John 19 “The Crucifixion of Jesus And Good Friday

“So he (Pilate) delivered Him (Jesus) to them (the chief priests) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.” (John 19:16)

After being betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, delivered to Pilate (who found no fault in Him at all but had Him scourged anyway). After being mocked by the roman soldiers, crowned with a crown of thorns and beaten while being blindfolded, Pilate had Jesus brought out from the Praetorium (where these actions had taken place) and said to the chief priests and officers, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him" (v.6). 

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days.

The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23)

Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath day. Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. 

So why is today called "Good Friday" instead of "Bad Friday" or something similar? Because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God's plan to save His people from their sin. The Law required a blood sacrifice for sin, so God poured out His wrath against sin on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order that forgiveness and salvation would be possible for all nations. Jesus endure the cross on "Good Friday" knowing it would lead to our salvation, His resurrection, and the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross, but the best is yet to come, as Jesus would rise from the dead and conquer death for us all. 

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Matthew 26 "The Last Supper"

"Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the "new covenant" which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (vv.27-29)

The Last Supper is a profound moment where Jesus establishes the new covenant through His body and blood. “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). It’s a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the importance of remembering His love and grace through communion. No longer were the daily sacrifices of Bulls and Goats needed for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus, the spotless lamb of God layed down His life down ONCE and for ALL for you and for me 

Jesus’ statement, "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father's kingdom" seals a covenant promise. He pauses His own participation in the Passover cup to pour out His blood, marking the end of the old era. From that moment until a specific future day, believers live in anticipation. The same Lord who literally abstained then will literally drink again—with us—in the Father’s perfected kingdom. 

Our present communion looks back to the cross and forward to that table, anchoring faith in what He has done and certain hope in what He will yet do.

The Truth: Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” (Rev.19:9)

Matthew 26 "The Betrayal Of Christ"

"Then one of the twelve called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you? And they counted out 30 pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him." (Matthew 26:14)   

Nothing rocks our world more than the betrayal of a close friend or a loved one. It can break our hearts and cause us to react differently than if the betrayal came from someone else. 

In Psalm 55, David pours out his heart to his Lord because a close friend Ahithophel had betrayed him. Ahithophel had been David’s close personal friend and counselor but Ahithophel turned on the King. If the betrayal had been a known enemy, then that would have been expected and David could have handled it. But when betrayal comes from this unexpected, close person, he was caught off guard and it broke his heart.

Jesus was also betrayed by someone close to Him, one of chosen disciples, a friend, someone who walked and talked with our Lord and witnessed His ministry and miracles, who chose to betray Him with a kiss. (Matt.26:48,49)

And I’m sure we could all look back on our lives and point to some situation where we have felt betrayed. If we only knew beforehand, we could have taken steps to ensure our protection from that breach of trust. 

Yet unlike David or us Jesus knew of His betrayal. He mentioned it frequently (Matt.17:22, John 13:21) and even identified his betrayer and did nothing to protect Himself, even though it would lead to His death.(John 13:26) Why? Because He came into this world for one purpose, to die for our sins. (John 12:27) The “betrayal by a kiss” was only the beginning of what He knew was coming and would endure for us, despising the shame,

Hallelujah!

The Truth 
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

1 Corinthians 9 “Discipline Your Body”

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (vv.24-27)

Sporting events were big in Paul’s day as well as in our own. This was especially meaningful to the Corinthians, because their city was the center for the Isthmian Games, second in prestige to the ancient Olympics. Paul often uses figures from arena competition (at least twelve different references in his letters), including examples of runners, boxers, gladiators, chariot racers, and trophies. 

To compete as an athlete, one must be temperate. This term refers to the manner in which Roman athletes had to train for ten months before being allowed in the games. An athlete must refuse things that may be fine in themselves, but will hinder the pursuit of his goal. Even so, the Corinthians must refuse things that are fine in themselves (like meat sacrificed to idols), because having them may hinder the pursuit of the important goal: an imperishable crown, a heavenly reward that will never pass away.

The apostle Paul was serious about the gospel. He gave himself to the task of serving God with the same dedication that an athlete devotes to preparation for competition. While athletes train for a temporal prize, Paul endured tremendous hardship to win an eternal reward. Paul made sure that his body was the servant, and his inner man was the master. The desires of his body were not going to rule over his entire self.

Although he had experienced several years of fruitful ministry, the apostle had every reason to quit. On five occasions he had felt the searing bite of 39 lashes as leather cords tore into his flesh (2 Cor. 11:24). He was also beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked, and he endured hunger, thirst, cold, and many other troubles (vv.25-27). Paul’s body must have rebelled each time he prepared to go to another place of service, but Paul made it his servant, and the servant of the gospel through discipline. May the LORD help us in our spiritual training to be discipline as well.  

Athletes’ sacrifice and determination are rewarded with medals, trophies, and money. But even greater, does our Father in heaven reward the discipline of His children (Luke 19:17).

