IT IS FINISHED

 

IT IS FINISHED Easter Story continued Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:50 Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 At that moment, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There was a very great earthquake, and the rocks were split. ROMAN CENTURIAN Matthew 27:54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." VEIL IN THE TEMPLE TORN Matthew 27: 51 Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. Jesus was the final blood offering: never again would an animal sacrifice be needed or required. This is why the veil in the Jewish Temple was torn in two: there would be no more separation between God and mankind. Those who want the salvation that Jesus offers are welcome to approach the throne of Grace, and receive Mercy. SPIRITS IN THE CITY Matthew 27:52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. THE WOUND IN HIS SIDE JOHN 19:31-34 In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. PEOPLE LEAVE GOLGOTHA IN DISTRESS LUKE 23:48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. Easter Story continues tomorrow.

 

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED

 

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED Easter Story Continued Matthew 27:45 - Jesus was nailed to the cross by 9 am. At noon, darkness came over all the land. SOLDIERS CAST LOTS FOR HIS ROBE John 19:23-24 - Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be. And so the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots. Therefore the soldiers did these things. KING OF THE JEWS  Luke 23:32 - Two other men, who were criminals, were also put to death with Jesus. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” John 19:19 - Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 21 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.*" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER John 19:25-27 - Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple John (whom He loved) standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to John, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, John took Mary into his home.

 

JESUS AND PONTIUS PILATE

 

JESUS AND PONTIUS PILATE Early Friday morning, the Jewish Council sent Jesus over to Pilate because they needed approval from the Roman governor to execute anyone. Pilate didn't believe what the Jewish priests were saying. He found no fault in Jesus. Furthermore, his wife warned him not to have anything to do with this good man, because of the terrible dreams she had during the night. HEROD So Pilate sent Jesus over to King Herod hoping he could placate the Jews; but Herod made sport of the situation. His soldiers mocked and tormented Jesus, and put a crown of thorns on his head. Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. BARABBAS Mark 15:6-15 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. For he knew it was only out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?” And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. HIS BLOOD BE ON US Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You shall bear the responsibility.” 25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS Then Pilate had Jesus scourged and turned over to the soldiers to crucify him. By this time Jesus was so weak, he couldn't carry the cross; so the soldiers grabbed a bystander to do it for him.

 

THE KISS OF JUDAS

 

THE KISS OF JUDAS The Easter Story continued. LUKE 22:47-53  While Jesus was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve disciples, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” JESUS HEALS A MAN'S EAR LUKE 22:49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servanth of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. JESUS WENT WITH THE MOB  LUKE 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” TRIAL AT THE SANHEDRIN The trial in front of the religious leaders was a sham. They desperately tried to find fault with him but could not come up with any proof. JESUS PROVIDES THE PROOF Finally, Jesus himself gave them what they needed. When the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus answered, "You are correct. And furthermore, you will see me seated at the right hand of God." THE TRUTH In a great show of horror at his blasphemy, the religious leaders condemned Jesus and put him in custody until they could send him to Pontius Pilate the next day. And so, Jesus was killed for the "crime" of telling them the truth of who he really was. The Easter Story continues tomorrow. WAS JESUS A VICTIM? Some people may think that Jesus was a victim in what happened Thursday and Friday, but his arrest in the Garden showed that Christ had just as much power as he ever had. First, all the soldiers fell to the ground when Jesus stepped forward and identified himself. HEALING POWER - And then, Jesus healed a man's ear when it was cut off! ABANDONED - The disciples couldn't understand what they should do: so, in fear and confusion, the disciples fled and hid themselves. IN CONTROL - The mob had come with the idea of capturing the whole group, but Jesus made sure they didn't take anyone but himself. Then, after Jesus had sorted everyone to his satisfaction, he surrendered to the soldiers. BY HIS OWN CHOICE - Does that sound like a man who was a victim? Absolutely not. What Jesus did in the next 18 hours he did by his own choice, and in obedience to what God the Father was asking him to do. As Jesus had prayed in the Garden, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Jesus submitted himself to the will of the Father, and submitted to the torture of the coming hours. He took the bitter cup that was handed to him. OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER In Hebrew 5:8-9 we are told, "Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him."

 

JESUS IN GETHSEMANE

 

JESUS IN GETHSEMANE Easter Story Continued MARK 14:32-42 They came to a place at the foot of Mount Olivet, which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, Sit here, while I pray. 33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. 34 He said to his disciples, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch. He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire. AGONY IN THE GARDEN LUKE 22:39-46 And Jesus withdrew from his disciples about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, Jesus prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. DISCIPLES SLEEPING MARK 14:37 Jesus found the disciples sleeping instead of praying, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Again Jesus went away, and prayed, saying the same words. 40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him. 41 He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand." Easter Story continues tomorrow.