The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 1

Introduction…Jesus was hung on the Cross at Calvary at 9 am on what we now call, Good Friday. Jesus was crucified between 2 thieves who railed on Him, but one repented and believed in Jesus as his Savior and Son of God. Others that passed by said to Jesus, if you are the Messiah, come down off the Cross. The Roman soldiers gambled for His clothes and the Jewish leaders mocked Him. While on the Cross, the Gospels record the seven last statements made by Jesus. And after 6 gruesome hours of pain and suffering for your sins, my sins and the sin of mankind, He dismissed His spirit and died sacrificially while offering a triumphant ending on the Cross at 3 pm.

Read John 19:28-30 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Bible Study

• In the passage of Scripture we study today in the Gospel of John there are 2 of Jesus’ last statements while on the Cross. The Gospels record 7. Let’s consider them as we reflect on Jesus’ Divine sacrifice that was required to satisfy the justice of God and remediate our sin so we can come to and be with God.
• His first statement was to Father God, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” See Luke 23:34. Jesus was merciful to those who hated and crucified Him and to all of us whose sin made it necessary for Jesus to die. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
• Secondly, to the repentant thief on the Cross – who realizes the magnificent moment he encounters when he meets and recognizes Jesus as His Savior – Jesus says to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” See Luke 23:43. Even in His last minutes on earth, Jesus reflects the loving heart of God wanting none to perish. Jesus came truly “to seek and save the lost”.
• The 3^rd statement was to His mother, Mary,  “Woman behold your son.” See John 19:26-27. Jesus honors His mother by speaking to her lovingly in His last words.
• In the next statement over those 6 hours on the Cross, Jesus cries out to the Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” See Mark 15: 34-36. For the moment, God the Father, who cannot look upon sin, must turn from Jesus, who has the sin of world upon Him.
• Then Jesus says, “I thirst.” See John 19:28. Jesus was human in body. He felt pain and experienced thirst. The Gnostics of the first century, inspired by the devil, deceived people from a saving faith, causing them to believe Jesus was only a spirit, a phantom, without a real body, and could not suffer or experience pain.
• In the 6^th statement Jesus says climatically, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The work He came to do in obedience to the Father’s plan was finished. He came to die. To die for our sin.
• Finally Jesus says, “Father, into you hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus, God the Son, dies, and like all of us can only do at that point is commit our spirit into God’s hands.

Application

• Have you sinned or do you have un-confessed sin in your life? See 1 John 1:9 The Word promises, “If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
• Have you thanked the Father for sending Jesus as our Savior?
• Have you been grateful for Jesus’ coming, suffering and dying for our sin so that we are forgiven, cleansed, healed and whole before God?
• Have you acknowledged and blessed the Holy Spirit, who indwells us and will never leave or forsake us, even though we may have grieved Him with our sin, or our selfishness while rejecting His leading?
• Do you know someone who has died while knowing Christ. They are with Him in Paradise. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 2

Introduction…Jesus died with a shout of triumph on His lips, declaring “tetelestai”…one Greek word of great exclamation meaning, “It is finished!” All four Gospels chronicle the same last words of Jesus, but in Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37 and Luke 23:46, they indicate that Jesus shouted this statement, indicating the climatic victory of His crucifixion. It was not said wearily or in defeat, but with full realization of the culmination of God’s great plan and Jesus’ obedient execution. Every prophetic Word relating to Jesus, some 300+ prophesies, were fulfilled, even the vinegar they gave Him to drink when He said, “I thirst”. See Psalms 69:21. Revelation 19:10 reveals, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Read John 19:31-37 “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, (for the Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw the He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken. And another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Bible Study

