" JESUS' Final Week of Work - RESURRECTION SUNDAY !!! "

     

      Yesterday, when I gave you the Scriptures in Isaiah 53; that was a prophesy that GOD had given to Isaiah nearly 750 years before the birth of the CHRIST child.  This is an exciting day. The Sabbath Day of the Jews was over and the women were going to the tomb to further anoint the LORD's body so that it won't stink.  We will pick up the Scriptures very early in the morning of the LORD's rising from the dead.........

Matthew 28:1-8   Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the LORD descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, " Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek JESUS WHO was crucified.  HE  is  not  here;  for  HE  is  risen,  as  HE  said.  Come, see the place where the LORD lay.

And go quickly and tell HIS disciples that HE is risen from the dead, and indeed HE is going before you into Galilee; there you will see HIM. Behold, I have told you."

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and GREAT JOY, and ran to bring HIS disciples word.

      Now in other accounts the women had talked, before they got to the tomb, about who would roll the stone away from the door.  As we see above, there was no need to worry.  Also, in other accounts when the angel told the women to go and tell HIS disciples that the LORD was alive and would meet them in Galilee, the angel had also made a special request for the women to single out Peter for this great announcement, since Peter was the one who denied HIS LORD 3 times before the cock crowed.

John 20:1-18  On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom JESUS loved (John), and said to them, " They have taken away the LORD out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid HIM."

Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple out ran Peter and came to the tomb first.

And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the

linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around HIS head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that HE must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of JESUS had lain. Then they said to her, " Woman, why are you weeping ?" She said to them, " Because they have taken away my LORD, and I do not know where they have laid HIM."

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, and did not know that it was JESUS.  JESUS said to her, " Woman, why are you weeping ?  Whom are you seeking ?"  She supposing HIM to be the gardener, said to HIM, " Sir, if you have carried HIM away, tell me where YOU have laid HIM, and I will take HIM away.

JESUS said to her, " Mary !"  She turned and said to HIM,  " RABBONI !" (which is to say, TEACHER).

JESUS said to her,  " Do not cling to ME, for I have not yet ascended to MY FATHER, but go to MY brethren and say to them, I AM ascending to MY FATHER and your FATHER, and to MY GOD and your GOD.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that HE had spoken these things to her.

      Now of course for a Roman soldier to allow a dead body to be stolen from an officially Roman sealed tomb would mean death to those soldiers, so a story / lie had to be concocted to cover them from any retribution.

Matthew 28:11-15   Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, " Tell them, HIS disciples came at night and stole HIM away while we slept."

And if this comes to the Governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

      Now CHRIST appears to the 11 disciples but some still doubted.  CHRIST also appeared to two of HIS followers on the road to Emmaus.  In that appearance HE either did not allow them to see WHO HE was clearly or changed HIS appearance so that they would not recognize HIM. As they walked with HIM they were sad and HE asked them why. We will pick up the Scriptures there.

Luke 24:21-43   But we were hoping that it was HE WHO was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find HIS body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said HE was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but HIM they did not see.  Then HE said to them, " O, foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken !  Ought not the CHRIST to have suffered these things and to enter into HIS glory ?"  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, HE expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF.

 Then they drew near to the village(Emmaus) where they were going, and HE indicated that HE would have gone farther. But they constrained HIM, saying, " Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And HE went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass as HE sat at the table with them, that HE took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew HIM; and HE vanished from their sight.

And they said to one another, " Did not our hearts burn within us while HE talked with us on the road, and while HE opened the Scriptures to us ?"

So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, " The LORD is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon !"

And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how HE was known to them in the breaking of bread. Now as they said these things, JESUS HIMSELF stood in the midst of them, and said to them, " Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened and supposed they had seen a spirit. And HE said to them, " Why are you troubled ? And why do doubts arise in your hearts ? Behold MY hands and MY feet that it is I MYSELF. Handle ME and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."

When HE had said this, HE showed them HIS hands and HIS feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, HE said, " Have you any food here ?" So they gave HIM a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb, and HE took it and ate in their presence.

      Now just to stop for a moment, this was also the time that Thomas was NOT with them and when he came to them in John 20:25...The other disciples said to him, " We have seen the LORD." But he said to them, " Unless I see in HIS hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into HIS side, I will NOT believe."

