Monthly Archives: February 2021

John 19- Burial of Christ

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And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight John 19:-38-39

The burial of Christ is obviously an event we don’t usually like to talk about, but its an important event? Why? Because without death and the tomb, it couldn’t be defeated. Jesus had to taste death, so we wouldn’t have to. Now you might say, well Christians die anyone! As the Apostle Paul stated “To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord”(2 Corinthians 5:8) We live for an eternal hope not a temporal one

Notice the two men who were part of Jesus burial, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus. These two men were Religious Leaders, Joseph was a Sanhedrin and Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Evidence that Jesus converted many Jews during his ministry including Religious Leaders. 

We remember Nicodemus mostly for his interaction with Jesus in John Chapter 3, its clear here that Nicodemus to become “Born Again” as he risked his life to prepare Christ body for burial

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. John 19: 40-42

The fact that Jesus body was placed in the tomb was important for several reasons, first he fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:9) Even though Jesus is the sinless Son of God, he was buried with the criminals. However its also important that Jesus body was laid in a tomb to protect his body before He is Risen on the 3rd day

Often when people were crucified by the Romans, there bodies were discarded and fed to the wild animals, but because of Joseph of Arimathaea, the body of The Lord was preserved until that blessed Sunday morning

Another reason the Tomb is important is because its the evidence of Christ. The skeptics will say either Jesus didn’t exist or he didn’t die on the cross. The fact remains “The tomb was Empty” The Lord has Risen just as he said he would! There is nothing anyone can do to refute this evidence! He is Risen He is Risen Indeed Amen!

Take Courage!

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We need this more than ever today! Take Courage Jesus is in Control!

Unashamed of Jesus's avatarUnashamed of Jesus

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

What is your initial reaction when your life enters a storm? Just as Jesus told his disciples, he is telling you today, Take courage and don’t be afraid!

In life we may feel helpless sometimes like the disciples, floating in a boat in darkness. Sometimes were not sure what is going to happen next, but we should always remember God is with us. Just like the disciples, who thought they were alone in the darkness, Jesus was right by their side.

Only Peter had the courage to ask Jesus if he could walk on the water with him, and when he took that “leap of faith” he was walking on the water with his Lord!

But just as in life, a storm started to come in, Peter quickly lost his faith and…

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John 19- It Is Finished

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After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost John 19:28-30

The darkest day in human history also became the greatest day in human history. As Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, the debt has been paid in full. It’s hard for us to comprehend how and why Jesus did this, but when you understand the state of our depravity and the Passover Lamb, it makes perfect sense

While Jesus was on the cross, he proclaimed probably one of the most powerful statements in human history “It Is Finished” meaning the debt for our sin has been paid, meaning we through Christ are now reconciled back to the Father, meaning the Veil has now been torn and we can now be in the presence of God because of Christ. A proclamation and affirmation that defeated sin and death forever!

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: John 19:31-33

Its “Church Tradition” that Jesus died on Friday, now known as “Good or Holy Friday”. The scriptures support this, notice it says it was “Preparation Day” meaning Friday. The day of preparation before the Sabbath (Saturday). Church tradition is correct, Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday morning. 

Also notice not one bone was broken on Christ, just as fulfilled in prophecy (Psalm 34:20)

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. John 19:34-36

What happened here was not only another fulfilment of prophecy but also a symbolic representation of who Jesus is and what his fulfillment on the cross meant. The blood and the water, symbolic of the Triunity of God (1 John 5:7) also a clear fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10 “The One they have pierced , God will pour out his grace and mercy on them”

The Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world, Thank you Jesus Amen!

John 19- Crucifixion of Christ

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Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 19:16-19

The time has come for the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world! Pilate ordered Jesus to be crucified after submitting to the pressure of the religious leaders. Not only was Jesus crucified, he was also flogged and made to carry his own cross about a mile up the hill , to what we call Calvary today. Jesus commands us to “Carry our Crosses daily” , he literally carried his cross to give us eternal life

Notice Pilate, mockingly , nailed a sign on the cross that stated “King of the Jews”. However Pilate is actually fulfilling prophecy, rightfully declaring Jesus as King, and also sacrificing the Lamb of God, to pay the wages for our sins!

