Believe.

Matthew 28:9-15; Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35

Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." – John 20:29 NLT

In the days following His resurrection, Jesus continued to appear to His disciples at various times. On one of these occasions, when Jesus had suddenly appeared in a room where the disciples had gathered behind locked doors, Thomas had been absent for some reason. And when he was told later by the other disciples "We have seen the Lord!" (John 20:25 NLT), he responded in disbelief and doubt. "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side" (John 20:25 NLT). Eight days later, he would get his wish fulfilled, when Jesus appeared to them once again. It's interesting to note that they are meeting behind locked doors again, even though they have seen the risen Lord. They're fearful of the Jewish religious leaders, who have accused them of stealing the body of Jesus. But Jesus appears to them yet again, and this time Thomas is there. Jesus knew what Thomas had said the last time and so He offers him a chance to satisfy his doubt. "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe" (John 20:27 NLT). Can you imagine the shame and embarrassment that Thomas must have felt as Jesus stood before him, offering him the opportunity to stick his fingers into the wounds in His hands and place his hand into the wound in His side? When Thomas had made his bold statement of doubt, it had been dripping with sarcasm. He refused to believe what the others had said. True to his nickname, "Doubting Thomas," he could not bring himself to accept the fact that Jesus was alive. But now, the evidence was standing right in front of his face, and Jesus simple says, "Don't be faithless any longer. Believe." Jesus confronted his disbelief and lack of faith. He demanded him to become "Believing Thomas." And as a result, all Thomas can say is, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28 NLT). To which Jesus responds, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me" (John 20:29 NLT). Jesus knew that there were going to be many who would never have the privilege and honor of having seen the risen Lord with their own two eyes. He was going to return to the Father and His physical presence would be removed from this earth. But there would be many who would hear the news of His life, death and resurrection – and believe. They would hear the Good News and respond in faith.

Jesus went out of His way to assure His disciples that He had risen from the dead. He addressed their doubts. He assuaged their fears. He gave them evidence in order to eliminate their lingering doubts. John tells us that they "saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name" (John 20:30-31 NLT). John recorded all these events so that those who came after him might know exactly who Jesus was and all that He had done. He shared his eyewitness testimony to the life of Jesus. He gave detailed witness to the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. He was given the benefit of seeing Jesus alive so that he might be motivated to tell others of the truth of Jesus' claims. Jesus WAS the Messiah. He truly was the Son of God. He really had died on the cross for the sins of man. He did give His life and take on the sins of all mankind so that we might be restored to a right relationship with God. It was all true, and John went out of his way to put it in writing, so that we might believe. And Jesus calls to us today, just as He did to Thomas, "Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"

Father, it is so easy to doubt. It just seems to come naturally to us as human beings. Even after all Jesus has done for us, we can still so easily doubt the reality of who He is and what He had done. We can doubt that we have the forgiveness He died to provide. We can doubt we have the power He said He would make available to us through the Holy Spirit. We can doubt Your love for us, even though His death was the greatest expression of Your love. We can doubt He is with us, even though He constantly intercedes for us in Your presence. We can doubt He is ever coming back, in spite of the fact that He promised He would. Help us to not be faithless any longer, but believe. Amen.

Believe It or Not.

Matthew 28:9-15; Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” – Luke 24:17-18 NLT

This is a wonderful story, full of irony, humor, and fascinating juxtapositions of sorrow and joy, defeat and victory, and tragedy and triumph. Jesus has risen from the dead and has begun revealing Himself to many of His followers. News about His resurrection has begun to spread, but it has been met with disbelief and incredulity. When the Jewish religious leaders were informed about what had happened at the tomb by the guards who were ordered to protect the body from being stolen, they couldn't believe their ears either. This was the worst thing that could have happened. It was what they had feared would happen and they they had begged Pilate to post guards at the tomb in the first place. But rather than believe the guards' stories and accept that Jesus had risen from the dead, they concoct a lie that accuses the disciples of stealing the body while the guards were sleeping. Think about that. While the guards slept, somehow the disciples rolled away a large stone from the face of the cave and then carried off the body of Jesus – all without waking the guards! And how would this admission of dereliction of duty look on the records of the Roman guards? Sleeping on the job would not be a career enhancer for these men. But evidently the story of an earthquake and an angel appearing and rolling away the stone sounded far too unbelievable too. And the fact that the guards fainted at the sight of it all would not exactly leave the guards looking good in the eyes of their superiors either. So they agreed to spread the lie, and it became the popular explanation among the Jews as to what had happened that day.

But meanwhile Jesus was living, breathing and walking about. He was revealing Himself to His followers. And Luke records His encounter with the two on the road to Emmaus. They were leaving Jerusalem and heading home. Their mood is one of sorrow, dejection, and disappointment. Their dreams have been shattered. Their Messiah is dead. And all their hopes of a restored Jewish kingdom and salvation from Roman rule have died with Jesus. Then suddenly, Jesus appears walking next to them, but "God kept them from recognizing him" (Luke 24:16 NLT). Here was the resurrected Jesus walking right beside them, but they didn't realize it. So Jesus asked them what they were discussing and they respond with surprise at this individual's ignorance of current events. "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days" (Luke 24:18 NLT). Unbeknownst to him, Cleopas was addressing his somewhat sarcastic remark to the very one to whom all "the things" had happened. So Jesus, playing dumb, asks, "What things?" Then they begin to tell Jesus all that had taken place. But notice what he says. "He WAS a prophet." "He WAS a mighty teacher." "We had HOPED he was the Messiah." They had been told that His body WAS missing. These same individuals also told them that angels had appeared to them saying the Jesus was alive. But Cleopas and his friend hadn't believed a word of it. Why? Because Luke tells us that when Jesus found them walking on the road, they had "sadness written across their faces" (Luke 24:17 NLT). Despite the fact that there was news that the body of Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He had risen from the dead, they refused to believe. They were headed home in defeat and disbelief. So Jesus said, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26 NLT).

Then Jesus began to unpack the Old Testament Scriptures, from the writing of Moses to all the writings of the prophets, showing them all the things concerning the Messiah. This was a comprehensive Bible study taught by the Savior Himself, and the focus of the study was Jesus. Later, when they finally recognized who it was who had been walking and talking with them, they said, "Didn't our hearts burn with us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32 NLT). Why did their hearts burn? What was it that lit a fire inside them? At that point they still didn't recognize Him, but as they had the Scriptures opened up to them, they became convinced about who Jesus was and all that the Messiah had come to do. The written Word of God opened their eyes so that they could receive and believe in the living Word of God. Now, rather than going home, they returned to Jerusalem and found the disciples and told them about their encounter with the risen Lord.

The Word of God reveals the Son of God. The Old Testament gives us a vivid glimpse into the life of the Savior. He is represented throughout the writings of Moses and the prophets. His suffering, death and ultimate resurrection was prophesied. His crucifixion was predicted in vivid detail. His torture at the hands of the Romans was written about hundreds of years before it happened. His substitutionary death and sinless sacrifice were told clearly presented long before they ever happened. But all those things were overlooked or ignored by generations of Jews because they didn't fit their concept of who the Messiah would be. But God's ways are not man's ways. He never does things the way we would. He had a plan that would make no sense to us. But it was the only plan that would work. It was the only plan that would satisfy His holiness and still allow Him to extend grace, love and mercy to those who had openly rebelled against Him. Jesus was the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament predicted. The writer of Hebrews tell us, "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven" (Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT). God had predicted the coming of His Son. Then He actually sent Him to do what He had to do. And one day He is coming back to complete God's plan. And the Scriptures reveal that part of the Messiah's assignment as well. Believe it, or not.

Father, Your written Word is full of insights into the life and ministry of Your Son, and it's not relegated just to the Gospels. His life and ministry is found throughout the Scriptures. Give us a desire to know Him better. Give us a passion for Your Word because it is in Your Word where we discover the truth regarding Your Son and His ministry, past, present and future. Amen.

Doubt.

Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18

She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was live and that she had seen him, they didn't believe her. – Mark 16:10-11 NLT

There's an interesting word that crops up in the story of Jesus' resurrection. It is not one I have ever noticed before or would have expected. As we have seen, Jesus was crucified for claiming to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah. The religious leaders considered His claims to be blasphemy and worthy of death. The sign that was hung above Jesus' head on the cross by Pilate carried the nature of His crime: "King of the Jews." But in spite of Jesus' claims, the people refused to believe. The religious leaders refused to believe. Herod and Pilate refused to believe. So Jesus was killed, but now He is risen, proving that He was who He claimed to be: The King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Son of God and the Savior of the world. But the majority of the people would still refuse to believe. And they were not alone. In the verses above, Mark records that when Mary Magdalene went to the disciples and told them all that had happened, including the fact that she had seen Jesus with her own eyes, they refused to believe her. She found them weeping and mourning over the death of their Master and Savior, but when they heard the good news regarding His resurrection, they were incredulous. It was impossible.

