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John 19:13 – So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.

As we concluded our post last week, we left Pilate at the moment of truth – would he crumble under the threats of the Jewish religious leaders, or would he stand for truth/justice and pronounce Jesus innocent of all charges?

Of course, this really isn't a cliffhanger because we all know what happened.  Pilate heard the veiled threats of the Jews; they would accuse him of treason if he didn't crucify Christ.  He was more afraid of losing his life than his soul, so he chose to try and save/protect himself by giving in to the pressure of the Jews (Matthew 16:26).

Once his decision was made, his only course of action is to pronounce judgment on the prisoner.  In our culture, this would occur in a courtroom, where the judge would sit up on his bench and the prisoner would stand before him to receive sentencing.  But back then, sentencing occurred at a place called the judgment seat.

The judgment seat was normally located in an outdoor, open court area.� In Roman culture, was customary for the floor of this space to be paved with stones of various colors; marble was frequently used for this purpose.� Because of the unusual floor this location was also referred to as 'The Stone Pavement'.�

John tells us that it was also commonly called "Gabbatha" which means 'elevated' or 'lofty'.� This is the only time the word is used in scripture, and it is believed to refer to an elevated bench occupied by the governor as he passed sentence.�

As we go through the judgment scene, I encourage you to picture yourself in the place of Jesus.  Imagine yourself standing bound and humiliated before the judgment seat of Almighty God where you would justly be condemned for your sin.  Imagine the hopelessness of being sentenced to eternity in hell, without any chance of escape or reprieve.  Then earnestly give thanks to Jesus for taking your punishment upon himself!

John 19:14 – Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover.  It was about the sixth hour.  He said to the Jews, "Behold your king!"

The day of Preparation is exactly what it seems – the day before the Passover Sabbath, which the Jews used to make everything ready for the Passover celebration as well as the feast of unleavened bread, which commenced the day after Passover.�

John gives the time of the sentencing as about the sixth hour.  As you recall from some of our other studies, the Jews considered the day to begin at 6 am and they counted time starting from that point.  Therefore, the sixth hour means six hours after 6 am, or noon.

So according to John, Jesus was condemned around/approximately at noon and crucified sometime after.

But Mark tells us that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25), which is 9am. 

Various explanations have been given for this discrepancy.  They include an error in translating the number in the text (6 instead of 3), differences in the division of hours/time between the Romans and Jews and alternate ways the Jews marked or 'blocked' time. 

In the end, I think one commentator summed up the situation perfectly by noting 'no solution of the discrepancy is wholly satisfactory'.�� Rather than spending our time and energy adding to this unsolvable mystery, we are simply going to acknowledge that the discrepancy exists, and move on to other points that can aid in our spiritual edification.

What we know for sure is that Pilate once again brought Jesus outside to the Stone Pavement where the agitated and combative Jews were waiting.�

But this time he must have looked very different.  He had been up all night.  He had been savagely whipped - his back had long, deep wounds; blood soaked through the thread bare purple robe and ran down his legs.  He was also profusely bleeding from his head, where the crown of thorns still rested upon his brow.  His face was bruised, swollen and almost unrecognizable – the result of being hit in the face numerous times and having portions of his beard plucked out.  As a result of blood loss and dehydration, he was probably unsteady on his feet as he stood there, bound in manacles. 

Now picture Pilate raising a hand towards Jesus and saying, "Behold your king!"

Perhaps Pilate made this declaration to shock the Jews.� He may have been trying to show them once again that, despite their accusations, Jesus was no threat to Rome and he should be released.� Alternatively, he may have been trying to garner pity from the common Jews, hoping they could sway the priests.� Or maybe Pilate was mocking the Jews – if this was their king, they would always be subject to Rome!

John 19:15 – They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!"  Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?"  The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."

This statement proves that the priests have gone completely mad!

The Messiah was the foundation for the entire Jewish law and all of the promises God made to his people.  To reject him was to throw away every grace and blessing of God.  

Yet, here we have the priests, who were (or should have been) well acquainted with the law violently rejecting Jesus as their king! 

It might be argued that the Jews did not believe in Christ as the Messiah.  But even if that is a legitimate excuse (which it isn't), there is absolutely no way to justify their statement 'We have no king but Caesar'. 

Did they really prefer the utter tyranny of Rome to the government of righteousness, peace and justice of God's kingdom?  Really? Because that is what they were choosing – death and misery over peace and joy. 

It wouldn't be long before they regretted their choice.� In 71 AD Rome stormed Jerusalem, destroying the temple and massacring the Jews. �

John 19:16 – So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. 

Although John omits it from his account, Matthew tells us that Pilate, in an effort to ease his own guilt, places full responsibility for the unjust execution of Jesus upon the Jews.  He does this by symbolically washing his hands:

Matthew 27:24 - When Pilate saw that he could gain nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it.

Pilate now issues orders – Barabbas is to be set free, while Jesus (and two robbers) is sentenced to immediate executed by crucifixion.

John 19:17-18 - So they took Jesus, and he went out bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

Crucifixion was a punishment reserved for slaves and the vilest criminals in society.  It was considered such a curse that Roman citizens were exempt from it.

Crucifixions were performed outside of the city walls, and it was not uncommon for the Romans to make the condemned man carry his own cross.  It was a punishment designed to not only humiliate the prisoner, but to further weaken him and hasten death.

The other gospel writers tell us that Jesus began to faint along the way and the Romans commanded a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, to bear the burden of the cross for Jesus (Mark 15:21).  This was not an act of mercy.  It was an unimaginably cruel thing to do; they did not want Jesus to die quietly by the side of the road.  They wished him to remain alive so he could be subjected to the unbearable pain, suffering and humiliation of the public death they had planned for him.

This event sometimes raises a question in our minds: Why couldn't Jesus carry his own cross?  Why would he need help from someone else?

Here are some possible reasons:

• Jesus was in an extremely weak physical state.  He hadn't had any sleep in over 24 hours, and nothing to eat or drink in since the prior day.  He had been savagely beaten and was bleeding profusely. 
• The sharp edges of the wood grated on his raw and bleeding shoulders.
• Perhaps this was a demonstration for our benefit – it was proof of his humanity.  Jesus was fully God, yet fully human.  He was subject to all of the constraints and weaknesses of a fleshly body, just like we are.  And even though he was tempted like we are, he was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

We know that Jesus was crucified in the midst of two convicted robbers who were considered the scum of the world.  The Jews no doubt rejoiced in this because it seemed to confirm their own allegations that Jesus was guilty. 

But we are not fooled by this because we know that long before the crucifixion, the prophets revealed that Jesus would be 'numbered with the transgressors':

Isaiah 53:12 - Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has 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. 

We are also not surprised by the method of death.  Scripture tells us that anyone who is hanged on a tree is cursed by God:

Deuteronomy 21:23 - His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;)�

The guilt of our sin could only be removed by the Son of God becoming a curse for us, which he did back on the day of his crucifixion.  Because of his sacrifice, we can have full confidence that he has redeemed us from the curse of the law.  We are now new creatures in Christ; we are righteous in the sight of God.

Galatians 3:13 - Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he has made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The more we study the death of Christ the more we find that his death fulfilled/satisfied the wrath of God in even the most minute detail.� The plan of salvation is perfect, complete and foolproof.� There are no loopholes or loose ends.�

For instance, did you know that under the Old Testament law, when an animal was sacrificed for sin, the body was always carried outside of the camp (Leviticus 16:27)?  This is why Jesus was crucified outside of the city of Jerusalem.

Here is something interesting to ponder this week – It has been said that the four limbs of the cross reflect the height, depth, length and breadth of the love of Christ, forever extending salvation to all (Ephesians 3:17-19).  Praise his name!  

John 19:19 – Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.  It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'

It was customary for the Romans to post the crime of executed prisoners over their heads as they were crucified.� It not only served as a deterrent to crime, it justified the actions of Rome in the eyes of the people.��

In the case of Jesus, we find that Pilate ordered the plaque to say 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.  This is a far cry from the words 'insurrectionist' or 'traitor' which were the crimes Jesus were sentenced for. 

It is possible that in choosing the title he did, Pilate was delivering a final parting shot at the Jews for bullying him into having an innocent man executed.  In a way, the title throws blame onto the whole Jewish nation, which cried out for the release of Barabbas and the bloody execution of Christ.  It also ridicules the entire Jewish nation by implying that anyone who attempts to lead/deliver the Jews from Rome would meet the same fate.

Whatever his petty motivations might have been, we know the providence of God was guiding the pen of Pilate.  His inscription certainly does not brand Jesus with the commission of any crime. 

In fact, 'King of the Jews' is a well known Messianic title, so the inscription was a clear acknowledgement that Jesus was the Messiah.  Thus, his true honor/glory was openly proclaimed by his enemy in the midst of his greatest reproach and suffering. Pilate correctly labels Jesus the Author of Salvation, even though he did not know the meaning of what he wrote.     

John 19:20-21 – Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin and in Greek.� So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"

Not surprisingly, the chief priests and religious leaders were angry about the title.  They recognized the insult of Pilate and they wanted the inscription changed immediately, so that it placed blame for the whole situation on Christ.  

John 19:22 – Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."

Because Pilate plainly intended to insult the Jews with the inscription (and probably because he was now sick and tired of them), he flatly refuses to change the inscription.�

But I believe there was more to it – it was God's sovereign hand that kept the truth posted on that cross in the three main languages of the known world.� It was a message of salvation to the world - the Messiah had come and the way was open for Jew and Gentiles to return to God.� It was also a message of warning to the Jews – no other Messiah was coming.� If they rejected Jesus, nothing was left for them but the deceptions of false antichrists.

John 19:23-24 – When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.  But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be."  This was to fulfill the scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."  So the soldiers did these things�

The prophesy that John mentions in this passage regarding the division of Jesus' clothing is found in Psalms 22:18.  Now, if the soldiers stripped Jesus and divided his clothing, the natural assumption is that Jesus was crucified naked, or with only a small covering.  Knowing the cruelty of the Romans, it is likely they would have further humiliated him by forcing him to die naked.

It has been noted that once man sinned in the Garden of Eden, he was both naked and ashamed.� Jesus suffered naked on the cross, that we might be permanently clothed with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).� All our sin and shame has been washed away!

John 19:25-27 – � but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.� When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"� Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"� And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

It is commonly believed that Mary's husband Joseph was dead by this time, but thankfully she was not alone in her grief.  We find her supported during this tragedy by some of her friends.   

It is hard to imagine the turmoil and heartache that Mary, mother of Jesus, suffered on that day.� She knew full well that her son was divine.� Perhaps she entertained notions of a physical kingdom on earth for her son, just as the disciples did.� If so, this was an even more terrible agony to her.� Truly, her heart must have been 'pierced by a sword' as prophesied by Simeon on the day Jesus was dedicated in the temple (Luke 2:34-35).�

But even in the midst of his own suffering, Jesus remembers her.  In one of his final commands, he made the apostle John her adopted son, and she John's adopted mother.  As such, John would provide Mary with a home and all the necessities of life until her death.

Although Mary was not present on the day of Jesus' resurrection, she remained in fellowship with all of the disciples and was likely present in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14).      

John 19:28 – After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture), "I thirst."

As is his custom, the apostle John will skip over many of the events that occurred at the crucifixion which the other evangelists relate.  He chooses to focus on the final moments of Jesus' life.

Thirst is a notorious symptom of those who are crucified.  Jesus suffered a significant amount of blood loss from the scourging, his wounds were highly inflamed, he underwent the physical exertion of carrying the cross and he was crucified in the heat of the day.  No wonder he was thirsty!

But despite his indescribable suffering, he gave the world one last proof of his identity as the Messiah.� By admitting he was thirsty, Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophesy of Psalms 69:21.�

John 19:29-30 – A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The jar of sour or tart wine (your translation may say 'vinegar') was the common drink of the Roman soldiers.  The jar may have been provided for them to drink as they worked the multiple crucifixions of the day.  However, since there was a sponge and hyssop branch nearby, it is possible wine was provided for the thirst of those being crucified.

In either case, after fulfilling the prophesy, Jesus proclaims, "it is finished"! 

What did he mean?

The Father's will and purpose which the trinity decreed from ages past, was now accomplished.  Mankind could once again have fellowship with God (Revelation 21:3).

The scriptures are now fulfilled!  Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).  All of the Old Testament types or pictures of the Messiah have received their final accomplishment in him.

Our salvation is now complete.  The price of our sin has been fully paid; God's wrath has been completely satisfied (I Thessalonians 5:9).

The fury, malice, rage and revenge of the enemies of Christ was now ended.  The suffering and sorrow of the Son of God is over – and it has ended in victory!  

Satan is now defeated; the power of darkness is broken.  We now have victory through Christ Jesus our Lord, Savior and King! Hallelujah!

Let me offer you some encouragement:

God gave us his all.� He gave us his only begotten Son to make atonement for our sin.� Once that was done, he made us joint heirs with Christ.� This means that all that the Father has is available to us because of Jesus!

In light of that, shouldn't we give our best to him?� I encourage you to think of an area of your life that is not yet fully surrendered to God, and make an effort to give that to him this week.

Let me offer you some relief:

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a widow when Jesus was crucified. But as we noted in today's post, she found comfort in her friends and relatives. 

It is no coincidence that the church is called the 'family of God'.  The men and women who attend your local church are truly your brothers and sisters.  They can be a great relief to you during times of heartache and tragedy by offering you support, comfort and love.  And you can do the same for them. 

So be sure to get involved in your local church.  It is a great place to find fellowship and establish friendships that will last until eternity.    

Let me offer you some strength:  

Sometimes when we look around the world, it looks like Satan is winning the war.  But nothing could be further from the truth!

Satan never, ever, ever had the ability to defeat God.� Demonically inspiring the Jews to kill the Savior did not give him victory, it merely sealed his fate for eternity!

So don't be discouraged by what you see around you.� Stand firm/strong in your faith and keep praying and declaring the kingdom of heaven on earth.� When the appointed time comes, Jesus will return to earth again for his victorious bride, the church.� What a wonderful day that will be!�

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John 17:20 – "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word�"

We are now going to examine the third and final portion of Jesus' prayer for his followers. 

Jesus makes it clear that he is not praying just for the apostles, but for all people who will be converted by the subsequent preaching of the gospel.  Since we can expect to face many of the same trials, temptations and difficulties as the apostles, we are in need of the same grace, the same comfort and the same divine assistance as they were.  And thankfully, Jesus provides it for us, just as he did for them!  

Now here is an astonishing fact (take a few minutes to consider this):  Jesus prayed for YOU when he was here on earth, even though you were not yet born!  

Think about how much encouragement and strength you get when your pastor, spouse or a close friend prays for you.  How much more valuable is the prayer of Jesus himself!   

There can be no doubt that God heard and answered this prayer.  After this study is over, I recommend that you re-read the 17^th chapter of John and insert your own name into the prayer.  It will give you some profound insight into what Jesus did for you!

In short, we will see that Jesus prays for his followers to have unity, peace, love and eternal glory.

John 17:21 – "�that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

The first issue Jesus touches on is that of unity among believers ('that they may all be one').  There are many reasons why Christians should be united. 

• We are all redeemed by the blood of Christ; we all have the same Father.
• We are all going to the same heaven.
• We have a common enemy and we experience common temptations and trials.
•  We have a common goal – to spread the gospel throughout the earth and make disciples of all people.

Thus, it makes perfect sense that New Testament Christians are represented as being wholly united - different parts of the same body and members of the same family (I Corinthians 12:4-31).

Romans 12:5 - So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.    

On the basis of this union, we are exhorted:

• To love one another (I Thessalonians 4:9)
• To bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• To edify each other (Ephesians 4:3, 11-16).  

Our example for unity in the faith is the relationship between Jesus and the Father.

