him. If we choose to trust Him, we are rewarded.

Isn't it awesome to hear the Good News from Jesus Christ himself? Turn from your sins and turn to God. Many people who heard Jesus believed in him. Here are just a few examples. (NT-NLT)John 4:39 says:

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus...

(NT-NLT) John 10:41-42 tells us:

_And many followed him_ (Jesus) _. "John_ (the Baptist) _didn't do miracles," they remarked to one another, "but all his predictions about this man have come true." And many believed in him there._

(NT-NLT) John 12:42 tells us:

Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him.

Many people believed in Jesus and were saved. Let's read one man's personal story of being saved. (NT-NLT) Luke 19:1-10 tells us:

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"

Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."

God and Jesus have done their parts. It was time for Zacchaeus' to make his decision. He chose to turn from his sins and turn to God. Because he believed in Jesus, he knew he would not be judged. In his excitement and joy Zacchaeus even promised to give his money to the poor and the people he overcharged. When Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this home," the people knew Zacchaeus had been forgiven and saved.

(NT-NLT) Romans 4:6-8 helps us understand the joy Zacchaeus felt when he was forgiven:

King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared to be righteous: "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord."

The Bible tells us:

• Happiness occurs when an undeserving sinner is declared to be righteous.

• Joy occurs for those whose disobedience (sin) is forgiven.

• Our sins are put out of sight.

• The Lord no longer counts our sins against us when we are forgiven.

(NT-NLT) Romans 10:8, 13 tells us salvation (being saved) is for everyone:

Salvation that comes from trusting Christ - which is the message we preach - is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, "The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart."...

For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

The Bible says salvation is for everyone. It's a gift for each person. A person just has to call on the name of the Lord to be saved.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: Our Messiah comforts the brokenhearted

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and the blind will see.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 61:1  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 44: Jesus Christ's Work ~ Comforting the Brokenhearted

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

It's been amazing watching Jesus fulfill the prophesies from Day 29. Today, Jesus Christ will fulfill another task on the list:

• Opening the eyes of the blind.

• Unplugging the ears of the deaf.

• Healing the lame.

• Healing the mute.

• Comforting the weary.

• Bringing Good News.

• Comforting the brokenhearted.

• Releasing the captives.

Have you ever been brokenhearted or known someone who was? Eventually there comes a point where you just want to give up. It's a discouraging picture, isn't it? It's the picture of a broken heart. Many people who go to see Jesus feel the same way. They feel beaten by their problems and they are ready to give up.

How does Jesus feel about the brokenhearted? (NT-NLT) Matthew 9:36 tells us:

He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help.

Jesus knows the people were broken hearted. He feels great pity for them. There are two parts to his pity: 1) a feeling of sadness and 2) a desire to help.

There are many stories of "brokenhearted" people in the New Testament. These are real people with real problems, just like us. They are looking for help. When they find Jesus they find the only one who has the power to help them. Let's look at an example. As we read about this family, let's put ourselves in their place and try to imagine their grief. This family's story is in (NT-NLT) John 11:14-15, 17-19, 33-35, 41-45:

_Then he_ (Jesus) _told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And for your sake, I am glad I wasn't there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me. Come let's go see him."_

... _When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to pay their respects and console Martha and Mary on their loss._

... _When Jesus saw her_ (Mary) _weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, he was moved with indignation and was deeply troubled. "Where have you put him?" he asked them._

They told him, "Lord, come and see."

Then Jesus wept.

(Jesus and the crowd go to Lazarus' grave.)

... _Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me."_

Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!"

And Lazarus came out, bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!"

Amazing!! Jesus Christ brings Lazarus back to life and, in the process, he heals broken hearts. When Lazarus walks out their sorrow is turned into joy!

Jesus knows peoples' hearts are broken by all the problems they face, but the largest problem is our separation from God. He is here to heal that problem, too. He heals the separation each time someone chooses to believe in him.

Jesus continues to do what God sent him to do. How many more Old Testament prophesies will Jesus fulfill? The answer is: ALL of them!

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 28: Our Messiah's wisdom, understanding and knowledge

Out of a stump of David's family will grow a shoot \--- Yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 11:1-3  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 45: Jesus Shows His Authority through His Teachings

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

On Day 28, we were told Our Messiah would have wisdom and understanding. Before we look at what Jesus Christ teaches let's begin with how he teaches. (NT-NLT) Matthew 22:16 says:

Teacher, we know how honest you are. You teach about the way of God regardless of the consequences. You are impartial and don't play favorites.

How does Jesus teach? He teaches:

• With honesty.

• The way of God.

• Regardless of the consequences.

• Impartially.

• Without playing favorites.

Let's look at two examples of his teaching. In (NT-NLT) Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches:

" _You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'_ _But I say_ _, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!"_

In (NT-NLT) Matthew 5:27-28, he teaches:

_You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not commit adultery.'_ _But I say,_ _anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart._

The rest of Chapter five continues in the same pattern: "You have heard... But I say..." What is Jesus doing? He wants everyone to see sin the same way God sees it. He's telling us to examine our hearts and compare it to God's standards:

• Murder is hatred in our hearts.

• Adultery is lustful desire outside of marriage.

When we see our sin through God's eyes (murder, adultery, etc.), we see our true sinful nature. The Son of God is doing exactly what God sent him to do - teach the way of God.

How did people react to Jesus' teachings? (NT-NLT) Mark 1:21-22 gives us the reactions:

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum, and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority -- quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

The people who heard Jesus were amazed because he taught with "real authority." A lot of men taught in the synagogue at the time, yet the people who heard Jesus described him as having real authority. John the Baptist gives us the reason. In (NT-NLT) John 3:31-34, John the Baptist tells us:

He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe in him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.

John tells us the reasons Jesus Christ teaches with such authority:

• He came from heaven.

• He is greater than anyone else.

• He tells what he has seen.

• He tells what he has heard.

• He is sent by God.

• He speaks God's words.

• He has God's Spirit upon him without limit.

Jesus Christ used his personal experience to teach people about heaven and about God. He didn't have to imagine what heaven was like because he came from there. He doesn't have to imagine what God is like because he has always been with Him. He teaches what he knows, not what he imagines. The reason he teaches these truths is because God gives him the authority to do it.

John the Baptist summed it all up and gives the most important reason why Jesus has real authority. In (NT-NLT) John 3:35, John the Baptist says:

_The Father_ (God) _loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything._

John the Baptist isn't the only one saying this. Jesus Christ himself confirms he is the Son of God. In (NT-NLT) Matthew 26:63-64, someone asks Jesus if he is the Son of God:

" _Then the high priest said to him_ (Jesus) _, "I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God."_

Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say."

Our Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God. This shouldn't surprise us, should it? After all his name is Immanuel, which means "God is with us." In (NT-NLT) John 5:17-18, we are told:

_The Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules_ (working on a holy day) _. But Jesus replied, "My Father never stops working, so why should I?" So the Jewish leaders tried all the more to kill him. In addition to disobeying the Sabbath rules, he had spoken of God as his Father, thereby making himself equal with God._

Because Jesus is the Son of God, he has the authority to teach. His teachings make the leaders so furious they plot to kill him. They hate Jesus because they do not believe he is the Messiah who God promised to send.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 28: The reaction to Our Messiah's teachings

He was despised and rejected -- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:3  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 34-38 A.D.)

### DAY 46: Reasons the Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus Christ

(Date: 34-38 A.D.)

Today we are going to look at the religious leaders' attitude toward Jesus and how it pushes them to plot Jesus Christ's murder. Let's look at the reasons for their hatred.

1. The religious leaders are fearful the Roman army will destroy Israel because so many people are following Jesus.

(NT-NLT) John 11:45-50 tells us:

_Many of the people who were with Mary_ (Lazarus' sister) _believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. "What are we going to do?" they asked each other. "This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we leave him alone, the whole nation will follow him, and then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation."_

And one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, "How can you be so stupid? Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people."

The religious leaders fear the Roman government will feel threatened if the crowd following Jesus grows too large. They believe the Roman army will retaliate by destroying the Temple and the nation of Israel. The religious leaders decide it's best to "Let this one man die for the people."

2. The religious leaders are outraged because Jesus points out they are not putting people's needs first.

(NT-NLT) Luke 13:10-17 tells us:

One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are healed of your sickness!" Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God!

But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. "There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd. "Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath."

