There is Still Hope

N.T.#317 "There is Still Hope"

May 31, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 20

LET IT GLOW 

This was Joseph's private garden where Jesus' body was laid. After wrapping Jesus' body and placing spices there, he and Nic left. Luke tells us that Joseph, although a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph had not agreed with the action of the counsel's verdict against Jesus. He was waiting for the kingdom of God. (23:51)

The next day and on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to Pilate. they told him that the deceiver once said He would rise from the dead after 3 days. They requested the sepulchre be made sure so no one could steal His body and say He arose. Guards sealed it with a stone and posted guards setting watch.

Are we watching for Jesus to come again in the rapture? He said He would come get us believers. Jesus did what He said He would do-rise from the dead on the third day, so He will come back for us. Are you ready?

LET IT GROW

How do we apply these last verses of chapter 27? Swindoll tells us:

1. When we come to the dead end of all hope, remember what happened right after Jesus died. Although the women cried, they knew where to go on Sunday to be an eyewitness of the resurrected body. God was working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. Nothing of God dies. He is still there for us to count on, rely on, and trust in. An earthquake shook everything up. Then there was the 3 hours of darkness. Also, the dead believers rose from the grave. God was definitely working.
2. When you think you know someone who is too far gone to believe in Christ, remember the centurion. God can change hearts.
3. When people concoct a scheme to thwart the plan of God, remember the Resurrection. When God is ready and makes His move, it trumps all human actions. He can use a tornado to change hearts.    Keep praying, friend. Anything is possible with God.

LET IT GO 

Help us not scatter like the disciples, but to keep trusting Your ways.

Please change hearts, Jesus.

Stones Can Be Rolled Away

N.T. #318 "Stones Can Be Rolled Away"

June 3, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 21

LET IT GLOW 

We have studied so much in this chapter-Jesus' six trials, Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, The beatings and sufferings of Jesus, His crucifixion, forgiving the thief on the cross, His burial, the hatred of the Jewish religious leaders,  

There was only one entrance into the tomb hewn out of rock in the side of a hill. Did you know it was sealed with a cord across the stone covering the opening? The cord was sealed at each end with clay. This was a precaution so that Jesus' body remained inside. It would be known if anyone rolled the stone away. Also, guards were placed at the tomb's entrance. The Pharisees failed to understand that no rock, seal, guard, or army could pr3event the Son of God from rising from the grave.

For the LORD of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isaiah 14:27)

In the Hebrew language, disannul means to break up; scatter; make a breach.

Of course, no one can stop or break up God's will being accomplished. Not even the corrupt Pharisees.

Do you need Jesus to roll away any stone in your life that is blocking you from serving Him wholeheartedly? He can, friend! After all, He (angel of the Lord) rolled away the stone blocking the entrance into Jesus' tomb. (Matt. 28:2) 

The stone did not need to be rolled away to let Jesus out of the tomb, but to reveal that it was empty and He was gone already! (Falwell)

LET IT GROW 

Chapter 28 begins by telling us the time of the events taking place.

When: It was at the end of the Sabbath, the beginning of dawn on the first day of the week. Saturday 

             night to the Jews is our Sunday (Roman calendar). The Jewish day ended at sunset, then the

              new day began. 

Who: Mary Magdalen and the other Mary (either the wife of Cleopas or mother of James and 

            John),and the angel of the LORD

What & where: The women went to see the sepulchre where Jesus had been laid. An earthquake happened.

How: An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the stone from the 

          door, then sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as

           snow.

Don't you know this scared those women to death? They didn't run away, though.

Are you trusting Jesus in your situation? 

LET IT GO 

Lord, we have experienced Your hand of protection from tornadoes. Thank You!

We have seen how quickly everything can change. We trust You are in charge of it all.

Help us share Your grace and mercy with those around us today.

Thank You Jesus for giving Your life just for me!

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, my God-that is who You are!

In The Garden

N.T.#316 " In the Garden"

May 30, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 19

LET IT GLOW 

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. Oh the joy we share as we tarry there, no other has ever know. "The Garden"

After Jesus' death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathaea (a Sanhedrin and believer), asked for permission to bury his Savior's body. (verse 58)  Pilate granted it. Nicodemus (a Pharisee and believer) helped Joseph prepare the body for burial, wrapping it in clean linens with spices. (verse 59 and John 19:39)

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. (verse 60)

John gives a more detail of this event in John 19:41-42: Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. 

In the Greek language, sepulchre is a grave, tomb.

It was a new tomb in which no body had been buried previously. This wwas so doubters could claim the bones to be Jesus.

Outside the Jerusalem wall, just in the northwest direction, was the hill called Mt. Calvary or Golgotha, where Jesus and the thieves were crucified. Below, at the bottom of the hill is a lovely garden with trees and flowers, as well as birds singing. Walk with me in the garden of your mind as I describe how it was to visit such a beautiful place. An empty tomb is there, one in which is believed to be the place where Jesus was buried. Tourists are able to walk inside. Duck your head, for it is a low entrance. It is quiet as they contemplate the scene so long ago. A table-like rectangular stone is there in the middle. (A small round stone lay outside, as an example of what would have been used to cover the tomb, only larger.) It would have been humanly impossible for such a large stone to be rolled back by one person from the inside. Yet, Jesus, in His supernatural form was able to do so. (Roman soldiers placed the large stone over the entrance so no one could steal Jesus' body and claim He was risen.)

You know what, there is no dead body or bones lying in the tomb to view. Jesus said He would rise after three days, and He did!

Dear one, so you believe Jesus is more than just a mere man? Do you believe He is the Son of God? Have you trusted Him to be your Savior yet?

LET IT GROW 

Don't leave the scene without thinking about verse 61: And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 

Only the two Mary's watched the burial and no disciples were present. John noted that later Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. (20:15)

That is how the women knew where to go in order to anoint Jesus' body with spices on that Sunday. And after the Sabbath, a proper and permanent burial would have been appropriate. What a shock to discover the stone rolled away and no body of Jesus' was present.

Do we a women spend time at the feet of Jesus, praying, worshiping, and adoring our Savior. Or do we read a short devotional and go on our way throughout the day not contemplating what we read? Guilty here!

LET IT GO 

Honoring Jesus

N.T.#315 "Honoring Jesus"

May 29, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 18

LET IT GLOW 

When the centurion and those watching, saw those things that were done when Jesus died, they feared greatly. Wouldn't you? They were saying, Truly, this is the Son of God." (verse 54)

The women who were there are mentioned in verse 56-Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James (the disciple) and Joses, and Salome, the mother of James and John. Did you ever wonder why Jesus had them mentioned here? Perhaps it meant a lot to have their support during His death.

Then Joseph of Arimathaea went to Pilate, boldly begged for the body of Jesus. This was a rich man and a prominent member of the Sanhedrin (national religious Jewish council). He did this secretly for fear of the Jews. He lived nearly 20 miles away. Wealthy people in those days often selected their tombs while they were still living. Joseph had become a believer in Jesus. It was a personal risk for him to ask for Jesus' body in order to bury it. Joseph was described by Luke as being a good and just man. (23:50) Pilate granted permission.

