WEEK 2
DAY 8
I Peter 2:3 “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” Peter compares spiritual food with how a baby craves his mother’s milk. A mother’s milk is pure with no additives, or anything taken away. That is as pure as something can get, so this is an excellent analogy. Just as this is the baby’s expressed desire, so should ours be for the WORD OF GOD! We are to desire The Word of God in the same way a baby cries out for its mother’s milk. When your children and others see your desire for The Word, you are setting an example. You are being a disciple of Jesus. Jesus is our model so we are being like Him as we take in the Word of God (I John 2:6). Then Peter moves into the result of craving and satisfying that desire, “so that you will grow into full experience of salvation.” I see people on the ads for feeding people in third world countries which show malnourished individuals, children and adults. It is a hard thing for me to think about because I can eat the food that keeps me from being malnourished. I can’t help but think of Christians who are spiritually malnourished and what a shame that is with all that is available to grow in Christ and be a disciple of His. It is always sad to see a human being who is malnourished, weak, and retarded in development. But far sadder is seeing believers who are spiritually malnourished and underdeveloped.
All believers should be motivated by the opportunity to grow strong and mature in Christ, enjoying greater blessing and usefulness. 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT) says “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” It is by that intake of God’s Word that we grow spiritually and mature in Christ Jesus and be His disciples. We will grow into the full expression of sanctification of our salvation. Take time to think about your personal desire for God’s Word. If you journal, write down your thoughts. Spend some time in prayer and meditating on what God has said to you during this Quiet Time.
DAY 9
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Before you read the commentary think on these 2 verses. Ask yourself, “Have I remained faithful to the Scripture? Am I faithful to the Scripture today? Here is somewhat of a test or marks of a disciple of Jesus. A disciple stays in the Word and is faithful to read and study it, and spends time alone with God each day. Go back to the above Scripture and read it again and think on it. A disciple will obey the Word of God, and apply it to his/her daily life and in decision making. Continued obedience is evidence of a disciple of Christ Jesus! One can be in God’s Word and still not be obedient to it. Delighting in God’s Word is loving Him! Loving God’s Word is a mark of a true disciple.
Psalm 119:97-105 (HCSB) says “How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word. I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me. How sweet Your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” The Psalmist was praying and meditating on God’s Word which caused him to desire more and more. Take time to meditate on these verses asking God to increase your desire for His Word. A true disciple must love God & His Word above all else! God’s Word is the closest to Him we will ever get while on this earth! Does this say it all about loving God’s Word or what???
DAY 10
Jesus didn’t die for us. He died and never arose from the dead. This is not an April Fools, but a lie from Satan to so many people. Aren’t you excited that He did die and rose bodily from the dead, gave us eternal life when he drew us to himself. We can get the power to forgive and gave us the faith to receive him as Savior! I prefer to use the term Resurrection Sunday rather than Easter. Resurrection Sunday has a different meaning for those of us who have received Jesus as our Savior. It is Easter to a lost world. Luke 18:31-34(NLT) says “Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Before reading any further, meditate on this for a few minutes as to what these verses means to you as a Believer in Jesus Christ.
This is what this time of celebration is all about. Can you be any clearer about what was going to happen? NO! It wasn’t that the Holy Spirit didn’t reveal it to them. They heard, but not with “spiritual ears”. This is the third time Jesus has told them about his upcoming suffering and death. This promise and the promise of his resurrection fell on deaf ears. This was predicted prophecy being fulfilled. Note verse 31(b) again, all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. There are 333 prophecies that all were fulfilled in one man and that, of course, was Jesus. Sometime this week look up the following OT prophecies and the NT answer: Psalm 41:9 OT and NT fulfillment in Mark 14:45; Sold for 30 pieces of silver in Zech. 11:12 and fulfilled in Matt. 26:15-16; Hands & feet pierced in Psalm 22:16 and fulfilled in John 20:25; The resurrection in Psalm16:10 and fulfilled in Matt. 28 - the list could go on and on. The important thing is that all Scripture has been fulfilled except 1 and that is the second coming of Jesus. The question we must ask ourselves is, “am I ready?” What a wonderful time to recommit your life to Christ, renew your relationship with him and draw closer to Him!