• Jewish law taught in Deuteronomy 21:22-23, “If a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day.”
• On top of this command that the Jews followed, there was another directive they were following in taking down the bodies on Friday. Why? Because the next day was the Sabbath and there was no work of any kind that was done, plus this Sabbath was attached to the Passover celebration which had to be kept.
• To bury those crucified the same day, their legs were broken to hasten death.
• But Jesus was already dead, thus fulfilling another prophetic Scripture. See Numbers 9:12, which teaches that no bone of the Passover Lamb was to be broken. Jesus was the eventual and ultimate Passover Lamb delivering from death
• One of the soldiers, seeing Jesus was already dead did not break His legs, but assuring His death, thrust a spear into Jesus’ side, fulfilling another prophetic Scripture found in Zechariah 12:10, “They look on him whom they have pierced.”
• John wrote of this meaningful scene of water and blood flowing out of Jesus’ body showing His humanness. Also symbolizing the sacraments based upon water…water baptism, and blood…communion, remembering, this is my blood.
  • In Water Baptism…
    • The water symbolizes the cleansing grace of God in Jesus Christ. Our sins buried and being dead to sin, we rise in new life!
    • Colossians 2:12 says, “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised Him from the dead.”
  • In Communion…
    • The cup taken at the Lord’s Supper symbolizes His blood which was shed for the remission of sin. See Matthew 26:28.
    • The cleansing blood of Jesus, washes away our sin. “Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish…” 1 Peter 18-19.

Application

• Let the Word of God speak to you today…
• “Though our sin be red like crimson, He washes us white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18
• What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
• “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 3

Introduction…Once Jesus died, there was short time left for His burial for the Sabbath was upcoming and no work could be done. Jesus’ disciples were not wealthy and unable to give Jesus a fitting burial, but two prominent believers did come forward to provide the committed leadership and make financial decisions to honor Jesus. I bet today and everyday throughout eternity, those two people are thankful the put forth their determined effort, were courageous and not ashamed, nor were they withholding financially, but did their all and best for the Master.

Read John 19:38-42 “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of Jews is to bury. Now the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jew’s Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”

Bible Study

• Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the most powerful and ruling body, the Sanhedrin. Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, but now he made his discipleship known by courageously stepping forward, boldly going to Pilate and providing a rightful tomb for Jesus’ body.
• Nicodemus was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Another secret follower until now. Remember, he came to Jesus privately at night to ask questions, draw closer and birth his faith in Christ (See John 3:1-21). Nicodemus brought expensive burial spices befitting a king…His King.
• The death of Jesus, was the wake up call for Joseph and Nicodemus. It provided the acid test of their faith. Would they remain accepted, included and a safe part of the status quo, or forsake the power and prestige, risk it all and follow Christ?
• Jesus had not been dead 1 hour for His prophetic words to come true. Nicodemus and Joseph became true, active and committed disciples. “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” John 3:14 and 12:32.
• The power of the Cross draws true believers still today. Only our faith in Christ can motivate a life that will be rewarded by God for eternity. See 1 John 1:9
  • Our part is to confess our sins. The work of Jesus on the Cross enables our confession to be effective. See Romans 5:15-19
  • God’s part is to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus paid a very high price to grant us this incredible privilege of being forgiven. God foretold in Isaiah 1:18 and 43:25 that He would do a great and gracious work of cleansing us, “Be holy for I am holy.” See 1 Peter 1:6. He forgives and removes all unrighteousness associated with sin.

Application

• Don’t give your tributes, accolades and honor of a person only after they are gone…give honor and show your love now! Speak praises and show appreciation today! A flower today is more valuable than a wreath at their grave.
• Don’t wait until you are old or near death to reach out to God. Do it now! Step toward God while you can!
• “Today is the day for salvation.”
• Give of your best to the Master.

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 4

Introduction…Joseph and Nicodemus bravely and boldly buried Jesus on Friday while sparing no cost, thus proving their faith in Christ (See James 2:14-26). It is evident by their actions, they believed Jesus was the Messiah and were committed in their faith. Jesus was buried without a thought that He would ever rise again. Though they believed Jesus was sent from God, Jesus was dead. Saturday was the Sabbath and no one was permitted to travel, so quietly and personally the believers mourned His death as did the bewildered disciples. But early Sunday morning Mary Magdalene came to the grave because of her great love for Jesus. He changed her life…for good.

Read John 20:1-10 “Now the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him and went into the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.”

