The Lord Worked Through Them

Mark 16

This post is continuing a series of asking the question "What did Jesus do on earth for the forty days that He was still here after He resurrected? So I am looking at each of the four gospels and Acts. In the gospel of Mark beginning in chapter 16 verse 9 that early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene saw Him and afterward He appeared to two of His other followers as they were walking and later He appeared to the eleven disciples. As each gospel is written by different witnesses, each one remembered what was impressed in their minds and hearts. Here is the version of the Great Commission in Mark:

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These Miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drank anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.

And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs." Mark 16: 15-20 NLT
 

The apostle Paul got bit by a poisonous snake when he was on the island of Malta, after being shipwrecked. When he did not swell up or suddenly drop dead, the people of the island thought he was a God. While he was there, he healed many people. All through out the book of Acts, people were healed and miracles took place. This gave the gospel message the authority of being from God. People were in awe and listened to the message.

As believers today, we hear of some miraculous signs in our time, yet this is not common place in our churches today. Why is this not happening today as it did then? If miraculous signs were accompanying the preaching of the gospel today, as it did then; I believe the message would be better received here in our country. What is missing? Does God have gifts for us to accompany His gospel that we are missing? How should we pray?

I asked all these questions to a dear friend and have included her thoughtful response below this post. I pray you will be inspired as I was.

Words from a Friend

After posting The Lord Worked Through Them I sent an email to a friend asking her to read the above post.
Here is her sensitive reply:

"As I have sought the Lord, I have seen this time we are in as one of purging and testing, a time of reckoning. He is drawing those that will to Himself in a way that will bring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. A time that will bring understanding of His Word and the ability to KNOW God.  This awakening, if you will, is a work of His Spirit in the willing heart, a quiet work between God and His Beloved... the passionate, persistent, pursuer of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior by His Holy Spirit which brings His transformation in the inner man.

Do you see the church, His Body, transformed like Peter was?  He has called us to new birth in Him.   Jesus Christ is the author of a faith which purifies and gives victory over sin.

His timing is perfect. Who can hold the Glory of the Lord that brings forth the anointing which will bring His signs and wonders that will follow His Word of truth? We see in Acts, they all waited in one accorded. In seeking the Lord, they relinquished all to Him. The Lord brought the baptism of fire that brought forth the power of God through them.

With all my heart, I believe that we shall see the powerful, anointed move of God through His Body, His Church, the question is to all of us is... what or who has your heart?"

40 Days Jesus Appeared

Did you know that for 40 Days Jesus Christ appeared at various times to His disciples AFTER He was crucified and rose from the dead?!! Let's journey with Him through the eye witness accounts found in the gospels of the New Testament. Imagine you are actually there seeing the events unfold. What did the disciples experience that changed their lives forever? How can that change your life today and forever?

You will find the eyewitness accounts beginning with the Resurrection and continuing to the Ascension recorded in:

Matthew 28:1- 20
Mark 16:1- 20
Luke 24: 1- 53
John 20: 1- 25
Acts 1:1- 11

However before we open these amazing texts, let's ponder these two questions:

 

Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ important to all people? What is so significant about the forty days He appeared to His disciples and many more people?

As human beings most of us have a sense of value of our own individual life and the thought of death is unthinkable... we simply don't like to think about it. We find death to be an uncomfortable, troubling reality. When a loved one dies, we are shaken to the core. Our hearts are broken, knowing that we will never see or talk to our loved one again in this life. Furthermore, it is a reminder that our death will come someday as well. This fact of life has impacted people for thousands of years. Is there a religion or philosophy that could answer that troublesome question of  "What happens to me when I die?"

More Prophecies Foretelling of His Suffering

Sunday

Later after Jesus was resurrected and walked with the disciples in Emmaus. They offered Him to Abide with them as it was toward evening. And He went to stay with them. When they recognized them Him, He vanished from their sight.  Later He met with His disciples Sunday evening. He said to them: 

"When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.   

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...

And He said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die 

and rise from the dead on the third day..." Luke 24:44-48 NLT

Have you ever wondered what scriptures Jesus told His disciples as they walked along to Emmaus and later to His Apostles in the evening? The Law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets who were foretelling His life, His suffering, death and resurrection? I have wondered and offer what I could find. They are so poignant.  I am in awe as I type them and pray these verses will bless you, as you realize the truth of God's Word from beginning to end. In the previous blog, you'll find the stories of Adam and Eve, as well as Abraham.

