James 2:1-9
Pastor Lee:
The principle that is emphasized here is one of partiality. God explains to us that we are sinning when we show partiality to certain people. It is easy to find myself wanting to help a rich person, while ignoring a homeless or needy person. And that is wrong. This passage makes it clear that when we show partiality to someone because of who they are or what they have, then we are being nice to them for our own benefit. We are no longer trying to glorify God through our works, but we are trying to give ourselves the benefit. While Christ was here on earth, He did not seek out the rich, but he sought out the poor and needy, the weak and helpless. Because He was not interested in making friends with the "rich guys". His father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. (that is a Biblical phrase that means God has all the riches of the world)
I want to seek to be like Christ, not helping other people for my benefit, but helping those that are helpless and needy for the benefit of Christ and His glory!
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?
7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you do well;
9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
TUESDAY, February 12th, 2008
James 1:19-27
Pastor Lee:
Yesterday, I was out windsurfing with Patrick at Port Charlotte Beach, and we were driving his boat around the pier when he snagged one of the fishermans lines. So Patrick drove over to apologize and the guy was going crazy. We were both thinking, hello, sir, you have anger management issues. I was reminded of that when I read this passage. Patrick was a great example of this passage: He was swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. In other words he listened to what the man had to say, but didnt respond in a wrong way, and he didnt beat the guy up. (which he definitely could have) The fact is the wrath of man, or the anger and physical abuse of a man does not coincode with the righteousness of God. If you are a person of wrath, then you are not a person with the righteousness of God. This passage has a lot more too! but I have already gone on too long. Find other stuff the passage says!
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Pastor Lee:
Yesterday, I was out windsurfing with Patrick at Port Charlotte Beach, and we were driving his boat around the pier when he snagged one of the fishermans lines. So Patrick drove over to apologize and the guy was going crazy. We were both thinking, hello, sir, you have anger management issues. I was reminded of that when I read this passage. Patrick was a great example of this passage: He was swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. In other words he listened to what the man had to say, but didnt respond in a wrong way, and he didnt beat the guy up. (which he definitely could have) The fact is the wrath of man, or the anger and physical abuse of a man does not coincode with the righteousness of God. If you are a person of wrath, then you are not a person with the righteousness of God. This passage has a lot more too! but I have already gone on too long. Find other stuff the passage says!
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
MONDAY, February 11th, 2008
James 1:9-18
Pastor Lee:
I love James. This passage is such a great one. You sould consider memorizing it. (at least verses 13-16). The whole idea here is that we are tempted in life, but God will never allow us to be tempted with more than we can handle. That is what Pastor Chip was talking about in his message yesterday. This passage explains that when we are tempted the results can be deadly! Literally! look at verse 14 and 15. The equation would be this: Tempted + Sin: Death (we all know that death means separation) When we sin, we are "separated" from God because He is Holy and cannot fellowship with unholiness.
I must not allow temptations to lead me into sin, but I must srtive for the prize: the crown of life
What about this passage stood out to you?
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Pastor Lee:
I love James. This passage is such a great one. You sould consider memorizing it. (at least verses 13-16). The whole idea here is that we are tempted in life, but God will never allow us to be tempted with more than we can handle. That is what Pastor Chip was talking about in his message yesterday. This passage explains that when we are tempted the results can be deadly! Literally! look at verse 14 and 15. The equation would be this: Tempted + Sin: Death (we all know that death means separation) When we sin, we are "separated" from God because He is Holy and cannot fellowship with unholiness.
I must not allow temptations to lead me into sin, but I must srtive for the prize: the crown of life
What about this passage stood out to you?
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
FRIDAY, February 8th, 2008
Matthew 28:1-10
Pastor Lee:
This is the last chapter in the book of Matthew and we see a wonderful story. Christ has risen as He said! You see, Jesus told them all along that He was going to die and then come back to life three days later. The disciples got so caught up in the here and now, the physical realm of life, that when He died on that cross, they had forgotten everything else that He said.
I often do the same thing. I read Gods word, and He tells me what to do, but as soon as I get in that situation, many times I forget what He said and I go my own way. That is why God says to hide His word in our hearts, so that we wont sin against Him.
One other really cool thing: I like it when the angel rolls the stone away and then sits on the stone. Kind of like: there what do you think about that. The job has been finished and Christ is not inside. Then he tells them to check it our for themselves. How cool is that!!
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Pastor Lee:
This is the last chapter in the book of Matthew and we see a wonderful story. Christ has risen as He said! You see, Jesus told them all along that He was going to die and then come back to life three days later. The disciples got so caught up in the here and now, the physical realm of life, that when He died on that cross, they had forgotten everything else that He said.
I often do the same thing. I read Gods word, and He tells me what to do, but as soon as I get in that situation, many times I forget what He said and I go my own way. That is why God says to hide His word in our hearts, so that we wont sin against Him.
One other really cool thing: I like it when the angel rolls the stone away and then sits on the stone. Kind of like: there what do you think about that. The job has been finished and Christ is not inside. Then he tells them to check it our for themselves. How cool is that!!1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
THURSDAY, February 7th, 2008
Matthew 27:51-66
Pastor Lee:
Well, the passage begins with a veil being torn frmo the top to the bottom. This is so cool. In the Old Testament, in order to receive forgiveness for sin, the people had to send a high priest into the temple and He would go to the back room which is called the "Holy of Holies" There He would go to God on behalf of the people to ask for forgiveness. If anyone else went into that room they would immediately fall over dead. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GOOD!
Well, when that veil vas torn in two, it symbolized that every man now has access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ.
