A Risen Savior the Living God

Jesus Was Buried and Rose Again

Book of John Chapter 19:38-20:10

We left off last week at the death of our Savior. The truth is the Lord Jesus Christ, Almighty God came down from Heaven to die in payment for the sin of this entire world from the time He was born of a "virgin" to the end of time.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord Jesus came to this earth to fulfill every Scripture that was written about Him in the Old Testament.

Luk_24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

This was the theme behind the preaching of all the Apostles!

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Let us pick up where we left off last week at Chapter 19 verse 38.

*****Joh 19:38 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.

We already know that the disciples of Jesus had scattered and not one of them would take the chance of of going to Pilate to take care of the body of Jesus.

So we see a secret Christian by the name of Joseph from Arimathaea. We can see what type of man he was by looking to what is written of him.

We must understand that we are not to be ashamed of claiming the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Joseph was a good person.

Joseph was a believer.

Joseph feared what his friends and the other members of the Sanhedrin would think of Him if He claimed to believe Jesus and to believe the Word of God.

He feared the loss of position.

He feared the loss of prestige.

Others fear their chance at promotion.

Some fear their acceptance.

Some fear popularity.

Some fear losing their friends.

Some fear losing their job, their income or their livelihood.

I fear that many in our world today are going through these things.

I myself was a victim of many of these things, but I am far better because I took a stand.

From Matthew

Mat 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

Mat 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

From Mark

Mar 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

Mar 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Mar 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

From Luke

Luk 23:51 (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.

Luk 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

Luk 23:53 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.

Luk 23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

From Luke we also see that this was the preparation day. In other words it was the day that the sacrificial lambs were slain in celebration of the Passover.

Joseph was a rich man, who was a secret disciple of the Lord, who himself knew he did not have many days left and had prepared his own tomb which he placed the body of Jesus before 6 PM that day, in honor of the Laws of Moses.

He went boldly to Pilate and demanded the body of Jesus be released unto him. Pilate would not do this until he had verified the death of our Lord with the Centurion in charge of the crucifixion.

It was the cross that finally awoke Joseph to the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ just as it has so many others.

As Joseph desired to finally take care of the body of Christ, we should understand that the Church is the Body of Christ today and it is the disciples of Jesus that is to care for the Church!

Joseph was not alone!

It is only John who tells us of Nicodemus who was no longer ashamed to acknowledge his love for the Savior.

*****Joh 19:39 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.

Joh 19:40 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.

No one could have guessed that these two men were believers they had kept it so much a secret.

They had waited until Jesus had died to show their worship of Him.

But we must also remember all those who had been with Jesus every day for nearly three years had abandoned Him in His time of need.

Then there were the women of Galilee who followed Jesus all the way to the borrowed tomb, who had watch Joseph and Nicodemus do these things and felt they had not done it right because they were rushed by time and planned to return to the tomb after the Passover.

We know that there were others that may have come just to see Jesus buried:

Luk 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Luk 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Jesus Christ never owned His own house and now He would also be placed into another man's tomb.

If no one had claimed the body of the Lord, he would have been cast into an open pit with others who had been crucified by the government of Rome.

The prophets would have been wrong making the Word of God to have errors, but it is our Heavenly Father who is in control of this world and He makes things work according to His masterful plan!

That tomb may have received the body of Christ, but that grave could not destroy the Body of Christ. There is nothing in this world or any other world that stop the believing Church!

As we know our hope lies in the promises of God!

Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

There are some things we need to keep in mind as we get closer to our day in the grave. Not our soul for it will be with the Lord.

1) Our grave will not be dug until it is time:

Job 5:26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

2) When our body reaches the grave, we should know that even the grave was defeated by Jesus Christ.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

3) We should know that only Jesus Christ now holds the keys to death.

Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

We also know that the Lord Jesus loved the garden, so He made His bed amongst the lilies.

*****Joh 19:41 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.

Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Preparation day was the day all the lambs were slaughtered, and the Passover Meals were being prepared and Joseph and Nicodemus were required to be at the Temple, but they had chosen the slaughtered Lamb of God, the true Passover to show their worship for Him.

Since these two men had handled the dead body of Christ, they were now considered unclean and it would 7 days before they could be cleansed and return to their duties in the Temple.

A Garden would first see the death of Christ but in three days this garden would be the place of God's glory.

The tomb of the Lord was hewn out of rock and we can be sure there was no other way to enter into this tomb nor could anyone enter into by digging under the ground.

We should feel sorrow for having so much sin it required the death of our Savior!

But we should feel joy because His sufferings are over, and His happiness had begun for providing our means to escape death.