But the Lord replied, "You hypocrite! You work on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from their stalls on the Sabbath and lead them out for water? Wasn't it necessary for me, even on the Sabbath day, to free this dear woman from the bondage in which Satan has held her for eighteen years?" This shamed his enemies. And all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

The religious leaders believed in strictly following the rule of "no working on the Sabbath (a holy day)." Jesus knows a person's needs have priority. The religious leaders are shamed because Jesus points out they have not given the people's needs priority over their rules. The religious leaders hate Jesus because he shames them in front of the people.

3. The religious leaders feel ashamed because Jesus exposes their practice of putting their traditions before God's commandments/laws:

In (OT-NLT) Malachi 2:7 God tells us the religious leaders' responsibilities:

The priests' lips should guard knowledge, and people should go to them for instruction, for the priests are the messengers of the LORD Almighty.

As the messengers of the LORD Almighty, the religious leaders' job is to teach God's laws. Unfortunately, they are putting their traditions before God's laws. Jesus speaks against the religious leaders when they do not honor God. (NT-NLT) Mark 7:1-8 tells us:

One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to confront Jesus. They noticed that some of Jesus' disciples failed to follow the usual Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they eat nothing bought from the market unless they have immersed their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to - such as their ceremony of washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, "Why don't your disciples follow our age-old customs? For they eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony."

Jesus replied, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said,

' _These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away._

_Their worship is a farce, for_ _they replace God's commands_

_with their own man-made teachings_ _'_

For you ignore God's specific laws and substitute your own traditions."

Jesus tells the religious leaders they are not upholding their duties. Instead of being the messengers of the LORD they are being messages for their own traditions. They are putting their rules above God's. Instead of Jesus honoring them, he exposes them.

4. The religious leaders are jealous because many of the people who followed them, start following Jesus.

(NT-NLT) John 12:9-11 tells us:

When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

The religious leaders hate Jesus because the people choose to leave them and follow him. The leaders' jealousy runs so deep they plot to kill Lazarus, too.

5. The religious leaders are furious because Jesus exposes their dishonesty.

(NT-NLT) Mark 11:5-18 gives us the details:

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from bringing in merchandise. He taught them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus' teaching.

Jesus is furious the religious leaders have turned the Temple into a "den of thieves." In his passion to honor God, he drives out the buyers and the sellers. He speaks against the religious leaders and tells them they are not upholding their responsibility.

Jesus tells the leaders they have dishonored God. They do not see the Messiah, the Son of God, correcting them. Instead, their hard hearts see only a man who does not honor them by obeying their rules. They can not tolerate Jesus; as a result they began planning how to kill him.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 28: The reaction to Our Messiah's teachings

He was despised and rejected -- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:3  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 47: The Plot to Kill Jesus Christ

(Date: 38 A.D.)

Today we will match more clues to Jesus Christ. We will also see the murder plot. The murder will take place during the Passover celebration.

The traitor:

The religious leaders want to kill Jesus. But they need someone who's close to Jesus to help them. Let's read about the traitor. (NT-NLT) John 12:1-6 gives us an event to help us get a picture of his character:

Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus--the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him.

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples--the one who would betray him--said, "That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." Not that he cared for the poor--he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples' funds, and he often took some for his own use.

(NT-NLT) Matthew 26:14-16 tells shortly after this event Judas becomes the leaders' partner:

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus.

It's unimaginable someone would betray Jesus Christ. Judas, a man who spent three years with Jesus Christ, was ready to betray him. Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver and he waits for the right time to help the leading priests arrest Our Messiah.

The timing of the murder:

(NT-NLT) Matthew 26:2 tells us the Passover celebration is about to begin:

Jesus said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover celebration begins in two days, and I, the Son of Man, will be betrayed and crucified."

Jesus knows what is going to happen. He reminds everyone around him the events of his death are written in the Old Testament. Where in the Bible does it say he will die? On Day 30 we saw the prophesy. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:8-9 says:

From prison and trial they lead him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

The further we go on our journey the more God's plan unfolds.

Special note:

Let's take a moment to refresh ourselves on the Passover Celebration from Day 21. The Passover is a celebration God gave to the Israelites to help them remember the tenth plague. In (OT-NLT) Exodus 12:3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, God told Moses:

Announce to the whole community that... each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice.... with no physical defects. Take special care of these lambs until the evening. Then each family in the community must slaughter its lamb. They are to take some of the lamb's blood and smear it on the top and sides of the doorframes of the house. On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn sons... in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! The blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

The lamb was killed and its blood smeared on the doorposts of the houses in Egypt. When the Angel of Death came, it looked for one thing: blood. If it saw the blood on the door, it allowed the people to live. Passover was given to help the Jews remember the night death "passed over" the houses covered in the blood of the Passover lamb. The night the blood of a perfect lamb stopped death.

Now it is thousands of years after Egypt and the Jews were ready to celebrate Passover again, just as they had done every year.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 30: God's good plan

But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin....

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:10  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 48: The Last Supper and the New Covenant

(Date: 38 A.D.)

It's time for the Passover celebration and the people are ready to eat the Passover meal. This meal is a reminder of the event when the blood of the perfect lamb saved people from death. On Day 21 God used the Passover to give us clues to the Messiah. Let's look again at the clues, but this time we will add the words "Our Messiah"

1. We are to find the perfect lamb (Our Messiah).

2. The lamb (Our Messiah) will be killed.

3. The blood (of Our Messiah) is to be smeared.

4. The blood (of Our Messiah) is to be a sign to God. When God sees the sign (Our Messiah's blood) death will not touch the person.

Jesus and his disciples sit down to eat the Passover meal, and it's during this meal Jesus Christ gives them two symbols of this night. Jesus Christ has already told people he must die and he knows the time is now. (NT-NLT) Luke 22:15 says:

Then at the proper time Jesus and the twelve apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, "I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins."

This is love! The Son of God knew everything he would suffer and yet he longed to share this meal with them. In (NT-NLT) Luke 22:22, Jesus tells them:

" _But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is a man who will betray me. For I, the Son of Man, must die since it is part of God's plan."_

Jesus tells them this is part of God's plan. The plan told to Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God; God's plan to fix our broken relationship because of sin. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 3:15, God shared His plan:

_From now on, you_ (Satan) _and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring (SEED) will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel._

The plan God told Adam and Eve includes the men at the Passover table with Jesus (the traitor included). Jesus Christ has already told the disciples he is going to die. At this last supper, Jesus uses items to help them remember everything he will suffer.

The first symbol: Bread

In (NT-NLT) Luke 22:19, we see the first symbol he gives them:

Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

Jesus teaches his disciples that:

• The bread is a symbol of his body. The reason for the bread is to help us remember what Jesus did for us. It is not his actual body, it represents his body.

• His body is "given for you". It is his choice to die for them. This is his gift.

• When they break a loaf of bread they are to remember this night and his words.

The broken bread symbolizes that Jesus, the Son of God, gave his life as a gift. In (NT-NLT) John 10:18, Jesus tells people this is his choice:

No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to...

The second symbol: Wine

In (NT-NLT) Luke 22:20, we see the second symbol:

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This wine is a token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you."

Let's look at the details of Jesus Christ's words:

1. The wine, like the bread, is a token of God's new covenant. What is a token? It is a symbol that is used to help us remember something. In this case, the New Covenant. The wine is not the actual covenant. It is just used to help us remember it.

2. The New Covenant will save us. It will save us from our sins.

3. The New Covenant is an agreement. It is like a contract. Who is the covenant between? God and anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

4. The New Covenant will be sealed with Jesus Christ's blood. What does sealed mean? In ancient times, the seal protected the document and identified the owner. Let's look at an example from (OT-NLT) Ester 8:8

_Remember that whatever has already been written in the king's name and_ _sealed_ _with his signet ring can_ _never be revoked_ _._

When the king sealed something the seal protected it, identified the owner and could never be revoked. But the new covenant's seal is even better. Why? It's because Jesus seals it with his own blood.

5. Jesus will pour out his blood for us. It is his choice to make and he does it because he loves us. He knows this is the only way to seal the New Covenant.

We have the symbol of the wine to help us remember Jesus' sacrifice and the New Covenant. Now, let's look at the details of the New Covenant.

The New Covenant

The New Covenant, God makes with everyone, is sealed with Jesus Christ's blood. Why Jesus' blood? It's because he is the Son of God and he is the only one who is without sin. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 4:15 tells us Jesus never sinned:

_This High Priest_ (Jesus Christ) _of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin._

In (NT-NLT) Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus tells us his sinless blood is needed for people to be forgiven:

_And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to_ _forgive the sins of many._

The wine reminds them of his blood that seals the New Covenant and forgives the sins of many. God promised He would make a New Covenant to replace the old one. He said it would not be like the Old Covenant because it was broken. Let's look at (OT-NLT) Jeremiah 31:32-34, from Day 23:

" _This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD._

" _But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day says the Lord. "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their family, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins."_

Here is a list of God's promises in the New Covenant:

• He will put His laws in people's minds.

