Tuesday, April 9, 2019

12. Growing in Prayer – The Learning Tree – Pharisee’s Condemn Christ


“Father forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).  

It is Easter time and it is that time we study the scripture anew.   

A number of years ago, driving home from work during Lent season, Chuck Swindoll was giving a blow by blow description of Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross.  It was a life changing experience to hear all that Christ physically, emotionally and mentally went through from the time the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill him, the Garden of Gethsemane to His asking forgiveness for us.  The piercing pain in my heart I had never experienced.  For the first time I really zeroed into the pain Jesus suffered, and tears flowed freely down my face.  Not only was I experiencing His pain, I realized a love for me (and all peoples) that humbled me prostrate before the Lord of my life.  I knew the story in scripture.  I had heard and read the scripture before, but this day, the Holy Spirit touched me and my knowing became incredible understanding in my heart of a love that goes beyond anything we know on this earth.

For the next week and a half as we approach Easter, we would like to share with you this scripture, all Christians for sure and many non-believers, have heard repeatedly throughout a life time.  Our prayer is that once again hearing this scripture, you will experience a new miracle, a new revelation in the inner depths that reveals new understanding where you are in your walk with the Lord.

After 400 years between the Old and New Testament Christ is born, “For God so loved the world . . . .” (John 3:16).  His Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of His moral teachings and Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6).  He began His miracles when He turned water into wine, John 2:11.  Jesus continued to do greater and greater miracles and signs until that day the Chief Priests began to plot the death of Jesus. (John 11:45-53).  Their concern was, “If we let Him (Jesus) alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”  Caiaphas, the High Priest, said, “consider . . . is it not expedient for us that one man die for the people than a whole nation should perish and then from that day on, they plotted to put Jesus to death.”  That was their reasoning for killing Jesus, a Man that spoke peace and never fell short of the Glory of God

The Chief Priests became fearful in their hearts and in selfishness and greed they sought to prevent losing their prestige and position.  They feared the people would believe in Jesus as their Messiah.  The Gospel of Mark tells us they used trickery (deception) to put Jesus to death.  Their deception waited until after the Passover because they feared the reaction of the people (followers of Christ).

Let us ask you, were you ever placed in a position that someone premeditated to cause great harm to you by deception and lies?  You are innocent! Yet because of the evil in the heart of another, great pain, damage to your character comes to you.  Once a person speaks a lie, it is exceedingly difficult to prove truth.

We can stand on the same truth that Jesus Christ stood, His Heavenly Father.  Christ is sent into the world with a love beyond comprehension.  The Father had given Him a mission and the Father was with Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, giving Him strength, courage, and assurance that He (Jesus) would finish the mission for which He was sent.  Jesus Glorified God, “I have glorified You (God) on the earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do”. (John 17:4) The High Priests may have lied, cheated with trickery and deception, and schemed until Christ was to hang on the Cross.  Truth prevailed in the resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, that we may know life eternally.

Regardless of what man can do to us, in the truth of the cross our mission will be complete in the dignity and honor we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us Pray!!



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