We should have an earnest desire to be where ever the Lord is right now.

All these things will cause us to be better prepared for our own death bed.

The prophet had said:

Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Again the Prophet said:

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

In three days things had changed.

*****Joh 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

The first day of the week on the Jewish calendar is Sunday. Some may ask why does the Church meet on Sundays? It is because Sunday is the Lord's Day. The day our Savior walk out of that tomb.

The sepulchers of the rich of that day were hand carved caves into solid rock. In most all cases the sepulchre would be on land that belong to the owner of the sepulchre. In other words the tomb of Jesus belonged to Joseph of Arimathea and was on land that belonged to him.

We can tell something about a sepulchre by listening to this phrase. “He that selleth his neighbour a place of burial, and he that takes of his neighbour a place of burial, let him make the inner parts of the cave four cubits, and six cubits: and let him open within it eight sepulchers.”

In other words a sepulchre would be about 6 feet deep,

into the rock by 8 or 9 feet high and 9 feet broad and the actual burial place would be carved into the walls on both sides enough for an entire family could be buried in the same sepulchre.

One thing we should know about the Holy Spirit, when He gives us details in the Scriptures, He is not trying to convince us of the truth or to prove anything, He is just stating the facts!

John's Gospel was written many years later than those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We can still get the full picture when we take into account, all 4 of the Gospels.

A lot of things may be said about Mary Magdalene, but it would be hard not to mention that she was a devoted Christian!

This Mary openly showed her devotion in front of Roman soldiers, the High Priest, and the Pharisees.

She was not afraid to claim her "faith"!

Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Mar 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mar 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

Luk 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

Luk 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

This Mary did not know what to think about the empty tomb, but she did know where the disciples were hiding.

*****Joh 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Joh 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

Without a doubt even though Peter had failed by denying the Lord, he was still considered to be the chief among the disciples.

We can understand that Peter and John may not have been in the same place by the way this Scripture is worded. Remember John had taken Mary the mother of Jesus to his own home.

The phrase "whom Jesus loved" can be said of John but also of Peter, again by the way it is written. Jesus loved all His disciples just as He does us here today!

At this time Mary Magdeline believes someone has stolen the body of Christ, which was impossible.

That word "we" suggest that Mary was not alone when she had gone to the tomb of Jesus.

Mar 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mar 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Peter and John ran to the tomb of Jesus as fast as they could.

*****Joh 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Joh 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Joh 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Joh 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Joh 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

The fact that they both saw the linen clothes is very important.

The body of Jesus could not have been stolen and those linen wrappings still be in the tomb.

Neither of these two disciples understood what they were seeing at this time and they did not discuss it between them.

We already know that the roof of the sepulchre was 8 or 9 feet tall so Peter stooped down to get a closer look at those linen wrappings, and we could say that the body of Jesus would have had to pass through those wrappings because they were not disturbed.

Peter could not believe what he was looking at!

The last time Peter had seen the Lord was during the false trial when he had denied Him.

Peter craved to look upon his Master one more time, but all he saw was the wrappings.

One other thing in particular was noticed. The napkin that covered His face was neatly folded and laid in another place.

Say what we will, we would have been just as puzzled as these two disciples had we seen such things.

We must realize that the body of Jesus could not have been taken away in a hurry, and could not have been taken by thieves since everything lay in such order.

The only answer was, that Jesus had done these things Himself or the Angels had done these things.

Some say that the folded napkin had its own message that Jesus was not yet through with the work He had to do!

The important things are these.

1) It would be impossible to still steal a body out of the wrappings and leave them undisturbed.

2) The wrappings would have been taken with the body had the body been removed.

3) Those wrappings would have been scattered if thieves had stolen the body of Jesus.

4) It would be impossible to place the wrappings as if they had never moved after the body was removed.

John realized that there was only one answer and it was that Jesus Christ was alive just as He had said, but John did not know how!

John did not relay his thoughts to Peter!

Luk 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Neither Peter nor John knew of a Scripture that said, He must rise again from the dead.

*****Joh 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Joh 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Above all things these disciples had believed that the Messiah could not die. There is not one particular Scripture that has these words in it.

There are many places in the Psalms that refer to the resurrection of Christ such as:

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The Prophet Isaiah:

Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

The Prophet Hosea:

Hos 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

There are others:

King David said: I foresaw the Lord always before my face.

Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

For those doubters the resurrected Christ was seen by many witnesses:

Act 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

The Apostle Paul had these words:

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

We serve a risen Savior!

Our God is alive!

These disciples full of doubt and many questions went away unto their own homes with some gathering together to talk about what was said by these eyewitnesses!