In summary here; In the beginning Adam and Eves sinned, and the sacrifice for forgiveness is found in the previous post. It starts with scriptures foretelling right from the beginning that Adam and Eve sinned and that an animal had to be sacrificed and die. God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. A  fig leaf was not enough to cover their sin and nakedness. From that point on all humanity needed a sacrifice to cover for their sins.

Continuing in summary to Abraham and the sacrifice of his son. He was willing to do whatever God asked him to do. When they came to the place which God had told him, he built an altar... Then the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham! Here I am."... God provided the sacrifice of a ram, so Isaac was saved. Genesis 22:1-19

"And then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures".   Lord I pray that You will open our minds, me and this dear reader, to understand the scriptures, the Old Testament verses that foretell of Your suffering, death and resurrection. Help us to see You Lord in all of our reading of Your Word. 

Continuing from the previous post, here are more verses prophesying about the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

He Opened their Minds to Understand the Scriptures

Our Launching Verse: Luke 24:44-48

In a previous post, Our Hearts Burned Within Us, Jesus walked along the road with two disciples on their way to Emmaus. Not knowing who He was, they sadly told Him what had recently happened to Jesus in Jerusalem. They were confused when He died; because they thought the Messiah was going to rescue them as a people. He said, "'Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?'" Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from each of the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24: 26, 27 NLT Later, when they recognized them, he vanished. They said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while... He opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24: 32 NKJ

These two men got up immediately and went to Jerusalem to find the 11 apostles and others who gathered with them. They were marveling that Jesus really has risen from the dead. Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus appeared to them along the road. Just as they were telling the story, Jesus was suddenly standing there with them. "Peace be with you." He said. After reassuring them that He was not a ghost, allowing them to touch Him, and even eating some broiled fish; then He said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day..." Luke 24:44-48 NLT

Have you ever wondered what these scriptures were that Jesus told His disciples foretelling His suffering, death and resurrection? I have wondered that. Here are a few that may have been some that He told them.

Our Hearts Burned Within Us

Sunday 

Luke 24: 13-32

After Jesus was crucified, the disciples were confused and deeply in grief; even though Jesus told them this would happen, they still were not prepared. So on Sunday morning when the women came and told them that Jesus had raised from the dead it seemed like idle tales, some kind of nonsense to them. "However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again wondering what had happened."  Luke 24: 12 NLT

Later that same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus. It was about 7 miles outside of Jerusalem. As they continued along the road, they were in an intense discussion about what had just happened. Then Jesus Himself came along side of them; though God kept them from recognizing who He was. "He asked them, 'What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?' They stopped short, sadness written across their faces." Luke 24: 17 NLT "You must be the only person who does not know all the things that has happened in Jerusalem in the last few days." 'What things?' Jesus asked." Luke 24: 19 NLT

 
They proceeded to tell Him about Jesus of Nazareth, who "was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests... handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. We had hoped He was the messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago." Luke 24: 20, 21 NLT Then they told Him about what the women said that morning and some of the men went to the tomb to see and the body was in fact gone.

Jesus Christ is Risen

Sunday

 

The Tomb is Empty!  

Christ Jesus is Alive!!! 

Reading John 20: 1-18

Very early in the morning, while still dark on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. When she arrived she saw that the stone covering the entrance had been taken away. She ran to Peter and John and said to them "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and I don't know where they laid Him." Peter and John ran to the tomb. John arrived first, stooping down he looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there. Peter came behind him and entered the tomb. John followed him in and he believed. Then they went away again to their own homes.

But Mary lingered, totally distraught over the death of her Lord and now His body is gone. Standing outside of the tomb weeping, she stooped down and looked in to see two angels in white sitting where the Lord had laid. They said to her "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

After she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Him. He said to her, “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?” She, thought He was the gardener and said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, "Teacher". Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her." John 20:11-18 NKJ

"...these things are written that you may believe 

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 

and that by believing you may have life in His name." 

John 20:31 NKJ

The tomb is empty! Christ Jesus is Alive! 

What does this mean to you, to me?

We are free and forgiven, heavens gates are open wide!

Enter in to the empty tomb and believe.

You will have life in His name.

More Eye Witness Accounts to come

What Does Christ's Death Mean to You and I?

Saturday

"Then Jesus shouted out again, 'It is finished!' and He released His Spirit. 

At that moment the curtain in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." 

