A Humble Summary of Jesus' Life.
Please
accept this humble attempt to condense the broad biblical information
about Jesus into highlights and concepts to enrich your witness and
walk. This summary of Jesus' Life is grossly inadequate when compared to the Holy Bible itself. It it written with the utmost reverence and humility to amplify your comprehension: While giving all Glory to Jesus, His Kingdom, and Life.
The name Jesus originates from the Latin form of the Greek name Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), a translation of the Hebrew Yeshua (ישוע). Jesus (Yeshua)
also know as The Christ, Emanuel, and the Messiah, are just a few of
the proper names used when referencing to Jesus. The bible uses a
prodigious amount of aliases; when used in context, to enhance Jesus'
endeavors for our discernment. For this summary I will predominantly use
the name Jesus; The name given to Joseph by an angel of the Lord.
(Matthew 1:20-23) But
while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall
call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and
they shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Scriptures
teach us a little about Jesus’ life through the four Gospels, (Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John) written in the latter half of the first century.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and raised in Nazareth. Baby Jesus was
divinely conceived by The Holy Spirit to Mary the wife of Joseph - a
carpenter from Nazareth.
A
couple of books in the bible, Matthew and Luke, tell us that there were
forty two generations leading up to Jesus’ divine birth. The enormous
amount of patience and love God expresses in waiting on mankind's
history to run its course for forty two generations; Bringing together
all the celestial, spiritual, and physical elements boggles my mind. (Matthew 1:1,17)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of
Abraham: So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen
generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen
generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are
fourteen generations. See also (Luke 3:23-38) which ends in the son of God.
Our Savior is Born!
Joseph
was not the only one given prophetic foreknowledge of the birth and
name of Jesus by angels. An angel Gabriel also visited Mary and told her
that she will bear a child who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Luke
1:30-31) Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
There
was an ancient prophesy that a new celestial star would appear in the
sky when the spiritual King of the Jews was born. Three wise men indeed
saw this star in the east and journeyed to Bethlehem to pay tribute,
bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh 'as gifts' and to worship the Lord
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 2:4-11)
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So
they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the
prophet:‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least
among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will
shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the
wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent
them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young
Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may
come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and
behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till
it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the
star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come
into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell
down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they
presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Herod was the King at this time and the announcement that a new King was born angered King Herod. Herod ordered the Massacre of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and all its districts. (Matthew 2:16)
This
was also a fulfillment of prophesy stating God would call his son Jesus
Christ out of Egypt. This is believed to be a spiritual reflection of
when God called and delivered the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 20:2) with the great Exodus story of the Old Testament. (Matthew 2:12-20)
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they
had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to
Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the
young Child to destroy Him.”When he arose, he took the young Child and
His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the
death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Then Herod,
when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly
angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were
in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then
was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice
was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her
children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” Now when
Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother,
and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s
life are dead.”
Just as Jesus and the Jews were called out of Egypt. In like kind and manner Jesus is now
calling You out of your own kind of bondage, your own spiritual form of
Egypt to work out Your own Salvation. Jesus stands at the Door and
Knocks, invite Him into your heart for Salvation and Eternal Life in
Heaven. (Revelation 3:20)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me.
Raising Emmanuel.
Very
Little is know about Jesus during His youth. We know that he was born
into the family of Joseph and Mary. We know that Jesus had half-brothers
and half-sisters named James, Joses (short for Joseph Jr.), Judas, and Simon.
The
bible does not give us the names of Jesus' sisters, but since the word
is plural we can safely say there were at least two of them. Women were rarely mentioned in ancient genealogies, in fact Jewish
traditions, generally speaking, took no cognizance of women in family
records and instead their genealogies were assimilated under the male
headship. We also know for a fact that Jesus was raised as a carpenter
and as a carpenter’s son. (Mark 6:1-3)Then
He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples
followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the
synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this
Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him,
that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the
carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
We
also know that he Taught and Studied the Priesthood in Jerusalem. As we
can see in the above verse some were astonished at the wisdom and works
of Jesus. (Luke 2:42-49) And
when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to
the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they
returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His
mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company,
they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and
acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to
Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found
Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening
to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished
at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were
amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us?
Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them,
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s
business?”
