CONCLUDING EXHORTATION
Galatians 6:11-18
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.

• Amanuensis – Paid scribe or secretary
• The large letters were either because
• 1) Paul had issue with his eyes and it was easier for him to see himself or
• 2) Paul was making an emphasis on his final statement.
• DON’T MISS THIS
• It’s not a matter of 2 different doctrines… It’s a matter of 2 different “ways of life.”
• Bondage or Liberty
• Legalism or Freedom
• Walking by the Flesh or Walking by the Spirit
• Living for self or Living for others
• Now Paul adds to this list:
• Receiving praise from men or giving glory to God
• He is dealing with motive, and there is no greater need in our churches today than for an examination of the motives for our ministries.
• We know what we are doing, but do we know why we are doing it?
• A good work is spoiled by a bad motive.[1]
• In this paragraph Paul presents three “marked men”
  1) The legalist (Gal. 6:12–13)
  2) The Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:14–16), and
  3) The Apostle Paul himself (Gal. 6:17–18).[2]

12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

• Salesman vs Ambassador
• Politicians vs Sincerity
• Campaign vs Missions
• What were the tactics of the salesmen (Judaizers)?
• Their argument might have run something like this: “Yes, of course, Jesus died on the cross, and that is a great example of God’s love.
• But if you want to be saved and really belong to the true Israel, then you must do something more than merely rely on that past event.
• Yes, Jesus was the Messiah, and he did a lot for us.
• But now it is up to you to complete what he began.”[3]

13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.

• He is condemning them for their dishonesty.
• They had no intention of keeping the Law, even if they could.
• Their reverence for the Law was only a mask to cover their real goal: winning more converts to their cause.
• They wanted to report more statistics and get more glory.[4]
• 1 Samuel – David wanted to marry Saul’s daughter Michael. The price was 100 Philistine (gentile) foreskins. (1 Samuel 18:27)
• David brought 200 foreskins to Saul.
• Paul’s opponents were doing the same thing David and his soldiers had done of old: presenting Gentile “foreskins” as a mark of their own success and ingenuity as representatives of the Jewish Christian establishment.[5]
• Paul describes the Judaizers as:
• 1) Braggarts
• 2) Compromisers
• 3) Persuaders
• 4) Hypocrites

14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.

• I “hate” the question, “How many people attend your church?”
• Jesus mentioned 45 times in Galatians.
• That is 1/3 of the passages in Galatians contain a reference to Jesus.
• Wounds of circumcision vs wounds of the cross.
• Cross as a symbol of Paul’s faith.
• We wear crosses and collect crosses.
• It was a way of death.
• Actually the Latin word crux was regarded as an expression so crude no polite Roman would utter it in public.
• In order to get around this difficulty, the Romans devised another expression, “Hang him on the unlucky tree” (arbori infelici suspendito).[6]
• But what the world regards as too shameful to whisper in polite company, a detestable object used for the brutal execution of the bottom of society, Paul declared to be the proper basis for exultation.[7]
• Why would Paul put glory in the cross?
• Because the cross is empty…
• Christ defeated the cross.
• Not only was Jesus crucified… but the world was crucified…
• The earth groaned… the god of this cosmos is the evil one… notice had been served.
• We have been crucified… even we are aliens to this world system.
• It’s not supposed to make sense to us.
• Don’t get so worked up… stay focused on your calling.

15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.

• If you are going to be a marked man… be marked as a new creation!
• “The new creation implies a new nature with a new system of desires, affections, and habits, all wrought through the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
• No spiritual gymnastics, no twelve-step program on the deeper life, no quick-fix “How-to-Be-a-Better-Christian” seminar can produce this kind of transformation.
• Paul’s emphasis was on the act of God in effecting a new thing.
• This is the result of faith working by love leading to holiness culminating in a life filled with the Spirit.”[8]
• You take circumcision… Paul took the cross.
• I prefer the empty tomb… Leavener Logo

16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God!

• Paul: “I know I get a little worked up talking about this stuff… but really… I only am passionate about you and Christ in you. I want you to have peace.”
• Paul knew the Church stood in great conflict with society.
• Not much has changed today.
• We will always be in conflict.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

• Ricky Gervais – Golden Globes (1/5/20) – “So if you do win an award tonight, don't use it as a platform to make a political speech. You're in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.

So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and take (f*%#) off, OK? It's already three hours long. Right, let's do the first award.”

• “If your religious celebrities have any scars to show for the glory of Christ, then let them be shown. Otherwise—stop bothering me!”[9]

18 Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.[10]

• Band of Brothers
• GRACE! Not “the Law of Moses,” but THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

No more need be said, because that says it all.[11]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 725). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 725). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 436–437). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 726). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 434). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 436). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 436). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 438). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 727). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:11–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 728). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Legend of Azazel (Legend of the Scape Goat)
 
The scarlet thread was a symbolic reference to Isaiah 1:18; and the Talmud tells us (ib.39a) that during the forty years that Simon the Just was high priest, the thread actually turned white as soon as the goat was thrown over the precipice; a sign that the sins of the people were forgiven. In later time the change to white was not invariable: a proof of the people’s moral and spiritual deterioration, that was gradually on the increase, until forty years before the destruction of the Second Temple, when the change of the color was no longer observed (i.e. 39b).
 
MATTHEW 27:51-61
51 Suddenly, the curtain (veil) of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

• Assuming this is local believers of Jesus that had recently died.
• KJV & NASB – Both agree w/ CSB that they were raised at Jesus’ death but did not come out of the tombs until Jesus was resurrected.
• NIV believes they were raised and came out of their tombs at Jesus’ death and just didn’t enter Jerusalem until the resurrection.
• Jews would not be in the cemetery during Passover because it would have defiled them.
• These resurrections were just more proof of God’s resurrection power for the public.

