C J McKnight - Easter Subject: Calvary. To: PENDITA@aol.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 113 Dear Berean, in Christ. Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our subject has changed until after the Day of Resurrection. We will then return to our study on the Millennium. The Lord Bless you, greatly. Thank you for listening. C. J. McKnight THE SOUNDS OF CALVARY MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME. Ps. 22:1 Then hear again at the cross. Mt. 27:46 The desolation, pathos and sorrow of that cry is like none other. Only from the mouth of the Lord Jesus could such an utterance be heard. Eternally the Word and the Father had been one. A unity that could only exist between the persons of the Godhead. Now, at Calvary, the Father who could not look upon sin must turn away and separate himself from His only begotten SON. There are not enough words in the languages of the world to express the agony, the suffering and extreme pain that was felt by both parties at that moment. Torn apart, emptied of a fellowship and companionship that had always been. JESUS TOOK THE PLACE OF THE WICKED. The innocent, sinless, faultless SON of GOD. The man who had not committed sin of any kind or form, must now take upon Himself the sin of the world. He literally became SIN for us. All wickedness, all unrighteousness, all ungodliness and every act and thought of sinful man was now heaped upon Him. From Adam to the last man to be born the iniquity of us all was made to be His iniquity. It was as if though He was the only man to have ever sinned. Jesus took our place as our vileness, yet, He was absolutely pure and sinless until that moment when He became sin. This had to be, that we might be made the righteousness of God, through the Christ of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 THE FATHER SENT HIS SON TO BE A SIN OFFERING. The law in spite of its multiplicity of sacrifices, failed. It failed because of the weaknesses and sinfulness of those who administered the Law. Now, one has come in the likeness of sinful man that He might become the once for all sacrifice that would meet all the Divine requirements of the Law, in those who follow Christ. We can now satisfy the demands for holiness found in the Law by walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Rom. 8:3 He took upon Himself our guilt and the shame of our sin. The just, the righteous man taking the blame so that He could bring us into fellowship with the Lord. The price He paid was death. He who is very life itself went to the extreme of suffering death that we might live. Death, the grave could not contain Him. He was raised by the power of the Spirit and exalted to the right hand of the Father on high. 1 Pet. 3:18 THERE IS NO MORE HEINOUS DEATH THAN THAT OF CRUCIFIXION. All who were nailed to a tree were not only condemned by man but in the sight of the Lord were cursed. The Law not only contained blessings if its demands were met, it also contained curses if the Law was not fulfilled. Not only did Jesus bear the sin of every man, the curse of the Law was upon him. Jesus who was and is the best took the place of the worst that the worst might be made like unto Himself, the best, the very best. Gal. 3:13 THE MAN OF SORROWS A MAN, DESPISED AND REJECTED BY MEN. Were it not sufficient that His own despised and rejected Him in that day, but now for almost two thousand years, He has been the most despised and rejected one. Jn. 1:11 His very existence as a man and as Very God has been challenged both inside and outside of the church world. Every manner of deep scorn and contempt has been heaped upon Him. He is the Love of God, made manifest. But, men have cast Him aside as something that is useless and of no value. Every person will feel despised and rejected at some time in their life. This is a very common human experience. So, perhaps in a very small measure we can empathize with Him. Never, never, never would our feelings ever begin to compare to His. He went through all this for you and me. He looked beyond His sufferings and saw the end result. That is, the joy set before Him. His knowledge and vision of the completed purpose of His life and death carried Him through all of His agonies. Heb. 12:2 ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF. Not only did He face grief and sorrow of His own circumstance but He bore ours, in their entirety. The word in Hebrew is translatable, infirmities, disease, sickness, malady, calamity or anxiety. That pretty well covers the gamut of physical and mental illnesses that plague mankind. He has lifted the burden for us. He took our place that we might take His. He suffered every kind of sickness that we might be healed of all diseases. Every sorrow, every heartache He took upon Himself. It is necessary we understand that He suffered for us , but we must glory in the fact that He was raised from the dead for us. Many at this season of the year see Him as the stricken and smitten one and seem to want to keep Him in the grave. They focus more on His death and burial than His Glorious resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. Isa. 53:4 HE WAS WOUNDED AND PIERCED BY MAN. For an atonement for our sin. Because of the wickedness of every one of us He was nailed to the tree. He was humbled and oppressed because of our guilt and unrighteousness. The penalty for the purchase of peace of heart and life for all mankind was the price He paid. The only source of real peace is the Christ of God. He has left us His peace. Jn.14:27 WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. Isa . 53:5 1 Pet. 2:24 The limit of stripes that could be given was forty. Deut. 25:3 Five times the Jews whipped Paul with thirty-nine stripes. Had they given him forty, just once, they could never have whipped him again. Jesus, because He was to bear the full punishment would have received the full complement of forty. Salvation, by His blood and Healing by His stripes are full and complete. He forgiveth ALL our iniquities. He healeth ALL our diseases. Ps. 103:3 We have such assurance that He has forgiven us. Let us have the same confidence that He has healed us. One is not more difficult for Him than the other. THE CROSS, A PREMEDITATED ACT OF GOD. JESUS WAS DELIVERED TO BE CRUCIFIED. The cross was an inevitable event in the life of Jesus. He had committed Himself to the predetermined will and counsel of the Godhead. Purposely and with deliberate planning Jesus came to this world, to be nailed to the tree. Only in eternity will we understand the enormity of this covenant made in eternity by the foreknowledge of God, for us. Acts 2:23 I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD. The record of THE BOOK is about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the BOOK reveals the Lord Jesus. His specific intent was to please the Father by the offering of Himself. Heb. 10:7 The Father, in a manifestation of His great love, gave his only begotten son. John 3:16 This was not an easy resolution on the part of the Father. For, that Son was to be polluted by the sin of the world. A Holy, Just, Righteous God must become vile and contaminated by the wickedness and the sin of every man. Jesus, the sinless, became sin. All that the word sin implies was heaped upon Him at Calvary. 