• He will write His laws on hearts.

• He will be their God.

• He will make sure everyone knows Him.

• He will forgive wickedness.

• He will never remember sins.

This is the Covenant we've been waiting for! God promised it in the Old Testament and He always keeps His promises. The Old Covenant needed a death and blood to start it. The New Covenant needed a death and blood, too. Only this time it was not the blood of bulls or goats, it was the blood of Jesus, Our Messiah. His is the only blood that could "seal" this New Covenant.

In (NT-NLT) John 1:29, John the Baptist describes Our Messiah, Jesus Christ:

" _Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"_

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 30: Our Messiah's sufferings

But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they lead him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of man...

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:5, 7-9, 12  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide my face from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I triumph.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:6-7  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 49: Jesus Christ's Betrayal and Court Trials

(Date: 38 A.D.)

On Day 30, God gave us the details of the Messiah's sacrifice. Let's look at the details of how he will be treated:

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:6-7 said he would:

• Be beaten.

• Have his beard pulled out.

• Be mocked.

• Be Spit on.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:4-9, 12 said he would

• Be wounded.

• Be crushed for our sins.

• Be beaten.

• Be whipped.

• Have our guilt (sin) laid on him.

• Be oppressed.

• Be treated harshly.

• Be led like a lamb to the slaughter.

• Be imprisoned and put on trial.

• Be lead away to his death.

• Suffer people's punishment.

• Be buried like a criminal.

• Be put in a rich man's grave.

• Be exposed to death.

• Be counted among those who were sinners.

• Bear the sins of man.

We started this journey to find how to get to heaven. This part of the journey will be emotionally difficult, but we must be determined to finish our journey. Let's continue on the road God has put us on and trust Him. Remember this is part of "God's good plan."

The plot to kill our Messiah continues. During the meal, Judas (the betrayer) leaves to find the religious leaders and bring them to Jesus. After Judas leaves, (NT-NLT) Luke 22:39 tells us:

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.

Our Messiah had been waiting a long time for what was about to happen. Now, there is no more waiting, the time has arrived. On Wednesday night, Jesus and his disciples go to an olive grove on the Mount called Gethsemane. He's so overwhelmed with sorrow he tells his disciples "My soul is crushed with grief." During his time in the garden, Jesus goes off by himself to pray. He says the same prayer three times. (NT-NLT) Mark 14:36 tells us his prayer:

" _Father" he said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."_

Jesus knows all the suffering he is going to go through. He even asks God to stop it from happening if possible. His prayer asks the question, is there any way to get to Heaven without his death? He is not going to run from what is about to happen because he knows it is God's plan. He also knows he has to go through the suffering because it is the only way for people to be forgiven of their sins. It has to happen for the New Covenant to start.

When Jesus is done praying he knows "the time has come." (NT-NLT) John 18:2-3 tells us what happens:

Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had gone there many times with his disciples. The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a battalion of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.

The time is now. Judas betrays Jesus. When the mob arrests Jesus all the disciples run away. The mob takes Jesus to the "high priest's home where the leading priests, other leaders, and teachers of religious law have gathered." This is the first of six trials that occur on Thursday.

Trial 1: The Religious trial before Annas

The details are in (NT-NLT) John 18:12-14, 19-24:

So, the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who told the other Jewish leaders, "Better that one should die for all."...

Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. Jesus replied, "What I teach is widely known, because I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple. I have been heard by people everywhere, and I teach nothing in private that I have not said in public. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said."

One of the Temple guards standing there struck Jesus on the face. "Is that the way to answer the high priest? He demanded.

Jesus replied, "If I said anything wrong, you must give evidence for it. Should you hit a man for telling the truth?"

Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Trial 2: The Religious trial before Caiaphas

The details of the second trial are in (NT-NLT) Matthew26:57, 59-69:

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered.

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, there was no testimony they could use. Finally two men were found who declared, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the son of God."

Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say."...

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?"

" _Guilty!" they shouted. "He must die!"_

Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists. And some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"

Jesus is asked if he is the Messiah, the son of the God. Jesus tells them the truth, yes. They knew what God told them in the Old Testament about the Messiah. They understood all the clues. They knew about his miracles and the things he taught. But when faced with the truth they say "Blasphemy!" this means "lies against God." They were told the truth, but they chose to not believe. All their feelings of jealousy, fear, humiliation and dishonor boil over. The reason for their intense hatred is clear: They refuse to believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

Trial 3: The Religious trial before the Sanhedrin

(NT-NLT) Matthew 27:1-2 says:

Very early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. Then they bound him and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

The religious leaders demand his death, but capital punishment cannot be carried out by the Jews. The Jews are under Roman rule and only the Romans can carry out capital punishment. The religious leaders turn Jesus over to the Romans.

Trial 4: Before Pilate, the Roman Governor

Early the next morning (Friday), they take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. (NT-NLT) Luke 23:1-7 tells us what happens next:

Then the entire council took Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor. They began at once to state their case: "This man has been leading our people to ruin by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, as king."

So Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say."

Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, "I find nothing wrong with this man!"

Then they became desperate. "But he is causing riots everywhere he goes, all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!"

" _Oh, is he a Galilean?" Pilate asked. When they answered that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time._

Pilate tells everyone Jesus is innocent, but Jesus is not set free. When Pilate finds out Jesus is a Galilean he sends Jesus to Herod because Herod is in charge of Galilee.

Trial 5: Before Herod, the ruler of Galilee

Herod questions Jesus. Luke 23:9-11 gives us the detail:

_He_ (Herod) _asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Now Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Then they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate._

Herod questions Jesus while the crowds are shouting. After Jesus is questioned he is mocked and ridiculed. Then Our Messiah is returned to Pilate.

Trial 6: Before Pilate, the Roman Governor

(NT-NLT) Luke 23:13-15, 18, 20-24 gives the details of what happens next::

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. "You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, "Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!"... Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he demanded, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. I will therefore flog him and let him go."

But the shouted louder and louder for Jesus' death and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.

Pilate and Herod do not find Jesus guilty. Why did they find him not guilty? It's because Jesus never sinned. (NT-NLT) 1 Peter 2:22 confirmed this:

He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone.

Even though Pilate finds no reason to sentence him to death, he leaves the decision up to the crowd. He lets the crowd choose whether to release Jesus or kill him? The decision is made to kill the Son of God by hanging him on a cross. He's not guilty of anything, but he's sentenced to die. Jesus never did anything wrong, never sinned, but he's going to be killed anyway. The only perfect person to walk this earth is sentenced to die.

Jesus suffers more before Pilate send him off to be crucified. (NT-NLT) Mark 15:15-20 give us the details:

So, Pilate, anxious to please the crowd released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him.

The soldiers took him into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. They dressed him in a purple robe and made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head. Then they saluted, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they beat him on the head with a stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

What a gruesome picture as we watch the events before the death of Our Messiah. God told us this would happen. Back on Day 30 we learned from (OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:8-9 why this is happening to Jesus:

_From prison and trial they lead him away to his death. But who among the people realized that_ _he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment_ _? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone...._

The verdict has been given and the perfect lamb has been chosen. It's time for God to make a New Covenant and to seal it with the blood of His lamb.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 30: The suffering of Our Messiah

Yet, it was our weaknesses, he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they lead him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of man...

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:4-9, 12  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 50: Jesus Christ's Crucifixion

(Date: 38 A.D.)

On Day 30, God gave us the details of the Messiah's death. Let's look at the details.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:6-7 said he would:

• Be beaten.

• Have his beard pulled out.

• Be mocked.

• Be spit on.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:4-9, 12 said he would:

• Be wounded.

• Be crushed for our sins.

• Be beaten.

• Be whipped.

• Have our guilt (sin) laid on him.

• Be oppressed.

• Be treated harshly.

• Be led like a lamb to the slaughter.

• Imprisoned and put on trial.

• Be led away to his death.

• Suffer people's punishment.

• Be buried like a criminal.

• Be put in a rich man's grave.

• Be exposed to death.

• Be counted among those who were sinners.

• Bore the sins of man...

The judge sentenced Jesus Christ to die for being "King of the Jews". Today we will watch as the sentence is carried out. Please remember this is all part of God's plan. Everything depends on the death of Jesus Christ, God's chosen lamb. Let's read the details.

It's early Friday morning and Jesus is condemned to die. (NT-NLT) Matthew 27:27-31 tells us:

Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they lead him away to be crucified.