Amen

Let's Pray!

Jesus Christ the Payment for Our Sin

Jesus Paid For Our Sins

Book of John Chapter 19:1-37

Last week we saw the Jesus Christ give himself over to a mob that had come to capture Him.

Jesus first faced Annas in an illegal court.

Jesus next was taken to Caiaphas the High Priest the son-in-law to Annas.

Today the Lord Jesus stands before Pilate.

Before we proceed let's take a look at verse 11.

Joh 19:11  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. 

If we cannot see anything else, it should be obvious that those who become the rulers of men are all given that power from God Himself!

What we see in our world is that many if not most all rulers think they hold the power for good or power for evil, but the truth is their power comes by God Himself.

These rulers are responsible for the way they use this power.

These rulers are foolish to believe that they can overrule Jehovah God!

These rulers are foolish if they believe God will not hold them accountable for the bad things they do.

For those who do not understand the hatred for our President have forgotten what Jesus said.

All those who claim the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior will be hated by the world.

Joh_15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Our President has put the Bible back in the White House, where it belongs!

Why has the nation of Israel had so many problems since the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70AD?

Because it was the Jews who had rejected the Lord when He first came.

When Pilate symbolically washed his hands for the death of Jesus, these Jews made their biggest mistake of all their days.

Mat_27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

When these things are said to the Lord there will be repercussions and the tiny nation of Israel has suffered since that day and this will continue until the Lord returns.

The rebirth of Israel and then Jerusalem means that God has not forgotten these He has made such great promises to.

Let's begin with verse 13

*****Joh 19:13  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.

Gabbatha, the Pavement was a place on the Temple Mount outside the walls of the Praetorium which was the "Judgment Hall".

This place was paved with stones and Pilate would sit in his judgment seat high above this pavement.

This pavement was a walk way of stones laid in a mosaic pattern outside of Antonio Fortress.

In fact Josephus mentioned that the entire Temple Mount was paved with this type of mosaic work.

Psa 94:20  Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
Psa 94:21  They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Psa 94:22  But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
Psa 94:23  And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

The main thing we will see about Pilate was that he was a coward who feared Caesar more than he feared Jehovah a mistake so many rulers make today. Afraid of the loss of power, which is given by God, rather than fear Jehovah God.

This is the way of the world.

These things took place on the day the Passover Lambs were slaughtered!

*****Joh 19:14  And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

By the time we reach this point in the Book of John, Jesus has already been judged by Annas, Caiaphas, and what few of the Sanhedrin Court that good gather. All these had sentenced Jesus to death without any evidence of wrong doing, but they had to have the charge of insurrection for Jesus to be crucified.

This also the second time before Pilate, as Pilate had first sent Jesus to Herod.

We should understand that "preparation day" was the day that the Passover Lamb was killed, and the Passover meal was prepared!

This would be the day before Passover Day, whether it be the Sabbath, or a day treated as the Sabbath.

This sixth hour would be the noon hour though some would say it was 6 AM.

None of these things deserve any argument because they have nothing to do with salvation.

What we need to understand is that Jesus Christ was our Passover and we are washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

What we do know is that about 3 PM Jesus gave up His own life so that we can live for an eternity.

And before 6 PM Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb!

The only way for Pilate to use Roman Law was that Jesus had claimed to be King of the Jews, which He had not done at this time.

Jesus was innocent of all charges brought against Him!

Mat 27:62  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 

Mat 27:63  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Mar 15:42  And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

One of the things many people forget is on Passover the Blood of the Lamb was caught and that blood had to be applied to the doorpost of  the place where they would eat the Passover meal.

Exo 12:7  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

If we consider the way that this blood was applied, it was in the shape of the cross.

It was not enough that the Passover Lamb be killed, and the blood captured in some vessel. The Blood of Christ must be applied to our lives as it was to those door post.

The cleansing power of the Lord comes only by "faith"

Exo 12:13  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

The Jews of that day were blinded by their Jewish leaders who wanted only one thing and it was the death of Jesus Christ!

*****Joh 19:15  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. 

Joh 19:16  Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

These evil men were determined that they would settle for nothing less than the death of Jesus!

Act_2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Israel did not need a king that day, they needed a Savior.

It is the same today, Israel does not need a king they still need a Savior.

They will get the opportunity to make that decision after the Church is removed and they see where they have been wrong, all these many years!

There is much difference in the Lord of Glory and that false lord of Rome!

Act 3:14  But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; Act 3:15  And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 

Act 3:16  And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

The Jews who claimed Caesar as there king would soon see Caesar destroy their nation.

This is not much different as all those today who have chosen to make some idol their king.