2 Cor. 5:21 It is difficult to comprehend the tremendous emotions that stirred in the being of the Father as the eternal plan became a fact. YET IT PLEASED THE LORD TO BRUISE HIM. Is the Father sadistic? In no way, shape or form. There are two strong forces displayed in the work of redemption. The first being, the extreme hatred of the Lord against all unrighteousness and sin and His strong desire to eradicate it. The Lord cannot tolerate iniquity. Isa. 1:4 The other force is the greater and that is the Love of the Lord. This is LOVE, we did not first love Him. But from everlasting He has LOVED US. His love for mankind sent Him into the world where He became one of us. His love led Him to the cross. His love is our only hope of salvation. The offering of Jesus is the only propitiation, the atoning sacrifice for our sin. 1 Jn. 4:10 THE LORD HAS A TIME SCHEDULE. Nothing that He does is by happenstance. He does not periodically change His agenda. Jesus came at the predetermined time. The whole of the Levitical schedule of worship was established to portray and foreshadow the coming of Christ. For instance, the Passover Lamb. Christ is the Lamb of God. At the precise time that the nation of Israel was preparing their Passover lamb, they were slaying the TRUE PASSOVER LAMB. Jesus was slaughtered at the time of the same month, the same day of the week and the same hour as the type was slain. But, HE WAS THE TRUE PASSOVER LAMB. At the appointed time He came into this world with the explicit desire to accomplish the will of His Father. Gal. 4:4 Rest assured that He will return according the time that has been established for that glorious event. The Lord is in control and will do all things according to His good pleasure. JESUS CONDEMNED BETRAYED BY JUDAS. The name Judas or Judah means celebrate. Little did his parents know, when they named him, how celebrated he would become, as a traitor in the fullest degree. At a most sacred feast, the Passover, the act of betrayal, was set in motion. Jn. 13:1 Jesus, in a manifestation of humility, love and cleansing {not according to custom, but a spiritual act}, washed the feet of His disciples, even Judas. He then declared them clean. Judas, however was not cleansed. Jn. 13:10 Study this, there is a place for foot-washing in the body of Christ. Jesus set the example which was to be followed. Jn. 13:14-17 The sop, the bread, in the hands of the BREAD OF LIFE, handed to Judas became the moment of Satan entering into the life of the one who was to betray Jesus. Jn. 13:26-27 THEY ARRESTED JESUS. Judas led a multitude, mob or the word can even mean a riot, to take the Lord Jesus. They were armed with swords, staves or clubs. Living in a day when mass hysteria of this type is world wide it is not difficult to feel the riotous spirit of this crowd. The lamps and torches would have added to the frenzy and madness of the crowd. Pathetically, this whole situation was instigated by the religious leaders of that day. Mk. 13:43 Jesus stood before them and questioned them concerning the person whom they sought. When they said Jesus of Nazareth, He said; I AM HE. He stood there as the great I AM. No wonder they fell backward and to the ground. His power and authority over them was in his manner made manifest. Jn. 18:4-6 The greeting of Judas was extremely hypocritical under the circumstances. HAIL, implying, good health to you and long life. Be happy or well-off. A common greeting but the situation being what it was, the salutation was grossly wrong. He also greeted Him as master or Rabbi, a teacher. Then, the kiss of infamy, the kiss of a quisling. They then bound Him and took him prisoner. Jn. 18:4-6,12 HIS FIRST EXAMINATION WAS BY ANNAS, A HIGH PRIEST. Jn. 18:13 He was, perhaps an ex-high priest but was also the father-in-law of the ruling high priest, Caiaphas. It is this Caiaphas who spoke a prophetic word pronouncing that one must die for the people. v.14 Jn. 11:49-51 In His mercy, the Lord will always give evidence of His purposes to His people. Jn. 11:49-51 It is at this time that one of the officers struck Him with the palm of his hand. Jn. 18:22 His trial and sufferings of that long night are amply recorded in prophetic utterance through out the WORD. This event is found in Job 16:10, in scorn and disdain they would smite Him in His face with the palm of the hand. The experiences of Job were to coincide with the things that Jesus would face. A reading of the Old Testament prophecies and the life of the Lord Jesus is very convincing that He was and is indeed the Messiah. The Lord has established a strong witness and testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ of God. TRIAL BEFORE CAIAPHAS A GREAT GATHERING OF MEN WISE IN THE LAW. The Sanhedrin in a night session. Chaired by the high priest Caiaphas (depression), welll named.. ALL the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law gathered together. If ever there was a kangaroo court it was this one. These men were about to commit the worst judgment of all time. Their actions and decision were diametrically in opposition to the Law, and they knew it. Mk. 14:53. They did their best to find evidence against Christ but ended up empty handed. They found none for there was none. How could the One who had come to fulfill the Law, violate the Law? Their object was to kill Him. Mk. 14:55 What a farce. There were many who were willing to bear false witness against Him. Their statements did not harmonize, because they were lies. The Law stated that a false witness was to bear the judgment that was sought against his brother. Deut. 19:16-19 They sought the death penalty, while, under the Law, they themselves should have been judged worthy of death and every one of them knew it. The Law was weakened and defeated by those who knew it best. Rom. 8:3 TWISTED WORDS. Jesus said; . Speaking of course of His own body. Eventually they found two witnesses who stated that Jesus claimed He was able to destroy and rebuild the temple in three days. Mt. 26:61 These were also words of ridicule hurled at Him when He was crucified. Mk. 15:29 The amazing thing is that even these two did not agree. Mk. 14:59 Caiaphas questioned Jesus as to whether or not He was the Messiah, the Son of the blessed or adorable One. v.61 The response of Jesus was