DAY 11
Read Matthew 21:1-11(NLT) As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in the highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
This describes the “Grand Entry” of Jesus. In it we see a road of humility with Jesus riding a donkey. Fulfillment of prophecy is shown in Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) “….Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.” Obedience is exemplified when the disciples did as Jesus told them. Lastly we see Jesus’ destiny began here. Personally, I am captivated by the cross. I love Christmas so much, but Resurrection Sunday lifts my soul to a spiritual high. I am captivated by the cross because it is what set me free from sin and I can celebrate it each day of my life. No better example of AMAZING GRACE has ever been demonstrated more that at the cross. Think about the pain Jesus suffered on the way to the cross as well as on the cross. I have a sense of awe about the cross as I think about it, so I am captivated by the cross. The cross is a demonstration of God’s love for us. It changed mankind forever! Stop right now to thank God for his AMAZING GRACE. Reflect on the time the Holy Spirit drew you to receive Jesus as Savior. Is today as real and meaningful as that day? Are you living a life that proves your faith in Jesus? As you think on all this, I pray that you may experience a spiritual renewal.
DAY 12
Matthew 21:10-13 (NLT) The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
By the grand entrance to Jerusalem Jesus announced who he was, but most of the people didn’t understand. The people - who had just shouted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord – were now asking “who is this?” It shows that they didn’t understand what they had just said, other than the fact that He was a prophet. Jesus showed that He was a teacher and healer. Matt 21:14 goes on to say “ the blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.” Jesus then quoted Psalm 8:2, (NLT) “You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength…” This was a teaching to the religious leaders who proclaimed to be “know-alls”. If you read all of Jesus’ answers to the religious leaders and those who were judges in the 7 trials that Jesus had after He was arrested, you will see that he continued to teach even when he spoke to the repentant thief on the cross. His desire is that we as Christians should receive his teachings throughout our lives. Many times we feel that we know all about Resurrection Sunday and we take it lightly. May the next few days be a time of learning from your reading of God’s Word. If you journal, write down the things that God has revealed to you about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Both of these trials were illegal because they were at night.
DAY 13
Matthew 26:57 “Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.” The arrest and trial of Jesus shows his purpose. His first trial was before Annas, shown in John 18:13 (NLT) “First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.” Next they took him to Caiaphas. In Matt. 26:57 we see the second of 6 trials that Jesus faced after His arrest. The third trial was before the Sanhedrin, who were the religious supreme court. Mark 15:1 (NLT) says “Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council—met to discuss their next step.” Mark 15:1(b) continues with “They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” The fifth trial was before the Governor of Galilee, Herrod as shown in Luke 23:7 (NLT) “… Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction…” The sixth trial was back before Pilate, found in Luke 23:11 (NLT) “Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.”
It is interesting that none of the charges brought against Jesus showed that he did anything that violated the law. He had not broken the law and committed no crime! Stop for a few minutes and think about the humiliation Jesus had faced even before the cruel beatings he underwent. To help us understand this suffering think on the following; The first physical trauma was when a soldier struck Jesus across the face, then he was spat upon and slapped again; Jesus was battered, bruised, dehydrated and exhausted from the trials. He was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorian (palace) to Pontius Pilate. There he was stripped of most of his clothes and tied to a post and beaten unmercifully. The short whip used in these kind of beatings had leather thongs and 2 small pieces of lead or bone in the ends. At first there are large bruises and then the leather thongs would burst these and the blood would flow. The skin of the back is hanging in ribbons and the area is an unrecognizable mass of torn bleeding flesh. Scripture records that a crown of thorns was put on Jesus head in mockery. I think about the fact that it is my sins and yours that Jesus was paying for - all this for you and me, so we could go to Heaven and live with God forever. I am overwhelmed when I think about a Holy God wanting me, a sinner, in Heaven with him. Take time to meditate on the price that Jesus paid for you and rejoice and thank God that you have received that forgiveness and are Heaven bound!
DAY 14
The Crucifixion of Jesus - Luke 23:26-33 (NLT): “As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed…When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross.”
