Mark 16 “He Is Risen”

The Angel said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” (v.6-7)

Chapter 16 is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the heart and soul of the Christian doctrine. In it we find many eye witnesses to this miraculous event and His ascension into heaven. No other religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Islam, has their faith grounded in their leader: dying for their sins, being raised from the dead, seen alive by many witnesses and then ascending into heaven – only Christianity. 

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul records those who saw the risen Lord: “Christ was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

Because Jesus’s disciples continued to testify of this, arrests, beatings and intimidation had become common to silence their message. Order was often maintained by the use of threats and torture. The early chapters of the book of Acts provide glimpses of the persecution of believers, even to the point of death, but the message remained. (see Foxes book of Martyrs) 

The Gospel of Luke records a significant change in this thinking involving Gamaliel, the rabbi who was Saul’s mentor. He wasn’t opposed to the persecution of believers, but he cautioned his fellow members of the Sanhedrin against killing Christians. He understood the power of martyrdom. 

Gamaliel said, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – least you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39). 

This tactic of toleration may have kept many believers in Jerusalem and thus slowed down the process of taking the gospel to the world. But, Stephen’s and later James’ deaths eventually changed all of that. The fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 severed to scatter the church to the winds and the message with it.

Later, all of Christ’s disciples died violent deaths but not one ever denied their faith, proving Gamaliel was correct. Many other Christians throughout history have done the same, dying for the truth of Gods Word, not some cunningly designed fable – for the work of God, not man. 

Yes, He has Risen! Hallelujah!    

The Truth: “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9-10)

John 19 “Good Friday”

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)

John 19 “Roman Crucifixion”

“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)

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. But the best is yet to come, as He will conqure death.

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)

Luke 23 “Jesus Condemned To Die For Barabbas”

“And he (Pilate) released to them (the chief priests) the one they requested (Barabbas), who for insurrection and murder had been thrown into prison; but delivered Jesus to their will” (v.25)

Here in chapter 23 we see Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and a murderer released by Pilate. And Jesus, a purely innocent man, delivered to a crowed who wanted to “crucify” Him. In other words Jesus was about to die in place of Barabbas or one could say, for Barabbas.

This is very interesting when you think about why Jesus had to die. According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Jesus would become the perfect sacrifice through His death on the cross. His innocent blood would become the only sacrifice needed for the remission of sin - once and for all.

Yes Jesus died in place of Barabbas but He also died for Barabbas and all sinners. Praise the LORD!. 

The Truth: “But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)

Mark 15 “The Scourging of Jesus”

“So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." (v.15)

The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, zinc, iron or heavy indented pieces of bronze. Bone was often added to help rip off the skin. Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name "scorpion."

The criminal was lashed to a flogging post which would help the "lictors" make deeper cuts into the shoulders, waist and legs. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) however, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews.

Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal "half-dead." Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. Therefore, the Centurion in charge would order the "lictors" to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.

The severe scourging of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Him in a pre-shock state. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to His generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at the very least serious and possibly critical. (Isaiah 50:6)

After the scourging, the Roman soldiers began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next, they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff which made Him, unrecognizable. (Isaiah 52:14)

This voluntary, loving act was only the beginning of the pain He would endure for us, as the cross still awaited Him.

The Truth: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us as all." - (Isaiah 53:5-6) 

Mark 15 “Jesus Brought Before Pilate”

Here in chapter 15 of the book of Mark, Jesus is brought before Pilate (by the chief priests) early in the morning. One of the accusations against Him by the elders was, His claim of being a king. So Pilate asked Him directly, “Are You the King of the Jews?” His answer to Pilate was, “It is as you say.”

Admitting this before the very man that could have saved Him, brought a respect for Jesus. Pilate marveled, the Bible tells us, at Jesus for His honesty and for His silence before His earlier accusers who had mocked Him, beat Him, and spoke blasphemously against Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Pilate, the Bible tells us, believed Jesus to be an innocent man, who upon examination of Jesus said, “I find no fault in Him worthy of death. He has done no evil (Luke 23:14-15). Then turning to the crowd three times Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Upon hearing the crowd Pilate, wanting to gratify them more than doing the right thing, delivered Jesus to His accusers to be crucified as they requested. 

How many times have you given into peer pressure, allowing the crowd to dictate your actions, even though you knew in your heart, “this is wrong.” Actions have consequences. Even though Pilate believed Jesus to be innocent and literally washed his hands of the blood, still delivered Him to death. Therefore, Pilate is just as guilty of murder as were the chief priests who planned it and the Romans who carried it out. 

Our lesson here is to stand for the truth, not with the crowd. Do what is right, not what may earn you favor in the eyes of others - to satisfy God, and not man.

The Truth: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

2 Kings 25 "A Ray Of Light"

 “So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table.” (v.29)

We ended yesterday with a bleak picture of loss and sadness for the nation of Judah: no land, no city, and no temple. Some were killed brutally, others taken into exile. And we were left wondering if Judah would ever be restored?

Then, a new king of Babylon took the throne, Evil-merodach, and a change occurred. He released Jehoiachin, king of Judah, from prison. Scripture also tells us that Evil-merodach, “spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor” in Babylon (v. 28), and that Jehoiachin was permitted a place at the king’s table where he ate well “for the rest of his life” (v. 29). Moreover, Jehoiachin was given a regular allowance to support himself and his family (v.29), sustaining the line of the tribe of Judah.