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.  John 19:20-22

The Jewish religious leaders thought they have committed the “Perfect Crime” however it all backfired, as the sign was permanently nailed to the cross! Israel has crucified their King, Israel has crucified the Messiah, and the judgement for this will be catastrophic for the nation

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. John 19:23-24

More prophecy is fulfilled from Psalm 22, as the Romans soldiers “casted lots” to steal the clothing from Jesus. The mockery and wickedness displayed to Jesus, the Son of God, shows you the evilness and depravity of this world

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:25-27

One of the saddest moments, when Jesus says goodbye to his Mother Mary. Notice the woman , including his mother, never left Jesus side, even at the cross. The only male disciple that stayed was John. All the other disciples ran for the hills to save their own lives.

Jesus words “Woman Behold Thy Son” is a demonstration of the love Jesus and his Mother shared, a true love just as any mother and child would have. Then Jesus made sure his Mother was taken care of before he died, his disciple John took Mary as his own family. 

All of this was done to pay the debt for our sins, when you understand this, you understand the love that Jesus has for us all Amen!

John 19- The Authority of Christ

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The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. John 19:7-9

The religious leaders were looking for Pilate to do their dirty work for them. They kept shouting “Crucify Him” to Pilate, and he asked them “What did this man do” ? The Pharisees were so depraved they wanted to kill Jesus because he is the Son of God!

Notice Pilate himself was afraid of what they were about to do, he was a wicked man and yet still had some fear of God. The Pharisees had no fear of God, they puffed themselves up so much they believed they were gods. 

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. John 19:10-12

Pilate tried to threaten Jesus “Do you know who I am”, ?“Do you know the power I possess”? This might sound like us these days, people believe they have so much power and importance, we are just a vapor in the wind, a speck of dust

Jesus replied “You have no authority over me except it was given by God” We need to understand and realize , Jesus willingly gave up his life to pay the ransom for our sins. Once you understand this, you understand the amazing love Christ has demonstrated on the cross! Pilate was starting to realize this and wanted to release Jesus, but he gave in to his fear of losing favor with people. Someday you have to make a choice please God or please Man!

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. John 19:13-15

Pilate did not realize he was actually fulfilling prophecy by having Jesus executed and also proclaiming Jesus as King. Even though Pilate meant this with sarcasm , he rightfully professed Jesus as The King and also nailed the title to the cross Everyone in the crowd at this time was yelling “ Crucify Him”! Before we became saved , we were in this crowd also, yet Jesus still loved us anyway! Amazing Love!

It’s no surprise why Israel came under the judgement of God in 70 A.D. having the Messiah crucified. Yet remember this, all power and authority belongs to Jesus, and he laid down his life willingly to save yours! Amen!

John 18- What Is Truth?

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Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. John 18:29-32

In one of the most wicked and blasphemous moments in history, the religious leaders were trying to use God’s Law to kill the Son of God! Can you imagine this? The depravity of mankind, trying to use God’s own words to kill his Son. This is the depravity that the nation of Israel has succumbed to. 

Notice even a Pagan evil man like Pilate recognizes their deception as he says “Judge Him according to your Law (Torah)” Pilate knows the deception they are trying to pull here, as the religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate for him to do their dirty work. But as it says all this had to happen so “The sayings of Jesus might be fulfilled”

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? John 18: 33-35

Jesus then has an interesting conversation with Pilate, he asks “Are you the King of the Jews”? Notice Jesus’ response, he says “Are you asking or did others tell you that” Jesus wants to know what Pilate believes in his heart, imagine the mercy Jesus is showing the wicked ruler who is about to crucify him. 

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37

Jesus goes on to make some big revelations here, first  he states “My Kingdom is not of this world” We must understand and remember this, not to get to involved in this current and temporary world as its not Gods Kindgom (Romans 12:2)

Jesus reveals He is the King of Kings and he came into this world to reveal truth and salvation to all mankind

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. John 18:38-40

Pilate tries to be witty and responds to Jesus “What Is Truth”? Atheists today try to use the same response , as if relative truth doesn’t exist. Its clear Pilate has rejected Christ, and what is about to happen is the greatest act of evil in human history. However Jesus used this act to bring salvation to the entire world

The depravity of humanity is on full display, as the people choose to release a criminal over the Son of God. The fact is we are all Barabbas, Jesus has taken our place on the cross to pay our debt of sin Amen!