As we remember every detail fulfilled by Jesus the last week leading to the cross, we can stand in Awe of God’s Sovereign control of every detail.  He is still in Sovereign control of every detail today.  So, as we look at the passages in Luke 22, let us look with awe and wonder.  Let us remember that all God plans, Jesus amazingly completes.  Therefore, all that He has planned for you and I will also be completed perfectly as God has planned.  Knowing this and remembering all He has already done, we have reason to rejoice always. 

As noted in previous lessons from the series in Luke, Jesus was born in the exact location where the sacrificial lambs were born, swaddled, and laid in the manager.  He triumphally entered Jerusalem exactly on the day prophesied by Daniel.  Additionally, that was the day the sacrificial lambs were also brought into Jerusalem, the 10^th of Nissan (as the Jewish calendar does differ from ours). 

The Jewish leaders wanted desperately to place Jesus in jail until the Passover was past, then place Him on trial.  Their initial plans were not to crucify Him amid the Passover festivals.   Truth be told, neither did Satan want this to finalize.  Remember this scene from Matthew 16: ²¹ From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. ²² Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ^[i]“Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” ²³ But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!”

Satan’s temptations were always to thwart the completion of God’s plan of salvation. 

The Plans of Men to Destroy Jesus

So, it was there was an urgency to capture Jesus when He was away from the crowd.  He had been teaching in the temple every day.  So, it would have to be at night.

From the history of the time as recorded by Josephus, it had become necessary that not all the lambs could be slaughtered within the hours of 3.  Although this was when initially in Exodus everything was laid out.  The feast of the unleavened bread did not begin until the day after.  However, these had been changed slightly, as the northern Jews counted the day from sunrise to sunrise while the southern Jews counted it from sunset to sunset. 

Therefore the 14^th day of Nissan began in the evening (Thursday evening) for those from Galilee as was Jesus and His apostles.   This provided a way to divide the sacrifices between the two days and still fulfill them as the 14^th of Nissan.  It was perfect also for Jesus to be able to fulfill all righteousness with His apostles, partake in the Passover supper and still die exactly at 3 pm when the Passover lambs on Friday were beginning to be slain. 

God’s Plan and Timing is Perfect

Judas would have thought the perfect time to turn over Jesus would be at the supper, for Judas had already made a deal with the Jewish leaders earlier in the house of Caiaphas at a big meeting they held to rid themselves of Jesus.  Yet, notice.  Jesus did not tell them where the supper would be.  He sent them to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water.  (Usually only the women carried the water).  And He sent only two apostles, John and Peter.  As such, Judas did not have a chance to betray the place in time, as he was not able to get away once the festival began.  That is not until Jesus told him to go.  Then, Judas would have to take them to the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane to betray Jesus. 

Then all these religious men who wanted Jesus out of the way, but not dead until later.  After all they certainly did not want a riot to occur.  Nor did Satan, however they became so furious with the answers Jesus gave, they could not help themselves.  They ultimately did exactly as God had planned from before the creation of the earth.

God’s Plan in Motion, Regardless of how it looks

John McArthur wrote it beautifully,

“God goes into motion. The religious leaders go into motion. The devil goes into motion. Judas goes into action, and the disciples move. And they’re all moving in preparation for the cross to accomplish the purposes of God.

On the surface, as you read this chapter, God is hidden. God is invisible. He is behind everything. But He is moving everything. Isaiah 53:10 says, “The Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief as a guilt offering for His good pleasure.” It is the Lord God who is behind the death of Jesus Christ. It is His plan and His purpose with which Christ is in perfect agreement.”[1]

God is the only one who wanted and designed that Jesus would die exactly at 3pm on Friday, just as the sacrificial lambs began to be slaughtered.  Jesus amazingly completes the Father’s plan.  He voluntarily agreed to do the will of the Father for the JOY that was set before Him in providing redemption for sinners with whom He would fellowship forever in Glory. 

Jesus precisely at 3pm, cried out, “It is finished.  Then, Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”  Jesus gave up His Life, ransom for you and for me.  He had just spent 3 hours receiving the full wrath of God against our sin, though He had never sinned.  So that He might justly provide our salvation.  Here He committed His spirit into the hands of the Father to do as He will and that was to raise Him from the dead in three days.  IN FULL AND ABSOLUTE SURRENDER, JESUS AMAZINGLY COMPLETES THE FATHER’S WILL.  Regardless of the cost to Himself.