This does not mean that Christians are united in every single respect like Jesus and the Father (John 10:30).  However, there should be a union among all Christians which is founded/based on our strong union with Christ.  We should be united in our plans, councils, purposes and goals.  With Christ as our head (Ephesians 5:23), we should be working to obtain the same ends – glorifying God here on earth, spreading the gospel throughout the world, and making disciples of all men. 

Furthermore, when we are united with each other under Christ, it is a powerful testimony to the world.  The kingdom of darkness is full of animosity, envy, bickering and unforgiveness. 

However, when the world sees how the gospel unites us, overcoming contention and resulting in love, it will conclude that nothing but divine influence could make people love and respect each other this way. 

This kind of unity was strongly evident in the early days of the church:

Acts 4:32-33 - And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

This divine testimony of love is extremely powerful.  It will convince unbelievers that Jesus (and the gospel) came directly from God; they will desire to know Christ and his salvation.

Of course, the opposite is also true – the more Christians break off into factions or denominations and fight with each other, the less the world respects or believes in the God we serve and the gospel message.  We not only hurt his glory when we are divided, we accomplish less for the kingdom than we otherwise would.  

John 17:22-23 – "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

Throughout the scriptures, God's glory is synonymous with his power (Psalms 19:1, John 2:11, John 11:40, etc).

Jesus had divine glory (power) before the world began.  He temporarily laid that glory aside during his incarnation, and he picked it back up when he returned to heaven.  So, just to be clear, divine glory always belonged to Jesus because he is a part of the Trinity.  Therefore it would be incorrect for him to say that Father God has 'given' him divine glory.

If God has not given Jesus divine glory, what kind of glory (power) did he grant to Jesus at that time?

The glory Jesus received from the Father and which he now passes to the disciples is his mediatorial glory (power).  In other words, God granted Jesus (as a man) the power to perform miracles and to preach the gospel with authority so that men might be saved.  Jesus now prays for that same power to be given to all believers beginning with the apostles and continuing on down through all generations, so we can continue his work.

This same glory/power will enable believers to 'be one' or to function in unity as his body on earth.  And again, this unity and our resulting love for one another will prove to the world that Jesus is Savior and Lord.

Now, let's consider the topic of unity from another angle.  Unless the Lord returns to earth immediately, we are all going to go to heaven at some point, leaving the next generation here on earth.  So let me ask you a question.  If you were about to die in a few hours, and you had only a few minutes left to speak to your children and loved ones, what would you say to them?

I believe that, in general, there would be three topics of conversation.  Of course, we would express our love for our kids and family.  We would probably also 'make things right' or address any issues of forgiveness and reconciliation that needed to take place.  The third topic of conversation would probably be words of wisdom that we want to impart to those we love. 

This wisdom would center on things that we think are vital to a successful and meaningful life.  We might advise our children to pay closer attention to their spiritual lives, or to marry well, or to spend time with those they love. 

Regardless of the specifics, we can be sure that whatever we told them in the last minutes of our lives would be the things we believe are important. 

With that in mind, we can't help but notice that in his final prayer, just hours before his crucifixion, Jesus placed a strong emphasis on unity among believers, using the relationship between himself and the Father as our example.

Do you know why he did that?  It's because he understood our fallen natures.  He saw the dangers of strife and contention within the church.  He knows that we have a propensity to become ensnared in pride, controversy, envy and competition.  He was well aware that the strife caused by our own imperfections and selfish ambitions would bring dishonor upon true religion and his own precious name. 

1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover a multitude of sins.

As children of God, we have a responsibility to overlook offenses and unimportant differences of opinion in order to maintain unity in the body of Christ.  We should be bound to each other by cords of love.  When we are one in heart and purpose, it will show in our actions - we will be effective in spreading the gospel throughout the world and bringing souls to Christ.

John 17:24 – "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."

Jesus now expresses one of his most earnest desires to the Father - that his followers will one day be with him in heaven, where we will witness his power, dignity and honor as our true high priest and mediator. 

This honor is given to Jesus by the Father, who loved him before the world was ever created.  God loves Jesus as both his only begotten Son and as the Redeemer/Mediator of mankind because through the work of Christ we are reconciled to God as sons and daughters.  

As followers of Christ, we have a glimpse of his glory now, but we are nowhere near beholding it in full.  But if we will believe, love, obey and persevere to the end we will be eternally united to Jesus, Father and the Spirit.  What an exciting time it will be when we are present in the throne room, experiencing this for ourselves!

John 17:25 – "O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me."

In this portion of his prayer, Jesus addresses his Father as 'righteous'.  Why does he use that description here?  It is because he is calling attention to a specific aspect of God's character.  As a righteous Father, God will reward each person according to his own work (Job 34:11, Psalms 62:12, Proverbs 24:12). 

The world chose to reject God by rejecting his Son.  They will be 'rewarded' for their decision by spending eternity with Satan their father.

On the other hand, countless numbers of people believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.  We too will be rewarded for our decision by being admitted into heaven when our life on earth is over.

John 17:26 – "I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

When Jesus says he has made known the 'name' of the Father, he is referring to the nature, attributes, commands and councils of God.  This is information that we would never be able to know or discover by ourselves.  We can only obtain it by a special revelation of Christ. 

Jesus partially revealed the Father to his disciples here on earth.  But they were not able to understand everything he wanted to reveal at that point.

The good news is that Jesus promises to continue revealing the Father to mankind after his resurrection. He did this in person for his followers until he was finally taken up into heaven after 40 days (Luke 24:44-45, Acts 1:1-3). 

Afterwards, he continued to reveal the Father to the apostles through Holy Spirit.  This practice has not changed; Jesus is still revealing the Father to believers today through the power of Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit speaks to us through visions, dreams, words of wisdom and knowledge, messages in tongues and through the scriptures.  If we will listen, he will still reveal the nature, attributes, commands and councils of God directly to us.

The eternal love of God, which first rested on Christ is now imparted to us through Holy Spirit, as he permanently lives within our hearts.  Thus, God abides in us and we in him (John 15:5).

Let me offer you some encouragement:

Jesus prayed for YOU while he was here on earth.  How utterly amazing is that? 

Immediately afterward, he went to Gethsemane where he took your sin upon himself and then to the cross, where he made atonement for it.  Furthermore, Jesus made it very clear that he desires YOU to join him in heaven where you can see his power, dignity and honor.  Wow!  What more could he possibly do to prove that he loves you? 

So no matter what discouragement the enemy tries sends your way this week, just remember – Jesus loves you!  The difficulties of this life are only temporary; soon we will be with him in glory!  

Let me offer you some relief:

People are selfish and fickle.  Sometimes they only love you if you please them, or do as they ask, or perform up to their standards.  People will often withhold love from another person as a punishment or as 'black mail' to get what they want.

But don't make the mistake of thinking that God is like that, because he isn't!    

The love of the Father, Son and Spirit is totally pure and genuine.  They don't play games, they don't base their love on your performance and they never withhold their love from you.  As we already mentioned, they loved you so much, they paid the ultimate price for you.

So don't panic if you fail or mess up in your Christian walk.  Remember, God loves you because you are his child, not because you perfect.       

Let me offer you some strength:

Jesus makes it plain that unity among Christians is very important; it proves to the world that God is real. 

Christian unity also benefits us as well.  Being a member of a local church is like having a huge, loving family who will walk with you through all the ups and downs of life.

They will rejoice with you during the happy times, and mourn with you during times of sadness or heartache.  They will pray for you, encourage you, and advise you; they will give practical help to you when you need it.

The fact is, God has put them into your life (and you into theirs) to provide strength and support for your life's journey.  So thank God for your church family today!   

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John 16:12 – "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now."

In his 'farewell address' to the apostles, Jesus has been revealing to them a great many truths and doctrines which would apply to the gospel dispensation.�

These truths were more like an outline or framework for what was to come - the message of salvation, the age of grace, the establishment of the church, the coming of Holy Spirit etc.� �Jesus had not given them the exact details of how everything would work.

There are a couple of reasons why Jesus did not fully disclose his future plans to them at this time:

• They literally couldn't absorb all of the information at one time.� Studies show that the average person can concentrate/maintain focus for about 40-45 minutes before their mind starts to wander, and information retention starts to decrease.� So there was no way the disciples could have learned and retained all of the information they needed to know in such a short period of time.

• Some of God's plans wouldn't make any sense at this time, because the disciples were still full of Jewish prejudices and false ideas regarding the Messiah and his kingdom.� Remember, they were just now beginning to understand that Jesus wasn't going to immediately establish his earthly kingdom.� They were just beginning to fathom that their path was one of suffering and hardship, not one of celebrity and ease in Jesus' new government.

• Some of the coming changes were so shocking that no Jewish person could possibly be prepared to accept/embrace them.� Think about it for a minute.� Under the law, only certain men could be priests but under grace, every Christian was admitted to the royal priesthood.� Under the law, animal sacrifices were necessary but under grace all blood sacrifices ceased.� Under the law, only Jews could be in right standing with God but under grace even Gentiles were accepted into the family of God.� The new covenant was shocking indeed!

Truthfully, the only way the disciples were going to understand the full gospel message was by the aid of Holy Spirit. 

John 16:13 – "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

In this verse Jesus refers to Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth because it was/is his job to instruct believers in the truths of God.

In this particular case, Holy Spirit is going to guide the apostles into truth which pertained to the establishment of the church.� Once Jesus had died and risen again, Holy Spirit could open their eyes to the true plans and purposes of God regarding the plan of salvation.� Things that made no sense to them at the moment would become clear after Jesus' death and resurrection.�

Holy Spirit is described as revealing or declaring 'things that are to come'.  Keep in mind that Jesus spoke these words before his final suffering began.  Therefore, everything that was about to happen (including his crucifixion and resurrection), were still future events.  

Jesus is saying that the Spirit was going to reveal the meaning of events that were to take place after the time he was speaking to them.  This would include the necessity of his death and the changes that were going to take place in the new dispensation of grace.  Holy Spirit would also open their understanding so they could see how Old Testament prophesy pointed directly to Jesus as the Messiah (for example, Isaiah 53).   

The good news is that Holy Spirit's job didn't end with the apostles. 

There are still many portions of scripture (the book of Revelation, portions of Daniel, Ezekiel and many of the minor prophets) which have not yet been fulfilled.  In fact, God has truths which he will only reveal when the time is right for us to understand them:

Daniel 12:4 - But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Habakkuk 2:3 - For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

This is one more instance which proves that we need Holy Spirit now more than ever!  We need him to reveal/interpret the truth of scriptures that apply to this generation, so we can successfully partner with God and bring his will to pass on earth.  

John 16:14 – "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

'He will glorify me' – As we noted before, each member of the Trinity has accepted a different role in the salvation of mankind.� The role of Holy Spirit is to establish the kingdom of Christ and to confirm all that Jesus received from the Father. �Holy Spirit will always honor Jesus; everything he does will exalt Christ (I Corinthians 12:3). �

For instance, the gifts that Holy Spirit gives (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, gifts of healing, public tongues and interpretation, etc) are all used to exalt Christ. 

When a Christian prays for and unbeliever and they receive a gift of healing from the Spirit, that healing is possible because of the work of Jesus who took stripes on his back for our healing (I Peter 2:24).  The healing creates faith in the person who was healed, causing them to place their trust in Christ and receive salvation.  Thus, Jesus is glorified by the work of the Spirit.

Another example would be when a Christian receives a supernatural word of wisdom for a brother or sister in Christ.  This timely wisdom will somehow edify/encourage or otherwise give victory to the one who receives it.  This in turn will strengthen or increase the faith and ministry of the hearer (and all those around him/her).  So again, the Spirit is establishing and strengthening the kingdom of Christ, which glorifies Jesus.  

Holy Spirit also helps us to cultivate spiritual fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).� When Christians develop this fruit it makes us more Christ-like and brings further glory to Jesus.

Holy Spirit also works to convict unbelieving men and women of sin, and prompts them to turn to Christ for forgiveness.� Thus, the Spirit works to increase the kingdom of Christ.

We could give other examples as well, but the bottom line is that Holy Spirit's role in the salvation of man is to establish and confirm the kingdom of Christ.  Everything he does glorifies Jesus.     

'He will take what is mine' – Holy Spirit did not come to earth to start a new kingdom. Instead, he functions as an ambassador of sorts – he receives his commission and instructions from Jesus.  He does the will of Jesus and assists in completing his work upon the earth.    

'Declare it to you' – The Spirit communicates/explains/reveals the truths of God to mankind. �He does this because of our own weaknesses.�

It is important to understand that the revelation that Jesus brought us was not an imperfect revelation that Holy Spirit had to supplement.� Jesus brought us a full and perfect revelation from God, but we received his doctrine imperfectly.� Therefore it was necessary to have the Spirit illuminate our hearts and guide us into all truth.

John 16:15 – "All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

There can be no doubt that the Father, Son and Spirit are all of the same divine essence, wisdom and power.  They work together to accomplish their purposes. 

Jesus was an ambassador for the Father; he said and did only what the Father told him to.  He revealed the Father to mankind.  In the same way Holy Spirit is an ambassador for Christ; he comes in Christ's authority as the interpreter and executor of his will.   

John 16:16-17 – "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.  So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"

Scholars offer different interpretations of this verse:

One:� In less than 24 hours, Jesus was going to be crucified and placed in a tomb.� Thus, in a little while they would 'see him no longer'.� Then after three days in the tomb, he would arise from the grave and be seen by many witnesses.

Acts 13:31 - And he [Jesus] was seen many days of them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.��

Two:� Some interpret this statement in a more long-term sense.� The disciples would no longer see Jesus after his ascension to the Father in heaven:

Acts 1:9 - And when he [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

But they would surely see him again once they died and entered eternity.

Three:� The disciples would no longer see Jesus in his physical form after he ascended to heaven.� However, once Holy Spirit came to earth and gave them clear insight into the plan of salvation, they would see the evidence of Jesus in the work of Holy Spirit.

Finally, there are some who believe that in 'a little while you will see me' refers to the second coming to earth.  Scripture says that at that time 'every eye shall see him' (Revelation 1:7).   

Regardless of which explanation you think is best, the end is the same – one day you and I will find ourselves at the foot of God's throne, looking at our Savior.  What a glorious time that will be!

John 16:18-19 – So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'?  We do not know what he is talking about.  Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?"

Many scholars feel that the enigmatic saying of Jesus had a specific purpose – to grab the attention of the disciples and to spur them on towards seeking knowledge.� It was time for them to stop feeling sorry for themselves and begin to understand that it was truly better for them that Jesus departed, so that Holy Spirit could come and God's plan for mankind could move forward (John 16:7). �

It is interesting to note that God still does this in our day.� He may give you a dream or vision which requires you to seek out the correct interpretation.� He might also capture your attention with a portion of scripture which in turn sets you on a path of discovery about a particular topic.�

When this happens to you, be sure to follow through until you have a satisfactory explanation; God is blessing you with a revelation of him or his kingdom (Proverbs 25:2).�� �

Because they are now eagerly seeking out the meaning of Jesus' saying, he begins to reveal the answer to them.

John 16:20 – "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.� You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy."

Jesus tells the disciples that his followers would weep and lament when faced with his suffering, crucifixion and death (Luke 23:27).� These same events would cause 'the world' or wicked people to rejoice and be glad.� In this case, 'world' refers to unbelievers in general, but specifically to the Jewish leaders (Pharisees, scribes, priests, etc) who adamantly opposed Jesus' claim to be the Messiah.

But things are not always as they seem.  Jesus would rise again; the sorrow of the disciples would be mitigated.  Jesus would return bringing salvation, healing, comfort and peace as well as eternal joy in the world to come.  Although the disciples did not fully understand this at the time, they could console themselves with the assurances of Jesus that his death would be for their good. 

