First on Palm Sunday we sang Hosanna in the Highest by Hillsong in worship and I was literally brought to tears. ( Just so you know I am not a big crier and definitely not in public). This song is so beautiful! In Mark 11:9-10 it says, "And those who went before and those who followed cried out [with a cry of happiness], Hosanna! [Be graciously inclined and propitious to Him!] Praised and blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Praised and blessed in the name of the Lord is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna (O save us) in the highest [heaven]!" Hosanna means a shout of fervent and worshipful praise to God. The atmosphere that was in the sanctuary at church on Sunday was fervent and worshipful praise!
In Mark 14:3 it says, "And while He was in Bethany, [a guest] in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining [at table], a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment (perfume) of pure nard, very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured [the perfume] over His head." This was very rare and expensive perfume. The perfume costs a whole years wages in that day. The first thing I noticed was that this verse says woman instead of Mary. So I went looking through each gospels account of this story. Mary was only mentioned in the Gospel of John. I found this very interesting and I wonder why the rest of them said a woman. It is not like they didn't know who the woman was. I don't know the answer to that question though but maybe one day I will learn. Many of the disciples were very angry with her for wasting this oil on Jesus instead of selling it and giving to the poor. Jesus basically told them to leave her alone, that she was anointing His body for burial. This made one of the disciples so angry he set out to betray Jesus.
Judas was the disciple who sought to betray Jesus. I was noticing in Luke it doesn't give account Mary anointing Jesus with the oil but at this time is when Satan entered Judas. "But [then] Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve [apostles]." (Luke 22:3) This was when he went away to discuss with the Chief Priests on how to betray Jesus. It is sad that one of the twelve disciples betrayed Him. Jesus even sitting at the table said that "one of you will betray Me!" (Matthew 26:21) I want to study more on the life of Judas. We are so much like Judas in a way because we can be so close to Jesus one moment and then turn our back on Him the next. His saving grace brings us back every time though. Judas could have repented but he chose not to.
After they had the passover dinner they all went to the Garden of Gethsemane. According to Merriam- Webster dictionary the word Gethsemane means: A place or occasion of great mental and spiritual suffering. How very true to this meaning was the events that took place in the garden. Jesus began His suffering there in the garden. He was experiencing mental and spiritual agony in the garden. "And being in an agony [of mind], He prayed [all the] more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground." (Luke 22:44) He sweat drops of blood which is a medical condition brought on by great stress. Jesus knew the cup He was about to drink of. Imagine yourself knowing that you were going to die a very painful, brutal, and long death. You would be under unimaginable stress. I don't think any of us realize that the suffering actually began in the garden. I know I have read that passage many times but I never really stopped and thought about it.
When Jesus came back from praying He found the disciples sleeping. This brings the question up will we be caught sleeping when Jesus comes back? Are we just going through our everyday lives doing the minimum just to get by or are we going all in with Jesus? Are we wanting to see people saved, healed, delivered? Do we want to have that life more abundantly? I know I do. I know this will come with sacrifices and persecution. He said it would. "Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours." (John 15:20) I went through this major stripping period last year were God took a lot of thing off of me and took some things away. Some of it was very painful but it was for the best. I can honestly say that I am so much better off and grew so much more than I could have ever imagined. The Christian walk is not always easy but boy it sure is worth it!
I have been watching Rick Renner on the KCM broadcasts this week and last and he has been talking about the last week of Jesus life. He said something about what happened in the garden when they came to arrest Jesus Peter cut of the ear of the bond servant of the High Priest. We all know that Jesus reached out and healed his ear. What I didn't know was why. Did you know that God did that to save Peter's life? What Peter did was a capital offense punishable by death. Jesus saved his life even knowing that in the coming hours he would deny Him three times. How great is His love?!?
The Scribes and the Chief Priests seized Jesus there in the garden and then took him to the home of the high priest. They treated Him with contempt and scoffed and ridiculed Him and beat Him. "Now the men who had Jesus in custody treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him and beat Him; They blindfolded Him also and asked Him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck You? And they said many other evil and slanderous and insulting words against Him, reviling Him." (Luke 22:63-65) Contempt means: a lack of respect for or fear of something/ someone that is usually respected or feared. Scoff means: An object of scorn, mockery, or derision. Ridiculed means: the act of making fun of someone or something in a cruel or harsh way: harsh comments made by people who are laughing at someone or something. For hours He was slandered and beaten. He was then taken in front of the Sanhedrin and asked if He was the Messiah. Here is His response: "If You are the Christ (the Messiah), tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe (trust in, cleave to, and rely on what I say), And if I question you, you will not answer. But hereafter (from this time on), the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. [Ps. 110:1.] And they all said, You are the Son of God, then? And He said to them, It is just as you say; I AM."(Luke 22:67-70) They then sen Him to Pilate.