Matthew 27:50, 50 and John 19:30 NLT

Lord, Jesus You finished what You came to do. You "poured out Your soul unto death and bore our sins. Isa. 53:12 NLT You Lord, nearly 2000 years ago bore my sin, and now through faith in Your finished work, I am free and forgiven... reconciled to God. The veil that separated me from You is now torn in two, opening access into the very presence of God. Thank You Father, for You have..

Silent Sabbath

Saturday 

Reading: Genesis 1:26, 2:1-3, 7, John 1:1-14, 19:28-30,

On the sixth day of creation God said;

"Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26,27

On that day God formed the man Adam, the first human being, from the dust of the ground.  Then He breathed the breath of life into him and Adam became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 On the sixth day God finished His marvelous work of creation. Then on the seventh day He rested from all of His work. We are told in the gospel of John that God created everything through the Word, who is Jesus Christ.  

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.""And the Word became flesh and the dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-5, 14) 

Now consider the death of Christ and Him lying dead in a tomb. How could that be? The Creator of Life laying dead in a tomb?

On the sixth day of Passover week, Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified.  His arms were stretched out across a wooden beam and His beautiful hands that touched and healed people were now nailed to the cross, His feet that walked all over the Holy Land bringing His love to all people were now nailed to the cross... securing His death.  As He hung there, a breath away from death, He said:  "'It is Finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit."John 19:30 NKJ  He breathed His last breathe on this earth as a human on the sixth day of Passover Week. He was taken down in the evening and laid in a tomb for preparation day for Sabbath. His body needed to be put away.

On this sixth day of His Passion, He finished His work. He died in our place to reconcile us with God; and then on the seventh day He rested in the tomb. On that holy Sabbath day the author of life laid lifeless. He rested from all His work. The Creator who spoke Creation into existence lay silent... in a cold dark tomb. What was this Work that Christ accomplished? And why was it necessary? 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. On the first day, He created light. The second day He created the sky... the third day, the land, the sea and plant life... the four day, the sun, the moon and the stars... the fifth day, sea creatures and birds... then on the sixth day, after creating animals God created something completely unique and different.

On the sixth day of creation "God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.'" Genesis 1:26, 27 Amazing! The God who created this incredible, intricate universe created a creature to be like Him, us, human beings, created in the image of God!. There is something sacred about us, different than any other creature. God made us in His own image, His own likeness to be like Him! He didn't just make us and leave us on our own either. He made us to be companions; so He could walk with us in the garden and talk with us.

How did He make us? ".. the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.' Genesis 2:7 NKJ  After speaking the rest of creation into existence, God formed the man from the dust of the earth. He breathed with His own breath into the nostrils of this lifeless man; and brought him to life! Then God planted a garden and He put the man in it. It had beautiful trees that grew fruit for the man to eat. They could eat the fruit from any of those trees, except for the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

At the end of the sixth day, the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God rested.  He blessed the seventh day and declared it to be holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:1-3

Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, walked with God and talked with Him in the garden. But they did not obey Him, and ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were banished from the garden, God could no longer be in the presence of sinful man, and they were now subject to eventual death. From that time on prophecies emerged of a Chosen One to come who would reconcile people with their Creator. Someone perfect had to die in their place. With an inheritance of sin, there would be not one person, no not one that could be saved by their own merit. The scripture also speaks of the beginning of creation in the book of John.

"In the beginning the Word already existed.
      The Word was with God,
      and the Word was God.
 He existed in the beginning with God.
 God created everything through him,
      and nothing was created except through him.
 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
      and his life brought light to everyone.
 The light shines in the darkness,
      and the darkness can never extinguish it."

John 1: 1-5 NLT

Who was the Word? Lets look further for more clues:

"He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." John 1: 10-14 NLT

The verses above describe Jesus Christ.  He is the Eternal Word, who spoke creation into existence, the One and Only Son of God Almighty! He came into the world, the very world He created, only to be unrecognized and rejected by His own people. However when we believe in Him (completely rely, trust and cling to Him) we have the right to become children of God, once again... cleansed of the sin that separated us, that we may once again walk with Him and talk with Him in our minds and hearts. Yes, Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, the one who made us to be like Him... chose to set aside His divinity, to become a human. He was born as a helpless baby and subjected Himself to human parents... human rulers. All these people descended from Adam and had an inheritance of sin. However God still had a plan for reconciliation. His unfailing love and faithfulness are greater than our sin!

