Jesus’ death

God’s Impeccable Plan for His Impertinent People

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10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.” – Zechariah 12:10-14 ESV

On that day, the great day of God’s redemption, His covenant people who originally rejected Jesus at His first coming will recognize Him as their Messiah and Savior. In these closing verses of chapter 12, the Messiah Himself speaks words of comfort to those who formerly refused His offer of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. He promises to shower them with “a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). 

Instead of meting out wrath and judgment for their treatment of Him, the Messiah will graciously provide them with victory over their enemies and forgiveness for their sins. But their recognition of Jesus as their Messiah will produce in them a spirit of remorse and regret over their past treatment of Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote of this day when the Israelites’ conviction over their corporate culpability will produce a spirit of confession in them.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:5-6 ESV

At the sight of their merciful Messiah, the people of Israel will feel the full weight of their guilt and the unbelievable joy that comes with knowing that He has mercifully refused to give them what they deserve: Judgment and condemnation. Instead, the one they crucified will choose to shower them with grace, an amazing gift they did not deserve. Not long after Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension, the apostle Peter preached a sermon to a gathering of Jews in Jerusalem. At the cost of offending his audience, Peter accused them of their complicity in Jesus’ death while providing proof of His claims to be the Messiah.

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” – Acts 2:22-24 NLT

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” – Acts 2:32-33 NLT

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” – Acts 2:36 NLT

When Jesus returns a second time and conquers the rebellious nations of the world, His own people, the Jews, will finally see Him for who He really is. This sudden recognition of His identity will produce in them an odd blend of sorrow mixed with joy.

Peter’s sermon to the Jews in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost produced a similar reaction. His words “pierced their hearts” and they responded, “Brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37 NLT). Peter’s reply was simple and succinct.

“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” – Acts 2:38-40 NLT

Mourning is featured prominently in the Isaiah passage because it conveys the idea of repentance for past actions. The text contains five uses of the words “mourn” or “mourning,” emphasizing the impact the recognition of their guilt has had on them.

Centuries earlier, when Solomon dedicated the newly constructed Temple, God responded to his prayer with the following promise:

“…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

The Zechariah passage foreshadows the coming day when God’s people will do just that. They will see the Messiah with their own eyes and understand for the first time the gravity of their rejection of Him. But their sorrow will produce prayers of repentance and pleas for mercy, and Jesus, their Messiah, will forgive and restore them. In his vision of the end times, the apostle John was given a glimpse of this future day.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
    And everyone will see him—
    even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
    will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen! – Revelation 1:5-7 NLT

This future speech delivered by the recently returned Messiah speaks of Jesus’ past death in very specific terms. He describes Himself as “him whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). Written centuries before Jesus’ first coming, this passage contains powerful evidence of the Scripture’s divine authorship. The apostle John chronicled Jesus’ death in graphic detail, providing a reference to the piercing of His side by a spear.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and “They will look on the one they pierced.” – John 19:32;37 NLT

But long before John witnessed the death of Jesus, the psalmist wrote a stunningly accurate depiction of the crucifixion as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
    fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
    roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
    melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
    My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
    You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
    an evil gang closes in on me.
    They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
    My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
    and throw dice for my clothing. – Psalm 22:12-18 NLT

God’s plan for the redemption of Israel and the renovation of His world has been in place for a long time. Over the centuries, he has revealed aspects of that plan to His prophets, disclosing the nature of Israel’s rebellion and His ultimate solution for restoring them to their covenant relationship with Him. God is faithful. His plan is perfect. His timing is impeccable. And His Son’s future return when He will make all things right is right on schedule.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Day 143 – Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45-49

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An Earth-Shaking Event.

Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45-49

The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. – Matthew 27:51-53 NLT

It’s hard for us to grasp just how momentous and significant the death of Jesus was. Each of the gospel writers tell us how His life ended. Matthew says that “Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit” (Matthew 27:500 NLT). Mark describes it this way: “Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last” (Mark 15:37 NLT). Luke gives a bit more detail, recording that “Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46 NLT). Finally, John records that Jesus was offered a sponge soaked in sour wine, and when He had tasted it he said, “‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit” (John 19:30 NLT). In each case, we see Jesus succumbing to the torture and pain to which He had been subjected. His body finally gave in to all the abuse, and Jesus closed His eyes and died. But at that moment, when it appeared that everything was over and His life was ended, some incredible, earth-shattering events took place. Matthew tells us that at that exact moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in half, from top to bottom. But that’s not all. The earth shook, rocks split apart and tombs opened. There were some significant geological phenomena that went on. Matthew goes on to tell us that the earthquake itself was so intense that it terrified the Roman soldiers who were overseeing the crucifixion. Jesus’ death was anything but normal or uneventful. It was spectacular and special because it signified a momentous change in the relationship between God and man. What is fascinating is that in the final moments of Jesus’ death, the leading priests, teachers of religious law, and the elders mocked Jesus, saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!” (Matthew27:42 NLT). But rather than save Himself, Jesus dies so that He might save others. He died so that we might live. And at the moment He died, something miraculous happened. “The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead” (Matthew 27:52 NLT). Jesus did not save Himself from death, but in dying, He restored these people from death. He delivered them from the grave. This miraculous sign proved that He was who He claimed to be. He really was the King of Israel, and even in death, He had power over the grave. As He hung lifeless on the cross, He brought life back to those who had been dead. And three days later, when He rose from the dead, these rejuvenated individuals would appear in the city of Jerusalem. In essence, they represented the “first fruits,” a symbol of what is to come. We don’t know if these people went with the Lord when He ascended, or if they stayed on earth. If they stayed on earth, they would have had to have died a second time, just as Lazarus did. But what we do know is that their restored lives were evidence of Jesus’ victory over death. He had truly conquered the grave. These people had been dead, but were now raised to new life, and they would appear to many who knew them, proving the veracity of Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God.

When most men die, their story ends. Their influence dies with them. But Jesus’ death made a powerful impact on the world. It literally shook the earth. It shattered rocks. It opened graves. It raised the dead. It defeated sin and death. It satisfied the demands of a just and holy God. It made possible new life and a restored relationship with God the Father. It was a game-changer and it continues to impact the world today. Jesus wasn’t just another well-meaning martyr dying for a cause. He was the innocent Son of God, giving His life as payment for the sins of all mankind. His death was a powerful antidote to the curse of sin and the disease of death. What Jesus did on the cross struck a fatal blow to the enemy and eliminated the strangle hold he had on the lives and souls of men. It was earth-shaking, paradigm-shattering, and sin-conquering. Jesus had done His part. He had fulfilled His Father’s will, and He was able to say, “It is finished.” Now the rest was up to God the Father.

Father, no man’s death has ever had the impact that the death of Jesus did. Earthquakes, miraculous signs and resurrected lives accompanied the death of Jesus. Because His death was like no other. His death was effective and powerful. It wasn’t the end of something, but the beginning. Life as we know it was changed that day. The relationship between God and man changed that day. All because Jesus died. Thank You for sending Your Son as a sacrifice for me. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Day 140 – Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17

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Don’t Weep For Me.

Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17

A large crowd followed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming…” – Luke 23:27-29 NLT

Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who includes this exchange between Jesus and the women who were following along as He bore His cross to the place of execution. As they walked along, they wept. They were shocked by the sequence of events that had unfolded over the last 24 hours. Here was their Messiah, beaten and bloody, the skin on His back flayed away down to the bones, being forced to carry a Roman cross on which He would be crucified. Their minds were filled with confusion. Their hearts were filled with sorrow. But Jesus, in the midst of all His pain and suffering, turns to them and tells them not to weep on His behalf. He warns them that their sorrow must be for all those who, in the future, end up rejecting Him. Because a day is coming when they will be judged for their refusal of the Messiah. Their rejection of their Savior will come back to haunt them. Jesus’ statement is very similar to His warning recorded by Matthew in his gospel account. At that time, Jesus had told His listeners that “the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14 NLT). He went on to warn them, “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again” (Matthew 24:15-21 NLT). Jesus had been talking about the great period of tribulation that is to come at the end of time. This literal seven-year period will take place immediately after the rapture of the Church. It is a time in which the Antichrist rises to power and in which he persecutes the Jewish people as they have never been persecuted before.

I believe Jesus is referring to this very period of time when He warns the women not to weep for Him, but to weep for themselves and their children. He tells them that days are coming when it will be best not to have children. In fact, it will be best to have never had a child. That’s how bad things are going to be. Jesus tells them, “For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31 NLT). He seems to be referring to what will be Israel’s continuing spiritual withering and death. Jesus, the Son of God, was being put to death at a time when Israel was supposed to be worshiping God and keeping His commandments. They were still morally young and spiritually somewhat alive. But the day is coming when they will be withered and dry like the tree Jesus cursed along the side of the road because it lacked fruit. The fruitlessness and spiritual apathy of the people of Israel will one day reach a point where they will be punished by God. The great tribulation will be a difficult time for the people of Israel. But even in those days, God will not abandon them. Thousands will come to faith in Christ. God will miraculously defend them from their enemies and deliver them from the assaults of the Antichrist. And He will send His son once again, as a conquering King, who will set up His kingdom on earth in the city of Jerusalem.