Some choose the king of money, others choose the king of power, others the king of pleasure or the king of fashion.

There those who choose the king of drugs and the king of alcohol but in the end their king will destroy them all!

There is only one Savior, who is also the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords and He will not let another take His place!

Before Jesus will be King, He would first be the Prince of Life!

Jesus would carry His own wood to a place called Golgotha.

*****Joh 19:17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 

Joh 19:18  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the

midst. 

The physical body of Jesus was beaten beyond recognition.

Psa 22:13  They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psa 22:14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Isa 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

When we sit at the foot of the cross on Calvary, we will see our Redeemer after he had been beaten, and crowned with thorns, and smitten, and scourged, and crucified, when his face was covered with bruises and with gore, and his frame and features distorted with agony.

This is our Savior who with the help of Simon of Cyrene made His way to Calvary, the place called Golgotha. Both of these words mean "Skull".

This is the same Savior that Peter wrote about.

1Pe 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

One of these days soon, these Jews are going to open their eyes to the truth of Jesus Christ!

There were two more, one on each side that were also crucified on the day!

The Holy Spirit had made sure to prophesy of these things.

Isa_53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

When Jesus arrived at Golgotha even more pain was inflicted upon Him.

Psa 22:15  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Psa 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17  I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Psa 22:19  But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Psa 22:20  Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Again we see that the Holy Spirit had told of all these things!

And Pilate just added to the misery of that day.

*****Joh 19:19  And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Joh 19:20  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.

There should be very little doubt that this place of Golgotha was a place where many people would pass as they entered and left Jerusalem.

This capital punishment was used to each law breakers not to test the Roman government which was a cruel government.

Another proof is the fact that this title was written in 3 languages so any one who passed by or witnessed this event could know what it said, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.

In the flesh, He was Jesus of Nazareth.

In the flesh, He was the son of David, the true King of the Jews.

In reality He was God in the flesh, Emmanuel, the sovereign Lord of His entire creation, God!

The Hebrew language was the national language of Israel

The Latin language was the official language of Rome.

The Greek language was the language most used in the world at that time.

The Jews were indifferent to these words. These words had no effect upon them. There was no remorse over an innocent man who truly was in the line of Kings from King David.

There were only a handful of Jews who knew the truth and none of them were certain at this time.

What is the truth?

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the most important thing that we need to know!

The only concern that the High Priest and his followers wanted was that Pilate change the wording to say that this was something that Jesus had said which would have been another lie.

*****Joh 19:21  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.

Joh 19:22  Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Jesus will never just be King of the Jews because He will always be King of this entire universe!

There has been many a Church, more today than ever, that have replaced King Jesus with some man.

The Catholic refuse to take the Lord off that cross and think they need some pope as a go between.

Jesus Christ is the Foundation and the Head of the Church, King of kings, and Lord of lords and the church needs to wake up to that fact instead of giving in to the world who will have many kings until they accept the Antichrist.

Jesus Christ has given us His Words and His Words will never change.

When we look at the throne in Heaven it is still the Lamb of God who sits upon that throne!

1Ti 6:13  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 

1Ti 6:14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1Ti 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
1Ti 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Even though all these things had happened, the world is never through taking away from the righteous!

*****Joh 19:23  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.
Joh 19:24  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.

Jesus Christ had come to die and at this moment it looked as if death would have her complete victory.

The world did its best to try to eliminate any knowledge of our Savior, but this world can only do what God allows!
The body of Jesus Christ was torn in pieces yet not one bone would be broken.

The flesh of Jesus would taste death, but it could not have come unless the Lord gave His own life, because this world will never be able to take it from Him.

The only things the Lord had in His personal possession was the clothes on His back and the world would even take these things away.

Soldiers gambled for His possessions!

Psa 22:18  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

All His life Jesus had gone about doing good. He had never done one bad thing!

Yet at His death no one showed compassion.

The Mother of the Lord was standing as close as she was allowed to the cross of her Son, yet these soldiers did not care or even offer to her the things that Jesus had with Him!

Jesus had not yet given up the Ghost because there was one more thing He needed to do.

*****Joh 19:25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 

Joh 19:26  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Joh 19:27  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

No matter how Mary the mother of Jesus is treated by religionist, the fact remains that the Virgin Mary was the birth Mother of Jesus the God-Man Emmanuel, the Messiah, the Christ.

Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Jesus would not give up the ghost until He made sure His mother was taken care of.

We may ask ourselves, why John the Apostle, but history proves that John was the only apostle that died of old age.

John was the only choice because of this.

It is believed that Mary the Virgin mother of Christ is buried in Ephesus where John preached for so many years and Caesar did not make the many attempts on John's life until after the death of Mary.

