John 19:38-42 - Joseph and Nicodemus Bury Jesus

John 19:38-42

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Message: Joseph and Nicodemus Bury Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has died. Now he is to be buried. Ancient Jews and even Jews today, have great respect for the body of the deceased. My father currently practices orthodox Judaism and it is very important that a body is buried and not cremated. He also believes it very important to bury a body in a wooden casket, with holes. He thinks the body I think should return to dust and the creatures of the earth should be allowed to get to the body, rather than being in a sealed coffin. And in this case, it was no different. With the day of the week as it was, coming upon Passover, the body would not stay on the cross. Normally, it seems it would have stayed and vultures would be allowed to get at it. But with it being Passover, it violated Jewish law to leave a body hanging overnight (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). 

The disciples were last seen in the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas has taken officials and soldiers to arrest Jesus. It was here that the disciples did not go along or follow Jesus but stayed behind, in a way showing not their allegiance to him, but their cowardice (John 18:1). But now, after Jesus has died, maybe in them coming to Jesus, 2 disciples come back to bury Jesus, maybe feeling a little bit of remorse for not going along with him previously. These two - Joseph and Nicodemus - were members of the Sanhedrin, an administrative body of Jews that met at the temple of Jerusalem. perhaps I can understand how when Jesus was arrested and it included Jewish officials at his arrest that these two would have not added to the commotion but let things go. 

Perhaps at the time of Jesus' arrest they never imagined that he would be crucified, and so upon Jesus being crucified they had compassion for him and now they came forth. Or perhaps in their roles as members of the Sanhedrin and His disciples that it made most sense or they had a felt responsibility to tend to the burial of Jesus. 

Reading this and seeing this makes me wonder about myself. How often do I say these words, "I am a Christian" or acknowledge that I am a Christ follower. How quick I am to show my allegiance especially in situations where it might end up being ridicule that comes my way. Or rather how quick am I to go along instead with the crowd. 

I am not sure if I would have made a big deal of the burial and been careful to bury Jesus. Sometimes I am not good at those things and being careful. And I am probably one to wait for someone else to be responsible for this. 

I enjoy the word of Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) and here he speaks -- "The sight of the Cross not only leads to courage, and kindles a love which demands expression, but it impels to joyful surrender. Joseph gave a place in his own new tomb, where he hoped that one day his bones should be laid by the side of the Master against whom he had sinned-for he had no thought of a resurrection. Nicodemus brought a lavish, almost an extravagant, amount of costly spices, as if by honour to the dead he could atone for treason to the living. And both the one and the other teach us that if once we gain the true vision of that great and wondrous love that died on the Cross for us, then the natural language of the loving heart is- ‘Here, Lord! I give myself away; ‘Tis all that I can do.’"

Those are great words about Joseph and Nicodemus whereby their cowardice changed to allegiance and pride towards Jesus. 

Summary: Jesus has passed away and Joseph and Nicodemus come forward now to bury Jesus. Once ashamed or hiding from his arrest, now they take his burial serious and with honor. 

Promise: From Tabletalk -- It is sin to hide our allegiance to Christ (Matt. 10:32–33), but it is not unforgivable. The key is that we repent of being ashamed or afraid of our identification with Christ and publicly declare that we are His disciples. This is what Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus did when they took Jesus’ body for burial. If we have been ashamed of Jesus, let us repent today and ask the Lord to give us the courage to be known as disciples of Christ.

Prayer: I want to be proud always to be a disciple of Jesus. I need courage Lord and conviction always, in the company of anyone. Help me be true to myself. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 19:31-37 - Unbroken Bones and a Pierced Side

John 19:31-37

31 The Jews therefore, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high [day]) asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away. 32 The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other man who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs; 34 but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water. 35 And he who has seen has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN." 37 And again another Scripture says, "THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED." 

Message: Unbroken Bones and a Pierced Side

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: After Jesus speaks His last words on the cross, having been crucified, the Jews wanted Jesus removed from the cross. The Jews were concerned about the Law rules. The Sabbath was beginning shortly and per the Law a body hanging on a tree overnight ceremonially defiled the land (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).  The Jews had the soldiers break the legs of the other men being crucified but coming to Jesus they saw that He had already died. To confirm this, they pierced his side with a speak and saw blood and water. And this fulfilled scripture:

Exodus 12:46 - ...you are not bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, not are you to break any bone of it. 

Numbers 9:12 - They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it.

Psalm 34:20 - He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 

Thus, by not breaking Jesus' bones, it can be seen that scripture has been fulfilled.  

Summary: The Jews confirm Jesus death by the soldiers piercing His side, but breaking his legs is not necessary is it is with others, fulfilling Scripture. 

Promise: The death of Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecy. 

Prayer: God, you are holy and true. Your ways are eternal and you make all things new and give life to creation. I have sinned and not only I, but those you have placed in my charge - my family. Please forgive those sins. Thank you for the act of Jesus and dying on the cross. Bring meaning of this to me more and to those around me. Make this important to those living with us and my children who have now departed. Be glorified always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 19:23-24 - Jesus' Garments Divided

John 19:23-24

23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. 24 They said therefore to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS.”

Message: Jesus' Garments Divided

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: At any crucifixion, the soldiers carrying out the execution had rights to the accused's clothing. In this case, the soldiers cast lots to determine how to divide our Lord's garments. This was a seemingly random event, but something also customary. In our gospel though it is mentioned and attention is brought forward to us to consider. 