The Truth: "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap it we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

1 Corinthians 8 “Love Over Liberty”

“But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.” (v.9)

Here in chapter 8 Paul speaks about a situation concerning eating meat offered to idols and felt he had a perfect freedom to do so. He knew that there was only one true God and that idols were nothing. Eating meat offered to them was neither right nor wrong. But not all believers felt that way. So Paul's conclusion on the matter was, "If eating meat makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat" (v.13).

Today, many Christian believers feel as indifferent on the subject of alcohol, even though scripture does not forbid drinking. As Christians, we are free in Christ—free to engage in social practices and customs, as Jesus did, not specifically forbidden by biblical commands. And yet, the Holy Spirit may prompt us to refrain from some legitimate practices in certain situations or altogether. At that moment, the principle of love must take precedence over the principle of liberty. A mature Christian will then heed to the Spirit and not exercise his liberty to keep a weaker believer from stumbling.

Paul is not saying in this passage that we should be bound by the conscience of every person we come in contact with. He was challenging certain Corinthians’ behavior of flaunting their freedoms causing weaker brothers to sin. Therein lies our responsibility as well – love over liberty.

The Truth: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

1 Corinthians 7 “Walk In Your Calling”

"But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches." (v.17)

This verse can apply to so much in our lives, singleness, marriage, vocation, location, etc. But mostly I believe Paul is telling the Corinthians they don’t need to try and become something they are not. “Retain the place in life the Lord has assigned you” (v.17), “remain where you were called” (v.20), remain with God in that calling in which He called you to” (v.24). In other words, don’t feel pressured to do something or go somewhere God has not directed you. Whether born a slave, or free, married or unmarried, live as you are called.

This passage is just as relevant today as it was back then. God can use us where we are right now; on the job, at school, in our neighborhoods, married or unmarried, widowed, elderly, it does not matter. We don’t need to go to Seminary school, or Bible college, nor halfway around the world, to be used by God. All we need to be is ourselves and available to Him.

Therefore, let's walk our path and be joyfully in it. For we were bought with a price by the One who paid for us with His blood, to walk the path He has called us to.  Will He not protect, provide, and guide us with His powerful right hand? As this same apostle wrote in Ephesians, “I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..” (Eph. 4:1)

And so we walk, day by day, moment by moment, with our LORD.

The Truth: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

1 Corinthians 6 “Give No Cause For Offense”

Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited..” (v.3)

Fault-finding is a popular pastime, and unfortunately a lot of us find it’s easy to, "see the speck in our brothers eye, but ignore the beam in our own." Concentrating on the faults of others is a great way to feel better about ourselves. And that’s just the problem. Avoiding the faults that need to be fixed in our own lives not only stunts our spiritual growth, but also obstructs God’s work through us. God’s effectiveness through our lives is enhanced or hindered by the way we live.

It’s no wonder, then, that Paul made a concerted effort to “put no obstacle in anyone’s way.” For him there was nothing more important than his usefulness for Christ in the lives of others. Anything that got in the way of that was dispensable. Paul wanted to be authentic, genuine, Christ-like, especially during the trials of his life. For he once was the "chief" of all sinners, persecuting God's people, and did not want to do anything that would give cause for anyone to doubt his witness, his life, his conversion, and certainly not his ministry.  

If you want to be authentic and useful for God, take an obstacle inventory. Replace your fault by giving it to Jesus, thereby giving no cause for offense to others.

The Truth: “Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

1 Corinthians 5 “Paul’s Rebuke”

“Clean out the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (v.7)

In today’s reading, Paul levels a charge of complicit sin against the Corinthians. A man was publicly enjoying an incestuous relationship with his father’s wife with the knowledge of the church. Things had grown so complacent on the issue, that Paul had to rebuke them for being arrogant about the incident, rather than mourning over it (v.2). He went on to declare that the guilty person should be excluded from the fellowship, for its protection (v. 9). 

Some people would call this harsh and unmerciful, but it is for the good of the individual and the church as well. A cancer left to itself will only grow until it takes over the entire body. Genuine love doesn’t let a Christian continue in such incestuous sin. At the same time, we don’t need to be scouring each other’s lives to find places of moral failure either. However, when there is shameless, unrepentant, and public sin in the church, it must be dealt with, cut out, removed, until true repentance occurs.

In our culture today there is a prevailing attitude of acceptance with regard to sexual orientation, relationships, and practices. Even within some churches there exists a pride in their tolerance to such immorality. Yes we need to be available to all who seek the truth, but ignoring destructive sin within the body is nothing to be proud of. As Pastor Chuck Smith said, "It isn't our job to fix the world, and you certainly can't fix it by judging it. However, it is our job to share the gospel, and look to restore those who have lost their way."

Protection of the body and restoration of the sinner is a difficult line to walk. It works if we apply the biblical truths with a heart of love, with restoration, not condemnation as our goal.  

The Truth: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)