Monthly Archives: January 2022

Luke 23- Burial of Christ

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And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. Luke 23:50-54

 Often we talk about the crucifixion of Christ and the Resurrection, but we don’t really reflect upon the burial. The dark hours before Christ rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever. First lets look at the fulfillment of prophecy from( Isaiah 53:9 )“He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death” Its amazing the accuracy of the prophecies foretold by Isaiah hundreds of years before Christ was born.. Jesus was crucified with the wicked, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13) 

The rich man of the prophecy was fulfilled by Joseph of Arimathea, he was a rich Sanhedrin, a religious leader who actually became a follower of Christ. Not all the religious leaders rejected Jesus, and he gave up his grave for Christ. Imagine the risk Joseph faced going to Pilate and asking for Jesus body, however by faith he did this and he helped fulfill another Messianic prophecy

Many argue about the day when Jesus died, its clear Christ died on Friday (Preparation Day) This was called this because everyone prepared for the Sabbath (Saturday) the day before. This is why Church tradition of Good Friday is accurate in alignment with scripture

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Luke 23:55-56

As we know the woman disciples of Christ were the first eyewitnesses of his resurrection. As noted before, all the male disciples except John, had went into hiding in fear of their lives. The woman all remained faithful at the cross to the empty tomb. Again we see confirmation, Jesus was buried on Friday (Preparation Day) as the women rested on the Sabbath Day (Saturday) 

On Sunday morning, the world will change forever! Jesus will claim victory over sin and death! Satan is absolutely defeated, and the clock begins to tick for Christ second coming and Satans destruction in the Lake of Fire, Amen!

Luke 23- Veil Is Torn

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And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost  Luke 23:44-46

The hour has come for the Son of God to complete his work on the cross. One of the last words Jesus said was “Father Into Your Hands I commit My Spirit” This was a common Jewish prayer based on Psalm 35. Jesus laid down his life to the obedience of the Father God, and on Sunday morning he will be Risen from the dead defeating sin and death forever!

Notice as Jesus fulfilled his work on the cross, The Veil was torn, literally and symbolically. The veil in the Temple was the curtain that separated man from the Holy of Holies. Nobody could enter God’s presence unless they were spiritually clean or they would instantly die from God’s Holiness. Christ reconciled us back to the Father, by being the atonement for our sins, so we can be declared righteous before God.

Also , just as Jesus prophesied , the Temple would be eventually destroyed, symbolizes the end of the Mosaic Covenant, and the establishment of Christ New Covenant!

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Luke 23:47-49

Gentiles were already being converted, notice a Centurion, a Roman Military Commander, is glorifying God and recognizes Jesus is the Son of God. But the judgment of God will come upon Israel for killing their own Messiah. In 70 AD Jerusalem and the Temple will all be destroyed, and the Temple was never rebuilt again, even until this day. 

The darkest hour in the history of the world has become the victory for Born Again believers in Christ. As Christ has crushed the head of Satan on the cross (Genesis 3:15)

Luke 23- Amazing Grace

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And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luke 23:39-42

Jesus was crucified between two criminals, this was another fulfillment of prophecy as it stated the Messiah would be “Numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12) Jesus the sinless Lamb of God was killed as a common criminal, yet Christ is God in the flesh, how can our minds comprehend this? Yet while dying on that cross, the two criminals had conversations with him, one mocked and blasphemed Christ , while the other asked for forgiveness. The question is , which one are you? Have you asked Jesus for mercy for your sins? Or are you still cursing God and headed to Hell?

Notice what the remorseful sinner said “We are punished justly” (v41) The thief on the cross , recognized his sin, secondly he called Jesus Lord (v42) The thief recognized that Jesus Christ is Lord. What must you do to be saved? The same as the thief on the cross, repent of your sins and have faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

The repentant thief on the cross became saved! Now when you talk about this  it makes some Christians angry , here is a sinner who never went to Church, was never baptized, never read the Bible, yet Jesus said “Today you will be with me in paradise” This is the amazing grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Notice also Jesus said “Today You will be with me in Paradise” Jesus didn’t say at the resurrection you will be with me or someday, he said today. I think this is clear evidence of the soul, as Paul said “To depart from the body is to be with The Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8) When we die we will immediately be with Jesus, what a glorious thought and promise to hold on to

The story of the thief on the cross is a great reminder of the amazing grace God has given us through the Lord Jesus Christ! Turn away from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus for eternal life, Amen!

Luke 23- The Cross of Christ

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And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Luke 23:26-31

As Jesus was heading to the cross, the darkest day of humanity became the redemption day for humanity.As Jesus struggled to carry his wooden cross up the mile trek to Calvary, a bystander named Simon was instructed by the Romans to help Jesus carry his cross. Not much else was mentioned about Simon of Cyrene, but can you imagine having to help The Lord carry his cross to his death, and then just walking away? We don’t read of Simon of having any conversion, so we can assume he must have just walked away. Just like many today and throughout the ages, have heard about the death of Christ, and then just walked away, no care or desire for The Lord

Secondly as Jesus is making the dreadful trip up to Golgotha, he is warning his woman followers of the judgment that is going to be coming upon Israel. Of course we know this was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem and The Temple were destroyed. Why was Jesus only addressing his female disciples? Because all the male disciples took off and ran for their life, except the Apostle John. 

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Luke 22:32-37

Jesus was crucified in between two criminals, which criminal on the cross are you? One mocked Jesus , while the other asked Jesus for forgiveness, what was Jesus response “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Wow! Imagine this, after Christ is beaten and nailed to a cross for no reason, He still forgives them and wants to save them! What a merciful and loving God we serve! 

As Jesus was left hanging on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins, they mocked him “He saved others, let him save himself” But this is the very heart of the gospel message, Jesus died to save us! He could have left us all go to Hell and save himself, but He choose to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He choose to save your soul, because He loves you even before you knew who Jesus was!

The Cross of Christ, was a brutal and horrific event, however it was an event that Christ fulfilled to save your soul. If you want mercy , if you want salvation, you must come to the Cross of Christ first, and Jesus will make you Born Again! Amen!