This response of disbelief was going to become routine before the day was over. Time and time again, the disciples would find themselves struggling with disbelief at the thought of Jesus being alive. Even though this was all in accordance with His predictions prior to His death. He had told them He was going to die. And He had told them He would rise again three days later. But now that it had happened, the disciples couldn't bring themselves to accept the news. Later on, Jesus would rebuke them for their unbelief. After revealing Himself to the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:25-27 NLT).

Their belief was based on ignorance. They didn't know the facts. They were biblically illiterate and had missed the major point of what the Scriptures had revealed about the Messiah. But they weren't alone. Their own religious leaders and the experts in the Law had also missed the forest for the trees. These men were highly knowledgeable of the Scriptures, but they too had failed to see the predictions regarding the Messiah's suffering and death. They wanted a conquering king and a political savior. They weren't looking for a suffering savior. They had no use for a martyred Messiah. So when news of Jesus' resurrection began to spread, it was met with unbelief. Why? Because it was unbelievable. It was too good to be true. It was impossible. But when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus, she was in for a surprise. Because not only was the tomb empty, but her dead Messiah was alive and talked with her. I love the encounter between the two of them. Before she even recognized Him, Jesus asked her, "Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" (John 20:15 NLT). Mary thought He was the gardener and responded, "If you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him" (John 20:15 NLT). As far as Mary was concerned, Jesus was still dead, and His body had somehow been misplaced. But then Jesus spoke her name, "Mary!" and immediately she recognized Him and fell at His feet. Her doubt was turned into belief. The impossible had happened. She had had a personal, intimate encounter with the risen Lord. And Jesus instructed her to go and tell the others His message. But they too would struggle with disbelief until they had the same personal, intimate encounter with Jesus. The word of another was not going to be enough. For their disbelief and doubt to be radically reversed, they were going to have to see Jesus face to face. And it is still that way today. We can tell others about our encounter with Jesus. We can share what we have seen and heard, but until they have a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus themselves, they will continue to disbelieve. But thankfully, Jesus is still revealing Himself to doubters today. He is still having personal, life-changing encounters with unbelievers and helping turn them into faithful followers.

I can tell what Jesus has done for me. I can testify that He is indeed risen and alive and active in my life. But it is not until You choose to reveal Yourself to the lost that they will truly believe. Thank You Jesus that You are still patiently, persistently revealing Yourself to a world filled with doubters and disbelievers. And thank You that I was one of them. Amen.

A New Day Dawns.

Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. – Matthew 28:1 NLT

Jesus was dead. His tomb had been sealed by Pilate and armed Roman guards stood at the entrance, in an effort to prevent the disciples from attempting to steal the body and claim that Jesus had risen from the dead. A group of women who had been close followers of Jesus had bought spices in order to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. They got up that Sunday morning, the day after the Sabbath, with plans to anoint His body, if only they could find someone who would help them roll away the stone blocking the entrance. But when they arrived, they found that the stone had already been rolled away and the entrance to the tomb was wide open. Matthew tells us that this was the work of an angel of the Lord. He was accompanied by an earthquake and the very sight of him caused the Roman soldiers to faint. Not exactly news they would want to get out among their peers. But the women entered the tomb and found an angel, but the body of Jesus was nowhere to be seen. They were shocked and stunned. The first thought that ran through their minds was that the body had been stolen or moved. The last thing on their mind was that He might be alive. But the angel told them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body" (Mark 16:6 NLT). He isn't here! What a statement. So simple and obvious, but it contained so much power and carried so much weight. Jesus wasn't where they expected Him to be. Not only that, Jesus was not in the condition in which they thought they would find Him. He wasn't dead. He was alive.

As you read the four Gospel accounts, it can appear that there are contradiction as to just how many angels appeared and which women went to the tomb. But if you look and read carefully, you can begin to see that there are actually a number of events overlapping. In his book, The Christ of the Gospels, J. W. Shephard gives some insight into the chronology of events.

The order of the events of this memorable Sunday, the resurrection day, are probably as follows: the earthquake, followed by the descent of the angel, the opening of the tomb, and the resurrection (Matthew 28:2-4). The group of women came together and started for the tomb at the "very early” hour of “deep dawn,” while it was yet dark. Mary Magdalene being a nimble young woman, eagerly ran ahead and came to the tomb, finding it open. Immediately she ran back by the nearest way to inform Peter and John of this fact (John 20:1). The other women completed their two miles walk from Bethany to the sepulcher, arriving a little after the rising of the sun (Mark 16:2). An angel suddenly appeared to them and gave them an urgent message to the disciples (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:5). Another party of women come a little later, and see “two young men” dressed in white at the tomb, and receive words of comfort and instruction (Luke 24:4). About 6:30 a.m. Peter and John arrive, John running ahead (John 20:3-10). Mary Magdalene coming a little later saw two angels (John 20:11-13). The other women had returned to bear the message to the other apostles (Luke 24:10). About 7:00 a.m. Jesus first revealed Himself to Mary of Magdala (John 20:14-18; Mark 16:9). A little later, He appeared to the company of women returning to the sepulcher, and sent them with the charge to the brethren to go to Galilee (Matthew 28:9). About 4:00 p.m. He appeared to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5), and from 4-6 p.m. to Cleopas and his companion on the way to Emmaus. Finally, in the evening, probably about 8:00 p.m., He appeared to the eleven, and others in the room with barred doors (Luke 24:36; Mark 16:14; John 29:19). Surely this was a never-to-be-forgotten day for the disciples. It made a new world for them, and for His disciples for all subsequent times.

What an amazing day! What an incredible turn of events. The unimaginable and unexpected had happened. Jesus had risen from the dead. And it really was the dawn of a brand new day. Things would never be the same for any of these individuals. The women were given instructions to go and tell the disciples what had happened. But their story wasn't exactly well-received. Luke tells us that "the story sounded like nonsense" to the disciples. So they didn't believe. But Peter and John finally decided to check for themselves and ran to the tomb. They found everything to be just as the women had told them. The body was gone. Jesus was not there. Something incredible had happened. And John ends his account with the words, "Then they went home" (John 20:10 NLT). It sounds so anticlimactic. But what else were they to do? They were in shock. Even though the women had even seen Jesus with their own eyes and He had given them the message, "Don't be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there" (Matthew 28:10 NLT), the disciples weren't really sure what to do. They were still struggling with disbelief and doubt. Could it all be true? Was it all really happening? This new day was only going to get better. Their doubt would turn into belief. Their sorrow would be turned to joy. Their heartache would be replaced with rejoicing. Because Jesus had done exactly what He said He was going to do. He had come back to life. And this was just the beginning!

Father, what a story. What a change in circumstances. How amazing and unbelievable must all of this been for the disciples. It was too good to be true. It was impossible and highly improbable. But they were about to find out that nothing is impossible with You. A new day had dawned. A new age had begun. Amen.

Dead and Buried.

Matthew 27:61-66; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56

So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. – Matthew 27:66 NLT

The two women watched as the body of Jesus was placed in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They silently viewed the rolling of the stone over the mouth of the entrance. Then they returned home to prepare spices and ointments to anoint His body. But they were prevented from returning to the tomb due to the coming of the Sabbath, which would have prevented them from doing any kind of work. But it's painfully clear that these women were not expecting any kind of resurrection from the dead. Their hopes had died when Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross earlier that day. Their dreams were shattered. Their long-awaited Messiah was dead.

Interestingly enough, it was the Jewish religious leaders that had resurrection on their minds. They recalled that Jesus had once claimed that He would rise from the dead. "Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead" (Matthew 16:21 NLT). While this information had been shared by Jesus with His own disciples, news of His claim had obviously made it to the ears of these religious leaders. And the thought of it was like a nightmare to them. That was the last thing they wanted or needed. So they went to Pilate and appealed to him to place armed guards at the tomb in order to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and claiming Jesus had risen from the dead. Even the rumor of resurrection filled them with fear. So Pilate gave in to their request and placed guards at the tomb and sealed the entrance. They were going to do whatever they had to do to keep Jesus dead and buried.

But while the women were preparing the spices to anoint Jesus' body and the guards were preparing to prevent the disciples from stealing it, God was preparing something altogether remarkable and earth-shattering. This was far from the end. Jesus was dead and buried, but far from finished. Something else had to take place to complete God's grand plan. A martyred Messiah was not how this thing was going to end. A dead Savior was part of the plan, but not the culmination. There was more to come, and with the rising sun the next morning, something truly remarkable was going to happen that would shock the guards and the women.

Father, I love this part of the story. Just when things look their bleakest, You are at work behind the scenes planning something so incredible it's hard for us to fathom it. While the religious leaders are worrying about body-snatching disciples, and the women are preparing body-anointing spices, You are planning the resurrection of Your dead Son to new life. What a surprise the morning was going to bring. Amen.

Down to the Last Detail.