He became like us in every way and lived the full human experience in a sinful world; yet He was without sin. He experienced temptation, pain, hunger, betrayal, grief when a loved one dies, and even a brutal death. He was betrayed and denied by His friends. The most religious, who were waiting for Messiah, pressured the Roman governor to put Him to death. Messiah came, stood before them and they didn't recognize Him, they completely missed their visitation from God, though He walked among them. (Luke 19:42-44). All these things were occurring during the week of our Lords Passion. Below is the beginning of this post. I use it once again to thread the whole story together. The last passage is powerful in light of Christs death.

On the sixth day of creation God formed the man Adam, the first human being, from the dust of the ground. Then He breathed the breath of life into him and man became a living soul. We are told in many instances in the Bible that God created everything through Jesus Christ.  Now we see Christ dead in a tomb.

 On the sixth day of Passover week, Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified.  His arms were stretched out across a wooden beam and His beautiful hands that touched and healed people were now nailed to the cross, securing His death.  As He hung there, a breath away from death, He said:  "'It is Finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit."John 19:30 NKJ  He breathed His last breathe on this earth, as a human on the sixth day of Passover Week. He was taken down in the evening and laid in a tomb. It was preparation day for Sabbath and His body needed to be put away.

On this sixth day of His Passion, He finished His work. He died in our place to reconcile us with God; and on the seventh day He rested. On that blessed and holy Sabbath day the author of life laid lifeless. He rested from all His work. The Creator who spoke Creation into existence lay silent... in a cold dark tomb. He who raised Lazarus from the dead was laying dead in a tomb. However, as we know, He will not stay there. Come back tomorrow for the rest of the story.

Here is a final passage:

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. 

He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 

for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. 

He made the things we can see 

and the things we can't see 

such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. 

Everything was created through him and for him. 

He existed before anything else, and holds all creation together.... 

He is the beginning and supreme over all who rise from the dead. 

So he is first in everything. 

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 

and through him God reconciled everything to himself. 

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. 

This includes you who were once far away from God. 

You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.  

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. 

As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, 

and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." 

Colossians 1:15-22 NLT

The King on the Cross

Friday

Reading: Matthew 27:26- 61

Pilate gave his soldiers the order to flog Jesus with a whip with metal tips on it. (The whip had nine "tails" each with sharp metal tied to them.) Then he turned Him over to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus into their head quarters and gathered more soldiers around. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, so fitting considering the blood now running down His body. They wove thorny branches together to form a crown and pressed it on His head, causing blood to run down on His face. They placed a stick in His right hand to be a scepter and knelt before Him... mocking Him... taunting Him, saying 'Hail the King of the Jews!' They spit on Him and hit Him on the head with the "scepter". When they tired of this cruel game, they stripped Him of the robe and put on His own clothes and led Him away to be crucified. Along the way, Jesus became weak and had difficulty carrying the cross; so they found a man named Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him. They went out to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where they nailed Him to a cross and divided His clothes, casting lots, that the scripture of David was fulfilled. 

"They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." Psalm 22:1

In Pilate's Court

Friday

Readings: John 18: 28-40, 19:1- 16, Matthew 27: 24, 25 NLT, Luke 19:41-44 NKJ, Matthew 23:37-39 NKJ

Dear Reader, This is a very powerful, painful and passionate time in Jesus' life.  God bless you as you see His heart and partake of His pain on this Good Friday.

"Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied.

Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. 

Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Christ is Mocked by Carl Bloch

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man! ”When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” “Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”
When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. (His wife sent him this message:'Leave this innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about Him last night.' Matthew 27:19) He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Betrayal, The Kiss of a Friend and a Rooster Crows

Thursday 

Mark 14:27-31, Mark 14: 35,36, Luke 22: 48

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.  Mark 14:27-31

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to a grove, among the olive trees called the Garden of Gethsemane. He told them that His soul was crushed with grief. "He went along a little further and fell to the ground. He prayed to the Father, that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. ' Abba Father,... everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'... 

Judas Betrays with a Kiss Thomas Coutere

Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived (with group of people armed with) swords and clubs... The traitor, Judas had given them a prearranged signal: 'You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss'... As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. 'Rabbi he exclaimed, and gave Him the kiss." Mark 14: 35,36 NLT

"... Jesus said, 'Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?' Luke 22: 48 NLT

After a scuffle, Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the temple guard: "'Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn't you arrest Me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.' So they arrested Him and led Him to the high priests home. 