Therefore, Remember Jesus

As we look at these verses, let us remember Jesus and all that He has done for us.  Remember where you began and all the acts of grace He has poured out on you throughout the years. Then know this, He is coming again that you may be with Him forever in paradise. Can you imagine heaven and all its wonders?  If this broken world holds so much beauty to explore, how magnificent heaven will be.   

Luke 22:

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. ² And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

³ Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. ⁴ So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶ So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Jesus and His Disciples Prepare the Passover

⁷ Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be ^[a]killed. ⁸ And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

⁹ So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

¹⁰ And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. ¹¹ Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ ¹² Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”

¹³ So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When the hour had come, He sat down, and the ^[b]twelve apostles with Him. ¹⁵ Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; ¹⁶ for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

¹⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; ¹⁸ for I say to you, ^[c]I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

¹⁹ 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.”

²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. ²¹ But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. ²² And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

Remember all God plans, Jesus amazingly completes!

Notice what Jesus said as they drank the wine?  “This cup is the new covenant in My blood whish is shed for you.”  Yet, just before that He had spoken these words, ““¹⁸ for I say to you, ^[c]I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 

In a Galilean wedding, the covenant is made with a glass of wine.  The groom takes a sip of the wine and then passes the cup to the bride to be.  She at that moment has a choice to either take of the wine, accepting the proposal or refusing the grooms offer by not tasting of the wine. Once she accepts, the bridegroom says, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until I drink of it with you on our wedding day.”  He then goes to prepare a place for her, just as Jesus has said, “I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “ (John 14:2-3)

In the Galilean tradition, the bridegroom nor the bride determine the day in which the wedding will take place.  That is determined by the Father of the bridegroom.  Again, Jesus said regarding His return, “   “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of ^[f]heaven, but My Father only. (Matthew 24: 36)

So, how can we rejoice, always?  Remember all that God Plans, Jesus amazingly completes.  He has always throughout the ages, and He will throughout eternity.  Never forget, He is coming again to talk us to be with Him. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

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Would A God of Grace and Love Really Demand Judgement?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

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[1] John McArthur, https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/42-268/gods-preparation-for-the-final-passover, written 1/20/2008, accessed 4/24/2021

            When we look around us, even our human hearts cry out for justice.  Although, at times we may confuse what is true justice in a situation.  Because we cannot see everything or judge rightly, we sometimes feel outraged unjustly.  Still, our hearts desire what is right and just.  That desire: however, convoluted it may have become in this world is resounded forth by our youngest children screaming, “That’s not fair.”  If we want or demand justice, then why would we ever say that an All-powerful, All-seeing, Sovereign God of Grace and Love would never really demand Judgement?  We quickly stand up in defense when someone offends us.  Yet so many of us want to say, “If God truly loves then He could never condemn us for our sin?” How is that just or fair? Why would Jesus come and die to pay our penalty for sin unless justice was required?

            Furthermore, do not we humans scream at God to fix the injustices of this world?  We so often really demand judgement to fall on everyone else; but feel righteously smug within our own selves.  So, how can these human hearts determine what is just and right?  How can we understand the truth of mercy, grace, and love, while still understanding justice?  Or is that the key?  Once we understand the truth of justice, only then can we understand the depth of mercy, grace and love it took to forgive a sinner such as I.  It is then that we may begin to understand the patience with which God has dealt with humanity both individually and as nations.  That is when we can begin to understand that a God of Grace and Love must really demand Judgement of people and of nations. 

A Nation Under Judgement

How many years and with what patience has God always dealt with Israel as a nation? He continues to do so today.  Yet, we know throughout their history, it became necessary to for God to really Demand Judgement against Israel as a nation for their persistent rebellion and hardness of heart toward God.   It was necessary to destroy the evil sin that invaded the nation, to protect the remnant of true worshippers of God.    Like the wickedness that pervaded the world in the days of Noah, people who refuse to worship God or draw near to Him, drift farther and farther into depravity until that depravity threatens to destroy everything else around them.  They “exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).

