He is Risen

On the third day, Sunday, around the break of dawn, the earth shook around Jesus' tomb, just as it had when He gave up His last breath on Friday. The soldiers standing guard at the tomb awoke to see the large rock rolled away from the tomb opening and there was no one inside. They ran to tell the priests.
     The priests bribed the guards and told them that if anyone asked, they were to say that Jesus' disciples had snuck in during the night, rolled away the stone and took Jesus. The guards were threatened so they took the bribe.
     Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb with spices and fragranced oils to anoint the body of Jesus, but seeing the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, she was alarmed and ran to tell Peter. He and John ran to the tomb to find that Jesus was indeed gone. They didn't understand about Jesus rising from the dead on the third day, so they each went home.
     Mary stood outside the tomb and two angels were inside; one seated at where the head of Jesus had been and the other at the place where Jesus' feet had been.
     Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
     She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
     Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
     She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, 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 20:13-18 NKJV
     Ten of the disciples were gathered in one place, hiding from the Jews (only Thomas was missing. Judas had hung himself for betraying Jesus) when Jesus appeared to them. Even though He was able to appear to them without using an opened door, He was flesh and blood. He showed the disciples His hands, feet, and side, and they believed. When Thomas got back, they told him about Jesus but Thomas didn't believe them (this is where we get the term/phrase "doubting Thomas"). He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25b NKJV
     The next time that Jesus appeared to them, Thomas was there. Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
     And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
     Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:27-29 NKJV

     This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
     And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
John 21:24-25 NKJV

The "disciple who testifies of these things..." is John. John usually refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved;" he was there as an eyewitness to all of it, from Jesus' ministry, to His arrest, trials, and even His crucifixion. John was there to inspect the tomb after Jesus arose and he was there when Jesus ascended into Heaven.
     Before Jesus ascended, He told His disciples:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
     This is our job, our purpose for living, and our hope.

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

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For the love of you

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 NKJV

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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Jesus was crucified

Six hours on the cross

     Jesus was hung on the cross around 9 am. The soldiers cast lots for His clothes; they hung the sign over His head that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages.  The people who had gathered to watch Him, including the elders, priests, and even the two criminals crucified with Him, mocked Him and blasphemed against Him. They taunted Him with accusations that if He was who He said He was then surely He could come down from the cross or have God rescue Him.
     After a while, one of the criminals repented.
     Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
     But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
     And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
     Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour (around noon to 3 pm), there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
     Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 
Matthew 27:45-48 NKJV
     None of Jesus' disciples were there except for John. With him was Jesus' mother Mary, her sister, another woman, and Mary Magdalene.
     When Jesus, therefore, saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
     After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30 NKJV
     Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
     So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:51-54 NKJV
     About this time, the Jews asked the Governor to have the legs broken of those being crucified, so they would die quickly. It was Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath and so all work had to be finished by 6 pm. Pilate allowed it. The guards broke the legs of the two criminals but when they got to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so one of them pierced His side to be certain.
     A councilman, the one who had dissented in Jesus' trial, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body so that he could bury Him. Joseph had a new tomb hewn into the rock. He and Nicodemus took Jesus' body and wrapped Him in strips of fresh linen prepared with spices, laid Him in the tomb and rolled a large stone across the opening.
     The next day, the priests got permission from Pilate to seal the tomb and set a guard there because Jesus had claimed that after three days, He would rise.

* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me.

Jesus tried and convicted

Good Friday, 6am - 9am (approximately)

The entire Sanhedrin council (approximately 70 men) with the exception of one man, Joseph of Arimathea, delivered Jesus to Pilate to stand trial in the Roman court since the Romans had final authority over death sentences. So Jesus had two types of trials: one with Jewish authorities, and one with the Romans. The Jewish council ruled over the laws of the covenant while the Romans ruled over the laws of the state. Therefore, the Sanhedrin needed to show that Jesus violated Roman law. They couldn't do this without lying. 

     They told Pilate that Jesus was "perverting the nation" and that He forbid people to pay taxes to Caesar because He Himself was a King. When the council mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate figured this was his opportunity to get out of the situation because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod was also in Jerusalem at that time and was excited to meet Jesus hoping he could see a miracle. He questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't respond, which angered him greatly. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus regarding the Jew's accusations against Him. They dressed Jesus in a purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

     While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” 

Matthew 27:19 NKJV

     So, Pilate was going to release Jesus as it was customary to release one prisoner before the feast but the Sanhedrin got the crowds worked up calling for the relase of Barnabas, a murderer instead. When Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, they chanted "Let Him be crucified." (Matthew 27:22b NKJV).

     When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

    And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Matthew 27:24-25 NKJV

     Pilate had Jesus scourged and his garrison of soldiers (approx. 600 men) stripped Jesus, spat on Him, and beat Him. They clothed Him with a scarlet robe (Matthew) and twisted a crown out of thorns which they put on His head. They placed a reed in His right hand to imitate a scepter and then kneeled before Him, making a mockery of Him. 