Now Pilate didn't find any fault with Him and he desperately wanted to wash his hand of Him. He sent Him to Herod hoping to get Jesus off his hands. It says that Herod was exceedingly glad when he saw Jesus. "Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had eagerly desired to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard concerning Him, and he was hoping to witness some sign (some striking evidence or spectacular performance) done by Him." (Luke 23:8) I found this very interesting as well. Why would Herod be happy to see Jesus? Herod asked Him many questions to which Jesus never responded. So Herod and his soldiers treated Him with contempt, scoffed at Him, and ridiculed Him. They then dressed Him up in a bright and gorgeous apparel and then sent Him back to Pilate. This is also very significant. Putting Jesus in the clothing they did was mocking Him even more. The clothing represented a king or someone who would be running for a political office. When He was returned to Pilate, he again told them that He was innocent had done nothing deserving of death. So he told them that he would chastise Him. "I will therefore chastise Him and deliver Him amended (reformed, taught His lesson) and release Him." (Luke 23:16) This of course made the chief priests and the scribes angry. It was customary at Passover to release one prisoner so Pilate asked them if the wanted Barabbas or Jesus and they wanted Barabbas. Pilate then asked them what he should do with Jesus. They got the crowd all riled up saying Crucify Him! Jesus was sent away to be beaten and crucified. This beating was worse than we can ever imagine. They (When I say they I mean two Roman soldiers) beat Him with a whip and then with a cat of nine tails. He was bleeding profusely by the time they got done and His flesh had been ripped off. This alone would have killed us. I can't even imagine the pain! After they beat Him they put a Scarlet robe on Him and then they shoved a crown of thorns on Him. Then they mocked Him saying," Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matthew 27:29) They spat on Him and struck Him on the head. Remember Jesus had the crown of thorns on His head. They then took of the robed and put His clothes back on and led Him away to be crucified. Jesus was made to carry His cross to Golgotha, meaning the place of a skull. They even pulled Simon of Cyrene out of the crowd and made him help Jesus carry the Cross. Can you imagine Jesus carrying this Cross after being beaten nearly to death with blood pouring out of Him. When they made it to Golgotha in the movie Simon looked into Jesus eyes. He just stared at Him. Can you imagine looking into the eyes of your Savior moments before He would be hung on the cross. I can not begin to tell you just how bad the crucifixion was. Go listen to this broadcast on it and you will understand just how much suffering Jesus went through. (http://www.kcm.org/media/webcast/current)
Did you know that while Jesus hung on the cross He asked the Lord to forgive them for they know not what they do? "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them." (Luke 23:34) They continued to mock Him too. The earth was darkened in that day from about noon until three. Jesus gave up His spirit in that hour and at once a great earthquake came and the veil was split in the temple and tombs were opened ad saints were raised to life. The earth new His power!
You know we sing about the old rugged cross and we see pictures of Jesus hanging on the cross but we still can't fathom the suffering that He went through. He did that all for us! I also don't think we understand that He was made a curse for us. He literally went to hell and conquered Satan so we can live with Him for eternity."Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified); [Deut. 21:23.] To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit" (Galatians 3:13-14) He loves us so much that He was willing to die a sinners death and go to hell to defeat Satan. I am thankful that the story doesn't end there! Jesus rose again on the third day and then ascended into heaven where He sits with God on the throne! You know He also sent the Holy Spirit to live in us so that He can direct our steps. All we have to do is believe!
I want you to know that those stripes that He took for you and me defeated any sickness, disease, and any evil that tries to come against you or me! He defeated Satan! We are set free from any evil thing! Praise Jesus!! We have no need to fear because Satan is defeated! We have the right to tell him to get out. Satan has no right to be in our homes, in our schools, or in our bodies. He has been defeated!
A reflection on the last days of Jesus is necessary! It brings us back to just how much He loves us. We no longer have to go through life fearing death or an other evil thing. All we have to do is believe in Him! Will you accept Him today?
I encourage you to watch The Passion of the Christ Movie. It will really give you a picture of what Jesus suffered for us. Also go to www.kcm.org and watch the Broadcast for April 7-11 and April 14-18. You will be amazed at the things that happened in the last days of Christ that you might have missed. I would also encourage you to go read the story of Jesus. You can find it starting in Matthew 26, Mark 11, Luke 21, and John 15. Each Gospel has unique aspects to the story. He Love you, He really does Love you! Trust me there is nothing that you have done or will ever do that can ever separate you from Him! He can turn anything around and make it work together for good! I can tell you enough how much He loves you! Let Him come in and He will change you life! His love will flow in like a river!
If you have any questions or comments please do so below or get in touch with me. I will do my best to answer any questions you have.
JESUS LOVES YOU!
Dallas