Jesus is not the only one who will be crucified that day. (NT-NLT) Luke 23:32-33 says:

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there -- Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.

The place where Our Messiah will die is called "The Skull." We also know from the (NT-NLT) book of Mark the crucifixion starts around nine o'clock in the morning. Jesus arrives at Golgotha and is nailed to his cross. People crowd around Jesus Christ's cross. Some of them are heartbroken, but others mock him. They yell at him, "... if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!"

While this happens, the two criminals watch from their crosses. Each of them responds differently to Jesus. (NT-NLT) Luke 23:39-43 gives us their responses:

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself -- and us, too, while you're at it!"

But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise (heaven)."

Both criminals "deserve to die" for their evil deeds. The first man watches everything that happens and chooses to mock Jesus Christ. The second man watches everything and knows Jesus "hasn't done anything wrong." He understands Jesus is truly a king and asks the Son of God to "remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

We see two reactions: 1) one man shows no faith in Jesus Christ and 2) the other has faith in Jesus Christ.

How does Jesus Christ react to the man with no faith? The Son of God is silent. He doesn't say anything to the one who mocks him. Our Messiah does not tell this man he will be with him in heaven. This man will die later, his body will be buried and his soul will be judged. God will judge his soul and send him to hell.

How does Jesus Christ react to the man with faith? The Son of God tells him "today you will be with me in paradise." This man is not a good person, he doesn't have a list of good deeds he has done, he isn't baptized and he doesn't say a specific prayer. He possesses the only thing that will get him into heaven: faith. This man will die, his body will be buried and his soul will be judged. God will judge his soul and allow him into heaven.*

It is not an accident Jesus is between these two men. God is helping us to understand we have a decision to make, just like these two men. The decision is to believe in Jesus Christ or not. God has one rule and one thing he seeks: faith. Once God sees our faith in Jesus Christ, He has the same words for us: "You will be with me in paradise (heaven)."

(NT-NLT) Romans 4:16 says:

... _faith is the key!_ _God's promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham's._

The crucifixion isn't over. (NT-NLT) Mark 15:33-34 tells us what happens next:

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. Then, at that time Jesus called out with a loud voice, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?"

This is the darkest moment in history. Why? It's because God has transferred every sin to Our Messiah. Jesus Christ is suffering the punishment for our sins and being cut off from by God. Jesus Christ is becoming the better sin offering.

We learned about the better sin offering on Day 24, when we read about how the Israelites disobeyed God and made the golden calf? God gave them a temporary fix for their sins called the Sin Offering. It was to be used only until something better came along.

While Jesus is dying on the cross we see God's better method. This is the moment our sins are placed on our sin offering's head. Jesus is cut off from God because of our sins and the price (wages of sin) must be paid.

The sins have been transferred and the wages were paid by Jesus Christ. This moment was the darkest moment in history, but hope is coming. Thank you, God, that this is not the end!

*Note: Let's look at how the criminals are the same and different.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 30: The death of Our Messiah

But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins -- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of man...

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:8-9, 12  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 51: Jesus Christ's Death

(Date: 38 A.D.)

On Day 30, God gave us the details of the Messiah's death. Let's look at the details one last time:

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 50:6-7 said he would:

• Be beaten.

• Have his beard pulled out.

• Be mocked.

• Be Spit on.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 53:4-9, 12 said he would:

• Be wounded.

• Be crushed for our sins.

• Be beaten.

• Be whipped.

• Have our guilt (sin) laid on him.

• Be oppressed.

• Be treated harshly.

• Be led like a lamb to the slaughter.

• Be imprisoned and put on trial.

• Be led away to his death.

• Suffer their punishment.

• Be buried like a criminal.

• Be put in a rich man's grave.

• Be exposed to death.

• Be counted among those who were sinners.

• Bore the sins of man...

With the crucifixion the sins have been transferred to Jesus Christ. The Lamb of God has become the sin offering. Today we will see Jesus Christ pay the "wages" for our sins. In (NT-NLT) John 19:28, 30, we watch Jesus die:

Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty." When Jesus had tasted it (the sour wine), he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What was finished? The payment for our sins. Jesus' death on the cross was the one payment for everyone, who by faith, believes he is the Messiah. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:28 tells us:

... _so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people._

Jesus Christ's death happened at "The Skull", but something very important happens in the Temple. (NT-NLT) Matthew 27:51 tells us at the moment Jesus Christ dies something amazing happens:

At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

We know Jesus Christ died on the cross. We know the Temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, but what happened next? The next event is the proof of Jesus Christ's death. (NT-NLT) John 19:31-35 tells us:

The Jewish leaders didn't want the victims hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, because it was the Passover), so they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was dead already, so they didn't break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account; it is presented so that you also can believe.

Why is it important for us to know the soldier stuck a spear in Jesus side? It's so we can see the "proof of death." The blood proves Jesus Christ actually died on the cross. Why did he have to give his blood? (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:11-12 tells us:

So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever.

What does this tell us about Jesus' death?

• He became the heavenly High Priest.

• He entered heaven.

• He took his own blood into heaven.

• He took his blood once for all time into that Most Holy Place.

• He secured our salvation (deliverance from sin) forever.

Remember, Jesus Christ chose to be our sin offering! This is the price God was willing to pay to save us. This is why Jesus had to die on the cross. If he did not give his life for us, we would not have salvation, but this salvation must be chosen by each one of us. Jesus will not force it on us. We can either choose to believe Jesus became the sin offering and paid our "wages" or we can choose to not believe and we pay out own "wages." If we choose to believe then we go to Heaven. If we choose to not believe then we pay our own wages and go to Hell.

This is huge! Jesus has died. The payment has been made. The curtain has been torn and Jesus has secured our salvation forever. But this is not the end of our day. There's a little more we need to see before we continue on our journey. The final details are in (NT-NLT) John 19:38-42:

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body down. When Pilate gave him permission, he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five pounds of embalming ointment made of myrrh and aloes. Together they wrapped Jesus' body in a long linen cloth with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation before the Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea, and Nicodemus put Jesus' body in a new tomb. Jesus' body was put in a rich man's grave, but it was not the burial to honor a man. This was a quick burial of a man of dishonor, a common criminal (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 21:22-23 gives the rule for burying a criminal.

If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and then hanged on a tree, the body must never remain on the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone hanging on a tree is cursed of God....

Do you remember the death of Lazarus on Day 44? Remember how "many of the people had come to pay their respects and console Martha and Mary on their loss." When Jesus was buried there was just a quiet, gathering of a handful of people. It was not a burial of honor, but rather the burial of a dishonored man. Jesus was buried like a criminal. After Jesus' body is put in the tomb one more thing happens. (NT-NLT) Matthew 27:62-65 says:

The next day - on the first day of the Passover ceremonies - the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, "Sir we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive. After three days I will be raised from the dead. So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he came back to life! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first."

Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

Pilate seals Jesus' tomb to make sure no one steals Jesus' body. This is the most horrible day in the history of our world. It's Friday afternoon and we just watched the death of the Son of God. Death is the price of our sins and Jesus Christ has paid it for us. His death also opens heaven to us. It's only because of his death we have access to God. Our journey isn't done. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Special note on the Temple curtain:

This is not an ordinary curtain. This curtain is 60 feet high and four inches thick. It is so strong, horses tied to each side could not pull it apart.1 It's actually a curtain WALL in the Temple that hangs before a special room called the "Most Holy Place." (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:3-4 tells us about this special room:

Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was a second room called the Most Holy Place. In that were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing some manna, Aaron's staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant with the Ten Commandments written on them.

Now that we know what was in the room, let's see what happens in this room. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:6-7 tells us:

_When these things were all in place, the priests went in and out of the first room regularly as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest goes into the_ Most Holy Place _, and only once a year, and always with blood, which he offers to God to cover his own sins and the sins the people have committed in ignorance._

What does this tell us about the high priest and the Most Holy Place?

• Only the high priest was allowed to go in the Most Holy Place.

• The high priest was only allowed in once a year.

• The high priest always had to take blood in with him.

The Most Holy Place was only open to the high priest and only once a year. He couldn't go in whenever he wanted. (OT-NLT) Leviticus 16:2 tells us why:

The LORD said to Moses, "Warn your brother Aaron not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; the penalty for intrusion is death. For the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--is there, and I myself am present in the cloud over the atonement cover."

Why couldn't he go in whenever he wanted? It's because this is where God was present in the cloud. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:8 reminds us no one else was allowed into the Most Holy Place:

By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the Most Holy Place was not open to the people as long as the first room and the entire system it represents were still in use.