threefold. I AM. that self-existent One. The One possessing life in Himself. Life personified. They would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One (NIV) exalted once again to the position He left to become the Savior of the world. JEHOVAH said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand. Ps. 110: 1 Then they would see Him in the end of the age coming in the clouds of the eternal glory of the Lord. Mk. 14:62 The high priest tore his clothes in anger or was it an act that showed that he was unworthy of that high and holy office. The accusation was blasphemy. He issued a call for a vote and an unanimous decision was made condemning Jesus to death. Mk. 14:63-64 THE BEGINNING OF PERSECUTION. They started by spitting in His face. What an ugly and repulsive act. If the unclean were to spit on the clean, the clean became unclean. How completely Jesus took our place. The clean, the pure being contaminated for the impure. Lev. 15:7 Once again the sufferings of Job foreshadow the agonies of Christ. Job said that they did not hesitate nor hold back spitting in his face. Job 30:10 They blindfolded Him, as if that would keep Him from knowing who performed which acts against Him. They started to beat Him with their fists, others slapped His face, while challenging Him to prophecy and tell who it was that was striking Him. Mt. 26:67-68 JESUS BEFORE PILATE IN THE MORNING, AFTER A NIGHT LONG ORDEAL. At dawn the entire leadership gathered together in a continuation of the tribunal. When they questioned Him as to being Jesus being Christ. He rebuked them for their unbelief and refusal to free Him, for He was guiltless and they knew it. Their second question was; are you the Son of God? Jesus in responding once again used I AM as an identification as to His person. In their angry and warped minds that sealed their decision. We have heard it. He said it. He is guilty. Lk. 22:66-71 THE WHOLE MULTITUDE LED HIM TO PILATE. Here the accusations continued and were extremely exaggerated. Their words reek of mass hysteria. The very thing they longed for, and expected their Messiah to accomplish, was to be free from Roman rule and have their own kingdom, led by the Messiah. Now, they accuse Him of insurrection and tax evasion. Jesus responded to Pilates question as to whether or not He was King of the Jews by saying; YOU said it. This was an answer of confession, for He was and is the Messiah. Lk. 22:2-3 THE RULING OF A WISE MAN. I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM. The sinless, man without guile. Pilate proclaimed him guiltless of breaking any law, once again condemning their ungodly desires and deeds. Lk. 23:4 This only stirred them to a deeper and more determined effort to find Jesus guilty. A door of opportunity was opened to Pilate to rid himself of the problem when they mentioned that Jesus had started His ministry in Galilee. Lk. 23:5-7 He then sent them to Herod, for that was his jurisdiction and he was in Jerusalem at that time. HEROD WAS GLAD TO SEE JESUS. Not to hear the Word of life but hoping to see him perform a miracle. Fulfilling the prophetic utterance of Isaiah, as a sheep before her shearers is dumb. He did not answer the questions of Herod. Isa. 53:7 The chief priest and scribes violently and vehemently continued their accusations. In their rage against Him there were no limits to which they would not go. Lk. 23:10 The guards of the court of Herod treated Him with contempt, ridiculed and scoffed at Him. The attitudes displayed and the actions taken are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament. Scorned and despised. Ps. 22:6 Reproached, shamed and dishonored. Ps. 69:19 Despised of men abhorred of the nation. Isa. 49:7 They dressed Him in a bright and gorgeous apparel. Then sent Him back to Pilate. Amazingly, these two men, Herod and Pilate who had been enemies, were reconciled and became friends. They had found common ground by refusing to condemn an innocent man just to satisfy the anger and injustice of the Sanhedren. They may well have rejoiced in the religious conflict that was occurring. Dear Brother Blodi. As you see I have excluded your name from this email. I wanted to send it to the rest of those on my mailing list. Thought it might be of interest to them too. Thanks for the question. The Lord bless you. PS. You'll get this twice as I use the list on blind copy. Greetings in Jesus' Name. Thank you so much for the wonderful studies. They are truly a blessing. I have a question. Do you think that the Day of Atonement in the Church will be a one-time thing? In other words, once the Bride reaches Perfection on that Day, will the door be completely shut with no one else being able to reach Perfection? Or will she be able to minister Perfection to others after that through her ministry? Why or why not? Thank you very much. In Christ, J. Dear J. I long ago learned that I do not have all the answers, but will attempt to answer your most legitimate question. The Day of Atonement will be a one day happening. But as the fulfillment of Passover (Salvation), a once for all day and Pentecost, once for all, (Spirit baptism). These once introduced or activated in the church have continued on for all this time, so the Perfection of the church will have its season. That time period would be from the Day of the Perfection of the church to the time of the birth of the manchild. We must take into consideration the ten virgins of Mat. 25. The wise being the bride. The unwise rejected. This shows a distinct separation at the time of the day of Atonement, or the wedding of the Lord Jesus. The Bride is but one {a number, united as one} His beloved. Song 6:8 The other women in attendance called her blessed. SOS. 6:8 Those who come to Christ after the wedding ceremony would not have a part in the Bride, but would certainly be bridesmaids or virgins. Ps. 45:14 Coming to Christ under a ministry of perfection they could go on to perfection. The choice is up to the individual. Even as today there are people who attend church but never experience Passover. Others never come to Pentecost. How far we go in spiritual growth in Christ, is determined by our consecration to Him. Thanks for your kind remarks and question. yours in Him, cjm JESUS BEFORE PILATE A SECOND TIME DEEP ROOTED ETERNAL REMORSE. Judas had followed the events that had transpired after his betrayal of Christ. When he saw that the innocent one was condemned he was filled with remorse and sought to return the reward of his wickedness to the chief priests. Mt. 27:3 With the cry of a soul lost in the judgments of eternity separated from all that is just and right, he confessed that he had sinned. It is not a cry for forgiveness, he had long since crossed that line. It was an admission of guilt and the betrayal of innocent blood. This