Now 8 days went by before the LORD came to HIS disciples and Thomas was with them.  I don't want to go beyond the day of resurrection but this unbelief of Thomas was such a pivotal point in his and the LORD's relationship that I want to just give this one section. As I said it happened 8 days after the LORD's resurrection. John 20:26-29 reads:

And after eight days HIS disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. JESUS came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, " Peace to you !"  Then HE said to Thomas, " Reach your finger here, and look at MY hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into MY side. Do not be unbelieving but believing." And Thomas answered and said to HIM,  " My LORD and my GOD !"

  

JESUS said to him, " Thomas because you have seen ME, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

      Now we will finish up in Luke 24 when the LORD had eaten the fish and the honeycomb in front of the disciples, except for Thomas.  The LORD explained the Scriptures more fully to them.

Luke 24:44-49   Then HE said to them, " These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that ALL things MUST be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning ME."  And HE opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Then HE said to them, " Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the CHRIST to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in HIS name to ALL nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And you are witnesses of these things.  Behold, I send the PROMISE of MY FATHER upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

      John has said at the end of his gospel, in chapter 21 verse 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 "   We will end here and I hope that you were able to get a sense of all the other things that the LORD did, besides Palm Sunday, HIS crucifixion on Friday and HIS resurrection on the following Sunday.   The LORD had HIS purpose and direction laid out and HE never got off course. The FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT's redemptive plan went forward and culminated to a glorious day, on RESURRECTION SUNDAY.  And we know the price for our redemption was paid in full because,  "  HE  is NOT  in any tomb,  HE  is RISEN as  HE  said "

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" JESUS' Final Week of Work - Saturday "

      Saturday, the crucifixion of our LORD, is done.  HE was gently wrapped, spices intermingled within the wrappings, and laid in a borrowed tomb. The women kept watch, guards were added and a Roman Seal was put on the stone for added security. Who did they think would disturb the MASTER ?  Did they really think that someone would take on the Roman soldiers to steal a dead body ?  Many thoughts were going through not only the disciples and the women's minds, but also through the Chief Priests and Pharisees minds.

Matthew 27:59-66  And 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.

 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the Chief Priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, " Sir, we remember, while HE was still alive, how that deceiver said, ' After three days I will rise.' 

Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest HIS disciples come by night and steal HIM away, and say to the people, ' HE has risen from the dead.'  So the last deception will be worse than the first."  Pilate said to them, " You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

      As I said above, who in their right mind would go against the Roman guards and break a Roman seal for a dead body ?  On this day the women would watch over the tomb and also prepare more spices for the body; the disciples were so afraid that they would be next, they hide themselves for fear of the Jews coming for them and killing them as they did the LORD.   But this day was their Sabbath day so no work could be done.  The spices and fragrant oils that the women would prepare would have to wait til the next day to be put on the LORD's body.

      Now there are verses that describe what JESUS did after HIS burial.  There is a verse in Psalm 68:18 that states,  " YOU have ascended on high, YOU have led captivity captive; YOU have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD GOD might dwell there."

This captivity captive refers to those who had been waiting on the Paradise side of Hades. When you read the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 you see that Lazarus went to the bosom of Abraham where all the Saints were waiting for the MESSIAH to fulfill HIS sacrifice and free them to be taken with HIM up into Heaven.   Many call this a Parable and not a true story, but if you look at the LORD's Parables, they had no names. Lazarus was named, the rich man was not because he ended up in Hell on the tormented side. So the LORD took those who had been waiting for HIS fulfillment of prophecy to heaven, just as we, the Bride of CHRIST are waiting for HIM to come back to the clouds and take those of us up first who died from HIS Ascension on til that day HE comes and those who are alive and remain will be caught up with HIM, forever to be with the LORD.

      Now since this is more of a quiet day, I wanted to take this time to write the prophetic chapter 53 in the book of Isaiah which speaks of the MESSIAH's coming, HIS rejection by the Jews, HIS death, burial and resurrection.

Isaiah 53:1-12   Who has believed our report ? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed ? For HE shall grow up before HIM as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. HE has no form or comeliness; and when we see HIM , there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE is despised and rejected by men. A MAN of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and we hid, as it were, our faces from HIM; HE was despised, and we did not esteem HIM. 