God is telling us the Most Holy Place, or the presence of God, was not open to the people. What kept the people out of the room? The curtain! When Jesus died this changes; his death tears the curtain and opens the Most Holy Place, or the presence of God, to people. (NT-NLT) Hebrew 10:21-20 explains why the tearing of the Temple curtain at the exact time of Jesus' death is important:

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us.

What is God showing us? He shows us Jesus Christ has made a way for us to be forgiven and have access to God. Jesus' death opened the gates of heaven to us. How do we believe this? By FAITH.

Note: Let's add Jesus Christ's death to our timeline:

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 29: Our Messiah releases the captives

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and the blind will see.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 61:1  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 52: Jesus Christ's Work: Releasing the Captives

(Date: 38 A.D.)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, chose to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Our Messiah had to become the sin offering. His death on the cross paid the wages of our sins. Today, we will look at item #8:

• Opening the eyes of the blind.

• Unplugging the ears of the deaf.

• Healing the lame.

• Healing the mute.

• Comforting the weary.

• Bringing Good News.

• Comforting the brokenhearted.

• Releasing the captives.

A captive is a person who is trapped by someone or something. The Bible says captives are like slaves because they are under the control of something. In this case, sin controls us. (NT-NLT) John 8:34 says:

Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin."

Everyone, starting with Adam and Eve, has been under the control of sin. Even though all of us are slaves to sin it doesn't mean sin must be our permanent master. In (NT-NLT) Romans 8:3 we are told:

... _God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins._

How did Jesus do it? We were kidnapped and held captive by sin. There's only one way to be released, the ransom has to be paid. In (NT-NLT) Mark 10:45, Jesus said he came to pay our ransom:

" _For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."_

(NT-NLT) Peter 1:18-19 tells us the ransom was paid by Our Messiah, Jesus Christ:

... _And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God._

He did it by paying the price to release us from our captor (sin). When the Son of God died on the cross, his death paid our ransom and released us from sin. It was the last item Jesus Christ had on his list.

Jesus Christ had to die on the cross to release us from the power of sin and to set us free. We are the captives the Son of God came to release. If Jesus Christ did not give his life, then we would not released from sin's control. When we believe Jesus paid for our sins by dying on the cross, God tells us we are no longer held under the power of sin. (NT-NLT) Colossians 1:13-14 says:

For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Let's connect God's clue (dot) from Day 28: Our Messiah will live forever

He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.

(OT-NLT) Isaiah 9:7  
(Prophesy Date: 740-700 B.C.)  
(Fulfillment Date: 38 A.D.)

### DAY 53: Jesus Christ's Resurrection

(Date: 38 A.D.)

Jesus was buried on Friday and now it's Sunday. His disciples and followers think it's over. As they grieve, they continue on with their lives. Let's see what turns their sorrow into joy. (NT-NLT) Matthew 28:1-9 says:

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you."

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message. And as they went, Jesus met them. "Greetings!" he said.

Sorrow turns into joy! The women think they are going to the tomb to see Jesus' dead body, but instead they see him, alive and well. He's no longer dead. He has been raised from the dead." (NT-NLT) Romans 1:4 says:

And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.

The women are shocked, but they are filled with joy because they saw the truth with their own eyes. God raised Jesus from the dead. Our Messiah is alive! The women give the message to the disciples that Jesus is alive. (NT-NLT) Luke 24:10-11 tell us the disciples reactions:

The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe.

The disciples do not believe Jesus is alive because the story sounds like nonsense but the women are not the only ones who see Jesus. Two men on their way to Emmaus also see Jesus. (NT-NLT) Luke 24:13-31 tells us they start their journey feeling sad and confused:

That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that has happened. Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them. But they didn't know who he was, because God kept them from recognizing him.

" _You seem to be in a deep discussion about something," he said. "What are you so concerned about?"_

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days."

" _What things?" Jesus asked._

" _The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did wonderful miracles. He was a mighty teacher, highly regarded by both God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders arrested him and handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had thought he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. That all happened three days ago. Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus' body was gone, just as the women had said."_

Now, it's Jesus' turn to open their eyes to the truth.

Then Jesus said to them, "You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?" Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God's blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

These men hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples they saw Jesus. (NT-NLT) Luke 24:35-48 gives us the details:

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, "Peace be with you." But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! "Why are you frightened?" he asked. "Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!" As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet.

_Still they_ (the disciples) _stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched._

Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true." Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' You are witnesses of all these things."

These people saw Jesus die on the cross, saw his blood flow out of his side and have been grieving for three days. Now, they are filled with joy and confusion. Jesus proves he's alive by eating a piece of broiled fish. He also opens their minds to the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. (NT-NLT) Romans 1:2-4 explains the resurrection is proof Jesus is the Messiah:

This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David's royal family line. And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus suffered and died, but just as important, he was raised from the dead to prove he is the Son of God. This is the Good News Our Messiah wants everyone to hear. He gives the instructions to tell everyone: There's forgiveness of sins for all who turn to the Son of God.

This is the Good News: Jesus Christ died in our place. When we believe the Good News we are no longer separated from God. Jesus promises: You will be with me in paradise.

Note: Let's add Jesus Christ's resurrection to our timeline:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish ( _go to hell_ ), but have eternal life ( _go to heaven_ ). God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to SAVE IT.

(NT-NLT) John 3:16-17

... faith is the key! God's promise is given to us as a free gift.

(NT-NLT) Romans 4:16

### DAY 54: God shows us the only way to Heaven

(Date: 57 A.D.)

Yesterday, we learned Jesus died and was resurrected so our sins can be forgiven. When our sins are forgiven we are no longer separated from God. But what is our part? Our part is having faith in Jesus Christ. When God sees our faith, He gives us the guarantee: "You will be with me in paradise."

God explains this to us in (NT-NLT) Romans 3:20-25, 30-31:

For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it.

_But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight -- not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures_ (OT-NLT) _long ago. We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done._

_For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard_ (Jesus Christ) _. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us._ We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself ONLY by faith. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

God answers the question of our heart, "How can we get into Heaven when we die?"

We will be allowed into Heaven when we are MADE RIGHT IN GOD'S SIGHT.

The details from (NT-NLT) Romans 3:20-25, 30 can be broken down into three parts. God's part, Jesus Christ's part and our part.

God is the one who:

• Promised the way in the Scriptures (OT).

• Has shown us the way of being right in His sight.

• Sent Jesus.

• Makes people right with Him ONLY by faith.

• Declares us not guilty (forgiven).

Jesus is the one who:

• Is God's glorious standard.

• Took the punishment for our sins.

• Sacrificed his life for us.

• Satisfied God's anger against us.

• Frees us by taking away our sins.

We have to believe:

• There is only one God.

• We fall short of God's glorious standard, because we are sinners.

• We cannot be made right in God's sight by doing what His laws command.

• The only way of being made right in God's sight is by faith.

• We can all be saved in this way.

• We are made right with God because Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

God did His part. He has shown us the way to be made right in His sight.

Jesus did His part. He has shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

We have to do our part. We have to believe God makes people right with himself only by FAITH. God is very clear on what he requires to allow us into Heaven, faith in Jesus Christ. He is also clear on what will NOT get us into Heaven when we die.

GOOD DEEDS will not get us into Heaven.

(NT-NLT) Romans 3:20 says, "For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands." Going to church, giving to the poor, volunteering our time, etc., are all ways we are trying to do what his law commands. Unfortunately, they will not get us into Heaven.

God puts it simply in (NT-NLT) Ephesians 2:9:

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Doing good things will not make us right in God's sight.

Being a GOOD PERSON will not get us into Heaven.

Again (NT-NLT) Romans 3:23 says:

For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.

What or who is God's glorious standard? It's Our Messiah, Jesus Christ! We may think we are good enough to get into Heaven when we compare ourselves to other people, but God does not compare us to other people. God compares us to Jesus Christ who never sinned. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 4:15 says:

_This High Priest of ours_ (Jesus Christ) _understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin._

When we compare ourselves to Jesus, we all fall short. We can never be as good as Jesus Christ. But there is Good News. We CAN be made right with God. How? By the way promised in the Scriptures (OT-NLT) long ago.

This is why Jesus had to die. Only his perfect (sinless) blood can take away our sins. (NT-NLT) 1 Peter 3:18 tells us:

_Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time._ _He never sinned_ _, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit._

(NT-NLT) Romans 3:25 tells us God's plan:

For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

Jesus did his part. He paid the wages of our sins. When we believe Jesus sacrificed his life for us then we are made right with God and Jesus will bring us safely home to God when we die.

