Luke 23

Day 145 – Matthew 27:61-66; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56

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Dead and Buried.

Matthew 27:61-66; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56

So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. – Matthew 27:66 NLT

The two women watched as the body of Jesus was placed in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. They silently viewed the rolling of the stone over the mouth of the entrance. Then they returned home to prepare spices and ointments to anoint His body. But they were prevented from returning to the tomb due to the coming of the Sabbath, which would have prevented them from doing any kind of work. But it’s painfully clear that these women were not expecting any kind of resurrection from the dead. Their hopes had died when Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross earlier that day. Their dreams were shattered. Their long-awaited Messiah was dead.

Interestingly enough, it was the Jewish religious leaders that had resurrection on their minds. They recalled that Jesus had once claimed that He would rise from the dead. “Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead” (Matthew 16:21 NLT). While this information had been shared by Jesus with His own disciples, news of His claim had obviously made it to the ears of these religious leaders. And the thought of it was like a nightmare to them. That was the last thing they wanted or needed. So they went to Pilate and appealed to him to place armed guards at the tomb in order to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and claiming Jesus had risen from the dead. Even the rumor of resurrection filled them with fear. So Pilate gave in to their request and placed guards at the tomb and sealed the entrance. They were going to do whatever they had to do to keep Jesus dead and buried.

But while the women were preparing the spices to anoint Jesus’ body and the guards were preparing to prevent the disciples from stealing it, God was preparing something altogether remarkable and earth-shattering. This was far from the end. Jesus was dead and buried, but far from finished. Something else had to take place to complete God’s grand plan. A martyred Messiah was not how this thing was going to end. A dead Savior was part of the plan, but not the culmination. There was more to come, and with the rising sun the next morning, something truly remarkable was going to happen that would shock the guards and the women.

Father, I love this part of the story. Just when things look their bleakest, You are at work behind the scenes planning something so incredible it’s hard for us to fathom it. While the religious leaders are worrying about body-snatching disciples, and the women are preparing body-anointing spices, You are planning the resurrection of Your dead Son to new life. What a surprise the morning was going to bring. Amen.

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

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 142 – Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30

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Access Granted.

Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. – Luke 23:44-45 NLT

Some of the last words spoken by Jesus from the cross were, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34 NLT). This took place at the most crucial moment during His entire ordeal. It was at this point that all the sins of mankind were placed on Him. The penalty and burden of all the sins of all time were transferred onto Jesus and His holy, righteous Father had to turn away. For the first and only time, God the Father and God the Son were separated. Their inseparable bond was broken. No longer could God look on Jesus and say, “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased.” He could not look on His Son at all, because of the sins of men. This scene is similar to that in the Old Testament during the days of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Each year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was instructed by God to select two goats. One was sacrificed as a sin offering for the forgiveness of the sins of the people. This first goat was slaughtered and its blood was taken inside the curtain into the Holy of Holies, where it was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. This would purify the Most Holy Place from the sins and rebellion of the people. Then Aaron would sprinkle the remainder of the blood throughout the Tabernacle, purifying it as well. The second goat, called the scapegoat, was kept alive. After having cleansed the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle and the altar, Aaron was to place his hands on the head of the goat and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. This act symbolically transferred the people’s sins onto the goat. It bore their sins – the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Then the goat was driven into the wilderness, away from the presence of God, where it was left to die. This event had to take place every single year in order to provide cleansing and forgiveness of sin for the people. But when Jesus died, He satisfied the demands of God once and for all. The book of Hebrews tells us, “The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship” (Hebrews 10:1 NLT). Instead, they served as a constant reminder of their sins year after year. But Jesus came to change all that. “For God’s will was for us to made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time” (Hebrews 10:10 NLT). “But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time” (Hebrews 10:12 NLT). Jesus, our scapegoat, took on all our sins and bore the penalty we deserved. He paid our debt with His own life – once and for all.

And when Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?, it was not cry of surprise or despair. He was not off guard by what was happening. He was actually quoting Psalm 22:1. That incredible Psalm goes on to describe the death of Jesus in amazing detail. “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 divine my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing” (Psalm 22:16-18 NLT). This moment on the cross, when Jesus was temporarily separated from His Son due to the sins of mankind, was all part of the plan. It had to happen. Jesus had to become our scapegoat. And when He had taken on our sins, an amazing thing happened. Luke tells us that at that moment, in the Temple, the heavy curtain that hung at the entrance into the Most Holy Place, was torn from top to bottom. This symbolic barrier between God and man, separating them from one another because of  the holiness of God and the sins of men, was ripped down the middle. No longer would there be a barrier preventing men from having access to God. There would be no more need for a sacrificial lamb or for blood to be sprinkled by the high priest on the Mercy Seat. When Jesus took on the weight, the burden and the penalty of our sins, He did so once and for all. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). Jesus bore the penalty for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. He suffered separation from the Father so we could gain access to the Father. He died so that we might live. He suffered so we might be saved. So “let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22 NLT).