was further evidence of the wrong and injustice of the religious leaders of that day. Surely they spoke with scorn and contempt against both Judas and Jesus. That is not our affair you bear the responsibility. The reward of betrayal was to be of no benefit to him, for he cast down the thirty pieces of silver and went and hanged himself. Mt. 27:4-5 WARPED JUSTICE. The Roman authorities were well aware of the innocence of the Lord Jesus. They gave every opportunity for the religious mob to alter their thinking. Of all the accusations brought against Jesus Pilate witnessed to the people that this was an innocent man. Pilate could find absolutely no fault relating to their accusations. Likewise, Herod could not find a violation of any law, let alone the Law of God. His accusers were the one violating the Law. Nothing worthy of death can be attributed to Him. Lk. 23:14-15 Despite the multiplicity of accusations brought by the religious leaders Jesus did not respond. Causing Pilate to be utterly amazed at Him. Mt. 27:13- 14 A PRISONER TO BE RELEASED AT PASSOVER. Would it be Jesus the guiltless, falsely maligned Son of God. Or Barabbas {son of a father}. A man was all ready condemned and serving his sentence as a robber. Jn. 18:40 He is listed also as an insurrectionist and a murderer. Mk.15:7 It is stated that he was a notable prisoner, one who was well known to the all the people of the city. Mt. 27:16 Every opportunity was given to them to make the proper choice and free the blameless Jesus. Pilate fully comprehended the wicked attitude and nature of the crowd. He knew very well that the religious bigots were reacting out of envy and jealousy. Mt. 27:18 The governor was convinced of the absolute faultless character that was demonstrated by Christ. His wife was the recipient of a dream that moved her greatly. She sent and warned Pilate not to judge the Lord Jesus. She too was convinced of His sinless and untainted life for she had a strong emotional dream concerning Him. She called Jesus a just and an innocent man. Mt. 27:19 Every turn of event is shouting out, He is not guilty of any wrong doing, whatsoever. Only the blind leaders of the blind could not comprehend how wrong they were and how right He was. What a maelstrom of rage and religious injustice they demonstrated, in their actions and their words. RELEASE BARABBAS JESUS SCOURGED. There was no justice to be found in Pilates court of justice on this day. The man who had proclaimed Jesus to be faultless, innocent and one who had not broken the Law, now ordered that He be beaten or flogged. This was an illegal act on the part of Pilate and he knew it. This was simply an attempt to appease and quit those who were demanding that Jesus be condemned to death. Jn.19:1 In that day they incorporated into their whips stones and fragments of bone which would tear the flesh. The back of Jesus must have appeared as a plowed field according to Ps. 129:3 Each blow He received purchased healing for us. For by His stripes we are healed. Isa. 53:5 1Pet. 2:24 Forty was the full number allowed by the law. Forty is the number of consecration. The dedication of Jesus was more than abundant to satisfy the demands of a Holy and Just God for healing and salvation. Who forgiveth ALL our iniquities, who healeth ALL our diseases. Ps. 103:3 Jesus paid the full price of our salvation and healing. PILATE ASK FIVE QUESTIONS OF JESUS. ART THOU THE KING OF THE JEWS? Jn. 18:33 Jesus responded with a question; Is that your idea or did someone tell you about me? Pilates retort was; Am I a Jew? It was YOUR PEOPLE and YOUR CHIEF PRIESTS who delivered you to me. He came to His own but His own received Him not. Therefore as many as received Him are Sons of God. Jn. 1:11-12. The Prophet Zechariah proclaimed His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Zech. 9:9 In fulfillment they followed the pattern stated by Zachariah. With great acclaim they proclaimed Him to be the KING OF ISRAEL. Jn. 12:13 So persuasive and powerful were their religious leaders that in just a few days they would have a crowd crying out for His death. WHAT HAST THOU DONE? A legitimate question for one who is sitting as a judge. What had he done, but heal the sick, made the blind to see, caused the lame to walk, opened deaf ears, raised the dead, delivered those possessed and oppressed by devils, turned water into wine, broke the loaves and fishes and fed the multitudes, walked on water, calmed the storm, wrought signs, wonders and miracles among the people. He made manifest the Father and promised the Holy Spirit. He made known the kingdom of God among men and a multitude of other works of righteousness. Of such great numbers were the benefits that He brought to them at that time, that John was moved to state, that if all the works which He had done were recorded the world could not contain the books that would be written. Jn. 21:25 Jesus went about doing good and healing all that came to Him. Acts 10:38 What had He done? Certainly nothing that in any way should be counted worth of death. PILATES QUESTIONS. CONTINUED ART THOU A KING THEN? Pilate asked this question in response to the statement of Jesus concerning His kingdom. You say that I AM a king. This is the reason I came into his world. I am here to bear witness to the truth. Those of truth, hear my voice, they believe in me. They embrace the Way, the Truth and the Life. His kingdom not of this world. A kingdom that is eternal and spiritual. The spiritual being more real than the natural. The earthly, the worldly is growing old and will vanish. While that which is spiritual will never pass away. The people of that day expected Him to establish a kingdom for them at that time. Jn. 6:15 At times it would appear that people today are expecting the same thing. A kingdom that is earthly and natural. The kingdom of God is not of this earth, earthy. But is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. It is a spiritual kingdom. Rom.14:17 WHAT IS TRUTH? Truth is an imperative. Jesus is truth. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jn. 1:17 To know and embrace the truth is liberty. Jn. 8:32 Jesus promised that He would send another Comforter. one like Himself. The one sent, is the Spirit of truth. He is the teacher, He is the guide who will reveal truth to the people of the Lord. Jn. 16:13 The WORD of GOD is truth. The WORD has a sanctifying power set in motion in us, by the Spirit, and His illumination of the WORD to us. Jn. 17:17 Buy the truth. Embrace and love the truth that is found in Jesus Christ for it is life everlasting. WHERE DO YOU COME FROM? Good question and answerable from the Word of God. Jesus himself bore witness of the fact that HE came forth from the Father. He also testified that He would return to the Father. Jn. 8:14 He was well aware that as the Passover approached His time to become the true Passover Lamb was coming. Jn. 13:1 In the prayer of the Lord Jesus as He prayed to His Father we find that He was commissioned of the Father to bring the Word into the world. He came from the Father and those who believe in Him receive the Word and believe in the Lord Jesus. Jn. 17:8 Coming from and being of the Father Jesus is the exact facsimile of the Father. When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus responded, have I been so long with you and have you not seen the Father? Jn. 14:9 I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Just as we may have the Spirit of God within us but we are not the Spirit. We may also be in the Spirit and do the works of the Lord. But we are not the Spirit. The Father dwelt in the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus dwelt in the Father. The works and the words of the Father flowed through and from the Lord Jesus. Neither was the other but their relationship is of perfect unity and harmony. Jn. 14:10 Our longing and desire should be to have the same relationship with the Father and the Son through the person of the Holy Spirit. He wants that kind of a communication with His people. We have a high and holy calling. THE KING CROWNED CROWNED IN MOCKERY. Crowned with thorns. What pain and agony He bore for us. The curse of our sin was placed upon Him. The thorns were worn because of the curse placed on the fruit of the ground, caused by sin. Gen. 3:18 Every curse of man He took upon Himself that we might be made free. He suffered in every way possible. Physically, physiologically and spiritually. The physical pain of the flogging and now the crown of thorns must have been nigh unbearable. Physiologically, the rejection by those whom he had come to bless and now by the Gentiles, the heathen. Rejection is a way of life, especially in these last days. In our life time we will all suffer rejection. Some more than others, some real, some imagined. None will ever know the measure of heartache that Jesus felt, for He suffered for all men. He took your place. Cast your care upon Him. Spiritually, what measurement can we use in trying to understand the weight and measure of all this on one who was totally pure and holy, guiltless and innocent? HAIL. KING OF THE JEWS. Hail, a salutation of well being and joy. There was no kindness extended to Jesus in any way. Crowned in ridicule and scorn. Matthew records them as clothing Him with a scarlet robe. Scarlet is the color of redemption. It was used in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Also in the clothing of the high priest. What they did was an act of ridicule but was also symbolic of the redemption that He accomplish. Mt. 27:28 They knelt before Him and placing a reed or staff in His hand, which they used to strike him over the head. They also struck Him with the palms of their hands. They spit in His face. Mt. 27:29-30 THE CONCLUSION OF PILATE. I find no fault in Him. Jn. 19:4 The cry of the mob was still CRUCIFY HIM. Pilate asked, why should He be crucified, what evil has He done? For all that Pilate had done to Him and had permitted his personal guards to do, he knew that Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing. Before the angry crowd he washed his hands proclaiming himself to be guiltless of the blood of this just man. Mt. 27:24 How great a root of bitterness can become. How extremely warped the mind that is filled with hatred. They pronounced a curse upon themselves by accepting the responsibility of the spilling of innocent blood. Had they proclaimed the curse to be upon that generation only, it would have been more than sufficient. Blindly and most foolishly they involved their children in the curse. Mt.27:25 Pilate once again brought Jesus before them declaring that he could find no fault in Him. Jn. 19:4 Again the cry from the chief priests and officers is, crucify Him, crucify Him. Jn. 19:6 So, Pilate said take Him. I find no fault in Him. Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man. Born into the world to become the Lamb of God. Redeeming the whosoever will by His own blood. Blood of redemption. Blood of forgiveness. He prayed for these anarchist on Calvary, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Lk. 23:24 Subject: Three days, three nights. To: PENDITA@aol.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 113 Greetings in Jesus Wonderful Name. To all of you a blessed Palm Sunday. Jesus is KING. What is being sent today has been sent before to some of you but the Berean address book has grown and some have not received this particular study. May it be a blessing to all. pendita THE THREE NIGHTS AND THREE DAYS WEDNESDAY ABIB 14 - DAY OF PREPARATION --- DAY OF CRUCIFIXION BURIED BEFORE SUNDOWN SO AS TO NOT DESECRATE THE “HOLY CONVOCATION” WHICH COMMENCED AT SUNDOWN.. THE THREE NIGHTS AND THREE DAYS. THURSDAY (night and day) 15 - SPECIAL SABBATH - FIRST FULL DAY FRIDAY (night and day) 16 - SECOND DAY SATURDAY (night and day) 17 - WEEKLY SABBATH - THIRD AND LAST DAY RESURRECTED AFTER SUNDOWN AT THE CLOSE OF THE HEBREW SATURDAY OR SABBATH. CHRIST OUR PASSOVER A. Christ offering himself on Calvary was the fulfillment of the Passover lamb and the feast of Passover. 1 Cor.5:7 B. The Passover lamb was slain on the FOURTEENTH day of the month of Abib/Nisan, or the first month of the Levitical year. Ex.12:3 1. The Hebrew day started at sundown, first the night time and then the day time. a. Pilate; “Behold your King”. Jn.19:14 This was at the sixth hour of the night (or the Gentile midnight). Note, they came to take Jesus with lanterns and torches. Jn. 18:3 b. On the morning of the FOURTEENTH day delivered to Pilate. Mk. 15:1 c. Nailed to the cross at the third hour. 9 AM Mk.15:25 d. Darkness at midday, the sixth hour of the day. Mk.15:33 e. Gave up his spirit at the ninth hour. 3 PM. Mk.15:34-37 f. Removed from the cross and entombed at EVEN, late afternoon. Mt.27:57 The bodies had to be removed before sunset. Jn.19:31a. g. It is noteworthy that Jesus was on the cross six hours. Darkness came at the SIXTH hour. Six is the number of man. Christ died for mankind. C. THE THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE TOMB. 1. The sign of the prophet Jonah. He spent three days and three nights in the great fish. Jonah 1:17 The time is strongly emphasized. 