November 12, 2012 … The World Wanted Him Gone

Chronological Bible Reading Plan - Day 317

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Luke, Chapters 23 To study these chapters, go to this link - 
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: John, Chapters 18-19 To study these chapters, go to this link - 

Highlight Passages: Luke 23 and John, Chapters 18-19 : [NLT] … {Usually I select key verses or passages which illustrate the topic God has brought forth for me to journal. However, it would be best if you read all of Luke 23 and the two chapters in John’s gospel account of Jesus’s trials before you read my journal entry this morning.}
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Reference Passage: Isaiah 53: 7-9 : [NLT] … {Prophesied by Isaiah over 700 years before what was documented in today’s gospel accounts of Jesus’ trials, His death, and The Lord’s burial.} 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open his mouth. 8 From prison and trial they led Him away to His death. But who among the people realized that He was dying for their sins — that He was suffering their punishment? 9 He had done no wrong, and He never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man’s grave. 

My Journal for Today: I hope you’ve read, as I suggested above, the chapters in Luke’s and John’s gospel accounts of the rigged trials Jesus went through and then John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Let me give you the account of all of Jesus’ trials, summarized in the Parsons Commentary I use daily to help me study these chronologically edited Bible passages …
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Event … Probable Reasons … References

Trial before Annas (powerful ex-high priest) : Although no longer the high priest, he may have still wielded much power and influence as to Jesus’ fate … John 18:13-23
Trial before Caiaphas (the ruling high priest): To gather evidence for the full high council hearing to follow … Matthew 26:57-68 … Mark 14:53-65 … Luke 22:54, 63-65 … John 18:24
Trial before the high council (Sanhedrin): Formal religious trial and condemnation to death … Matthew 27:1 … Mark 15:1 … Luke 22:66-71
Trial before Pilate (highest Roman authority): All death sentences in Judea at the time needed Roman approval … Matthew 7:2, 11-14 … Mark 15:1-5 … Luke 23:1-6 … John 18:28-38
Trial before Herod (ruler of Galilee): A courteous and guilt-sharing act by Pilate because Jesus was from Galilee, Herod’s district … Luke 23:7-12
Trial before Pilate: Pilate’s last effort to avoid condemning an obviously innocent man … Matthew 27:15-26 … Mark 15:6-15 … Luke 23:13-25 …John 18:39–19:16

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All of that was Jesus’ passion; and He knew that He must walk through these events, doing so quietly, as had been prophesied over 700 years earlier, as I indicated above in citing in Isaiah 53: 7-9 above. And all of this, unfolding like a Greek tragedy or a carefully orchestrated stage play, … the characters under complete control of God’s Spirit … in fulfillment of prophesy and to bring Jesus’ earthly ministry as the Lamb of God to completion for the salvation of mankind.

And even note the detail of the prediction of Jesus’ being buried in a rich man’s grave (in Isaiah 53: 9), which, we know, was fulfilled when Jesus was allowed to be buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, about which I blogged yesterday. Incredible prophesy and an even more incredible fulfillment. And yet so many, as I once did, do all they can to crucify the image and reality of Jesus in their lives, trying Him emotionally, in spite of the historical and biblical evidence, and declaring Jesus dead to their lives. And all they have to do is look to and believe Isaiah’s prophesy, which was fulfilled in the gospel accounts which we read today.

Because if anyone does that, recognizing the truth and repenting of their own sinfulness, he or she will be with Jesus forever, just as was promised to that one desperate thief on the cross. Oh how grateful I am for Jesus’ going quietly through all those trials and being willing to become the Lamb of God, sacrificed for my sins and giving me the right to be with Him forever.

My Prayer Today: … Oh, my Lord, my Messiah; ... all I can offer to You for what You did, fulfilling Your destiny, is a loud … HALLELUJAH!!!    Amen