Surely HE has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed HIM stricken, smitten by GOD, and afflicted. But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon HIM, and by HIS stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all.

HE was oppressed and HE was afflicted, yet HE opened not HIS mouth; and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so HE opened not HIS mouth.

HE was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare HIS generation ? For HE was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of MY people HE was stricken. 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.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise HIM; HE has put HIM to grief. When YOU make HIS soul an offering for sin, HE shall see HIS seed, HE shall prolong HIS days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in HIS hand. HE shall see the travail of HIS soul, and be satisfied. By HIS knowledge MY righteous SERVANT shall justify many, for HE shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide HIM a portion with the great, and HE shall divide the spoil with the strong, because HE poured out HIS soul unto death, and HE was numbered with the transgressors, and HE bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

      Tomorrow is the day of days !!  The greatest event in all of man's history will take place.  The FATHER's price for our sin will be paid in full, by the ONE WHO took all the punishment in our place.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" JESUS' Final Week of Work - Crucifixion Day "

    

      Today is the day that everything has been walking towards. We have seen where JESUS never missed a beat in continuing to teach HIS disciples. There is NO pity party for HIMSELF, there is NO hesitation to go and do what HE knows needs to be done.  HIS work is not yet finished and HE has much physically to go through, but that is not what causes HIM dread. There is another part of HIS work, that HE has never gone through, and it will nearly crush HIS SPIRIT to go through it;  and only for US would HE do it.  Today we will see the LORD's betrayer, we will see the LORD's tenderness in healing a severed ear, Peter's denial of HIM, false witnesses paid to lie about the LORD, HIS trials, beatings and mockings.

This day will try even the LORD, but there is a Scripture verse in Hebrews 12:2-3a that sums up why the LORD allowed sinful man to do to HIM what was more horrific than we as finite humans can even fathom.  Hebrews 12:2-3a says,  " looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, WHO for the JOY that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM WHO endured such hostility from sinners against HIMSELF..."  We'll pick up right where we left off in Luke.

Luke 22:48-53   BUT JESUS said to him, " Judas, are you betraying the SON of MAN with a kiss ?" When those around HIM saw what was going to happen, they said to HIM, " LORD, shall we strike with the sword ?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But JESUS answered and said, " Permit even this. " And HE touched his ear and healed him. Then JESUS said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to HIM, " Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs ? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize ME. But this is your hour and the power of darkness."

      The Roman soldiers and religious rulers and elders took JESUS to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year. We will now go over to John 18 and pick up there the LORD's first Jewish trial before Annas.

John 18:12-23   Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested JESUS and bound HIM. And they led HIM away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that ONE MAN should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed JESUS, and so did another disciple(John). Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with JESUS into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. The the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, " You are not also one of this MAN's disciples, are you ?" He said, " I am not." And the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

The high priest then asked JESUS about HIS disciples and HIS doctrine. JESUS answered him, " I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask ME ? Ask those who have heard ME what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said." And when HE had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck JESUS with the palm of his hand saying, " Do YOU answer the high priest like that ?" JESUS answered him, " If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why do you strike ME ?"   

Luke 22:58-71   And after a little while another saw him and said, " You also are of them." But Peter said, " Man, I am not !" Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, " Surely this fellow also was with HIM, for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, " Man, I do not know what you are saying !"  And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the LORD turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the WORD of the LORD, how HE has said to him, " Before the rooster crows, you will deny ME three times."  Then Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men, who held JESUS mocked HIM and beat HIM, and having blindfolded HIM, they struck HIM on the face and asked HIM, saying, " Prophesy ! Who is it that struck YOU ?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against HIM.

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led HIM into their council, saying, " If YOU are the CHRIST, tell us." But HE said to them, " If I tell you, you will by no means believe, and if I also ask you, you will by no means answer ME or let ME go. Hereafter the SON of MAN will sit on the right hand of the power of GOD."  Then they all said, " Are YOU then the SON of GOD ?" And HE said to them, " You rightly say that I AM."  And they said, " What further testimony do we need ? For we have heard it ourselves from HIS own mouth !"