John 18:39 tells us Nicodemus helped Joseph, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Together they wrapped the body in linen clothes with spices as was a Jewish custom. They had to hurry, for after sundown, the Sabbath began, and no such work would be permissible of Jews. These two guys wanted to honor Jesus with a proper burial. Are we honoring Jesus in what we do?

I did not realize or just forgot that it was the two men who stepped up and did what was needed. Where were the disciples? They were unprepared for sure. The women may have been willing, but did they have the supplies needed?

Are we prepared to meet the needs of others when Jesus send us?

LET IT GROW 

I write this the day after the tornado struck northwest Arkansas where I live. You have probably heard about it by the time you read this. My cousin lives about 5 miles from us and had a bad hit. Giant trees were uprooted in his yard and along the road. We took food and helped pick up some of the debris that afternoon. Crews of helpful men were repairing the roof of his house, sawing up trees and digging up rooted stumps away. My cousin and his wife were in a daze as they worked. It took a lifetime to have such a beautiful farm and it was a mess in only minutes. My family of cousins jumped in to help Sunday. (Our area was without electricity so we had no church service as other churches were closed, too.) We tried to support them, listening. They will make it. Jesus is their Lord. It is only things.

A major street downtown Rogers was devastated, with businesses demolished. Schools are closed for the summer now due to damage. It was 12 hours before our power was back on. What is amazing is to watch people showing love to their neighbors, helping. but that is what we do in our area. Like Joseph and Nicodemus, we pitch in to meet needs. 

LET IT GO 

Fill us with You love, Lord Jesus, so we can show it to others.

After all, you denied Yourself, suffered and died for us to have eternal life in heaven.

Help us to deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow You.

Following Jesus From Afar or Near?

N.T.#314 "Following Jesus From Afar or Near?"

May 28, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 17

LET IT GLOW 

Seems to be days Jesus is so near to us and days He is far away. Recon it is us that has moved, not Him? How do we follow Jesus-from afar or near?

After witnessing three hours of darkness, an earthquake, rocks splitting, and dead saints rising from tombs, all this had an effect on the centurion. Fear, confession of sin and faith, which ever it was, the Roman official in charge of the soldiers who crucified Christ spoke up. 

Truly this was the Son of God. (verse 54b)

Pagans in Jerusalem saw the life of Christ and His character even when faced with death. What a contrast with the mocking religious leaders of the Jews. 

Gentiles believed Jesus was exactly who He'd claimed to be. (Tony Evans) 

Do you and your family believe Jesus is the Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, and Son of the Living God?

LET IT GROW 

Who else was observing the happenings surrounding Jesus' death? 

• Many women were there beholding afar off. (verse 55) Those women came from Galilee to take care of Him.
• Mary Magdalene was among the group. (She may have been the one whom Jesus cast 7 devils out of in Magdala, Galilee.
• Mary, the mother of James and Joses was there. She was the wife of Cleopas. (John 19:25)
• The mother of Zebedee's children was Salome attended. (Mark 15:40)

How close do we follow Jesus? Is it from afar? Is it only on Sunday's at worship time? Or is it daily?

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)

LET IT GO

Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, Jesus.

Bless ;all who come to study Your Word today.

The Day Things Were Shaken Up

N.T.#313 "The Day Things Were Shaken Up"

May 27, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

Has there been a day that shook up your world? We probably have all had at least one. Probably the sudden deaths of loved ones would be included. Even a phone call can do it or test results. Mom called me on the morning of January 27, 1987 to tell me Dad had passed away. My life was changed forever. However, Jesus is the Rock that held me together through it all.

During the time of the celebration of the Passover, Jesus died on the cross as The Passover Lamb that takes away our sins when we believe in Him as our Savior. One day we will all die and our soul will live eternally. Where will you spend it-heaven or hell?

The two thieves who hung on both sides of Jesus started down the same road that day but chose different paths. One chose to believe Jesus to be God's Son and the Savior, while the other scoffed Him.

 Can you imagine hanging on the cross for 3 hours of darkness? Jesus was bearing all the sins of mankind during that time. When it was finished and Jesus endured it all without sinning, He yielded His Spirit to God. 

That is when things occurred spectacularly:

• The  vail of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. this vail separated the Holy of Holies with the rest of the Temple. Behind it stood the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy seat. once a year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of the lamb on the Mercy Seat for the sins of the nation of Israel. Now we have access to our High Priest Jesus, who is our blood sacrifice for our sins, and sits at the right hand of God interceding for us.
• The earth did quake. (verse 51) We don't know how far from Jerusalem that the earth quaked. God shook up things didn't He? The Jewish Law was fulfilled. Now we come to God by faith, not by good works. 
• The rocks rent. Hearts as hard as rocks, were broken in pieces; stony hearts were taken away and hearts of flesh given. (What a powerful earthquake to split the rocks.) Certainly, Jesus rocked the city.
• Graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. Tombs were often caves in hillsides. Now that was the unusual!

Matthew is the only Gospel that mentions the earthquake, much less the resurrections. Those which arose were probably recently dead, not ancient ancestors who would not be recognized. Aren't we curious as to what happened afterwards? They went into Jerusalem, according to verse 53. What a sign of Jesus' resurrection power!

LET IT GROW 

Friend, do you believe in the resurrection power of God? One day we will all be caught up with Jesus in the clouds to live with Him forever. Even the saints dead will join us. What a day! Are you ready?

Dear one, is there anything that can shake your faith from you? I pray not. Cling to Jesus.

LET IT GO 

I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.

Here I am to worship, bow down, and say that Your are my God.

You are altogether lovely, worthy, wonderful to me!

How wonderful you are to me, Jesus!

Hope of Eternal Life

N.T.#312 "Hope of Eternal Life"

May 24, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 15

LET IT GLOW 

What were some of the sayings of Jesus while hanging on the cross?

*Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Jesus was praying for those who put Him on the cross. I think that includes the Jewish leaders and Roman leaders and soldiers, as well as you and me, whose sins put Jesus on the cross.

*Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.(Luke 23:43) That is what Jesus told the thief hanging on the cross beside Him. That man had declared they were guilt, but Jesus had done nothing to deserve dying on a cross, declared the thief.

*Father, into Thy hands I comment My Spirit: and having said this, He gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46) 

*It is finished! (John 19:30)

This came from Psalm 31:5, Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit; Thou hast ransomed Me, O LORD, God of truth. 

Jesus' redemptive work was finished. When Jesus breathed His last breath, at that moment, the atonement for the fallen, sinful, depraved humanity was accomplished. Jesus didn't die for His own sins, because He had not committed any, but for those that caused His death, those who lived then and now and in the future-us. What a sacrificial love!