In all generations (including ours), it sometimes seems like evil triumphs over good.  The apparent triumphs of the wicked certainly produce grief in the minds of Christians, but we can rest assured they will not endure. 

The temporary triumph of the wicked is the topic of Psalms 73.  This powerful Psalm was written by Asaph, a Levite who was one of King David's worship leaders.  The first half of this Psalm centers on the grief he feels when he sees the victory/prosperity of the wicked. 

But in the second half of the Psalm he talks about entering into the presence of God, where he received a revelation that, unlike the final outcome of the righteous, the 'success' of the wicked was only temporary.  When the Lord takes action against them, they will be destroyed in a moment.

If you haven't read this Psalm in a while, you might want to consider doing so this week!

John 16:21 – "When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world."

Jesus uses the example of a woman in labor to further illustrate his point that the sorrow of his followers will be turned into joy. 

As we all know, women in labor will naturally experience a great amount of pain until the child is born (Genesis 3:16).� But once that happens, her sorrow is swallowed up in joy as she holds her infant.�

In the same way, the sorrow which the disciples will endure for the sake of the gospel will not last forever.� Any/all suffering they experience will be worth it; they will be eternally blessed in God.� And even in the midst of trials and tribulations Christians will experience the joy of Christ.

John 16:22 – "So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."

When Jesus says he will see his disciples again, he is referring to being with them through the person of Holy Spirit.  Since Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of believers, they can continually enjoy the presence of God at all times.  This joy cannot be taken by the world, because its source is divine.    

In addition, once Jesus rose and Holy Spirit came, the disciples would be so firmly convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, that no amount of persecution or threats could shake their faith.  In the midst of all their afflictions, they had an unshakable source of joy, which no enemy could take away.

All Christians can truly agree with Mary the mother of Jesus who said, "My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47).�

Let me offer you some encouragement:

The Christian walk definitely contains elements of sorrow and pain.  Jesus never hid this fact from any of his followers.  But at the same time, Jesus makes it clear that our sorrow is only temporary.  The longest it can possibly last is until the end of our lives; once we go to be with him there will be no more sorrow or tears. 

As King David says, 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning' (Psalms 30:5).�

So when you endure those times of suffering/pain, don't let them steal your joy.� Your end has already been determined by God and it is going to be greater than anything you can imagine!

Let me offer you some relief:

The disciples didn't fully understand every single doctrine that Jesus spoke to them.� But that was okay because Holy Spirit came to guide them into all truth.�

Are there portions of scripture or other spiritual things that you don't fully understand?� If so, go to the Lord in prayer and ask Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.� It may just be that he is standing by right now, waiting for you to dig in and investigate the issue with him.

Let me offer you some strength:

We could describe Jesus as an ambassador of God.  He came to reveal the Father to the world and he only said/did the will of Father God. 

Likewise, we could describe Holy Spirit as an ambassador for Jesus.  He does the will of Jesus and assists in completing his work upon the earth. 

The question is, are we acting as ambassadors for the Father, Son and Spirit?� Do we listen to God's voice and work to fulfill his commands of spreading the gospel to every nation on earth and making disciples of others?� ��

If not, what is holding us back?� Whatever it might be, lets get rid of it, so we can successfully run the race that God has set before us.

�

�

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John 15:1 – "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."

As we know, Jesus often used the natural things of this world to explain spiritual principles to his listeners.� In this case, he made use of a grape vine.� This may have been prompted by the wine they just drank at the Passover meal, especially if this conversation took place in the same room as the Passover celebration.

Alternatively, if this conversation took place as the group walked to the Mount of Olives, it may have been sparked by the numerous grape vines growing along the road.�

In either case, vineyards were very common in this region.  Throughout the scriptures, God often compares his people, the nation of Israel, to a vine which he planted (Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 80:8-16, Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 19:10, etc). 

Isaiah 5:7 - For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant�

Psalm 80:8 - You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the nations, and planted it.

The only way Israel (the vine) could have a relationship with God was through the Law.  But as we know, the law could not give life.  It could convict you for sin and sentence you to death, but it had no power to redeem.  Therefore, any branch (individual Israelite) who depended upon the vine of the Law had no hope of redemption or spiritual life.  Any/all of the fruit his life produced resulted in death:

Romans 7:5 -For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 

This brings up an interesting question - What about Jesus?�

Because Jesus was born a Jew, he was also considered a branch of Israel, who was subject to the Law:

Isaiah 11:1 - And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

(For a fuller description, see Isaiah 11:1-9).  But Jesus was no ordinary male Israelite!  Because he was the Messiah, the sinless Son of God, he broke the curse of the Law by perfectly fulfilling it (Matthew 5:17).

In his role as the Messiah/Redeemer, he replaced the old, dead vine of the Law.� He became the new or true, living vine.� As the true vine, Jesus is the source and support of all spiritual life and blessing.�

Through the gospel, Jews as well as Gentiles can be grafted into the living vine of Christ (Romans 11:1-25).� These believers (branches) are now firmly secured in Christ; they have access to all the 'nourishment' they will need to be a true disciple of Christ including teaching, guidance, grace, strength and supernatural gifts.� Any/all of the fruit they bear produces life and holiness:

Romans 6:22 - But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

In essence, Jesus is telling the disciples that the law is about to pass away and be replaced by the age of grace, which he ushered in by his own blood.  His also further explains the relationship between himself, the Father and each believer.

It was God who appointed his Son to be the source of all life and blessings to mankind. Consequently, grace and mercy flow to mankind exclusively through the Son.  There is no other source of spiritual life (John 14:6).

Furthermore, Father God is said to be the one who exercises the care and maintenance of the vineyard.� It is his job to nurture, trim/prune, water, fertilize and protect the branches.� In other words, God takes care of all those who are united to Jesus by faith.

In the natural realm, the vine dresser would be interested in the growth and welfare of the branches because he is looking for them to produce an abundant harvest. Likewise, God is very interested in the growth and welfare of each individual believer (and the church collectively) because he desires for us to produce much fruit in his kingdom.� As we will shortly discover, he has promised to answer our prayers and grant our requests in order to make that happen.�

John 15:2 – "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

The vine dresser is described as having two chief duties in regards to the branches:

To remove all fruitless branches – In the natural realm, any good gardener will remove dead shoots, stems or branches from the vine.  This strengthens the plant and promotes more growth. 

Remember, in the spiritual realm, 'branches' refer to individual people.� In every generation there are people who claim to be members of the family of God.� They do so by outward profession, good works or acts of moral discipline.� But these things can (and are) often done without any true root in Christ.� Although we may be fooled by these false fruits, God is not.� He knows the heart of every person and at the proper time he will cut off those that are not true believers in Christ.

God often accomplishes this by revealing the true root of what is deep inside the person's heart.  He will bring that to the forefront and call upon the individual to make a choice – repent or fall away. 

The most obvious example of this was when God revealed the greed at the core of Judas Iscariot's soul.  Judas had multiple chances to repent of this, but he chose not to.  Eventually, because of his own choice, God removed him from the fellowship of disciples because he was a rotten fruitless branch. 

To prune or cleanse branches that bear fruit – In the natural realm, branches that are fully attached to the vine will bear fruit.  But they can bear even more fruit if pruned correctly.

This is what God does in the supernatural realm.  He cleanses/prunes away things that hinder the Christian in his or her sincere walk with Christ.

Some of the things that hinder us are evil, such as pride, lust, unforgiveness, etc.  Obviously, we will be more fruitful in our spiritual walk when we are purged of these things.

But good things can also hinder our Christian life/growth, if they become too important in our lives, or if they get in the way of a fuller, closer walk with Christ.�

For instance, there is nothing wrong with a Christian having earthly possessions or wealth.  There is nothing wrong with a Christian who enjoys entertainment or hobbies.  But if these things come between us and a closer walk with Jesus, God may intervene in our lives by allowing some kind of affliction/trial to touch us. 

We all hate trials and afflictions, but they frequently serve a very important purpose in our lives.  They have the power to realign our priorities, reminding us what is really important – our eternal spiritual lives.  Thus, a trial or affliction is one way God can 'prune' away anything that hinders us from bearing more fruit in the kingdom. 

As the master vine dresser, God prunes each of us individually in whatever manner is appropriate for us at the time.  He uses a combination of our consciences, Holy Spirit fire and/or water, the Word, afflictions, trials and even blessings.

John 15:3 – "Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you."

'Clean' does not mean perfect.  Nor is 'clean' the result of any legal or ceremonial rite/purification under the law. 

Rather, spiritual cleansing/purification comes from believing and obeying the word/doctrines/truth of Jesus.

1 Peter 1:22 - Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit �

(See also John 17:17).  The word of Christ, which the disciples received by faith, purified their hearts (Acts 15:9).  For the last three years the disciples had been under a constant process of purification while they were following Jesus.  Sometimes they made great strides, sometimes they stumbled, but overall they were true disciples who had made great progress. 

In fact, Jesus had trained them so well that immediately after his death, with the aid of Holy Spirit, they would be ready to go and bear fruit for the kingdom by preaching the word, demonstrating the supernatural, baptizing believers and organizing the church.  And as they did so, God continued to prune them, which continued to increase their fruitfulness.

We should expect nothing less.� As we immerse ourselves in the word of God, Holy Spirit will invigorate that word in our lives, activating its cleansing virtue.� It will root sin and corruption from our lives, just as fire burns away impurities from gold (Malachi 3:1-3).

With the aid of Holy Spirit, we too can boldly proclaim the gospel message, allow the supernatural to work through us, baptize/disciple new believers and expand the kingdom of heaven here on earth. 

The evidence that we are cleansed by the word is the spiritual fruit we bear.  We can rest assured that God will continue to prune us, so that our fruit will be even more abundant than before.

John 15:4 – "Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me."

Here Jesus reiterates a concept he has already presented.� Since he is repeating himself, we need to sharpen this truth to a point and drive it into our hearts, so that it changes us forever.

We would never expect a branch to break off of a vine or tree and yet still be able to bear fruit, because the branch depends upon the trunk of the plant/tree to provide all of the nourishment required not only for fruit, but for life itself.

We intrinsically understand that if a branch breaks off from a vine or tree, it is dead at that very moment.  It may take a short time to wither and dry, but nevertheless death is certain.  The only way for the branch to live is to maintain an attachment to the tree/vine.

This illustrates our relationship with Christ; our spiritual life is completely dependent upon communion with him. 

But what does it really mean for us to abide in Christ and for him/his word to abide in us?� Perhaps we can best explain it by outlining what it is NOT:�

• Abiding in Christ is NOT mere intellectual acceptance of his doctrines.� Even the demons believe, but they are certainly not abiding in Jesus (James 2:19).It's true that the seeds of the gospel are first planted in our minds/intellects, but Holy Spirit must make them sprout and take root deep within our hearts in order for them to effectively anchor us in Christ.� We can only abide in him (and he in us) when his word becomes a part of our very being.�

• Abiding in Christ is NOT hearing a biblical truth on Sunday morning and then living in the world for the remainder of the week.� While Sunday sermons are certainly beneficial in many ways, simply attending church is not enough to abide in Christ.� We must search the scriptures for ourselves; we must meditate on the words of truth until they transform our words and actions.� When we think like Christ, act/live like Christ, and love like Christ, then we know that we abide in him and he abides in us.

• Abiding in Christ is NOT adhering to a set of rules and regulations through your own strength.� The burden of obeying a bunch of rules without a relationship is called slavery, and it is a miserable existence.� When we commune with Christ, we are changed in our inner man (our soul) and that change is eventually reflected in our outward actions and obedience (John 14:21-23).� This kind of obedience is not a burden.� It is natural and easy because we desire to do what is righteous and good in his sight.� We know we abide in him (and he in us) when we desire to please him.

John 15:5 – "I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

The more we abide/commune with Christ, the more spiritual 'sap' will run through our lives and consequently, the more fruit we will be able to produce. 

To commune is defined as 'to think, reflect or meditate; to converse with another in sympathy and confidence, to take council.'� It implies an intimate, close relationship between the people enjoying the communion.� To be in communion means to spend time in each other's company, exchanging thoughts, ideas, confidences/secrets and council.� It is a place of safety and acceptance.

To commune with Christ is to spend time in his presence, reflecting and meditating on his word.� This is where you learn to hear/recognize his voice.� It is the place where Jesus reveals his plans and goals for the world and for our own lives.� It is the place of intimacy and safety where we can admit our lives don't measure up to the standards of holiness we find in the word.� It is the place where we can seek his wisdom for matters both great and small.� It is a place where we recognize our need to let go of our own sinful desires and goals.�

The more we commune with Christ, the more we become like him.   As we spend time in his presence, our thinking is changed to be consistent with his; his desires and goals become ours.  The more we commune with Christ the more anxious we are to rid ourselves of sin and become holy, like he is.  The more we are connected with him, the more fruit we will bear for the kingdom.

By contrast, it would be impossible for a person to bear fruit if they have separated themselves from Christ.

John 15:6 – "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

This statement confirms the necessity of continuously and steadfastly abiding in Christ. 

Those who are firmly anchored in Christ will produce both internal and external fruits of holiness.� They are unshaken during times turmoil:

Luke 6:48 –He [the one who hears the sayings of Christ and obeys them] is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

By contrast, people who separate themselves from Christ are dead and useless, tossed about by every storm that hits. 

Those who refuse to abide in Christ deprive themselves of the spiritual nourishment that flows from him.  They forfeit the influence and guidance of the Spirit, the direction of the word, the protection and provision of the Father, the pardon of sin and the enjoyment of heaven. 

They fail in the one true purpose of the branch – to bear fruit for the vine.�

As a result of their choice, God will punish them as apostates.  They will be cast out of the presence of God, gathered up as useless withered branches and burned in the fires of hell at the end of the age.

Matthew 13:49-50 - So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

John 15:7 – "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

Let me begin by saying there have been numerous times in my life when I asked God for something but did not get what I asked for.  My guess is that at one time or another, this has been your experience as well.  Where did we go wrong?

Well first off, we see that this promise is not unlimited – it has stipulations:

Jesus/the Word must abide in you:  The commands and doctrines of Jesus must continually be in our hearts and minds.  Again, this far surpasses mere intellectual knowledge; his word must be written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).  It must influence what we think, feel, speak and believe.  As we grow in grace and become more like Christ, our selfish sinful desires are supplanted or superseded by his perfect holy will. 

We must abide in Jesus:� For our part, we must place our faith in Jesus and be steadfastly committed to him which results in obedience to his commands.� We must allow his word and his Spirit to transform us into his image (II Corinthians 3:18).

We must ask:  We ask for things through prayer.  We must pray in faith, in the name of Jesus Christ, with the intent of bringing glory to God.   

1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we desired of him.

Whatever we ask will be done:  When we abide in Jesus and he/his word abides in us, our requests will be in line with the divine will of God.  These requirements keep us from making improper petitions/requests.  Whenever we ask according to his will, we are assured of receiving what we have asked from God.

John 15:8 – "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

By this:  This refers to the words Jesus spoke in the prior verse – if we abide in him and his words abide in us, we can ask for anything and it will be done.  The true meaning would be something like this: 'In doing whatever you ask, the Father is glorified because your requests are instrumental in bearing much fruit and becoming disciples of Christ. "

As indicated, bearing fruit does two things:

It glorifies God:  When a vine produces strong, vigorous branches which are fully laden with mature fruit, it is an honor to the master gardener.  It reflects all of his planning, work and care. 

In the same way, God is honored when his children are fully anchored in the Son, bearing the fruits of righteousness, holiness and obedience (Romans 6:22).  He is further glorified when we demonstrate his love to the lost by allowing his mighty miracle working power to manifest through us, just as Jesus did when he was on the earth.

