“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43 NLT
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On a spring morning outside Jerusalem three men are sentenced to death by crucifixion by the authority of the Roman government. Crucifixion was the most barbaric and tortuous form of execution known to man. The horrors of the pain involved is accompanied by shame and humiliation all in public view. Of the three crucified that morning, two were clearly guilty of crimes deserving of death. But the man in the middle, Jesus, clearly was not. Although Jesus was not deserving of death, as confirmed by Pontius Pilate, His being on Calvary’s Hill that day with the two criminals is a picture of God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s grace, and a picture of all of us.
We may not want to admit it, but the two criminals are a picture of each and every one of us. All of us are deserving of death due to our sin. Born with a sin nature, we are sinful creatures living in a fallen world and will die physically as a result. The Bible is clear, “And just as each person is destined to die once.” (Heb. 9:27a) We deserve to die physically due to our sin. The two criminals on the cross deserved to die physically for their sins and specifically on that day for actions committed against humanity for which they are guilty.
Another picture we see in the three crosses, pertaining to the two criminals, is a picture of the world in their acceptance or rejection of Christ. The two criminals each had a choice to make about Jesus. One wanted nothing but to escape from his present condition, the other acknowledging his sin, realizing his spiritual condition, called out to Jesus in his time of real need asking to be with Him in paradise. It is a true picture of the world today.
God’s love is on full display as He sent His Son to die undeservedly for those who deserve to die. The picture of His mercy and grace is evident by Jesus’s words to the one criminal, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The choice is yours and mine. Which cross next to Jesus are you on?
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51 ESV
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For the religious Jews of Jesus’s day the tearing of the curtain (veil) in the temple should have been a revelation of who Jesus is and His purpose in dying on the cross. Scripture says the curtain was torn at the moment Jesus died, yielding up His spirit. It was torn from top to bottom indicating no human could have done it, it was clearly an act of God. The curtain that was torn was the inner curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place in the Temple. It separated God who is Holy from sinful man and it contained the Ark of the Covenant and the law of God.
Entrance into the most Holy place, the Holy of Holies, was only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This was the most solemn holy day of all the feasts and festivals on the Jewish calendar. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies after offering a bull sacrifice for his own sins. He would then enter and sprinkle some of the blood on the Ark of the Covenant to atone for the sins of the people. Forgiveness and covering of sin was only through a blood sacrifice and repeated every year on the Day of Atonement.
The events that took place on the first Good Friday are many. They started in the early morning hours past midnight with the unjust trials of Jesus, and after being condemned to die, mocked, beaten, he was finally nailed to a cross later in the morning. Darkness covered the earth from twelve noon until three in the afternoon, the time Jesus died. At that moment, the last event, access to God was made possible to all through Jesus’s sacrifice and shedding of His blood. The curtain was torn in two, no more need for a yearly animal sacrifice to cover sin. A permanent sacrifice for sin was provided. “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all.” (Ro.6:10 esv) We have access to God the Father through the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in not just covering your sins but in taking them away completely? Access to God, Salvation, and eternal life is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ as we repent, confess our sins, and accept Him as our Savoir. This Good Friday make sure you have ‘Access to God.’
“At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’” Luke 22:61 NLT
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On the night before Jesus was to be crucified He celebrated the Passover with His closest companions, the twelve disciples. Jesus was anxious to participate with them this last time as His words make clear, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.” (Lk.22:15 nlt) He wanted to be with those closest to Him as His hour was approaching. Not only did He desire to share with them the Passover but also continue to teach them important lessons. He set an example for them in how to love one another by washing their feet and instituted the Lord’s Supper we commemorate today.
Jesus carefully laid out before them the significance of the bread he broke giving to them along with the sharing of the cup. The bread represented His body that would be broken and the cup His blood that would be shed for the forgiveness of sin. He then preceded to tell them that they will all desert Him as He is arrested later that evening in the garden. Following Peter’s lead they all said that would not happen as they were all ready to die with Him than to desert and deny Him.
In Peter’s case, Jesus was specific in telling Peter he would not only desert Him, but he would deny that he even knew Him three times. Jesus was more specific in answering Peter’s claim that “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” (Mk.14:29 nlt) The Lord told Peter that he would in fact commit such an act before a rooster crows twice denying his Lord.