LET IT GROW 

And, behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)

This was the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. (Exodus 26:31) This symbolizes the permanent opening of God's presence to man and man's direct access to God through the atoning death of Christ. (Falwell)

It is a historical fact that Jesus of Nazareth suffered, was crucified, and died. It satisified the demands of the Father,

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

Had He not done this, we would all perish in our countless sins. We would die in our sins and never know the joy of forgiveness or eternal life. That would be utter and absolute hopelessness. (Swindoll)

Yet Jesus gives us hope of eternal life, joy today, peace with God! Have you found it, friend? Do you walk and talk with Jesus?

LET IT GO

Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the punishment of my sins!

Thank You for loving me and giving me salvation.

What a cost it is-Your death on a cross, shedding YOur blood for me, a sinner.

It is Finished

N.T.#311 "It is finished"

May 23, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 14

LET IT GLOW 

Before He died, Jesus made sure Mary, His mother was taken care of, so He chose John to do so. His mother, her sister, and Mary Magdalene stood by the cross, along with His disciples. Even as He hung dying on a cross, Jesus fulfilled His obligation to care for His widowed mother.

Do we take care of our elderly parents as Jesus did? Is our family more important than our job or responsibilities? Our family is a precious gift from God so we should value and care for them under all circumstances.

why didn't Jesus assign the task of caring for Mary to His brothers? As the oldest son, Jesus entrusted His mother to a person who stayed with Him at the cross-John.

 After that, Jesus said two things-He thirst and It is finished. (John 19:25-30)

In the Greek language, finished means to war against. 

The battle was over and Jesus won. He endured the beatings, the accusations, the pain, and death on the cross as our Passover Lamb that takes away our sins. Through it all, Jesus did not sin. The requirements were met-a perfect blood sacrifice for our atonement, redemption, and salvation. Glory to God! 

Bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.  (John 19:30)

As Paul says, Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. (1 Cor. 5:7) 

Then Jesus declared His work of atonement for sin was done. The demand of the law had been met. The debt for sin had been paid in full. (Tony Evans)

No one took Jesus' life from Him, but He willfully laid it down on His own. (John 10:18) Those religious leaders did not rob Jesus of His life, vor He voluntarily laid it down. 

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

do you sacrifice your time in order to listen to a friend's troubles? Are you living and giving to others?

LET IT GROW

Sometimes we don't consider the details surrounding the death of Jesus. It has helped me to put it all together, even though the Gospel writers told it from different perspectives.

Normally, it took crucifixion victims days to die. The Romans would have left the men on the crosses. But since it was the preparation day for the Passover, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath. Also, for a cursed man to remain hanging on a tree overnight would defile the land. (Deut. 21:22-23) Therefore, the Jewish leaders ask Pilate to have the men's legs broken so they would die and could be buried. Victims hanging on a cross put weight on their legs in order to lift themselves to breathe. Without the use of their legs, they would die of asphyxiation. (Tony Evans.)

When the soldiers came to Jesus to break His legs, He was already dead. (John 19:33) 

He keeps all His bones; Not one of them is broken. (Psalm 33:20)

So the soldier pierced His side with a spear causing blood and water to flow out. (John 19:34) Our sovereign God was fulfilling His Word. 

LET IT GO

What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin hath left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Friend, do you know my Jesus today? If you died within the hour, where would you spend eternity? Jesus loves us so much that He gave His all for you.

 

Forsaken, Yet Finished

N.T.#310 "Forsaken, Yet Finished"

May 22, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 13

LET IT GLOW 

Have you ever felt forsaken by your friends and family? When we left our home and family to serve God and go to college, it was as if we were alone (except for Jesus). Our families could not understand why we would do such a thing, not realizing a calling of God required if for us. Oh, there were colleges in our area, but God wanted us to learn to live by faith and how faithful He is. We could not have experienced it fully had we compromised and gone to school here. It pleases God when we obey Him completely. How did Jesus obey His Father completely?

The crucifixion began at 9am. So Jesus hung on the cross until 3pm. It was dark from noon until 3pm, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all who lived that day and all around the world. Not an eclipse day which only last a few minutes. It would have been a quiet time. I think everyone would have been in shock and afraid of the new experience. Did commerce stop, travel stop, birds hush, dogs bark, people look up into the heavens in wonder?

My God, why have you forshaken Me? Jesus cried with a loud voice. (verse 46) 

Why did God The Father and Creator of everything forsake His Beloved Son? Because He bore our sins upon Him, the Sacrificial Lamb for us sinners who took our place for the wrath of God, judgment, and condemnation. 

Psalm 22 prophesied about the Messiah and His suffering experience. They Jewish leaders should have recognized Jesus' crucifixion and mockery was God's plan for redemption. It describes Jesus as:

• growing up as a young plant, like a root out of dry ground;
• not having an impressive form nor a majestic look, not attractive;
• despised and of no value;
• bore our sicknesses and carried our pains;
• being regarded as stricken and struck down by God and afflicted.
• But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.(verse 5)

Jesus had only known unbroken divine fellowship from all eternity. Now He experienced the horrible abandonment of His Father as God poured out His wrath on His Son as He bore the sins of the world. (Tony Evans)

The Messiah suffered for our sakes, bearing our sins to make us acceptable to God. What can we say to such love? How will we respond to Him? Have you asked His forgiveness?

LET IT GROW 

When the people heard Jesus cry out to His Father, they thought Jesus called for Elijah to come rescue Him. (verse 47) A person ran to get Jesus relief by trying to give Him a sponge filled with vinegar, on a reed, as a drink for relief of the pain after Jesus had said He thirst.. 

Sometime before this, Jesus gave His mother Mary to John to take care of her as John's mother. (John 19:26-27)

At the right time, Jesus said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. (verse 30)

Jesus yielded His Spirit, His life in death as a result of His voluntary surrender of His life for the sake of His own. 

Dear one, death is real. Have you come to Jesus by faith, trusting Him as your Savior and King? Tomorrow we will discuss what happened after Jesus died.

LET IT GO

What mercy, grace, and love!

Help us let go of our sins and surrender to Your will, Father. 

What Does it Take to Get Into Heaven?

 N.T.#309 "What Does it Take to Get Into Heaven?"

May 21, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 12

LET IT GLOW 

The mocking and hurling of insults of Jesus as King of the Jews continued even though He hung on the cross. It came from the religious elites who had conspired against Jesus in the first place. The chief priest, scribes, elders, and other opponents and critics of Jesus would have jeering loudly from the road.

And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads. (verse 39)

The word reviled in the Greek language means blaspheme; defame; rail on; speak evil. 

Those men were at the foot of the cross to the bitter end in an attempt to spin the Crucifixion in a way that would make them out to be the righteous ones and Jesus the criminal. (Swindoll)

What else did these mockers do?