We could also say that John knew so much about the Lord Jesus because he learned those things from His mother!

Just before the pain and agony Jesus suffered in His body when He was ready to give up, He looked down at His mother and knew that she was suffering along with Him.

Mary was never to be an object of worship, but she was certainly a righteous young maiden when the Holy Spirit selected her to be the birth mother of the Messiah.

No matter where we see Jesus, we had better understand that He was always thinking of others much more than He thought upon Himself!

Anytime we are feeling uppity in this world we need to go back to the cross of the Lord Jesus and feel the love He has for us!

Isa 45:22  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24  Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What did Abraham tell Isaac?

Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

God had certainly provided Himself as the Lamb who died for all His Creation!

It was after John knew he was to take care of the Mother of Jesus and Mary knew this also, that it was time for Jesus to give up the Ghost.

*****Joh 19:28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 

We should understand that there were many words that Jesus said just for the purpose of fulfilling prophesy.

Psa 69:21  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

We should understand that at the site of a crucifixion there would always be a mixture of Gaul a natural growing pain reliever mixed with wine, which made this a drug.

It was given to those who were crucified to ease their pain.

This sounds great, but all it did was prolong their suffering.

To some this would seem to be a good thing but actually it would only prolong the agony of that one who was crucified.

When this was offered to Jesus, He rejected it.

Mar 15:23  And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

We should also understand that because the Roman soldiers traveled from one land to another and had to be ready at all times to be in defense of Rome, they would only drink water that contained the last product of fermented wine was is vinegar that has no alcoholic content, but it would make water safe to drink and also still provide a little nourishment from the grape.

In Vietnam we used iodine tablets if we had to drink the water in that land not water that had been treated by the Army.

This vinegar is what was offered to Jesus at the time He said, "I Thirst" and he did take this.

Jesus could be on twenty crosses and He would never drink anything that was of alcohol or any drug mixture that contained alcohol.

Jesus would never have gone against His word and He told us not to even look at true wine!

*****Joh 19:29  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.
Joh 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The Jews used hyssop somewhat like a paint brush.

For instance: Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

If we go back and look at the first Passover, we will see why the Lord Jesus Christ was our Passover.

Psa 69:21  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

We know vinegar is very bitter. The work Jesus had done for our salvation was finished.

This where we get that Phrase, "it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth".

Jesus had been obedient to His Father.

Jesus had freely given Himself for us.

Jesus had been diligent in the work God the Father had given to His Son.

Whatever the law had demanded was perfectly paid.

Whatever each sinner needed was perfectly obtained.

It was perfect blood that flowed through the veins of Jesus.

Heb 10:12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 

Heb 10:13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

That perfect blood must be applied for our lives to be like Jesus!

*****Joh 19:31  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.

Joh 19:32  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
Joh 19:33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

These same men who insisted that an innocent man be murdered, could not think of letting His dead hang upon that cross on a Sabbath day.

What hypocrites!

Crucifixion is death by suffocation. There was a step near to where the feet were nailed to the cross and those upon the cross could support their weight in order that they could breath, which was also there to prolong their misery.

By breaking the legs they could no longer support themselves and they would soon die for lake of air.

Deu 21:22  And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 

Deu 21:23  His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. 

Just so we know these were soldiers of the Roman Guard who had been in many battles they knew what death looked like and they knew how to cause such a death.

*****Joh 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 

Joh 19:35  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

Joh 19:36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

Joh 19:37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

We can be sure that this soldier new that Jesus was already dead, or he would have just broken the legs of Jesus as had done to the other two.

We also know that he had heard the rumors that Jesus might rise from the dead.

If we look at the picture of Jesus on the cross, we know that a bunch of hyssop with a sponge could reach His lips.

This spear, a Roman battle sword would have pass under the rib cage directly into the lungs and then the heart of our Savior.

This was a death blow that no man could recover from.

This was intentional and done with malice. Just one more indignity inflicted upon the body of our Savior.

Of course Jesus knew these things would happen!

Isa_53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Rev_1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Jesus came to die and there must be no doubt in our minds that He did die in that flesh.

If the flesh of Jesus had not died, then there would be no sacrifice for our sins, and we would still be guilty of our sins and that penalty would be the death of our being and a complete separation from God for an eternity.

The piercing of that sword through the lungs into the heart is undeniable proof that Jesus died, but of course God cannot die.

We must believe that Jesus died and then rose again from that death!

John makes sure that we understand that Jesus had given up the Ghost before this piercing occurred.

Jesus had already said that no man could take His life from Him only then could He take His life back up!