54 When the centurion (possibly the same one who gave Jesus a drink in verse 48) and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

• Refer to Luke 23:47

55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him were there, watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.[1]

• What name is missing?
• Mary, mother of Jesus.
• Possibly at John’s house where Jesus told John to take her.

 
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - “If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, 23 you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.[2]

• If a man is hanged on a tree, he must be buried by sundown.
• Jesus had to hang on a tree (as God’s curse) rather than be stoned.
• Refer to John 19:31

 
THE BURIAL OF JESUS
57 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released.

• Refer to John 19:38

59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.

• Refer to Luke 23:54

61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. [3]
 
MARK 15:38-47
38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
40 There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger (less) and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women followed him and took care of him. Many other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.[4]

• Luke 8:3 – They ministered to Jesus financially. It was much more blessed to give than to receive.
• Refer to Luke 23:49

THE BURIAL OF JESUS
42 When it was already evening, because it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body.

• Refer Matthew 27:57

44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph.

• Joseph received Jesus’ body.
• What day of the week was it?
• From the Talmud: (unredeemed Jews)

On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, “He is going forth to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one of you who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.’ But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover! [A Florentine Ms. Adds: and the eve of Sabbath.] (Sanhedrin 43a)

• Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - “If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, 23 you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.[5]
• They had to get his body down before sundown on Friday.
• Refer to John 19:38

46 After he bought some linen cloth, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen.

• Refer to John 19:39- 40

Then he laid him in a tomb cut out of the rock and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.[6]

• Refer to Luke 23:55

 
LUKE 23:47-49
47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous (innocent)!”

• Followed by…
• Matthew 27:54 - they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.

• When those who had called for the release of Barabbas realized their mistake they began the process of grieving.
• Refer to Mark 15:40

49 But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. [7]

• Refer to Matthew 27:55

 
THE BURIAL OF JESUS
50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan and action.

• Joseph was not involved… not present at Jesus’ religious trial.

He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.

• Refer to Mark 15:44

52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

• In the ground part of the day on Friday.
• Refer to Mark 15:47

55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.[8]

• When did they purchase the spices? Before the Sabbath.
• End here…

 
John 19:31-42
JESUS’S SIDE PIERCED
31 Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away.

• Edersheim says: “The Sabbath about to open was a ‘high day’ – it was both a Sabbath and the second Pascal Day, which was regarded as in every respect equally sacred with the first.”  (Book V: p. 613)
• They wanted their legs broken so they would suffocate.
• They could no longer press up on their legs to get a breath.

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

• Blood came out first… some believe that Jesus died from a broken heart.

35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken.

• Fulfillment of Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12 and Psalm 34:20.

37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.

• Zechariah 12:10 - “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for him as one weeps for a firstborn.[9]
• What generation of Jews is this in reference to?
• In reference to the 2nd Coming of Jesus
• Refer Mark 15:42

 
JESUS’S BURIAL
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away.

• Refer to Luke 23:50 (1st time)

39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes.

• Refer to Mark 15:46 (1st time)

40 They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it.

• Refer to Matthew 27:60

42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby. [10]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:50–56). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 21:22–23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:57–61). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:38–41). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 21:22–23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:42–47). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:45–49). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:50–56). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Zec 12:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 19:31–42). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Menorah – Middle light, Ner Elohim, the Westernmost Lamp, the Lamp of God, the Servant Lamp –Specially prized.

• The Ner Elohim Lamp quit burning in 30 AD.
• From the Talmud: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the westernmost light shine. (Yoma 39b)

 

• Genesis 1:3-5 - Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day. [1]
• Light was created the first day.

 

• Genesis 1:14-19 - 14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. 15 They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night—as well as the stars. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, 18 to rule the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 Evening came and then morning: the fourth day. [2]
• The sun was created on the fourth day.
• Menorah- Picture
• How many days were in the Creation?
  - 7 Days
  - 1-3 – 4 – 5-7 Days

 

• From Josephus (an unredeemed Jew who was an historian):

Over against this table, near the southern wall, was set a candlestick of cast gold, hollow within, being of the weight of one hundred pounds… It was made with its knops, and lilies, and pomegranates, and bowls (which ornaments amounted to seventy in all); by which means the shaft elevated itself on high from a single base, and spread itself into as many branches as there are planets, including the sun among them. It terminated in seven heads, in one row, all standing parallel to one another; and these branches carried seven lamps, one by one, in imitation of the number of the planets. These lamps looked to the east and to the south, the candlestick being situate obliquely. (Antiquities, Book III, Chapter VI, Paragraph 7)

• Josephus realized that the sun, located at the center of our solar system, was providing light for the planets visible to early man.
• Mercury, Venus, Earth (or moon), Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
• It seems therefore, that he concluded the sun served as the middle lamp (Servant Lamp) of our universe.
• If this is so, the sun is a picture of “the Son” who is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5)
• “The Son” that Josephus failed to recognize as Savior!

 
The Legend of Azazel

• Day of Atonement – All sin would be atoned for one day of the year.
• Hebrews 9:6-7 – With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry. 7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.[3]
• What is the difference between atonement and forgiveness?
  - Covered but not removed
• High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies twice.
  - 1st time with the blood of a bull to cover his own sin.
  - Then two goats were brought to the High Priest, lots were cast and one of the goats was sacrificed.
   - The High Priest would then take the blood of the sacrificed goat into the Holy of Holies and offer it as sacrifice for the rest of the Jews sins… to be covered.