Here is some Food For Thought? I am using my own opinion and artistic wordsmith license in putting two and two together equaling there-four since
Jesus was raised and trained in both; the Priesthood, and as a
Carpenter; is it a far stretch to wonder, if He was employed by
Synagogues and Temples to do repairs to the inner sanctions and Holy of
Holies where others were not allowed or feared to go. This would be the
same as assuming that He worked with His earthly parent Joseph in some
form of carpentry work like framing, cabinetry, carving, or Church
construction. Maybe I can ask Him when I get to Heaven. Provided I even
care once I'm there.
As
for the question of Jesus being a priest, He is designated by God the
Father as our great high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
This should undoubtedly put an end to all those who think Salvation is
attained through Good Deeds or Works. The following verse leaves no
room, for any doubts. Jesus Christ is the Author of our Eternal Salvation as our High Priest before God’s judgment. (Hebrews 4:14-5:10).
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we
do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore
come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among
men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer
both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who
are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to
weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for
himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to
himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ
did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to
Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” As He also says in
another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”;
who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and
supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save
Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a
Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And
having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all
who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
Concerning Jesus' childhood the bible is quite intentionally silent. Open only to assumptions, educated hypothesis, or artistic wordsmith's
licensing. I do not feel this to be an omission or oversight on the
part of God's Word. These were the formative years in Jesus' private
life to grow in a loving intimate relationship with His Father God;
Gaining wisdom through His Holy Spirit to do the greatest Works
in all of History. The only things we truly know for certain are the
ones Scriptures deem important for both ours and Jesus' edification for
wisdom and teaching unto Salvation.
Anointed for Messiahship.
Around
the age of about twenty nine to thirty Jesus went to the Jordan River
to be baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. This is were Jesus is
actually anointed by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged by His Father God,
and became the fulfillment of yet another prophesy. (Matthew 3:13-17)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by
him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by
You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him,
“Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus
came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened
to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This
is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John
the Baptist was a prophet and preacher who was conducting baptisms
according to traditional Jewish practices in and around the Jordan
region. John was evangelizing by preaching the baptism of repentance for
the remission of sins, in preparation for Jesus and His Kingdom to
come. (Luke 3:3-6)
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of
the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in
the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled; And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight; And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
After Jesus' baptism the Holy Spirit forced him into the wilderness mountains of the Judean desert for 40 days. Take note of this unscrupulous perversion, of truth and bribery from Satan. Also 'take note' that it was only after
Jesus had fasted for 40 days, without a proper bed, tired, and very
hungry; it was then that He was tempted three times by Satan the devil
himself. (Matthew 4:1-4) Then
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the
devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He
was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and
said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
From the sorted nature of these temptations presented to Jesus; the shape, essence, and very meaning of his Messiahship
were determined in the wilderness. Just as the Nation of Israel's fate
was determined, shaped, and honed for 40 years in the wilderness Exodus
of Old Testament. (Joshua 5:6)
The
desert, of course, was John the Baptist's home, and the place where
Moses and Elijah also fasted 40 days and encountered the Lord. The
wilderness was also the birthplace of The Ten Commandments of which only Jesus Christ has honored and kept All Ten! (Exodus 24:18; 34:28)
So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the
mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. So
he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate
bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the
covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25) When I
went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets
of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I stayed on the
mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank
water. And I fell down before the Lord, as at the first, forty days and
forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your
sin which you committed in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, to
provoke Him to anger. “Thus I prostrated myself before the Lord; forty
days and forty nights I kept prostrating myself, because the Lord had
said He would destroy you. (1 Kings 19:8). So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
The
wilderness was the proving grounds that qualified Jesus as a sort of
'Graduation' into ministry. Through the wilderness and his baptism Jesus
is now ready, anointed by the Holy Spirit to start his messianic
ministry, and acknowledged by his Father; “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This
sets the stage for the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry at the age
of about thirty, after the jailing of His cousin John the Baptist, which
lasted about three years. (Matthew 4:12-18) Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The
people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who
sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” From that time
Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand.”
At
this point Jesus is completely prepared, graduated, filled with the
Holy Spirit, and ready to bring about the fulfillment of his mission on
Earth which is to preach, teach, and be the Messiah Savior Crucified for
Us. Jesus begins by moving to Capernaum and sets it up as his Galilean ministry headquarters. (Matthew 4:13) And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, (Luke 3:23) Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli.