So, it is that as Jesus is heading to the cross to die, paying the penalty of sin for all who would believe and accept Him as LORD and Savior, He also presented the case of why a God of grace and love must really demand judgement.  Condemnation against the nation of Israel came once more just as God demanded in 70 AD.  Yet, a remnant was saved.  History repeated itself and will repeat itself again in the future.  Love cannot be genuinely love, unless it stands firm on truth, justice, and righteousness.  Otherwise, everything and everyone would self-destruct over time.  We have witnessed that repeatedly during history.  Self-centered, self-exalting humans who are unwilling to bow before their creator in awe and wonder, always grow in the depth of depravity their own pride-filled hearts produce. 

God allows them to have what their hearts choose.  Hence their hearts become hardened.  Their eyes become blinded to seeing the truth.  And their hearing is dulled until they do not even know what is real or true. 

Why God Must Demand Judgement

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel ^[c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who ^[d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is ^[e]manifest ^[f]in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and ^[g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like ^[h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Because they Chose

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their ^[i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the ^[j]men, leaving the natural use of the ^[k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, ^[l]sexual immorality, wickedness, ^[m]covetousness, ^[n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ^31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, ^[p]unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The fact that humanity has not annihilated itself completely is due to God’s hand of grace sustaining the world.  When God’s hand releases a people to do as they desire, chaos and destruction always follows. 

Deuteronomy 32: 35-36 Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.’

“For the Lord will judge His people
And have compassion on His servants,

The Parable of the Vineyard from Luke 20

⁹ Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to ^[b]vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. ¹⁰ Now at ^[c]vintage-time hesent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. ¹² And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.

¹³ “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ ¹⁴ But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is theheir. Come,let us kill him, that the inheritance may beours.’ ¹⁵ So they cast him out of the vineyard andkilled him.  Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  ¹⁶ He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard toothers.”

And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!”

Their response is that of people today regarding God when we tell them judgement will come.  They too, cry out “Certainly not!”   Yet, it just that which God did as He sent the gospel forth first to the Jew and to the Gentile as the church age was born.  Still there is the remnant of true worshippers saved and the nation of Israel will rise again as God’s people in the end times.  Meanwhile, we are bid to come and follow Him.  Why is God justified to really demand judgement? Has He not dealt will all with a magnitude of patience and grace?  Much more than you or I ever have toward others.  Let us look at Isaiah 5:

What More Could God Have Done?

Now let me sing to my Well-beloved
A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard:

My Well-beloved has a vineyard
^[a]On a very fruitful hill.
² He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine.
He built a tower in its midst,
And also ^[b]made a winepress in it;
So He expected it to bring forth good grapes,
But it brought forth wild grapes.

³ “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,
Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.
⁴ What more could have been done to My vineyard
That I have not done in it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes,
Did it bring forth wild grapes?
⁵ And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard:
I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned;
And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
⁶ I will lay it waste;
It shall not be pruned or ^[c]dug,
But there shall come up briers and thorns.
I will also command the clouds
That they rain no rain on it.”

⁷ For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel,
And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.
He looked for justice, but behold, oppression;
For righteousness, but behold, ^[d]a cry for help.  (Isaiah 5)

What more could God have done?  God who has waited with patience, long-sufferingly awaiting each person to turn, repent and seek Him?  But alas, often to no avail for their hearts desire only themselves to be exalted above all else.  They desire to seek their own pleasures and powers, regardless of the cost to everyone else. 

So, now what?

Luke 20: ¹⁷ Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone’?

¹⁸ Whoever falls on that stone will bebroken; buton whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

¹⁹ And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they ^[d]feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

Will judgement come upon our nation?  It appears we are there.  What about our world?  There too evil, lies and destruction are everywhere.  So much confusion of truth, destruction, while evil appears to win.  So, what about the individuals?  What about you or I?  Either we fall upon Jesus with broken, repentant hearts seeking Him or be crushed by the weight of the stone when God really demands judgement. 