This passage fulfilled a scripture from Psalm 22. In looking at that Psalm it contains language in 31 verses of a cry to God of anguish and pain. In a book I have, "Exploring the Psalms" by John Phillips, copyright 1985 he mentions that the event which resulted in these words is not apparent. Whatever it was, he describes a situation graphically, "He was pinned to one spot, his enemies gathered all around, deprived of his clothing, subjected to at least one form of torture (for his hands and feet have been wounded), absolutely friendless. Somewhere in the background were many friends but even so his enemies were many and strong, his sufferings prolonged, and his mental and spiritual anguish intense. His chief pain, however, lay in the fact that God seemingly had abandoned him." It is Psalm written 1,000 years before the crucifixion of Jesus and yet it captures the feelings that Jesus must have felt at the cross. 

Yet, in all of the words from this Psalm:

• why have You forsaken me? 
• I cry by day, but You do not answer; 
• despised by the people. 
• Be not far from me, for trouble is near; 
• all my bones are out of joint

Instead, what is referenced here in John is verse 18 of Psalm 22 - "They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." 

Perhaps what John wants us to see here is despite the greatest event in history happening here before many, the death of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ - in the midst of it were soldiers that didn't see anything significant about the event but were treating it like anything else. And then were focused on Jesus' clothing and who gets what, deciding to cast lots to determine who gets what. 

It is a reminder of what happens every Sunday. So many in our world go on with their lives while only a remnant gathers to worship God and learn from Him at church. Each day I arise early to have my time with God in His word or try to do this each day - and yet I know this practice is not held by many. Most of us simply carry on their lives, engrossed in their desires and their wants and events and focused on providing for their own needs. 

For the soldiers they were missing something right in front of them. They failed to see the significance of that moment. Instead, they were going on with their lives. 

Summary: The soldiers, like they do at any crucifixion, take Jesus' garments and divide them for their own use, casting lots, but this too fulfills scripture from Psalm 22:18. 

Promise: Christ was stripped of His clothing, that we might be clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

Prayer: Help me God to not miss what you are doing. I too often am so focused with my day and what I am going through and wanting to accomplish that I miss out on what You have right before my eyes. Wake me up and help me to find significance in what you have for me - be it at church worshiping you and listening to a sermon or in a class or whenever I am in. Help me to focus on the moment that You have before me, even with my wife as she shares her day. And help us Lord to be focused on praying. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 19:16-22 - The King of the Jews Crucified

John 19:16-22

16 So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.

17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

Message: The King of the Jews Crucified

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Even up to the point of Jesus' crucifixion, the Jews wanted to be in control of the proceedings. Pilate wrote above Jesus - King of the Jews, but the Jews wanted a clarification with Jesus saying, "I am the King of the Jews." But that was it and Pilate would not change the reading. 

As I have discovered in this reading, prior to Pilate finally giving over Jesus he had him flogged and scourged, perhaps thinking that beating would be enough for the Jewish officials. But it wasn't and so now in going to bear His cross and going to the place of crucifixion, though the Gospel of John does not mention it, the other gospels do mention more scourging of Jesus which would have left him very weak. He was so weak he was unable to carry the cross beam on his shoulder Simon of Cyrene was grabbed from the crowd to carry it. 

I think it is hard somewhat to think of the flogging and scourging that Jesus received. It was necessary for Jesus to die, but the beating he received and infliction of pain was indeed severe. And maybe it is easier to not think about it. Crucifixion was indeed the most extreme form of the death penalty in first century Roman Empire. It was an agonizing process to die in this way - a slow death, with nails driven through their extremities. Hard to fathom and yet not a death march that seems to have been repeated in history. I read though where it lasted until about 400 AD. 

Summary: Jesus is taken to be crucified and the sign of King of the Jews is displayed over him in a mocking way. 

Promise: Jesus bears the wrath for us and it should give us confidence that his love is an enduring love.

Prayer: Thank you God for saving my soul. Thank you God for making me whole. You God are my Savior and Lord and I thank you for your great love for me. It is hard to read and think about the pain you suffered, even that many suffered in dying a crucified way. Thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for the life that I have in You and the peace that You give. I want others to have that same peace and joy and love. You are the great One. Keep me focused on You. Go before me today and give me Your Strength. Help those you place in my life. Give me confidence to speak boldly of you today and to trust in You. Be my rock and My hope. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 19:1-5 - Pilate Presents Jesus to the Crowd

John 19:1-5 

1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; 3 and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. 4 Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”

Message: Pilate Presents Jesus to the Crowd

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus' fate is clear now - he will be crucified. In this passage Jesus is scourged, a crown of thorns placed on his head, a purple robe over him, and people can now slap him on the face as well and poke fun of him - Jesus, King of the Jews - with Pilate presenting Jesus to the crowd. 

Matthew and Mark provide similar accounts of the scourging of Jesus or the process leading up to His crucifixion. I find this interesting that the level of detail is not great. Luke really doesn't have any detail of His scourging but more detail given once he arrives at the crucifixion.  

Matthew 27 marks the account starting in verse 26, "Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified." And then further detail, "27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. 32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross."

Mark provides a similar, though not as much detail account in chapter 15 again with a statement of summary, "Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross."

I am reminded of the movie, the Ox-Bow Incident, a 1943 western with Henry Fonda. At a saloon, ranchers get news that one of their own has been murdered. A posse is put together and based upon some circumstantial evidence, a man is in the process of being hanged for a crime, though he is innocent. This is actually a fairly consistent theme or plot that shows up in movies. The Wrong Man, also with Henry Fonda from 1957 chronicles a man being accused of robbery only to later discover he was mistaken for looking like the real thief.  And then Henry Fonda once again stars in 12 Angry Men (1957), my favorite movie, about a jury debating the fate of a young man accused of a crime. 11 believe him guilty while 1 has questions and the movie is about all 12 men deliberating in a room the fate of this young man, only to see him exonerated. In all of these movies, the innocent man is exonerated. But with Jesus, though seemingly innocent of political insurrection, his fate to the cross and bearing the sin of humanity continues as part of God's sovereign plan to save people from their sin. 