Bible Study

• Mary Magdalene was healed of evil spirits and infirmities and delivered of 7 devils (See Luke 8:2). Jesus delivered and forgave her and it changed her life. Luke 7:47 says, “to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
• All Mary had to gratefully return in thanks to Jesus was her loving devotion. See Matthew 27:56, 28:1; Mark 15:40-47, 16:9.
  • She became a disciple and helped Jesus in His ministry.
  • She was there at the Cross.
  • She was the first person at the Sepulcher
  • She was the first person Christ showed himself to when resurrected.
• For Mary to be there before 6 am, the word used here is “proi”, meaning during the 4^th watch of the night, between 3-6 am. No doubt Jesus’ death was consuming her thoughts and unable to sleep she went to the tomb.
• The tomb had been ‘sealed’ (See Matthew 27:66) by the authorities. So Mary was startled to see it empty in addition to her grief and bewilderment. She ran to the disciples.
• Interesting that Peter was still recognized as the leader. Mary went to him and John and although the younger, John, outran Peter to the tomb, typical of Peter’s impulsive nature, without hesitation, he went on into the tomb. Remember, it was Peter that asked the Lord that he walk on the water too. See Matthew 14:28-30
• The detail regarding the grave clothes indicate the purpose and full intentions of God. In this passage when it speaks of the cloths, it was as if the body of Jesus evaporated from within them.
• It then dawned upon Peter and John based upon what they saw, not from their understanding of Scripture (see verse 9, the disciples were still dull of understanding and the knowledge of Scriptures…that would come later) that Jesus was alive, raised from the dead. He really was the resurrection and the life!

Application

• Forgiveness, cleansing and deliverance is from God. Jesus paid with His life for these essentials. All the characters in this passage of Scripture…Mary, Peter, John, Joseph and Nicodemus all needed and received Jesus’ forgiveness.
• Who needs the forgiveness of God?
  • Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins…”
  • Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”
  • Romans 3:23 says, For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standards.”
• What must we do to obtain God’s forgiveness?
  • 1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all…”
  • 1 John 2:1-2 says, “My dear children I am writing this to you so you will not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate…Jesus…the one truly righteous. He is the sacrifice… for our sins and those of the world.”
• Forgiveness is free/paid for, but it is not cheap…it cost Jesus His life
  • Colossians 2:13-14 says, “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record…”
  • Psalms 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”
• Why is it sometimes hard to forgive ourselves when God forgives? People, shame, guilt, pride, fear? God is greater that all of these!
• R.T. Kendall said in his book “Total Forgiveness”, “God can take your sinful past and make it work together for your good…so brilliantly and beautifully that you will be tempted to say that this is the way it was supposed to be.”

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 5

Introduction…When we disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ lose a loved one who also knows the Lord, we often cry, weep, mourn and become bewildered at our loss. The absence of someone who positively impacted us, someone we depended upon, knew well, enjoyed, trusted and loved is gone from us and from this world. It seems life will never be the same. At the same time, it is incomprehensible for us to be able to see and know the joy of the loved one who now is in the presence of the Lord, healed, whole and the battles of life and faith for them are over. We cannot see, feel, conceive what God has prepared for those that love Him. See 1 Corinthians 2:9. Meanwhile we grieve…for ourselves…and that is OK. We sorrow not as the world sorrows. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

Read  John 20:11-18 “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angles in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her. ‘woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid Him?’ Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She supposing he was the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘ I am ascended to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”

Bible Study

• Mary was the first person to see the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. Why was she the first?
  • She was the first to be there, to go to the tomb.
  • We know, per Hebrews 11 that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
  • We know per Jeremiah 29:11 that when you seek for God with all your heart, then you will find Him.
  • God showed honor and value to women. Of course to God He made male and female both to honor Him
  • God honors not an original disciple, but a convert, a mere sinner saved by grace?
  • God shows up, is there, is here, with us, He sees and hears our cry.
• How did Mary not recognize Jesus there in the garden, outside the tomb?
  • Because of the tears in her eyes, the grief in her heart blocked the reality of the Lord
  • Though sincere and loving, Mary was grieving and imagined there was more negative news coming since the arrest and crucifixion, now Jesus was moved or taken custody by someone? The gardener?
• Death to an unbeliever is the end. But even in saying goodbye to someone in several languages, the awareness we all have in death is that the person now is in God’s hands. “Adieu” or “Addios” means literally, “to God.”
• The confusing statement in this passage of Scripture of “not touching me because, I have not ascended to my Father” simply is Jesus saying, “don’t be afraid or hold me here, go and tell the disciples, I am here!”
• Confucious, Buddha and/or Mohammed are all dead and gone, but only Jesus raised from the dead, is our only hope, our Savior and The Resurrection and Life.

Application

• Be a God Seeker. Seek God early and often. Know that He can be found.
• Realize that as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are not in a religion, nor religious, but in a personal relationship with Christ and you serve a living Savior.
• He is alive! Because He lives, we too shall live!