Note:

We need to confirm the last event on our timeline: the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. History books have documented both destructions. From historical records we know the Romans destroyed both the Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. Everything God told Daniel has taken place.

What is the importance of the Temple destruction? It was the only place the Jewish people could sacrifice the animals for the Sin Offerings. With the destruction of the Temple, the Sin Offerings stop. In (NT-NLT) Hebrews 10:4 God tells us:

For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

God always keeps His promises:

God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

(OT-NLT) Numbers 23:19

### DAY 55: Your Choices and Where Your Journey Will End

(Date: Today)

It's been an amazing journey! We've spent 54 days walking through God's Word, finding clue (dots) and connecting them to Jesus Christ. We've seen how everything was perfect when it was created, how our relationship with God was broken and how Jesus Christ's death fixed our broken relationship when he died on the cross. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 55:3, God invites us to come to Him so we can have an everlasting relationship with Him:

Come to me, with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David.

Now, it is our turn. It is time for us to make a decision. What will be our decision? Will it be:

Believe Jesus Christ IS the Messiah? OR Believe Jesus Christ IS NOT the Messiah?

Jesus tells us in (NT-NLT) John 14:6 there is only one choice that leads to God:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

The only way to Heaven is by trusting God and believing Jesus is the Messiah. In (NT-NLT) Matthew 23:37, Jesus shows us the longing of his heart:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you won't let me.

This book was not written nor read by accident. It was written because it is part of God's plan for you. You have read it because it is God's desire for you to know the truth. Do you know why you read about the reason for Jesus Christ's death on the cross? It's because you need to know God paid the ultimate price for you to be forgiven.

Examine your heart and honestly make your decision. The following pages are divided into two sections:
Part A: You have chosen to NOT believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah

Part B: You have chosen to believe Jesus Christ IS the Messiah

Part A: You have chosen NOT to believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah

After everything you have read, you have chosen to not believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Your unbelief has caused a separation between God and you. Your reason for not believing is a roadblock that will keep you from entering Heaven. Let's look at some common roadblocks. While you read them, honestly ask yourself if you face these obstacles.

**Roadblock #1:** You do not believe there is a God.

You may have read this entire book and at this point believe there is no God. Each of us has to make a decision about God. If you believe there is no God, it's important for you to understand what God says about anyone who denies Him. In (OT-NLT) Psalm 14:1 God says:

Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."...

God is not saying you lack intelligence. He is merely saying you are not applying your knowledge in the proper way; you are pushing the truth away. (NT-NLT) Romans 1:18-20 gives us God's reaction to those who deny the truth:

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

In your heart is the knowledge of God. He is the One who put it there. You have come to this roadblock and your challenge is to find the truth about God. In (OT-NLT) Proverbs 2:2-4, God tells you He wants you to search for the truth:

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure.

God wants you to be desperate to find the truth. If you really want to find the truth then you need to keep an open mind and an open heart to God's Words. Ask yourself if you are seeking out the truth with all your heart or holding back for some reason. Have you read the Bible? If you are reading this, you are on the right road. Cry out for insight and understanding. Don't give up; this is too important.

**Roadblock #2:** You do not believe the Bible is the Word of God.

If this is your roadblock then you need to hear God's words from (NT-NLT) 2 Timothy 3:16:

_All_ _Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives._

God tells us plainly He is the one who has given us the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Even though different men wrote down God's words, they are not the source of the words. They were moved to write down the words. (NT-NLT) 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us it was the Holy Spirit who moved the different writers:

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

The Bible says its words are spoken from God. It contains the actual words of God. One way to know the Bible contains the actual words of God is to look up "the LORD said" and "the LORD says." These phrases appear in the Bible 415 times.

(NT-NLT) Matthew 5:18 tells us every part of the Bible is important and has a purpose:

I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved.

The Bible has a purpose and the purpose was chosen by God. (OT-NLT) Isaiah 55:11 tells us:

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

The Bible is the very word of God and it:

• Has a specific purpose

• Is sent out by God

• Always produces fruit

• Carries out everything God wants it to accomplish

• Will prosper everywhere He sends it

Because it's so important, we need to take the time to read the Bible and give it time to accomplish God's goal. Have you been feeling the need to read it? If you have, then it's critical you start reading it. You may not own a Bible. If that is the case, please contact a Bible believing church or a Christian bookstore. As you read His Words, ask God to show you the truth. He will use the Bible to teach you what is true.

**Roadblock #3:** You do not believe a loving God judges people and sends them to hell.

It is important to keep in mind that God is not only loving and kind, but He is also fair and just. Jesus tells us the loving and fair way God treats sin. In (NT-NLT) John 3:16-18, Jesus tells us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.

God made a way for everyone to be saved; it's through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. But not everyone chooses to accept God's way of being saved. God is loving, because He provided a way to heaven, and fair, because He allows people to choose. Keep in mind, He:

• So loved the world that he gave his only Son

• Sent Jesus to save the world

• Gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Jesus

• Will not judge those who trust him

• Has a judgment for those who do not trust Him and believe in the only Son of God

There will come a time for you to stand before God. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:27 tells you:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

You may try to reason with God by reminding him of all the good things you did in your life, but (NT-NLT) Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is something you accept, not something you earn:

_God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is_ _a gift_ _from God. Salvation is_ _not a reward_ _for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it._

Is God wrong to punish as His law requires? No, not when His law has been broken. Does the punishment have to fall on you? No, because Jesus died on the cross to take your punishment. Who will be the one to take your punishment? Jesus or you? You must believe in Jesus before your appointed time, if you want to go to Heaven. This is the fair, just, loving and kind ways of God.

**Roadblock #4:** You do not believe Jesus is the only way to get into Heaven.

You may have read or been told there are other ways to get into Heaven, but what is the truth? The Bible clearly tells us Jesus is the only way. If you believe there is another way, it's critical you search out the truth in the Bible. God's Word show you the truth. In (NT-NLT) John 14:6, we read:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

(NT-NLT) Acts 4:12 tells us Jesus is the only way to be saved:

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.

Why is Jesus the only way? It's because no one else paid the price to take away our sins. (NT-NLT) 1 John 2:2 tells us:

He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Jesus is the Messiah, the Chosen One. (NT-NLT) John 3:16-17 tells us God sent Jesus to save us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

**Roadblock #5:** You believe in God, but not in Jesus.

You believe in God the Father, but not God the Son. After all, the first verse of the Bible says: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But it's important to look at another verse in the chapter. In (OT-NLT) Genesis 1:26, we see the truth about God the Father and the Son:

_Then_ _God_ _said, "Let_ _us_ _make people in our image, to be like_ _ourselves_ _."_

(NT-NLT) John 1:1-3 tells us Jesus was there when everything was created:

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make.

Who is the Word? (NT-NLT) John 1:14 tells us who the Word is:

So the Word became human and lives here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.

Jesus was with God; he was God. Jesus created everything along with God. Jesus became human and lived here on earth. Jesus is the only Son of the Father. When we think about God, our picture has to include Jesus Christ. You may believe you can have God the Father without Jesus his Son, but they are inseparable. (NT-NLT) 1 John 2:22-23 says when you deny Jesus you deny God:

And who is the great liar? The one who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Such people are antichrists, for they have denied the Father and the Son. Anyone who denies the Son doesn't have the Father either. But anyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.

What do you need to do? You need to review the clues about the Son. Really search for signs of him in the Bible and when you find him, make the choice to believe in him. The Good News is you can have God the Father. What do you have to do? Confess (acknowledge) Jesus, the Son.

**Roadblock #6:** You do not believe God can or will forgive you.

You believe you are a bad person and the things you have done can't be forgiven. Your heart cries out to be forgiven, but your mind says it's impossible. The first thing you must understand is that God is the only One who can forgive you. In (OT-NLT) Isaiah 43:25, God tells us no one else can forgive your sins:

I -- yes, I alone -- am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

The second thing you must understand is God is ready to forgive you. He wants to give you the gift of forgiveness. (OT-NLT) Psalm 86:5 says:

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.

The third thing you need to understand is that YOU are the reason Jesus Christ came to earth. (NT-NLT) Matthew 9:11-13 tells us:

The Pharisees were indignant. "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" they asked his disciples.

When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices.' For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough."

The moment you realize you are a sinner is the moment you become the one Jesus is calling. You are not alone. The people around Jesus were sinners, exactly like you. (NT-NLT) Romans 3:22 says every sinner can be forgiven, including you:

We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

Jesus Christ came to die on the cross to pay the price for your sins. It is not impossible for you to be forgiven. It's a gift you accept by faith.