Father, I can’t thank You enough for this incredible plan of Yours. That You would allow Your own Son to take on my sins and die in my place blows me away. I can’t fathom why You would do something so incredible. I know it was not because I deserved it. It was because of Your love. Rather than giving me what I justly deserved, You gave me what I could never have earned on my own – Your grace, mercy, favor and forgiveness. Your Son’s death provided me with access into Your very presence. The barrier is removed. Access has been granted. Thank You! Amen.

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

Day 141 – Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27

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It Was Love.

Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27

A Sign was fastened above Jesus’ head announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” – Matthew 27:37 NLT

Jesus was guilty. Yes, He was guilty of being the King of the Jews., and it was for that reason He was crucified. Over and over again in the Gospel accounts, that term is used to describe Jesus. It was the main point of questioning by Pilate. It was the one point of accusation to which He would respond when questioned. It was how Pilate presented Him to the people. It was why He was mocked by the Roman guards and what caused them to place a purple robe on His shoulders and a crown of thorns on His head. Pilate even went as far as to have it written on the piece of wood that was nailed to the cross above Jesus’ head, signifying His “crime.” Interestingly enough, the Jewish religious leaders tried to get Pilate to change the wording, asking him to have it changed to “He said, I am the King of the Jews.” But Pilate refused. As Jesus was being crucified, the leading priests and teachers of religious law stood at the foot of the cross, mocking Him. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!” (Mark 15:31 NLT). They shouted, “Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” (Mark 15:32 NLT).  Even one of the criminals who was being crucified next to Him scoffed, saying, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself – and us, too, while you’re at it!” (Luke 23:39 NLT).

And here’s the amazing thing: Jesus could have saved Himself. He could have come down off the cross and put an end to His own suffering. He could have dealt with His enemies in righteous indignation, giving them exactly what they deserved – the full wrath of a holy God. But instead, Jesus responded, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NLT). And He continued to allow Himself to be ridiculed and mocked. He continued to allow His life to ebb away, so that the very ones who were hurling abuse at Him might one day believe in Him and find forgiveness for their sins and a restored relationship with the Father. Yes, Jesus had the full capacity and power to come down off that cross, because He really was the King of the Jews and He really was the Son of God. He was divine, and yet He suffered and died. Why? What would possess Jesus to go through what He did? Why would He allow His own creation to mock and murder Him? I think the answer is found in the words of a song that I haven’t heard in quite some time. It expresses the reality of what held Jesus to that cross that day, and caused Him to give His life for you and for me. Read them slowly and think about them. Consider the significance of what they say. And then express your gratitude to Jesus for what He has done.

He could’ve called ten thousand angels
To deliver Him that day.
But He hung there in all His anguish
To prepare for me a way.

It wasn’t nails that held Him to the tree
Nor the angry crowd that cried crucify
For when Jesus died upon Calvary
It was love that held Him there.

Oh what love beyond all measure
That He gave His life for me
And I’m so glad that one day in glory
His Blessed Face I’ll see.

It wasn’t nails that held Him to the tree
Nor the angry crowd that cried crucify
For when Jesus died upon Calvary
It was love that held Him there.

Every day I’ll tell the story
Of His precious love for me
How He bled and died on Calvary
There to prove His love for me.

Jesus, You literally could have called ten thousand angels. You could have stopped the whole affair and decided that enough was enough. You could have turned Your full divine power against those who were crucifying You, and You would have been completely justified in Your actions. But instead, You remained faithful to Your Father’s plan, and You willingly sacrificed Your life for ours. It wasn’t nails that held you there. It wasn’t Roman guards who kept you on the cross. It wasn’t man-made laws or trumped-up charges that caused Your death. It was love. You died because You loved us. You died because Your Father loved us. It was love that held You there and I am forever grateful. 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 136 – Luke 23:13-25

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And Their Voices Prevailed.

Luke 23:13-25

But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.  – Luke 23:23 NLT

The envy of the religious leaders turned the crowd into an angry mob. Their hatred of Jesus had whipped the people into a frenzy, causing them to demand the death of Jesus. All this in spite of three separate pleas from Pilate asking them to reconsider. He told them, “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent” (Luke 23:14 NLT). Pilate could find nothing about Jesus that was worthy of death, so he offered to release him. But they demanded his death. Pilate even argued with them because he knew that Jesus was innocent of all charges. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Finally, out of desperation, Pilate asked, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death” (Luke 23:22 NLT). But once again, their angry shouts drowned him out. Their voices prevailed.