Peter denies Jesus by Carl Bloch

  Peter followed at a distance" and joined the guards around a campfire in the courtyard. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and said, "'This man was one of Jesus' followers!'" Later someone else looked at Him and said "'You must be one of them!' 'No, man, I am not! Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, 'This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.' But Peter said, 'Man, I don't know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me.' And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."

"Then the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and said, 'Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?' And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at Him." Luke 22: 52- 64 NLT 

The pain Jesus felt was not just the beating and mocking but the betrayal and denial of His friends. Judas, actually was paid to bring the soldiers to Jesus in the dark of night. Judas betrayed Jesus to His death. He was never reinstated as an apostle. Satan entered into him and he committed suicide. However Peter, who, while among friends, said He would die for Jesus. In that terrible night, all the disciples ran away for fear of being beaten and killed. Peter at least followed along at a distance.Yet, when surrounded by soldiers and those who did not like Jesus, He denied Him three times, then the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. He remembered what the Lord said, and left the courtyard weeping bitterly." Oh, the anguish Peter must have felt for not standing up for the Lord in that moment.

Today, we live in a time where there are many enemies of Jesus. When in a crowd, what will we say? Will we admit to being a follower of Jesus? Admit to being a Christian? Speak Truth?

Though Judas was not reinstated; Peter was forgiven and fully restored after Jesus died and was resurrected. Our God is a God of second chances. You will find that story in John 21 and in future posts.

What did Jesus do for us and His disciples that awful night and following day? How did He show us His love?

"Greater love has no one than this, 
than to lay down one's life for his friends." 

John 15:13 NKJ

Jesus laid down His life knowing that His friends would deny and betray Him.

Gethsemane, the Garden of Tears

Thursday

Matthew 26:38- 39 NLT,  Luke 22:42-45 NLT

Gethsemane by Carl Bloch

After His last supper with His disciples, Jesus went with them to an olive grove called the Garden of Gethsemane. He told His disciples  

"'My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.' He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me.'" 

Matthew 26:38- 39 NLT  

"'Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.'" Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last He stood up and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief." 

Luke 22:42-45 NLT
 

What began in a garden must be restored in a garden. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit that brought evil into this world. Human beings were made to live forever with God. Deep inside we sense this and long for it. However, when sin and evil came into this world; for humanity to continue to live forever would bring an increase of evil that would be unbearable. Just look at how much evil has been in the world since; even with a limited life span. So, in grief Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden and separated from the God who walked with them in the cool of the day and loved them deeply.

It was in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus in great sorrow had to make a choice. Would He allow the full force of evil to be thrust upon Him? Would He be a ransom for all people? Would He through sacrifice and suffering, pay for the sin of every human being since Adam and Eve ever to live? Only as a sinless human could He be the perfect sacrificial lamb that would once and for all, pay for all sin. Only then could people be reconciled to their Creator once again. Would He leave the disciples He loved? Would He suffer as a human, the incredible pain of the beatings and then the excruciating pain on the  cross? Would He bear all the evil every committed and be so vile at that moment that His own Father turned away? Could He bear separation from the Father?

It was in this garden His choice was made. And His body would soon be in a garden tomb. It was there that His body would lay still and lifeless.

"My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done." 

Matthew 26: 42 NLT

He chose us! He chose us to be reconciled to God once again!

 

"..He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him." Ephesians 1:4 ESV

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." Colossians 1:19-22 NLT

"Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends.

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." 

John 15:13

 

* I have seen this painting above in a museum in real life. It is very large, life size. So poignant. 

 

There were chairs in front of the painting for people to sit quietly and consider His sorrow that night, knowing that He would leave His disciples and that He would soon suffer horrible cruelty and severe pain. 

He endured this for us. For you, for me.

 I sat there in awe and gratitude.

 

 

This is likely Carl Bloch's initial sketch to lay out his composition.

The Promise to Come

 John 13-16, Luke 24:49

What is the Promise that would come? The night before Jesus was crucified He shared His Last Supper with His disciples. Knowing that this was his last time with them before He was crucified; He told them what was to soon happen and of the promise to come. Everything he said and did was what was most important for them to understand before He was taken away and killed. The verse below shows his heart, his motivation for everything He said and did this final night.

"Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. 

Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love." 

John 13:1 NIV

He washed their feet to show them an example of how He wanted them to love and serve one another. Interestingly, He washed Judas' feet as well. Right after that He revealed Judas as His betrayer and Judas left to betray him. Then he told them:

"My children, I will be with you only a little longer.