• They challenged Jesus to save Himself, (since He is King of Israel)
• come down from the cross,
• thereby convincing everybody to believe in Him. (verse 42)
• They even quoted a Scripture passage about God coming to rescue those in whom He delights. (Ps. 22:8)
• They insinuated that those who are not rescued are clearly rejected by God.(verse 43)
• After all, Jesus claimed to be The Son of God.
• Destroy the temple and it will be rebuilt in 3 days. (verse 40) Truly, they killed Jesus and He arose from the dead 3 days later. He had referred to His body, not the building.
• Even thought all of this happened, the thief on the cross ridiculed Jesus in the same way. (verse 44)

Jesus wouldn't come down off the cross not because He was powerless to do so. (John 10:18) Those religious me wouldn't have believed Jesus to be the Messiah if He come down from the cross.

What do we do when people make fun of, criticize, curse, or crucify Jesus with their words? Do we take a stand for our Savior?

LET IT GROW 

There were 2 thieves who hung on their cross beside Jesus. (verse 38) As robbers, they plundered as they stole. Mere thieves were not usually crucified. These were probably cohorts of Barabbas. (MacArthur)

In Luke 23, we read of the conversation among the thieves and Jesus:

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. (verse 39)

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? (verse 40)

Those thieves deserved what they got-death on a cross. One of the thieves defended Jesus-This man hasn't done anything wrong. (verse 41)

Jesus, remember me when You come into your Kingdom. And Jesus replied, I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise. ((verses 42-43 NLT)

Paradise refers to an Eden (a place of future happiness).

In other words, the one thief confessed he was guilty of sin and deserved death on the cross, but Jesus did not, for He was innocent of any crime. Folks, that thief got to go to heaven after he died because of his faith in Jesus. He confessed to his High Priest, Jesus. He wasn't baptized. He didn't have time to do any good works. Just faith in Jesus is all it took in order for him to get into heaven.

LET IT GO

What a wonderful plan!

What a wonderful Savior!

What wonderful love!

Only Jesus paid the price for me. Only His blood could set me free. Nobody else could open heaven's door. Just Jesus and nothing more.

Who is Your King?

N.T.#308 

May 20, 2024 "Who is Your King?"

Matthew 27-Part 11

LET IT GLOW 

Who is your King? Is it Jesus, self, or a political figure?

While the Roman soldiers rolled dice or flipped a coin (verse 35), The Savior suffered above them on a cross. Many had the same experience, yet Jesus was the only One pierced because of our sins (Isaiah 53:5) so He might atone for the sins of the world. (Tony Evans)

Above Jesus' head was a sign with the accusation, This is Jesus the King of the Jews. (verse 37)

John said it this way in 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.

Since Christ had not been found guilty of a crime, Pilate placed a title above the cross. It was written in Aramaic/Hebrew, the language of the Jews; Greek, the language of culture, and Latin, the official language of Rome. (Falwell)

In crucifixion, a sign called a titulus indicating the name of the criminal and the crime was hung above the victim's head so everybody passing by on the road below could see the price that was paid foar serious infractions of Roman law. (Swindoll)

The chief priests were so troubled by this label that they asked Pilate to clarify that Jesus had claimed  He wasKing of the Jews, (John 19;21), but he did not do so.

LET IT GROW

What I have written I have written. That was Pilate's response in John 19:22. 

Little did Pilate realize how true this intended mockery of the Jews really was. What an honor for Jesus, for He was not a pretended Savior or King. He had committed no crime because He hung there truly The King. He did no evil nor did Jesus sin. The expected Messiah had come and look how the religious Jews treated Him. Shameful for them.

Matthew revealed Jesus as King throughout his Gospel.

People followed and watched and observed it all. Followers of Jesus saw His agony and suffering for us. It was the only way to please the Father. It was their plan all along. This was a way of including us Gentiles, by faith in Jesus, so we can be a part of God's Kingdom. 

Are you a follower of Jesus?

Are you going to be a part of God's Kingdom in heaven?

What about your family and friends? I hope to one day see you you there, my friend. Let's sit down and talk together.

LET IT GO

You're King of kings and Lord of lords, Almighty God, Lord of everything.

You are Emanuel, the Great I Am, the Prince of Peace, the Risen Lamb.

My Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend, and I love You Jesus!

You're my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for You.

How Important Are Garments?

N.T.#307 "How Important Are Garments?"

May 17, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 10

And they crucified Him, and parted His garments casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they casgt lots. (Verse 35)

LET IT GLOW 

Are your garments very important to you? When we outgrow our clothes or don't want them any longer, we give them to a local Good Will. Did you know Jesus' clothing was gambled over? 

Do you find it difficult to study the details of the crucifixion of Jesus, especially when we consider the horrible treatment He experienced? He endured it all, the beatings, humiliation, and the pain for you and me. He loves us so much that Jesus took our place so we do not have to suffer for our sins and get to go to heaven.

As we left Jesus on the cross, with 3 spikes in His wrists and feet, the Roman soldiers offered Him vinegar with gall (an anesthetic to kill the pain), but He refused. He would experience all the sufferings on our behalf.

In order to pass the time away while they waited for His death, the soldiers played a game at dice for Jesus' clothes. 

In Psalm 22:18 David says, They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.

In our key verse, parted means distribution; divide; vesture is clothing; apparel.

Some 750 years before Jesus went through all of this, David predicted it would happen. The Roman soldiers gambled for His clothing, dividing it up. to have a piece of the clothing of the King of the Jews, well, you figure it out. (These were heathens.) Yet it was to be. Do you see how the Old and New Testaments mesh together? Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament.

LET IT GROW

Isaiah 53 goes along with what Jesus experienced in order to provide us with salvation and eternal life, pleasing God for us as He took our place on the cross.

Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (verses 4-6)

I cannot apologize for these words, for they are Truth. Before creation of the world, God the Father and God the Son decided this was the only way to Redeem our sin-sick souls. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us. He considered all it would entail, require, in order to meet God's requirements to enter heaven-righteousness through the blood of Jesus shed for us; by faith believing all of this? Without faith it is impossible to please God..

Dear one, have you come to Jesus, believing He is God's Son, the Messiah, the One Risen from the dead? Have you asked His forgiveness of your sins that nailed Him to the cross? Do you see His love demonstrated by doing this freely. What about your family and friends, have they heard the Good News?

LET IT GO

Truly, You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus.

We love and adore You.

Hardships Make or Break Us

N.T.#306 "Hardships Make or Break Us"

May 16, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 9

LET IT GLOW 

If we have lived very long, we will meet hardships. How do we react? Will they turn us to God or turn us away from God? Will harships make us better Christians? Jesus endured the hardest of hardships for us so we don't have to pay for our sins.