2. Jesus spent a full THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS or seventy-two hours in the grave. Mt.12:40 This is not a Hebrew idiom involving parts of three days. 3. There are two Sabbaths involved in the week of crucifixion. a. The day after “the day of preparation” or the Fifteenth day of Abib was a special Sabbath. Jn. 19:31 It was called “an holy convocation” Lev. 23:6 b. The second Sabbath was the regular weekly Sabbath. Jn. 20:1 Mary came while it was yet dark, not at sunrise, and the tomb was already opened. Christ was buried on the “day of preparation” sometime before sunset. He was raised from the dead sometime after the sunset of the weekly Sabbath or Saturday. EARLY, would be the ninth or tenth hour of the night or three or four AM. c. The day following the day of preparation they came to Pilate requesting a guard on the tomb for three days. Mt.27:62-64 Thus attesting to the three nights and three days. Jesus was crucified on Wednesday. HE IS RISEN!!!!!! GOOD FRIDAY? The following quotations are found in the book; “ Difficulties in the Bible”. Author. R.A. Torrey “The first fact to be noticed in the proper solution is that the Bible no where says or implies that Jesus was crucified and died on Friday”. Page 101 John tells us in so many words, in John 19:14, that the day on which Jesus was tried and crucified was “the day of the preparation of the Passover” (RV). that is , it was not the day before the weekly Sabbath (Friday) but it was the day before the Passover Sabbath, which came that year on Thursday. That is to say, the day on which Jesus died was Wednesday. Page 102 Furthermore, it has been figured out by the astronomers that in the year 30 AD , which is the commonly accepted year of the crucifixion of our Lord, the Passover was kept on Thursday April the 6th., the moon being full that day. Page 104 JESUS DIED ABOUT SUNSET ON WEDNESDAY. Seventy -two hours later, exactly three days and three nights, at the beginning of the first day of the week (Saturday at sunset). He rose again from the grave. Page 104 Christ offering himself upon Calvary was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover Lamb and the Feast of the Passover. “ Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us”. 1 Cor.5:7 God is meticulous in all of his workings. The type must fulfill preciously the anti-type. Jesus, God’s Lamb must be sacrificed at the time of the offering of the Passover lamb. The Passover lamb was slain on the FOURTEENTH day of the month of Abib/Nisan, or in the first month of the Levitical year. The Hebrew day commenced with the setting of the Sun. First the night and then the day. It was on the night of the DAY OF PREPARATION that he was taken captive, for they came for him with lanterns and torches. John 18:3 He was in Pilate’s judgment hall when Pilate said to the Jews; “Behold your King”. It was the sixth hour of the night, or the midnight hour of the DAY OF PREPARATION. John 19:14. In the morning of the DAY OF PREPARATION Jesus was brought again to Pilate. Mk.15:33 The third hour of that day, or about Nine AM he was nailed to the cross. Mark 15:25 The sixth hour, or midday, darkness came upon the land. Mark 15:33 He gave up his Spirit, into the hands of his Father at the ninth hour or 3PM. Mark 15:34-37 According to Hebrew custom the bodies had to be removed from the cross and entombed before sunset. John 19:31a. Jesus was removed from the cross at EVEN or late in the afternoon. Mt. 27:57 It is noteworthy that Jesus was on the cross six hours and that darkness came at the sixth hour. Six is the number of man. Jesus performed a perfect atonement for all mankind, for the whosoever will. Jesus was a full three days and there nights in the tomb. He declared Jonah and his experience would be the only sign given. Mt. 12:40 Jonah spent three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, a full seventy two hours. Jesus was three days and three nights in the tomb, or a full seventy two hours. This measurement is not An Hebrew idiom involving parts of three days and nights but clearly is a complete three day and night period of time. The key to understanding the week of crucifixion and the day on which Jesus died is in the fact that this was a week of two Sabbaths. Following the DAY OF PREPARATION (Abib the fourteenth) was the DAY OF PASSOVER (or Abib the fifteenth). This day was a special Sabbath or an “Holy Convocation” Lev.23:6 This is recognized by reading John 19:31. The fifteenth day of Abib was an HIGH or Sabbath day. It is the first Sabbath of the week of crucifixion and fell on Thursday of that week. Another important fact in determining that Jesus was Crucified on WEDNESDAY is that the leaders of the Jews came to Pilate requesting a special guard be placed at his tomb for the three days and three nights. Mt.27:62-64. On the day of resurrection Mary came to the tomb WHILE IT WAS YET DARK (Jesus had risen before sun up). Early would indicate the ninth or tenth hour of the night, or three or four AM. Jesus was crucified on WEDNESDAY on the DAY OF PREPARATION. Was laid in the tomb about sunset on that day. He rose from among the dead sometime after sunset after the third day which would have been on The Sabbath day or Saturday after sunset. DID CHRIST GO TO HELL? THE SPIRIT MINISTERED BY ANOINTING THE PROPHETS. The working of the spirit was evidenced in the prophetic ministry of the Old Testament prophets. The good spirit of the Lord ministered to the people of God. Instructing them in the ways of the Lord. Neh. 9:20 Also, the spirit of the Lord was manifest in the prophets witnessing against them, when they did not pay attention to the exhortation of those anointed by the Spirit. They rebelled and vexed or grieved the Holy Spirit causing Him to turn against them and He became their enemy. Isa. 63:10 Stephen found the attitude to be no different between the Israel of the Old Testament and those of the New. Because they were stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart and ears they continuously resisted the Holy Ghost. They were obstinate, fleshly in nature, unable to hear and comprehend the Word. Acts 7:51 The speaking forth of the prophets was not after the will of man but as the Spirit motivated them they would declare the will and the Word of the Lord to the people. 2 Pet. 1:21 The witness and testimony of the recorded Word of God is ample evidence of the workings of the Holy Spirit in the Prophets of the Old Testament. 2 Pet. 1:21 The Spirit of Christ working in them created a great desire to know more fully the fulfillment of the prophecies that they heard themselves speak forth. Spiritual curiosity pertaining to the time element of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah caused them to search diligently for an understanding of these great events. 