     The Jews made a mockery of their 2 trials against CHRIST because they had already condemned HIM not only physically but in their hearts and minds.  This is why the LORD said in John 1:11  " HE came to HIS own and HIS own did not receive HIM."  Now we are not going to go deeply into the first trial of Pilate or the first trial of Herod. We will pick up the narration at Pilate's second trial of the LORD.  Needless to say, HE has been treated very badly, physically and in every other way. Beatings, mockings, scourgings, plucking out HIS beard, the crown of thorns. All kinds of physical and mental torment was laid on CHRIST and in the mist of all that was going on with HIM, there was a little footnote in Matthew 27:3-10 about what Judas, the LORD's betrayer was doing.  

Now I am not going to waste much time about Judas, but he realized that what he had done was going to result in the LORD's death, so he tried to give back the 30 pcs.of silver to the religious rulers, but they could not take back, " blood money " into the treasury, so Judas threw it down and ran out an hanged himself, and the money was used to buy a field to bury strangers. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, " And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of HIM WHO was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter's field, as the LORD directed me." Matthew 27:9-10 

      Now JESUS' final examination before HIS crucifixion is before Pilate. He tries everything to get JESUS released but the religious rulers had paid men to get the crowd in an uproar and also many in the crowd had thought that the LORD may have been the one to come and take down the Romans rule over them, so they were angry at HIM for not doing what they thought HE came to do. Pilate's wife even warned him not to have anything to do with this JUST MAN.  So Pilate thought that he could get JESUS released through a tradition of releasing one prisoner during Passover, as a kindness. Now Pilate thought surely they would call for JESUS, a JUST MAN to be released because the other choice was a murderer and a notorious criminal named Barabbas. So Pilate brought, the beaten and tortured JESUS before the people and Barabbas, and left it up to them who they would have released.  And nearly with one accord, they screamed for Barabbas to be released and Pilate asked what he was to do with JESUS and again they screamed, " CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM !" We are going to look at just a few verses before the LORD walks to HIS cross. 

Matthew 27:22-31  Pilate said to them, " What then shall I do with JESUS WHO is called CHRIST ?" They all said to him, " LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED !"

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, " I am innocent of the blood of this just PERSON. You see to it." And all the people answered and said, " HIS blood be on us and on our children." 

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged JESUS he delivered HIM to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took JESUS into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around HIM. And they stripped HIM and put a scarlet robe on HIM.

When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on HIS head, and a reed in HIS right hand. And they bowed the knee before HIM and mocked HIM, saying, " Hail, KING of the Jews !" Then they spat on HIM, and took the reed and struck HIM on the head. Then when they had mocked HIM, they took the robe off HIM, put HIS own clothes on HIM and led HIM away to be crucified.

      JESUS was so badly beaten and scourged that HE was unable to carry HIS cross alone so the soldiers compelled a man from Cyrene whose name was Simon. They walked the path to Golgotha, known as the place of the skull, they gave HIM sour wine mingled with gall to drink but HE would not take of it. They striped HIM and divided HIS garments among themselves and laid HIM out on the cross and put large spikes through each of HIS hands and put HIS feet, one on top of the other and put a spike through them into the cross.  The solders put a sign over HIS head saying:  THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS  and they sat at HIS feet casting lots for HIS garment which fulfilled the Scripture in Psalm 22:18 which says: " They divided MY garments among them, and for MY clothing they cast lots."

      We are also told that there were 2 thieves crucified at the same time, with HIM, one on HIS left and one on HIS right sides; which fulfills another prophesy of Isaiah 53:12 which states " And HE was numbered with the transgressors." One of them cursed and mocked HIM, and said, " if YOU are the CHRIST, save YOURSELF and us." The other thief said, " Do you not even fear GOD, seeing you are under the same condemnation ? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this MAN has done nothing wrong. Then he said to JESUS, ' LORD remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.' "  And JESUS said to him, " Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with ME in Paradise." Luke 23:39b-43.

      There were 7 sayings of CHRIST while HE was on the cross:

1.) Luke 23:34  Then JESUS said, " FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do." And they divided HIS garments and cast lots.

2.) Mark 15:33-34  Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour JESUS cried out with a loud voice, saying, " Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ? " which is translated, " MY GOD, MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME ? "

3.) John 19:26  When JESUS therefore saw HIS mother,and the disciple who HE loved(John)standing by, HE said to HIS mother, " Women, behold your son !"

4.) John 19:27  Then HE said to the disciple, " Behold, your mother !"