A church to me is a place where you can come together and connect with people who are like you and who aren’t exactly like you but all are on the same journey of discovering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  It is a place to be inspired.

Its a place to be equipped on how to live as a disciple and on how to be the church.  It is a place to get tools for living a victorious, abundant, life in Christ.

And finally, a church is a place where you can find your place in God’s House in service.  Service is a huge part of living this Christian life and the church is at its best when it gives itself away.  That means serving your church community inside His House and serving outside your community by being His hands and feet is a part of church life.

At Elevate we strive to rethink church into a place that is all of these ideas combine.  A place where church is different – church life is exciting and life giving.  That is what this series of messages and blogs are about.  Rethink church, fall in love with the church, fall in love with the local church, fall in love with your church, fall in love with Elevate Church.

In John 1:45 Phillip said to Nathaniel about Jesus, “You just have to come and see Him.”  In other words come and have a visit to see for yourself.   For a good, life giving church that is what it is all about.  You just have to come and give it chance and check it out for yourself.

The church is the body of Christ and it is the closest anyone is ever going to come in contact with Jesus himself in 2010.  Honestly, that puts a little pressure on the local church.  That is why the church should be functioning the way it should be – attractive, and infectious, and life giving, and fun and exciting, and contagious because that is the kind of person Jesus was when he was on this earth.  People were drawn to him, they met him and they wanted to be around him.  That is how church should be.

What made Phillip leave his life for a season like Jesus asked and follow him.  There was something about Jesus that was attractive.  The church community, the church you love should have that attraction.  When u fall in love with your church inviting someone, bringing them along with you should be normal – it should be like Phillip, “You got to just come and see I cant convince you, I cant argue my case for you – you just have to come and see for yourself.  I love my church.”

The Gospel of John

Week 31 Day 1

Introduction…In the time of Jesus, Israel and the Jews were ruled by Rome. The Romans gave the Jews liberty to some self-government, but not to carry out the death penalty. To the Jews, Jesus was guilty of blaspheming the name of the Lord. Their judgment for blasphemy was stoning to death. See Leviticus 24:16 and Deuteronomy 17:7. Unable to carry out their judgment, their only path to execute Jesus was through the hands of the Roman governor, Pilate. So from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate went Jesus after His arrest, all falling into God’s plan of salvation. Like Joseph said who was sold into slavery by his brothers, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”. Genesis 50:20

Read John 18:28-36 “Then they led Jesus from Ciaphas to the Praetorium and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, ‘what accusation do you bring against this Man?’ They answered and said to him, ‘if He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.’ Then Pilate said to them, ‘you take Him and judge Him according to your law.’ Therefore the Jews said to him, ‘it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death, that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered him, ‘are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘my kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now My kingdom is not from here.”

Bible Study

• God’s plan and purposes are magnificant and beyond comprehension…

• Consider the paradox of the Roman governor, Pilate, without realizing the full significance of the moment, was making a judgment on Jesus, his Creator.
• Consider the statement of humility and divine purpose that God the Son was laying down His power and being judged by a mere man, who actually was in need of Jesus’ forgiveness, which He was preparing to offer the world.
  • Philippians 2:6-8 speaks of the humility of Jesus, “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
• Consider the impact and significance of Jesus’ statement of God’s perfect plan of redemption, when He prophesied in John 12:32, that if He be lifted up, meaning crucified, He would draw all men unto Himself.
  • Being stoned to death was the Old Testament penalty for the person who blasphemed God. Jewish leadership did not believe Jesus was who He said He was, God the Son, sent from God, the Messiah, Savior of the world, so to them, Jesus’ claims blasphemed God and evoked stoning Him to death.
  • But God’s plan determined Jesus would take the curse of our sin and be crucified for our sins, not stoned, because His Word declares “cursed is the person who is hanged upon a tree.” See Deuteronomy 21:22-23.

Application

• Think about it…Jesus laid down His life for our sin. He prophesied His death would be upon a tree/cross, it would in fact draw all men, worldwide for all time to Him, and He was in fact, cursed with the penalty of the sin of the world.
• The curse and judgment that should have been ours was put upon Jesus. The perfect One, blameless and perfect Lamb of God, slain for our sin.
• The world has never been the same since God stepped into our world to forgive our sin. The calendar changed, time stood still and BC marks before Christ and AD indicates time on earth since His death.
• Can you grasp the significance? We too can and will never be the same.