I also think about the movie Passion of the Christ from 2004 co-written, co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson that chronicles the last week of Jesus and in stark detail gives a picture of the scourging of Jesus. It is the most graphic representation I have seen and whether it exaggerates or takes artistic license of the scourging is unknown. 

Some have thought there is a difference between John's account to Mark and Matthew's with Pilate flogging Jesus prior to him given over to be crucified. I don't see this discrepancy. I think what is interesting is how Pilate tries at times to separate Himself from declaring Jesus' sentence, and yet is involved in keeping Him as a potential criminal. By involving Pilate in the process, it appears those that found Him guilty (the Jewish officials) used this involvement to continue his fate to be crucified.

Other scriptures:

Romans 15:1-3 - Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." - This is great. Jesus bore the punishment of sins committed between people with this reminder that it is important to please our neighbor, taking up the cross for our brother as Jesus did for all of us. 

I Peter 2:21 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. - Christ suffered for me and I may need to also suffer even when good is done. Suffering is so counter-cultural, especially as Americans it would seem as we work so hard to safeguard ourselves from any sort of unwelcome situations. 

Summary: Jesus is scourged, receives the crown of thorns on his head, with many mocking and slapping him, but Pilate also presenting him as having no guilt, a man. 

Promise: I am to emulate Christ in all His ways, most notably realizing I may need to suffer even for doing good. 

Prayer: Lord, I love a good story of a guilty person being exonerated or found not guilty. That sense of justice being served is a good feeling. and yet knowing that You Jesus, though pronounced not guilty still received the penalty of guilt makes me desire to follow You. You took on my sin, being the sacrifice that was needed for me to fulfill the wrath and justice of God. You are way different than all I know and I know in my life I steer so much away from any semblance of suffering. I thank you for the movie Passion of the Christ and it impressing in me that picture of your suffering. I need to be reminded of this always. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

My Utmost for His Highest - April 11th - Moral Divinity

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, - Romans 6:5

     Co-Resurrection. The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him. The incoming of the Spirit of Jesus into me readjusts my personal life to God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him authority to impart the life of God to me, and my experimental life must be constructed on the basis of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.

     The idea all through the apostle Paul's writings is that after [the moral decision to be identified with Jesus in His death] has been made, the resurrection life of Jesus invades every bit of my human nature. It takes omnipotence to live the life of the Son of God in mortal flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot be located as a Guest in a house, He invades everything. When once I decide that my "old man" (i.e. the heredity of sin) should be identified with the death of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything, my part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals. When I have made the moral decision about sin, it is easy to reckon actually that I am dead unto sin, because I find the life of Jesus there all the time. Just as there is only one stamp of humanity, so there is only one stamp of holiness, the holiness of Jesus, and it is His holiness that is gifted to me. God puts the holiness of His son into me, and I belong to a new order spiritually.

Oswald Chamber - from "My Utmost for His Highest" - classic edition

- Underlines and Highlights are courtesy of Mom from her print edition

My Utmost for His Highest - April 10th - Moral Decision about Sin

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; - Romans 6:6

     Co Crucifixion. Have I made this decision about sin--that it must be killed right out in me? It takes a long time to come to a moral decision about sin, but it is the great moment in my life when I do decide that just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, so sin must die out in me, not be curbed or suppressed or counteracted, but crucified. No one can bring anyone else to this decision. We may be earnestly convinced, and religiously convinced, but what we need to do is to come to the decision which Paul forces here.

     Haul yourself up, take a time alone with God, make the moral decision and say--"Lord, identify me with Thy death until I know that sin is dead in me." Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.

     It was not a divine anticipation on the part of Paul, but a very radical and definite experience. Am I prepared to let the Spirit of God search me until I know what the disposition of sin is--the thing that lusts against the Spirit of God in me? This if so, will I agree with God's verdict on that disposition of sin--that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? I cannot reckon myself "dead indeed unto sin (Romans 6:11)" unless I have been through this radical issue of will before God.

     Have I entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ until all that is left is the life of Christ in my flesh and blood? "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)"

Oswald Chambers, from "My Utmost for His Highest" - classic edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.

My Utmost for His Highest - April 2nd - The Glory That Excels

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 9:17

When Paul received his sight, he received spiritually an insight into the Person of Jesus Christ, and the whole of his subsequent life and preaching was nothing but Jesus Christ--"I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)" No attraction was ever allowed to hold the mind and soul of Paul save the face of Jesus Christ.

 
We have to learn to maintain an unimpaired state of character up to the last notch revealed in the vision of Jesus Christ.

The abiding characteristic of a spiritual man is the interpretation of the Lord Jesus Christ to himself, and the interpretation to others of the purposes of God. The one concentrated passion of the life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you meet this note in a man, you feel he is a man after God's own heart (see Acts 13:22).

Never allow anything to deflect you from insight into Jesus Christ. It is the test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you.


"Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus,
        I've lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit's vision,
        Gazing on the Crucified."

-- Mary Dagworthy Yard James USA 1810-1883 from the hymn, "All for Jesus!"

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

My Utmost for His Highest - March 21st - Interest or Identification?

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. -- Galatians 2:20

The imperative need spiritually is to sign the death warrant of the disposition of sin, to turn all emotional impressions and intellectual beliefs into a moral verdict against the disposition of sin, viz., my claim to my right to myself. Paul says -- "I have been crucified with Christ"; he does not say -- "I have determined to imitate Jesus Christ," or "I will endeavor to follow Him" -- but -- "I have been identified with Him in His death." When I come to such a moral decision and act upon it, then all that Christ wrought for me on the Cross is wrought in me. The free committal of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the chance to impart to me the holiness of Jesus Christ. 