The wonderful news is that he didn't remain dead. He was resurrected. Matt. 28:1-7(NIV) says “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
One night during at an Easter Pageant, I was sitting behind a five-year-old boy who was enthralled. When the crucifixion scene took place he got real quiet. But then Jesus came back from the grave and there was a song of celebration, and his eyes lit up and he looked at his mother and said, “He’s alive!” And he began to clap and he hugged her around the neck. It was so powerful to see somebody who understood the resurrection probably for the first time. I hope you will be that excited the next time you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Many people seem to live in a fog or are confused about the message of the Cross. Perhaps today the fog will be lifted and they will clearly see the message in the cross and receive Jesus as Savior. Pray that the fog would be lifted from the lives of people you know.
Several years ago, Becky, our son Nick, and his family stood atop a monument at Waterloo, Belgium. It is 131 feet tall with 226 steps that seem to go straight up to the top. These steps are some climb! As we stood at the top overlooking the battle field where 48,000 men died, I remembered a story from World History that took place immediately following the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. In an effort to stop Napoleon’s efforts to rule the world, Wellington commanded the army to prevent this. A total of 300,000 men from 7 nations fought this important battle at Waterloo, one that would determine whether or not Napoleon would rule the world.
The people of England were anxious to hear the news and gathered at the English Channel to know the outcome. After several hours a ship came into view and conveyed a message by light code one letter at time. W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D. Then a heavy dense fog settled over the channel and gloom and anxiety settled over the land as the news went out that Napoleon had won. After a few minutes the fog lifted and the message continued, T-H-E E-N-E-M-Y A-T W-A-T-E-R-L-O-O. When England had thought the enemy had defeated them, it was bad. But once the fog lifted, they got the whole message and they had celebrated victory! It was a terrible day when the fog and gloom settled over the cross of Jesus Christ. When the fog lifted Jesus said, “It is finished.” He did not say I am finished! His mission on earth was accomplished. His resurrection made the message complete, no fog to block. Because Jesus died and paid for our sins and rose from the dead, we can celebrate today. Remember that Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to Heaven assures us that we will join Him when we die!
DAY 8
I Peter 2:3 “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” Peter compares spiritual food with how a baby craves his mother’s milk. A mother’s milk is pure with no additives, or anything taken away. That is as pure as something can get, so this is an excellent analogy. Just as this is the baby’s expressed desire, so should ours be for the WORD OF GOD! We are to desire The Word of God in the same way a baby cries out for its mother’s milk. When your children and others see your desire for The Word, you are setting an example. You are being a disciple of Jesus. Jesus is our model so we are being like Him as we take in the Word of God (I John 2:6). Then Peter moves into the result of craving and satisfying that desire, “so that you will grow into full experience of salvation.” I see people on the ads for feeding people in third world countries which show malnourished individuals, children and adults. It is a hard thing for me to think about because I can eat the food that keeps me from being malnourished. I can’t help but think of Christians who are spiritually malnourished and what a shame that is with all that is available to grow in Christ and be a disciple of His. It is always sad to see a human being who is malnourished, weak, and retarded in development. But far sadder is seeing believers who are spiritually malnourished and underdeveloped.
All believers should be motivated by the opportunity to grow strong and mature in Christ, enjoying greater blessing and usefulness. 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT) says “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” It is by that intake of God’s Word that we grow spiritually and mature in Christ Jesus and be His disciples. We will grow into the full expression of sanctification of our salvation. Take time to think about your personal desire for God’s Word. If you journal, write down your thoughts. Spend some time in prayer and meditating on what God has said to you during this Quiet Time.
DAY 9
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Before you read the commentary think on these 2 verses. Ask yourself, “Have I remained faithful to the Scripture? Am I faithful to the Scripture today? Here is somewhat of a test or marks of a disciple of Jesus. A disciple stays in the Word and is faithful to read and study it, and spends time alone with God each day. Go back to the above Scripture and read it again and think on it. A disciple will obey the Word of God, and apply it to his/her daily life and in decision making. Continued obedience is evidence of a disciple of Christ Jesus! One can be in God’s Word and still not be obedient to it. Delighting in God’s Word is loving Him! Loving God’s Word is a mark of a true disciple.