It is true proof of our discipleship in Christ:� We know we are disciples when we have a living union with Christ – when his words abide in us, and we abide in him.� Our union with him allows our prayers (which are in Jesus' name) to be heard of the Father, who is ready to grant all of our requests.� The results of this are that we bear fruit and glorify his name.� These are the marks of a true disciple.�

Let me offer you some encouragement:

Once Judas had been removed, Jesus tells the rest of the disciples they are 'clean' through the word he had spoken to them.  As we noted earlier, this did not make them perfect.

But it did make them justified in the sight of God, despite all of their faults, sins and imperfections. 

You and I have the same assurance as well.  As long as we continue to be firmly rooted in Christ we will be justified by our faith in him.  As long as we continue to depend upon Holy Spirit to lead/guide us and God to prune us, we will continue to grow spiritually and increase in fruitfulness.

Let me offer you some relief:

When you abide in Christ and he abides in you, you have been grafted into the true, living vine of Christ and you are expected to bear fruit in the kingdom of heaven.  But let me give you some relief – you don't do that in your own strength. 

Because you abide in Christ, you have access to all the teaching, grace, strength and gifts you will need for every season of your life.�

What season of life are you in right now?� What gifts do you need to do the work God has called you to do?� Would you like to operate in supernatural healing, or words of wisdom and knowledge?� Are you in a position where you could really us the gift of discernment of spirits or supernatural faith?�

The gifts of Holy Spirit are still operating in the earth today.  If you need one, I urge you to go straight to the throne room of God and make your request.  You can ask with confidence knowing that God will grant your request. 

Let me offer you some strength:

Here is something fun to consider.  Scripture tells us the following things:

God has ordained good works for each believer to accomplish on earth (Ephesians 2:10). God grants all the requests that we make to him that are in accordance with his will, which aid us in bearing fruit (John 15:7, I John 5:14-15).  God intends to reward us for the fruit that we bear on earth (I Corinthians 3:8-14)

This means that God set up good works for us, provided us with all we need to accomplish them, and then rewards us for doing them!� How awesome is that – our Father has set us up to win; there is no way we can lose!

With that in mind, let's joyfully get to work in the kingdom!

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Hello, dear readers! This message is to let you know that we are on a two week hiatus. Our next post will be on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Would you like to get a head start on the next subject?

When we return, we will be taking a look at the Old Testament book of Joshua.

Meanwhile, let me pronounce this blessing upon you:

Numbers 6:22-27 - And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, In this way you shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless you, and keep you: The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:  The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

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John 21:15 – When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"  He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."  He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

As we ended out post last week, we were examining the miraculous catch of fish that Jesus gave to his disciples in Galilee.  After they came to shore, they found Jesus had prepared a breakfast of fish and bread for them. 

After the meal is concluded, Jesus begins to speak to Peter. 

Notice how specific Jesus is with his inquiry – he doesn't just ask Peter if he loves him.  He asks if Peter loves him 'more than these'.  In the original Greek language, 'these' is slightly ambiguous.  It means one of two things. 

In the first scenario, 'these' would refer to 'things', such as Peter's boat, his fishing equipment, his business, his house, etc.  If this is the reference, then Jesus is asking Peter if he loves him more than his possessions.  He is asking Peter if he is ready and willing to leave these things behind in order to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth. 

However, in the second (and much more likely) scenario, 'these' would refer to the other apostles.  If this is the reference, then Jesus is asking Peter if he loves him more than the other disciples do.  That might seem like an odd question, until we remember the haughty claim made by Peter - that he would never abandon or deny Christ even though his fellow disciples might:

Matthew 26:33 – Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."

With that statement, Peter implied that he loved Jesus more than his colleagues, and that he was more committed to Christ then they were.  

So, with this one simple question, Jesus reminds Peter of his pride, his fall and his blasphemous denial of his master.  Notice how merciful and loving Jesus acts towards Peter.  Jesus could have scorned and chastised him in front of all the others; Peter certainly deserved it.  But instead, Jesus brings up this tough topic after they had shared a meal together in peace, speaking to Peter as a friend, not an accuser.

Why would Jesus bring up this topic in the first place?

He does it because Peter needs to be restored.  Many scholars maintain that Peter's treacherous denial of Christ rendered him unfit to be an apostle, and that he must be reinstated into his office.  Others feel this viewpoint is a bit extreme because there is no official record that Peter was ever actually excluded from the apostolic leadership.  Because of his denial, Peter himself may have wondered where he stood with Jesus and what his future role would be as a disciple.

Clearly, Peter's repudiation of Christ is a situation that cannot be ignored, 'swept under the rug' or simply shrugged off.  His conduct has dishonored Christ and stained the gospel message.  How can he now lead the church?  How can he instruct others in the faith?  How can we have faith in his testimony about Christ?   

The only way for Peter to move forward and be effective in ministry is for Jesus to renew/reaffirm his calling or re-establish his position.  This is what we find happening in the last part of this chapter.

The three confirmations that Jesus requires of Peter mirror his earlier three-fold denial of Christ.  Through this three-fold confirmation, Jesus is restoring Peter to his position as a full apostle; his betrayal and disgrace are completely blotted out by Christ. 

Once this situation was addressed, Peter was able to move forward and boldly execute his office, being confident and assured of the calling he had been given by Christ. 

John 21:16 –He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."  He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' – This is now the second time that Jesus confronts Peter with this question.  We notice that Jesus questions Peter in front of all his fellow apostles.  The reason is two-fold.  One, Peter had publicly denied Jesus, so he should now publicly affirm his love for Christ.  Two, it was important for the other disciples to hear Jesus re-affirm Peter's call to ministry so they too could feel confident having him as a colleague and leader in the church.

'Yes Lord; you know that I love you.' – Wow!  Peter sure has changed/matured.  We now see that his attitude is one of humility.  He no longer brags that his love of Christ is superior to that of his brothers.  He is now aware of his own weakness and his need to be spiritually strengthened. 

This is a good lesson for every believer.  When we first come to know Christ, we are unaware of just how immature we are in the faith.  We are often unable to see our own shortcomings, even though we can seem to see them clearly in everyone else!

Matthew 7:4-5 -Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the speck out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother's eye.

It is imperative that as Christians, we remain humble at all times.  While we may excel in some areas of Christian development, we all have areas that still need work.  If you think you are perfect, or close to it, I suggest spending time in the presence of Holy Spirit.  He can reveal to you those areas of your life that need to be more fully submitted to God, even though you can't see them.  He is here to help you mature in your faith.

'Tend my sheep' – Throughout the scriptures, God often refers to himself as a shepherd and his followers as his flock/sheep/lambs (John 10:14, I Peter 2:25, Psalms 78:51-52, Ezekiel 34:12, etc).  This concept is key to understanding the command of Jesus in this passage.

The directive Jesus gives here is not exactly the same as before.  The first time he instructs Peter to 'Feed my lambs'.  The Greek word for 'feed' means 'the care afforded (to the animal) by furnishing nutrition for the flock'.  Thus, our translation renders the phrase 'feed my lambs'. 

In other words, when Jesus instructs Peter to nourish his sheep, he is referring to giving them good/sound teaching and doctrine regarding the gospel.  This would be one of the main avenues of ministry for all the apostles once they were enlightened and empowered by Holy Spirit.   

Sound doctrine/teaching was (and is) absolutely imperative to the church! Though the disciples didn't realize it at the time, Satan was not going to sit idly by while they spread the gospel and won the world to Christ.  Just after the birth of the church, Satan unleashed his fury on earth.  He tried to destroy the church using a two-pronged attack:  persecution and false teaching.

2 Peter 2:1 - But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

It was vitally important that the disciples maintain sound teaching and pure doctrine in the church, so that Satan could not lead believers astray into some kind of fruitless bondage or spiritual death. Even today, Christians must continue to be diligent in guarding against false teaching. 

The second time Jesus answers Peter, his instructions are to 'tend my sheep'.  The Greek word for 'tend' means to 'govern, care for, guide, protect'.  This is the kind of care that a dedicated shepherd or pastor uses to guide his flock.

The job of a pastor is much, much more than just giving a good sermon once a week!  Pastors are responsible for overseeing the spiritual growth of the entire congregation.  He or she must spiritually equip the church to stand up against attacks of the enemy and lead the congregation in Christian disciplines.  He or she must comfort, guide, teach and protect the flock, just as a shepherd does for his sheep.  Being a pastor is an awesome yet difficult job!

John 21:17 – He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."  Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

Now we come to the third time Jesus asks Peter to reaffirm his love for him.  Peter is grieved that Jesus would continue to ask this question.   Why was Peter grieved?

It may be that Peter felt Jesus saw something deep within his heart which might lead to another fall from grace, and that Jesus was about to tell him about it.  After all, Jesus had accurately predicted Peter's earlier denial (Mark 14:30).  

It may also be that Peter thought Jesus did not consider his repentance to be sincere.  This would best explain why Peter appeals to the divine nature of Christ, stating that because Jesus was divine he knew all things, and because he knew all things, he knew that Peter had sincerely repented of his earlier denial. 

This questioning was painful for Peter, but God used his grief and anguish for his own good.  Jesus reaffirms him as a true apostle, and Peter's rashness in speech and action were gone for good – we never again see them appearing in scripture.

John 21:18-19 – "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."(This he said to show by what kind of death he as to glorify God.)  And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

The apostle John tells us that Jesus is speaking of the death of Peter in this verse.  Ancient writers tell us that Peter was crucified on a cross, upside down, about 34 years after Jesus' resurrection.  If we examine this verse in light of these two facts, it seems plain enough to understand.

The apostle John tells us that Jesus is speaking of the death of Peter in this verse.  Ancient writers tell us that Peter was crucified on a cross, upside down, about 34 years after Jesus' resurrection.  If we examine this verse in light of these two facts, it seems plain enough to understand.

Early on in life, when Peter was young, he had the freedom and ability to dress himself and go wherever he desired.  But if he accepts the mandate of Jesus to 'feed my sheep', then things will change when he grows older.  Specifically, a soldier will dress him and force him to go where he does not want to go – the place of crucifixion, where his arms will be stretched out on the cross and nailed (or bound).

Several things can be noted about these verses. 

• Jesus is warning or predicting the future suffering and martyrdom of Peter.  While that sounds awful, it was proof that Peter would never again deny Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Once filled with Holy Spirit, Peter would possess the fortitude to successfully endure any and all persecution that Satan could throw at him.  Because of his former fall, these words must have brought comfort to Peter at different points in his life.

• There was no shame in the fact that Peter did not want to go to the cross.  (No one I know is hoping to die a humiliating, painful early death.  Do you know anyone?)Jesus is not saying that Peter would be unwilling to suffer martyrdom; he is just drawing a contrast between the freedom of Peter's early life and the fact that he would be compelled to endure prison and death when he was older.  Keep in mind that Jesus also prayed to his Father to remove the cup of the cross from him, if at all possible (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36).   

• This death would not come upon Peter until he was mature in the faith, and ready to endure the trial.  He seems to have known when the time was near, and he was able to speak about it without fear (2 Peter 1:12-14).  God also left him on earth for a generous amount of time, that the church might benefit from his teaching and testimony.

Here is the good news - God does the same for us.  He will not put us into a situation unless it is possible for us to be victorious (I Corinthians 10:13).  In addition, we know that God walks with us through every trial:

Hebrews 13:5 -Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Christ was glorified by Peter's death.  When Peter was older and stronger in his faith, he was willing to die as a testimony to the truth of Christ and his gospel.  Incidentally, the scriptures tell us that the death of every believer is precious in the sight of the Lord, because it means we are reunited to him forever (Psalms 116:15). 

After these words, it appears that Jesus rose from the table and began to walk, beckoning Peter to follow him.  This was a further confirmation that Christ had forgiven and restored Peter. 

In some ways we could also say it was the reason for Peter's eventual martyrdom – following Christ will cost you something.  Jesus had explained to all his disciples that the servant is never greater than the master.  Since the world hated and persecuted Jesus, it would hate and persecute his followers too (John 15:18-20).  Some of them, like Peter, would be asked to give their lives as a testimony to the truth.

It has often been a topic of speculation among Christians whether or not their faith would stand strong if they were given the choice between death and renouncing their faith.  Overall, I think this is idle speculation.  The best way to be prepared for that situation is simply to remain close to Jesus and trust Holy Spirit for the strength to face that battle, if/when it comes upon you.

Jesus' command to 'follow him' still applies today.  Christians in our generation must continue to abide by the word of God and follow the example of Christ in all of our speech and actions.

John 21:20-21 – Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

As Peter walks and talks with Jesus, he sees the apostle John following behind them.  At this point, Peter asks Jesus about the eventual death of John. 

What prompted Peter to ask this question?

We can't say for sure because it is impossible for us to know his motivation.  Maybe, since John was a favorite of Jesus, Peter wondered if he would have an easier (less violent) death.  But on the other hand, the question may have come from a loving concern for his friend; perhaps Peter was very concerned about John suffering death by crucifixion. 

What we do know for sure, is that Jesus did not choose to gratify the idle curiosity of Peter. 

For most of us, God does not reveal to us the date or manner in which we will enter eternity.  There are certainly man good reasons for this. 

• If we knew the date of our death, we would surely live reckless lives, assuring ourselves that it wasn't our time to die. 
• Because of our fallen nature, many would have a tendency to indulge in sin, thinking they could repent later. 
• We would delay or 'put off' laboring for Jesus on a daily basis, if we knew we had more time. 
• We would try to carefully avoid the place and time of our death, and thus seek to extend our lives.

God's plan is obviously far better – when we don't know the final date or place of our death, we can live and work for Christ as if each day were our last. 

John 21:22-23 – Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow me!"So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

With this statement, Jesus makes it very clear that Peter was to stay within the limits of his own calling.  It wasn't his business to know what God had prepared for John.  It was his business to follow Christ and complete the race that God had specifically laid out for him (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

How does this apply to us?

Our main business in this life is to follow after Christ.  It is fine to become rich/famous or create popular music or make great scientific breakthroughs, but these things are secondary to serving God.  Remember, you can't take it with you!  The things of this world are temporary; only spiritual things are eternal.

Matthew 6:19-20 - Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Just because you follow Christ does not mean you should abandon a secular calling on your life and pursue full-time ministerial work.  God is looking for people to serve him as they practice law, coach sports, govern people, run successful businesses, collect trash or repair cars.  Excel in the arena God has assigned to you and serve him there. 

The path God has set before each one of us is unique.  Because each of us has an individual role assigned to us by God, we should never compare ourselves to other Christians.  Use the talents God gave you to the best of your ability, and you will succeed.

Matthew 25:15 - And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his own ability; and immediately took his journey.

Humans are curious by nature and we have many questions about life and religion that we would like to have answered.  However, there are some things we will never know.  We should not spend a great deal of time speculating about things that fall into this category.  For instance, we could argue or speculate endlessly on the interpretation of some portions of Revelation.  However, this would not be beneficial.  Instead, we should concentrate on being ready for Christ's return.

John 21:24 – This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

It is commonly believed that the last two verses in John's gospel were not written by him, but by the person or persons to whom he entrusted his manuscript.  This person verifies that the apostle John was a man of honesty and integrity. 

The facts contained in his gospel are not mere rumors or third person reports.  John was both an eye-witness and an ear-witness to the events recorded here; these events have not been exaggerated but recorded just as they occurred. 

John 21:25 – Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.  Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

We can be sure that the miracles and teachings of Jesus were never exhausted by any of the gospel writers; many, many more miracles were wrought by Christ than those recorded in the New Testament.

Yet, we have the assurance that it was not necessary to record more than the ones Holy Spirit included in the scriptures.  What has been written is a sufficient revelation of the doctrine of Christ. 