In typology we know that God had opened the side of Adam and had taken his bride Eve.

In the case of our Savior, the side of Jesus was opened so the Church, washed in the blood and purified with pure water, could begin its life.

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1Jn 5:6  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

John says if you want to know the truth, then this is the truth of Mount Calvary.

John along with others were an eyewitness to these events!

Not one bone of the Lord Jesus Christ was broken, according to the Scriptures just as Paul had written.

We should understand that after the Spirit of Christ had departed from His body, it was up to His Heavenly Father who was to take care of that body that was left behind!

The body of Jesus would see no corruption for those three days He had said He would be in that borrowed tomb!

John remembered the words of the Prophet Zechariah.

Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

It was only after these things that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus came to prepare the body of Jesus for his own tomb!

We know that when the Lord returns to this earth the entire world will see the Lord but even these who had brought the false trial and these who had damaged the body of Jesus, those who had driven the nails and even this soldier who had pierced the body of Jesus will stand before the Lord at the White Throne Judgment and they too will look upon Him!

Amen 

Let's Pray

Obeying the Will of God

Jesus Yielded to His Father's Will

Book of John Chapter 18

One thing we should be very clear on is that, Jesus Christ was never a victim of circumstances. Jesus led His life in direct obedience to His heavenly Father and He is our example that we are to do the same!

Another truth we must realize is that God has a plan for every life!

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

We already know that God the Father sent God the Son to this earth to die for our sins and reconcile us back to God.

It is also written, that God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is to be our example as One who was completely obedient to our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is our example of absolute surrender to Our Heavenly Father.

*****Joh 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

Since that last supper and all those lessons we have learned in between, Jesus and those 11 disciples had finally arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and exactly what time to do these things.

We know for a fact the Jesus is never late for He is always on time even in His death!

We should understand that the Kedron Brook was a black, foul smelling brook or creek that carried all the filth of Jerusalem into the Dead Sea including all the blood sacrifices from the Temple.

This is the same brook that the prophet said Jesus was to drink thereof, meaning He carried all the sin for the filth of this world and nailed it to His cross.

Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

This place is also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat by the Prophets.

Joe 3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

Joe 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

None of these men understood these prophecies but Jesus knew that Judas the Betrayer was very familiar with this Garden.

*****Joh 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Joh 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

This was the hour that His Father had called Him, and the hour of His death was approaching rapidly.

Jesus also knew that His Father would have to forsake Him for a moment in time, because He would carry all the filth of the world upon His own shoulders.

In order for all these things to take place, Jesus needed His Father's help.

All the "Gospels" but John, showed the agony that the Lord went through during this time. John teaches us that Jesus was totally devoted to the will of His Father.

*****Joh 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

Joh 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

The Passover takes place when the moon is full, but we see that Jesus made no attempt to hide from these men.

A band of the Roman guard could be from 200 to 600 men but there were also the Temple police and Judas, and they had torches, lanterns, and weapons expecting Jesus to flee from them, but they were wrong in this. Jesus stepped forward in full view!

They may have anticipated that Jesus was gathering together men to defend His kingdom but that is a whole other time.

Jesus knew everything that was about to happen to Him.

Jesus was ready, willing, and able to die for our sins!

When they called for Yeshua, Jesus stepped forward and said, "I Am" He!

John could not help but to tell us that Judas the traitor was also there with these men!

Just at the authority of these words of Christ this entire group of men fell to their knees.

Psa 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

There should be no doubt to anyone that the Lord Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be taken prisoner also becoming the focus of attention allowing His disciples the opportunity to escape. This was at least as important, or the church could not have begun had these men been captured at this time.

It is very possible that this was to Judas, his last chance to repent!

Also there was probably some confusion amongst these men.

So Jesus asked them again.

*****Joh 18:7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

Joh 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

They had been sent to arrest Jesus the Nazarene and so Jesus made certain that they knew it was He that they had come for.

1) The first thing we notice is that without understanding, this mob began to obey the things Jesus said to do.

2) The second thing we notice is, that Jesus will never lose any of His disciples, we are all secure in Christ Jesus.

We should understand that it was Christ alone who suffered and died for our sins. Had any of His disciples had to suffer and die at this time then it could not be said that Jesus was the only one who suffered and died for our sins.

We know that not even Peter was seized when he had cut off the ear of Malchus.

It seems like none of these men were willing to defy the commands of the Lord. He was not pleading with them, He was commanding them to leave His disciples alone and take only Him.

It is certain that these disciples were in imminent danger that ended with the Words of our Lord Jesus!

Then John gives us one more reason none of the disciples were captured:

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

We can readily see that we need to pay attention to the Words of the Lord!