The vocal minority won the day. You have to remember that it was still very early in the morning when all of this took place. The crowd that had gathered for this spectacle was more than likely hand-picked by the religious leaders. They would have gathered their friends, associates, and family members in order to present a show of force to Pilate. They would have wanted it to appear as if all Jerusalem was in an uproar over this dangerous radical. But the truth is, most people would have been asleep or going about their morning affairs as all this was taking place. But the crowd that was there prevailed. They got their way. Ultimately, Pilate gave in to their demands, washed his hands of the whole affair, and turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

The amazing and sad part of this story is that there was no one there who spoke up for Jesus. When you think of all the people whose lives He had touched, not a single one was there to support Him or to testify on His behalf. That’s why I believe the crowd was prearranged. I have to believe that if some of those whom Jesus had healed had known that He was there, they would have shown up to defend Him. But during each one of His trials, not a single solitary soul showed up to speak up for Him. Not even His own disciples. Isaiah prophesied about this very day. “He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus was alone. The shouts of the crowd rang in His ears. “Crucify Him!” He looked around at those screaming for His death. He saw no one He knew. There wasn’t a friendly face to be found. But the faces He saw reflected the true feelings of the majority of those He came to save. They hated Him. Even though most of them did not even know Him. They knew nothing about Him. All they knew they had been told by the religious leaders. Their knowledge of Jesus was based on false accusations and faulty information. They were demanding the death of the Son of God and they didn’t even know it. Today, countless millions reject the Son of God, based on false accusations and faulty information. They turn their backs on their only hope because they have received bad information. They’ve listened to the crowd. They’ve bought the lies of the so-called “experts.” Which is why we need to speak up. Our voices need to shout the truth. We need to proclaim the reality of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for mankind on the cross. We need to boldly drown out the those demanding His death with shouts of “Worship Him! Worship Him!” We need to beg people to place their faith in Him. Paul reminds us that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. We exist to proclaim the truth regarding the life-transforming power of His death and resurrection. Our lives need to be living, breathing testimonies of what faith in Christ is all about. As we talk and share about Jesus and what He has done and is doing in our lives. may our voices prevail. May our shouts of joy, thanksgiving, praise, and witness to His saving power drown out all those who would wish to render Jesus dead or irrelevant.

May our voices prevail. Give us the boldness to proclaim the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. May what we say and how we live give daily witness to the reality of Jesus’ life transforming power in our lives. We have remained far too silent for far too long. We have a message to tell to the nations. Give us the courage to shout what we know about Jesus from the rooftops, so that our voices truly do prevail. Amen.

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

Day 134 – Luke 23:6-12

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Curious, But Uncommitted.

Luke 23:6-12

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. – Luke 23:8 NLT

Pilate, having found nothing about Jesus worthy of putting him to death, decided to buy himself time by sending Jesus to Herod, who was the Roman-appointed ruler over over Galilee. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem that week and was excited to have the opportunity to meet Jesus face to face. He had heard much about Him, and Luke comments that he was anxious to see Jesus perform one of the miracles He was so famous for. But Herod was an evil man with a wicked reputation. It was he who had had John the Baptist beheaded, because John had spoken boldly and bluntly about Herod’s immoral relationship with his wife, who he had stolen from his own brother. Herod was a power-hungry individual who had inherited title and power from his father, Herod the Great, the one who attempted to eliminate Jesus after his birth by ordering the murder of all male infants two and under. Herod Antipas was on friendly terms with the Romans because they held the key to his power and influence.

But his only interest in Jesus was superficial. He was curious. He had heard much about Jesus and would have loved to have seen Him perform some kind of miracle or sign, kind of a parlor trick, right in front of him. But Jesus remained silent the entire time He was before Herod. He refused to answer his questions or enter into a dialogue with him. Jesus knew who he was and what he had done to John the Baptist. Herod was unrepentant and unchanged. Herod bombarded Jesus with question after question, while the religious leaders shouted accusations against Him. In time, Herod ran out of patience and his questions because taunts and ridicule. He and his soldiers began to mock Jesus. Then they put a royal robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. Even that simple act of scorn was a subtle reminder that Jesus was exactly who He said He was. He was the King of the Jews. He was the Messiah. This Roman-appointed ruler had placed a royal robe on Jesus, unknowingly validating Jesus’ claims.