God’s Word has many simple phrases and statements that goes right to the heart where there is no need of a deep theological exposition. “The Lord turned and looked” is such a statement. Jesus looked right at Peter. Enough said. Imagine if you are Peter seeing the Lord glancing back at you after the second rooster crowed. Imagine if you are Peter and you heard the first rooster crow after your first denial. Would you continue to deny Him as Peter did? We need to be careful not to over criticize Peter in his actions. All of us are capable to deny our Lord and Savior under extreme pressure. But it need not be the case if we are walking in constant communion with Him. May we never see ‘The Lord turn and look’ at us!
“David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36 ESV
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‘The Lord said to my Lord.’ Does this statement sound confusing to you, perhaps even contradictory? Confusing to most of us without explanation, but it is certainly not contradictory. During Jesus’s final week before His crucifixion, known as Passion Week, He was in constant battles with the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. Jesus taught in the temple every day before those who came to hear Him. Most were astonished at His teaching hanging on to every word. This obviously angered the religious leaders as they saw their power and influence eroding away from someone who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. If these leaders had carefully studied the Old Testament, they would have known that Jesus was right, He is the Son of God, the Messiah.
They were constantly trying to trip up Jesus with their questions, but Jesus turns the tables on them and asks them a question. He asks a question from a familiar passage in Psalms explaining that Jesus existed before David, proving His deity, proving He is eternal, and proving He is the Son of God. Jewish teaching was and is correct that the Messiah would be the son of David, yet David refers to Him as his Lord. Jesus asks them, ‘“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord’……..If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”’ (Mt.22:42-45 esv) The point being that the Messiah is both divine and human. He is David’s son and He is David’s Lord.
Jesus Christ who died on Calvary’s cross was indeed the divine Son of God in human flesh. An ordinary man, no matter how good he was, or how well he taught, or how well he lived as an example to others with love and compassion could ever be an adequate substitute for our sin. It had to be a perfect man, without sin. The deity of Christ is vital to why He came. His purpose for coming was to reconcile us back to God due to our sin nature, God’s plan for Salvation for those who trust in Christ. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn.1:29 esv) Read Psalm 110, the Messianic Psalm of Christ the King:
Throughout the centuries magnificent cathedrals have been built to worship and bring glory to God. Although you’ll find cathedrals in all parts of the world, the most famous are found in Europe. Some dating back to medieval days took at least fifty years to construct with many taking much longer. The building of a new cathedral involved generations of architects, stonemasons, skilled and unstilled workers, and an enormous amount of money.
The most notable of the European Cathedrals is Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Built between the years of 1163-1345, its age, architectural structure, size, beauty, and its history makes this magnificent building attract 12 million visitors a year. Disaster stuck this magnificent building on April 15, 2019 as fire broke out underneath the roof during a renovation project. As a result there was significant damage to the cathedral. A full restoration was completed in December 2024 with visitors being welcomed back.
The Jewish temple during Jesus’s time on earth was also a magnificent building. It also took many years to complete; in fact it was not completed in Jesus’s day. One of Jesus’ disciples remarked, look what a marvelous structure, what massive stones, what a magnificent building. But Jesus’s response was not to concur with their assessment of the temple. It was of magnificent structure and the place to offer sacrifices and worship God, but it would be destroyed. Jesus answered by saying, “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” (Mk.13:2 niv)
Jesus then preceded to instruct the disciples concerning future events of the end times, and His second coming after the tribulation days. He wanted their focus to be not only on the present, but looking at the future and eternity. The day is coming where there will be no magnificent buildings as in these days to visit and worship in, for they will all be destroyed; but we will be worshiping at the feet of Jesus in the New Jerusalem. Let us be looking forward to the future as we remember the past events of our Lord and Savior during this week.
“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ And immediately the fig tree withered up.” Matthew 21:18-19 NLT
An outward appearance can give a false impression. Examples can be found on realtor’s website listings, used auto sales lots, and even restaurant meus (it does not look like the picture!) I am not being critical of those in the auto industry, food service or in real estate, but we all know there are times when the product does not meet up to the standards that were presented once examine. Jesus found this to be true on His way back into Jerusalem on Monday morning after His arrival the day before.
Walking with His disciples on the road early in the morning, Jesus became hungry and noticed a fig tree up ahead. From a distance it looked green and full of leaves. It gave the appearance of being able to supply ample nourishment to one who is hungry. However when Jesus and His disciples got a closer look they found nothing but leaves, no figs. The tree gave a false impression that it contained fruit, but it did not!