Jesus was taken by this mob first to Annas and then to the High Priest

*****Joh 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Joh 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Annas, who had been the High Priest, was the father-in-law to Caiaphas the High Priest at this time. Annas had somehow been able to hold on to the power of the High Priest through his son-in-law and then three other sons and at least one grandson, for many years.

Luk 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Act 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

Act 4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Anything or anyone who could affect this relationship with Rome was truly an enemy of these evil men.

Annas held a great authority in Israel at this time, even though he was detested by the people.

We could say that this evil man was another one who was used to fulfill the Word of God just as it was written!

It was Annas who owned the Bazaars that were set up on Temple grounds that sold animals for sacrifice and stalls for money changers.

Annas first questioned Jesus about His disciples, but Jesus would not respond.

Annas then questioned Jesus about His doctrine.

The Lord Jesus responded by saying, He had no secret doctrine. Everything He had taught His disciples, He had also preached in public.

No doubt Jesus recognized the spies that had been sent to keep an eye on Him and Jesus simply said, "ask them".

*****Joh 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

The Lord Jesus Christ refused to answer foolish questions that had no meaning.

Have you noticed that the Lord refuses to respond at all, if we are too ignorant to believe what He has said.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Psa 22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

One of the most foolish things we can do is pray without "Faith"!

When we reject the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have crossed a line that many will never cross to return to the truth!

The one sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of unbelief!

When we ask of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, we will get an answer, faith must be in the answer!

When we do not allow Jesus to prove He is who He says He is, we have already rejected His proof.

When we do not allow Jesus to justify His claims, we have rejected God!

When we do not believe that Jesus has the answers to life and abundant life, then we deserve Hell!

Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

When the world rejects the truth it causes hatred to the truth!

When the sin of the world is pointed out the world answers with hatred and much more evil!

*****Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

We should also understand that under Jewish Law a person never had to admit their guilt. That burden was entirely in the hands of those who were trying to bring some one, to justice.

This trial of the Lord Jesus Christ was a mockery to Jewish Law!

It was also illegal to have a night court. All criminals were to be tried during the daylight hours in full view of the public.

They had first met in the living quarters of Annas, also breaking the law. All cases were to be tried in the courtroom of the Sanhedrin.

It was also so Passover week and no trials were to take place during this time of festivities.

The truth is these leaders were only trying to devise charges that would condemn Jesus to death.

To these hard-line Jew, Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, because He said He was equal with God. In Jewish Law, he would be stoned to death.

Under Roman Law Jesus would go to the Cross for insurrection against the government of Rome because He was the King of the Jews and this brought the death penalty by crucifixion.

If the Romans could be convinced that Jesus was trying to become King of the Jews, then insurrection would bring the death penalty!

Jesus was innocent of all charges!

No matter what the Jews thought, they knew that this evil world would never accept Jesus as God nor King of the World.

The world stood up and slapped Jesus in the face and are still doing this today!

The Jews in the general public, again denied their own prophets and listened to men who were hypocrites.

The truth is religion allows mankind to continue in his own ways and pretty much do as they please and reject that any god should interfere in their lives.

This world has never gotten better it has gotten worse than this picture of the world at the trial of Jesus.

2Ti_3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

When we expect more from our world, we are deceiving our own selves!

Just today I read where the head of the Catholic Church in California said that there was more than one way to get to Heaven. He showed his foolishness!

Religion will take you to Hell!

Today far too many are willing to sacrifice the truth, just so they are not seen as the enemy of the world.

The world has been on trial since this trial of Jesus and the world continues to come up short, because the world rejects the truth!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jesus continues to tell the world if He is a liar then the world is right but if Jesus is the truth then why beat on our Savior.

Before there could be any discussion, Annas sent Jesus bound as a criminal to Caiaphas the High Priest of that day who obeyed his father-in-law rather than God!

Peter was a witness, but Peter was denying our Savior.

Jesus was then led into the "Judgment Hall" of Pilate but they would not enter because they would not be able to partake in the Passover Meal if they defiled themselves with these Gentiles.

You see the Passover meal could not be eaten until the Passover Lamb was killed.

This was the only law of Moses that they had tried to keep on this day.

We already know that if you choose the Law then you have to follow all the Law.

Pilate went out to them.

*****Joh 18:29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Joh 18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Pilate was the Roman procurator which meant that he was directly responsible to the Emperor for the administration and the financial management of all Judea.

The Jews despised Pilate and Pilate despised the Jews!

One of the many reasons Pilate was so hated was that he had started a new water project, but he had stolen the funds for it from the Temple.