"... nevertheless I live ..." The individuality remains, but the mainspring, the ruling disposition, is radically altered. The same human body remains, but the old satanic right to myself is destroyed. 

"And the life which I now live in the flesh...," not the life which I long to live and pray to live but the life I now live in my mortal flesh, the life which men can see, "I live by the faith of the Son of God." This faith is not Paul's faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith that the Son of God has imparted to him--"the faith of the Son of God," It is no longer faith in faith, but faith which has overleapt all conscious bounds, the identical faith of the Son of God. 

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

• imperative - indicating authority or command, necessary, urgent
• death warrant - an official order for the execution of a condemned person
• disposition of sin - the authority to settle or control sin 
• viz (namely)

- 

John 18:28-19:16a - Jesus Stands Before Pontius Pilate

John 18:28 - 19:16a

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”

Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.

Message: Jesus Stands Before Pontius Pilate

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that he was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark (the Gospel of Mark), and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.

What the Lord is Saying:

Once again, I felt like I should reference the entire text in the Post. Sometimes I just do excerpts from the text. This is a familiar story, whereby Jesus is delivered over to Pontius Pilate. Pilate is only going to sentence Jesus because the Jews want this to happen. When given the option of releasing a man, the Jews choose another man, a robber. What they have against Jesus is he proclaims himself as a king and as one with authority. Jesus has always made it clear that he has authority and this has always bothered the Pharisees and Jews. Pilate did not care about Jesus. Even though he had no reason to believe he was guilty, he also had no reason to let him go and to that end, he feared his own safety and his own name if he would have gone that route in letting him go. 

One of the words that Pilate spoke of Jesus was "Behold, the Man!" When speaking of the man, Pilate is referring to Jesus as a man. Sin entered the world through a man, Adam, and now Jesus as our Savior, and as a man will atone for the sins of other human beings. It is an important distinction as it took a second Adam to reconcile us to God. Romans 5:19 declares, For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

Jesus does remark that He is King. “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” He is truth. And so he submitted to the authorities in order to stand in Truth. Jesus knew this time was coming. He knew His message was one of controversy. Many times it is recorded in the Gospel of how he would tell people that he has healed or encountered to not make a commotion about Him because He wanted to get the message of His gospel out to many and He knew that what He was putting forth would be received by some but for others they would feel threatened. Jesus is still this way. Mentioning God is fine, but once we start mentioning that Jesus is more than a man, more than a prophet, people are taken aback. But this is who Jesus is and this is who I need to proclaim Him to be, beyond what is heard on sunday morning at church. Jesus is God incarnate and He is Savior and King and Lord. 

Promise: Let us always love the truth and proclaim it even when it is not convenient for us. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus and for Him being fully man and fully God and dying on the cross for my sins and then rising again, conquering death and taking me now with Him to eternal life with Him. I will conquer death in the same way. You God are Lord and King. Lord, you remind me though Lord of how I need to continue to proclaim you in the streets, in the office, throughout my life that You are Lord of my life. I admit too often my words of you are safe and I mention God but not sure amongst unsaved that I mention Jesus, you having changed my life. Lord, I want to be an ambassador for You and be a witness and proclaim You as You proclaimed me and chose me. I want to stand up for Jesus no matter what crowd or people group I am in. Show me now how to have the strength of sharing you Jesus with others. 

My Utmost for His Highest - December 9 - The Offence of the Natural

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. GALATIANS 5:24

The natural life is not sinful; we must be apostatized from sin, have nothing to do with sin in any shape or form. Sin belongs to hell and the devil; I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought. It is the things that are right and noble and good from the natural stand point that keep us back from God’s best. To discern that natural virtues antagonize surrender to God, is to bring our soul into the centre of its greatest battle. Very few of us debate with the sordid and evil and wrong, but we do debate with the good. It is the good that hates the best, and the higher up you get in the scale of the natural virtues, the more intense is the opposition to Jesus Christ. “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh (Galatians 5:24)” — it is going to cost the natural in you everything, not something. Jesus said — If any man will be My disciple, “let him deny himself (Matthew 16:24)” i.e., his right to himself, and a man has to realize Who Jesus Christ is before he will do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.

The natural life is not spiritual, and it can only be made spiritual by sacrifice. If we do not resolutely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural in us. There is no royal road there; each of us has it entirely in his own hands. It is not a question of praying, but of performing. From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

My Thoughts

• I must give up my right to myself - give up my natural independence and self-assertiveness - THIS is where they battle is fought.
• I must move from good to best. Things are right, noble,, good - naturally. God's ways are best. 
• Our main opposition in life is not with doing sordid, evil, or wrong practices - but instead we debate with doing what is simply good. But, good hates the best. 
• The flesh is natural man and natural man has good ambitions - this is his independence. 
• It is interesting, but growing up we talk of being independent as being something good that we aspire to in life. Yet, independence is in opposition to God. 