Matthew 27:57-6-; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37

These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of this bones will be broken," and "They will look on the one they have pierced." – John 19:36-37 NLT

The death of Jesus was a well-orchestrated event, planned by God Himself and implemented with divine precision and detail. Nothing was overlooked or left to chance. At no point in the proceedings was God ever out of control or having to hastily respond to the plans of men. From the moment of His birth, Jesus' entire life was predetermined by God. Even the timing of His death was part of God's plan. And every single event that surrounded His death, while chaotic in appearance, was methodically thought out and controlled by God. And it had all been predicted by God through His prophets, hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah, referring to the Messiah, wrote "He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave" (Isaiah 53:9 NLT). And we read in the Gospel accounts that Joseph of Arimethea, a rich man and member of the Jewish high council who had been secret follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for permission to take the body of Jesus for burial. Matthew tells us that Joseph placed the body of Jesus in his own newly carved tomb. God the Father was not going to allow His Son's body to be placed in a common burial plot for criminals. He would be buried in a rich man's tomb. The prophet Zechariah had written hundreds of years earlier, "They will look on me on whom they have pierced and mourn for him as an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died" (Zechariah 12:10 NLT). This was another Messianic prophecy, speaking of the one for whom the Israelites had long awaited. And we read in the book of John that the Roman guards, in an attempt to guarantee Jesus' death, "pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out" (John 19:34 NLT). And because the Jewish religious leaders wanted the bodies of Jesus and the two criminals who were crucified along with Him taken down before the Sabbath, the Roman guards broke their legs to hasten their deaths. But because Jesus was already dead, His legs were left intact. This was in direct fulfillment of the words of David found in Psalm 34: "He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken" (Psalm 34:20 NET).

John tells us that "these things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures." The death of Jesus had been predicted because it had been predetermined. It was all part of God's divine plan for redeeming a lost and dying world. It was necessary in order for man's guilt to be dealt with and God's wrath to be satisfied. All of these things happened just as God had planned them to happen. And John tells us that what he wrote in his account was "from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe" (John 19:35 NLT). There was method to the madness. There was a purpose behind it all. As gruesome and hideous as the death of Jesus was, it was necessary. It was the only way for God to deal with sin and still be able to save the sinner. Isaiah reminds us that Jesus "was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 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 of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT). What Jesus suffered, God ordained. All so that we could be saved.

Father, what an incredible, amazing plan. I can't even begin to understand it all. But the detail and the precision of it all is mind-blowing. This was not just some random act of violence or injustice. This was Your divine plan for man's redemption being acted out in human history. Down to the last detail. Thank You! Amen.

An Earth-Shaking Event.

Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45-49

The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. – Matthew 27:51-53 NLT

It's hard for us to grasp just how momentous and significant the death of Jesus was. Each of the gospel writers tell us how His life ended. Matthew says that "Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit" (Matthew 27:500 NLT). Mark describes it this way: "Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last" (Mark 15:37 NLT). Luke gives a bit more detail, recording that "Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last" (Luke 23:46 NLT). Finally, John records that Jesus was offered a sponge soaked in sour wine, and when He had tasted it he said, "‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit" (John 19:30 NLT). In each case, we see Jesus succumbing to the torture and pain to which He had been subjected. His body finally gave in to all the abuse, and Jesus closed His eyes and died. But at that moment, when it appeared that everything was over and His life was ended, some incredible, earth-shattering events took place. Matthew tells us that at that exact moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in half, from top to bottom. But that's not all. The earth shook, rocks split apart and tombs opened. There were some significant geological phenomena that went on. Matthew goes on to tell us that the earthquake itself was so intense that it terrified the Roman soldiers who were overseeing the crucifixion. Jesus' death was anything but normal or uneventful. It was spectacular and special because it signified a momentous change in the relationship between God and man. What is fascinating is that in the final moments of Jesus' death, the leading priests, teachers of religious law, and the elders mocked Jesus, saying, "He saved others, but he can't save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!" (Matthew27:42 NLT). But rather than save Himself, Jesus dies so that He might save others. He died so that we might live. And at the moment He died, something miraculous happened. "The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead" (Matthew 27:52 NLT). Jesus did not save Himself from death, but in dying, He restored these people from death. He delivered them from the grave. This miraculous sign proved that He was who He claimed to be. He really was the King of Israel, and even in death, He had power over the grave. As He hung lifeless on the cross, He brought life back to those who had been dead. And three days later, when He rose from the dead, these rejuvenated individuals would appear in the city of Jerusalem. In essence, they represented the "first fruits," a symbol of what is to come. We don't know if these people went with the Lord when He ascended, or if they stayed on earth. If they stayed on earth, they would have had to have died a second time, just as Lazarus did. But what we do know is that their restored lives were evidence of Jesus' victory over death. He had truly conquered the grave. These people had been dead, but were now raised to new life, and they would appear to many who knew them, proving the veracity of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God.

When most men die, their story ends. Their influence dies with them. But Jesus' death made a powerful impact on the world. It literally shook the earth. It shattered rocks. It opened graves. It raised the dead. It defeated sin and death. It satisfied the demands of a just and holy God. It made possible new life and a restored relationship with God the Father. It was a game-changer and it continues to impact the world today. Jesus wasn't just another well-meaning martyr dying for a cause. He was the innocent Son of God, giving His life as payment for the sins of all mankind. His death was a powerful antidote to the curse of sin and the disease of death. What Jesus did on the cross struck a fatal blow to the enemy and eliminated the strangle hold he had on the lives and souls of men. It was earth-shaking, paradigm-shattering, and sin-conquering. Jesus had done His part. He had fulfilled His Father's will, and He was able to say, "It is finished." Now the rest was up to God the Father.

Father, no man's death has ever had the impact that the death of Jesus did. Earthquakes, miraculous signs and resurrected lives accompanied the death of Jesus. Because His death was like no other. His death was effective and powerful. It wasn't the end of something, but the beginning. Life as we know it was changed that day. The relationship between God and man changed that day. All because Jesus died. Thank You for sending Your Son as a sacrifice for me. Amen.

Access Granted.

Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. – Luke 23:44-45 NLT

Some of the last words spoken by Jesus from the cross were, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?" (Mark 15:34 NLT). This took place at the most crucial moment during His entire ordeal. It was at this point that all the sins of mankind were placed on Him. The penalty and burden of all the sins of all time were transferred onto Jesus and His holy, righteous Father had to turn away. For the first and only time, God the Father and God the Son were separated. Their inseparable bond was broken. No longer could God look on Jesus and say, "This is My Son in whom I am well pleased." He could not look on His Son at all, because of the sins of men. This scene is similar to that in the Old Testament during the days of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Each year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was instructed by God to select two goats. One was sacrificed as a sin offering for the forgiveness of the sins of the people. This first goat was slaughtered and its blood was taken inside the curtain into the Holy of Holies, where it was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. This would purify the Most Holy Place from the sins and rebellion of the people. Then Aaron would sprinkle the remainder of the blood throughout the Tabernacle, purifying it as well. The second goat, called the scapegoat, was kept alive. After having cleansed the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle and the altar, Aaron was to place his hands on the head of the goat and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. This act symbolically transferred the people's sins onto the goat. It bore their sins – the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Then the goat was driven into the wilderness, away from the presence of God, where it was left to die. This event had to take place every single year in order to provide cleansing and forgiveness of sin for the people. But when Jesus died, He satisfied the demands of God once and for all. The book of Hebrews tells us, "The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship" (Hebrews 10:1 NLT). Instead, they served as a constant reminder of their sins year after year. But Jesus came to change all that. "For God's will was for us to made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time" (Hebrews 10:10 NLT). "But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time" (Hebrews 10:12 NLT). Jesus, our scapegoat, took on all our sins and bore the penalty we deserved. He paid our debt with His own life – once and for all.

And when Jesus cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?, it was not cry of surprise or despair. He was not off guard by what was happening. He was actually quoting Psalm 22:1. That incredible Psalm goes on to describe the death of Jesus in amazing detail. "My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divine my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing" (Psalm 22:16-18 NLT). This moment on the cross, when Jesus was temporarily separated from His Son due to the sins of mankind, was all part of the plan. It had to happen. Jesus had to become our scapegoat. And when He had taken on our sins, an amazing thing happened. Luke tells us that at that moment, in the Temple, the heavy curtain that hung at the entrance into the Most Holy Place, was torn from top to bottom. This symbolic barrier between God and man, separating them from one another because ofthe holiness of God and the sins of men, was ripped down the middle. No longer would there be a barrier preventing men from having access to God. There would be no more need for a sacrificial lamb or for blood to be sprinkled by the high priest on the Mercy Seat. When Jesus took on the weight, the burden and the penalty of our sins, He did so once and for all. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place" (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). Jesus bore the penalty for our sins so we wouldn't have to. He suffered separation from the Father so we could gain access to the Father. He died so that we might live. He suffered so we might be saved. So "let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22 NLT).