Annas and his sons had gotten riches from the Temple themselves. No love lost between these men.

One crook robbing another crook!

These also had the same hatred for Jesus, and they insisted to Pilate that if, Jesus was not guilty then they would not have brought Jesus to him.

We might want to understand that these hard-line Jews, had threatened to report Pilate to Caesar many times but up to now they had not done so and to do this could cost Pilate his job. They held this over the head of Pilate.

The truth we can understand as Christians, no one has the right to "judge" God!

The story of Jesus was one and it was simple.

God had sent His Son into this world to save the world from itself!

God has the only right to "judge" this world.

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Joh 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

Malefactor means a criminal. Jesus had been tried in an illegal court, under illegal conditions, and sentenced to death for being innocent of all charges.

Pilate first wanted nothing to do with this travesty of justice.

*****Joh 18:31 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:

Joh 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Just that very year, Rome had taken away the power of these Jews to carry out capitol, punishment or Jesus would never have reached this point. These Jews would have already murdered Him!

It is amazing how God the Father stays in silent control of this world!

And the real truth is that these Jews had to force Rome to crucify Jesus with lies and threats!

The Jews were not allowed to execute anyone on the Sabbath, but this also included all "feast days".

The Lord had already said "If I be lifted up":

Joh_12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Joh 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

We should all be able to see that in all these steps to the cross, the Lord knew all along how these things would happen and Jesus did not need to speak at all!

We should also be able to see that the Roman domination of our world at this particular time was used to fulfill the promises of God!

We should not wonder if our Heavenly Father is in control of our world or at least that He knows what is going to happen before it happens!

Luk 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Then Pilate wanted to hear what Jesus had to say:

*****Joh 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Joh 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

We must all understand that at the words of Jesus, we must all make a choice.

We will be held accountable for every decision we make about Jesus!

You see it is in our own heart that we must decide, if Jesus is who He says He is. We cannot just depend on what others have said!

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We can be led to the Lord but only the Lord can save us! He will not unless He looks into our heart for the truth!

The Jews had already rejected the Lord Jesus, some even thinking He was the true Messiah.

Who does the world usually listen to? The man who is in power, or fame, and wealth.

This is still the truth of our world today.

I feel as if God is giving us one more chance to stand up for the truth in our world today. As Christians we have the power of influencing our government in the right way, but Christians will not vote the truth of the Scriptures or they will not vote at all.

They seem to forget that we will all stand before the Lord Jesus Christ one day, and He will judge only by the Word of God and not some butchered up version many use today!

Is Jesus the King of the Jews?

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth, after the rapture of the Church, He will set up His Kingdom and He will rule for 1000 years upon this earth.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Zec 14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

Zec 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Zec 8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of all charges brought against Him by these Jews!

*****Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Joh 18:36 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.

Remember Pilate had no interest in Jewish questions because he despised the Jews.

Pilate did ask "what had Jesus done to turn these evil men against Him"?

Pilate had no understanding of Biblical things.

Pilate had no knowledge of a Messiah.

As far as Pilate was concerned, Caesar was the God of this world and in a sense, Pilate was right because Caesar was of the family of Satan.

As far as Pilate was concerned, he held the power of his master!

As far as Pilate was concerned, the Jews were the scum of the earth.

As far as Pilate was concerned, Jesus had to be guilty of something, but Jesus was innocent of all charges!

Jesus answered that He was not from this world!

There was no greater answer that could have been given!

Jesus had first come to this world to destroy the works of Satan, therefore providing salvation to each believer.

Jesus had come in peace and He could not be moved from His calling!

Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Pilate then asked, are you a king?

You see if Jesus declared to be a king then Pilate knew he could kill Jesus!

*****Joh 18:37 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.

Joh 18:38 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.

The fact remains that the flesh side of our Savior was a descendant of David and therefore, He was the true King of the Jews.

We also know because of a curse of God, Jesus would never sit on the throne, for Joseph was in the line of Solomon.

Jesus would be king because Mary was a descendant Nathan another son of David and therefore fulfill prophecy!

Jesus had not come into the world to take this position at this time.

Jesus had come to tell the world the truth of God!

All those who wanted to know the truth need only to listen to the Words of Jesus Christ!

The world is full of people searching for power and fame, wealth and possessions.

There is no path to peace that can also deliver these goals!

The only path to peace is to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace!

By definition the truth is anything that is not false.

The truth is that Jesus Christ was our substitute who was nailed to the Cross and no one could take His place.

He came to die for me!

Jesus came to die for you!

Jesus Christ did everything His Father commanded Him to do, just as we are to do today!

Amen

Let's Pray!