"A new commandment I give to you: 

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this all men will know that you  are my disciples, if you love one another." 

vs John 13:33, 34 NIV

The disciples were wondering where He was going so He told them:   

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in Me. 

In my Father's house are many rooms;.. I am going there  to prepare a place for you... 

I will come back and take you to be with me... You know the way to the place I am going... 

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 

John 14:1-6 NIV

Now we come to the promise:

The Full Extent of His Love

Thursday 

John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48

Thursday night was the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples.  In our readings this week we’ll focus on that last intimate time Jesus spent with them. Even though Jesus spoke of His impending death; they did not know that this was His last time with them, before He would be crucified. In these closing moments, what were the most important things He would do and say to His disciples before He left them? (Because so much happened on Thursday, I am posting some of these events before Thursday, so you will not have so much to read at once).

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17 NIV 

Little did His disciples realize that night as He washed their feet, what would follow so very soon in their final moments together this evening. After their meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He allowed Peter, James and John to come with Him and keep watch. In much grief Jesus wept, knowing this time on earth is coming to an end. 

Later, Judas came into the olive grove with Roman soldiers and temple guards... their torches and lanterns blazing; and weapons ready to squelch any resistance. They arrested Jesus and took Him away. The NIV Bible say's in John 13  "He now showed them the full extent of His love", even as He was beaten, whipped and carried the cross to place of His death. It was there that His arms were extended and nailed on that cross, demonstrating the full extent of His love. As blood poured from His wounds from the whipping and the nails, His life drained out until He died. In this He fulfilled His final act of service for humanity. It was on the cross that He showed the full extent of His love. 

"God demonstrated His own love toward us 

in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

Romans 5:8

The True Vine

Tuesday

 John 15:1- 13

There are so many important last words and things that Jesus wanted to share with His disciples on the night of the Last Supper. So I am posting some of the things He said a head of the time. Jesus shared His Last Supper with them to celebrate the Feast of Passover with His apostles. Little did the disciples know that night, that incredible night; that it would be the last night Jesus would spend with them before His death on the cross. For them and for us today all of His words in the New Testament are truth and powerful for us as believers. However, I do believe there is a special significance in what he said to them that night. Imagine their depth of sorrow when Jesus said to them: 

"Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world...  Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer.'" John 13:1, 33 NLT

 

The John records the Last Supper that Jesus spent with His disciples in John chapters 13-17. The following is a portion from 2 Corinthians that particularly speaks to my heart. Jesus explains the relationship He wants with His disciples after He is crucified and even with us today. It is being IN Him, IN Christ. Paul speaks much of being IN CHRIST. Here is one example:

“... if anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creation; 

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 

2 Cor 5:17 NKJ 

Various versions of the Bible use the words, Abide in Me, Remain in Me. I look at it like abide means to live, to dwell in Him. Other versions say remain. I like both... we abide IN Him, living IN Him daily, throughout the whole day and to remain steady IN Him, as much as possible staying connected with Him. Jesus explains what being IN Him is like through this metaphor:

"I am the true vine and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not bear fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch can not produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing... But if you remain in Me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!!! When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father... Remain in My Love... I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will over flow." John 15: 1 - 11 NLT  

As believers, this is to be our life... abiding, living and remaining IN CHRIST. When we are connected to Him, as a branch is to a vine; His life flows within us. It is there that we find our true life source and our true purpose for living. For "IN HIM we live, move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) When we are abiding IN HIM, living IN His words, His message finds expression in our lives with His Love flowing in us, through us and touching others with His love for them. Here are these verses from an amplified Bible:

“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. 

Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, 

neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. 

I am the Vine; you are the branches. 

The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit,

 for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] 

you can do nothing. 

If any one does not remain in Me, 

He is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; 

and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you 

[that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], 

ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” 

‭‭John‬ ‭15:4‬-7‭AMP‬‬

Remaining, abiding, living IN CHRIST is not easy in the day and age we live in. There is so much distraction and worldliness everywhere we look. Our world is fast paced, so many things to do and see; it is far easier to just enter and remain in the flow of worldliness. James speaks of being double minded, that is having divided loyalty, between God and the world.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you... 

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. 

Do not waver,  for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled 

as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 

Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, 

and they are unstable in everything they do.” 

James 1: 5-8 NLT version

What’s a person to do?

