ttob26

The Testimony of Believers

Lessons Twenty-six: by turtle

Christ conduct is interesting, because as He goes before the king and leaders he continues with simple answer turning the answer back on their his
accusers. How often speech is such that even if we have said it, it can be used back on us. It can be used in a way to place it where it properly belongs.
Did Jesus ever say He was the Messiah, not in simple format, but He implies it throughout the Gospels. Religious leaders that had studied would of known
this, however the gentiles would not have, unless they study scripture. King asked Jesus if He was the Christ and Jesus says you (thou) say it. Pilate had
no problem with the man, and so they sent Him to king herod.

King Herod is broadcasted expecting a show and had many guest was very disappointed . Yet the crowd make accusations against Him. The king try to
talk to Jesus, but Jesus responded not. Herod and the soldiers mocked Jesus and sent Him again to Pilate for they were both in the same city. Pilate found
no fought with Jesus and told the crowd so, but the crowd began to holler and complain more about Jesus that Pilate decide to have Jesus beat.

Jesus being a king was not issue, for many leaders would have been at the Passover feast in Jerusalem. However it was the crowds persistence
concerning Jesus that caused Pilate to decide some form of punishment to correct the situation.

Luke 23:1-16 KJV
(1) And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
(2) And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is
Christ a King.
(3) And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
(4) Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
(5) And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
(6) When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
(7) And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
(8) And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and
he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
(9) Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
(10) And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
(11) And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
(12) And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
(13) And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
(14) Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found
no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
(15) No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
(16) I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

Pilate like to release people just like our President likes to pardon people. Pilate suggested to the crowd to release Jesus and the crowd said no release
Barabbas who was guilty of crimes against humanity including theft and murder. This seem unjust in itself for a guilty man to be exempt punishment. Yet
the crowd was angry, so mad that they felt that Jesus should be crucified.

Luke 23:17-26 KJV
(17) (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
(18) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
(19) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
(20) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
(21) But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
(22) And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him
go.
(23) And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
(24) And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
(25) And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
(26) And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear
it after Jesus.

The crowd had no reason to crucify Him, but because of the numbers Pilate allowed it to happen. Sometimes the crowd in that time and place out
weighed what was correct. Jesus had lost a lot of blood and was physically weak, so a man name Simon from Cyrenian a black man was requested to
help carry the cross. He help Christ carry his cross to the hill called Calvary. Simon of Cyrenian would later become a disciple of Christ and carry the
Gospel to the Greeks. He had two children with him that day that also seen the crucifixion of Jesus. They two would testify of what they witnessed on this
day.

Luke 23:27-38 KJV
(27) And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
(28) But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
(29) For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never
gave suck.
(30) Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
(31) For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
(32) And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
(33) And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other
on the left.
(34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(35) And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen
of God.
(36) And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
(37) And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
(38) And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

They crucified Jesus. Yet before Christ is nailed he sees the women crying and tells them not to cry for Him, but to cry for the children to come and for
the women. To pray for the time of destruction was coming on Jerusalem.

The superscription above the cross declare in three languages He was the King of the Jews. They nailed Jesus to the cross and mocked him and tore his
clothing, except one piece that was kept whole. Jesus is offered something to drink and refuses. The drink itself is placed on a sponge tied to a stick. It
has perhaps something to numb the pain.

As they mocked Him one of the two men hanging beside Him who were convicted of crimes also began to mock Jesus. All around were saying if you are
the Son come off that cross. And the thief beside him did the same, except one. The one that did not began to rebuke the other one and said don’t you
know this man is not guilty of the crimes, though He is condemned like us. He is the Son of God. To Jesus He said “remember me when you enter your
kingdom.” He was a man of faith. Yet he was thief. Perhaps he got faith on that cross or in prison. Yet in his heart he knew who Christ was.

Luke 23:39-43 KJV
(39) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
(40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
(41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
(42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
(43) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Jesus said you will be with me in paradise. Those are shouting words to a believer. The story of Christ death does not end there. For there is darkness
over the earth about the ninth hour and the sun is darkened, It is eclipse some believe and the veil in the temple is ripped from top to bottom. This Gospel
does not record the quake but there was earthquake as well that caused the veil to rip. Jesus tells His Father He gives Him His Spirit.

The importance of Christ giving up His spirit to God is He is giving more then just His Spirit but the Spirit of God back to Him, for His Spirit is the same
as the Father’s. Our spirit if we give it to God is not God’s Spirit for no one but God can own God Spirit. We might have the Holy Spirit living in us upon
faith, but He is invited in. If Christ is in our heart so is the Spirit of God in us. But we have no controll over God. However God Spirit enable us to do
things for Him.

Those that witnessed smote their breast, for it had struck the heart of those that witnessed His death. Even the Centurion believed that Jesus was a
righteous man and with His words glorified God.

Luke 23:44-56 KJV
(44) And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
(45) And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
(46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
(47) Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
(48) And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
(49) And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
(50) And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
(51) (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom
of God.
(52) This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
(53) And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
(54) And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
(55) And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
(56) And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Joseph of Arimathaea took the body of Jesus and laid Him in a near by tomb, which was outside the city gates for the crucifixions were not done inside
the city. There a point reason why I bring this up. The tomb that is said to be Christ tomb in Jerusalem is not Christ actual tomb, for it is outside the city to
be exact where Christ is buried. Women seeing where Christ is buried went to prepare spice for his body, but had to wait a day because of the Sabbath
commandment.

The story by no means stop there for Christ arise from the grave. He does not stay in the tomb, for He is seen by over 500 witnesses. Yet this day is
marked on our calendar as Passover and Easter. Good Friday being the week before. Because as a believer we desire to remember the day and week
that established when we were set free from our sins upon repentance. God is physically demonstrating His love and the process in which we go through
to be saved in the human flesh. God’s word has to die to become alive again in the hearts of man. Man as to receive the word of God in order to begin a
new life . The new life is like the resurrection of Christ. Jesus is the Word of God. When we receive the prophesy of Jesus then we receive the word of
God by faith.

Romans 5:8 KJV
(8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God showed his love for us. By showing His love He allowed His Son to die for our sins. He paid the price for our sins. If you believe this, ask the Father
to forgive you of your sins and receive Jesus as Lord of Life today, believing He will do this.