1 Pet. 1:10-11 NOAH WAS A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Noah {Rest} ministered to those of his time by warning them of the impending judgment. Social life was at a peak in his time. It was a time of eating, drinking and getting married. Lk. 17:26 Noah, surely, was the topic of conversation in his day in the coffee and tea shops as well as in the restaurants. Noah, the funny man. Preaching the end of the earth by flood and building that strange looking ark. The Spirit of the Lord ministered through Noah. He was the eighth (number of resurrection) from Adam. 2 Pet. 2:5 The Spirit of the Lord allotted one hundred twenty years {the end of all flesh} for the people of that generation to come to repentance and change their sinful ways. The Spirit of the Lord was active in dealing with them. It is important that we see the operations of the Holy Spirit even in the Old Testament. Gen. 6:3 Noah, by his faith in God brought condemnation on the world that was then in existence. His manifestation of faith was sufficient witness to the peoples of that day. His faith made him to be an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith. Can there be a stronger witness than that which was given in that day? A man of righteousness, manifesting faith in the living God. His life and faith created both a judgment and a sentence of the ungodly of that day. There is no second chance. Heb. 11:7 to be continued DID CHRIST GO TO HELL? THE SPIRIT MINISTERED BY ANOINTING THE PROPHETS. The working of the spirit was evidenced in the prophetic ministry of the Old Testament prophets. The good spirit of the Lord ministered to the people of God. Instructing them in the ways of the Lord. Neh. 9:20 Also, the spirit of the Lord was manifest in the prophets witnessing against them, when they did not pay attention to the exhortation of those anointed by the Spirit. They rebelled and vexed or grieved the Holy Spirit causing Him to turn against them and He became their enemy. Isa. 63:10 Stephen found the attitude to be no different between the Israel of the Old Testament and those of the New. Because they were stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart and ears they continuously resisted the Holy Ghost. They were obstinate, fleshly in nature, unable to hear and comprehend the Word. Acts 7:51 The speaking forth of the prophets was not after the will of man but as the Spirit motivated them they would declare the will and the Word of the Lord to the people. The witness and testimony of the recorded Word of God is ample evidence of the workings of the Holy Spirit in the Prophets of the Old Testament. 2 Pet. 1:21 The Spirit of Christ working in them created a great desire to know more fully the fulfillment of the prophecies that they heard themselves speak forth. Spiritual curiosity pertaining to the time element of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah caused them to search diligently for an understanding of these great events. 1 Pet. 1:10-11 NOAH WAS A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Noah {Rest} ministered to those of his time by warning them of the impending judgment. Social life was at a peak in his day. It was a period of eating, drinking and getting married. Lk. 17:26 Noah, surely, was the topic of conversation in his day in the coffee and tea shops as well as in the restaurants. Noah, the funny man. Preaching the end of the earth by flood and building that strange looking ark. The Spirit of the Lord ministered through Noah. He was the eighth (number of resurrection) from Adam. 2 Pet. 2:5 The Spirit of the Lord allotted one hundred twenty years {the end of all flesh} for the people of that generation to come to repentance and change their sinful ways. The Spirit of the Lord was active in dealing with them. It is important that we see the operations of the Holy Spirit even in the Old Testament. Gen. 6:3 Noah, by his faith in God brought condemnation on the world that was then in existence. His manifestation of faith was sufficient witness to the peoples of that generation. His faith made him to be an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith. Can there be a stronger witness than that which was given in that day? A man of righteousness, manifesting faith in the living God. His life and faith created both a judgment and a sentence of the ungodly of that era. There is no second chance. Heb. 11:7 to be continued PREACHING TO PRISONERS BY THE SPIRIT. This statement is the key to understanding what transpired when Jesus gave up His spirit at Calvary. 1 Pet. 3:18 The gospel was, past tense, preached to them that are dead. 1 Pet. 4:6 That is a very positive statement showing that the Word of God HAD been declared unto them. Once again, the prophetic utterances of the Old Testament prophets who ministered to the people giving direction and warning was, < by thy spirit in thy prophets>. Neh. 9:38 It was not necessary for Jesus to make a special visit to hell. Those who were in prison were visited by the prophets who spoke BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, in the days of their sojourn on earth. Simply put, those in prison were ministered to, by the spirit, while they were still alive. IN THE DAYS OF NOAH. By the Spirit of Christ, Noah witnessed and testified to that generation. There are some inequities that need consideration here. Why should the people of Noah’s day be singled out for a visitation when they had obviously been adamant in their unbelief? Did they have a second chance? If so, then everyone deserves a second opportunity. The scriptures make it very plain that after death judgment is certain. Heb. 9:27 The people of Noah’s day are particularly the object of Peter's comment. 1 Pet. 3:19 Those living in Noah’s day have a reputation for having filled the earth with violence, so much so that the Lord determined to destroy both, them and the earth. Gen. 6:13 GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD. BUT OF THE LIVING. This is true of those who believe in Him and are yet alive. Likewise the dead in Christ who are in His glorious eternal presence. Mt. 22:32 The psalmist bemoaning the situation that he finds himself in makes two statements that are of interest. One, God no longer remembers those who have died outside of salvation. Two, they are cut off from His hand or His care. Ps. 88:5 Death seals the eternal status of every individual. In the story told by the Lord Jesus of the rich man and Lazarus there is mentioned; a great chasm that is set or fixed permanently, preventing passage between heaven and hell. Lk. 16:26 Let them hear Moses and the prophets {who spoke by the inspiration of the Spirit}. Therein lies the problem, the ministry of the spirit was ignored, so much so that the prophets were persecuted and even slain. Lk. 16:29 The final request was, send one from the dead then they will repent. The response was, If they do not hear Moses and the prophets they will not hear one raised from the dead. Lk. 16:31 Oh, how true we know these words to be. He who is, the resurrection and the life was raised from the dead. The religious world will celebrate His death burial and resurrection. To many it is only a religious thing to