 

• Leviticus 16:8-10 - After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other for an uninhabitable place (Scapegoat or Azazel), A, (Lit for Azazel) B, (Perhaps a term that means “for the goat that departs,” or “for removal,” or “for a rough, difficult place,” or “for a goat demon”)[4] 9 he is to present the goat chosen by lot for the Lord and sacrifice it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot for an uninhabitable place is to be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement with it by sending it into the wilderness for an uninhabitable place. [5]

 

• From the Talmud:
  If you assume it was Rabbai Johannan ben Zaccai [who made the rule], was there in the days of Rabbai Johannan Zaccai a thread of scarlet [which turned white]? Has it not been taught: Rabbai Johannan Zaccai lived altogether a hundred and twenty years. For forty years he was in business, forty years he studied, and forty years he taught’, and it has further been taught: ‘For forty years before the destruction of the Temple the thread of scarlet never turned white but it remained red.’ (Rosh HaShana 31b)
• They tied a red ribbon on the scapegoat which turned white as it ran away.
• During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white. (Yoma 39b)

 

• From the Jewish Encyclopedia:

Day of Atonement – A man was selected, preferably a priest, to take the goat to the precipice in the wilderness; and he was accompanied part of the way by the most eminent men of Jerusalem. Ten booths had been constructed at intervals along the road leading from Jerusalem to the steep mountain. At each one of these the man leading the goat was formally offered food and drink, which he, however, refused. When he reached the tenth booth those who accompanied him proceeded no further, but watched the ceremony from a distance. When he came to the precipice he divided the scarlet thread into two parts, one of which he tied to the rock and the other to the goat’s horns, and then pushed the goat down (Yoma vi. 1-8). The cliff was so high and rugged that before the goat had traversed half the distance to the plain below, its limbs were utterly shattered. Men were stationed at intervals along the way, and as soon as the goat was thrown down the precipice, they signaled to one another by means of kerchiefs or flags, until the information reached the high priest, whereat he proceeded with the other parts of the ritual.
 
The scarlet thread was a symbolic reference to Isaiah 1:18; and the Talmud tells us (ib.39a) that during the forty years that Simon the Just was high priest, the thread actually turned white as soon as the goat was thrown over the precipice; a sign that the sins of the people were forgiven. In later time the change to white was not invariable: a proof of the people’s moral and spiritual deterioration, that was gradually on the increase, until forty years before the destruction of the Second Temple, when the change of the color was no longer observed (i.e. 39b).
 

• Hebrews 10:12 - But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.[6]
• The sacrificial system that had been in effect for years was not obsolete because of Jesus’ blood.
• Mishnah – 220 AD – Oral Law written down
• Talmud – 600 AD – Expanded w/ stories (Tradition written by unredeemed Jews)

 
9 - Lamps
Zechariah – Additional two branches to serve as resource to make sure the other 7 branches remained lit.

• Persians – 400 years of silence between testaments
• Alexander Great and the Greeks defeated the Persians
• Divided into four regions
• Syria - Antiochus Epiphanes defiled the Temple Mount
• Maccabees came in and rededicated the Temple Mount. There was enough oil in one branch to relight the Menorah and it burnt for 8 days.
• Two additional branches were added during the days of the Maccabees restoration and is related now to Hanukah.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 1:3–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 1:14–19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 9:6–7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Le 16:8–10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.\
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 10:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

MATTHEW 27:50-51
50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

• Jesus died physically. Previously, Jesus had died spiritually.
• Jesus gave up His life freely. No one took His life from Him.

51 Suddenly, the curtain (veil) of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom,

• From the Talmud: About the curtain we have learnt: Gamaliel said in the name of Rabbai Simeon the Deputy [High Priest]: The curtain was a handbreadth thick and was woven on seventy-two strands, and each strand consisted of twenty-four threads; “its length was forty cubits and its breadth twenty cubits, and was made up out of eighty-two myriads [of threads]. They used to make two every year; and three hundred priests were required to immerse it. (Chullin 90b)

• It was a heavy curtain
• God split from top to bottom
• Hebrews 10:19-20 - 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus--20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)[1]
• The curtain was symbolization of Jesus’ fleshly body.
• Jesus’s body veiled the Glory of God.
• The Glory of God penetrated through the body at the Mount of Transfiguration.
• Jesus’ body served as the veil.
• King Herod’s Temple:
• Exodus 25-40 – God gave Moses instructions for the Tabernacle.
• The Glory of God lived above the Mercy Seat in the Tabernacle.
• The Glory would move and lead Israel wherever God wanted the Israelites to move.
• Then judges and then the Kings
• 2 Chronicles 5
• King Solomon built the 1st Temple.
• 586 BC – Temple was destroyed by Babylonians
• Ezekiel 9-11 – The Glory of God went back to heaven.
• Israelites in captivity for 70 years.
• Persians defeated Babylonians and King Cyrus allowed some Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. (Ezra)
• The Temple was completed in 516 BC. (Ezra 6)
• The Glory of God never re-entered the Temple.
• God sends two prophets – Haggai & Zechariah
• Haggai 2:9 - “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Armies. “I will provide peace in this place”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. [2]
• King Herod refurbishes the Temple from 19 BC – 64 AD. (83 years total)
• Luke 2 – The Glory of God shone around them.
• Jesus walks into the Temple and fulfills the prophecy of Haggai 2:9.
• The veil pointed to Christ’s Body
• Revelation 1:6 - To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.[3]
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 - We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.[4]
• Colossians 1:27 - God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[5]
• 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 - 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. [6]
• Acts 6:7 - So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. [7]
• It was because of Jesus’ death
• From the Talmud: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple... the doors of the Hekal would open by themselves, until Rabbai Johanan Ben Zakkai rebuked them, saying: Hekal, Hekal, why wilt thou be the alarmer thyself? I know about thee that thou wilt be destroyed, for Zechariah ben Ido has already prophesied concerning thee: Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. (Yoma 39b)
• The doors of the Temple mysteriously opened by themselves in 30 AD.
• From Josephus: Morevover, the eastern gate of the inner [court of the] temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night. Now those that kept watch in the temple came hereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it; who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty was able to shut the gate again. This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of the enemies. So these publicly declared that the signal foreshowed the desolation that was coming upon them. (Wars VI:5;3)