Father, I can't thank You enough for this incredible plan of Yours. That You would allow Your own Son to take on my sins and die in my place blows me away. I can't fathom why You would do something so incredible. I know it was not because I deserved it. It was because of Your love. Rather than giving me what I justly deserved, You gave me what I could never have earned on my own – Your grace, mercy, favor and forgiveness. Your Son's death provided me with access into Your very presence. The barrier is removed. Access has been granted. Thank You! Amen.

It Was Love.

Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27

A Sign was fastened above Jesus' head announcing the charge against him. It read: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." – Matthew 27:37 NLT

Jesus was guilty. Yes, He was guilty of being the King of the Jews., and it was for that reason He was crucified. Over and over again in the Gospel accounts, that term is used to describe Jesus. It was the main point of questioning by Pilate. It was the one point of accusation to which He would respond when questioned. It was how Pilate presented Him to the people. It was why He was mocked by the Roman guards and what caused them to place a purple robe on His shoulders and a crown of thorns on His head. Pilate even went as far as to have it written on the piece of wood that was nailed to the cross above Jesus' head, signifying His "crime." Interestingly enough, the Jewish religious leaders tried to get Pilate to change the wording, asking him to have it changed to "He said, I am the King of the Jews." But Pilate refused. As Jesus was being crucified, the leading priests and teachers of religious law stood at the foot of the cross, mocking Him. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!" (Mark 15:31 NLT). They shouted, "Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!" (Mark 15:32 NLT).  Even one of the criminals who was being crucified next to Him scoffed, saying, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself – and us, too, while you're at it!" (Luke 23:39 NLT).

And here's the amazing thing: Jesus could have saved Himself. He could have come down off the cross and put an end to His own suffering. He could have dealt with His enemies in righteous indignation, giving them exactly what they deserved – the full wrath of a holy God. But instead, Jesus responded, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34 NLT). And He continued to allow Himself to be ridiculed and mocked. He continued to allow His life to ebb away, so that the very ones who were hurling abuse at Him might one day believe in Him and find forgiveness for their sins and a restored relationship with the Father. Yes, Jesus had the full capacity and power to come down off that cross, because He really was the King of the Jews and He really was the Son of God. He was divine, and yet He suffered and died. Why? What would possess Jesus to go through what He did? Why would He allow His own creation to mock and murder Him? I think the answer is found in the words of a song that I haven't heard in quite some time. It expresses the reality of what held Jesus to that cross that day, and caused Him to give His life for you and for me. Read them slowly and think about them. Consider the significance of what they say. And then express your gratitude to Jesus for what He has done.

He could've called ten thousand angels To deliver Him that day. But He hung there in all His anguish To prepare for me a way.

It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree Nor the angry crowd that cried crucify For when Jesus died upon Calvary It was love that held Him there.

Oh what love beyond all measure That He gave His life for me And I'm so glad that one day in glory His Blessed Face I'll see.

It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree Nor the angry crowd that cried crucify For when Jesus died upon Calvary It was love that held Him there.

Every day I'll tell the story Of His precious love for me How He bled and died on Calvary There to prove His love for me.

Jesus, You literally could have called ten thousand angels. You could have stopped the whole affair and decided that enough was enough. You could have turned Your full divine power against those who were crucifying You, and You would have been completely justified in Your actions. But instead, You remained faithful to Your Father's plan, and You willingly sacrificed Your life for ours. It wasn't nails that held you there. It wasn't Roman guards who kept you on the cross. It wasn't man-made laws or trumped-up charges that caused Your death. It was love. You died because You loved us. You died because Your Father loved us. It was love that held You there and I am forever grateful. Amen.

Don't Weep For Me.

Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17

A large crowd followed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming..." – Luke 23:27-29 NLT

Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who includes this exchange between Jesus and the women who were following along as He bore His cross to the place of execution. As they walked along, they wept. They were shocked by the sequence of events that had unfolded over the last 24 hours. Here was their Messiah, beaten and bloody, the skin on His back flayed away down to the bones, being forced to carry a Roman cross on which He would be crucified. Their minds were filled with confusion. Their hearts were filled with sorrow. But Jesus, in the midst of all His pain and suffering, turns to them and tells them not to weep on His behalf. He warns them that their sorrow must be for all those who, in the future, end up rejecting Him. Because a day is coming when they will be judged for their refusal of the Messiah. Their rejection of their Savior will come back to haunt them. Jesus' statement is very similar to His warning recorded by Matthew in his gospel account. At that time, Jesus had told His listeners that "the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14 NLT). He went on to warn them, "The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again" (Matthew 24:15-21 NLT). Jesus had been talking about the great period of tribulation that is to come at the end of time. This literal seven-year period will take place immediately after the rapture of the Church. It is a time in which the Antichrist rises to power and in which he persecutes the Jewish people as they have never been persecuted before.

I believe Jesus is referring to this very period of time when He warns the women not to weep for Him, but to weep for themselves and their children. He tells them that days are coming when it will be best not to have children. In fact, it will be best to have never had a child. That's how bad things are going to be. Jesus tells them, "For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:31 NLT). He seems to be referring to what will be Israel's continuing spiritual withering and death. Jesus, the Son of God, was being put to death at a time when Israel was supposed to be worshiping God and keeping His commandments. They were still morally young and spiritually somewhat alive. But the day is coming when they will be withered and dry like the tree Jesus cursed along the side of the road because it lacked fruit. The fruitlessness and spiritual apathy of the people of Israel will one day reach a point where they will be punished by God. The great tribulation will be a difficult time for the people of Israel. But even in those days, God will not abandon them. Thousands will come to faith in Christ. God will miraculously defend them from their enemies and deliver them from the assaults of the Antichrist. And He will send His son once again, as a conquering King, who will set up His kingdom on earth in the city of Jerusalem.

As the women weeped for Jesus, they say this as the end. But Jesus wanted them to know that there was much more to come. In just a few short years, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple would both be destroyed by the Romans. Their whole sacrificial system would be done away with. But there would be even more to come. Jesus' death was far from the end of the story. In a way, it was just the beginning. If tears were to be shed, they needed to be shed for all those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior. Judgment is inevitable. Rejection of the Messiah has serious consequences. What the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders were doing to Jesus was horrific and worthy of God's judgment, but all those who reject the gift of His Son will also be worthy of His wrath and condemnation. It is for them that we should weep. It is to them we need to take the story of God's great plan of redemption and reconciliation, made available through the sacrificial death of His Son.

Father, as horrible as the story of Your Son's death is, how much more horrific is the reality that millions of people stand ready to fall under Your righteous judgment because they reject the reality of His death as payment for their sins. They snub Your gift and refuse to accept Your grace. Jesus died, but He rose again. He is alive and well, sitting at Your side and will one day return. But all those who have lived since He died and who have rejected Him will one day be judged by Him. And all those who refuse to accept His death as payment for their sins, will one day have to pay for their sins with their own lives. Give me an increasing burden and heart for those who have yet to hear and those who continue to refuse to listen. Show me how to weep for them as Your Son did for Jerusalem. Amen.

Mocking Their Maker.

Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19

Then they saluted and taunted him, "Hail King of the Jews!" – Mark 15:18 NLT

Can it get any worse? Will the suffering ever stop? Will the ridicule ever cease? How much more will the Son of God have to endure at the hands of those whom He created? Wouldn't the torture of the cross be enough?

I can't help but ask these questions as I read through the ongoing account of Jesus treatment at the hands of the Roman guards. These pagan, war-hardened soldiers had no reason to show Jesus any respect. To them He was simply another in a long line of unfortunate souls whose lives would end hanging on a Roman cross. Jesus was just another Jew who had somehow gotten Himself in trouble with the Roman authorities and now it was up to them to see that he paid the ultimate price. But before Jesus died, these callous men were going to make sure that Jesus suffered humiliation and shame. He would prove to be a convenient outlet for their anger and hostility toward the Jews. And so they dressed Him in a purple robe and stuck a crown of thorns on His head. Then the entire regiment kneeled before Him in mock worship, calling out, "Hail! King of the Jews!" They struck him on the head with a reed stick, driving the thorns deeper into His flesh. They heaped sarcasm on Him, wondering how anyone could have ever mistaken this bloody, beaten Galilean as a king. But in time, even they ran out of steam. The fun was over and they took off the purple robe and replaced it with Jesus' own clothes.

Don't let the significance of this event escape you. This was the Son of God, the creator of the universe, being mocked, slapped, beaten, and humiliated by His own creation. At any moment He could have taken matters into His own hands and dealt with them just as they deserved. He could have called down angels from heaven and complete wiped out the entire regiment in a matter of seconds. But instead, He stood silent and willingly took all that they had to offer. He never complained. He never begged for mercy. He never asked His Father to bring it all to an end. Because He knew this was part of the plan. What these men did simply revealed the sinful state of mankind. The very fact that the Jewish religious leaders were demanding His death gives us a glimpse of just how bad things had become. The world was in desperate need of a Savior. Even the people of God were in need of help from the very one whom they claimed to worship and adore. God was sending His Son to die for the sins of men – the very kinds of sins that were bringing about Jesus pain and suffering. God the Father watched as His own Son bore the shame and humiliation that was meant for those slapping His face and mocking His holiness. Little did they know that they were slapping the face of God. They were ridiculing their Maker. They were shaming their Savior. Their very actions not only condemn them, but reveal their need for Him. It was for their callous, hardened hearts that Jesus came. He was going to die so that they might have access to new hearts and new spirits. His death would pave the way for men to have renewed natures – something that up until that time was impossible for men to ever achieve.

