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Jesus will find a way. It is written. Jesus Messiah!

The Burial of Jesus

Luke 23:50-56
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Here you see even the most beloved of Jesus fall back into the law. They were burying their Lord in the tomb, yet they had to stop to observe the law of the Sabbath? Hadn’t Jesus just spent His life etching is that it was not necessary? Didn’t He Himself tell is that we should not concern ourselves with this world?

Jesus was now in the waiting phase either allow of us. Waiting for the Resurrection. As we wait, let us not grow weary. Trust in the Lord, for it is by His grace that we live this day. Live with salvation and sovereignty from sin.

Amen.
DK

It is finished…

Luke 23:44-49
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

In these verses, we learn what we are to do as believers in Him. We are to be with Him, even as we feel the need to beat ourselves and walk away. Those who believed in Him stayed with Him, even after all others thought He was gone. They knew He would return.

Leading up to these verses, I caught myself feeling distraught and saddened by the events that took the Earthly life of our Lord. I would wonder why He did this, why He had to endure so much for me, why He suffered for the nothing man who writes this very commentary. Why He suffered for me. It would pain me, and my heart would break.

Then I read this, and my heart fills with expectation, for I know that God the Father is watching His son. Watching His son with plans to resurrect Him in three days. For it is in the waiting that we find strength. It is in the expectant believer that we find power. It is in us that Jesus poured His blood into. Each one of us being the new wine sack, prepared to carry His message to the world. Ready to proclaim His love for us.

He died for me. He died for all. The rich man and the beggar, the sinner and saint, the Jew and the Gentile. Because of this there is no need to beat our breasts and walk away. Instead, it is time to open our hearts and let Him in. As we stand watching Him and listening to Him, we are filled with the strength of the Holy Spirit. A strength that will allow us spread the Good News that He is risen, and that Christ will come again.

Amen.
DK

This is a beautifully painful verse. We will see Him. Face to face. Ask Him!

Luke 23:32-43
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There is nothing that Jesus would not do for us. He did it all. As He bled and was dying on the cross, He forgave me. He forgave all who accept Him. Insults were hurled at Him, rulers gloated about His crucifixion, His friends and brothers were helpless. Jesus watched all of the people gathered round the cross and He spoke to His Father I’m heaven on behalf us you and I. He instructed His Father to forgive us.

So many times in the Bible, Jesus waited on instruction from His Father. This time was different. He did not ask. He said it, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words were spoken as blood oozed from Hi every wound and as He died. He died for us. For me.

Ask Jesus today, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” When you do, Jesus will turn to you and say, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Amen.
DK

I was walking today with a weird feeling. It must be that I just kept thinking of what Jesus went through during these trials. Such a wonderful God, who took the form of man, and experienced our pain firsthand. Yet did not falter.

It pains me to read it. This is my second time through a full Gospel. Going through Matthew was not easy. Luke is longer, and certainly more detailed. I am sure that I am not to carry this burden, but I love Jesus so much…

Luke 23:8-25
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

What fear. What pain they must have carried with them for so long. I have seen firsthand what pain can do to a person. It was once said that, “Hurt people, hurt people.” That statement fits this verse well.

It is in the pain of the lack of understanding that the Pharisees called for the death of Jesus. I am not letting them off the hook anymore than I am letting myself off the hook for my own trangressions. I have said this before, and now I know, I am no better than any man or woman. As a matter of fact, if we were grading on Earth’s terms, I’m beaten. Done for. Finished. Forgotten. Worthless. But in my saviors eyes…oh my, am I worthy.

In my Father’s eyes I am a winner when I fall for Him, I am a champion when I serve, I am His. Abba Father, you love me more than I can imagine. Your level of love and mercy and grace are unfathomable to me. I am but a child, learning how to speak with you. But you love me. You love me. You love me.

Thank you Jesus!
Amen
DK

Luke 23:1-7
1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus was following His Father’s direction. He would have to perish for our sins. It seems at this time that everyone is just playing their part in it.

Lord Jesus, I know that what you did for me was painful. I know you loved me then and that you love me now. I know that you will love me forever. For me you gave your life, and the way I understand it that I owe you mine. Therfore, I am yours. I surrender my life to you, today, tomorrow, and forever. I will worship and honor you until the day I die. Then I will worship you forever. I love you. Thank you Jesus!

Amen.
DK

Spiritual Sovereignty and the Human Experience…

Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus had told Peter that he would betray Him. I wonder if Peter knew the time was upon him. The time when he would denounce Jesus three times as the rooster crows. It must have hurt him.

Jesus forgave Peter, even as the words were being formed by his mind. For Jesus loved even His most bitter enemies, and He wept for them on His way to meet His destiny in Jerusalem. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus before He brought him back from the dead. Jesus wept in the garden the night of His capture. Jesus cried out on the cross to His Father. Jesus wept for us.

As Peter agonized over his failure through denouncing knowing Jesus, I can imagine the pain. I would even say that I know it, because whether by word of mouth or by action, I am certain that I have denounced Him in my life as well. For those I repent. For those I am forgiven.

You see, Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He hung on the cross for me and He died for me. He died so that I would not have to carry the heavy yoke, for it could very easily break my back. Instead, He took the yoke from me and carried it to its death with Him. Then He turned to look at me and saw my heart, not my action, not my sin, not my failure. My heart.

When He rose again, he asked for Peter specifically. He knew Peter’s pain and anguish. As he knows ours. He knew Peter’s heart, as He knows ours. He forgave Peter, as He forgives us.

Now, forgive yourself and forgive others. Jesus Saves! Thank you Jesus Christ. Thank you!

Amen.
DK

Jesus Arrested

Luke 22:47-53
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

God so loved the world, that He gave His only son for our salvation. Betrayed by a friend, Jesus is arrested. He tells them that they had seen Him many times before, but tonight they chose To arrest Him because darkness has overtaken them.

Jesus, at this very moment. A very real and scary moment for any man,  is allowing Himself to be arrested and eventually killed. All this for you and I.

Amen.
DK

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Being in anguish, His prayer was strengthened! In anguish, our prayers are stronger. It is at the point of brokenness that we are at our most powerful.

There is a purity which overtakes us when we are in the process of a trial. Yes, they do hurt, but something more happens. Clarity of mind and purpose cloaks our every thought, and if you are faithful and believe, your trial will be turned to triumph. Have faith in God, and when you are in the midst of trial turn to Jesus and ask Him to take from you what has already been taken.

ASK…Ask, Seek, Knock. Jesus has told us that we must ask God for the things that we want and need. Continue to ask. Continue to seek Him. Continue to knock. He is not ignoring you, but rather He is strengthening you in the waiting.

Don’t stop. He is just on the other side. Persevere! Have Faith, for He is with you. Always!

Thank you Jesus! Amen.
DK

Jesus knew His time had come. He loved His disciples so much…

Luke 22:35-38
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

Prepare. Jesus was always ready for what was to come next. Jesus was fulfilling all prophecy so that we would be forgiven.

Amen.
DK

“That’s enough!” he replied.