 
Menorah – Golden Lampstand – Golden Candlestick

• South side of the Holy Place
• 7 branches with middle branch called the Ner Elohim (the Lamp of God, western lamp, or the Shamash – Servant Lamp)
• Table of Showbread & Alter of Incense
• This lampstand provided light for the priests.
• From the Talmud: (unredeemed Jews) - [The seven lamps] shall give light in front of the candlestick; this teaches that they were made to face the western lamp and the western lamp faced the Shechinah; and Rabbai Johanan said: This shows that the middle one is specially prized.
• From the Jewish Encyclopedia: The... “Ner Elohim” (1 Sam. Iii.3), was left burning all day and was refilled in the evening. It served to light all the lamps. The Ner Elohim contained no more oil than the other lamps, a half-log measure (1 log contains the liquid of six eggs), sufficient to last during the longest winter night (Men. 89a); yet by a miracle that lamp regularly burned till the following evening (ib. 86b). This miracle, however, ceased after the death of Simeon the Righteous, who was high priest forty years before the destruction of the Temple. (Yoma 39b)
• From the Talmud: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the westernmost light shine. (Yoma 39b)

 

• John 8:12 – Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”[8]
• John 9:5 - As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”[9]
• Revelation 1:9-16 - I, John, your brother and partner in the affliction, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
• 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 The hair of his head was white as wool—white as snow—and his eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength.[10]
• He saw a Menorah with the Western Lamp as Jesus.
• Revelation 21:23 -  23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.[11]
• Matthew 27:45-46 - 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[12]
• The light went out in the Temple in 30 AD.

But now the light shines through us.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 10:19–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Hag 2:9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Re 1:5–6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 3:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 1:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 4:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 6:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 8:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 9:5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Re 1:9–16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Re 21:22–23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:45–46). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

(refer to Luke 23:44)
MATTHEW 27:45-50
THE DEATH OF JESUS
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land.
46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

• Matthew 6:9 – 9 “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven,[1]
• Matthew 11:25-27 - 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,[2]
• 26 Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure. 27 All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.[3]
• Matthew 26:39 –
• Matthew 26:42 –
• Matthew 26:44 -

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”

• Romans said this… not the Jews.
• Edersheim: “We can scarcely doubt, that these were the soldiers who stood by the Cross. They were not necessarily Romans; on the contrary, as we have seen, these Legions were generally recruited from Provincials. On the other hand, no Jew would have mistaken Eli for Elijah, not yet misinterpreted a quotation of Psalm 22:1 as a call for that prophet. And it must be remembered, that the words were not whispered, but cried with a loud voice.” (Book V; p. 607)

(refer to John 19:28)
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink.
(refer to John 19:30)
49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.[4]
 
MARK 15:33-37
33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “See, he’s calling for Elijah.”
36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, offered him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last.[5]
 
LUKE 23:44-46
THE DEATH OF JESUS
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed.

• It was a heaven-sent darkness that lasted for three hours.
• It was as though all of creation was sympathizing with the Creator.
• There were three days of darkness in Egypt before Passover (Ex. 10:21–23); and there were three hours of darkness before the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world.[6]

(refer to Matthew 27:46)
The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last. [7]

• Did anyone take Jesus’ life or did He offer it freely?
• John 10:18 - No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” [8]

(refer to John 19:30)
 
JOHN 19:28-30
THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS
28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled,

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.[9]
• Every person would become righteous as He was righteous.
• That’s why He died… for our benefit.
• He gave His life so that we may have life.
• “after this” - Jesus has now been resurrected spiritually.

he said, “I’m thirsty.”

• Sin creates a real thirst.
• Jesus and the woman at the well… “You will never thirst again.”
• Luke 16:24 - 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’ [10]
• The world is thirsty… The thirst never leaves.
• We call this a vacuum… a hole… a desire.
• When you figure out your identity in Christ… the things of this world don’t matter to you.
• When you learn to live your life by another source you quit seeking the things of this world.
• Your thirst is quenched.
• Eventually people will seek you out and ask you how you never thirst.

(refer to Matthew 27:48)
29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.”

• What is finished?

(refer to Luke 23:46)
Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.[11]

• He gave it up
• Where did He go while His body was in the tomb?
• Sheoul/Hades = underworld
• 1 Peter 3:18-19 - For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared.[12]
• What happened on the cross that relates to us?
• Ephesians 2:3 - We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.[13]
• It was not our specific sins that condemns us… it was our nature… our sinful nature.
• My nature died through the body of Christ… not His blood.
• Old Testament believers’ sins were removed at the cross.
• They were previously “atoned” – covered.
• The blood forgives sin. How many sins?
• Past… present… future.
• Hebrews 9:15 - Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.[14]
• The Law is going to live forever… So I had to die to the Law through the avenue of a new covenant.

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[15]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 6:9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 11:25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 11:25–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:45–50). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:33–37). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 103). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:44–46). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 10:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 5:21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 16:24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 19:28–30). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Pe 3:18–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 9:15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 2:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Matthew 27:25 (review)
25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

• In reference to Roman General Titus destroying Jerusalem in 70 AD.

 
Begin at Luke 23:27
 
MATTHEW 27:34-44
34 they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. But when he tasted it, he refused to drink it.

• It was to deaden the pain and make prisoner easier to deal with.
• Jesus was going to take on the full force of the pain.

(Refer Mark 15:23)
35 After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and were guarding him there. 37 Above his head they put up the charge against him in writing: This Is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
38 Then two criminals were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
39 Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

• Bullying… taunting.

41 In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, 42 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (that was a sarcastic lie) 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue him now—if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
(Refer Luke 23:36)
44 In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.[1]
 
MARK 15:23-32
23 They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

• Prophesy in Psalm 69:21 fulfilled.
• Psalm 69:21 - Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. [2]
• Now we get to the first of 3 hours on the cross.