Mark 15:35-39 - The Centurion's Confession

Mark 15:35-39
35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Message: The Centurion's Confession

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is on the cross being crucified. He came to the cross already weak from the beatings, having the pain of the crown of thorns, the name calling, the belittling, the mocking. He had already endured much and then he had the cross and the pain of being nailed to this cross, though Mark doesn't mention these details. He talks about the people that mocked him while he was on the cross, the passerby's, the chief priests, and the robbers on either side of him. After he endured all darkness fell on the face of the earth from 12 to 3pm and then he voiced to God a fear of rejection plea in saying, "My God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of the bystanders heard Jesus call out to the Father, "Why have you forsaken me?" they said, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah."  The fact that Elijah did not die, but God took Him directly to heaven resulted often led to speculation among the Jews of the day. Elijah became a man that could provide supernatural assistance to their lives in times of need because he was thought to be a supernatural being. But, this was a misunderstanding of who Jesus was, focusing on the man instead of the God who did the work. And even in this moment of Jesus on the cross, it seemed that some bystanders thought they heard Jesus calling out to Elijah, but he wasn't, he was calling out to God. Again, in life, we often hear what we want to hear.

And the mystery of Elijah continues when someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” There are differing details regarding this account. But Mark simply follows that someone saw that Jesus needed a drink. Perhaps his remark at the time of feeling forsaken, feeling thirsty, meant that someone felt compassion for Him in that moment and provided Him one last drink before He would die. Because after this Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. Mark again is not specific on the words of the cry, but that Jesus uttered this loud cry which signified a culmination, an ending for he then breathed His last. He bore a pain and a torment during the 3 hours of the earth being darkened and now he dies And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Crucifixions happened but it becoming dark in the middle of the afternoon with Jesus on the cross was different and now this veil of the temple torn in two was something else different, almost supernatural signs of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross, dealing with sin and then removing the veil or curtain and giving everyone the same access to Jesus.

Then there is what appears to be the first favorable response of someone after witnessing this act from Jesus. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Though others had misunderstood Jesus' words, thinking Elijah, the centurion guard heard something different and responded with the confession that Jesus was the son of God. It was that recognition that He was who He said He was. It was the job of the centurion to watch the crucifixion and confirm that it has been carried out correctly, and obviously in Jesus' crucifixion he witnessed things different. This was no ordinary crucifixion. He confesses him not as the Son of Man which was the name Jesus often referred to himself as, but instead states that He is the Son of God. He is God. He is divine.

Summary - Upon Jesus at the end of His life, He has endured the wrath of God and the divine judgment of sin and he cried out that it was finished. People misunderstood Him and some thought He was calling out to Elijah, but after crying out and breathing His last, one of the Centurion guards, tasked with watching and making the crucifixion makes a confession that Jesus is the Son of God. He is divine.

Promise: RC Sproul says, "The Centurion was the first to realize that something of cosmic significance was happening that afternoon outside Jerusalem." God revealed Christ to this man - wisdom to the unlikely.

Prayer: O Lord, My Lord, How majestic is your name in all of the earth. You conquered death and purchased my sin on the cross of Calvary. You went to the cross free from sin and gave all of yourself. You withstood the pain of the wrath of God and did it all. And immediately people were affected and saw you as you rightly are, the son of God, divine, holy. Help me to keep looking to You and trusting in your Salvation. You are my Savior. You have rescued me. I am free, free indeed.

Mark 15:27-32 - Crucified and Reviled

Mark 15:27-32
27 They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. 32 Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.
Message: Crucified and Reviled

Time:  Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has arrived at the cross. He was too weak to carry the crossbeam after being beaten, scourged, spit on, mocked, so Simon the Cyrene was grabbed as he passed by and he carried the beam until it was joined with the upright post. Jesus' garments were divided among the soldiers.

They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. Jesus is not alone but has two robbers on either side of Him being crucified. By placing robbers on his right and left his reproach is equalized or ever worse than these two thieves. These men could have been part of the brigade of Barabbas. Yet, Jesus had not even sinned and still the rejection and mockery that he received was focused squarely on him. Mark does not even mention that they walked with Jesus to the cross bearing a crossbeam. Obviously the death on the cross is great, but for Jesus it went beyond physical pain to an attempt to hurt him emotionally and psychologically. [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] Isaiah 53:12 states, "Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors." The brackets around this verse are there because this verse is omitted from most manuscripts. But, it does show the fulfillment of prophecy.

Mark now talks of the emotional suffering that Christ endured by first, those passing by. This could have been a road or walkway or perhaps people made a specific trip to the crucifixion. Yet, there, seeing Jesus suffering isn't enough for them as they were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Again, it is interesting to me what Mark calls attention to here. Peter was there, witnessing this and making note of how people responded. For Peter he seems to be focusing on other people a lot in this gospel. And the remark from the people is again a misunderstanding of what Jesus had said. The temple he had mentioned was himself not the physical structure. In fact these words will be fulfilled. Their words are as Gil mentions, "thou poor vain miserable creature, that boasted of thy power, where art thou now? and what dost thou think of thyself?"

The second group that Peter mentions is the expected chief priests and scribes: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Their condemnation of Him seems more expected. Yet, unlike the passerby's the mocking is among themselves. But was not this their practice, to speak among themselves and instead motivate others be the ones assaulting him. Yes, they questioned Jesus, but this was more of a slanderous act they were doing.

And finally the 3rd group mentioned are those on the left and right of Jesus: the robbers who were also being crucified. This contempt is odd by all. Nothing more can be done to Jesus and yet there is an attempt to do more, by everyone around him continuing to mock him. The robbers were almost declaring that they were unlike him, but even worse. Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. 

Summary - Mark will now take a moment to not talk about how Jesus is suffering physically on the cross, but how the passerby's or the people watching Jesus be crucified don't just watch, but continue to mock him and insult him.

Promise: R.C. Sproul writes, "Jesus was not about saving Himself. He was about saving His people, which required that He stay on the cross until the bitter end."

Prayer: Lord, you experienced pain that I will never know. I seek to escape pain. Thank you Lord. That's really the best I can do is thank you and try to pledge my life in service to You. You didn't deserve it and yet it fulfilled prophecy. None of this was needed and yet you endured whatever it took to save me, to save all of us.