5.) John 19:28  " I  thirst !"

6.) Luke 23:46  " FATHER, ' into YOUR hands I commend MY spirit.' "

7.) John 19:30  " It is finished !"

     Now I promised to give you a little insight into what one of the LORD's sayings really encompassed. This was the one point, of HIS walk to the cross and HIS death, that brought out the " sweat as great drops of blood "  and also made HIM ask the FATHER, " if this cup could pass from HIM ?"  HE knew that the cup had to be taken.  This was not a cup in the physical sense of something that we drink out of, but the cup HE was talking about was saying # 2 above, " MY GOD, MY GOD why has though forsaken ME !"   I have prayed and tried to come up with something, in human terms, that would describe in the most graphic detail of what was happening to the LORD at this moment.

     GOD the FATHER, spiritually laid on JESUS the sin of us all. The sin of Hitler, the sin of Jack the Ripper, the sin of Nero, the sin of all the Ceasers', the sin of Stalin, the sin of Henry the 8th, and your sin and mine.  GOD the FATHER cannot look at or be part of sin, so when all the sin of every man, woman and child to every occupy a soul, was laid on our SAVIOR's shoulders, the FATHER had to look away, or for a brief time, detach HIMSELF from HIS SON.  This had never happened before, the FATHER and the SON being separated.  I told you that I had a really hard time trying to come up with a situation that would even share a tiny glimpse of what happened in those moments.  The LORD gave me this human analogy, grip a section of your skin and start taring it off your flesh, no anesthesia. Spiritually speaking the LORD was torn from the FATHER because of our sin that was laid on HIM. The LORD did not want to be separated from the FATHER, that was the cup that HE wanted taken from HIM, but HE knew that this was the only way of Salvation for us. HE DID IT ALL FOR US !!!

      Now because it was Preparation day, none of the bodies were allowed to hang on the crosses, so they broke the legs of the thieves so that they would suffocate and die quicker.  When they came to JESUS they saw that HE was already dead, so to make sure they pierced HIS side with a spear which was also a prophesy of Zechariah 12:10 "They shall look on HIM WHOM they had pierced."  And about HIM not having any broken bones, Psalm 34:20 states, " Not one of HIS bones shall be broken,"

John 19:38-42  After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of JESUS, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of JESUS; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of JESUS. And Nicodemus, who at first came to JESUS by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of JESUS, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 

Now in the place where HE was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. (This was Joseph of Arimathea's unused tomb)  So there they laid JESUS, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

      Now a large rock was laid against the opening of the tomb so that nothing and no one could disturb the LORD's body. As the LORD said, "It is finished !"  

HIS work on the cross, for redemption of mankind, was finished.  There was one thing yet that had to be done.  Would HIS sacrifice be enough to redeem us from our sin ?  What would be the final sign that would show that HIS sacrifice was perfect and was accepted by the FATHER ?  We will see the answer to these questions on Resurrection Sunday.  I will do a short post of what occurred on that Saturday before HE arose.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

      

" JESUS' Final Week of Work - Thursday to approx.Midnight

     Today we are walking with JESUS through the day that would end in Gethsemane.  We will be looking at the disciples preparation of their " Last Supper ", unbeknownst to them, with their FRIEND whom they had been walking with for approximately 3+ years. We also will be looking at how the LORD is still teaching by rebuking their jealousy, a good foot washing and HIS testifying that one of them will betray HIM.  We will be using Scripture from the books of Luke and John, today.  We will be picking up the activity in Jerusalem and the disciples are buzzing about preparing someplace for the Passover with the LORD.

Luke 22:7-23   Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And HE sent Peter and John, saying, " Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." So they said to HIM, " Where do YOU want us to prepare ?" And HE said to them, " Behold when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ' The TEACHER says to you, " Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with MY disciples ?" Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready."  So they went and found it as HE had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

And when the hour had come. HE sat down, and the twelve apostles with HIM. Then HE said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of GOD."

Then HE took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, " Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of GOD comes." 

And HE took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, " This is MY body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of ME."

Likewise HE also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in MY blood, which is shed for you.   BUT BEHOLD, the hand of MY betrayer is with ME on the table, and truly the SON of MAN goes as it has been determined, but WOE to that man by whom HE is betrayed !"

Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

      Now JESUS announced that one of them would betray HIM and in other accounts of the " Last Supper " HE all but told them that it was Judas but they were too busy talking among themselves to look up and see Judas and JESUS dipping their bread in the sop at the same time, which is who HE said it would be.  But all this had to take place for Scripture to be fulfilled and for our sin debt, to be paid.  No one would be able to stop these events as they unfolded because each one was part and parcel of the LORD's walk to Calvary.  We will now pick up where the supper had ended and Judas had left to betray the LORD.

John 13:1-20   Now before the feast of the Passover, when JESUS knew that HIS hour had come that HE should depart from this world to the FATHER, having loved HIS own who were in the world, HE loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray HIM. JESUS knowing that the FATHER had given all things into HIS hands, and that HE had come from GOD and was going to GOD, rose from supper and laid aside HIS garments, took a towel and girded HIMSELF. After that, HE poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which HE was girded. Then HE came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to HIM,

" LORD, are YOU washing my feet ?"  JESUS answered and said to him, " What I AM doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." Peter said to HIM, " YOU shall never wash my feet !" JESUS answered him, " If I do not wash you, you have no part with ME." Simon Peter said to HIM, " LORD, not my feet only but also my hands and my head !" JESUS said to him, " He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For HE knew who would betray HIM; therefore HE said, " You are not all clean." So when HE had washed their feet, taken HIS garments, and sat down again, HE said to them, " Do you know what I have done to you ? You call ME TEACHER and LORD, and you say well, for so I AM. If I then, your LORD and TEACHER, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ' He who eats bread with ME has lifted up his heel against ME.' "

" Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I AM HE. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives ME; and he who receives ME receives HIM WHO sent ME."

      There is still a lot of teaching going on by JESUS and we will go back to Luke 22 to see the disciples arguing over who is the greatest; and Peter standing strong for the LORD, but will deny HIM.

Luke 22:24-34   But there was also rivalry among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And HE said to them, " The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ' benefactors.'

But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves ? Is it not he who sits at the table ? Yet I AM among you as the ONE WHO serves. But you are those who have continued with ME in MY trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom just as MY FATHER bestowed one upon ME, that you may eat and drink at MY table in MY kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

And the LORD said, " Simon, Simon ! Indeed, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat ! But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to ME, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to HIM, " LORD, I am ready to go with YOU, both to prison and to death."

Then HE said,  " I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know ME. "

      Peters denial will nearly cripple him. The LORD's final hours of teaching, before the Roman Guard come for HIM in Gethsemane, include the Scriptures of John 14:1 through the LORD's real prayer in John 17.  John 17 is the most intimate prayer to the FATHER. HE prays for HIMSELF in 17:1-5; for HIS disciples 6-19; and for ALL Believers that will believe in HIM through the disciples word, which would include every TRULY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER from HIS Ascension to the time the LORD comes for HIS Bride.  I would love to include John 14:1 - 17:26 but I am confident that you can honor the LORD by reading this section on your own.  The last Scriptures that I will use today is in Gethsemane, at the point of betrayal by Judas Iscariot in Luke 22.

Luke 22:39 - 47   And coming out, HE went to the Mount of Olives, as HE was accustomed, and HIS disciples also followed HIM. When HE came to the place, HE said to them, " Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And HE was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and HE knelt down and prayed, saying, " FATHER, if it is YOUR will, remove this cup from ME; nevertheless not MY will, but YOURS, be done."  Then an angel appeared to HIM from heaven, strengthening HIM.

And being in agony, HE prayed more earnestly. And HIS sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When HE rose up from prayer, and had come to HIS disciples, HE found them sleeping from sorrow. Then HE said to them,  " Why do you sleep ? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. "

And while HE was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to JESUS to kiss HIM.  BUT................

      And we will stop there for this post. Tomorrows post will pick up right where we left off, with the  BUT.

As I have been doing this series, so many things have jumped out at me.  The disciples callous attitude, Judas' greed,  JESUS's humility and love through it all. 

The hours are ticking down to the event that HE knew was so needed for mankind to have fellowship with the FATHER, but there was also something that filled HIS heart with dread, a moment that would be like no other moment in history, and we will dwell long and hard on that moment tomorrow.  PLEASE don't miss any of this series of JESUS' walk to the cross and HIS wonderful resurrection.

Your servant in the LORD,

Julie