I can't help but fast-forward and think of the change in some of the Roman guards when Jesus died. Matthew tells us, "The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’" (Matthew 27:54 NLT). Oh, how time can change things. They had watched the entire chain of events unfold and their perspective of Jesus would change radically. Even these tough, sinful Roman guards would be impacted by the death of Jesus. We're not told what happened to them, but we can venture to say that their lives would never be the same because of what they witnessed that day. Jesus' death was meant to be life-changing and earth-shattering. The world would never be the same once this day had passed. Yes, men would still be evil and sin-prone. Hatred would still fill the earth. They would still reject God and refuse the offer of His Son. But with the death and resurrection of Jesus, there was now a way to be made right with God and receive a radically new nature that was Spirit-empowered, not sin-prone.

Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son. Thank You, Jesus, for enduring all that You did so that I might have a completely new nature. You did for me what I could have never done for myself. You accomplished what no man who has ever lived could have done. You satisfied the righteous wrath of a holy God and paved the way for us to be restored with Him because of what You have done – in spite of all that we have done. Amen.

King of the Jews.

John 18:39-19:16

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. – John 19:1-3 NLT

The entire scene of Jesus' trial before Pilate has a surreal, almost fictional quality to it. It is hard to imagine that all of it actually took place. Even though the events surrounding His trial are very familiar, I still find it difficult to grasp that the Son of God subjected Himself to that kind of abuse all for my sake. The very idea of the most powerful being in the universe, appearing in human form, and allowing those He had created to mock, reject and ultimately kill Him is a shock to the system. The whole story has a mythical feel about it. But we believe it to be true. We don't see it as a story at all, but as actual historical fact. Every aspect of it took place. As preposterous as it all may sound and unbelievable as it may seem to be, the Son of God DID subject Himself to the abuse and rejection of men. And throughout the proceedings, as Pilate, the soldiers, the Jewish religious leaders, and the people, mocked Jesus, calling Him "King of the Jews," they were actually speaking truth. He really WAS the King of the Jews. The religious leaders demanded His death claiming, "By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God" (John 19:7 NLT). And He really WAS the Son of God. But they refused to acknowledge it and were seemingly incapable of recognizing it. To them, He was nothing more than a blasphemer and a lunatic.

All throughout John's account, the term "King of the Jews" is repeated. Pilate refers to Jesus as "this King of the Jews" hoping to get the people to see how ridiculous the whole affair was. Jesus had already been beaten. He would have looked disheveled and anything but royal in His appearance. So Pilate seems to be attempting to get the people to understand that the only thing for which Jesus was guilty was delusion. He thought Himself to be a king. The soldiers mocked Jesus, crushing a crown of thorns on His head and wrapping a purple robe about His shoulders, shouting, "Hail! King of the Jews!" The people remind Pilate "anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar" (John 19:12 NLT). Finally, Pilate presented Jesus to the people saying, "Look, here is your king!." but one of the leading priests shouted back, "We have no king but Caesar!" The entire episode revolved around Jesus' Kingship. Here was the King of the Jews, the King of kings and Lord of lords, standing right in front of them, and their only response was, "Away with him! Crucify him!" They were refusing Jesus as their King. They were rejecting Jesus as their Lord. And in so doing, they were going to miss the opportunity to have Jesus as their Savior.

The most fascinating exchange of the entire scene is the one between Jesus and Pilate. Here was the Roman governor, backed by the power of the Roman government, seemingly holding the fate of the Son of God in his hands. Pilate told Jesus, "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?" Pilate was frustrated by the whole ordeal. He was trying to help Jesus gain His freedom, but Jesus seemed to be uncooperative. In Pilate's mind, he was the deciding factor in this trial. He had the full power and backing of Rome to do with Jesus as he wished. But Jesus informed him otherwise. "You would have no power over me at all unless it were give to you from above" (John 19:11 NLT). Pilate's authority was God-ordained. Even Rome's power and global dominance was under the control of God Himself. And Pilate's authority over Jesus' life or death was completely in the hands of God. He could do nothing to Jesus that God had not ordained or would allow. The King was in complete control. The sovereign ruler of the universe was orchestrating events just as He had planned them. Pilate was a bit player in God's grand redemptive play. The religious leaders were chess pieces in the hand of God, accomplishing His will, all the while they were gloating over their seeming victory over Jesus.

Jesus may not have looked like a king. He may not have acted like a king. He did not have all the trappings and royal attributes of a king. But He was King nonetheless. And He was willingly subjecting Himself to His Father's plan. He was obediently fulfilling His Father's will – all so that the very people who were demanding His death, might have access to eternal life. He was going to die so that they might be able to receive forgiveness, even for having put Him to death. The King was going to give His life for His own people. He would sacrifice His life for theirs. So when Pilate presented Jesus before the people, covered in blood, draped in a purple robe and wearing a crown of thorns, he shouted, "Look, here is your king!" And no truer words were ever spoken.

The creation killing its creator. It all sounds so ludicrous, so unbelievable. It comes across like a science fiction novel. But it is true. It actually happened. As hard to believe as it may be, it actually took place, just as John recorded it. Father, never let the reality of that day escape me. Don't let me lose the absolute awe of what took place. Your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords, subjected Himself to the ridicule and rejection of those He came to save. He willingly died so that we might live. Unbelievable. Amen.

And Their Voices Prevailed.

Luke 23:13-25

But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.  – Luke 23:23 NLT

The envy of the religious leaders turned the crowd into an angry mob. Their hatred of Jesus had whipped the people into a frenzy, causing them to demand the death of Jesus. All this in spite of three separate pleas from Pilate asking them to reconsider. He told them, "You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent" (Luke 23:14 NLT). Pilate could find nothing about Jesus that was worthy of death, so he offered to release him. But they demanded his death. Pilate even argued with them because he knew that Jesus was innocent of all charges. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Finally, out of desperation, Pilate asked, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death" (Luke 23:22 NLT). But once again, their angry shouts drowned him out. Their voices prevailed.

The vocal minority won the day. You have to remember that it was still very early in the morning when all of this took place. The crowd that had gathered for this spectacle was more than likely hand-picked by the religious leaders. They would have gathered their friends, associates, and family members in order to present a show of force to Pilate. They would have wanted it to appear as if all Jerusalem was in an uproar over this dangerous radical. But the truth is, most people would have been asleep or going about their morning affairs as all this was taking place. But the crowd that was there prevailed. They got their way. Ultimately, Pilate gave in to their demands, washed his hands of the whole affair, and turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

The amazing and sad part of this story is that there was no one there who spoke up for Jesus. When you think of all the people whose lives He had touched, not a single one was there to support Him or to testify on His behalf. That's why I believe the crowd was prearranged. I have to believe that if some of those whom Jesus had healed had known that He was there, they would have shown up to defend Him. But during each one of His trials, not a single solitary soul showed up to speak up for Him. Not even His own disciples. Isaiah prophesied about this very day. "He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care" (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus was alone. The shouts of the crowd rang in His ears. "Crucify Him!" He looked around at those screaming for His death. He saw no one He knew. There wasn't a friendly face to be found. But the faces He saw reflected the true feelings of the majority of those He came to save. They hated Him. Even though most of them did not even know Him. They knew nothing about Him. All they knew they had been told by the religious leaders. Their knowledge of Jesus was based on false accusations and faulty information. They were demanding the death of the Son of God and they didn't even know it. Today, countless millions reject the Son of God, based on false accusations and faulty information. They turn their backs on their only hope because they have received bad information. They've listened to the crowd. They've bought the lies of the so-called "experts." Which is why we need to speak up. Our voices need to shout the truth. We need to proclaim the reality of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for mankind on the cross. We need to boldly drown out the those demanding His death with shouts of "Worship Him! Worship Him!" We need to beg people to place their faith in Him. Paul reminds us that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. We exist to proclaim the truth regarding the life-transforming power of His death and resurrection. Our lives need to be living, breathing testimonies of what faith in Christ is all about. As we talk and share about Jesus and what He has done and is doing in our lives. may our voices prevail. May our shouts of joy, thanksgiving, praise, and witness to His saving power drown out all those who would wish to render Jesus dead or irrelevant.

May our voices prevail. Give us the boldness to proclaim the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. May what we say and how we live give daily witness to the reality of Jesus' life transforming power in our lives. We have remained far too silent for far too long. We have a message to tell to the nations. Give us the courage to shout what we know about Jesus from the rooftops, so that our voices truly do prevail. Amen.