Jesus’ reaction to this false claim was immediate judgment, He cursed the tree, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ The result, the fig tree withered up. Some theologians see this as an illustration of the nation Israel, a nation that was unfruitful despite being God’s chosen people. Our application for today is for those of us who claim to be Jesus followers, Christians in the true sense of the word with all the external trimmings but showing no fruit. There are Christians who give a false impression of who they are until someone gets close enough to see otherwise.
Jesus became hungry on the road into Jerusalem and needed the fruit to sustain Him from the fig tree but found none. People today on life’s road need the fruit of Gospel, spiritual nourishment for this life and for eternity. When they see us up ahead and observe us as they move closer, will they find true followers of Jesus or a false impression.
Today we begin to look at an endearing passage of Scripture with a most recognized piece of artwork to describe it, the Last Supper. There are few people in our world today who can say they haven’t seen an artist’s work of the Last Supper. Some may not know what is represents, but they have seen it. During the last few weeks we have covered the events of Passion Week beginning with Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. It is now Thursday and sunset is the beginning of Passover. It will be Jesus’ last Passover with His disciples and He is eager to share this last meal with them before His crucifixion.
Mark notes it is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread with coincides with Passover. This sounds confusing and the names of both were used interchangeably due to their close association. The Feast of Unleavened Bread represented the removal of sin in one’s life and was celebrated for seven days beginning at the end of Passover which was one day. Passover celebrates God redeeming the children of Israel from death when they applied lambs blood on the door posts in Egypt on that first Passover before He miraculously led them out of slavery. “Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?’” (Mk.14:12 nlt)
Jesus displays His divine knowledge once again as He did when sending two of His disciples to gather a donkey for His ride into Jerusalem. Jesus sends two disciples into the city with instructions on where to prepare the Passover meal. We know from the gospel of Luke these men are Peter and John. Jesus told them to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water and follow him to his home. That is the place. Peter and John went into Jerusalem and spotted the man with the pitcher of water. He would have been easy to identify because carrying water in pitchers was a task reserved for women. Men usually carried water in animal skin containers. They followed him to his home and said to him, “The Teacher asks: ‘Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’” (Mk.14:14 nlt) It was customary in those days to offer a room to pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus may have made prior arrangements with the man for the room. The man showed them a large upper room as Jesus told them, perhaps a roof chamber built on top of the roof. So, Peter and John prepared the Passover meal where Jesus instructed them to.
The preparation of the meal began with getting a lamb for sacrifice. Only two people were allowed to accompany the lamb for sacrifice which would be killed between 3-5 PM. The blood would be sprinkled on the altar and the lamb taken home to be prepared by roasting it whole for the evening meal. Other chores were providing other necessary foods for the meal; unleavened bread, bitter herbs, sauce made from crushed apples, dates, pomegranates, and nuts. And of course, wine. The meal would begin at sunset and was to be concluded by midnight.
Jesus and His disciples gather in the evening in the furnished upper room prepared for Passover. During the meal Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.” (Mk.14:18 nlt) Apparently a shock to eleven of the disciples as they each responds in disbelief, ‘Am I the one?’ Even Judas, number twelve, who knew he was the one. No doubt Judas wanted to avoid suspicion. The eleven were expressing the thought that this is an impossibility. This could not happen.
Again to their shock Jesus says, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me.” (Mk.14:20 nlt) During the meal bread or meat was dipped in the sauce that was prepared for the occasion. There were probably several bowls of sauce on the table as there were thirteen people gathered around. This would indicate that Judas would have been seated close to Jesus to be able to dip in the same bowl. This betrayal was deep and personal as it broke the table fellowship of a close friend. Bible commentator David Guzik notes, “In Middle Eastern culture, betraying a friend after eating a meal with him was and is regarded as the worst kind of treachery.”