Furthermore, it is implied that it would not have been possible to record all the actions of Jesus, even if someone had wanted to!  The sheer volume would be prohibitive. 

Instead, let us rest assured that we have what we need to go forth and share the love of Christ with others!

Let me offer you some encouragement:

Today's post spoke about the responsibility of Peter to perform pastoral duties – to govern, care for, guide and protect the local flock of Christ that has been placed under his or her care. 

Your pastor bears many of these same burdens, often with little help and/or compensation.  So, if you love and appreciate your pastor, here are some things you can do for them:

• Send them a text of appreciation and encouragement. 
• Pray for them on a regular basis. 
• Volunteer to serve or help on a church board or ministry.
• Call them sometime when you don't want or need something!

What other ways can you think of to assist your pastors?  Don't just wait for 'pastor appreciation day'.  Let them know how much you love them right now!

Let me offer you some relief:

We noticed how merciful and loving Jesus acted towards Peter after his denial of Christ.  While that situation had to be dealt with, Jesus did so with mercy and grace.  He fully blotted out Peter's sin and disgrace.

Have you failed Jesus in some way?  If so, don't hide from him like Adam and Eve did in the garden.  Instead, right straight to him in prayer, and confess your sin!  He will be deal with you in love and mercy too!

Let me offer you some strength:

Have you ever wondered about the time or place of your own death?  We have probably all done so at some time.  However, it is clearly not a circumstance that God wants us to dwell upon. 

The best thing we can do is remember that TODAY is the only time we are guaranteed.  So, if you want to do something for Christ, spend time with him in prayer, ask him to visit you with dreams/visions, fill you with Holy Spirit or anything else, I suggest that you do it NOW!

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John 20:19 – On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

Back in chapter 19, John gives us the testimony of several eyewitnesses who confirmed that Jesus was undeniably dead after his crucifixion.  In chapter 20, he gives us the testimony of several eyewitnesses who saw, touched and spoke to our resurrected Lord.  So far, we have studied the testimonies of Mary Magdalene and the apostle John.

In today's post, we find the testimonies of more people who interacted with Jesus after he was raised from the dead. 

In the early morning of 'that day', Mary and her friends went to the tomb before sunrise and found it empty.  By midday, all the disciples had heard that Jesus was risen, although not all of them had seen him.

But he had been seen by the other women who came to the tomb (Matthew 28:9) and two other believers who were on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13).

It would appear as though the Jewish religious leaders were also coming to grips with the fact that something had happened.  The Roman guards had reported seeing angels, who rolled the stone away from the tomb.  They accepted a bribe from the Jewish leaders to keep quiet about what they saw (Matthew 28:11-15).  

In light of that news, some of the priests and Pharisees would certainly have gone to the tomb to see what was going on; it was in their best interest to know what they were facing.   They certainly would have desired to put their own 'spin' on this news before it reached the general public.

All things considered, it seems logical that we find the disciples gathering that same evening to discuss this news, to consider what might happen in the near future, and to worship God.  Because it was only a few days after the crucifixion, they were all still very much afraid of the Jewish leadership.  For all they knew, they were going to be the next targets of their wrath. 

At some point in that meeting the unexpected happened - Jesus appeared!  Please note: There is nothing in the text to suggest that he miraculously appeared out of thin air.  

He probably just opened the door and entered the room, the same as everyone else.  But because of his unexpected appearance and because most of them had not yet seen him alive, they were alarmed or fearful when they saw him.  The fact that they had abandoned him just before his death probably didn't help either.

As we see multiple times in the scriptures, God does not want his followers to be fearful.  Jesus addresses them by saying 'shalom' or 'peace be with you' which was a very common greeting at the time.  

'Shalom' is an interesting Hebrew word.  It denotes all the peace, cheerfulness and prosperity desired to live a happy life.  We could rephrase it like this: 'May you be well and prosperous' or 'May every blessing of heaven and earth which you need be granted to you'.  

The overall meaning is very clear – much to the disciples relief, Jesus has not come to condemn them; he has come to them as a friend and brother.

John 20:20 – When he had said this, he showed them his hands, and his side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

When Jesus rose from the dead, he retained the same scars he had in life.  He showed the disciples the wounds in his hands, feet and side (Luke 24:38-39).  This was irrefutable proof that he was the same being who had suffered and died by crucifixion, and he had truly risen from the dead just as he promised.

In that instant, all the grief and sorrow of the disciples simply melted away.  It was replaced with incredible joy as they were reunited with Christ, and their faith was confirmed within them.

John 20:21 – Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

Once all of the disciples had a chance to verify this was really Jesus, our Savior once again gives them a salutation of peace and blessing.  Thus, he assures them that they have been forgiven and reconciled to him, despite the fact that they abandoned him in his hour of suffering and death.    

Not only has Jesus forgiven them, he also proceeds to commission them to continue his work, in his authority.  They are his ambassadors, going forth in his name and establishing the kingdom of heaven in the world.  They will be the ones to continue preaching the gospel (while confirming it with signs and wonders), baptizing new converts and making disciples of the nations.  

Using the authority Christ has given them, the apostles will establish and organize the church. They will declare the fullness of God's love and show the way to peace/reconciliation with God (II Corinthians 5:18-20).  In essence, Jesus has declared them to be pastors, teachers and evangelists (Ephesians 4:11-12). 

Because they carry on the work he started, the disciples of Christ can expect the same treatment he received – at times they will be persecuted and at times they will be accepted.  At times they will be revered/honored and at times they will be cursed.  At times people will accept the gospel and at times they will reject it.  

We too continue to work under the same commission as the disciples.  Jesus has set us apart for the very same purpose (to spread the gospel), clothed with the same authority and empowered by the same Holy Spirit.

John 20:22 – And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

This is a most unusual verse.  We know that the followers of Jesus did not receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them, because the gift of Holy Spirit had not yet been given.  That could not occur until Jesus had ascended to heaven and been glorified (John 7:38-39, John 16:7).  Furthermore, we have a very detailed account of the coming of Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.

So, what was happening here?

Jesus was giving his followers an outward physical sign of an inward spiritual change that was shortly to take place.  This is a technique often used in scripture.  A similar example would be water baptism.  Believers are to be baptized in water (Matthew 28:19).  The act of being baptized is an outward physical sign of the repentance/cleansing that has taken place in the invisible heart of the believer. 

In this case, the act of breathing on the apostles was an outward sign/pledge which represented the invisible nature and influence that would come upon the disciples when they received Holy Spirit.  It also clearly identified the source of the Spirit and all his gifts/workings – Jesus himself.  Sadly, many Christians have attributed the works of the Spirit to Satan, because they seem unusual or because they have been given incorrect teaching.   

The word John uses for 'breathed' only occurs once in the New Testament.  It is the same word used in Genesis when God 'breathed' the breath of life into man's nostrils, and he became a living being:

Genesis 2:7 – Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Just as the breath of God breathed natural life into our physical bodies, the breath of Jesus breathed Holy Spirit life into our spiritual man.  Once we accept Christ as savior, Holy Spirit resides in our hearts, enabling believers to accomplish the spiritual agenda God prepared for us. 

We can clearly see the result of Holy Spirit's work in the lives of the apostles. 

Just after the crucifixion, we find the apostles uncertain and afraid.  Despite having been the interns of Jesus for three years, they are still ignorant of the true meaning of scripture.  They were not yet qualified to establish and govern the church, or to fully explain and share the gospel message.  They would have immediately crumbled if faced with persecution.

However, once they had been filled and baptized with the Spirit (Acts 2), we see a complete change in the apostles.  They became confident and courageous.  Because of the illumination of the Spirit, they could accurately interpret the scriptures.  They received wisdom and authority to establish/govern the church.  They were bold and fearless in the face of persecution, preaching the gospel at every opportunity.  Clearly, because of Holy Spirit, they were now enabled to accomplish the work which God had commissioned them to do.

John 20:23 – "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

We need to be very careful how we interpret this particular verse.  It is an irrefutable fact that God alone can forgive sins.  It would be blasphemous and absurd to say that any ordinary man (created creature) could absolve the guilt associated with a sin against our Creator, God. 

Isaiah 43:25 – I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake…

In other words, God has the authoritative or magisterial capacity of forgiving sin.  This authority belongs to him alone.

What Jesus is giving the apostles is the ability to sanction forgiveness in a ministerial capacity.  Let me explain.

To begin with, let's look at the context of the statement Jesus made.  Two things should specifically be noted. 

First, the statement is spoken immediately after Jesus has conferred Holy Spirit upon the disciples (verse 22).  This implies that it is not the disciples, but Holy Spirit within them, who can remit sin. 

Second, it was spoken after Jesus commissioned the disciples to carry on his work of spreading the gospel (verse 23).  This implies that the disciples were not sent into the world to condemn it, but to bring/reveal the light of the gospel so mankind could be saved.

The meaning of this passage is that Holy Spirit, working through the disciples, would determine/establish/make known the terms and conditions under which people could receive forgiveness during the age of grace.  Establishing those conditions was part of the apostle's responsibility in instituting the church.  However, the requirements were not of their own choosing; the requirements were given to them by Holy Spirit.

Because the conditions of forgiveness are clear, every believer can have a personal assurance of forgiveness when they comply with the requirements (Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31, etc).

Thus, in a ministerial capacity, the disciples could assure/declare to someone that their sins were forgiven.  Again, this is different from the authoritative or magisterial forgiveness of sin, which comes through Christ alone.

Simply stated, the only power of forgiving sin that man has, is to declare that if a person is truly penitent, their sins are forgiven because of/through the work of our Redeemer.  The purpose of bestowing this ministry on the apostles is so that ordinary men and women who live during the age of grace (the church age) can be fully confident that their sins have been forgiven by God and they are truly reconciled to him. 

John 20:24 – Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

We are not specifically told why Thomas was not with the other apostles.  It may have been that his fear of the Jews was so great, he dared not come.  Perhaps he had given up hope.  Or perhaps his attention was diverted by the demands of his family. 

What we can say for sure is that he really missed out on a blessing by not attending the meeting that day. 

Likewise, as Christians we are specifically told to regularly meet together (Hebrews 10:25).  The reasons for this are many:

• You will have an opportunity to anoint and pray for others.
• You will have an opportunity to encourage/strengthen your spiritual family through your testimony. 
• You will have an opportunity to engage in corporate worship and praise.
• You will have an opportunity to teach or instruct new believers.
• You will have an opportunity for the gifts of Holy Spirit to flow through you.
• You will have an opportunity to give your tithes and offerings in obedience to the word of God.
• You will have an opportunity to form new friendships/relationships.

The list goes on and on…

Here is something to keep in mind:  By missing the meeting, Thomas not only deprived himself of the chance to minister to others, he missed the chance to be ministered to himself.  Had he shown up that day, his colleagues would have encouraged him in his faith and he would have had a chance to see Christ for himself!

Are you a regular in-person church attendee?  If not, you are not only missing opportunities to strengthen the local body of Christ, you are depriving yourself of receiving blessings from God.  Please, please, please - get plugged into your local church now!

John 20:25 – So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."  But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

The ten disciples who had seen Jesus hastened to report these events to Thomas.  We can easily imagine their excitement as they give him a full account of what transpired at that meeting. 

This information was not hearsay or rumor or even a third-party account.  It was actually a testimony – a firsthand account of what they personally experienced with Jesus!

All Christians have a testimony.  Each one of us should be able to give others a firsthand account of how Jesus has impacted our lives, forgiven our sin, and given us hope for the future. 

Your personal testimony is one of the most powerful witnessing tools you have.  You can easily and naturally share it with others during the normal course of everyday conversation.  It gives others a genuine example of the impact Christ can have in the life of any individual.  It will draw them to the Lord.

What is your testimony?  You should consider rehearsing yours.  I recommend writing it down and organizing it in such a way that you could share your life story in five minutes or less.  By preparing in advance, you will be able to stay on topic and keep the attention of your listener long enough to share.  Don't be caught off guard – have your testimony ready!

Sadly, despite hearing the testimony of his reliable colleagues, Thomas is still skeptical that Jesus is alive.   Furthermore, he demands physical proof of the resurrection – he wants to see the scars in Jesus' hands and side.  Unless he receives this evidence, he refuses to believe.

Thomas is often criticized for his unbelief (as well he should be):

• He disregarded the words of Jesus, who repeatedly stated he would rise on the third day.
• He ignored the testimony of the other apostles, even though he knew them to be men of wisdom and integrity.
• He offended and discouraged his brothers by openly denying/disregarding the resurrection.
• He treated Christ and his word with contempt by saying he would only be convinced by a physical sign, instead of by faith.  The unbelieving Jews had also asked for a physical sign, but they did not get one (Matthew 16:4). 

It's only fair to point out that the other apostles also initially exhibited unbelief at the news of the resurrection, although their unbelief was quickly replaced by faith:

Mark 16:14 - Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at table, and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen.

Let's beware of falling into the same error in our own lives, because unbelief is a sin which is very displeasing to God.  If Jesus said it, it's true.  If he promised it, you can count on it!

John 20:26 – Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.  Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Instead of honoring the Jewish Sabbath, the disciples began to regularly meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10), which they called the Lord's Day.  The current Christian tradition of meeting on Sunday was derived from this practice.

This time, Thomas is present in the group. 

Jesus once again comes into the meeting and this time he condescends to the weakness of Thomas' faith – he offers to let Thomas touch his wounds.  This does not mean that Jesus was pleased with his lack of faith; the opposite was actually true.  

However, Jesus uses this event to prove to Thomas (and us) that he was the same Christ who had been crucified. The same wounds that were present on Jesus before he died were present when he rose from the dead.  Because of this example we can place our faith in Christ with full confidence, knowing that he has indeed risen from the dead.

John 20:27 – Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.  Do not disbelieve, but believe."

Did you notice that when Jesus speaks to Thomas he uses the exact same words that Thomas had spoken earlier?  By doing so, Jesus demonstrates that not only was he risen, but he possessed divine knowledge – he was conscious of the words and actions of men. 

All it took was this one statement from Jesus to convict Thomas of his unbelief.

Thomas was the last apostle to have faith spring up within his heart; until Jesus reached out and convicted him, his faith was in danger of dying.  Through the preaching of the gospel, Holy Spirit still convicts men and women today, leading them to eternal life in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 7:9-10). 

John 20:28-29 – Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"Jesus said to them, "Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

The response of Thomas is immediate and forceful.  It is a heartfelt statement of truth reflecting both his own stupidity and the majesty of Jesus. 

My Lord:  Thomas addresses Jesus as Lord; he acknowledges that Jesus is indeed the very same person that he had spent the last three years with - the very same person who had been crucified and buried, yet was now alive!

My God:  Thomas also addresses Jesus as God; he acknowledges his divinity and pledges his undying submission to Jesus.  From this moment forward, Thomas will worship him as God. 

Thomas is the first of the apostles to address Jesus as 'God'.  Notice that Jesus allows himself to be addressed in this manner.  This is clear evidence of his divinity; for if Thomas was wrong, Jesus would have corrected him.

Jesus responds to Thomas by approving/confirming his faith.  He now believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, but only because of what he could prove with his own physical senses.  His faith would have been more excellent if he had believed without such evidence, because faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Jesus goes on to highly commend the faith of those who will believe in him by the preaching of the gospel without having seen the physical proof of his nail scarred hands.  Jesus declares that this group of people (which includes you and me) are blessed.

John 20:30-31 – Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

In these verses, John gives us the reason for penning his gospel.  He gives us an eyewitness view of some of the things that occurred while Jesus walked the earth, so that we can feel confident about believing in Jesus as the Son of God and trusting him as our Redeemer.  

Let me offer you some encouragement:

Holy Spirit, working through the apostle John, has given us plenty of evidence that Jesus died and rose again.  If he is able to keep that promise, then we can be confident that every other promise he has made in his word can be trusted!