Crucify Him!

Matthew 27:15-27; Mark 15:6-15

Pilate responded, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!"  – Matthew 27:22 NLT

Envy is a powerful force. It can cause normally rational and reasonable people to do things they would never dream of doing. It can drive the heart to enter previously unknown territory. And it's fascinating that both Matthew and Mark make it quite clear that the motivation behind the blind rage of the Jewish religious leaders against Jesus was envy – pure and simple. Matthew records, "He [Pilate] knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy" (Matthew 27:18 NLT). Mark confirms it with very similar words. "For he [Pilate] realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy" (Mark 15:10 NLT). Even Pilate, the Roman governor, saw through the charade of a trial to which they were subjecting Jesus. He would later attempt to absolve himself of any responsibility for Jesus' death, because he found no reason for which to execute Him. "I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours!" (Matthew 27:24 NLT).

Envy sounds like such an innocent and harmless term. We think of envying our neighbor's new car or our coworker's promotion. We know it's probably wrong to envy, but we justify that it isn't really doing anybody any real harm. But envy is a heart disease. It is a symptom of a much greater malady taking place within us. These pious, religious-looking men in their flowing robes, who stood before Pilate that day, gave off the appearance of righteousness and super-spirituality, but they were filled with a cancer that, while unseen to the eye, revealed itself through a variety of hideous symptoms. It reminds me of Paul's description of those who had rejected God, only to be turned over to their own sinful passions. "Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents" (Romans 1:28-30 NLT). In this passage, Paul is actually describing those who have become so depraved that they have twisted God's original intent for human sexual relationships "and the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other" (Romans 1:27 NLT). But notice that right in the middle of Paul's long list of outward signs of these peoples' inward sickness, he lists envy. These people were marked by a variety of serious issues, envy being just one of them. And the same was true of the men who stood before Pilate accusing Jesus of fabricated crimes just so they could eliminate Him as a rival. They were jealous of Jesus. They were envious of His popularity. But these men were more than just envious. They too were wicked, deceptive, malicious, backstabbers, proud, boastful, and ultimately, haters of God. The very fact that they were willing to kill the Son of God showed just how much they truly hated God. They were rejecting the very one whom God had sent to save them from the very sins that drove their actions.

Their envy of Jesus caused them to whip the crowd into a frenzy and turn them against Jesus. Remember, these were many of the very same people who had shouted, "Hosanna!" when Jesus rode into Jerusalem the previous Sunday. The leading priests and elders worked their way through the crowd, spreading their cancer of hate and causing the people demand the death of Jesus. When Pilate, shocked by their demand that he crucify Jesus, asked for an explanation, the "mob roared even louder, "Crucify him!" (Matthew 27:23 NLT). Their envy had spread, infecting the crowd and causing them to turn against Jesus, condemning an innocent man to death. Not only were they willing to demand Jesus' death, they were willing to take full responsibility. "And the people yelled back, ‘We will take responsibility for his death – we and our children’” (Matthew 27:25 NLT). The envy of the religious leaders had blinded the people to the reality of what they were doing. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Peter would preach to the crowds at Pentecost, saying, "With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him" (Acts 2:23 NLT). He went on to tell them, "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" (Acts 2:36 NLT). Luke tells us that the words of Peter "pierced their hearts" and they demanded to know what they should do. There was still hope for them. And more than 3,000 people came to know Christ that day. Their actions were forgivable. Their part in the crucifixion of Jesus was not unpardonable. But the religious leaders would continue to reject Jesus as the Messiah, because their envy was really a symptom of a much greater problem. Even with the evidence of His resurrection and the power revealed through the transformed disciples, these men continued to reject the plan of God. Their pride, arrogance, self-righteousness and self-centeredness would prevent them from seeing the one who could heal them of the disease of sin from which they suffered and for which they would eventually die. Envy was just a symptom of a much-greater need for which Jesus was the solution.

Father, there are so many symptoms that show up in our lives that appear so innocent and harmless, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. There is something far beneath the surface that is driving our behavior and motivating our actions. Give us spiritual eyes to see what is truly taking place within us. Use Your Word like an X-ray machine to look deep inside us and reveal the true nature of our problem. Don't allow us to justify our actions and diminish our problem. Ultimately, all sin is against You, and Your Son is the only solution. Amen.

Curious, But Uncommitted.

Luke 23:6-12

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. – Luke 23:8 NLT

Pilate, having found nothing about Jesus worthy of putting him to death, decided to buy himself time by sending Jesus to Herod, who was the Roman-appointed ruler over over Galilee. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem that week and was excited to have the opportunity to meet Jesus face to face. He had heard much about Him, and Luke comments that he was anxious to see Jesus perform one of the miracles He was so famous for. But Herod was an evil man with a wicked reputation. It was he who had had John the Baptist beheaded, because John had spoken boldly and bluntly about Herod's immoral relationship with his wife, who he had stolen from his own brother. Herod was a power-hungry individual who had inherited title and power from his father, Herod the Great, the one who attempted to eliminate Jesus after his birth by ordering the murder of all male infants two and under. Herod Antipas was on friendly terms with the Romans because they held the key to his power and influence.

But his only interest in Jesus was superficial. He was curious. He had heard much about Jesus and would have loved to have seen Him perform some kind of miracle or sign, kind of a parlor trick, right in front of him. But Jesus remained silent the entire time He was before Herod. He refused to answer his questions or enter into a dialogue with him. Jesus knew who he was and what he had done to John the Baptist. Herod was unrepentant and unchanged. Herod bombarded Jesus with question after question, while the religious leaders shouted accusations against Him. In time, Herod ran out of patience and his questions because taunts and ridicule. He and his soldiers began to mock Jesus. Then they put a royal robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. Even that simple act of scorn was a subtle reminder that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. He was the King of the Jews. He was the Messiah. This Roman-appointed ruler had placed a royal robe on Jesus, unknowingly validating Jesus' claims.

But Herod's curiosity did little to change his view of Jesus, and it did nothing to change his own spiritual condition. He had greeted Jesus with interest and the hopes of witnessing a miracle, but when his desires went unmet, he treated Jesus with scorn and rejected Him. And so it is with many today. There are those who are curious about Jesus and who would love to see if He could do for them what He has done for others. They come to Him driven by curiosity and interested to see if He can make their life better, remove some pain they are experiencing, or simply alleviate the boredom they are experiencing from life. But when Jesus doesn't perform as requested or answer all their questions, they simply reject Him. They do not want from Jesus what He came to offer, but prefer to demand from Jesus what they think they need. When He fails to deliver, they simply cast Him aside as unneeded and unnecessary. I am sure that Herod had no need of Jesus. He was rich, powerful, influential and used to getting his way. He was immune to ridicule and capable of eliminating any and all opposition. Jesus was a blip on the radar screen of his life, who held little or no interest for him, other than as an object of curiosity. His only reaction to the Son of God standing in his presence had been ridicule and scorn. He had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Father, how many continue to reject Your Son today. They come curious about all that they've heard, but they are unwilling to listen to what Jesus has to say about their lives. They only want from Jesus what they get to decide. But Jesus isn't a personal Genie in a bottle. He isn't a personal life coach intent on assisting us with our self-imposed, self-improvement plans. He came to deliver us from our sin and release us from God's righteous condemnation of death. May my life be witness to those around me, that what Jesus came to provide is so much better than any miracle they may want to see Jesus perform. He came to transform us, not entertain us. He came to restore our relationship with God, not fulfill our curiosity. Let my life be an ongoing witness to that fact. Amen.

The Truth On Trial.

Matthew 27:2-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." – John 18:37 NIV

Jesus had been brought before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Now the Jewish religious leaders would have to convince Pilate that Jesus was a threat to his government and worthy of death. I find it fascinating that these men were more than willing to use the Roman governor to carry out their plan to put Jesus to death, but refused to set foot in his house because of fear that it would defile them. What a clear contrast between their religion and what Jesus came to offer. He had spent His time with tax collectors and sinners. He had ministered to Roman centurions and Samaritans. He would have had no problem walking into Pilate's home, because Pilate was just the sort of person Jesus came to save. But on this occasion, the high council of the Jews stood outside Pilate's headquarters shouting accusations against Jesus. The charge of blasphemy, while more than enough cause for death as far as the Jews were concerned, would have meant nothing to Pilate. So they accused Jesus of a litany of trumped up charges, including telling the people not to pay their taxes to Rome. But Jesus would not respond to any of these false accusations. The only time He spoke was in reference to the truth regarding Him being the King of the Jews. Jesus explained, "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 18:36 NLT). The truth was, Jesus was a King. He was the King of kings and the Lord of lords. But His kingdom was of a completely different class and kind than that to which Pilate was familiar. Jesus had a throne, but it awaited Him in heaven. His kingdom was much greater and grander than anything the Romans or Caesar himself could ever imagine. For the time being, Satan would remain king of the world. He would maintain his authority and rule over the lives of men for a little while longer, but even that was going to change.