Go into your secret place in the early hours of the day. Enter God's presence in humility and brokenness. Read small portions of His word and behold His beauty... abide in Him. As Jesus says

"When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:6 NKJ

Your secret place is not only a quiet place to go to where you can hear His voice above the noise of life; but it is also in your heart, where you meet with and connect with God. Abide in Him and remain in Him as you live your day. He will delight in being with you, even in the simplest things He calls you to. When you remain in Him, you can trust Him to remain in you.

Abide in Him today.

Friends of Jesus

Tuesday

Reading: John 15:12-14, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28 -3 Mary, Martha and Lazarus were friends of Jesus. He stayed with them, shared meals with them on occasion and just relaxed with them. Imagine that… a friend of Jesus… a friend of God! In the Gospels, He talks about His friends, what He will do for them and how to be His friend.

Often people assume that they are His friends, because Jesus is loving and of course He would want everyone to be His friend, right? People make a lot of assumptions about Jesus without really reading His words. He is very loving, so loving that He doesn’t want any of us to miss out on the gifts of salvation and sanctification that He has offered.

 

On the last night He spent with His disciples He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends.  You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.“ John 15: 12- 14  Little did His friends realize what those words would mean in the coming hours! He laid down His life for His friends then and even His friends today. How does one become Jesus' friend? Is it by going to church? Saying a prayer? Look closely, He tells us how; by doing whatever He commands. Didn’t we get rid of commandments in the new covenant? What commandments does Jesus give to us?

Actually, on Monday of Passion Week He was asked by one of the leaders ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to Him, ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 22: 34- 40 NKJ

The wisdom of Jesus… He took all the writings in the Old Testament, all the laws of Moses, and all the 600+ other rules they made along the way and condensed it into the two most important commandments of all.  Jesus was actually quoting from Deuteronomy 6. In the Gospel of Mark it includes more of the quote, beginning with “The first of all commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength….” I like how the scribe replied to Jesus. “'Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart , with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love ones neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices'. Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to Him, 'You are not far from the Kingdom of God'. But after that no one dared question Him.” Mark 12: 28 – 34 NKJ

The Wisdom of Jesus! That's it, two commandments that sum up all of the law and commandments; to Love God with your whole heart and love others as oneself. Are these two of the commandments we are to obey to be His friend? I believe so. Here is what He said in John: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 NKJ  Wow, that takes it to another level. To love one another as He loved us; is far greater than we love ourselves, it is sacrificial love. Jesus also loved Judas, His betrayer. He washed His feet with the other disciples at the last supper, showing him the full extent of His love as well.

How are we to love like this? To love God with our whole heart and others as He loved us? How can we do this, if by nature we are sinners? I don’t know about you, but there are many times that I am caught up in the busyness of life, too distracted to love God and people with a whole heart. Over the years I have learned that life with Christ is both a conversion and a transformation; to convert my old ways to His ways and to be transformed into His likeness... to have more of His goodness living through me.  Hopefully there is progress year to year, after conversion; though we may not see it. But at times, we can just get distracted and need a fresh start.

Friendship with Jesus starts with true conversion; when we recognize our need for God and are broken with the pain our sins have caused Him and other people in our life. It is called godly sorrow. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2Corinthians 7:10 NKJ  James says it this way, “Come close to God and He will come close to you. Wash your hands you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief… humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.” James 4: 8-10

Often we don’t realize the extent of the pain that our own sin causes others, especially those closest to us. We also don’t realize that our sin is first against God. David said in Psalm 51 “Against You and You alone have I sinned.” He asked God to create in him a clean heart. In this place of sorrow God meets us, forgives, cleanses and transforms a willing heart.

Jesus tells us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength. When you have a hard time with that, come to Him, give all of your heart and life to Him. Let Him shine His light in your heart to reveal any sin that is keeping you from victory in Him.  John says it like this: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 5-9 NLT, NKJ

Ahhh! A clean heart… so much better!!! This is real grace; the grace to move past the hindering sins, that keep us from victory in Him.  He loves us and through the sacrifice of Jesus; we are not only saved for eternal life, but for transformation now. We are dead to sin and alive to God. See Romans 6 Who wants to live miserable like that anyway?

It will change your life, as you find Him and His new life for you.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 
The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” 
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

In belonging to Christ… my whole heart belongs to Him… I am His Friend

By What Authority?

Monday

Matt. 21:14-16, 23-46

The next day, after Jesus cleansed the temple He returned:

"Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said,

"By what authority are You doing these things? 

And who gave you this authority?" 

