John 19:23-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Crucifixion
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
Why does the church stand in opposition to gambling? Casting lots or throwing dice was a practice used throughout the Old Testament in decision making. One scripture says, “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” – Proverbs 16:33. Gambling has many negatives (addiction, financial calamity, family destruction) attached to it. I believe the most prominent reason gambling is opposed by the church however, is it’s attachment to the crucifixion.
While Jesus was hanging on the Cross, the soldiers were gambling at His feet.
It is interesting that while the soldiers were participating in a practice which, among other things, destroys families, Jesus took time to focus on His family. He “…saw his mother…”, and in the midst of His own suffering, secured the service of the disciple John to make sure His mother didn’t suffer.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
HE KNEW
John 19:16-22
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Crucifixion
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
Deep in his heart, Pilate knew the truth. You can’t come face-to-face with Jesus and not know the truth. That’s why Pilate was unwilling to change what he had written.
The Apostle Paul had the same experience. When he encountered the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road, it changed his ministry focus because he knew the truth.
It is the same for you and me. When we encounter Jesus on a personal level, He reveals the truth to us. We come away changed … brand new … we will never be the same.
Jesus, the Living Word, is truth and reveals truth. That’s why it is so important … so good … to have daily time with Him in prayer, Bible study and meditation.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Crucifixion
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
Deep in his heart, Pilate knew the truth. You can’t come face-to-face with Jesus and not know the truth. That’s why Pilate was unwilling to change what he had written.
The Apostle Paul had the same experience. When he encountered the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road, it changed his ministry focus because he knew the truth.
It is the same for you and me. When we encounter Jesus on a personal level, He reveals the truth to us. We come away changed … brand new … we will never be the same.
Jesus, the Living Word, is truth and reveals truth. That’s why it is so important … so good … to have daily time with Him in prayer, Bible study and meditation.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
TURN UP THE HEAT
John 19:12-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Sentenced to Death
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”
13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”
15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”
“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus away.
‘Friend of Caesar’ is a technical term which means ally of the emperor. Pilate was a political appointee. He served at the will of the emperor. To be accused of not being an ally of the emperor really turned up the heat on Pilate and he caved in to the wishes of the Jewish leaders.
What happens in your life when the heat gets turned up? Are you able to stand up to the heat or do you cave in? Temptation … anger … bitterness … unforgiveness. When the pressure is on, call on the Holy Spirit to help you be strong … to stand … to not cave in.
When the heat got to Pilate, he turned Jesus over to be crucified. Think of caving in as crucifying Jesus again. Commit to HIM … NEVER AGAIN!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Sentenced to Death
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”
13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”
15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”
“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus away.
‘Friend of Caesar’ is a technical term which means ally of the emperor. Pilate was a political appointee. He served at the will of the emperor. To be accused of not being an ally of the emperor really turned up the heat on Pilate and he caved in to the wishes of the Jewish leaders.
What happens in your life when the heat gets turned up? Are you able to stand up to the heat or do you cave in? Temptation … anger … bitterness … unforgiveness. When the pressure is on, call on the Holy Spirit to help you be strong … to stand … to not cave in.
When the heat got to Pilate, he turned Jesus over to be crucified. Think of caving in as crucifying Jesus again. Commit to HIM … NEVER AGAIN!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
PAWN IN THE PLAN
John 19:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Sentenced to Death
7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Did Jesus let Pilate off the hook for his role in the crucifixion? At the very least, Jesus made sure Pilate knew who was in control. Having just endured the severe whipping, Jesus says to Pilate, “You would have no power over me at all …” My Father has a plan for the salvation of mankind and you are just a pawn in His plan. “… unless it were given to you from above.” These words, spoken with the authority of the divine, put Pilate in his place.
The same God who sent His Son to die for our salvation also has a plan for our lives. He has given us free will to operate within that plan, yet in His infinite wisdom, He knows the outcome of every detail of that plan. Our finite minds have difficulty getting a grip of how He is able to do this. Simply stated, He’s God! All we have to do is trust the sovereign God.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus Sentenced to Death
7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Did Jesus let Pilate off the hook for his role in the crucifixion? At the very least, Jesus made sure Pilate knew who was in control. Having just endured the severe whipping, Jesus says to Pilate, “You would have no power over me at all …” My Father has a plan for the salvation of mankind and you are just a pawn in His plan. “… unless it were given to you from above.” These words, spoken with the authority of the divine, put Pilate in his place.
The same God who sent His Son to die for our salvation also has a plan for our lives. He has given us free will to operate within that plan, yet in His infinite wisdom, He knows the outcome of every detail of that plan. Our finite minds have difficulty getting a grip of how He is able to do this. Simply stated, He’s God! All we have to do is trust the sovereign God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