     The soldiers made a sign that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that everyone could read it. After hanging the sign around His neck, they led Him to be crucified.

     Jesus was expected to carry the crossbeam of His own cross (approximately 100 lbs.) over 2000 feet to the site of His execution but when it was obvious that He wouldn't make it, the soldiers ordered a man named Simon to bear His cross.

     When they arrived at the crucifixion site, Golgotha, or "Place of a Skull" they offered Jesus a drink of sour wine laced with "gall" which was a bitter-tasting narcotic they offered those being crucified to help deaden the pain. However, when Jesus realized that, He refused to drink it, not wanting to dull His senses for what He must do.

* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me. 

Jesus arrested

Good Friday

After The Lord's Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to Gethsemane. He asked the disciples to sit there and wait for Him while He, Peter, James, and John walked a little further. Jesus was troubled and asked His friends to keep watch while He went to pray.

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

     Jesus returned to find the three sleeping. He woke them up and told them to keep watch and pray. He went off to pray a second time and then returned to find them asleep again. He prayed a third time. When He returned, He woke the disciples and told them the time had come. His betrayer was approaching along with a multitude of armed men. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, signaling to those with him that He was the one they sought after.
   Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Annas, the former High Priest, and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the present High Priest. (John is the only one of the gospels that mentions this first interrogation.) Annas questioned Jesus about His doctrine.

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

John 18:20-21 NKJV

     One of the officers didn't like Jesus' answer and struck Him.
     Meanwhile, Caiaphas gathered the Sanhedrin at his house. Annas sent Jesus to him bound. There, the Sanhedrin questioned Jesus and brought in false witnesses to testify against Him. All of this was done in the middle of the night. Jesus kept silent, not answering their questions or accusations. Then the priests found two witnesses who said that Jesus claimed He was able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” (Matthew 26:61b NKJV) But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?”
They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” (Matthew 26:63-66 NKJV)
     The Sanhedrin blindfolded Jesus spat on Him and beat Him. They decided to take Him to Pilate for sentencing. However, since it was still night, they had to wait until the break of day in order to render a legal verdict so they re-interrogated Jesus in the morning.

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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Maundy Thursday

Today is known as Maundy Thursday.

"Maundy"  is Latin for "command" and is associated with the command that Jesus gave His disciples at the Last Supper to love others as He loved them.

A new commandment I give to you, 

that you love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that you also love one another. 

By this all will know that you are My disciples, 

if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34 NKJV

"Maundy" also has to do with the ceremonial washing of feet which Jesus did for each of His disciples that evening. While I struggled to develop a servant's heart, I thought about this event many, many times. How could I justify having so much pride when Jesus Himself performed this lowly act twelve times.

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:12-17

Can you imagine the Son of God washing your feet? I can't. What I really can't imagine is Judas continuing with his betrayal at this point, although John writes that Satan entered into Judas at that point:

Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. 

Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

John 13:27 NKJV

Jesus and His disciples were celebrating the Passover, the night in Egypt when God sent His angel throughout Egypt killing the firstborn of each family. Only those who had put lamb's blood (symbolizing the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God) on their lintels and doorposts were spared; those houses were Passed Over. This was the breaking point for Pharaoh and he released God's people out of bondage and Moses led them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
     So it was fitting that this night, Maundy Thursday would be the night before the Lamb of God was sacrificed to save all of us from death. During the meal, Jesus offered His disciples bread and wine to create a new covenant.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, 

and gave it to them, saying, 

“This is My body which is given for you; 

do this in remembrance of Me.”

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

Luke 22:19-20

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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Testing Jesus

On Wednesday before His death, Christ was in the temple. The chief priests and elders question Him as to His authority and He puts a question back to them that they can't answer that basically questions their authority.
   The Sadduccees, Pharisees, Herodians, and Scribes all question Jesus about different topics hoping to catch Him saying something that will allow them to arrest Him but He answers each question with a parable that puts them in their place(s).
     As you have the opportunity this week, I encourage you to read through at least one of the Gospels. I tend to favor Matthew although I've been going through each Gospel this week and reading the sections from each book that are the same. If you don't have a study Bible, you can search for "Harmony of the Gospels" so you can see how they compare on the events and the parables.

But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great 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 great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:34-39 NKJV

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

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The fig tree

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

     And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

     So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 21:18-22 NKJV

Jesus cleansed the Temple

   Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

   Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 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 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”

   And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,

‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have perfected praise’?”

   Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

Matthew 21:12-17 NKJV

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

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Come out of the darkness

 I have come as a light into the world, 

that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

John 12:46 NKJV

Read all of John 12:20-50 to put today's three verses in context.

While you have the light

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

John 12:35-36 NKJV

Follow Him

He who loves his life will lose it, 

and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; 

and where I am, there My servant will be also. 

If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

John 12:25-26 NKJV

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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power