Psalm 119:97-105 (HCSB) says “How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word. I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me. How sweet Your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” The Psalmist was praying and meditating on God’s Word which caused him to desire more and more. Take time to meditate on these verses asking God to increase your desire for His Word. A true disciple must love God & His Word above all else! God’s Word is the closest to Him we will ever get while on this earth! Does this say it all about loving God’s Word or what???
DAY 10
Jesus didn’t die for us. He died and never arose from the dead. This is not an April Fools, but a lie from Satan to so many people. Aren’t you excited that He did die and rose bodily from the dead, gave us eternal life when he drew us to himself. We can get the power to forgive and gave us the faith to receive him as Savior! I prefer to use the term Resurrection Sunday rather than Easter. Resurrection Sunday has a different meaning for those of us who have received Jesus as our Savior. It is Easter to a lost world. Luke 18:31-34(NLT) says “Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Before reading any further, meditate on this for a few minutes as to what these verses means to you as a Believer in Jesus Christ.
This is what this time of celebration is all about. Can you be any clearer about what was going to happen? NO! It wasn’t that the Holy Spirit didn’t reveal it to them. They heard, but not with “spiritual ears”. This is the third time Jesus has told them about his upcoming suffering and death. This promise and the promise of his resurrection fell on deaf ears. This was predicted prophecy being fulfilled. Note verse 31(b) again, all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. There are 333 prophecies that all were fulfilled in one man and that, of course, was Jesus. Sometime this week look up the following OT prophecies and the NT answer: Psalm 41:9 OT and NT fulfillment in Mark 14:45; Sold for 30 pieces of silver in Zech. 11:12 and fulfilled in Matt. 26:15-16; Hands & feet pierced in Psalm 22:16 and fulfilled in John 20:25; The resurrection in Psalm16:10 and fulfilled in Matt. 28 - the list could go on and on. The important thing is that all Scripture has been fulfilled except 1 and that is the second coming of Jesus. The question we must ask ourselves is, “am I ready?” What a wonderful time to recommit your life to Christ, renew your relationship with him and draw closer to Him!
DAY 11
Read Matthew 21:1-11(NLT) As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in the highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
This describes the “Grand Entry” of Jesus. In it we see a road of humility with Jesus riding a donkey. Fulfillment of prophecy is shown in Zechariah 9:9 (NLT) “….Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.” Obedience is exemplified when the disciples did as Jesus told them. Lastly we see Jesus’ destiny began here. Personally, I am captivated by the cross. I love Christmas so much, but Resurrection Sunday lifts my soul to a spiritual high. I am captivated by the cross because it is what set me free from sin and I can celebrate it each day of my life. No better example of AMAZING GRACE has ever been demonstrated more that at the cross. Think about the pain Jesus suffered on the way to the cross as well as on the cross. I have a sense of awe about the cross as I think about it, so I am captivated by the cross. The cross is a demonstration of God’s love for us. It changed mankind forever! Stop right now to thank God for his AMAZING GRACE. Reflect on the time the Holy Spirit drew you to receive Jesus as Savior. Is today as real and meaningful as that day? Are you living a life that proves your faith in Jesus? As you think on all this, I pray that you may experience a spiritual renewal.
DAY 12
Matthew 21:10-13 (NLT) The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
By the grand entrance to Jerusalem Jesus announced who he was, but most of the people didn’t understand. The people - who had just shouted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of David who came in the name of the Lord – were now asking “who is this?” It shows that they didn’t understand what they had just said, other than the fact that He was a prophet. Jesus showed that He was a teacher and healer. Matt 21:14 goes on to say “ the blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.” Jesus then quoted Psalm 8:2, (NLT) “You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength…” This was a teaching to the religious leaders who proclaimed to be “know-alls”. If you read all of Jesus’ answers to the religious leaders and those who were judges in the 7 trials that Jesus had after He was arrested, you will see that he continued to teach even when he spoke to the repentant thief on the cross. His desire is that we as Christians should receive his teachings throughout our lives. Many times we feel that we know all about Resurrection Sunday and we take it lightly. May the next few days be a time of learning from your reading of God’s Word. If you journal, write down the things that God has revealed to you about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Both of these trials were illegal because they were at night.