But Herod’s curiosity did little to change his view of Jesus, and it did nothing to change his own spiritual condition. He had greeted Jesus with interest and the hopes of witnessing a miracle, but when his desires went unmet, he treated Jesus with scorn and rejected Him. And so it is with many today. There are those who are curious about Jesus and who would love to see if He could do for them what He has done for others. They come to Him driven by curiosity and interested to see if He can make their life better, remove some pain they are experiencing, or simply alleviate the boredom they are experiencing from life. But when Jesus doesn’t perform as requested or answer all their questions, they simply reject Him. They do not want from Jesus what He came to offer, but prefer to demand from Jesus what they think they need. When He fails to deliver, they simply cast Him aside as unneeded and unnecessary. I am sure that Herod had no need of Jesus. He was rich, powerful, influential and used to getting his way. He was immune to ridicule and capable of eliminating any and all opposition. Jesus was a blip on the radar screen of his life, who held little or no interest for him, other than as an object of curiosity. His only reaction to the Son of God standing in his presence had been ridicule and scorn. He had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Father, how many continue to reject Your Son today. They come curious about all that they’ve heard, but they are unwilling to listen to what Jesus has to say about their lives. They only want from Jesus what they get to decide. But Jesus isn’t a personal Genie in a bottle. He isn’t a personal life coach intent on assisting us with our self-imposed, self-improvement plans. He came to deliver us from our sin and release us from God’s righteous condemnation of death. May my life be witness to those around me, that what Jesus came to provide is so much better than any miracle they may want to see Jesus perform. He came to transform us, not entertain us. He came to restore our relationship with God, not fulfill our curiosity. Let my life be an ongoing witness to that fact. Amen.

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

Day 133 – Matthew 27:2-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38

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The Truth On Trial.

Matthew 27:2-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38

Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” – John 18:37 NIV

Jesus had been brought before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Now the Jewish religious leaders would have to convince Pilate that Jesus was a threat to his government and worthy of death. I find it fascinating that these men were more than willing to use the Roman governor to carry out their plan to put Jesus to death, but refused to set foot in his house because of fear that it would defile them. What a clear contrast between their religion and what Jesus came to offer. He had spent His time with tax collectors and sinners. He had ministered to Roman centurions and Samaritans. He would have had no problem walking into Pilate’s home, because Pilate was just the sort of person Jesus came to save. But on this occasion, the high council of the Jews stood outside Pilate’s headquarters shouting accusations against Jesus. The charge of blasphemy, while more than enough cause for death as far as the Jews were concerned, would have meant nothing to Pilate. So they accused Jesus of a litany of trumped up charges, including telling the people not to pay their taxes to Rome. But Jesus would not respond to any of these false accusations. The only time He spoke was in reference to the truth regarding Him being the King of the Jews. Jesus explained, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36 NLT). The truth was, Jesus was a King. He was the King of kings and the Lord of lords. But His kingdom was of a completely different class and kind than that to which Pilate was familiar. Jesus had a throne, but it awaited Him in heaven. His kingdom was much greater and grander than anything the Romans or Caesar himself could ever imagine. For the time being, Satan would remain king of the world. He would maintain his authority and rule over the lives of men for a little while longer, but even that was going to change.

Jesus was not just a king, He was THE King. And it was for that reason He was born and why He came into the world. He was born to be King and He would die because He was King. But few, including Pilate, would recognize the truth of His claim. In fact, Pilate asked Jesus the age-old question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38 NLT). Which is ironic, because the one who referred to Himself as the way, the truth and the life was standing right in front of him. But Pilate didn’t acknowledge the truth of who Jesus was, even though he referred to Jesus as, “this King of the Jews” when asking the Jews what they wanted him to do with Him. He found Jesus guilty of nothing more than claiming to be the King of the Jews, and it would be for this reason that Jesus would ultimately die. No other charge was ever proven against Him except that one. He acknowledged no other accusation against Himself, except that one. The truth was that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The truth was that Jesus was going to sacrifice His life for that of His own people. He was the King who would give up His life for the citizens of His own Kingdom.

Father, the more I study the last days of Your Son’s life on this planet, the more I am blown away by the sheer magnitude of what He did for me. All of the events surrounding His final days are packed with meaning and overflowing with significance. Here was the King of kings standing before a lowly Roman governor, placing Himself at the mercy of a mere man and allowing him to decide His fate. Here was the King of the Jews allowing the so-called religious leaders of the Jewish people to falsely accuse Him and demand His execution. Here was the creator of the world allowing His own creation to treat Him like a common criminal. All so that the truth could be made known. His death was part of the truth. His selfless sacrifice was part of the truth. His substitionary death was part of the truth. His resurrection would be part of the truth. And His eventual return will fulfill all truth. He was exactly who He claimed to be. Amen.

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