The Gospel of John

Week 31 Day 2

Introduction… The prayer outline Jesus taught His disciples to use as a model for their and our prayer today indicates that one part of our focus should be to pray God’s Kingdom to come. “Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. We should pray that God’s Kingdom to come in our lives, our family, church, work, community and world. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we want His Kingdom to come here and now, so we pray “Even so Lord, Come quickly,” since the Lord’s return will start His rule and reign on earth. Until then, we can pray and work to bring God’s kingdom to earth, and it does, whenever we obey Him in our life, pray for someone, lead someone to Christ, whenever His principles are accepted and enter a life, relationship, family, situation, business…His Kingdom comes to earth.

Read John 18:37-19:5  “Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king, then? Jesus answered, ‘you say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘what is truth?’ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, ‘I find no fault in Him at all. But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’ Then they all cried again, saying, ‘not this Man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a robber. So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, ‘hail, King of the Jews!’ And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, ‘Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.’ Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, ‘behold the Man!”

Bible Study

• Demonstrating the superficiality and inconsistency of religion, the Jews would not cross a threshold to enter the Roman Praetorium and defile themselves, but at the same time they were intent to murder a man, the Holy Son of God.
• Jesus clearly and honestly admits, He is a King, but not of this world!

o      The Jews wanted a King, Messiah, to come as prophesied and rule the world from Jerusalem, and free them from Roman rule, not God’s provision, a Messiah Savior, that would free from sin.

o      The Romans were concerned of a rival king, rising up in Israel. Since Jesus was not intent on overthrowing Roman rule, He was no threat.

• Jesus’ Kingdom is a spiritual one, an eternal one, and one that of God’s will and way. We are part of that Kingdom. Some day we will rule and reign with Him. See Luke 1:32; 21:27
• Jesus knew why He came to this world. He obeyed His calling to lay down His life for our sin. Do we know why we are here? Are we faithful to our calling?
• Jesus was a witness to the truth. There is a God. He loves us. Jesus is the way, truth and life. Pilate wasn’t interested in truth, God or his soul, he was focused on his temporary power and position. The Word asks, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul, or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37
• Note the insanity of sin. It blinds us from the truth. Blinded, it causes us to fall and make temporal and wrong decisions. Free a robber Barabbas and crucify Jesus?! Where does that kind of thinking is that? Evil, hellish, and from Satan.

Application

• “Revelation Song”

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, Holy, Holy is He.

Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!

Who was and is and is to come.

With all creation I sing praise to, the King of Kings

You are my everything and I will adore you!

Clothed in rainbows of living color,

Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder.

Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be!

To You, the only wise King.

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder,

At the mention of Your name.

Jesus Your Name is power, breath and living water.

Such a marvelous mystery.

• When Jesus returns upon the clouds of Heaven, we will see the greatness of His reign over all God’s Kingdom. He shall be called Great for He is the Servant of all, and God has given Him a Name above every other name. He is Lord!

The Gospel of John

Week 31 Day 3

Introduction…From the arrest in the Garden on Thursday night, where the disciples slept while Jesus prayed, to Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus and Jesus healing the ear. Then Jesus identifying himself to the several  hundred who came to arrest him, “I am He” and they all fell to the ground with the power of God. Then the Jews put Jesus on trial through the night and pushed Jesus onto the Romans to take responsibility. Pilate tried to push it back onto the Jews, then to the higher authority, Herod, then finally Pilate declared okay, I hear you, “Jesus will be crucified”. So at noon on Friday, just as the Scripture and Jesus prophesied, He would be the innocent Lamb of God, offered up for our sin and by His stripes we would be healed. See Isaiah 53.

Read John 19:6-16 “Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, ‘crucify Him, crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘you take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.’ The Jews answered him, ‘we have a law and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son the God.’ Therefore when Pilate heard that saying, he was more afraid and went again into the Praetorium and said to Jesus, ‘where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You and power to release You?’ Jesus answered, ‘you have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.’ From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, ‘if you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover and about the 6^th hour. And he said to the Jews, ‘behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, ‘shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘we have no king, but Caesar!’ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.”