DAY 13
Matthew 26:57 “Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.” The arrest and trial of Jesus shows his purpose. His first trial was before Annas, shown in John 18:13 (NLT) “First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.” Next they took him to Caiaphas. In Matt. 26:57 we see the second of 6 trials that Jesus faced after His arrest. The third trial was before the Sanhedrin, who were the religious supreme court. Mark 15:1 (NLT) says “Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council—met to discuss their next step.” Mark 15:1(b) continues with “They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” The fifth trial was before the Governor of Galilee, Herrod as shown in Luke 23:7 (NLT) “… Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction…” The sixth trial was back before Pilate, found in Luke 23:11 (NLT) “Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.”
It is interesting that none of the charges brought against Jesus showed that he did anything that violated the law. He had not broken the law and committed no crime! Stop for a few minutes and think about the humiliation Jesus had faced even before the cruel beatings he underwent. To help us understand this suffering think on the following; The first physical trauma was when a soldier struck Jesus across the face, then he was spat upon and slapped again; Jesus was battered, bruised, dehydrated and exhausted from the trials. He was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorian (palace) to Pontius Pilate. There he was stripped of most of his clothes and tied to a post and beaten unmercifully. The short whip used in these kind of beatings had leather thongs and 2 small pieces of lead or bone in the ends. At first there are large bruises and then the leather thongs would burst these and the blood would flow. The skin of the back is hanging in ribbons and the area is an unrecognizable mass of torn bleeding flesh. Scripture records that a crown of thorns was put on Jesus head in mockery. I think about the fact that it is my sins and yours that Jesus was paying for - all this for you and me, so we could go to Heaven and live with God forever. I am overwhelmed when I think about a Holy God wanting me, a sinner, in Heaven with him. Take time to meditate on the price that Jesus paid for you and rejoice and thank God that you have received that forgiveness and are Heaven bound!
DAY 14
The Crucifixion of Jesus - Luke 23:26-33 (NLT): “As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed…When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross.”
The wonderful news is that he didn't remain dead. He was resurrected. Matt. 28:1-7(NIV) says “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
One night during at an Easter Pageant, I was sitting behind a five-year-old boy who was enthralled. When the crucifixion scene took place he got real quiet. But then Jesus came back from the grave and there was a song of celebration, and his eyes lit up and he looked at his mother and said, “He’s alive!” And he began to clap and he hugged her around the neck. It was so powerful to see somebody who understood the resurrection probably for the first time. I hope you will be that excited the next time you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Many people seem to live in a fog or are confused about the message of the Cross. Perhaps today the fog will be lifted and they will clearly see the message in the cross and receive Jesus as Savior. Pray that the fog would be lifted from the lives of people you know.
Several years ago, Becky, our son Nick, and his family stood atop a monument at Waterloo, Belgium. It is 131 feet tall with 226 steps that seem to go straight up to the top. These steps are some climb! As we stood at the top overlooking the battle field where 48,000 men died, I remembered a story from World History that took place immediately following the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. In an effort to stop Napoleon’s efforts to rule the world, Wellington commanded the army to prevent this. A total of 300,000 men from 7 nations fought this important battle at Waterloo, one that would determine whether or not Napoleon would rule the world.
The people of England were anxious to hear the news and gathered at the English Channel to know the outcome. After several hours a ship came into view and conveyed a message by light code one letter at time. W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D. Then a heavy dense fog settled over the channel and gloom and anxiety settled over the land as the news went out that Napoleon had won. After a few minutes the fog lifted and the message continued, T-H-E E-N-E-M-Y A-T W-A-T-E-R-L-O-O. When England had thought the enemy had defeated them, it was bad. But once the fog lifted, they got the whole message and they had celebrated victory! It was a terrible day when the fog and gloom settled over the cross of Jesus Christ. When the fog lifted Jesus said, “It is finished.” He did not say I am finished! His mission on earth was accomplished. His resurrection made the message complete, no fog to block. Because Jesus died and paid for our sins and rose from the dead, we can celebrate today. Remember that Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to Heaven assures us that we will join Him when we die!