Recruitment Headquarters is working Miracles!
Jesus
chose twelve men as disciples who were a reflection and representation
of the twelve tribes of Israel as a dynamic work force in His ministry. (Matthew 19:28) So
Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration,
when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have
followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes
of Israel.
Together
Jesus and His disciples launched out His new and radical (for the
times) ministry. From this Galilean Command Center in Capernaum Jesus traveled to neighboring villages and areas, preaching and teaching the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus
performed extraordinary miracles such as: Turning water into wine;
(John 2:1-11) Healing the sick; (Luke 6:17) Restoring the dead to life;
(John 11:43) Walking on water; (Matthew 14:22-33) Casting demons out of
the possessed (Matthew 8:31) and turning a few loaves of bread and fish
into enough food to feed multitudes of followers. Crowds of four
thousand (Mark 8:6-9) and five thousand (Matthew 14:20-21) men not to
mention women and children.
Jesus
changed the world through miracles, teachings, sermons, and expressions
of Brotherly Love. These things were recorded in scriptures and
performed openly in the public eye. Twelve chosen Disciples were the
trusted few who were a part of the inner circle of Jesus' Galilean
ministry.
These
blessed men knew Jesus in a very personal way which afforded them
opportunities to the Hidden things of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 20:30-31)
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you
may have life in His name. (John 21:25)
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were
written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that would be written. Amen.
I
encourage you to read and learn more about Jesus' ministry goals,
purpose, covenants, and Kingdom. Bringing the true Church Family
Together (Israel). Read an in depth teaching call Grafting an Olive Wood Church. Click Here >> << http://somejesusthings.com/grafting-olive-wood-church/
Follow Me.
As
Jesus spread the Good News of forgiveness, salvation, grace, and
eternal life in Heaven His numbers increased with those who would follow
him around. These were to be know as His 'followers' who believed in
His teachings and promises, given even to the most sinful, provided
their repentance was sincere. (Luke 6:17)
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of
His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and
Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases.
These new Christian Followers helped to escalate the hatred which came from this Jewish sect of Pharisees and Sadducees, (making up the Spiritual Rulers called the Sanhedrin), who feared Jesus' teachings would lead to a complete disregard in the authority of the Torah and their governing rule.
However, in spite of growing contempt from the Pharisees in opposition, Jesus’ popularity continued to increased. Jesus proved His devotion to the Torah and it's Laws. The Torah being the Jewish name for the first five books of Old Testament. Translated from the original Hebrew scriptures known as the Pentateuch. Christians observance of Old Testament law encompasses the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 34:28) (Deuteronomy 10:4)
Messianic observance of Old Testament law encompasses and records 613 laws set down by God. (Deuteronomy 33:04)
Moses transmitted the “Torah” from God to the Jewish people: “Moses
commanded us the Torah (law) as an inheritance for the community of
Jacob ” Read an in depth teaching call A Wing and a Prayer. Click Here >> << http://somejesusthings.com/wing-prayer/
Jesus
preached a radical and even more stringent observance and application
of Jewish laws. Jesus even tells them that He did not come to change the
laws, but that He came to fulfill all the Laws. Jesus' own actions and ministry proved to them that only He could keep and follow them all! This leads to fear and resentment from the Rabbinical Authorities. (Matthew 5:17-19)
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not
come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven
and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from
the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least
of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the
kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The
Jewish people could relate to his down to earth teachings which applied
to their own understanding of life. Jesus taught that God's
commandments and laws could be summed up into two critical commandments
centered in practical Judaism.(Romans 13:9-10) These were to be the
foundation and rock upon which everything rested. To love God meant to place God first in one's life by keeping his commandments. Love is: the desire to follow God's Laws.
Jesus taught something 'so different' and 'radical' from that of the religious sect of Pharisees and Sadducees
which was to not only to love thy neighbor as thyself but love thy
enemy, a selfless act of service to everyone; even to those ignored and
disregarded by society, and that forgiveness is the ultimate expression
of love. (Romans 13:9-10)
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not
murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You
shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed
up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of
the law.
The Truth Shall Set them Free.