24 Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning (3rd hour – Jewish time which started at 6AM) when they crucified him.

• Same time as the Chagigah Sacrifice

(Refer to Luke 23:33)
26 The inscription of the charge written against him was: The King of the Jews. 27 They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ha! The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross!” 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.[3]
 
LUKE 23:27-43
27 A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him.

• Luke 19:41 - As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it[4]

28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

• Jesus says “weep for yourselves.”
• Josephus in relation to 70 AD (War Vi, 4)
• “… She slew her son, and then roasted him, and eat the one half of him, and kept the other half by her concealed. Upon this the seditious came in presently, and smelling the horrid scent of this food, they threatened her that they would cut her throat immediately if she did not show them what food she had gotten ready. She replied that she had saved a very fine portion of it for them, and withal uncovered what was left of her son. Hereupon they were seized with a horror and amazement of mind, and stood astonished at the sight, when she said to them, “This is mine own son, and what hath been done was mine own doing! Come, eat of this food; for I have eaten of it myself! Do not you pretend to be more tender than a woman, or more compassionate than a mother; but if you be so scrupulous, and do abominate this my sacrifice, as I have eaten the one half, let the rest be reserved for me also.” After which those men went out trembling, being never so much affrighted at anything as they were at this, and with some difficulty they left the rest of that meat to the mother. Upon which the whole city was full of this horrid action immediately; and whole everybody laid this miserable case before their own eyes, they trembled, as if this unheard of action had been done my themselves.”
  
  

CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO CRIMINALS
32 Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him.
(Refer to Matthew 27:34)
33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

• “They” – Acts 3:17 – “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your leaders also did.”[5]
• Not Annas, Caiaphas & Pilate
• There is a difference between ignorance and blatant disobedience.
• “Do works for God” – that is what they were taught and all they know.
• “Do works for God” – they continue to teach error because they won’t change their mind or they are building an institution.
• I literally had to leave my position to be able to teach freely what I had come to understand.
• It didn’t make me better… just more free.
• I won’t go back.
• I still have areas where I am ignorant.

(Refer to John 19:23)
35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.

• 4 different groups of people harassed and mocked Jesus.

39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”[6]

• Sheoul – Abraham’s Bosom – Hell

(refer to John 19:25)
 
JOHN 19:18-27
18 There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

• The cause of guilt was always placed above the prisoner.
• Pilate is adding insult to injury.
• Pilate was naming Jesus the King of the Jews.
• The Jews didn’t like this at all.

(Refer to Matthew 27:39)
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.
(Psalm 22:18)
This is what the soldiers did.
(Refer to John 19:19)
 
JESUS’S PROVISION FOR HIS MOTHER
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

• Why was Mary there?
• Luke 2:34-35 - 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed--35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” [7]

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”

• The 1st born usually took care of the mother.
• His half siblings didn’t even believe Jesus was the Messiah until His resurrection.
• John was Jesus’ beloved disciple.

27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. [8]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:34–44). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ps 69:21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:23–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 19:41). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 3:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:27–43). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 2:34–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 19:18–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

JOHN 19:15 (Review)
15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.

• The Jewish nation fell right into Pilate’s hands
• Pilate wants the Jews to crucify Jesus so he can keep his position.
• The Jewish leaders want Pilate (Rome) to crucify Jesus so they can keep their positions.

 
MATTHEW 27:24-33
JESUS OR BARABBAS
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!”

• Was Pilate really for Jesus?
• Acts 4:27 - “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,[1]
• The believers didn’t think Pilate was innocent.

25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

• The Jewish leaders had accused Jesus of performing miracles under the power of Beelzebub.
• The followers believed the leaders.
• They continued to listen to their teachers who taught in error.
• They were dead wrong and they were going to suffer from it.
• Personal: What is my responsibility?
• Read last paragraph of notes
• Don’t become dependent on me
• You need to grow in spiritual maturity where you can consistently hear messages and be able to filter them through the 66 books.
• I will always tell you what you hear may not be true… even when it comes from pastors.
• “His blood be on us and on our children.” Is prophetic of what is to come.
• 70 AD – Titus has 1.1 million Jews killed.
• (Refer to Luke 23:24)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.

• Matthew is not in chronological order (Luke is)
• Jesus has already been scourged by Pilate (not a 2nd time)
• Eusebius – Ecclesiastical History, II, 7, page 43)
  “It is proper also, to observe, how it is asserted that this same Pilate, who was governor at our Savior’s crucifixion in the reign of Calus, whose times we are recording, fell into such calamities that he was forced to become his own murderer and the avenger of his own wickedness. Divine justice, it seems, did not long protract his punishment. This is stated by the Greek historians who have recorded the Olympiads in order, together with the transactions of the times.
• (Refer to Mark 15:16)

 
MOCKED BY THE MILITARY
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole company around him. 28 They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe. 29 They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head.

• Genesis 3:18 – (God cursed the ground in relation to Adam’s sin) – 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. [2]
• Galatians 3 – Jesus would become a curse.
• (Refer to Mark 15:20)

31 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO CRIMINALS
32 As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced him to carry his cross. 33 When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull),[3]
 
MARK 15:16-20
MOCKED BY THE MILITARY
16 The soldiers led him away into the palace (that is, the governor’s residence) and called the whole company together.
(Refer to Matthew 27:28)
17 They dressed him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They were hitting him on the head with a stick and spitting on him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying him homage. 20 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple robe and put his clothes on him.
(Refer to John 19:17)
CRUCIFIED BETWEEN TWO CRIMINALS
They led him out to crucify him. 21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’s cross. He was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. [4]

• The Romans didn’t want Jesus to die before He got to the place of the cross.
• Cyrene was a place in North Africa – Map Picture
• Most famous person I met: Coach Tom Landry - Pic
• Rufus – who is Rufus?
• Romans 16:13 - Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine.[5]
• Not Paul’s physical mother but his spiritual mother.
• 1 Timothy 5:1-2 - Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.[6]
• This is all we know about Simon of Cyrene.
• He came home and told his son Rufus about carrying the cross of His Savior.
• Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.[7]
• Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[8]
• I died with Christ… His cross is my cross.