In other words, we no longer need a priest to forgive us of our sin, we simply need to go to Christ ourself, place our faith in Him, and ask for the forgiveness that He gives so freely!
How cool is that! Christ literally tore the wall down that separated us from Him.
If He was willing to go through all that so I could be closer to Him, then I should be closer to Him! I need to get into His word and spend time talking to Him in prayer everyday. What a priveledge that is.
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar,
56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Pilate Sets a Guard
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’
64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
Pastor Lee:
Well, the passage begins with a veil being torn frmo the top to the bottom. This is so cool. In the Old Testament, in order to receive forgiveness for sin, the people had to send a high priest into the temple and He would go to the back room which is called the "Holy of Holies" There He would go to God on behalf of the people to ask for forgiveness. If anyone else went into that room they would immediately fall over dead. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GOOD!
Well, when that veil vas torn in two, it symbolized that every man now has access to the throne of God through Jesus Christ.
In other words, we no longer need a priest to forgive us of our sin, we simply need to go to Christ ourself, place our faith in Him, and ask for the forgiveness that He gives so freely!
How cool is that! Christ literally tore the wall down that separated us from Him.
If He was willing to go through all that so I could be closer to Him, then I should be closer to Him! I need to get into His word and spend time talking to Him in prayer everyday. What a priveledge that is.
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar,
56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Pilate Sets a Guard
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’
64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
WEDNESDAY, February 6th, 2006
Matthew 27:33-50
Pastor Lee:
DO YOUR DEVOTIONS AND COME TO CHURCH TONIGHT AND WIN A PRIZE!
This is such a sobering passage. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It brings bitter and sweet emotions. Bitter, because of my sin, the penalty for it, the price that only Christ could pay with his life; yet sweet because He loves me so much that He was willing to suffer in such a horrible way, for my sake. This passage has a few things I want to point out. First of all, Below is a picture of Galgotha, taken by Pastor Chip. Do you see the skull? Isn't that amazing, that very place is where Christ was crucified.
The final thing I want to share is verse 40. This verse explains how people were sarcastically saying, "If you can tear down a temple and build it back up in three days, then save yourself". It is Ironic because, what they were saying is what would happen in just three days. Christ was not talking about the literal temple, but the temple Christ was speaking of was His body. He would not save him self from off the cross, or we would never know salvation. He would save Himself 3 days later as he had prophesied.
I would have wanted to prove all of them wrong right then. Thank you Lord for not proving them wrong by coming off of that cross! I know you could have!
33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “ They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Pastor Lee:
DO YOUR DEVOTIONS AND COME TO CHURCH TONIGHT AND WIN A PRIZE!
This is such a sobering passage. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It brings bitter and sweet emotions. Bitter, because of my sin, the penalty for it, the price that only Christ could pay with his life; yet sweet because He loves me so much that He was willing to suffer in such a horrible way, for my sake. This passage has a few things I want to point out. First of all, Below is a picture of Galgotha, taken by Pastor Chip. Do you see the skull? Isn't that amazing, that very place is where Christ was crucified.
The final thing I want to share is verse 40. This verse explains how people were sarcastically saying, "If you can tear down a temple and build it back up in three days, then save yourself". It is Ironic because, what they were saying is what would happen in just three days. Christ was not talking about the literal temple, but the temple Christ was speaking of was His body. He would not save him self from off the cross, or we would never know salvation. He would save Himself 3 days later as he had prophesied.
I would have wanted to prove all of them wrong right then. Thank you Lord for not proving them wrong by coming off of that cross! I know you could have!
33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “ They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
TUESDAY, February 5th, 2008
Matthew 27: 15-32
Pastor Lee:
What an incredible passage. I read this passage today as if were the first time. We have all seen the easter cantata's and musical where this scene takes place on stage, but to read the details brings out so many interesting points.
Pilate was trying to be somewhat rational, he said, What shall I do with Christ, but the people were just out of control, as if Satan was controlling the mob they relentlessley cried out. "Let Him be Crucified". Even when pilate acknowledged that He had done nothing wrong, He had committed no crime, He was just as Holy (seperate from sin) right at that moment as He is now, or was before time. Yet the people screamed "Let Him be crucified". Then these fleshly people becan to scream that "His blood will be on our hands and our childrens hands" How true that rediculous statement was.
Christs blood is on my hands and yours because without our sin, he would have never had to die. Think about the price of the sin that we commit. It cost the life of the son of God.
Teenagers, Sin makes you stupid and obviously these people were being stupid and saying stupid things, dont live like this crowd, lets live to honor the savior who died for us.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.[a]
17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
Pastor Lee:
What an incredible passage. I read this passage today as if were the first time. We have all seen the easter cantata's and musical where this scene takes place on stage, but to read the details brings out so many interesting points.
Pilate was trying to be somewhat rational, he said, What shall I do with Christ, but the people were just out of control, as if Satan was controlling the mob they relentlessley cried out. "Let Him be Crucified". Even when pilate acknowledged that He had done nothing wrong, He had committed no crime, He was just as Holy (seperate from sin) right at that moment as He is now, or was before time. Yet the people screamed "Let Him be crucified". Then these fleshly people becan to scream that "His blood will be on our hands and our childrens hands" How true that rediculous statement was.
Christs blood is on my hands and yours because without our sin, he would have never had to die. Think about the price of the sin that we commit. It cost the life of the son of God.
Teenagers, Sin makes you stupid and obviously these people were being stupid and saying stupid things, dont live like this crowd, lets live to honor the savior who died for us.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.[a]
17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
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