In
one of the most famous public addresses preached by Jesus called, "The
Sermon on the Mount", Jesus describes what life should be like; living
by and in faith, in our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus said six
times in Matthew Chapters 5, “You have heard it said”, or “But I tell you..” He was calling people into a new life instead of the Sanhedrin's
legal system, that the Pharisees had imposed upon the people. Jesus'
message was directed to all his followers, messianic organizations, and
gentiles to respond and accept His message of the New Kingdom and New
Covenant.
He taught the rules of the New Kingdom and the New Covenant. These are ethical teachings
with a series of requirements governing our personal conduct in
relationships with each other, and our relationship with God. Jesus
teaches us the eight attitudes. These attitudes most famously referred
to as the Beatitudes or Blessings ("Blessed are . . .") and explain that
we are to live differently than the world for Christ’s sake. (Matthew
5:1-12) also the complete chapters six and seven.
The Sanhedrin
of Jewish Rabbinical Authority in Jerusalem challenged him on specific
issues seeking to question him into self incrimination. When all of
their attempts failed they decided to get rid of Him out of concern that
Jesus’ activities would turn the Jewish people, and Romans against
them. The Sanhedrin feared that any disturbance of the peace would lead to Roman intervention and destroy the delicate balance between Jewish and Roman Power. (John 11:48)
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the
Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Let the Festivals Begin.
According
to the Old Testament (Torah), God commanded the Israelites: “Three
times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord your God in the
place that God will choose on the festivals of Pesah (Passover), Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), and Sukkot (the Festival of Tabernacles). (Deuteronomy 16:16-17).
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your
God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at
the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not
appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able,
according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.
We know this to be Jerusalem because every year Jesus and his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. (Luke 2:41-43) His
parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And
when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the
custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned,
the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother
did not know it;
On the Sunday before Passover, known as Palm Sunday. (John 12:13) Jesus entered Jerusalem. He sent two of His disciples to get a donkey that had never been ridden, on which Jesus would ride through Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-6) Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
Jesus
road an untrained foal of a donkey to fulfill yet another old testament
prophesy about Him. Prophesied by the Prophet Zechariah of the coming
King our Messiah Savior. (Zechariah 9:9) “Rejoice
greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold,
your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and
riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
The
disciples brought the donkey and laid their garments on it and Jesus
rode into the city. He was welcomed upon entering the city by crowds
singing and rejoicing, following Him to the Temple. Many naturally born
Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah during his lifetime, believing that
he was the Messiah who came to Jerusalem in triumph and was glorified as
the beloved son of Joseph who descended from King David. Some of these
very same believers would latter, share responsibility for Jesus' cruel
Roman execution of crucifixion. In fact, in less then a week that very same crowd would be demanded His crucifixion death on the cross.
The Beginning of The End.
That
week before the Jewish Passover Holiday Jerusalem was full of Jewish
pilgrims, who traveled from all over to visit the city and the temple.
Jesus rode that donkey directly to the Temple. The temple had been
turned into a unhallowed parody. This Holy Temple had become a major
marketplace, kind of like a farmers market or mall of booth’s operating
in the Temple. The Sanhedrin
had been letting the money changers and merchants conduct business in
the outer court. Jesus came to pass judgment and cleanse His Fathers
House of Iniquity. (Judges 5:10) “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges’ attire, And who walk along the road.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple and prophesied the same Temple's fall. (Mark 11:15-19) So
they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to
drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the
tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And
He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He
taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a
house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of
thieves.’ ” And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how
they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were
astonished at His teaching. When evening had come, He went out of the
city.
(Mark 13:1-2)
Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him,
“Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And
Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not
one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
On Friday, during Passover supper Jesus celebrated a farewell meal with his disciples, this meal is commonly know as The Last Supper. In the course of the meal Jesus spoke of his looming betrayal and impending death as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The last supper is where communion services became institutionalized by Jesus. Jesus compared his body and blood to bread and fruit of the vine.
While they ate Jesus exposes an evil in their presence, a traitor in their midst. Jesus says, “He
who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man
indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom
the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he
had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and
said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”(Matthew 26:23-25)
In
the End: Jesus reassures His Disciples of His coming Kingdom of God.
Jesus prophesies to them that they would on day be together again. Jesus
says, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” They sing a Hymn and go out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:17-30)
Six trials of Christ.