The four Roman soldiers did everything to shame their victim. Jesus was stripped of His clothing for crucifixion, adding humiliation of the experience. (Mark 15:24) This usually isn't depicted in art, covering Jesus for a sense of modesty and decency. His arms were stretched out across a beam and a 5 inch long nail was driven at the base of each palm. His knees were bent, placing Jesus' feet flat against the stipes, and drove a nail through each foot. (I wonder if the pain was enough to cause our Savior to pass out, or if He endured the process alert to it all.) They lifted up Jesus and placed the vertical beam into a hole in the ground. By nine oclock in the morning, the soldiers had finished driving wedges between the beam and the sides of the hole to keep the cross firmly upright. (Swindoll)

Jesus said in John12:32, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. 

Christ Jesus would draw all men to Himself through the cross. He died on a cross lifted up. (Falwell)

The cross drew all judgment for all people to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. (1 John 2:2) the death of Christ saved all humankind from the consequences of original sin (Romans 5:18) and made all people savable for their personal sin when they place personal faith in Him. This is why we are to share the gospel with everyone in the world. (Tony Evans)

Have you come to Jesus at the foot of the cross and confessed your sins, asked Him to be your Savior? He is waiting for you, if you never have done this.

What a loving Savior to endure such pain for you and me. The Perfect Lamb of God, His Son, did not deserve it, but willingly died on the cross for sinners.

LET IT GROW

As time went on, Jesus must have been quite thirsty by this time.

They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink. (verse34) 

This was a type of anesthetic, a drugged wine, for the condemned prisoners. Yet Jesus refused to drink anything so He suffered on our behalf.

Psalm 69:21 says, Instead, they gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 

Friend, when we are completely beaten down, we are tempted to turn from God, give up, and quit trusting Him. When your situation seems hopeless, determine that no matter how bad things become you still continue to pray. God will hear your prayer, and He will rescue you. When others reject us, we need God most. Don't turn from your mosst faithful Friend, Jesus. (Life Application Study Bible)

What does it take to get us to turn from God?

LET IT GO

Help me let go of self and follow You totally. 

Thank You for not calling down angels to rescue You.

Oh what a Savior. How wonderful You are!

Glory to Your name!

The Pain of It All For Us

N.T.#305 "The Pain of It All For Us"

May 15, 2924 

Matthew 27-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW 

Have you ever had a splinter in your finger? Oh, how it hurts until it is removed and healed. Even fracturing a leg bone causing excruciating pain. I can't imagine the pain Jesus suffered when the nails were put through His wrists and feet.  

After the soldiers had their fun spitting, mocking, and repeatedly hitting Jesus on his head where a crown of thorns was, they removed the royal robe and returned His garments. Then they led Jesus away to crucify Him. (verses 30-31)

The time had come. Preparations for the cross was completed. Two condemned criminals were given crossbeams to carry. The bloody and weak Jesus of Nazareth was led into a parade heading to the place of crucifixion-Golgotha.

It is a gradual uphill climb through the city of Jerusalem, out the western gate. It is known today as the Via Dolorosa, a path that winds through a noisy, bustling public marketplace along narrow stone streets. It is a solemn walk to think you are walking the path of the Savior-Redeemer as He bore my cross. The street was so narrow that we hugged the walls of the brick buildings as little cars tried to pass by us. (Even cars the size of Volkswagen Bugs had a hard time maneuvering through it.)

 There are signs designating where Simon the Cyrenian  (present-day Libya) carried His cross for Jesus. (He was probably stumbling under the weight, suffering from the beatings. 

Jesus' ribs could have been fractured and severe lung bruises and lacerations with bleeding into the chest cavity and partial or complete (collapse of the lung). (Crucifixion of Jesus, by Zugibe)

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross. (verse 32) 

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. (Mark 15:21)

The weight of the crossbeam could have been more than 250 pounds. A healthy man would have struggled with it. (Swindoll)

We rode our bus up the hill and parked down below where we could see the "skull in the rocks" on the hillside above. The bus was quiet as we conveniently made the journey.

Do we carry the name of Jesus with gratitude? Are we acting like He would act in our world? Are we compassionate to help others like Simon did that day? Do we carry our lost friends, family members, and neighbors to the Throne of Grace in prayer?

LET IT GROW 

Golgotha is a translation of the Aramaic world skull, Latin was calvaria.  Locals may have chosen this name because the outcropping of rock resembled a skull from a distance. The cross most likely looked like a large capital T. Most victims were tied in place to prolong his death, but they nailed the hands and feet of Jesus so that He would die within hours. instead of lingering for days. (Swindoll)

What excruciating pain Jesus endured for us. 

Verse 35 tells of their casting lots for Jesus' clothing. Soldiers would have stripped Jesus' clothes off Him to shame Him. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, thank You for loving and setting us free.

Thank You for giving Your life just for me.

How I thank You, Precious Jesus.

And I praise You!

Guilty or Innocent

 N.T.#304 "Guilty or Innocent?"

May 14, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 7

LET IT GLOW 

We can pick up more details with John. The chief priests and officers cried out to Pilate, "Crucify Him," referring to Jesus.  Pilate saith unto them, Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him. (John 19:6)

How did the Jews answer the governor? We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.  (verse 8)

It wasn't blasphemy, for Jesus Christ Is The Son of God. He did not lie.

Jesus was innocent according to Roman law. However, He claimed to be God, and by Jewish law, He should die. (Lev. 24:16) This made Pilate more afraid.  Pilate realized he may have been dealing with The Son of God, so he went back into the hall to speak with Jesus again. 

Why didn't Jesus talk to Pilate? Did He realize Pilate had the power (privilege, force, influence) to crucify Him? Oh, yes. Jesus could read minds and hearts. 

What was Jesus' reply? You have no power over Me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin. (verse 11)

Caiaphas had planned the entire plot to kill Christ and had committed the greater sin and would be more accountable to God. (Falwell)

If a person exercises any authority on earth, ultimately that authority has been granted by God. Are you a church leader? If we have authority, will we use it for kingdom purposes or not? One day we will have to give an account for our own use of authority because God is our ultimate authority. One may be a boss, but he isn't The Boss-God.

LET IT GROW 

Pilate kept trying to release Jesus, but the Jews wouldn't let him off the hook. They claimed if Pilate released Jesus, then he wasn't a friend of Caesar. They pitted the governor against the Roman emperor. As Pilate sat down on the judgment seat to proclaim his verdict, one day we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so He may render a verdict to us, judging our service and faithfulness to Him.

 What will He say to you? "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into My rest? Or depart into outer darkness  for He doesn't know you?"

Surrender to Jesus now as your Savior while you have time, dear one. Once you die it will be too late.

Shall Pilate crucify the Jew’s King? The Jews declared that they had no king except Caesar.(verse 15)

It was preparation time for Passover, and about the sixth hour, so they had to hurry and get the guilty conviction. They could not have a man hanging on a cross then bury him during the Passover celebration. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are my King.

Help me to not work for my own kingdom, but for Yours.

You alone are worthy of worship and service.

Hail King Jesus!!