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Jesus then remarks, “For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” (Mk.14:21 nlt) Jesus notes two truths in this verse. First, the Scriptures declared the Son of Man must die. Isaiah, the prophet writes in Isaiah 53 known as the ‘Suffering Servant’ chapter, “But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.” (Is.53:10 nlt) Christ’s death on the cross provided a way of salvation for us by shedding His blood, for He is our Passover lamb. (1Cor.5:7) Second, Judas will not escape the torment of eternal punishment in hell by rejecting Jesus and His way of salvation. It would have been better if he had never been born. This horrible tragedy is still true today for those who reject Jesus. It would have been better if they had never been born. How about you? Acceptance or rejection? The choice is yours. Judas made the wrong choice. Next week part 2 of the Last Supper………
“Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!’” Mark 11:9-10 NLT
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Last week we followed along with Jesus as He made His final trip to Jerusalem. Chapter 11 begins the final week of Jesus’ life known as the ‘Passion’ week. Many events and plenty of teaching from Jesus take place during the next four days before He is led to a cross and crucified. “As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.” (Mk.11:1 nlt) Jesus and His companions are now on the outskirts of the city. He sends two of His disciples to the next town over to retrieve a donkey for Him. The town was Bethphage, a small town east of Jerusalem, whose name means ‘house of unripe figs.’ Jesus told them they would find a young colt in which no had ever ridden. They were to untie it and bring it to Jesus. Jesus further instructed them, if anyone asks why they were doing that, there were to say, “The Lord needs it and will return it soon.” (Mk.11:3 nlt)
In our study we have seen many miracles from Jesus with His all-knowing attributes and here is one more. Jesus knows there will be a colt in that town no one had ridden, and they would give permission for its release. The disciples left and it all turned out just as Jesus said it would. “Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.” (Mk.1:7 nlt) In Jesus’ day to come in riding on a colt represented a man of peace. Jesus didn’t come into the city on a war-horse to conquer but to suffer as the suffering servant on a cross. That first Palm Sunday morning fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah. “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.” (Zech.9:9 nlt)
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, crowds of people led the way as others followed spreading their coats along the road in front of Him while others spread branches on the road from nearby fields. The spread of clothing was a practice of welcoming a new king in those days. Notice the difference in Jesus’ acceptance of this response as to other occasions. Jesus’ avoided recognition in the past as to not interfere with the work He still had to do because His time had not yet come. But now, His has come. The people were beginning to shout, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” (Mk.1:9 nlt) Many other translations use the familiar word “Hosanna!” meaning ‘save now.’ The people were shouting out in song from Psalm118, a Psalm usually sung at the Passover festival which was currently going on. “Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.” (Ps.118:25-26 nlt) Another undeniable proof in the accuracy of seeing references to Christ all throughout Scriptures.
Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus headed to the Temple, His Father’s house. Mark records He looked at everything. You can be sure Jesus didn’t miss a thing of what was going on in the Temple. Jesus had the authority to look and carefully inspect every inch of the Temple, and that He did. Late in the afternoon, Jesus and the disciples left for Bethany where they were staying in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus each night of this week.
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The next morning, Monday of Passion week, Jesus and His disciples headed back to Jerusalem. On the way Jesus became hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance along the road. As they got closer, Jesus saw that it was full of leaves appearing to have figs ready to eat. Fig trees would start to bear leaves in late March or early April and be in full bloom with figs in June, however this tree was already full of leaves. Jesus did not find any figs to eat on that tree for it was not the season for figs. But the tree gave the appearance that it was able to meet the need of the hungry, it gave a false impression. So like many of the false teachers and preachers of our day who entice us with their appearance, style, and convincing words of joy, love, and positive thinking with a little Bible mixed in. Their fruit is not satisfying, nor is there much of it. Jesus cursed the fig tree for its falsehood. Today’s modern preachers need to beware. Individual Christians also need to beware of false impressions we may give without any fruit to show for it. The world will notice, and the Lord certainly notices.
“When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.” (Mk.11:15-16 nlt) Jesus was using His authority on what He saw the day before as He looked over the Temple. This area was the outer court of the Gentiles. It was the only place where non-Jews could gather to worship God. The area was now a place of business, and corrupt business, taking away the right of worship from the Gentiles. Jesus said the Scriptures declare God’s house was to be a house of prayer for all nations and they turned it into a den of thieves. The book of Isaiah says, “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Is.55:6-7 nlt)
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The Jewish leaders of the Temple were prohibiting proper worship from the Gentiles and had no regard for the sanctity of the Temple. The Jewish rulers (Scribes and Chief priests) saw their way of life being interrupted and were not pleased. They decided to do something about it, plotting Jesus’ death even though they were afraid of Him “because the people were so amazed at his teaching.” (Mk.11:18 nlt)
Jesus’ first day of Passion week was an eventful one. He returned back to Bethany with His disciples for the night. Tuesday begins another eventful day with Jesus’ teaching and debating with the religious rulers who are determined to have Him done away with. Until next week…….
Word for the Soul 