Later this same Friday evening, the traitor Judas with temple police, and Roman soldiers arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:3-4) (Matthew 26:47-50). Jesus was taken to a meeting of the supreme council of Jewish Sanhedrin.
You see, the Jews did not try him for treason, they found him guilty of
blasphemy. But they twisted the accusation when they came before the
Romans turning it into fictitious treason. Their reasoning behind the
lie is because, in Rome, death is instantaneous for those guilty of
treason. This is how Jesus came to be crucified for treason instead of
being stoned to death for blasphemy. They got the Romans to do their dirty work!
Contrary
to popular opinion, there wasn't one single trial for Jesus, there were
six! They were not all Jewish trials, half were Jewish and half Roman.
First there was Annas (John 18:12-14) Then there was Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57) , evolving a body of men making up the Sanhedrin. Thirdly, there was another by the 'official' band called the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59-60).
The first three were Jewish trials. The whole question of treason wasn’t even mentioned. The Sanhedrin
pushes the issue even further to trial number Four with Jesus first
interrogation in front of Pontius Pilate the governor (John 18:28-29).
This is where their lie developed, they officially accused Jesus of fictitious treason since they were before the mighty Roman Civil Court.
Trial
number Five, which was really a joke and mockery of Jesus. They were
trying to get Jesus to do some parlor tricks in front of Herod Antipas
(the same man who had previously ordered the death of His cousin, John
the Baptist) (Luke 23:7). Disappointed because Jesus would not do any
tricks, Antipas sends him back to Pilate.
Jesus
finally returns back to Pilate the second time, for His Sixth and Final
Trial. Partly because of Rome and pressure from his wife (Matthew
27:19), Pilate let the Jews have their way, and passed the death
sentence to Jesus. Pilate and his wife were never truly convinced of
Jesus' guilt. This sixth trial before Pilate was the only half-way fair trial that Jesus received. (Luke 23:23-25)
These
six trials of Jesus were railroaded through in a great hurry, because
of the passover and happened in a matter of a few hours. It was here at
the sixth trial, Innocent Jesus was condemned to death as a blasphemous
treasonous fake Messiah. Pilate unable to find fault and caving in under
the pressure from the crowds; ultimately left the decision to the
Jewish people, and they insisted on Jesus’ death. Jesus was executed
that same Friday evening by crucifixion with two other criminals who
were thieves. (Mark 15:27) They crucified also with him two thieves, the one on the right hand, and the other on his left.
Crucify Him!
When
it was evening refers to the period from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.,
this is the period the Jews considered to be the end of the day and the
beginning of the evening. It was “about the ninth hour,” or 3:00 P.M.,
that Jesus spoke His last words from the cross and “yielded up His
spirit”
Jesus
had seven things to say while suffering unto death for your salvation.
This was a pivotal point in time, Jesus literally did not have any time
left to waste His breath! Take some time in prayer and let Him reveal to
you on a personal level; The deep meaning and pure love in those
precious last words. His Words ring out from His tortured and bloody
body, from the Cross, Forever. Words to pierce into all those mortally
lost and wounded souls.
Jesus' own dying words are an astonishing summary of His Messiah life. Words spoken with pure humility and unconditional love.
Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
And Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26–27)
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(Matthew 27:46)
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, “I thirst”. (John 19:28)
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.(John 19:30)
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. (Luke 23:46)
There
were two important reasons it was compulsory that Jesus die several
hours before the end of the day. The first was because the Sabbath began
at six o’clock that day. Jesus had to be taken down, removed from the
cross before six o’clock, and prepared for burial. This was imperative
in order not to be sacrilegious or irreverent to Sabbath. (Luke 23:54-56) That
day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who
had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the
tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices
and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the
commandment.
According to Jewish law those who were crucified; Their bodies could not be left hanging on its cross overnight. (Deuteronomy 21:22–23)
“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to
death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight
on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not
defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance;
for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
The
second reason Jesus had to be buried before the end of that day,
Friday, was in order to be in the earth at least a part of three
separate days before His resurrection, as Jesus Himself declared He would be (Matthew 12:40).
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great
fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart
of the earth.
Later
in that same Friday evening before sunset, his body was taken down and
buried in a borrowed tomb. All the disciples and followers were scared.
