Walking Through The New Testament

Jesus is off the cross and in the tomb…

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.

Jesus was now dead, at least His body was. As was God’s will, a man had made sure that the body of Jesus would be taken care of and not thrown with the others that were crucified.

Soon all of His people began to prepare the body with linen and oils. They then rested on the Sabbath. The body of Jesus is now in the tomb.

Lord, we know that soon you will return for us as you have promised. Thank for your salvation and fulfillment of promises that you have always made for us. We love you.

Amen.
DK

Over the next three days we would wait.

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