As the women weeped for Jesus, they say this as the end. But Jesus wanted them to know that there was much more to come. In just a few short years, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple would both be destroyed by the Romans. Their whole sacrificial system would be done away with. But there would be even more to come. Jesus’ death was far from the end of the story. In a way, it was just the beginning. If tears were to be shed, they needed to be shed for all those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior. Judgment is inevitable. Rejection of the Messiah has serious consequences. What the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders were doing to Jesus was horrific and worthy of God’s judgment, but all those who reject the gift of His Son will also be worthy of His wrath and condemnation. It is for them that we should weep. It is to them we need to take the story of God’s great plan of redemption and reconciliation, made available through the sacrificial death of His Son.

Father, as horrible as the story of Your Son’s death is, how much more horrific is the reality that millions of people stand ready to fall under Your righteous judgment because they reject the reality of His death as payment for their sins. They snub Your gift and refuse to accept Your grace. Jesus died, but He rose again. He is alive and well, sitting at Your side and will one day return. But all those who have lived since He died and who have rejected Him will one day be judged by Him. And all those who refuse to accept His death as payment for their sins, will one day have to pay for their sins with their own lives. Give me an increasing burden and heart for those who have yet to hear and those who continue to refuse to listen. Show me how to weep for them as Your Son did for Jerusalem. Amen.

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Day 69 – Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45

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So What’s the Good News?

Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hand of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” – Matthew 17:22-23 NLT

For the second time, Jesus reveals some very disheartening and confusing news to His disciples. He gets them alone and tells them that He is going to be betrayed and killed, but then He will be raised from the dead on the third day. Mark tells us that the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was saying, but they were afraid to ask Him to explain Himself. Probably because they didn’t really want to know. Jesus had talked about this before, and they didn’t like it any better now than they had then. Luke tells us that the significance of Jesus’ statement was hidden from them. It would not make any sense until after Jesus had actually died and been raised from the dead. The significance of it all would never really hit them until they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. But that comes later in the story.

At this point, they were simply confused and saddened. They didn’t like what they were hearing. They didn’t want to think about it. It didn’t fit into their understanding of how things were supposed to work out. They were still thinking that Jesus was going to set up His kingdom on earth and that they would be ruling alongside Him as His faithful assistants. All this talk of betrayal and death was not what they wanted to hear. They didn’t even hear the part about Jesus being raised from the dead. Their attention turned off at the word “killed.” The reality was that God’s plan for Jesus didn’t mesh with their plan for Jesus. Their view of the Kingdom didn’t coincide with God’s view of the Kingdom. They were thinking temporal and earthly. Jesus was thinking eternal and spiritual. He came to set them free from the rule and tyranny of sin. They simply wanted Him to set them free from the rule and tyranny of Rome. God’s plan was so much bigger, grander, and comprehensive. But they couldn’t see it. They were blind to it. They were stuck in temporal mode. And the truth is, we can find ourselves in the exact same spot. Even though we live on the other side of the resurrection. We know it happened and we know why it had to happen. And yet we can still find ourselves struggling with God’s plan. It may be that we don’t particularly like this process called sanctification. We struggle with having to grow in Christ-likeness. It takes dedication, effort, obedience, trust, faith, and a total dependence on the mercy and grace of God. It is a slow and sometimes difficult process. It tends to reveal our weaknesses and exposes our sins. Which none of us like to see. Submitting to the Spirit’s authority in our lives is difficult for all of us. We have to daily die to our will and submit to His. We have to let go of our agendas and willingly follow His. Sometimes it seems that God requires of us things more than is fair. His plan for us seems uncomfortable and unattractive. We don’t like all the talk about taking up our crosses and dying to self. But that is part of the plan. It is God’s will. We have to learn to trust Him that He knows what is best for us. The disciples were learning the same thing. The idea of the death of Jesus was distasteful to them. They didn’t want to think about it. But it was essential if God’s redemptive plan was going to be fulfilled. Without His death, there would be no payment for sin and therefore, no forgiveness for sin. Without His death there would be no need for a resurrection, and without His resurrection, we would have no hope. We would still be in our sins and separated from God for eternity. God’s plan is not always easy to understand. It’s sometimes even harder to submit to. But we have to trust that He knows what He is going. He is not done yet. But He is always faithful and He is always right. No matter how it may appear to us.

Father, thank You for Your perfect plan. Forgive me for the many times I doubt it, fight it, reject it, or attempt to replace it with my own. You have always proven Yourself faithful and Your plan perfect. Help me trust You more. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org