Sufferings of Jesus for Us

N.T.#303 "Sufferings of Jesus for Us"

May 13, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 7

LET IT GLOW 

So far in the previous scene, we had Jesus the innocent captive, Pilate playing the role of the judge, Barabbas the notorious prisoner, and the wife of Pilate, who knew Jesus was innocent.

Pilate tried to get Jesus set free, but the Jewish leaders would not have it. They so envied Him that they were eaten up with envy. Jesus had many followers, performed miracles, showed compassion, and corrected them time and again. However, they never got the better of Him-Jesus always topped them in debates. So Barabbas was let go, freed, because Jesus took his place on the cross. 

A span of about 24 hours from the Passover meal to the Crucifixion occurred in 2 lengthy chapters of 26-27. Matthew portrays Jesus as the rightful but rejected King, Israel's long-awaited but cruelly scorned Messiah. The events at the end of Jesus' life involved grim details. (Swindoll)

Jesus' sufferings were intense. What gruesome things happened next to our Savior?

• Pilate had Jesus scouraged (to whip; lash as a public punishment). (verse 26) Pilate hoped the Jews would accept this rather than execution. (Luke 23:16) The scourge was made of thongs to which were attached sharp pieces of metal and bone. The prisoners were beaten across the back, having flesh and sometimes the organs torn. Many died from this cruel punishment. (Falwell)
•  Then Pilate had Jesus delivered to be crucified. He officially turned Jesus over to his soldiers for execution.  (verse 26)
• The band of soldiers (200-600) took Jesus to the open courtyard mocked and abused Jesus asa pretend king as they platted (to twine or braid) a crown of thorns on Jesus' head, resulting in blood flowing down His face. 
• They stripped Jesus of His blood-soaked robe with a reddish-purple robe mocking sign of His royalty. (verse 28)
• They placed a reed (long like a broom handle) in Jesus' right hand, as mocking a scepter held by a king. 
• The soldiers bowed the knee before Jesus, mockingly saying "Hail, King of the Jews!" (verse 29)
• They spit upon Jesus, the Messiah, then smote (repeated blows) on the head. (verse 30) What  exaggerated gestures of worship and honor for the Son of God.
• After the soldiers had their fun with the condemned but innocent victim, they removed the robe and returned His garments. (verse 31) this would have caused more of Jesus' blood to flow, opening wounds on His back. Little did these guys know that one day they would bow before theKing Jesus Christ and declare Him as Lord. (Phil. 2:10-11)

Jesus did not deserve any of this cruelty. Yet He endured it for you and me. What love!

LET IT GROW 

What mockery, suffering brutality, shedding of blood from wounds incurred, and rejection by His own people! Jesus went through all of this, taking our place for payment of our sins as our Sacrificial Lamb to take away our sins. Forgive us Jesus, please. 

Folks, we have a Savior who has experienced our pain and suffering and more. 

What have we endured compared to what Jesus went through?

LET IT GO 

Oh what a Savior! 

Isn't He wonderful! 

Praise to our King Jesus!

Guilty or Innocent?

 N.T.#302 "Guilty or Innocent?"

May 10, 2024

Matthew 27-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW

Pilate's wife sent him a message to leave that just (innocent, righteous) man alone, for she had a terrible nightmare about him (Jesus) last night. She had a influence upon her husband, obviously. When the governor asked the crowd who they wanted released, they shouted Barabbas' name. A thief and murderer released on the streets, really people?

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. (verse 22)

The chief priests and elders of the Jews, who were to be the spiritual leaders and living close to God, envied Jesus so much that they wanted Him killed. Crazy people! A man innocent of blaspheme and heresy, lying and hatred, but was compassionate, loving, and forgiving-they wanted Him out of their lives. What a mistake! Now they know the truth-Jesus is the Christ (Annointed One) , the Son of God.

Friend, what shall you do with Jesus?  Have you told others lately who Jesus is?

LET IT GROW 

"Crucify Him!" the crowd was shouting.

To prevent a riot, Pilate saw he was getting nowhere with those determined men. What did Pilate do?

Pilate's wife obviously had a great influence upon her husband. He sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just (innocent, righteous), the responsibility is yours! (verse 24)

How are you influencing people for Jesus? 

How did all the people respond? His blood be on us, and on our children. (verse 25)

The cross that had been prepared for Barabbas would be used for Jesus. Sin blinded the hearts and minds of the Jews that day. Satan must have been doing a victory dance. yet he didn't understand that it was all in God's plan of redemption.

Is Jesus your Redeemer, your family's Redeemer?

LET IT GO

Jesus, how innocent and just You are!

You are my Redeemer and Savior.

Please have mercy on those who come to read this today and save them.

Truth

N.T. #301  "Truth"

May 9, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

We find a conversation carried on between Jesus and Pilate in John 18:33-38 In New Living Translation:

•  Are you the King of the Jews? (Pilate asked.) 
• Is this your question, or did others tell you about Me? (Jesus' reply.)
• It is as you say. (Matthew 27:11)
• Am I a Jew? Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done? (Curious Pilate) (Jesus claimed of a kingdom not of this world to be mere religious superstition, not an offense deserving of death under Roman law.)
• My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My Kingdom is not of this world.(Jesus answered.)
• So you are a king? (Pilate's conclusion.)
• You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true. (Jesus responded.)
• What is truth? (Pilate asked.)

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. (John 14:6)

Pilate met Truth face to face. Truth comes from God. Friend, this is Truth-the only way to heaven is by believing in Jesus to be God's Son and asking Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior.

Have you?

The truth of the matter is this: Jesus wasn't on trial here, butit was really Pilate and the religious leaders who were on trial. Jesus knew the Truth and He knew God's plan. 

When we are questioned or ridiculed because of our faith, it is our accusers that are on trial before God, not you. ((Life Application Study Bible)

When we know Jesus, we know the Truth.

LET IT GROW

Then Pilate went out again to the people and told them, I find no fault. 

Sometime during all these events, as Pilate sat on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.

No details. No explanation. Just a dilemma for Pilate. On one hand, he thought Jesus to be innocent of any crime meriting death, ye if there was a riot or report to Caesar he was providing a safe haven for treasonous claimants to the throne of Israel, Pilate would be in danger of losing his job. 

The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus out of the way. Yet He is The Way.

Pilate gave the people an option of having Barabbas, a rebel and a murderer, or Jesus released. What a turkey! 

The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and to destroy Jesus. (Matthew 27:20)

What would we have done in those shoes? Yet, it was Jesus' purpose for coming to earth-show us how to live pleasing God, show us how to love others and forgive them, and die in our place as payment for our sins.

LET IT GO

Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, forgive me of my sins.

Help me to stand for Your Truth today.

 

Who Do You Envy?

 N. T. #300 "Who Do You Envy?"

May 8, 2024

Matthew 27-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

We have learned about five of the six trials which Jesus had before He was sentenced to death. He stood before Anna’s, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate who was governor of Judea, and Herod who was governor of Galilee. The final trial took place before Pilate a second time. (Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate since He was not from Herod’s jurisdiction.) 