Mark 15:21-26 - The King on the Cross

Mark 15:21-26 
21 They *pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.
22 Then they *brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. 24 And they *crucified Him, and *divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”


Message: The King on the Cross

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is on his way to being crucified. He has been tried before the Jewish Council for blasphemy because he has admitted to being the Messiah, the Son of God and then the Jewish leaders take Him before Pilate with the charge He is King of the Jews. Jesus agrees but throughout all of the other assaults on him verbally he remains silent. A crown of thorns is placed on his head and then a reed or staff is used to whip that crown and drive those thorns into him while others spit on him and mock him. 

It is Friday and Jesus is on his way to being crucified for the crime of being King of the Jews. The Jewish people want him crucified, having been persuaded by the chief priests, scribes, and Jewish leaders who I believe are threatened by Him. 

Jesus' crucifixion was carried out by Roman authorities for they had jurisdiction over capital punishment. On the way to being crucified the prisoner would carry a crossbeam or patibulum and then when arrived at the site of the crucifixion would be joined with a stipes or upright post. Jesus has already been beaten and scourged to the point that his body can't carry the crossbeam. They *pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross. The soldiers grabbed Simon as he passed by to help Jesus bear the crossbeam and carry it. Then they *brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. At this point the upright post is joined to the crossbeam.

They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. It was a custom of the Jews to offer to those preparing to be crucified a strong drink or narcotic to help dull the pain or mask the pain the person would be enduring on the cross. But Jesus would not take it. Jesus would bear the full burden of pain.

And they *crucified Him. Mark does not here dwell on the specific events of the now crucifixion, but simply remarks that He was crucified though this period of time would be a longer period that other Gospel writers go into more detail about. Mark instead emphasizes the garments of Jesus and dividing them up. and *divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. This act was prophesied by the Psalmist - They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:18). This is really another moment of humiliation. The only thing that Jesus owns at this point is the clothes on his back and even at this moment, those clothes are stripped from him and they are taken by the soldiers and divided up among them.

It was the third hour when they crucified Him. This is a point many have brought up as a contradiction because John states in 19:14 - it was about the sixth hour. And he *said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” The Pulpit Commentary offers these words - "The third hour would literally be nine o'clock. But we gather from verse 33 that our Lord was on his cross, and still alive, at the sixth hour, that is, at twelve o'clock. The simplest mode of solving the chronological difficulty seems to be this: The Jews divided their day into four parts, which they called hours, namely, the first, from six to nine; the third, from nine to twelve; the sixth, from twelve to three; and the ninth, from three to six. It was, then, within the third hour, that is, between nine and twelve, that they crucified him; and it was from the sixth to the ninth hour that he was actually upon his cross. St. John employs the Asiatic mode of computing time."

The inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” This inscription was meant to humiliate Him and yet Jesus has proclaimed this to be the truth when questioned by Pilate. He is the King of the Jews but this was the reason for the execution because Caesar was instead the true emperor over everyone in the land.

Summary - Jesus is taken to Golgatha to be crucified but he is to weak to carry the crossbeam and so a passerby is pulled in to bear the cross and carry it for Jesus to Golgatha. At this place the upright post is fastened to the crossbeam and Jesus is brought up to hang on the cross. He denies the offering of a strong drink by the Jews to help alleviate some of the pain. His garment is divided up among the soldiers, thus humiliating him more and a sign is placed over him bearing his crime, King of the Jews.

Promise: Matthew Henry states here - Whenever we look unto Christ crucified, we must remember what was written over his head; he is a King, and we must give up ourselves to be his subjects.

Prayer: Jesus, you were crucified to death for me. You were the lamb led to the slaughter. You experienced a pain I never will. I avoid pain at all costs and hate it when it disturbs my life. Thank you for suffering for me. I want to live for You. I thank you for bearing my pain and going to be crucified. Help me to not forget this especially as I take the Lord's Supper. Use that time taking the Lord's Supper to take me back to the pain that you experienced for me.

Mark 15:16-20 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Mark 15:16-20
16 The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they *called together the whole Roman cohort. 17 They *dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they *led Him out to crucify Him.

Message: The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been seized on Thursday evening, then taken back and witnesses came but then Caiaphas question Jesus and he admitted he was the Messiah, the Son of God and would sit at the right hand of God. Caiaphas took this as blasphemy and wanted him to die. The people spat on him and beat him. They turned him over to Pilate for Roman authority carried out capital punishment. Pilate questioned him about being King of the Jews and he admitted it. There was an opportunity to pardon someone but the Jewish people wanted Barabbas, a man who revolted against Roman authority pardoned, and despite questions by Pilate of what should come of Jesus, the people responded in the same way the chief priests responded - Crucify Him.

In the scripture, when God deals with a people it is often through Gentiles. The Gentiles became instruments of God to deal with the sins of people - their turning their back on God or serving other God's. He used his chosen people's enemies to bring about judgment on His chosen people. However, these Gentiles were not aware of this, they were all acting for their own reasons. And though each was responsible they were also serving the role of God. God works all things together is what Romans 8:28 says. The sovereign Lord of history uses people for His purposes. It is for his good that often doesn't feel like good. And present day people don't understand this when our highest good is comfort, safety, personal enjoyment and being entertained. We are a people that not only hate to feel bad, but everything in our lives is about making sure nothing hurts. Tolerance is preached from the mountain tops which means we are never to have a hard day and never to pass judgment on anyone.