The consequences of believing Jesus Christ is NOT the Messiah

The consequence of your decision is separation from God forever. God doesn't want you to go to hell when you die, but your decision to not believe will send you there. The reason for your decision is personal, but you need to know you will stand before Him and He will respect your decision. (NT-NLT) 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 says:

... _bringing judgment on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction,_ _forever separated from the Lord_ _and from his glorious power._

God doesn't want you to go to hell. It was not made for you. In (NT-NLT) Matthew 25:41, Jesus says who it is for:

Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, "Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!"

Hell was not made for people. Hell was made for the Devil and his demons, but you do not belong there. He is giving you time to turn from your sins and turn to Him. (NT-NLT) 2 Peter 3:9 says God is being patient with you:

The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He doesn't want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.

God is being patient, but eventually time will run out. You will die and stand before God to be judged. God will honor your decision to either believe in Jesus or not believe in Jesus. God wants you to trust Him to forgive your sins. The only way to Heaven is to trust Jesus and allow him to "pay the wages" of your sins through his death on the cross. In (NT-NLT) Romans 10:9-10, God tells you what you must do:

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

None of these roadblocks are permanent. They can be removed by your decision to believe. Only you can make the decision.
Part B: You have chosen to believe Jesus Christ IS the Messiah

If you have made this decision then you have made the choice to trust God and go through Jesus Christ to Heaven. You believe God transferred your sins to Jesus Christ and by dying on the cross; Jesus paid the wages for your sins. You have chosen to believe the words of Jesus Christ in (NT-NLT) John 14:6:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

You've traveled a long way on your journey. God loves you so much! Jesus says in (NT-NLT) John 16:27:

... _for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God._

God loves you and you have brought Him joy because you have chosen to believe Him! (NT-NLT) Luke 15:8-10 God describes His joy:

Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents.

There is joy in heaven because you have chosen to trust God and believe Jesus died to pay for your sins. Now, it is time for you to open the amazing gifts God gives you, His child. Below are three of the most important ones.

Gift #1: Forgiveness of ALL your sins

Why are your sins forgiven? In (NT-NLT) Acts 26:17-18 it says:

"... _Yes, I_ (Jesus) _am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me."_

What did Jesus say is the forgiveness process? Whether you realize it or not, this happened to you. You:

• Had your eyes opened.

• Turned from darkness to light.

• Turned from the power of Satan to God.

• Received forgiveness for your sins.

• Received a place among God's people.

• Have been set apart by faith in Jesus Christ.

Because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you have been forgiven. Whether you felt something happen or felt nothing when you chose to believe in Jesus, it doesn't matter. Because of your faith, not your feelings, God forgave your sins. You received forgiveness the moment you chose to believe. Forgiveness is such an amazing gift! To see how amazing, you need to see how many of your sins are forgiven. God tells us in (NT-NLT) Colossians 2:13-14:

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave ALL our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.

God forgave ALL of your sins! Not just the little ones, but also the big ones. The word all means the whole lot. The sins from your past, your present and your future. God will not hold your sins against you because HE destroyed the record of your sins by nailing it to Christ's cross. How do you know our past, present and future sins are forgiven? It's because Christ only died once. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 9:25-28 tells you:

Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the earthly high priest who enters the Most Holy Place year after year to offer the blood of an animal. If that has been necessary, he would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But no! He came once for all time, at the end of the age, to remove the power of sin forever by his sacrificial death for us.

And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.

It's easy to understand your past sins being forgiven, but harder to understand present and future sins being forgiven. Think about it this way, if your present and future sins were not covered by Christ's death on the cross, then he would have to die each time you sinned. No past, present or future sin will cause you to go to hell because Christ paid for all of them on the cross. (NT-NLT) John 3:18 explains that, because of your faith, God will never judge you:

There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.

You will never commit any "unpardonable sin" because all of your sins have been pardoned on the cross. (NT-NLT) 1 Peter 3:18 assures you:

_Christ also suffered when he died for our sins_ _once for all time_ _. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit._

You have God's Word that ALL of your sins have been forgiven by Christ's death on the cross. Stay confident in this fact: Jesus' death on the cross finished the payment for your sins. Hold firmly to Jesus Christ's words in (NT-NLT) John 19:28, 30:

_Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty."... When Jesus tasted it, he said, "_ _It is finished!_ _" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit._

Gift #2: Eternal life

What is eternal life? The simplest definition is "life forever with God." This life is the covenant relationship you have with God. The Bible promises this life to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Jesus explains how to have eternal life in (NT-NLT) John 17:3:

_And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God,_ _and_ _Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.._

How long does eternal life last? It starts the day you believe in Jesus and it never ends. In ( NT) John 10:27-29, Jesus gives this picture so you can be confident eternal life lasts forever:

My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.

Just to make sure you clearly understand, let's think through an example. Let's say that on January 21, 2005, God gave our friend Jenny the gift of eternal life. Everything was going well for Jenny, but then on August 30, 2010, she committed an unpardonable sin. Did she lose her eternal life? If Jenny lost her eternal life after five years, seven months and nine days, that is not eternal life, that's temporary life. God's promise and picture of eternal life are in (NT-NLT) Romans

8:38-39:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In (NT-NLT) John 14:1-4, Jesus tells us the promise of eternal life is not only life on earth with God, but life in heaven with God after we die:

" _Don't be troubled. You trusted God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there."_

There are many rooms in Heaven and one of them is just for you. Did you notice who is getting it ready? It's Jesus Christ. Not only is he getting your room ready, but he will be the one to come and get you. Don't you love the reason? It's so you will always be with me where I am. Jesus loves you and you will always be with him. You will never be separated from God. This is eternal life.

Your eternal life started the moment you first believed Jesus Christ paid for your sins on the cross. You will never be condemned for your sins, you have passed into eternal life. Keep the words of (NT-NLT) 1 Peter 1:23 firmly in your heart:

For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Gift #3: God's Holy Spirit

In (NT-NLT) Ephesians 1:13, God says He gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ:

And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

When did God give you the Holy Spirit? Answer: when you first believed in Christ. Why did God give you His Holy Spirit? Answer: He identified you as his own. The Bible uses a special word for your identity, it is holy. Holy means, "set apart for God." The moment you first believed in God, He gave you His Holy Spirit and He set you apart for Himself. (NT-NLT) 2 Corinthians 6:16 says you have become a temple for God:

And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

" _I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."_

God set you apart by giving you His Holy Spirit and making you His Holy Temple. He also set you apart by giving special titles like friend and child of God. (NT-NLT) Colossians 1:22says you are God's friend:

... _yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault._

(NT-NLT) 1 John 5:1 says you are a child of God:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.

As His Temple, His friend and His child you need to understand how God wants you to live. (NT-NLT) Romans 12:2 tells about God's plan for your new life:

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

God wants to transform you through His gift, the Holy Spirit. Let's look at three instructions God gives to help you during the transformation process.

Instruction #1: Walk in the Spirit

You find this instruction in (NT-NLT) Galatians 5:16:

_So I advise you to live_ (walk) _according to your new life in the Holy Spirit._ [5]

Walk in the Spirit means you totally rely on the Holy Spirit. Why do you need to rely on the Holy Spirit? It's because your reliance is part of God's amazing plan. (OT-NLT) Jeremiah 29:11 tells you:

" _For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."_

God knows what is best for you. He knows what will give you a future and a hope. (NT-NLT) 2 Corinthians 5:15 explains God's will for your life now that you are His child:

_He_ (Jesus) _died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them._

His plan is for each of us to live our lives for Christ, but does that mean His plan for you looks the same as His plan for His other children? No, because His plan for you is what YOU will do to please Christ. His plan will give YOU a future and a hope. Does this mean your life will be easy now that you believe and have been forgiven? The answer is no. (NT-NLT) Hebrews 11:33-39 clearly shows the lives of believers are not the same:

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God to be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. Others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith...

This list of extremes shows how different our lives will be, but look again at that last sentence. God approved of them because of their faith. Their faith is what they needed to live their lives for God. The plan for each person is different. But God's goal is for each of His children is to live to please Jesus Christ, no matter what it looks like. You may not live an easy life, but by relying on the Holy Spirit, you will live a life that pleases God. To get an idea of God's standards, let's look at what Jesus said in (NT-NLT) Matthew 22:36-40 when a Pharisee asked him:

" _Which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"_

Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

God wants you to put Him and others first. Is it easy to do? No. How can you do it? You do it by relying on the Holy Spirit to do it through you. This is not your work but the Holy Spirit's work. His job is to help you live up to God's standards. The more you rely on the Holy Spirit to do his work, the closer you come to meeting God's standards. The Holy Spirit has power you don't. In (NT-NLT) Luke 24:49, Jesus describes the power:

" _And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."_

The Holy Spirit does not have ordinary, human power because his power is from heaven. (NT-NLT) Romans 8:11 gives us an example of the Holy Spirit's power:

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.