do. Those who are in Christ Jesus celebrate His resurrection every day. Because He lives we also live in Him. PARADISE THE PARK OF GOD. Paradise, probably of Persian origin. The word in Hebrew is pardec, or park, a forest or orchard. It was the area into which a king or ruler would go for relaxation and escape from the problems of the day. It is used three times in the Old Testament. Neh. 2:8. Nehemiah when rebuilding Jerusalem requested timber from the FOREST (paradec) of Artaxerxes. The New Jerusalem will be built from materials originating from the Paradise of God. Ecc. 2:5 Solomon built all kinds of ORCHARDS (paradec). Christians are to be fruitful in many ways. Christ and His church will be fruitful. SOS. 4:13 ORCHARD (paradec) of pomegranates. A replica of the pomegranate was worn on the bottom edge of the garment of the high priest. Ex. 28:33 The pomegranate is a type of the Holy Spirit because of its multiplicity of seeds. The fine linen, the righteousness of God. Twined, the unity of the Triunity of God. The blue the color of the Spirit. Purple, the color of royalty. Scarlet, the color of Calvary, the blood. There is no O.T. record of the location of the paradise of God being anywhere but in Heaven. THE PROMISE TO THE THIEF ON THE CROSS. Today you will be with me in paradise {a place of happiness, a park, the Eden of God}. A repentant thief about to be received into the eternal, wonderful and glorious presence of the Lord. Lk. 23:46 Remember also, that Jesus said to His Father; into thy hands I commend {to deposit, or commit} my Spirit. The hands of the Father would most assuredly be in heaven. It is hard to conceive of them being anywhere else. Lk. 23:46 THE APOSTLE PAUL CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE. The key word here being UP. 2 Cor. 12:4 The only direction relating to paradise or heaven found in the Scriptures is UP. There is no record of paradise ever having been a compartment next door to hell. That thought originates from myths, and a so called place of cleansing called purgatory and a religion that presents a very sensuous paradise. There is no real Bible bases for such a teaching. The revelation of the Lord was presented to Paul where he heard things that cannot be expressed, but will be revealed in the workings of the Lord in His church. While it could be claimed that these are N.T. statements and the transportation of paradise from down to up was after the Crucifixion. The following scriptures place paradise, heaven, God's presence or the place of the departed spirits of the just, as up. Solomon in all his wisdom declared that the spirit of man rises upward while the spirit of an animal goes down into the earth. Eccl. 3:21 Enoch, was translated because he pleased the Lord. Heb. 11:5 Elijah, that great prophet of God was taken UP by the whirlwind. 2 Ki. 2:11 In the case of the angel who visited Manoah and his wife. When the offering was burned by the fire the angel stepped into the fire and ascended with the fire, toward heaven. Judges 13:20 We have a multiplicity of witness and testimony that the direction of the presence of the Lord was up. So, in the O.T. the direction the righteous took was UP THE TREE OF LIFE. This is the very nucleus of Paradise and all that can be found pertaining to Spiritual life. Rev. 2:7 Jesus is the tree of life. The tree of life is in the midst of the paradise of God. It is in the midst of the street or the square of the city. The New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ is the paradise of the Lord, eternally. THE MESSAGE OF CALVARY CALVARY. Lk.23:33 The skull. How fitting, Christ, the head of the of the church was about to be crucified. This was the moment of open and ultimate condemnation. The placed Him between two thieves, making Him one with them. Isaiah had said; that He would be numbered with the transgressors. He was appointed to die the death of a habitual criminal. The righteous one, for all the unrighteous. He took our place. Isa. 53:12 Here, as always Christ is the central one. The man in the middle. The mediator between God and man. 1 Tim. 2:5 THE MAGNITUDE OF FORGIVENESS. There is no animosity, no hatred, no desire for revenge but words of forgiveness coming from the Lord Jesus as He hung on the cross. FATHER FORGIVE THEM. Beautiful, forgiving statement. His forgiveness reaches out to all, even to our day, for it was our sin that nailed Him to the tree. We are guilty of His death, therefore we need His forgiveness as well as those who physically crucified Him. In utter blindness, in total darkness and complete ignorance they nailed Him to the tree. Before the Holy Spirit illuminated us, were we not in the same situation and frame of mind? Lk. 23:34 THE EXTREME CHALLENGE. A sneering, jeering mob surrounded the cross. They had been whipped up into a frenzy by the religious leaders of that day. The satanic dare was to exhibit His powers by coming down from the cross. You saved others, now save yourself, if you are the Christ, the chosen one. If you are indeed the king of the Jews. Lk.23:35-36 Jesus had at His disposal more than twelve legions of angels. Mt. 26:53 This could be an innumerable number. All attempts to thwart the purpose of Salvation were in vain. A FULL, THREEFOLD WITNESS. A sign placed over His head proclaiming Him to be THE KING OF THE JEWS. This was certainly posted in mockery, not only of Jesus by the Jews also. The languages used were the Greek, the language of the Philosopher, the learned. Latin, that of the Politician, the ruler. Hebrew, the religious, those in servitude. Lk.23:38 SALVATION AT THE CROSS. The one thief, a third time looser. Confronted Jesus for deliverance from the cross; if you are the Christ. The other, in the same situation, rebuked him. We are under just condemnation but Jesus has done nothing wrong. Words of wisdom. His words of repentance were; remember me. Jesus responded with today you will be with me in paradise. Instantaneous forgiveness and pardon. The religion, the Law could not reform him. Jesus in a moment made him to be a new creature. Salvation is by the Christ of the cross. Lk. 23:39-43 HE TASTED DEATH ONCE, FOR ALL. He loosed His spirit. He did not die of a broken heart. He gave up His spirit. Committing it into the hands of His Father. Both Jesus and the thief enjoyed the presence of the heavenly. Lk. 23:46 To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8 GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN WHO WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES, AND WAS RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. ROM. 4:25 MAY THE RISEN, EVER LIVING CHRIST OF GOD, POUR OUT HIS BLESSINGS ON YOU AND YOURS AT THIS SEASON OF THE CELEBRATION OF HIS RESURRECTION. IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST JESUS, THE MCKNIGHTS