 
LUKE 23:24-26
JESUS OR BARABBAS
24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder.

• Pilate released Barabbas (Son of the Father)
• Arrested for insurrection and murder.

But he handed Jesus over to their will.

• (Refer to Matthew 27:26)

THE WAY TO THE CROSS
26 As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.[9]
 
JOHN 19:17
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.[10]

• Pictures of Golgotha from Israel
• (Refer to Mark 15:21)

_______________________________________________
“Understanding the Spirits role, how would you communicate this message if your eighteen-year-old son had made up his mind to walk away from everything you have taught him, morally ethically and theologically, unless he had a compelling reason not to?”

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 4:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 3:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:24–33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:16–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 16:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Ti 5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 16:24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 2:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:24–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 19:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

LUKE 23:6-12  (Review)
JESUS FACES HEROD ANTIPAS
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
- Pilate placed into leadership by Sejanus.

• Sejanus lost the trust of Tiberius.
• Tiberius devised a plan to rid Sejanus of his evil ways.
• Sejanus was arrested, tried and executed all in the same day.

7 Finding that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time, he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies.[1]

• Any time a person values their job more than they value their integrity, they will always compromise their decisions.
• Any time a leader lacks integrity then the people that support the leader will lack integrity and history has proven that nation will not stand.
• (Refer to Luke 23:13)

 
MATTHEW 27:15-26
JESUS OR BARABBAS
15 At the festival the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
19 While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.”
20 The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus.

• Pilate’s wife confirmed that Jesus was innocent.

21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
“Barabbas!” they answered.

• Barabbas = Bar-abba = “son of the father”
• Some ancient manuscripts of Matthew have his full name, Jesus Barabbas – “Jesus, son of the father”
• Coincidence?
• (Refer to Luke 23:18)

22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?”
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong?”
But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.[2]
 
MARK 15:6-15
JESUS OR BARABBAS
6 At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion.

• Charge against Barabbas was sedition against Rome.
• Conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

8 The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. 9 Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?” 10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.

• (Refer to Matthew 27:19)

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. 12 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the King of the Jews?”
13 Again they shouted, “Crucify him!”
14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?”
But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!”
15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. [3]
 
LUKE 23:13-25
JESUS OR BARABBAS
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people. But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse him of.

• No civil charges had been brought to Pilate
• They did refer to Jesus as “a king”

15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”

• (Refer to John 18:39)

18 Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

• Barabbas convicted of murder
• Jesus was innocent
• “Well, that’s not fair.”
• Jesus died unfairly for the unfair.
• Life here on earth is not fair.
• Our kids drop that line all the time.
•  (Refer to John 19:1)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices won out. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.[4]
 
JOHN 18:39 – 19:16
39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

• Jewish custom
•  - (Refer to Mark 15:6)

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
 
JESUS FLOGGED AND MOCKED
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

• Scourged with whip (Pieces of bone & glass)
• There was an artistry to scourging.
• Eusebius – Ecclesiastical History, IV, 15)
  “For… those standing around were struck with amazement, at seeing them lacerated with scourges to their very blood and arteries, so that now the flesh concealed in the very inmost parts of the body and bowels themselves were exposed to view.” These blows would have also been directed toward the face, fulfilling Isaiah 52:14 – ‘So His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.’”

2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe.

• Mocking him.

3 And they kept coming up to him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping his face.
4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging him.”

• 3rd time Pilate states that Jesus is innocent.

5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

• “Behold the man!”
• No slang name… no corrupt name.
• Pilate saw something in Jesus that he respected Him at his own sentencing.
• Pilate… who hated the Jews, respected Jesus.
• “Behold the Man.”

 
PILATE SENTENCES JESUS TO DEATH
6 When the chief priests and the temple servants saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.”
7 “We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

• Pilate freaked out at this point.
• His wife’s voice was in his head.

8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. 9 He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?”

• Inflection… demanding? curiosity? For real?
• Pilate is fascinated with Jesus’ life

But Jesus did not give him an answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”

• Pilate had no idea this was the Trinity’s plan from eternity past.
• Pilate had no idea that Jesus preferred to go to the cross rather than be released.

11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

• Did God hand Jesus over to Pilate? No…
• Jesus is referring to Caiaphas (the Roman High Priest), indicting both the Jews and the Romans.

12 From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”

• Remember what happened to Sejanus?

13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic, Gabbatha). 14 It was the preparation day for the Passover (Friday), and it was about noon (6th hour – Roman time - 12/12).

• Day of preparation for the Chagigah sacrifice.
• Can’t possibly be Noon because then it would contradict Mark 15:25)
• Mark 15:25 - 25 Now it was nine in the morning (3rd hour – Jewish time – 6 to 6 – Sunrise/Sundown)  when they crucified him.[5]

Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”
15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.

• Are you kidding me?
• The Jews are going to recognize Caesar as their sovereign leader?
• They have just blasphemed.
• The same crime they were convicting Jesus of.
• They just freed up Pilate…
• Roman officials recorded their response and sent it back to Caesar.
• Pilate just won.
• Pilate had washed his hands of Jesus.
• The Jewish leaders will be responsible for Jesus’ death.
• And Pilate looks good in the eyes of Roman leadership.