It would be impossible for us to raise anyone from the dead, but it's not impossible for the Holy Spirit. That type of heavenly power is what you need to live the life God wants you to live and the life He knows is best for you. Living that life is only possible when you rely on the Holy Spirit. He will use all of his power to help you every moment of every day. Your job is to be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to do his work in you. Keep the words of (NT-NLT) 2 Corinthians 1:9 in your hearts as encouragement:

... _But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead._

Instruction #2: Do not stifle the Holy Spirit

This instruction is found in (NT-NLT) 1 Thessalonians 5:19:

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Stifling the Holy Spirit means you say no to something God has shown you. Saying no stifles the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be stifled, but he can never be taken away from you and he will never leave you. You can choose to allow him to do his work in you or choose to say no. God wants you to be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to do his work. The strongest example of being totally willing is found in (NT-NLT) Matthew 26:38-39 when Jesus went with some disciples to the garden of Gethsemane:

_He_ (Jesus) _told them_ (disciples) _, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me."_

He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

The most beautiful words God can hear from you are "I want your will, not mine." Your life should be one that puts God first, but it's not easy. That's why God gave you the Holy Spirit, to help you be willing to follow His plans, but this can only be done if you allow it. (NT-NLT) Luke 13:34 shows how this works:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.

This verse pictures God's heart, as one that gathers His children as a hen protect her chicks. What an amazing gift God wants to give. He wants to hold you in His arms! He wants to give you hope, and He wants to help you live a life that will please Jesus Christ, but you have to allow Him do it. Only when you yield to the Holy Spirit is God allowed to do what He needs to do in you. As you think about the words of (OT-NLT) Psalm 23:1-6 below ask yourself how God's promises can happen without you LETTING God do these things in your life:

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

God knows what is best for you. (OT-NLT) Psalm 32:8 says:

The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

God knows what is best for you. Are you willing to follow His plans?

Instruction #3: Grieve not the Holy Spirit

(NT-NLT) Ephesians 4:30 gives the third instruction:

_And do not bring sorrow_ (grieve not) _to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption._ [6]

This verse says a child of God can grieve the Holy Spirit. You can bring him sorrow, but you can NEVER cause Him to leave you because you have eternal life. (NT-NLT) John 14:16 makes it very clear:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.

The Holy Spirit will never leave you, but you need to know what grieves the Holy Spirit who lives in you. You grieve him when you sin. Sin breaks God's heart and it causes a disconnect between you and the Holy Spirit. Your sins have been forgiven, but that does not mean you will no longer sin. (NT-NLT) 1 John 1:8 says:

If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.

It's important to understand God's truth. You have been forgiven, but you are not perfect. Only Jesus could live on this earth and never sin. So how does God view you? He sees you, even though you are not perfect, as righteous (right in His eyes). He also sees your two natures: a sinful nature and a spiritual nature. God explains this in (NT-NLT) Galatians 5:16-17:

So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. The two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

You might not be aware of this fighting, but the Holy Spirit is extremely aware of it because he is doing the fighting. In addition, he makes you aware of the sin that is causing the fight. In (NT-NLT) John 14:17 Jesus says:

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

The Holy Spirit not only does the fighting, but he also shows you the truth about the cause of the fight. He helps you understand the sin that causes the fight. The sin he shows you is called revealed sin. You need to deal with this. Another kind of sin is unknown sin. You don't need to deal with this sin until the Holy Spirit reveals it to you. After all, how can you fix something you don't know is broken?

How do you deal with your revealed sin? God already made a plan for dealing with it. (NT-NLT) 1 John 1:9 gives you the details of God's plan:

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

Here are the steps to dealing with revealed sins:

1. Confess your sins.

2. God forgives you.

3. God cleanses you.

When the Holy Spirit reveals a sin to you, it's important for you to search you heart and agree with him. When you agree with him, it breaks your heart. At this point, your heart only feels better after it confesses the sin to God. God's part is to forgive you and cleanse you. Let's get a picture of this from (NT-NLT) John 13:1-10:

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of his love. It was time for supper, and the Devil had already enticed Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.

When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, why are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus replied, "You don't understand now why I am doing it; someday you will."

" _No," Peter protested, "you will never wash my feet!"_

Jesus replied, "But if I don't wash you, you won't belong to me."

Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"

Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet to be entirely clean."....

When you first believed Jesus died on the cross and you accepted his gift of forgiveness, it was as if you were bathed all over. When you sin after that point you need to have you feet washed to be entirely clean. The sins after that initial cleansing need to be "washed" with your broken heart and your confession. After this is done, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. The Holy Spirit is no longer grieved and the connection is strong again.

Question: Where do you go for your specific answers?

Right now, you may ask:

How do I walk in the Spirit?

How do I know when I stifle the Spirit?

How do I know what is grieving the Spirit?

These are great questions. You probably want a list to show you how to deal with these three questions. Lists make us feel more comfortable, but God doesn't want you to live by lists. God wants you to always go to Him for answers. So, how do you get the answers from God? God provides the answers in three ways.

1. God gives you the Holy Spirit who will lead you into all truth.

It's the job of the Holy Spirit to lead you and it is your job to follow. When the Holy Spirit shows you the truth about something it is important for you to follow Him. The (OT-NLT) Deuteronomy 33:3 gives this encouragement:

Indeed, you love the people; all your holy ones are in your hands. They follow in your steps and accept your instruction.

It is so important to follow the Holy Spirit because you are God's holy one. As His holy one it's your love that will help you choose to believe the truth and allow yourself to be changed by it. Remember: your job is to follow the Holy Spirit's lead, it is not to lead the Holy Spirit.

2. God gives you His Word, the Bible.

In (OT-NLT) Psalm 32:8, God makes you an amazing promise:

The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

God promises He will:

• Guide you along the BEST pathway for your life.

• Advise you.

• Watch over you.

What an amazing life you will live! God will guide, advise and watch over you for all your life. It's easy to imagine Him watching over you because you are His child. But how will He guide and advise you? He will use His Word, the Bible. (NT-NLT) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 explains the Bible's purpose:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

The Bible was breathed into different men and just as God breathed it into them, He breathes it into you. He will use it to:

• Teach you what is true.

• Make you realize what is wrong in your life.

• Straighten you out.

• Teach you to do what is right.

• Prepare you in every way.

• Fully equip you.

God's Word is amazing and He will use it in the hands of the Holy Spirit to always do what is best for you. (OT-NLT) Psalm 119:5 says:

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

What does this mean? It means His Word, the Bible, will help you understand what is in front of you and what is further down the road. Read His Word and be sure to look at the context of every word. Give it your full attention.

3. The third gift is prayer.

(NT-NLT) James 1:5-7 tells you:

If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

What is prayer? It's simply talking to God. It's your heart coming before God. God loves this! (OT-NLT) Psalm 116:1-2 shows how tenderly God hears your prayer:

I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers.

Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!

God loves it when you pray to Him. He bends down and listens. You are His child and as His child He wants to hear everything on your mind. (OT-NLT) Psalm 27:8 says:

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."

And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."

God loves it when you talk to Him. He listens to you so carefully. He bends down so He won't miss any of your words. This is God's love for you. Your love for Him is seen in your desire to share everything with Him.

Your prayers, His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit give you everything you need to answer your questions. In addition, Jesus prayed for you. His prayer is in (NT-NLT) John 17:20:

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father - that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

Please take all the gifts God has given you and follow the words in (NT-NLT) Jude 20-21, 24-25:

But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.

And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forever more. Amen.

### NOTES

[1] New Testament – New Living Translation

[2] Old Testament – New Living Translation

[3] Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. The Daily Walk Bible / Bruce H. Wilkinson, executive editor; Paula A. Kirk, general editor; John W. Hoover, editor; Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc.

[4] The Bible reveals the age of the earth to be 6000 years old. The age is calculated using God's record of history. http://www.gotquestions.org/earth-age.html

1 Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, 6th ed. (London: John Murray, 1872), 49.

1 http://www.gotquestions.org/temple-veil-torn.html

[5] Note: The King James version uses the word walk instead live.

[6] Note: The King James version uses the word grieve not instead of the words do not bring sorrow.