Bible Study

• There are 3 characters in this Scripture account that we need to investigate…

• The Jewish religious leaders. They started off analyzing Jesus, then questioning, watching closely, criticizing and arguing His practices and teaching. In the end they were frenzied with hatred, lied about Him (see Matthew 26:65) and with total disregard of their knowledge of God declaring they had no king but Caesar! In 1 Samuel 12:12 Samuel told the people God alone was their king and in Judges 8:23 Gideon said it right to the people… “the Lord will rule over you.”
• Pilate. He knew the religious leaders were lying, but couldn’t stand up to the trumped up charges. He knew Jesus was innocent and was deeply impressed with Him, did not want to condemn Him, but yet he caved in and did. He was a person who thought he didn’t need truth nor was he spiritually inclined although face to face with the Son of God, he had his moment of truth.
• Jesus. He is the central figure in this drama. We can sense the sheer majesty of Jesus. It seems the one questioning Him is actually on trial as Jesus serenely is in control. He speaks truth that His Kingdom is made up of the hearts of people and is ruled by a Loving and Living God. Jesus is full of courage through it all while everyone else was tensely involved in chaos. Jesus triumphantly moved on to His calling under the supreme control of God.

Application

• The trial of Jesus continues on to this day. Who do men say that Jesus is?
  • There’s the “politically correct answer”…
  • There’s the “convenient answer”…
  • There’s the “abstaining from saying who He is answer”…
  • There’s the “religious ‘I’ll fight you’ answer”…
  • There’s the “truthful answer”…
• Who do you say Jesus is?
• He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, our Savior, Advocate and Intercessor. Jesus is the answer!
• One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess – Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

The Gospel of John

Week 31 Day 4

Introduction…What a paradox of the greatest proportion…Barabbas, the notorious prisoner/murderer (See Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15) was set free and the perfect Son of God was sentenced to be crucified. Never had there been such an injustice! But Jesus, often silent (See Matthew 26:63; Luke 23:9; Mark 15:5) before His ‘judges’ continued on with great determination, courageously and confidently toward His calling and joy that was set before Him. See Hebrews 12:2 You and I were the joy that was set before Him!

Read John 19:17-22 “So they took Jesus, and He, carrying his Cross for himself, went out to the place that is called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. They crucified him there and with him they crucified two others, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote a title and put it on the Cross. On it was written: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this title because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin and in Greek. So the chief priests repeatedly said to Pilate: ‘do not write, The King of the Jews. But write, He said I am the King of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.”

Bible Study

• Both historians and the Romans themselves recognized there was no more cruel and horrifying death than by crucifixion. The way it happened was…
  • First the scourging, an intense whipping that tore the skin and flesh
  • Then the requirement to carry one’s own cross to the crucifixion, while surrounded by Roman soldiers being led by one soldier who carried the placard describing the crime to put fear in the onlookers.
  • Then the person was stripped and nailed to the cross to hang until death
• “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”, was written on the placard to be hung atop His cross in the 3 great languages of the world at that time…in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek…no doubt God was involved with this signage during the travesty.
• Pilate buckled at the pressure of the Jewish leaders regarding sentencing Jesus to death, but he then became unmoveable regarding the signage posted on the cross.
  • It is a paradox in life that some of us are stubborn about things which don’t matter and weak about things of supreme importance.
• Jesus said early and often in His ministry teaching, foreknowing His death, that we, His disciples must ‘take up our cross and follow Him.’ Mark 8:34 & 10:21
• Jesus’ crucifixion between 2 criminals fits the prophetic chapter in Isaiah that was looking forward to the suffering Messiah that would come to give His life to save us from our sin, heal us and give us His peace.
  • Isaiah 53:5 “He was wounded for our transgression. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.
  • Isaiah 53:12 “…because He has poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Application

• Note the words to the song, “Because of Your Love”.

Jesus you endured my pain, Savior you bore all my shame

All because of your love, all because of your love

Maker of the universe, broken for the sins of the earth

All because of your love, all because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of your blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life, I freely give

Because of your love, because of your love I live.

Innocence and holy King, You died to set the captive free

All because of your love, all because of your love

Lord you gave your life for me, I will give my life to you

All because of your love, all because of your love

You did it fir me, you did it for love

It’s your victory, Jesus you are enough

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of your blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life, I freely give

Because of your love, because of your love I live.