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified.[6]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:6–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:15–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:6–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:13–25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 18:39–19:16). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

JOHN 18:28-32 (Review)
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. (Chagigah)
29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”
30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.” (no charge because their primary witness, Judas, was dead)
31 Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.” (Pilate was actually giving them permission to override the law the Romans had implemented that year.)
“It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. (They were afraid the multitudes would revolt and cause them to lose their system/jobs.)
32 They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die. [1]
 
John 8
3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.
Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”] [2]

• This was 30 AD… the same year that Romans had removed the authority of the Jews to administer capital punishment.
• It was a trap because the Law given to Moses said she had to be stoned but the Roma ns wouldn’t allow it (otherwise Jesus would have been crucified then).
• Jewish Law wouldn’t allow anyone to participate in stoning if they had committed the same sin.
• Jesus, “somehow knew”, that all those who came to stone this woman had committed the same sin.
• Refer to Luke 23:1

 
MATTHEW 27:11-14
JESUS FACES THE GOVERNOR
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. “Are you the King of the Jews?” the governor asked him.
Jesus answered, “You say so.” 12 While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he didn’t answer.
13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how much they are testifying against you?” 14 But he didn’t answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.[3]

• Who wins? The man who never opens his mouth.
• I said this week that I am posting less and less on Facebook… One of the comments was “why?”
• I could spend the rest of my life defending myself in what I believe, what I do and what I teach.
• No one has time for that.
• If I don’t reply or comment back… I’m rude.
• It’s just easier to keep quiet and deliver truth for those who actually want to hear rather than pick it apart.
• People will always talk about you and accuse you.
• Keep walking by the Spirit.
• Would you rather have yourself or Jesus defending you?
• Then stick to what you know is true.
• Refer to Luke 23:4

 
JESUS FACES PILATE
Mark 15:1-5
1 As soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
2 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered him, “You say so.”
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of!” 5 But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed. [4]
 
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
John 18:33-38
33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

• Nothing mentioned about taxes
• “Are you a king?”
• “Are you a competitor to Caesar?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”

• “Are you asking me as a Roman or as from the Jewish leaders?”

35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?”

• “Are you a competitor of my king?”

Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus.

• Yes, He admitted that He is a King;
• but His kingdom (reign) does not come from the authority of the world.
• The Jews were under Roman authority, and Pilate was under the authority of the emperor; but Jesus derived His authority from God.
• His kingdom is spiritual, in the hearts of His followers; and He does not depend on worldly or fleshly means to advance His cause.
• If His kingdom were from the world, by now His followers would have assembled an army and fought to release Him.[5]
• Jesus came to be the king and establish His kingdom on the earth but He was rejected by His own people.
• That would have made John the Baptist… Elijah
• But it didn’t happen and Jesus is declaring His kingdom is NOT NOW.

“If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

• Pilate is processing this statement in light of Sejanus.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

• Everyone who is “of the truth” – Who is this?
• Believers
• Does intellectualism cause you to understand the truth?
• Pilate was very intellectual.
• Jesus just said, “I am the King of the Truth.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. [6]

• Pilate was not of the Truth therefore he could not recognize the truth.
• Pilate is looking at the source of truth and asking what is truth?
• Those who are “of the truth” are clued in to what we are teaching.
• Look… when crisis occurs… and it will… I am always going to give the same instruction:
• 1) Keep your mouth shut and seek the wisdom of a small circle of friends you absolutely trust.
• Quit telling everyone your story, trying to get sympathy or someone who will be in agreement with your selfish/fleshly opinion.
• JUST STOP!!!
• 2) Go to the King of Truth (prayer & Word)
• He will tell you everything you need to know.
• Pilate doesn’t want Jesus to win
• Both He and the Jews are going to lose.
• Refer to Matthew 27:12

 
JESUS FACES PILATE
Luke 23:1-12
1 Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”

• Charge: Sedition against Rome
• Pilate hated the Jews
• "...Sejanus, who was then in great favor with Tiberius, had made every effort to destroy the whole nation of the Jews from the foundation, and that in Pontius Pilate under whom the crimes were committed against our Savior, having attempted everything contrary to what was lawful among the Jews respecting the Temple at Jerusalem, which was then yet standing, excited them to the greatest tumults." (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History ii, V.)
• On another occasion, Pilate used money from the Temple treasury to construct an aqueduct. When the Jews assembled outside his quarters to protest, he ordered soldiers to dress like the Jews and mingle among the crowd. On his signal, the soldiers drew clubs hidden in their clothes and beat and killed many of the Jews. (Josephus Ant. XVIII, 3.2.)
• Pilate hated the Jews… why would he be OK with one declaring himself “a king”?
• Refer to John 18:33

3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.”
4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.”
5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.” [7]

• Galilee – that was Herod’s territory!

 
JESUS FACES HEROD ANTIPAS
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

• Pilate doesn’t want to be the bad guy here!

7 Finding that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

• It’s the Passover – Herod was not a Jew.

8 Herod (Antipas) was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time, he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him.

• Herod wanted to see a magic show!
• Luke 9:7-9 - HEROD’S DESIRE TO SEE JESUS
• Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, 8 some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen. 9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see him.[8]
• Herod is not “of the truth”.
• He was wanting to see some amazing things!

9 So he kept asking him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.

• Again, Jesus used no words to defend Himself.
• Jesus won by not saying anything.
• My flesh would have gone off on Herod.

10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing, and sent him back to Pilate.

• Abused Him.
• Bullied
• Jesus said… nothing.

12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been enemies. [9]

• Herod sensed that Pilate was affirming Herod’s leadership.
• Pilate just didn’t want anything to do with it.
• Herod was ruthless.
• In 39 AD – Herodias, Herod’s wife, suggested that Herod go to Rome to be king.
• Herod listened to her and went to Rome, where they exiled him to France and he died a pauper.