Here, in the face of utter darkness and defeat, we get a “glimmer of hope” for the nation of Judah. To those who knew the scriptures of God’s everlasting promise to Judah (2 Samuel 7:13-16; 1 Kings 11:39), this brought a ray of light into their darkness. Judah may have forgotten God, but God had not forgotten His people.

This glimmer of hope found in today’s passage will eventually lead us to none other than Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Of course, it would still be another five centuries of ongoing oppression under foreign nations, but eventually, out of that darkness, the Ray of Light would come - Jesus Christ.

The Truth: After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:12-16)

2 Kings 24 “Judah Hits Rock Bottom”

 “Surely at the command of the Lord it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the Lord would not forgive.” (vv.3-4).

Some people have to hit rock bottom before they will return to God. It sometimes takes loosing everything before a person can see the value in God’s Holy Word. 

In today’s reading Judah finally hit rock bottom and lost everything – their land, their city, their temple, and their freedom. The reason for Judah’s downfall: the egregious sin of its people under the leadership of Manasseh” (24:3b). 

Rebellion, denial, transgression, un-confessed sin all lead to judgment, for God is just. However, He remains compassionate, forgiving, merciful, and loving, to all who call upon His name and worship Him in spirit and truth. If you or someone you know has hit rock bottom, pray that God will use the loss and sadness to bring true of repentance in their life.

The Truth

“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

2 Kings 23 Josiah’s Covenant”

 “And the king (Josiah) stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.” (v.3)

Here Josiah makes a covenant in the presence of the LORD. Pledging himself to be the servant of God and to live in complete obedience to every requirement the LORD had given Israel. Once he did, the people followed, pledging themselves as well. This gave them one last great revival before God’s judgment upon the nation. 

What a great example of how one man recognized his sin, turned from it, pledged to serve God completely and became an example for others to follow. You too can be an example for others to follow by your stand for Christ. Seek Him while He can be found, recommit your life to Him, follow His Word and be that Godly example to others to spare them from His judgment. 

The Truth: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

2 Kings 22 "The Word Was Found"

Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. (v.8)

Because of the long line of evil kings, the record of God’s laws had been lost. So when Hilkiah found God’s law and Shaphan read it to King Josiah who tore his clothes in grief and immediately began making religious reforms in his own life and throughout the nation (v.11). King Josiah recognized the book's value and ordered it to be read aloud to all the people of Judah (23:1-2). With just one reading of God’s Word, he created a revival that changed the course of the nation (23:3-25).

Today, many people own Bibles. They are displayed on bookshelves, coffee tables and nightstands – literally collecting dust in our homes (just as “the lost book” found in the house of the Lord). However, we can only be changed by the truths found inside. Therefore, we must read it, hear it and practice it. Then, like Josiah, it will change our direction immediately and bring our lives into harmony with God’s desires - even changing the course of a nation, if national leaders will do the same.

The Truth: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)

2 Kings 21 "Manasseh Did Evil"

 “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” (vv.1-2)

Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, was the worst of all the kings. Scripture tells us that, “he led his people astray so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites”(v.9). He literally undid everything his father had done. Therefore the Lord said:

‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, because they have done evil in My sight, and have provoked Me to anger since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.’” (vv.12-15)

Leadership, especially that of God’s people, carries a great responsibility with grave consequences for any who misrepresents Him. Nations can be blessed of God through its leaders or held in reproach, depending upon their obedience to God’s Word. Legislatures, judges, senators, politicians, they all determine the course a nation will take. The key for any nation to become great on the earth and blessed by the Creator is, that its leaders lead by obeying the word of God and not taking the path, which leads to destruction.

The Truth: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

2 Kings 20 “He Is The God of All the Earth”

“The Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys.” (v.28)

The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, together with his great army, had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Israel and king Ahab. Since Palestine is rather mountainous, king Ben-hadad mistakenly concluded that they Israelites had been successful because their god was a god of the hills. If he could but engage them again in the valley, he was sure that he could easily overcome them.

A prophet of the Lord then spoke to King Ahab saying, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys, ”I will therefore give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” (v.28) When the battle came, God's people won an even more impressive victory.

Thus, both Israel and the Syrians were shown that God is not limited by time or space, He is the LORD of all the earth - even in the valley of deepest testing!

 The Truth: “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)

2 Kings 19 "Hezekiah's Prayer"

"O Lord our God, I pray, save us … that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God.” (v.19)

Here in chapter 19 we pick up the story in which we were left hanging from our previous reading. The unresolved question from chapter 18 was, “In whom will you trust?” Now trouble lay ahead for King Hezekiah of Judah. He had just received a menacing letter from Assyria's King Sennacherib who had conquered many cities, and Jerusalem was next on his list. In his letter, Sennacherib mocked the God of Israel, threatened to destroy the holy city, and bragged that none could stop him.

We now get our answer as to what king Hezekiah would do. He went immediately up to the temple and spread the letter before the Lord and prayed. In his prayer he acknowledged God as the One who created all things (v.15), he told Him that Sennacherib had reproached the living God (v.16), and finally, he pleaded with God to deliver Judah so that all the nations of the world would know that He alone is God (v.19). In answer to Hezekiah’s prayer, God sent the angel of the Lord who struck down 185,000 of the enemy, and Sennacherib withdrew (vv.20-36).

Wow! What an example of faith. Hezekiah resting in the One who made heaven and earth to work out this problem for him. Waiting on the LORD and not jumping in all emotional and on his own. So, when you find yourself in a situation where you need God’s help, lay it out before Him in prayer. He has promised His comfort and help (Hebrews 4:16). Then be patient, as God’s dawn of deliverance often comes when the hour of trial is darkest.

The Truth: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)