We pick up the sixth trial, before Pilate a second time, in Matthew 27:15  

What happened?

• Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews. (verse 11a)
• And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. (verse 11b) In other words, Jesus meant, "You have said it."
• Then the chief priests and elders made their accusations against Jesus-claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, which was blasphemy to them; against lawful authoriyt, treason against Rome.
• Jesus answered nothing. (verse 12b)
• "Don't you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?" Pilate demanded.(verse 13)
• But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor's surprise. (verse 14)
• 
  

 Jesus knew all about the charges the Jews brought against Him. His mistreatment, mocking, false accusations of breaking the law, all of which was to send Jesus to dying on the cross for our sins. That was His purpose for coming into the world as a man-God taking on the form of a human. Yet, the Perfect One deserved no beatings nor death. The Jews were convicted by His words and wanted to get rid of the Loving Savior Redeemer.

Do we stand up for Jesus while others make fun of Him, ridicule Him, even curse His precious name or do we sneak away and deny we know Him, like Peter?

LET IT GROW

• Pilate had a custom of releasing a prisoner to the people at the festival. (verse 15)
• He gave the option of releasing Barabbas, a rebel and a murderer or Jesus released. He assumed the people would ask for Jesus to be released. (verses 16-17)
• Pilate knew it was because of envy that the religous leaders had Jesus arrested to begin with.

Envy means ill-will; jealousy. 

Is there someone we envy? Perhaps a family member has had an easy life while you struggle. Maybe a coworker was promoted while you were not. Are we jealous toward a person in the church? We need to be careful of this sin, that it doesn't grow in our heart. We need to love instead of envy others.

Paul spoke of envy in the list of corruption of the heart in romans 1:29; believers are to not live in malice and envy, as Paul wrote in Titus 3:3.

Proverbs 14:30 says envy is rottenous to the bones.

LET IT GO

Show us Lord if we are envious of others.

Help us to confess it and turn from envy as a sin.

Thank You for loving us so much that You were willing to die for us so we can have eternal life in heaven.

Oh what a Wonderful Savior!

What Was The Verdict?

 N.T.#299 "What Was The Verdict?"

May 7, 2024 

Matthew 27-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Pilate found no fault in Jesus, so he sent the Messiah to Herod, Jesus being a Galilean. (verses 6-7)  Herod was governor of Galilee, who was visiting Jerusalem. You will recall that it was Herod Antipas which beheaded John the Baptist earlier. Only Luke 23 gives us information about this fifth trial of Jesus.

What happened?

• Herod was exceeding glad to see Jesus, for he had desired it for a long time. (Luke 23:8)
• Herod had heard many things about Jesus.
• He hoped to see some miracle done by Jesus. Maybe the governor wanted to see a magic show.
• Herod had an opportunity to judge the King of the Jews.
• Herod vehemently (mightily, fiercely) accused Jesus. (verse 10) 
• Yet when questioned by Herod, Jesus remained silent. (verse 9)
• Herod and his men of war set Jesus at nought (despised). (verse 10)
• They mocked Him. (verse 11)
• Made fun of Jesus by putting a gorgeous royal robe on Him as a joke.(verse 11)
• Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate.(verse 11)
• Pilate and Herod became friends that day.

Did Herod think it was all ridiculous and a sham?

LET IT GROW

• The chief priests, rulers, and people accused Jesus of pervereth (to turn away or back; bring again) the people.  Jesus turned the people away from being faithful to the Jewish authority and government? I don't think so guys.
• Again, Pilate found no fault in Jesus concerning accusations against Him. (verse 14)

It was a no-fault verdict. Jesus was a holy and righteous man. He was God incarnate, in the flesh, so He did not sin. What a perfect Lamb of God to be our sacrificial lamb. He took our place and received punishment for our sins. Oh what a Savior!

LET IT GO

Help us stand for Truth.

When lies come, may we be Your witness of Truth.

Give us strength to stand for Your Word. 

Oh what a Savior!

What a Wasted Life!

N.T.#298 "What a Wasted Life!"

May 6, 2024

Matthew 27-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Probably we have identified someone as having lived a wasted life. Perhaps they were self-centered and did not care about others. Maybe they were educated and quit the job for which they spent time studying. So many young people take their own life at an early age. It makes you wonder why, what was so bad to cause this tragic end. Could it have been wrong choices or turning away from God? Judas was there.

Although Pilate declared Jesus not guilty of breaking any Roman government, he sent Jesus on to Herod. (Luke 22:4-7) After all, Jesus' claims of kingship, not of this world, was mere religious superstition, not an offense deserving of death under Roman law. (So Pilate thought.) The Jewish leaders continued to push hard for Jesus to be executed for blasphemy according to their own Law. (John 19:7) Yet Pilate found no fault in Jesus. (Luke 22:4) Jesus' fourth trial was completed. 

LET IT GROW 

Taking a moment to pull back the curtain, Matthew inserts here what Judas did. When Judas saw Jesus taken before Governor Pilate, condemned, Judas repented (to regret) realized he betrayed innocent blood for money, becomes guilty, returns the money, throwing it down in the Temple, departed, and commits suicide.by hanging himself.

What a double-cross-Judas betrays Christ in collusion with the priests, who in return, reject him! The chief priests felt no guilt in giving Judas money to betray an innocent man, but when Judas returned the money, the priests couldn't accept it because it was wrong to accept payment for murder! Their hatred for Jesus had caused them to lose all sense of right and wrong. (Life Application Study Bible)

It was unlawful to put the 30 pieces of silver into the Temple treasury, because it was blood.money. (verse 6) In verse 9, Jeremiah 32:6-9, where God told Jeremiah to buy a field for a specific amount of money, keep the deed, place a clay pot broken buried. God would restore Jerusalem after the coming judgment on the land. 

The land the counsel bought was a potter's field of broken pottery and was used to bury strangers there. In a sense, Judas purchased the field, so it was put into his name. (Acts 1:18) Perhaps Judas' body remained dangling until it decayed and eventually fell from the noose. A hanged man was accursed of God and the land was considered defiled if the corpse was not buried the same day. (Duet. 21:22-23)

The priests didn't want the money and no one wanted the land. In a sense, the money paid to Judas became the money used to buy the land where he handed himself. What a tragic legacy for a tragic life! It was Judas' self-inflicted fate. It would have been better if Judas had not been born.

What is ironic is that Judas heard Jesus preach about love, seen His miraculous healings, and witnessed Jesus standing up to the Jewish leaders of hypocracy. What a wasted life. That sums up verses 3-10. 

LET IT GO 

Jesus, You are our Hope, our life.

Help us hold on a little longer, for You have this.

You can turn ashes into beauty.

 

Who is Your King?

 N.T.#297 "Who is Your King?"