Jesus was not just a king, He was THE King. And it was for that reason He was born and why He came into the world. He was born to be King and He would die because He was King. But few, including Pilate, would recognize the truth of His claim. In fact, Pilate asked Jesus the age-old question, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NLT). Which is ironic, because the one who referred to Himself as the way, the truth and the life was standing right in front of him. But Pilate didn't acknowledge the truth of who Jesus was, even though he referred to Jesus as, "this King of the Jews" when asking the Jews what they wanted him to do with Him. He found Jesus guilty of nothing more than claiming to be the King of the Jews, and it would be for this reason that Jesus would ultimately die. No other charge was ever proven against Him except that one. He acknowledged no other accusation against Himself, except that one. The truth was that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The truth was that Jesus was going to sacrifice His life for that of His own people. He was the King who would give up His life for the citizens of His own Kingdom.

Father, the more I study the last days of Your Son's life on this planet, the more I am blown away by the sheer magnitude of what He did for me. All of the events surrounding His final days are packed with meaning and overflowing with significance. Here was the King of kings standing before a lowly Roman governor, placing Himself at the mercy of a mere man and allowing him to decide His fate. Here was the King of the Jews allowing the so-called religious leaders of the Jewish people to falsely accuse Him and demand His execution. Here was the creator of the world allowing His own creation to treat Him like a common criminal. All so that the truth could be made known. His death was part of the truth. His selfless sacrifice was part of the truth. His substitutionary death was part of the truth. His resurrection would be part of the truth. And His eventual return will fulfill all truth. He was exactly who He claimed to be. Amen.

The Next Morning.

Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71

Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law – the entire high council – met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman Governor. – Mark 15:1 NLT

As the new day broke, Jesus was brought before the high council of the Jews one more time. This august assemblage of Hebrew religious leaders looked on Jesus with contempt and disgust. To them, He was anything but the Messiah. He was a trouble-making nobody from Nazareth who had somehow managed to garner Himself a following among the poorer and less intelligent common people. He may have been the poor man's Messiah, but He was not theirs. So they asked Him one more time, just to make sure, "Tell us, are you the Messiah?" (Luke 22:67 NLT). They wanted to hear Him say it one more time. Perhaps He had time to think about it during the night and was willing to recant His statement from the night before. But Jesus boldly and defiantly responds, repeating what He had said just hours earlier: "If I tell you, you won't believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won't answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God's right hand" (Luke 22:68-69 NLT).

If Jesus was trying to get a reaction from them, He succeeded, because they all shouted, "So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?" (Luke 22:70 NLT). They wanted to hear Him say it one more time, because His claim to be the Son of God was the one thing for which they could accuse Him. It would be His only crime. And Jesus confirmed it when He said, "You have said it" (Luke 22:70 NLT). That was all they needed. From there the entire high council led Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. With their robes flowing and their heads held high, they led the Son of God, their very own Messiah toward His ultimate execution. They had to take Him to Pilate because under Roman rule, the Jews were not allowed to put anyone to death. For Jesus to be killed, they were going to have to convince the Romans that Jesus was a threat to the peace and security of the nation. As the Roman governor of Judea, Pilate would have a special interest in anything or anyone who might be stirring up trouble, dissent, or possible insurrection among the Jews. The last thing He wanted was trouble among the Jews. His was an appointed position and he could lose it if it appeared that he was losing control of those under his jurisdiction.

So off they marched, the Jewish religious leaders leading the way, and Jesus, beaten and bloodied, following in their path. It was the beginning of the end. But things were far from over. This was all part of God's divine plan. At no moment was He out of control or wondering what was happening. He and His Son were fully in charge of the proceedings that morning, in spite of what the religious leaders may have thought. Isaiah had predicted, "But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy long life, and the Lord's good plan will prosper in his hands" (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). Jesus was walking not just to His death, but toward His destiny. With each step He took, He drew closer to the very purpose for which He came. He was born to die. He lived so that He might give His life away. Jesus had always known that this was the reason for His incarnation. He had made it clear on numerous occasions. "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28 NLT). The time was drawing closer. The days of His earthly ministry were coming to a close. The redemptive plan of God the Father was about to be unveiled.

Father, it is difficult to understand just why it had to happen this way. Everything in us makes us want to think it could have been done differently. But You knew there was no other way. You knew that the penalty of sin required a high price and a perfect sacrifice. Nothing and no one could satisfy Your just and righteous demands, except the death of Your own sinless Son. While I can't fully understand it, I do appreciate it. I am grateful that You did for me what I could never have done for myself. Amen.

In Front of Witnesses.

John 18:15-18, 25-27

Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciple. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest's courtyard with Jesus. Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. – John 18:15-16 NLT

John's account of what happened that fateful night when Jesus was arrested and Peter denied Him sheds a whole new light on things. In his usual style, John refers to himself in the third person, saying, "as did the other disciple" and "then the disciple who knew the high priest." Previously unnoticed by most of us, John was at the scene of Peter's worst moment and witnessed it all. If you're like me, you probably pictured Peter as having been alone that night. And if you only read thethree synoptic gospels, you would never have realized that John accompanied Peter and even made it possible for him to gain entry into the inner courtyard of the high priest's house. Somehow John was acquainted with the high priest and was recognized by the woman who was manning the gate, so he was afforded immediate access into the courtyard. Peter, unknown to the woman, was denied entry. But a word from John made it possible for Peter to join him inside the courtyard. And it was there that Peter's already devastating night turned into a personal nightmare. His denial of Jesus did not take place in anonymity, but was witnessed by one of his closest friends and fellow disciples. John seems to be gracious in his account, somewhat softening the force of Peter's three denials. And yet, it was probably he who informed Matthew, Mark and Luke just what was said that night. Or perhaps, some time after Pentecost, Peter himself was the one who shared the exact words he used that night.

But it is painful to think just how embarrassing and humiliating Peter's actions must have been to him, having been witnessed by his friend John. But John makes to statement or levels no indictment against Peter. He draws no conclusions or reaches no verdict. He simply states what happened in a somewhat matter-of-fact manner. "Again Peter denied it. And immediately the rooster crowed" (John 18:27 NLT). But the weight of what Peter had done drove him to run from the courtyard weeping bitterly. He had denied His Lord and Savior. He had done exactly what Jesus had predicted he would do. And he had done it right in front of one of his own friends. It is one thing to fail alone. It is another thing to fail in front of witnesses. It is quite another thing to fail in front of those you know and whose opinion of you matters. And failure had to have been one of the feelings Peter encountered that evening. He had failed to live up to his own hype. He was the disciple who had sworn that he would die for Jesus before He ever denied Him. Strong words. Weak resolve.

While we are not told what happened next in the courtyard, we can assume that John stayed right where he was as Peter ran away. And John seems to have stayed by the Lord's side all the way to the cross. He will be the only one mentioned as having been at the cross the day Jesus died. Everyone else, including Peter, had run away. There is not a lot to conclude from all this. There is no real moral lesson at this point. Jesus is under arrest. He has been beaten about the head and face, spit upon and ridiculed. Peter has denied him. John has had to witness it all and must have felt incredibly alone and despondent as he watched his friend slink away in shame and His Master be led away in chains. It was not a good night. And the next day would not get any better. But for those of us who know how the story ends, we know there is a light shining in the darkness. There is hope right around the corner. Peter's shame will turned to rejoicing. John, all alone for the moment, will once again find himself surrounded by friends and fellow believers. This dark moment was necessary. Peter's denial had to happen, but he would one day proclaim unashamedly and boldly, "God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted at the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand" (Acts 2:32-33 NLT). And John would be there to witness his transformation from a denier into a proclaimer.

Father, the story of Peter is the story of us all. We are all capable of denying Your Son at any given moment. We are all guilty of having denied Your Son on numerous occasions over our lifetimes. But You are the God who transforms deniers into proclaimers. You are always using our weakest moments to remind us of our need for You. You even use those who witness our failures to encourage us to remain faithful. You are still writing the next chapter of each of our lives. Because You are faithful, loving and gracious. You were not done with Peter and You are not done with me. Amen.

A Look From the Lord.

Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flushed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” – Luke 22:61 NLT

When I first ran across the verse above, it hit me like a brick to the forehead. While it was hard enough to imagine what Peter must have felt like after having denied Jesus three times in a row, I could not fathom what went through his mind after having just done so and them making eye contact with Jesus Himself. This all took place in the courtyard of the high priest's home. It was late in the evening, and the Temple guards had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard. It seems that Peter was the only disciple who risked following Jesus after He was arrested. Matthew and Mark tell us that he followed at a distance, and then sat in the courtyard among the guards warming himself by the fire. That's when the trouble began. It may have been dark, but there was enough light from the fire to illuminate Peter's face and, as a result, he was recognized. A servant girl noticed him and shouted out, "This man was one of Jesus' followers" (Luke 22:56 NLT). What Peter didn't seem to realize was that he and the disciples had become celebrities. With Jesus' growing reputation, they also gained a certain degree of notoriety. And this young servant girl had seen Peter with Jesus. But Peter denied it, exclaiming, "Woman, I don't even know him" (Luke 22:57 NLT). Which had to beg the question, then was he there? What was he doing in the high priest' courtyard in the middle of the night? But Peter would go on to deny Jesus two more times. And each time he was confronted, his denials became more intense and strident. He was feeling the heat of the moment. He was scared and all his bluster of a few hours earlier had faded away. While he had at one time swore that he was willing to die for Jesus, on this night he couldn't even bring himself to acknowledge that he knew Him. Then the rooster crowed. And as if that wasn't bad enough, Jesus glanced over and caught the eye of Jesus Himself. What a moment. What a scene.

We know from Matthew and Mark's account, that Jesus was interrogated inside the house. After Jesus acknowledged that He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One, Caiaphas ripped his own robe and accused Jesus of blasphemy. The other priests and religious leaders agreed and they condemned Him to death. Then Jesus was blindfolded, spit on, and slapped and punched repeatedly in the face, while they mocked and teased Him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?" (Matthew 26:68 NLT). And then He was led away. It was at this point that Jesus, beaten, bruised and bloody, would have had His encounter with Peter. While Peter had been warming himself by the fire and denying the truth about himself, Jesus had been suffering abuse for willingly admitting the truth of who He was. That moment when Peter glanced over and saw Jesus' eyes had to have been riveting and heart-sinking for him. They magnitude of what he had just done hit him like a freight train. We aren't told what kind of look Jesus gave Peter. We don't know if He was sad, angry, disappointed, hurt, or shocked. But that split second of eye contact with Jesus had to have been one of the most difficult moments in Peter's life. The reality of all that was happening began to sink in. The truth of all that Jesus had been trying to tell the disciples regarding His coming trials and death became all too clear. "And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly" (Luke 22:65 NLT).

When I think about what Peter may have seen when he locked eyes with Jesus, I tend to believe that Jesus showed love and compassion. His was not a look of disappointment or disgust. He did not try to make Peter feel ashamed or humiliate him with a knowing shake of His head. I truly believe that Jesus, bruised and bloody as He may have been, looked on Peter with love. He was the Good Shepherd. He knew Peter's weaknesses and He had even predicted Peter's denial of Himself. He was not shocked, surprised, or put out. I believe Jesus looked at Peter and smiled in a loving, gracious, forgiving way. He understood. And He knew that God was not done with Peter yet. Too often, when we fail Jesus or even deny Him in some way, we tend to think that He looks on us with anger, resentment, disappointment, and frustration, shaking His head in disgust at our inability to do even the most simple things well. But that view reflects a poor understanding of the character of Jesus. It reveals a misunderstanding of His love, mercy and grace. Jesus had come to die for just such a person as Peter. He had come to deliver Peter from the control of his own sinful flesh. That's why Peter could later write, "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold and silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God" (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT). The look Peter received from Jesus was the same look He shows us when we stumble and fall. It is a look of compassion, understanding, empathy, and love. Jesus came to save sinners. He came to help those who have come to understand that they can't help themselves. Jesus isn't disappointed when we fail to measure up, as much as He is when we fail to look up to Him for help. A look to the Lord can be life changing. It will be difficult. It may even be humbling and humiliating, but it will always be a look of love. He loved you enough to die for you. He loves you enough to forgive and transform you. Look to Jesus. Even when you've denied Him.

Lord, I am so grateful that when You look at me, it is always with love, not disgust. I know I let You down in so many ways, but I also know that Your eyes are always filled with compassion and love for me. You died for me. You love me more than I will ever understand – at least in this lifetime. You suffered on my behalf. You bore my sins. You took my penalty and died the death I deserved. All because You love me. When I stumble and fall, You still love me. You never fall out of love for me. That's hard for me to understand, but help me grasp the truth of it in my daily life. You never stopped loving Peter, even after what he had done. You love him to the end. And You will love me to the end as well. Thank You. Amen.

Guilty As Charged.

Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24

Jesus replied, "I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” – Mark 14:62 NLT

When Jesus was finally brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, He found Himself in a room crowded with leading priests, elders and teachers of religious law. Even the high council or Sanhedrin was there. They had pulled out all the big guns for this final showdown with Jesus. There is little doubt that they intended this evening to result in the elimination of Jesus as a threat to their authority and way of life. He had been a thorn in their side for far too long, and now they were going to deal with Him. The only problem was that they needed solid accusations for which to bring this matter before the Roman authorities. They were wanting to have Jesus put to death and they did not have the authority to do so. They were going to have to convince the Roman authorities that Jesus had committed a crime worthy of death. So all these well-educated religious leaders were attempting to find any evidence that they could use against Jesus. But even when they couldn't find any charges worthy of death, they didn't let that stop them. They had arranged for a variety of individuals to come and give witness against Jesus, but they all ended up contradicting one another. These people were more than willing to accuse Jesus, probably for the hope of financial gain. Finally, some men stood up and claimed that they heard Jesus say that He was going to destroy the Temple. "We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands’” (Mark 14:58 NLT). These men were actually twisting what Jesus had actually said. What Jesus had actually said was, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (John 2:19 NLT). Jesus had made this statement early in His ministry. It took place immediately after He had cleansed the Temple for the first time. The Jewish leaders had confronted Him, asking Him what He thought He was doing and who gave Him the authority to do it. Then they asked Him to give them a miraculous sign to prove His authority. That's when Jesus made His statement regarding the destruction and raising of the "temple." They obviously didn't understand that He was talking about His own death and resurrection. They saw Jesus' statement as ridiculous, exclaiming, "What! It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuilt it in three days?" (John 2:20 NLT).

So in the minds of those accusing Jesus, His statement came across as the words of an insurrectionist. He had claimed He was going to destroy the Temple – Herod's Temple. Now they were getting somewhere. This was just the kind of evidence they needed to bring before the Romans. The last thing the Roman authorities would want is someone threatening the peace and security of Jerusalem. But to the obvious disappointment of the religious leaders, even the men who accused Jesus couldn't get their stories straight. So in frustration, the high priest asked Jesus, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" (Mark 14:60 NLT). But Jesus said nothing. The charges were false and He remained silent. Then the high priest asked Him point blank, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" (Mark 14:61 NLT). This was the real issue. When all was said and done, this was the main point of contention between Jesus and the religious leaders. He had claimed to be the Messiah. That was the reason the people followed Him. It was for that reason the people welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!" when He had arrived in Jerusalem the previous Sunday. He had set Himself up as having been sent by God. Not only that, He had claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus responded to Caiaphas' question by saying, "I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62 NLT). His statement brought an immediate reaction from the crowd because they knew exactly what He was saying. He was claiming to be God. His use of the phrase, "I Am" was intentional. It was the very same way God referred to Himself when He spoke to Moses at the burning bush. Moses had asked God what name He should give when the people ask who it was who sent him. God said to tell them, "I Am who I Am" had sent him. Jesus was clearly associating Himself with God. He was using the same language that God had used in order to refer to Himself. On top of that, Jesus claimed that He was going to be sitting at God's right hand, a place of honor and power, and that He would be returning some day. That was all they needed. Caiaphas tore his clothes in shock. They no longer needed any witnesses. Jesus had committed the unpardonable sin: blasphemy. He had claimed to be God. In reality, it was Jesus' words that were the problem. Blasphemy was based on injurious or disrespectful words or speech. In their minds, by saying what He said, Jesus had diminished the holiness of God. He had treated God with disrespect and dishonored His "otherness" or set-apartness. By claiming to be God, Jesus had become an offense to God – at least in their minds.

Their immediate response was violent. They began to spit on Him. They blindfolded him and beat Him with their fists. They mocked Him, telling Him to use His "divine" powers to tell them who it was who was hitting Him. The one piece of evidence they needed, Jesus gave them. And all He did was speak the truth. He acknowledged who He was. To do anything other than that would have truly been blasphemy. If Jesus had denied His deity, He would have been an offense to God. So He spoke the truth, and it set in motion everything that was about to happen. Jesus was guilty as charged. Not of blasphemy, but of being the Son of God and the Savior of the world. His crime was being God. And His punishment would be death. But it was for just that purpose He had come. God had come to die on behalf of sinful men. He had come to sacrifice His own life for the lives of all those who deserved death. It was because Jesus was spotless, sinless, and blameless that He was condemned to die. His worthiness was what led to His demise. He was guilty of being God, and nothing else. And it is for that reason that He made a perfect sacrifice. He was guilty as charged and we are innocent because of it.

Father, Your sinless Son was put to death because He was holy, righteous, and fully God. He was killed because He was who He said He was. He died because He was the only one who was undeserving of death. He was innocent, and we were guilty, but He is the one who died. All so that we might have life. What an amazing turn of events. What an incredible plan.  Amen