Everyone's lives were in danger who were associated or connected to
Jesus in any manner. So, A rich man and a secret disciple of Jesus;
Joseph of Arimathea mustered enough courage together to convinced Pilate
to let him have Jesus' body and put it in his own tomb. Joseph was a
trusted member of the Sanhedrin Council and not suspected of being a follower of Jesus. (Matthew 27:57-60)
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named
Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went
to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the
body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it
in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn
out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the
tomb, and departed. (Mark 15:43) Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent
council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming
and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Having Joseph take Jesus' body served two purposes.
One was that the Romans were not suspicious of one of the council
members hiding Jesus' body. The Romans knew of the rumors about Jesus
saying He would be resurrected and they could post some guards to keep
watch. (Matthew 27:66) So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
The
Second purpose was that it fulfilled yet another prophesy that Jesus
died with wicked men, for he died between two thieves, as if he himself
had been one, and Jesus was buried in a rich man's grave the sepulcher
of Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man. (Isaiah 53:9)
And they made His grave with the wicked - But with the rich at His
death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
He is Risen!
Three
days after Jesus Christ's horrific crucifixion. Jesus arose from the
dead; Jesus was seen by his half brother James, the twelve apostles on
two occasions, even 500 people at the same time. John records some of
these sightings of the Resurrected Jesus in First Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 15:3-9)
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was
buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After
that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the
greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After
that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He
was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least
of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God.
Most
people are under the impression that upon Jesus' resurrection, He
immediately ascended to Heaven. Jesus now shed of His mortal constraints
proves His Love; by yet, suffering more and sticking around with mortal
man. Jesus takes the time to provide even more rock solid proof to
mankind, by letting us witness His Glorified Body as the Eternal Living
Messiah. Jesus shows us His endless patience and love when He could just
as easily be back in Heaven. Jesus did not ascend to Heaven until a
full 40 days after he rose from the dead. (Acts 1:3) to
whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many
infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of
the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
All
who believe in Jesus' life teachings, death, burial, and resurrection
are left with the hope of His return to usher in the new or restored
messianic Kingdom of God. The new Israel made up of both Jew and Gentile
into one true Church. (Galatians 3:29) (Romans 11:16–36) (Genesis
12:1–3)
You Must Choose. What Say You?
The
Apostle Paul, one of the earliest wordsmiths for the Lord, and Jewish
by birth, was instrumental in introducing Jesus to the Gentiles creating
the religion we now know as Christianity. Christianity simply stated is
the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, The word Christ was a Greek
translation of the Hebrew word Mashiach - The Anointed One for salvation
and redemption for us all. (Galatians 3:28) There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Acts 11:26)
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that
for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many
people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 26:28) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
This
leads us to the ongoing chapter in the life of Jesus the Christ, named
Emmanuel which means God with us. (Matthew 1:23) Since Jesus is still
with us and still the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews
13:8) You will one day die. Therefore, You will one day meet Jesus.
Satan
has deceived the world into thinking there is plenty of time to waist.
Procrastination is a dangerous decision when dealing with your
salvation. Decide now to believe in Jesus. Life is precious and all to
short. Make no mistake your body is mortal, but your soul will live
forever. (Matthew 25:46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) Jesus promises a surprise return, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
We
do not how much time remains in our lives, bad health, accidents, war,
severe weather, and random acts of violence are all too common in the
world today. These are not meant as scare tactics, because in the world
today these are commonplace realities. Satan has desensitized the world
to the fact that these things are happening more and more frequently on a
global scale.
Jesus said,
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay
each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first
and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12-13)
Make your decision while you still have Time! The question is... Will he be your Savior, Friend, and Lord or your ONE WAY ticket to Hell Forever?
There
is a real Heaven and a real Hell. Like it or not everyone must make a
choice to believe in Jesus before death. Everyone's soul will live on
forever, the choice is where will your soul's permanent home be. Heaven
or Hell? For your opportunity to meet Jesus today while you are alive and reading this. Please Click >> << http://somejesusthings.com/get-jesus/
If you are in a hurry Pray Now!
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and
believe that You are my Lord, God, and Savior. Guide my life and teach
me to do Your will. In Your name 'Jesus' I pray, Amen.”