Conclusion:  The Good News

Here though is the good news of the gospel message!  For all who believe that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, the son of God who died on the cross and rose again the third day, we may run to the cross, lay our filthy garments at His feet in exchange for His Robe of Righteousness.  When I acknowledge my utter inability to earn my own salvation.  Come to Him, humbly bowing before Him.  Then, He saves me.  And much more, He takes it upon Himself to complete the work He began in me.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior. 

Then we can cry out with Paul. 

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,”

And ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, (In other words NOTHING) shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, yes, the fact that God is full of Grace and Love, He really must demand judgement.  But He also provided a way of escape from that judgement for all who choose to worship Him.  That is the good news of the gospel.  What we could not do, God did for us—if only we would believe in Him. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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Broken Hearts in need of a Savior? Seek Him, Cry Out to Jesus

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

As Jesus headed from Galilee to Jerusalem for His final journey to fulfill His destiny, He chooses to pass through Jericho. Jericho was one of the wealthiest areas.  Furthermore, the road to Jericho was one He had mentioned in the story of the Good Samaritan, as it was known for the thieves and robbers along its path.  Although fully aware of His own destiny at calvary, Jesus stopped along His way.  He had come to seek and save that which was lost.  There on the road to Jericho, amongst a crowd of people also going to Jerusalem for Passover was our Lord and Savior.  Ever mindful of those who genuinely believed and sought Him.  He saw the Broken Hearts in need of a Savior.  Those whom He knew did willingly seek Him and cry out to Jesus,  He answered their heart’s desire. 

He had not come to establish His earthly Kingdom, yet He had come to bring salvation to the world.  That is all those who recognized their own sin.  Those who had broken hearts made contrite recognizing their need of a Savior.  They were the ones who would seek Him and Cry out to Jesus for mercy.  From the worst of sinners, the rich and the poor, He came to provide hope and life.  Yet, to those who believed themselves righteous, He wept for their blindness for He knew that as a nation, Israel was about to face judgement.  Judgement for their own hardness of heart, pride, and determination to worship the creature more than the creator.  Much like the world today as well.

But for the blind man who cries out to Jesus and for Zacchaeus, it was a day of hope and salvation as Jesus passed through Jericho on His way to the cross.

The Road through Jericho

It was not the easiest route to take from Galilee to Jerusalem.  Furthermore, it was known for robbers and thieves.  Yet, this was His road to Jerusalem despite it being an arduous climb from the 800 feet below sea level to 3000 feet above sea level at the summit of the Mount of Olives.  Yet, the Samaritans had disallowed His journey through Samaria only a few months prior.

Luke 9: ⁵¹ Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, ⁵² and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

Then there were the Jewish leaders who wanted Him dead.

John 10:22-33 (BSB)

At that time, the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple courtsin Solomon’s Colonnade. So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”  “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”  “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus then came to Bethany when Lazarus had died, although He waited three days to ascertain the miracle.  No one could have remained in the tomb three days and come out unless it truly was a miracle from the hand of God.  So, to prove that He was the resurrection and the life, He waited and then He came.  Of course, this miracle outraged the Sanhedrin.  They met to plot His death. 

John 11: 53-57 (BSB) So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.  As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples. Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast at all?” But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.

Broken Hearts in Search of a Savior

Perhaps it was out of curiosity that many lined the roads outside Jericho.  Some were there by tradition watching the travelers to Jerusalem for Passover.  Still, did they wonder about this Jesus?  When He was approaching with many disciples, what did they think?  Had they heard about Lazarus or the people He had healed.  Were they curious as to why He was wanted by the Jewish Leaders?  Had they heard He dined with sinners?  Perhaps, at least had Zacchaeus heard.  Who remembered the rich young ruler and Christ’s statement?

Luke 18: 24-25 “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Cry Out to Him

Although it appears there were many skeptics in this crowd, there were at least two who rejoiced at the chance to see Him.  These two could not have been more different.  Yet both men had broken hearts. One a blind beggar and another a Wealthy Chief Tax Collector.  There are some questions raised by the timing of the blind beggar in the gospel accounts; but perhaps there were two—one as Jesus arrived and one as He left Jericho.  Either way, the story is the same.  The beggar cried out to Jesus, declaring “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  This proclamation declared before all that He believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.  His faith gained Him sight and much more.  It provided for him the promise of salvation to come. 