It would benefit you to marry a wise person.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 18:28–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 8:3–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:11–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:1–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 378). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 18:33–38). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:1–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 9:7–9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:6–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Review
 - Jeremiah 7 & 19 – The Scribes purchased the exact land that had been cursed by Jeremiah.
​
Matthew 27:2, 11-14
JESUS HANDED OVER TO PILATE
1 When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. 2 After tying him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.[1]

• Refer to John 18:28

 
JESUS FACES PILATE
Mark 15:1-5
1 As soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.[2]
 
JESUS FACES PILATE
Luke 23:1-5
1 Then their whole assembly rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”[3]
 
JESUS BEFORE PILATE
John 18:28-38
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters (praetorium).
 - Probably previously built by Herod the Great in Jerusalem at the northwest corner of the city walls in the Upper City.
 - Pilate was Governor over the Jews from 26-36 AD.
 - Pilate hated the Jews.
 - Luke 13:1 - Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.[4]
It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

• Jesus had previously eaten the Paschal meal with His disciple
• Feast of the Unleavened Bread is also referred to as the Passover.
• Luke 22:1 - Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.[5]
• Leviticus 23 – Rules for the 7/8 Feasts

1) Sabbath
2) Passover
3) Unleavened Bread
4) First Fruits
5) Pentecost
6) Atonement
7) Tabernacle (Booths)

• The Feast of the Unleavened Bread lasted 7 days.
• Passover was seven days.
• So when referred to in the Scripture it could be talking about anytime during the 7 days and it we have to fit the moment into a timeline that works.
• Jesus had already eaten the Pashcal meal with His Disciples on Thursday.
• This passage has to refer to the Chagigah Meal eaten on Friday at 9 AM.
• Deuteronomy 16:2-3 - 2 Sacrifice to the Lord your God a Passover animal from the herd or flock in the place where the Lord chooses to have his name dwell. 3 Do not eat leavened bread with it. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of hardship—because you left the land of Egypt in a hurry—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.[6]
• “It” is in reference to the Chagigah sacrifice.
  
  

The Three Things (Edersheim)
We have already explained that according to the Rabbis, As specially applied to the Passover, This burnt-offering was to be taken only from ‘Cholin’ (or profane substance), that is, from such as did not otherwise belong to the Lord, either as tithes, firstlings, or things devoted, etc. might be twofold. The first Chagigah was offered on the 14th of Nisan, the day of the Paschal sacrifice, and formed afterwards part of the Paschal Supper. The second Chagigah was offered on the 15th of Nisan, or the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. It is this second Chagigah which the Jews were afraid they might be unable to eat, if they contracted defilement in the judgment-hall of Pilate. In reference to the first Chagigah, the Mishanah lays down the rule, that As in the case of all other peace-offerings, part of this Chagigah might be kept, though not for longer than one night and two days from its sacrifice. Being a voluntary offering, it was lawful to bring it from sacred things (such as tithes of the flock). But the Chagigah for the 15th of Nisan was obligatory, and had therefore to be brought from ‘Cholin.’ As stated in a previous chapter, all the twenty-four courses, into which the priests were arranged, ministered in the Temple on this, as on the other great festivals, and they distributed among themselves alike what fell to them of the festive sacrifices and the shewbread. But the course which, in its proper order, was on duty for the week, alone offered all votive, and voluntary, and the public sacrifices for the whole congregation, such as those of the morning and the evening.[7]
 

• They had already been cleansed for the Paschal sacrifice the night before.
• Now they are concerned about being cleansed for another sacrifice… the Chagigah sacrifice.
• Mishnah – “Dwelling places of gentiles [in the Land of Israel] are unclean.”[8]
• Leviticus 22:6 - 6 the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening and is not to eat from the holy offerings unless he has bathed his body with water.[9]
• Mishnah - 6:3       A. When does one [also] bring a [free will] festal offering with it [over and above the Passover offering]?
•    B. When [the Passover offering] is offered on an ordinary day, [with most people] in a state of cleanness, and [meat of the Passover offering] is not sufficient [for all registered for it].
•    C. But when it is offered on the Sabbath, and [meat] is abundant, and [most people are] in a state of uncleanness,
•    D. they do not bring with it a [free will] festal offering.[10]
• From a Jewish perspective, they had to remain cleansed for the next sacrificial offering that was to take place at 9 AM on Friday.
• It is the only way we can reconcile John 18:28

 
29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?”

• Roman law demanded that a formal charge be brought before trial.
• Judas was dead.
• The charge during the “religious trial” was blasphemy.

30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

• They didn’t have a civil charge against Jesus.

31 Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.”

• Pilate didn’t care for the Jews.

“It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. 32 They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die.

• Galatians – 3:13 -  13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. (Deuteronomy 21:23) [11]
• Babylonian Talmud -     If we should proposed that it is R. Yohanan ben Zakkai, did he ever sit in a sanhedrin [that tried a murder case]? And has it not been taught on Tannaite authority: The lifetime of R. Yohanan ben Zakkai was a hundred and twenty years. For forty years he engaged in trade, for forty years he studied [Torah], and for forty years he taught. And it has been taught on Tannaite authority: Forty years before the destruction of the Temple the sanhedrin went into exile and conducted its sessions in Hanut. And said R. Isaac bar Abodimi, “That is to say that the sanhedrin did not judge cases involving penalties.”[12]
• What about the fact that to fulfill the prophecy that Jesus was to be crucified, God took away the ability for the Jewish Sanhedrin to try capital cases?
• The exact same year that Jesus was to die.
• If the Jews would have tried and convicted Jesus, He would have been stoned.
• The only way he could be crucified on the cross was if the Romans convicted Him because that is how they put their criminals to death.[13]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Lk 13:1–2). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[5] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Lk 22:1). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 16:2–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Edersheim, A. (1959). The Temple, its ministry and services as they were at the time of Jesus Christ. (pp. 218–219). London: James Clarke & Co.
[8] Neusner, J. (1988). The Mishnah : A new translation (p. 980). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Le 22:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Neusner, J. (1988). The Mishnah : A new translation (p. 240). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 3:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Neusner, J. (2011). The Babylonian Talmud: A Translation and Commentary (Vol. 16, p. 207). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 18:28–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.