Scripture gives us other confirmations of God's faithfulness as well.  For example, look at the testimony of Joshua son of Nun, after Israel finally possessed the Promised Land:

Joshua 21:45 - There failed not any of any good things which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. 

I encourage you to find and claim your promise in the scriptures, knowing that God is faithful to his word.

Let me offer you some relief:

We have seen that the disciples experienced some unbelief in their lives, despite being with Jesus for an extended period of time.  Perhaps you too are experiencing some unbelief.  While that is not uncommon, it isn't a good thing. 

The unbelief of Thomas disappeared when he saw Christ.  So, if you are stuck in unbelief, move into an extended time of praise, worship and prayer.  Shut out all distractions and focus on God.  Once you enter his presence and touch him again, your unbelief will fade.

Let me offer you some strength:

Once Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Christ, they were empowered with everything they needed to accomplish the tasks God prepared for them to do.   The good news is that Holy Spirit has not changed (Malachi 3:6).  He is dwelling in your heart right now, ready to assist you with wisdom, boldness, spiritual understanding and every other thing you need to fulfill your own personal mission on earth.

If you feel lost or stuck right now, don't waste any time – seek Holy Spirit immediately and receive everything you need!

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John 19:1 – Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.

As we saw in chapter 18, rage and jealousy had driven the Jewish religious leaders to the point where they would stop at nothing to have Jesus crucified by the Romans.  So they dragged Jesus to Pilate's judgment hall and accused him of rebellion against Caesar. 

But Pilate won't just 'rubber stamp' this execution. He isn't stupid or uninformed of what is taking place in the city.  He is well aware that the religious leaders have arrested Jesus because they are jealous of him (Matthew 27:18).  Therefore, he conducts his own investigation and concludes that Jesus is innocent; he posed no threat to the rule of Caesar or the authority of Rome. 

In addition to being convinced that Jesus was innocent, Pilate had been warned by his wife not to mess with Jesus:

Matthew 27:19 - When he was sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

At this point, Pilate is becoming uneasy; his conscience is bothering him.  He is slowly losing control of this situation.  He must maintain peace in the city, but he is also desperately seeking a way to release Jesus, because in his heart Pilate knows he is innocent.  Subsequently, Pilate placed both Jesus and the notorious criminal Barabbas before the crowd believing they would chose to have Jesus released to them.

But he was wrong – at the insistence of the religious leaders, the mob called for Barabbas to be set free while they clamored for the crucifixion of Christ. 

It is interesting to note that Pilate, a Gentile/pagan, absolves Jesus by the evidence before him and seeks to set him free while the Jews who heard his doctrine, saw his miracles, and were looking for the Messiah, seek to condemn him.

At this point, Pilate orders that Jesus be scourged/whipped. 

Public whipping was a common form of punishment back in that day; even the Jews used it.  According to the Law, the Jews could never give a person more than 40 lashes (Deuteronomy 25:3).  In order to ensure that they never broke this law, the Jews limited each whipping to a maximum of 39 stripes (II Corinthians 11:24). 

But the Romans, who were the ones scourging Jesus, had no such limitation.  It was their custom to savagely flog prisoners before they were crucified and there is no reason to think that they showed any mercy to Christ.

The torture that Jesus endured during this whipping was all part of the payment for our sin.  He was well aware that he was going to endure this pain and suffering (Matthew 20:19, Luke 18:33, etc).  But he still willingly endured it in order to save us.

Isaiah 50:6 - I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked out the beard: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

In addition, God informs us that this punishment fulfilled a specific purpose – it provided healing for us: 

Isaiah 53:5 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Many people interpret this to mean healing from physical sickness and disease – and they would be right.  It definitely covers that.  But it is wrong to limit our healing to just physical ailments.  The stripes of Jesus also provide healing for our minds, our emotions, our relationships, and anything else in our lives that is broken.

What parts of your life need healing?  I urge you to bring them to God and ask him to intervene; the price for your healing has already been paid by our Lord and Savior.

Now, let's ask ourselves this question: What was Pilate's motive in having Jesus punished this way? 

Scholars speculate that he was hoping to pacify the anger of the Jews so that he could dismiss the charges against Jesus and let him go (Luke 23:16).  But that was not God's plan. 

John 19:2-3 – And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purples robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

At this time in history, the Roman Empire ruled the world.  So when the soldiers hear that Jesus is a king, it ignites feelings of scorn and mockery.  In their opinion, no one had even the slightest chance of destroying the empire or defeating Caesar.  And this certainly included the meek, unassuming man standing bound before them in the judgment hall. 

Their contempt for Jesus manifested itself in the form of ridicule.  Since Jesus claimed to be king, they would make him one!  

Taking a mass of needle-sharp thorns, they twisted them into a crown and shoved it down on Jesus' head.  The thorns pierced his skin and he bled heavily from these wounds. 

Although John does not mention it, the other gospels tell us that the soldiers also placed a weed in the right hand of Jesus, to represent a scepter:

Matthew 27:29 -And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!

Their representation of Jesus as king was completed with some kind of a ragged purple robe.  Once he was arrayed like this, they taunted and jeered at him by bowing down and acknowledging him as a king.  They spit on him, mocked him, hit him in the face and plucked out parts of his beard.

Mark 14:65 - And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the guards did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Mark 15:19 - And they struck him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshiped him.

These men 'made sport' with Jesus, just as the Philistines did to Sampson (Judges 16:23-25).   As they were cruelly abusing our Lord and Savior, Pilate was still trying to think of a way to escape judging Jesus.  Once he finds out that Jesus is from Galilee (Luke 23:6-7) he came up with the idea of sending him to Herod. But that backfired on him as well; after Herod and his men further vilify Jesus, Herod returns him to Pilate:

Luke 23:11 - And Herod with his men of war despised him, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

We now see how cowardly, base and cruel Pilate really is.  He believes Jesus is an innocent man, yet:

• He has Jesus publicly whipped.
• He allows the soldiers under his command to dishonor, abuse and mistreat him. 
• He makes a friend and ally of Herod by allowing him and his men to do the same. 
• He will shortly surrender Jesus to death, in order to keep the favor of the Jews.

John 19:4-5 – Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him."  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"

Having scourged and abused the prisoner, Pilate now brings him outside and displays him to the religious leaders and common people.

Now that Pilate has publicly profaned and debased Jesus, it was doubtful that masses of people would continue to revere and follow him.  This should have alleviated the hatred/envy of the Pharisees.  In addition, Pilate again reiterates that he finds Jesus innocent of all charges.  His hope is that the Jews would be satisfied with the extreme punishment Jesus had already endured and drop the charges against him.

If so, Pilate would also benefit – he would be relieved of the responsibility of judging Jesus.

Pilate intended the stripes of Jesus to be a never ending reproach/disgrace that would remain with him until he faded into the obscurity of history.  Little did he know that these same stripes would cause Christians to revere, love and adore the Son of God for eternity!  

John 19:6 – When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!"  Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him."

But this did not satisfy the fury and indignation of the Jewish officials.  Indeed, it only seemed to aggravate them even more.  Notice how unreasonable the chief priests and officers have become:

• Even though Pilate finds Jesus innocent of the charges, they refuse to accept his findings.  They also refuse to furnish further proof of their accusations and they have no other charges to bring against him.
• They will not be satisfied with the extremity of the punishment Jesus has already endured, even though he is innocent. 
• They do not allow mercy, compassion or justice to influence their actions.
• They were willing to risk their own safety to see Jesus destroyed - if they stirred up a mob and a rebellion ensued, the Jews would be slaughtered by Rome.

It was their utter contempt and blind hatred of Jesus which caused them to cry out "Crucify him!"

At this point, Pilate gives them one last chance to check their fury and change the course of the proceedings.  He pauses and once again insists that Jesus is innocent of all charges; he ironically commands the Jews to crucify Jesus themselves.

John 19:7 – The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God."

And now we see what truly lies in the hearts of the Jews (Luke 6:45).

The Law was one of the most important aspects of Jewish life.  And well it should be - the Law was the covenant between Israel and God; it was an agreement that no other nation had.  It set the Jews apart as God's chosen people.

However, over time the Law became a source of national pride.  The Jews boasted in having it, but they dishonored God by breaking it (Romans 2:23-24).  For instance, we saw that the Jews refused to enter into Pilate's judgment hall on the eve of Passover because they did not want to do anything that would make them ceremonially unclean, but their reason for being there in the first place was to murder an innocent man.

Scripture also gives us the example of the Pharisees who were so eager to obey the letter of the law that they tithed on the herbs growing in their gardens, but they ignored issues of justice and mercy:

Luke 11:42 -But woe unto you, Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over justice and the love of God: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

In the current situation, the religious leaders refer to a portion of the Law which dictates that anyone guilty of blasphemy should be put to death (Leviticus 24:16).  Falsely claiming to be the Son of God definitely counts as blasphemy, and this is what they were accusing Jesus of doing. 

But just as in the prior examples, they once again attempt to keep the letter of the law while ignoring the obvious will of God. 

The Jews failed to fairly and impartially study the claim of Jesus.  If they had, they would have realized that the scope of his doctrine did not draw people away from God; it drew them closer to him.  He was not abolishing the Law, he was fulfilling it.  Furthermore, if Jesus confirmed his mission and doctrine by miracles (which he certainly did), then by Law, they should have listened to him:

Deuteronomy 18:18-19 - I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto you, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

So, although the Jewish leaders sound very 'religious', they actually perverted the Law and used it as a tool to murder an innocent man.

John 19:8 – When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

Meanwhile, Pilate's day is going from bad to worse.  When he understood that his prisoner was claiming not only royalty, but deity, he became seriously afraid.  The alarm bells of his conscience were now ringing at full volume!

John does not tell us exactly what was causing this fear, but it may well have been the possibility of vengeance.  The Romans were polytheistic, which means they worshiped multiple gods.  They believed that it was possible for the offspring of gods to visit mortals and thus Pilate was afraid to condemn Jesus and offend one of the supreme deities, who would later take vengeance upon him. 

So Pilate is contending with his own conscience, plus the possibility of vengeance from a 'god', plus the huge crowd of Jews who are all stirred up and ready to cause a riot in the city.  With all this going on, it was no wonder he was experiencing fear!  It must have seemed as if things were quickly spiraling out of control.

Based on this new charge from the Jewish leaders, Pilate returns to the judgment hall to further question Jesus. 

John 19:9 - He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?"  But Jesus gave him no answer.

Pilate is now in a state of anguish.  What has he gotten himself into?  Should he follow his conscience and acquit Jesus of all charges, risking a full scale riot in Jerusalem?  Or should he bow to the demands of the unpredictable Jews?  Is Jesus a demigod?  If so, what punishment will he suffer for crucifying him?

In a desperate effort to find an answer, Pilate returns to Jesus and asks 'where are you from'?  Of course, Pilate couldn't care less where Jesus was born; he is asking Jesus if he was a mere human born on earth or if he was a divine being.  (Keep in mind, Pilate has no real understanding of the One True God which we serve and his only begotten Son.  Pilate is thinking of demigods in the way of the pagans.)

Jesus, however, remains steadfastly silent.  Many explanations have been offered to account for this. 

One explanation says this: Jesus was silent because he was not there to plead the truth of his case and receive mercy.  He was there to be condemned and suffer on our behalf so that we could be forgiven of sin.

Another says this:  Jesus had already given Pilate the answer to this in verse 37, when he explained that he was a king, but not a king of this world.  Since Pilate could not receive the truth of that concept, neither would he understand the answer to the current question.

1 Corinthians 2:14 -But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Yet another says this:  Although Pilate was still debating with himself, Jesus knew that the final outcome was crucifixion.  Having already made a reasonable defense for himself, he sees no point in continuing the conversation.  Instead, he yields to death on the cross. 

Why do you think Jesus remained silent before Pilate?

John 19:10 – So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me?  Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?"

Pilate seems to have forgotten the fear that just gripped him moments ago.  His pride is offended because Jesus will not answer him and he becomes angry.  He insinuates that since Jesus refuses to speak when spoken to, he is showing disrespect to those in authority.

What a laughable thought!  Pilate boasts of his own authority as if the world hung upon his every decision.  What he doesn't know is that God has put all power and all authority into the hands of Jesus – the very man standing before him!  In fact, everything and everyone is subject to him:

Ephesians 1:22 -And has put all things under his [Jesus'] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

(See also I Corinthians 15:25-27, Hebrews 2:8).  If we ever find ourselves in a position of authority, let us take this to heart:  Just like Pilate, we have no power and no authority that is not given to us by God, so we have no reason to boast! 

John 19:11 – Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.  Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."

The statement of Jesus that Pilate's power had been given to him 'from above' can be understood in two ways.

First, it could refer to Pilate's official office/job which was that of a magistrate/judge.  All civil power is both ordained and limited by God (Romans 13:1).  In other words, the only reason the governor of Judea had the authority to judge/decide criminal cases, was because God sanctioned it.  So, the authority of the governor (whoever that might be) to release or crucify prisoners came 'from above' by the hand of God.

In this particular case, God allowed Pilate to wield the authority of this office.

Secondly, everything that happened to Jesus had been predetermined in the eternal councils of God before the world began (I Peter 1:18-20).  Since God had determined that the Messiah was required to sacrifice his life for our sin, Pilate was given the authority 'from above' to sentence Jesus to death by crucifixion. 

The opposite is also true.  If Father God had determined that his Son did not need to die, then Pilate would not have been able to crucify him.  God was fully in charge of this situation; he was not at the mercy of Pilate.

Both cases show us that Pilate did not have as much power as he thought he had; although he had a free will choice, he had to work under the limits God had determined before he was ever born.

Jesus then goes on to discuss culpability. 

In Luke chapter 12, Jesus tells a parable about a house owner who goes on a trip and leaves his servants to manage the property while he is gone.  The servants who do a good job have nothing to fear when the owner returns.  They will be rewarded for good service. 

However, the wicked servants will be punished.  Those who were ignorant of the master's will receive a few stripes for wrong doing, while those who were fully aware of the master's will but chose not to do it are beaten with many stripes.  The bottom line is that to whom much is given, much is required:

Luke 12:47-48 - And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating.  Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

This spiritual principle applies to the case of Pilate and the Jews.  Pilate was certainly guilty of wrong doing.  He was fully convinced that Jesus was an innocent man, yet he allowed him to be severely beaten, mocked and abused.  He then shipped him off to Herod for more of the same.  But Pilate is not a Jew.  He does not have an understanding of the law.  He does not realize that there is only one God and Jesus is his Son, the Messiah.  Consequently, his sin is less than that of the religious leaders.

Meanwhile Judas, who delivered Jesus to the Jewish high priest, and the Jewish leaders who delivered Jesus to Pilate (especially Caiaphas), have a much greater culpability because they knew the law.  They had access to the Old Testament scriptures.  They professed to be experts at interpreting the law.  They knew the Messiah was coming.  They knew his work would be confirmed with signs and wonders.

Despite knowing God's will and plans, they conspired to murder the Messiah - an innocent man. They had Jesus arrested and brought to the Romans under false charges. 

They intimidated Pilate.  They produced false witnesses.  They incited the crowd to have Barabbas released and Jesus crucified. Therefore, their sin is greater than that of Pilate.  

John 19:12 – From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend.  Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar."

This case is not turning out to be the slam-dunk the Jewish officials were hoping for.  Pilate is very unwilling to simply condemn Jesus and move on.  The possibility that Jesus may be released only fills the Jews with more hate and determination.  They have come this far and they will accept nothing less than the death of Jesus, no matter what they have to do.  So they 'up the ante' on Pilate.

Having worked themselves into a frenzy, they once again throw charges of sedition into the mix, but now they are not just leveling this charge against Jesus – they are insinuating that Pilate is guilty of rebellion against Rome as well.  In effect, they are bullying Pilate! 