Matthew 21:23 NKJ

He insulted them the day before by turning over far more than just their tables. What gave Him the right to interfere with their temple business like that? Who is this man, that He should insult them and their religion? Going deeper, we'll look back to immediately after He cleansed the temple. "Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them." Right there in front of them He healed many people. When was the last time one of them had miraculously healed someone? Jesus demonstrated an authority and an authenticity they did not have. When they asked, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" The answer is 'Who else but God? The Pharisee Nicodemus recognized where His authority came from. He came to Jesus at night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher that comes from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." John 3:2 Sadly, the other Pharisee's missed their long awaited Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus Heals a Blind Man - Eustache Le Sueur

 

 

 

 

"But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, 

and the children crying out in the temple and saying 

'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 

they were indignant..." 

21:15 

 

These leaders were looking toward the coming of Messiah, the Son of David, who would sit on His throne forever. They must have been thinking, "If Jesus was Him why did He not arise out of their ranks? Why did this movement not start among them? Why does He insult them?" They studied the scriptures and should have known who Jesus was by what He did. The miraculous SIGNS that Jesus performed were proof that that He was Messiah.

Matthew chronicles the evidence of Jesus' authority beginning when He finished the Sermon on the Mount.

Authority to teach the people:
"And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them with authority, and not as the scribes." 7: 28, 29

A Roman Centurion recognized Jesus’ authority to heal:
He said,"...say the word, and my servant will be healed." When Jesus saw his faith He told him, "Assuredly... I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel." Matthew 8: 5-13

Authority over the wind and the waves:
"Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:27 Hmm, maybe the creator?

Authority to forgive sin:
"For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say, 'Arise and walk?" Matthew 9: 1-8

Authority to raise the dead:
"My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hands on her and she will live... He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose." Matthew 9: 18-26, also see Him raise Lazarus in John 11.

Authority to cast out demons:
"...If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." 12:22-30

By what authority? Some people brought a paralytic with them for Jesus to heal. When He saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven." Some of the Scribes and Pharisee's began to reason, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus replied, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Rise and walk? But, that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic "Rise, pick up your bed and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never say anything like this!" Matthew 9: 1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26

Jesus truly not only demonstrated His authority, He demonstrated who He is! Only God can do the things that He did. 

 The book of John gives us an insightful look at the Pharisees. They received news that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been dead for four days. "Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, 'What shall we do? For this man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation... Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death... the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus." John 11:45-57, 12: 9-11 NKJ

The Jewish people have waited thousands of years for the Messiah to come. It was the great hope for the Jewish people, especially including the Pharisee's who knew all the Messianic prophesies. Yet, they admit "For this man works many signs." Did they not recognize their Messiah, or were they too compromised and afraid of the Romans to embrace their long awaited Messiah? Sadly this was a huge mistake.

What they did to prevent the Romans from taking away their nation and their place of leadership, was the very thing that brought the judgment of God upon them. The Romans destroyed lovely Jerusalem and the temple, then scattered the Israelites all over the known world. Luke captures Jesus' prophetic vision for the Jews, just before His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem:

"...He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem... ' Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 'If only you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.' " Luke 19:28-44 NKJ

They were blind to their own fate. God came, He visited them and walked among them, yet they did not recognize Him. Who else has authority over demons, death, to heal sickness, to forgive sin, and even authority over the elements...the wind and the sea, but God Himself? 

The other aspect that they missed was in the prophecies describing Messiah. His humility and His final mission to die on a cross to atone for our sins. See Psalms 22, Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 9:9. Wow they really missed the whole trajectory of God's plan over thousands of years. Yet they were supposed to be the learned ones.

*God also moved through Moses, Elijah and Elisha with miraculous authority.

Jesus Clears the Temple

Sunday:

Matthew 21:12-17,

This event occurred after His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem:

Merchants Chased from the Temple- James Tissot

 "Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 

"My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" 

Matthew 21:12, 13 NLT

 

 

What a ruckus Jesus made! Can you picture this... tables being turned over, money scattering across the stone pavement, birds flying and animals running in fear. Imagine the noise of this... the money, the birds and all the animal sounds. Why did He do this? As just a person here, I can not completely know the mind of Christ; except by reading His Word guided by His Spirit. (I Corinthians 2) From my reading of Matthew I see Jesus acting in righteous indignation, angry at the false religion and the Pharisees deceiving people and preventing them from coming to their long awaited Messiah. They missed the true knowledge of God. He says something very shocking to the people early in His Sermon on the Mount.