In this moment with Jesus he is being dealt a blow by his enemies at the time. The Jewish leaders were threatened by Him, not because He was was right, but because he was different. And their authority in that day was being threatened. And they wanted him to die. And they got the people to think the same thing and form a mob. They were responsible, but Jesus also predicted his death. Jesus was to die. He knew it. He prayed I think that he would have the strength, the human strength to go through with it.

He was a man without sin. Did he deserve this? No. But his purpose was carrying out and showing God's wrath for human sin. The Lamb must be slaughtered. God preached substitution atonement. Each person is responsible for their own sin but each person is incapable of enduring the wrath for their own sin. They need a substitute. The world cries out that each person is to "do the best they can" but God says "no one is worthy."

Today, I look at Jesus being mocked. In verse 15, Jesus has been scourged. But now in addition to being beaten in different ways -  twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him - they took a crown of thorns that when we touch a thorn in the garden we put on special gloves to prevent those thorns from pricking our hand because we hate that pain. We hate pain. And Jesus had a crown of thorns placed on His head. Every time he moved a thorn would jab him. Every time someone beat him it would press against his head. I hate thorns. I hate the stinging pain. He had a crown of thorns. What pain he experienced. They kept beating His head with a reed. While the crown of thorns was on his head, the reed was a scepter or instrument that inflicted more pain on him. Again, the reed would hit his head and drive those thorns into his temple. I'm not sure of the makeup of this reed. But, it was used to inflict more pain.

There was spitting on Him. They spit on his face. It was demeaning. And they kneeling and bowing before Him, so they mocked Him. They took his dignity away. O how we hate to have our dignity threatened. Many people spend years dealing through the pain of words.

Summary - Jesus has already been scourged to the point of death, but now he receives a crown of thorns and continued pain is inflicted on him as those thorns continue to prick his head and then he is mocked and spit on and mocked some more. Jesus takes all this pain. He stands their silent. He does not run. He does not try to get away. He accepts it.

Promise: The Lord endures suffering for me. What I am learning day by day to hate more than anything in this life is unease, discomfort, pain, feeling bad -- Jesus endured these things for me. He took the punishment and the pain.

Prayer: O Lord, I am so weak. I am getting trained in this world each day in the wrong way. Lord, I am to toil for you. I am to work hard. Yet Lord, my greatest goal is to protect myself from this to the point that I feel like many times I have graduated from pain. I just want things to be fixed. Lord Jesus thank you for taking my pain. I hate thorns and I protect myself against them but for you there was no protection. You took all the pain. Lord, my words of thanks will never be good enough, but help me to know that I can live my life in a better way. I can submit and surrender to You and give it my all each day to toil for you. Forgive me for looking for the easy road, the road of comfort and ease. Help me instead to surrender to You and accept what You provide. Make me withstand this in life.

Mark 15:6-15 - Pilate Capitulates To The Crowd

Mark 15:6-15
6 Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7 The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8 The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.12 Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” 14 But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Message: Pilate Capitulates To The Crowd

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - It is Friday morning and the chief priests have consulted and concluded Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, but now they take him to Roman authority, Pilate, to recommend his execution. Blasphemy carries no weight with Pilate so they mention that He proclaims himself to be King of the Jews. Pilate addresses Jesus and he admits it and then others accuse him but he remains silent to these many other accusations.

In verse 10, the text remarks that Pilate was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. This was the concern that the Jewish leaders had with Jesus. They felt like he would rival their authority. This is interesting because in life sometimes conflicts are over authority and not necessarily what is best for the people. From Peter's perspective, the Jewish leaders had envy for Jesus because they saw the audiences that he commanded and they saw how people flocked to him, walking many miles to see Him. They didn't have that type of popularity or notoriety.

As Pilate now is going to bring these criminals before the people it is known that at this time of year, during the Passover feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. To this day the president prior to leaving office will pardon criminals or set them free. And this appears to be the custom at this time of the year. Pilate wondered if Jesus was the one that would be released. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” This is now the name of Jesus, King of the Jews, and not messiah, healer, provider, but rather the name that the Jewish leaders took the greatest offense.

The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. Barabbas is the one brought forth to be released. He was a rebel who had been imprisoned for staging a revolt against the Roman government which was often the case among people. The Jewish government ended up being there only for spiritual matters while the Roman government had the weight of criminal items. Thus, it had more weight and there were those that didn't like this, like Barabbas, who had in the past sparked a revolt against the Roman authority. And the idea of Pilate releasing someone is repeated - The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. The custom had been for someone to be released at the Passover.

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. The chief priests wanted to make it clear that the one to be released was Barabbas and not Jesus. So it was clear that Barabbas would be released so Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” Pilate seems to be experiencing some inward struggle as he then asks the people what would be the fate of the one they call King of the Jews. Jesus is not simply called the King but is known to be the king by the people is Pilate's assertion. Though Pilate is willing to let Jesus go, the people respond with They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” This was prompted by the chief priests and then now echoed by the crowd. Yet even after hearing this pronouncement by the people, Pilate wonders again - “Why, what evil has He done?” but the response is still the same But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” This is a mob scene. I recall a movie called the Oxbow Incident that I always thought showed the picture of this. In that story is the idea that they people are convinced of the guilty of 3 men and stage a lynching of those men for the murder of one of their own, and yet in the end they discover that even after the lynching the guilty party is still at large and they go back to a salon in sorrow for what they have done.

It seems the crucifixion of Jesus takes on a similar tone and one we have to be mindful of and careful of, even today. There is a tendency in us to go along with the crowd and ignore the facts but to have in us this desire to see another man's demise because it is somewhat easy and at the time we want Justice.

Pilate does what the people ask him to do. Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. The chief priests have gotten what they wanted, Jesus to be crucified.