Given the political climate of that day, this was a very effective tactic.

Rome was actually ruled by emperors.  However, after the reign of Julius Caesar, all the emperors assumed the title of Caesar, just as all the kings of Egypt assumed the title of Pharaoh. 

At the time of Christ, the reigning emperor was Tiberius (Luke 3:1).  He was one of the most cruel and wicked men to ever rule Rome.  If he heard so much as a rumor that Pilate was undermining his power, Pilate could look forward to a slow, tortured and painful death.  It would be natural for Pilate to fear retribution from him.

The threats of the Jews have hit their mark.  The defining moment of Pilate's life has now come - he must make a decision regarding Jesus. 

He can either follow his conscience and do the right thing or throw Jesus under the bus in an effort to keep peace and protect himself.  Sadly, he fails to do what is right.

Let me offer you some encouragement:

As we noted in today's study, Jesus endured unspeakable pain and suffering so that we could be reconciled to God.  In light of this, how could we ever question his love for us? 

I know that all of us go through tough times.  Occasionally we wonder if God has forgotten or abandoned us, but let me set the record straight:  HE HAS NOT! 

God assures us that he will be with us until the end of this age (Matthew 28:20).  He repeatedly tells us to stand strong and fear not (Genesis 15:1, Psalms 46:1-3).  He says that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). 

So the next time Satan tries to whisper in your ear that God doesn't care about you, encourage yourself by remembering the cross!

Let me offer you some relief:

Pilate sinned in some really ugly ways and so did the religious leaders of that day.  But before we cast any stones, we should keep in mind that we too are guilty of sin, which separated us from the love of God. 

But there is good news – Jesus has provided relief from our sin.  Because of the cross we can be forgiven and restored into a relationship with Father God. 

Let me offer you some strength:

How is your relationship with God today?  Is it the strong and vibrant relationship you wanted?  Or has God been pushed aside in the busyness of your everyday life?  Is it possible that you are reading this post, yet you have never actually asked Christ to forgive you of your sin?  If so, you can come to cross right now, and find restoration and forgiveness by praying this prayer:

Dear Jesus, I confess to you that I am a sinner.  I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done and I ask you to forgive me.  I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross and rose again, and that your blood paid the price for my sin.  I invite you to come into my heart and life and to be my Lord and Savior.  I commit myself to you right now.  Thank you for saving me from death and giving me the gift of eternal life.  Amen.

If you prayed this prayer and sincerely meant it, then you have received the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ! 

 

  

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John 20:1 – Now 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.

Our last post ended with the death and burial of Christ but, hallelujah, the story does not end there for Jesus has risen!

In the prior chapter, John recorded five witnesses who each independently testified that Jesus was truly dead.  Now he will give us the eye witness accounts of multiple people who saw Jesus alive and who would testify that he had risen from the dead.

This is absolutely critical because Jesus' resurrection from the dead was the ultimate proof that he was the Messiah.  Those who would not believe any other evidence were referred to the sign of the prophet Jonah, who was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40). 

Furthermore, Jesus went to the cross to pay the full price for our redemption – the price which was set by Father God.  If Jesus dies for us but never rises again, the only conclusion we can reach is that God did not accept his sacrifice and that we are still in our sin.

So these eyewitness accounts are vitally important.   

The first witness to the resurrection is Mary Magdalene. 

Mary was a faithful believer/follower of Jesus.  Scripture tells us that Jesus cast seven devils out of her (Mark 16:9).  From then on, she (and other women as well) traveled around with Jesus and the apostles, ministering to them in many ways, but particularly by assisting them financially (Luke 8:1-3).  

John informs us that on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the grave while it was still dark.  We cannot help but notice the faithfulness of Mary. 

• She was with Jesus as he traveled around, preaching the gospel. 
• She was there for his crucifixion, even though his disciples had fled in fear (Mark 15:40, Luke 23:49). 
• She was present when Jesus was laid in the tomb by Nicodemus and Joseph (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47). 

Now she (along with Salome and the 'other' Mary/mother of James) faithfully and courageously goes to the tomb fearing neither the guards nor the dark of night.  Her only concern is how to move the enormous stone that blocked the entrance (Mark 16:3).

Her purpose in going to the tomb was two-fold.  One reason was to bring more spices to anoint the body (Mark 16:1-2), while paying her final respects.  The second was to weep and mourn for the death of the Savior.

But as she arrives at the tomb, John tells us that she finds the stone 'taken away' from the tomb.  Let's take a moment to review this, since John did not include the sealing of the tomb in his account of the death/burial of Christ.

In the gospel of Matthew (27:62-66), we find that on the day immediately following the day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees once again approached Pilate asking for a favor.

They tell the governor about Jesus' prophesy that he would die and rise again on the third day.  The Jewish leaders are deeply concerned about the possibility of the disciples stealing his body and 'pretending' that he had risen.  They were very fearful that if this rumor ever got started, they could never stop it. 

So with Pilate's support, they placed a seal upon the stone which served as the door to the tomb.  In addition, they stationed a number of Roman soldiers at the entrance to stand guard.  They were determined to prove that Jesus was dead and he wasn't coming back. 

Yet, according to all the gospel writers, when the women arrived at the tomb, they find the guards gone and the stone rolled away!

John 20:2 – So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

As usual, we find that John does not feel the need to mention every single detail of the events he records, especially things noted by the other gospel writers.  The purpose of his account of the resurrection is to establish the fact that Jesus had risen, and to depict the gradual dawning comprehension and faith of Christ's followers as they realize he has risen from the dead.

So, when Mary comes to the tomb, she is surprised to find the guards gone and the stone rolled away from the entrance.  As she investigates, she finds the body of Jesus gone.  Soon other women arrive and they too confirm that the body is gone. 

As we know, Jesus plainly told his followers multiple times that he would be crucified and rise on the third day (Matthew 20:19, Mark 9:31, Luke 18:33, etc).  But despite this fact, when the women find the tomb empty, they are bewildered and perplexed.  They assume that the body has simply been moved. 

Specifically, they believe that either someone has moved it from its temporary grave to a new tomb (perhaps Joseph or Nicodemus), or the body has been stolen by the enemies of Christ. 

In bewilderment and alarm, they abandon the useless spices and immediately go to report this news to the disciples.   

John 20:3-5 – So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.  Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

It appears that the disciples were either lodging together just as they had done when Jesus was alive, or they were staying in very close proximity to each other.  Regardless of which scenario is correct, we are relieved to note that Peter's denial had not cut him off from his fellow apostles.  John had invited Peter into his home and the other disciples were also still associating with him.   

In a state of fear and sorrow, Mary relates the news of the empty tomb to the disciples.  Having seen the empty tomb, she is seized by despair.  She interpreted the situation as dark and hopeless, but she is completely and utterly wrong!  In reality, that empty tomb was pregnant with victory and promise!

The same is true for the seemingly dead places in your life.  Whether it's a broken relationship, a financial need, a prodigal child or a physical ailment, know this: There is nothing our God cannot resurrect!

So don't lose hope when faced with a dark situation.  View it as an opportunity for Jesus to do something miraculous.  Sometimes God allows those things into your life in order to stretch your faith, or show you a new facet of his character. 

After hearing Mary's report, the two men run to the tomb for a first-hand look at the situation.  John is the younger man and as we would expect, he arrives at the tomb first. 

Also as we would expect, he hesitates outside the grave because he is more timid and restrained than his colleague. 

John 20:6-7 – Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.  He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

Peter, however, is as bold and impetuous as ever.  Arriving at the tomb he brushes past John and immediately rushes inside.

Peter notices the face cloth (your translation may say napkin) neatly folded up and placed by itself.  John did not see this at first, because it was only visible from inside the tomb. 

However, both men were able to see the pile of grave clothes.  This fact is noted by all four of the gospel writers, and well it should be, because the grave clothes are clear evidence that Christ had risen from the dead!

It is ridiculous to think that anyone, friend or foe, would have unwrapped the body before moving it. 

If the body had been stolen by the religious leaders (or someone hired by them), they would certainly not have taken the time to unwrap a body that had been dead/decaying for three days.  They would just have taken the entire thing and left the tomb as quickly and discretely as possible.

The same can be said of a friend who wished to move the body to a new grave – they would certainly not have dishonored Jesus by carrying his naked, decaying body through the streets of Jerusalem in order to bury it someplace else. 

And in either case, there would be absolutely no reason to neatly fold the face cloth and separate it from the rest of the linen. 

It is interesting to note that when Lazarus was raised from the dead, he exited the tomb still wearing his grave clothes, because at some point death would claim him again.

John 11:44 - And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

But when Christ rose from the dead he left his grave clothes behind him, because he no longer needed them – he would live and reign forevermore!  Death no longer had power over him.

Romans 6:9 -… Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him.

And because of the power of Christ, death's dominion over us is only temporary.  One day, when Jesus returns to earth, the dead in Christ shall rise to meet him in the air.  They will be joined by those who are still alive and all of us will accompany Jesus to heaven (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).  What a victorious day that will be!

John 20:8-9 – Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 

Once Peter enters the tomb, John follows.  He too sees the empty tomb with the pile of grave clothes and he notices the neatly folded face cloth.  The evidence clearly points to the fact that the body was neither stolen nor moved.  But if that was the case, what had happened?

All of a sudden, John begins to remember and consider the words of Jesus – he would be crucified and then rise on the third day!  The truth that John understood with his brain suddenly became truth he understood with his heart/spirit.  Could it be that Jesus calmly and deliberately rose from death, freed himself from the grave clothes, neatly folded the face cloth and exited the tomb? 

At this point, we witness the birth of John's faith - "he saw and believed".  Seeing the grave clothes with his physical eyes brought sudden sight to his spiritual eyes. 

Once this truth was birthed into his spirit, the other words/promises of Jesus also sprang to life.  If Jesus had risen from the dead, just as scripture predicted, then the Messiah had come.  The law had been fulfilled.  Our high priest, the mediator between God and man, had taken up his office.  Believers could now be reunited with God and saved from sin and death.

Hebrews 2:17 - Therefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

I imagine at that moment, John's head was spinning!  But while John believed, Peter still seemed in the dark.  The two left the tomb and returned home, no doubt discussing the situation on the way.

John 20:10-11 – Then the disciples went back to their homes.  But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.

For her part, Mary is utterly consumed with grief.  She follows Peter and John back to the tomb, but when the disciples went home, she (and possibly the other women) remained at the gravesite, crying and mourning and searching for the body of Christ.

Who among us has not been in the place of Mary?  This life is full of heartache; all of us are acquainted with grief and sorrow.  And sometimes, like Mary, we find that family and friends cannot ease our burden or answer the questions we have deep in our hearts. 

During those times, we should continue to seek the Lord, just as Mary did.  He may or may not give us the answers we seek immediately (some questions must wait until eternity to be answered).  But we know for sure that Jesus will meet us where we are, cut through our veil of tears, and bring us peace and comfort.   

In the midst of her grief, Mary once again stoops to look into the grave (the same grave Peter and John had just left) only now there are two angels present. 

John 20:12 – And she saw two angles in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

It is uncertain whether Mary thought these were men, or if she knew they were angels. Their clothing would certainly have been a clue as angels often appear in bright white clothing (Acts 10:30, Matthew 28:3), which denotes purity and holiness.

But why are they sitting in the tomb, facing each other from opposite ends of the grave?

For one thing, the angels are no doubt contemplating the mystery of the love of God for mankind.  As they look at the grave and consider the sacrifice of God, it must have revealed to them a depth of divine love that was completely unfathomable.  How could God love man so much that he would die for us?  What is man, that God would be mindful of him?  It is a question that should astonish us too, and drive us to greater depths of praise and worship to our Lord.

Also, according to noted commentator Matthew Henry, the position of the angels denotes their careful observation and care of the body of Christ - they were literally in a position to watch over the physical body of Christ.  Did they literally watch over the body of Jesus for the entire time it was in the grave?  We can't say for sure.

But what we do know for sure is that the church is the 'body of Christ', and God has appointed angels to assist Christians here on earth:

Hebrews 1:14 -Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Therefore, it is correct to say that angels carefully observe and watch over the spiritual body of Christ or individual Christians. 

Have you ever seen an angel?  Has there ever been a time when you knew without a doubt that God sent an angel to protect or assist you at some point, even though you may not have seen them with your physical eyes?

Not only do angels assist and protect Christians, they also deliver messages and other words of comfort from God (Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26-38, Judges 13:2-14).  This was the obvious reason they appeared to Mary and the other women at the tomb – to bring them the message that Christ had risen!

Here is something interesting to consider:  As you may recall, the position of the angels in the tomb is the exact same position of the angels over the mercy seat (on the Ark of the Covenant), the place where God dwelt (Exodus 25:18-21).  Back at that time, the angels prevented people from coming into the presence of God, but in the tomb they were welcoming/pointing people to the presence of Jesus, the way of life!

Yet another reason why two angels were dispatched to the grave is because scripture declares that legally it takes two witnesses to confirm something as truth:

Matthew 18:16 - But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

(See also Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15). 

John 20:13 -They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"  She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."

I do not believe the angel asked Mary this question in order to gain knowledge.  He knew very well she was crying because she was distressed about the removal or theft of Jesus' body. 

Rather, the question is a mild rebuke.  Why is she crying, when she should be rejoicing?  If Jesus said he would die and rise on the third day, then it was going to happen.  In fact, it had happened!   

But Mary does not comprehend the significance of the angel's comment.  She is still completely focused on finding the physical body of Jesus.

John 20:14 – Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

The obvious question is why didn't Mary recognize Jesus? 

Many explanations have been given.  One says that Mary did not recognize him because she wasn't expecting him.  She believed he was dead and her mind couldn't wrap itself around the idea that Jesus was still alive.

Another explanation is that because of her crying/watery eyes and the twilight of the day, she didn't see him clearly.  The only person who would logically have been there at that time was the gardener, so she assumed it was him.

But the most likely answer is that God had placed a veil over her eyes, which prevented her from recognizing Jesus, just as he did to the two believers who walked with Jesus along the road to Emmaus:

Luke 24:15-1 - And it came to pass, that, while they discussed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.  But their eyes were held that they should not know him.  

Here is some exciting news: Jesus is about to reveal himself to Mary.  And the spiritual parallel is clear – Jesus is found by all those who seek him (Jeremiah 29:13, Proverbs 8:17, Luke 11:9)!

John 20:15 – Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?"  Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

Again we note that Mary was looking at the situation through earthly eyes.  Her one and only goal is to find the dead body of Jesus, so she can once again hide it away in the grave. 

Although she was misguided, her words reveal the depth of love and devotion she had for Christ.  She does not seem to take into account that Jesus himself probably weighed over 100 pounds and he was embalmed with another 75 pounds of spices.  It is doubtful she could have actually moved his body anywhere by herself.  But in her hunger and longing for Jesus, she declares that she will find a way to make it happen.

Wow!  Wouldn't it be great if we felt the same way? 

What if we were so in love with Christ and so desirous for his glory to be manifested on earth, that we would ask God to accomplish the impossible through us?  Do we have the mindset that allows mountain-moving faith to work through us?  If we desire to be that kind of Christian, then we need to take steps to make it happen. 

• We must renew our minds with the word of God; we must believe that God is fully willing and capable of doing what he promises in his word.
• We must 'decrease' while allowing our devotion and desire for Christ to 'increase'.  We have to let go of our own plans and desires in this world and allow God's desires to become our focus.
• We must stretch and grow our faith through constant use.
• We must be prepared to tackle and conquer problems and difficulties.
• We must be faithful, just as Mary was.