May 3, 2024

Matthew 27

LET IT GLOW

Peter had boasted that he was willing to die for Jesus. ((26:35) Yet, when it came time to put his words into action, Peter did not. He denied having known the Messiah. Previously, we studied about the 3 Jewish trials before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin council. It was their aim and purpose for those trials to put Jesus to death. Then came morning. (verse 1) Jesus was bound and sent to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

The fourth trail was civil. Pontius Pilate was usually residing in Caesarea, on the Mediterranean Sea, but he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival of the Jews just in case there was any trouble. Pilate had the power of execution so the Jewish leaders sought to convince him to put Jesus to death.

 Luke 23, John 18, and Mark 15 give us more detail of the trial. 

• The Jewish leaders told Pilate Jesus had been leading the Jews astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming He is the Messiah, a King. (Luke 23: 1-2)
• Jesus' accusers didn't go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn't have been allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate went out to them, the elders and Jewish leaders. (John 18:28) 
• What was their charge against Jesus? They wouldn't have handed Jesus over to Pilate if He had not been a criminal. That was their answer to why they had brought Him to Pilate. 
• Are You King of the Jews? You have said it. (Luke 23:3)
• "Your own people and their leading priests brought You to me for trial. Why? What have you done?" Pilate questioned Jesus. (John 18:35)
• Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:35)

LET IT GROW

• Jesus came to testify of the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what He says is true. That is what Jesus told Pilate in John 18:37
• Pilate told the Jews to take Jesus away and judge Him by their own law.  It wasn't legal for them to put anyone to death. (verse 31) He found nothing wrong with Jesus.
• They insisted that Jesus was causing riots by His teaching wherever He went-Judea, Galilee to Jerusalem. (Luke 23:5) Since Jesus was a Galilean, He was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.

Because Jesus never sinned, He always told the truth, for He is Truth. Jesus is King over all-heaven and earth. So far, Jesus' kingdom is in heaven, but one day He will reign as King over the earth. (Millenium)

Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your King? 

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are King of kings and Lord of lords, Almighty God, Lord of everything.

You are Emanuel, the Great I AM. the Prince of Pease, the Risen Lamb.

You live forever and reign on high.

Be my King today, Lord Jesus. Rule in my heart.

Weeping Bitterly

N.T. #296 "Weeping Bitterly"

May 2, 2024 

Matthew 26-Part 19 

LET IT GLOW 

Have you ever cried so much and prayed so hard that you were sobbing aloud? Then your tears dried up and stopped flowing? Sobbing turned to silence, words escaped your lips, and the Holy spirit interveened for you. I think Peter experience this, too. 

Who was really on trial here? I tend to think it was Peter, for he failed to remail faithful to Jesus, denying having known Jesus, much less being His follower. Peter even coursed and sweared. (verse 74) Then the rooster crowed at about midnight to 3 am as Jesus predicted. The last blow came in the form of a convicting glance of the Messiah from the balcony of the High Priest's house to Peter. The rebellious sinner called Peter was in need of a Savior's forgiveness, and restoration. What else could Peter do but leave the scene and weep bitterly. 

Bitterly means violently in the Greek language.

Peter didn't just cry, but I see him falling down on his knees, head held in his hands, and sobbing out loud, bitterly and violently, a belly shaking cry. The puffed-up and prideful Peter was a total failure in utter weakness. Did this disciple recall his boasting before the Son of God?  

LET IT GROW 

Wo was on trial-Jesus or Peter, or both? Jesus remained focused on the cross that was before Him. An unfair trial condemned an innocent man.  The Jewish leaders refused to see the obvious-Jesus is God's Son and Ssavior and Messiah.

On the other hand, Peter was guilty, having failed one test after another. His pride, self-assurance of boasting and self-confidence, comparing with others, Can we be honest? At one time or another, we have been like Peter. Left to ourselves, every one of us would follow Peter in his denials. We may have already. 

All we can do is admit our own weakness and we are a sinner. Believe Jesus is God's Son and Savior. Then confess our sins, asking Jesus to forgive us. The loving Savior Jesus forgives and saves us from our sins. He can restore and recover us. 

If not you, then is there someone in your circle of friends and family and neighborhood that needs prayer and salvation. Let God our Father use you to share this Good News.

LET IT GO 

Lord, Jesus, You can take what is broken and put it back together, like our hearts.

We are sinners in need of a Savior.

Please change our hearts and us us to share what You have done for us.

Jesus is the only way to heaven, folks. Do you know Him today?

Will You Deny Jesus?

 N.T.#295 "Will You Deny Jesus?"

May 1, 2024 

Matthew 26-Part 18

LET IT GLOW 

Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times, yet Jesus never denied He is the Son of God. (Luke 22:70) Earlier, Peter told Jesus he would lay down his life for His sake. (John 13:37) What happened to Peter, one of Jesus' closest friends, the inner circle? Can we point a finger at Peter to shame him? Probably not.

How is your standing with Jesus? Have you denied He is the Son of God? Have you denied Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, or have you proclaimed it?

But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:9)

Denied in Luke 26:72, means contradict; reject; refuse.

Peter refused to admit to a girl that he knew Jesus and was one of His followers. Have you refused to accept that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus? What about others in your inner circle-family, friends, coworkers? Have you refused to declare who Jesus is to you?

...The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice. (Luke 13:38)

Used in this verse, denied means to deny utterly; disown.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.  (1 John 2:23-24)

I write this again because there are many unbelievers who come to read this blog, so it is important to me that folks know the truth. Believer, will you share with others who Jesus is ?

LET IT GROW 

Shall we return to the trials of Jesus? First He was taken before Anna, the former high priest; then Jesus appeared before Caiaphas, the high priest; the final Jews who tried Jesus was the Sanhedrin council. Blasphemy was the charge-they denied Jesus to be the Son of God. They sentenced Jesus to be turned over to Romans for execution. 

Jewish trials were to be public, not secret, and were held in the Hall of Judgment in the Temple area. Capital cases required a quorum of 23 judges and were to follow a strict order of arguments from both the defense and the prosecution. Two or three independent witnesses were examined and cross-examined individually. This was not allowed in Jesus' trial. His trial was private and at night during the Passover festival. (Earlier, Jesus appealed to Annas for witnesses, yet was refused in John 18:20-24.

The false witnesses testified they heard Jesus threaten to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem and rebuild it in 3 days. (verse 61) It was true, for Jesus referred to His body. (John 2:21)

Jesus confessed the truth that He was the rightful King, their long-awaited Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God in 26:63. 

There was no dismissal for deliberation of the Sanhedrin, no one standing as a witness for defense, no request for the production of evidence. Just abuse and humiliation for Jesus.

Peter observed the whole thing from outside. He was unwilling to stick his neck out to come to his Master's aid as a witness for the defense. Yet, it was not Peter's time to die, which would have happened. I think Peter would have hung on a cross next to Jesus had he done so. 

LET IT GO

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

He is my Savior, Redeemer, and King.

Who is Jesus to you?