Summary - It is Friday and the fate of not only Jesus but also a rebel is up for grabs. The chief priests want to see Jesus' demise. Pilate is going to pardon someone, but the attention of the pardon is turned towards Barabbas who has been an insurrectionist or rebel of the Roman authority. The people recommend his removal. But do not want Jesus to be pardoned. Jesus, the chiefs priests felt, was a rebel to their own authority. Despite a couple of attempts by Pilate to set Jesus free, he turns Jesus over to the people to have Him crucified.

Promise: Every time we trust in earthly princes we come to be apart of the crowd that crucified Jesus. Our allegiance is not to be with the crowd and the pressure we may feel to be a part of that crowd, but to focused on the Truth, the Truth of God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for going along with the crowd often instead of doing what is right. I am never promised a rose garden, but in fact there will be hard toil as I labor for You and desire to achieve maturity as a believer in Christ. Help me God to beat to the correct drum. O Lord, my Lord, how majestic is Your name in all of the earth. I am to praise Your name and do the right thing, no matter the cost.

Mark 10:32-24 - Delivered to the Gentiles

Mark 10:32-34
³² They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, ³³ saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. ³⁴ They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface -  Jesus has concluded his lesson on salvation by reminding his audience that the heart must leave behind all that it holds dear (the lust of the eyes) and go in the opposite way. And yet, we need to realize that persecution may come. But the reward for this type of commitment is eternal life. He remarks then that the last are first. It is not the wealthy that automatically enter the kingdom of God as wealth can make you feel like you are in need of nothing.

Well, Mark has been talking salvation through the message of the Rich Young Ruler. They were on the road going up to Jerusalem. They are back on the road, going up to Jerusalem. They are still in Judea. and Jesus was walking on ahead of them. Jesus is now on the way to the cross. He has already spoken of the cross and spoken of the fact that he will die and rise again. He will mention it again soon. It's interesting to think, to ponder, to wonder what Jesus was experiencing or thinking at this time. He was walking ahead. Perhaps there was determination. Perhaps he simply wanted to prepare himself for the days ahead as they would be tough, for himself, a man.

and they were amazed - This seems to be talking about the disciples. and those who followed were fearful - those that were following along, not the disciples, but others, were fearful. It seems appropriate that the disciples and followers were amazed and/or fearful. Jesus has already been speaking about some things that they have not wanted to believe. There must have been consternation (dread, utter confusion) in their thinking. I'm not thinking anyone was looking forward to what Jesus had been saying would happen.

But Jesus knows this. While he is preparing himself, he is very concerned in what his followers, his disciples are thinking. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him. This entire time in reading the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is spending time with the disciples, teaching them. The followers and audience sometimes do not get the entire message as it is being presented, so it is important that the disciples do get the exact message of what is going on in the life of Jesus. Granted, that doesn't mean that they will understand. For the disciples have not shows that they are quick at doing what he has told them to do. But it is possible they have heard the teaching. This is care and concern that Jesus has.

I've noticed lately, in our world there are service people, like doctor's and dentist's that do seem to be taking more time now to explain things. I think of my dentist and how careful he is in explaining the procedures that he is going to perform on me. Now that doesn't mean that when he performs his procedure that it isn't going to hurt. That also doesn't mean that I am going to accept what he does perfectly, but he has done his part in imparting information to me.

This is what Jesus is saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes." The disciples must have thought Jesus was going cuckoo. This made no sense at all. They must have looked around at each other in bewilderment at what is being voiced to them. I'm still unpacking my understanding of why Jesus referred to himself often as the Son of Man instead of here saying, "and I will be delivered." It seems that the Son of Man title referred to his humanity. It would make sense that God would not have a reason to be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. But, perhaps, walking as Man, there would be a reason. As God, he is not to be fit into a box. But, as man he could. 

Son of Man is also mentioned in Daniel 7:13-14. Daniel lived at a time about 600 years before Jesus. Yet, there obviously was a significance of Daniel and his prophecy and that it would be remembered by Jesus here. Those verses state: 

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Like a son of man. Like a man but different. Verse 14 is clear about how he would be different. He had authority, glory and sovereign power, and is worshiped, his dominion and kingdom is permanent.

they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. The light bulbs must have gone on for the disciples here or perhaps they were thinking, "O great, here he goes again, talking about his death." To be handed over to Gentiles was the worst fate of a Jewish person. It was a repeat of what Jews had experienced previously.

They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again. Wow. This had to be hard to listen to. Up to this point they had not heard these details. Yes, he would die and yes, he would rise again three days later. But, now the details become clearer. He will be mocked, spit on, scourged and then killed. I'm thinking they knew that this meant crucifixion. Thus, they had great fear (v. 32). 

Summary - Jesus once again predicts his death and resurrection, but this time provides more details that include being delivered over to the scribes and chief priests and then to the Gentiles. Thus, all those that up to this point Jesus has to deal with, but also he has had an answer for, but now he would be mocked, spit on, scourged prior to his death. For the disciples to hear this must have been hard to accept. 

Promise: Jesus is preparing himself to bear the curse of God and bear the punishment for the sin of all of mankind. It will not be pretty. 

Prayer: Lord, I can't imagine the anger and wonder and fear that the disciples experienced at that moment when you told them of your fate. Yet, you had a purpose that we now understand so clearly. And while it makes sense, I still feel responsible for putting you to death because my sin makes me sorry for what I've done. And yet you do not desire me to sit in that sorrow or guilt or pain, but to realize I have been rescued and forgive. Your grace has covered me. Thank you for continuing to show me your Word and confirming Your divinity and sacrifice to me. If I can assist others in this understanding, show me the way.