John 20:16 – Jesus said to her, "Mary."  She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

With that single word, we witness the birth of Mary's faith.  Hearing the master's voice with her physical ears brought sudden revelation to her spiritual ears.  Jesus had risen!

With great joy she responds by addressing Jesus with a title of honor.  By using the title 'Rabboni' Mary is acknowledging Jesus as both her teacher and master.  She is professing her obedience and submission to Christ. 

Do you remember what Jesus said to his followers in John chapter 10?  He declared that the shepherd personally knows each sheep in his flock.  He calls them by name, and they hear his voice and follow after him (John 10:3-5).  This is exactly what happened to Mary in the physical sense. 

It is also true in the spiritual realm as well.  When Jesus first called us to himself through the conviction of Holy Spirit, we heard his voice and we responded.  We accepted him as Lord and Master of our lives. 

Jesus continues to speak to his people all the time.  Have we sharpened our hearing so that we recognize his voice?  Do we submit and obey when he calls us?  If not, what steps can we take to change that?

John 20:17 – Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

It is evident that upon recognizing Jesus, Mary immediately embraced him, and subsequently fell at his feet to worship him (Matthew 28:9).  Having discovered him alive, she is so happy she can't let go of him.  Jesus allows it for a brief moment, but then tells her to stop.  Why would he do that?

The answer is that a change has taken place.  Formerly, the earthly followers of Jesus (such as Mary) were accustomed to worshiping his physical presence.  So Jesus allows her to briefly do so, in order that her faith might be activated and she might realize that he had risen from the dead.

But once that fact was established in her heart, she needed to make the change to worshiping Jesus in spirit and in truth – not in physical form (John 4:23-24).  In another few weeks, Jesus was going to depart for heaven to sit beside his Father.  After his ascension his followers could worship him as intensely and frequently as they desired. 

We too must worship God in spirit and in truth.  Instead of being led by Jesus in bodily form, Christians are now and will continue to be led by Holy Spirit until Christ returns to earth at the end of this age (Romans 8:14-15).

This concept is also included in the message that Jesus told Mary to give the disciples.  She was to tell them that Jesus was shortly going to ascend to the Father, which meant they should not expect the continuance of his bodily presence on earth.  They should also, once and for all, get rid of any dreams they held in regard to Jesus setting up an earthly kingdom to conquer Rome.  He had not risen to remain on earth, but to return to heaven and receive the rewards of his labor – his office as the mediator between God and man. 

In the meantime, Jesus commands Mary to give a message to the disciples - His Father is now their Father; his God was now there God.  Because of the redemptive work of Christ, our relationship with God (which had been broken through sin) was now renewed and restored. 

Notice that Jesus specifically addresses them as 'brothers'.  Formerly he addressed them as friends, but now that his redemptive work is complete, they are family - children of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Hebrews 2:11-13), as are we. 

What a wonderful honor Jesus has bestowed upon Mary – she is an eye witness to the fact that Jesus has risen from the dead.  She can confirm that the prophesy given by Jesus shortly before his death has been fulfilled:

John 16:16 -A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Her announcement of his resurrection no doubt brought great joy to the eleven, which was the fulfillment of yet another word spoken by Jesus:

John 16:20 -Verily, verily, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

In the tumultuous events of the last few days the disciples had forgotten these promises, but now Jesus brings them to their remembrance through Mary.

Sometimes our lives can be tumultuous as well.  During those times of trial, let us never forget the promises of God which are contained within his word. 

John 20:18 – Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" – and that he had said these things to her.

When the disciples last saw Mary, she was weeping and seeking the Lord.  They could have stayed and searched with her, but instead they chose to go home. 

But Mary was rewarded for her diligent searching – she had seen/found the Lord! Can you imagine the kind of relief and hope that must have surged through the disciples as they realized Jesus was risen?  Her good news was a huge comfort and blessing to them in the midst of their darkest hour.

Here is something to consider:  God hasn't changed.  He is still using his followers (you and me) to share the good news of the gospel to sinners.  He is still using us to display his love and comfort to the hurting people of this world.  It is our duty and privilege to tell them Jesus is alive!

If you have lived through a struggle in this life, don't keep your victory to yourself.  Share your testimony with others, so they too can find strength and comfort.  Your story of victory gives others the strength and faith to overcome in their darkest hour too.

Let me offer you some encouragement and relief:

Mary Magdalene was a real mess when Jesus found her – she was possessed by seven devils.  But Jesus totally transformed her life.  He cast the devils out of her and allowed her (and several other women) to travel along with him and assist in his ministry. 

Perhaps you are in a real mess right now.  If so, let me give you some relief – God specializes in the impossible!  Jesus is standing by right now to give you beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3); to transform your life and make you a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). 

And once he does, he has a special place of ministry for you, just as he did for Mary. 

So don't keep that good news to yourself!  I strongly encourage you to share your testimony with others!  Scripture tells us that the ability to impart both life and death are in our tongues (Proverbs 18:21).  Your testimony may be the very words of comfort and blessing that cause someone else to be victorious over Satan. 

Let me offer you some strength:

In today's post we noted that when Christ rose from the dead he left his grave clothes behind him, because he no longer needed them – he would live and reign forevermore.

Once we accepted Christ as our savior, we passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24).  Therefore, physical death does not need to be a fearful or terrifying experience for us; it is nothing more than the portal through which we enter eternity and the presence of God!

The key to being peaceful and confident in death is to live your life for Christ right now!

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John 19:31 – Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.  

We ended our last post as Jesus declared his work was finished; he committed his spirit into the hands of the Father.

Meanwhile, here on earth, the Jews approached Pilate with yet another request.  The next day was considered a 'high day' for several reasons.

• It was the second day of the Feast of Unleavened bread which was occurring on the weekly Sabbath day. 
• It was the day in which the sheaf of the first-fruits was offered to God (Leviticus 23:10-11). 
• It was one of the feasts at which ALL Jewish males were required to appear before the Lord at the temple (Exodus 23:17). 

For these reasons, the Jews considered it a day of immense sacredness and solemnity; a 'high' holy day. 

The law declared that bodies hung on a tree should be buried before nightfall (Deuteronomy 21:22-23) or else the land would be polluted in the sight of God.  Back in that day people weren't crucified, but they were sometimes impaled or 'suspended'.  In such cases, death occurred very quickly.  We also find that sometimes dead bodies were publicly displayed for a time.   In either case, it wasn't a real problem to bury the body before dark.

But when the Romans invented crucifixion, that all changed.  They were so good at torturing people, that the condemned often lived between four and seven days on the cross before expiring.    

Breaking the legs of the condemned while they were suspended on the cross not only increased their pain and suffering, it further injured the body and deprived it of any support from the feet.  Thus, all the weight of the person was now shifted to the arms/hands.  Apparently, it was often enough of a stress to significantly hasten death, which is why the Jewish leaders were requesting that it be done.

Again, we can't help but notice that the religious leaders did everything in their power to keep the smallest commandment of the Law, despite the fact that they had just demanded the murder of an innocent man – the Son of God! 

Now, what we are about to see in the next few verses are multiple confirmations of the death of Jesus: 

The Jews:  For their part, the Jews request that the legs of all prisoners be broken, so they would die and be buried before the high holy day.  (After all, they didn't want their cherished religious celebrations to be tarnished with the death of the Messiah.)  Because of their request, the soldiers took special note that Jesus was already dead and it would not be necessary to break his legs.   

Pilate:  The only person who could order the legs broken and the only person who could authorize removal of a body from a cross was the governor.  This makes sense; if it took seven days for someone to die from this torture, it would theoretically be possible for them to survive the ordeal if they were removed from the cross early.  However, we can be sure that Pilate did not allow this to happen.

Scripture reveals that once Joseph comes forward to claim the body of Jesus, Pilate stops to consult with the centurion in charge of the execution.  He requests verification that Jesus is really dead (Mark 15:43-45) before he rules on Joseph's request.

John 19:32-33 – So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

The Roman soldiers:  Here we find confirmation of the death of Jesus by those who actually carried out the death sentence.  The soldiers performed numerous executions; they had no difficulty verifying that Jesus was dead.  If he hadn't been, they would certainly have broken Jesus' legs just as they did the legs of the two robbers, because from their point of view, the sooner the prisoner died, the sooner their work was done. Based on their actions we can be sure that Jesus was dead.

John 19:34 – But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

This is further testimony of the death of Jesus by the Roman soldiers.  Jesus had died much quicker than expected, so just for good measure, one of the men thrust a spear or lance into the side of Jesus and up into his heart. 

This released the water in the sac around his heart, and it drained any remaining blood contained in the heart, thus confirming again that Jesus was really dead.  It also explains the presence of both blood and water flowing from the body.

The actions that occurred here bore further testimony that Jesus was the Messiah.

According to the instructions for the very first Passover meal/sacrifice (when the Hebrews were exiting Egypt), God was very specific that no bones of the lamb could be broken (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalms 34:20).  This instruction was observed from the very first Passover in Egypt, up to and including the death of the true Passover lamb – Jesus. 

The prophet Zechariah also notes that the events of the crucifixion provide further proof that Jesus was the Messiah:

Zechariah 12:10 - And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…

This prophesy has multiple layers of fulfillment. 

• Some of the Jews saw the body of Jesus on that day (John, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, etc) and noted that it was pierced. 
• Later on, the apostle Thomas had a chance to put his hand into the wound located in the side of Jesus (John 20:25-27).  It was clear he had been pierced.   
• At some time in the future, the entire nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as the Messiah, based on the scars of his crucifixion. 

As conclusive as this evidence was/is, God gave even more proof that Jesus was actually dead:  

John 19:35-37 – He who saw it has borne witness – his testimony his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth – that you also may believe.  For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken."  And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

John:  Finally we come to the eye witness proof of the apostle John.  We know John was present during the crucifixion, since Jesus spoke to him from the cross, giving him instructions to take care of his mother. 

Since Jesus died quickly (in a matter of hours), John would have still been around when the soldiers were commanded to hasten the death of the condemned by breaking their legs.  He was an eye witness to the soldier piercing the side of Jesus.

We now have five different proofs or testimonies that Jesus is dead.  There is no way that anyone (then or now) can plant seeds of doubt in the minds of people about this fact.  The resurrection was not a trick or a farce.  It was a real event.

I want to make one point of clarification regarding this discussion.  I have used the phrase 'Jesus died quickly' and made other remarks that state the same thing.  This phraseology is just for the sake of clarity.  In truth, we know that Jesus did not simply die when his body gave out.  He died sooner than normal because he was in control of the situation; not nature.  When the price of sin had been fully paid and the wrath of God fully satisfied, he knowingly and willingly gave up his spirit to the Father.  As a result, his body died.

In so doing, Jesus became the true fulfillment of the Passover; he is the innocent lamb that was sacrificed for the sin of the world (I Corinthians 5:7).

John 19:38-39 – After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was 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 away his body.  Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

Having firmly established that Jesus was indeed dead, John now gives us an account of his burial. 

As we already mentioned, the bodies of executed prisoners were under the authority of the Roman governor and they could only be claimed with his permission.  Pilate gave that permission to Joseph of Arimathea.

The gospel of Matthew tells us that Joseph was a rich man (Matthew 27:57), while Luke informs us he was a counselor or senator (Luke 23:50), who was earnestly expecting/looking for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43).  Because of his position, he would have known or been acquainted with Pilate. 

In contrast to the bullying, arrogant attitude of the Jewish leaders, Joseph approaches Pilate humbly or perhaps professionally and requests the body of Jesus. 

This must have been quite a testimony to Pilate.  He knew the Jewish leaders as envious, self-important hypocrites and he probably thought all the Jews were the same.  But here comes Joseph - an intelligent, honest, well respected public figure who reveals that he too is a follower of the Jewish religion.  What's more, Joseph clearly believed in Jesus as the Messiah.  At the very least, it gave Pilate something to think about.     

It appears that Joseph was aided in the burial by Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of Israel who met Jesus by night (John 31:1-2).  He held an honorable position among the Jews and like most other Pharisees, he too was a wealthy man.

Both of these men were believers in Jesus.  Although they kept their faith away from the world, they were not ashamed or afraid to claim the body of Jesus after his disciples had hidden themselves away in fear and grief. 

For these two men, it was the death of Jesus which caused their faith to blossom.  Suddenly, they are no longer afraid of their fellow Jews.  Suddenly, they are willing to risk the loss of their wealth and positions in society in order to claim Christ.  Perhaps they were put on earth specifically for that time!  

John 19:40 – So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

The Jews typically embalmed their dead with a mixture of myrrh, aloes and other spices which they rubbed on the body.  More wealth or honor in life meant more spices during death. 

After the body was anointed it was covered with a shroud and a separate napkin was placed around the head and face.  Finally, strips of linen were used to tightly wrap the shroud around the body.  In some cases, if finances permitted it, the entire grave was filled with spices and the body laid on top of them. 

Isaiah 53:9 - And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Judging by the amount of spices used by Nicodemus (75 pounds), it is evident that the body of Jesus was treated with the respect of a rich and honorable man.  Besides being anointed and laid in spice, Jesus was placed into a brand new tomb created and reserved for a rich and honored member of society. His entire burial was one that reflected wealth, prestige and honor, as predicted hundreds of years before by the prophet Isaiah.  

John 19:41-42 – 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.  So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Obviously, you can't just bury a body in any tomb that happens to be empty.  You either have to own the space, or have the owner's permission to use it.  In this particular circumstance, it is likely that the tomb in question was actually owned by Joseph.

He had no doubt purchased it for himself and his family, but because of the time constraints he was willing to place Jesus there.  Perhaps he planned to do so when he went to ask for the body, because his new tomb was close and convenient. 

But you and I can see the hand of God at work in this situation.

The burial place of Jesus was not an accident or simply a convenience.  Although all men (including Jesus) must die (Hebrews 9:27), Jesus was the first born from the dead and the first fruits of them that rise from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:20-21 - But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

(See also Colossians 1:18).  As such, it was appropriate for his grave to be a new sepulcher; one which no other person had ever used. 

We also note that this grave was in the midst of a garden, which again calls to mind that sin/death came into the world in a garden (Eden), but resurrection life also manifested in a garden.

Since Jesus was in the tomb alone, no one could claim that it was actually someone else who had risen that day.  It prevents the false rumor that Jesus was raised by coming into contact with the bones of some prophet, like the corpse which came alive after touching the bones of Elisha (II Kings 13:21).

Scripture also reveals that the tomb was hewn out of solid rock, which means there was no secret 'back door' or other entrance through which the disciples could have removed the body. 

God has set the stage to prove beyond any doubt that Jesus was resurrected from the dead!  We will discuss the details of the resurrection in our next post.   

 Let me offer you some encouragement, relief and strength:

Every part of the death of Christ reveals the hand of God at work.  Because the resurrection of Jesus was going to be so astonishing and vitally important, his death had to be documented beyond any question.  God provided no less than five key individuals/groups that verified/attested to the death of Jesus.  

God was also clearly at work behind the scenes as Joseph and Nicodemus oversaw the burial of Christ. 

God is also at work in our lives, even though we may not realize it at the time.  Sometimes we go through difficult or confusing circumstances, and it is hard to see his hand at work, but we can be encouraged, relieved and strengthened knowing that God is always in control. 

• He loves us so much that he gave Jesus to die for us. 
• He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can endure. 
• He sets a table for us in the presence of our enemies. 
• He works all things together for our good; even the things that Satan has meant for our destruction. 

And, hallelujah, he has ordained that we too will one day be raised from the dead to live with him forever in heaven!

The Jews, the Romans and Pilate all felt that they were 'in charge' or making decisions about the death of Christ.  But all of them were wrong – although they each had choices to make, God was in charge of the situation.  And he is in charge of your situation too.      

So no matter what you are facing today, let faith rise up within you – God is guiding you every step of the way, bringing you to victory.