Luke 19:

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, ^]make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ So he ^[made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, becausehe also isa son of Abraham; ¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Seek Jesus

So, let us look for a moment more at this scene.  Zacchaeus was hated.   After all look at their response as they complained.  Furthermore, he was not able to pass through the crowd to get near to Jesus.  But he was willing to humiliate himself, just to get a glimpse of the Savior.  His heart already prepared and ready for even the slightest hope.  He ran ahead and climbed a tree to seek Jesus.  A broken heart, seeing his own riches as worthless compared to seeing Jesus.  His response was a transformed heart who desired to give it all away.

Two men vastly different.  Each with a broken heart, one cries out to Jesus and the other seeks Him.  Both knew they were unworthy of His grace. 

And Jesus

On the road to cross, He took the time to meet these men right where they were.  That is the Grace of God.  Though the time was running out for the Jewish nation.  Judgement would come.  Yet, the remnant would be saved once more.  Where are you along this journey?  Will you cry out to Him?  Will you seek Jesus with your broken heart, knowing that you deserve His wrath?  Yet, believing and claiming His Gift.  If so, know this.  Those who come to Him, are sealed for eternity.  Clothed in His Righteousness, so that they have access to the throne of God.  What a wondrous gift.  He took upon Himself our sins and all the wrath they deserved to provide for us the righteousness we could never earn.  Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.  That saved a wretch like me.      

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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When Sorrow Overwhelms, how does Christ’s Resurrection guarantee Victory?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

BSB (The Berean Bible)

Life can be overwhelming at times.  Sorrows surround us.  Challenges keep growing.  There are moments in which I want to just stop.  My body does not recover like it use to.  There are all the difficulties of growing older.  Then the more I want to complete for Christ, the louder I hear the accuser screaming, “you failed again.”  Even at work there is that nagging sensation, I should get more done, faster.  Why did I not get more done?  Am I good enough?  Even more haunting is the question, “Am I good enough to accomplish all that God desires?” So, there are moments when doubt and sorrow overwhelms my heart.  It is such a time as this that I must remember the cross and Christ’s resurrection.  He has declared my victory.  So how does Christ’s Resurrection guarantee Victory? 

Let us take a moment to look at His death on the cross and our Victory because He lives.  It was a day when sorrow overwhelms the crowd, as Jesus was led to the cross.  Was it not sorrow in the garden of gethsemane that caused Jesus to cry great drops of blood?  Surely, as God, He knew the degree of wrath His Father would need to pour out upon Him to justly satisfy the payment for all our sins.  Did He see in the corridor of time the moment, one split second when He would feel as though He were abandoned by the Father?  Yet, if He were to be tempted in all ways as we are, He would feel that.  After all, do we not cry out that very cry?  We feel the pain as sorrow overwhelms; but He bore our greatest grief as well.

When Sorrow Overwhelms

I cannot imagine the depth of sorrow felt by Mary as her son was beaten, spit upon, mocked, and hung upon the cross.  The apostles confused, although He had told them of the plans.  Yet, they did not believe He would die on the cross.  Nor did they understand how He allowed the soldiers to take Him.  How could He guarantee Victory over death by dying?  It was all so confusing, and life did not make sense.  Then, as He hung upon the cross it was like no other day.  At noon, the skies when dark.  At that moment, the Father began to pour forth upon His Son all the fury against sin that could be poured.  Remember the flood?  Or the time when the earth opened so all those who rebelled against God were swallowed up?  Yes, God hates sin with a ferocious anger.

For Perfect Righteousness to justly pardon our sin, the full price had to be paid by someone.  That someone was Jesus Christ, His Precious and Beloved son.  Were He not to keep focus on the joy set before Him, Jesus could never have endured!  He keeps His eyes on us, with love.  We know this.  After all, one of His words from that cross was, “Father, forgive them.”  He forgave the one thief who believed the truth of Jesus.  Furthermore, with compassion He spoke to His mother.  Then the three hours of darkness fell upon Him.  When sorrow overwhelms, remember His cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  He understands your desperate cry. 

Furthermore

Indeed, this was a psalm of David.   Psalm 22 began with these very words; but halfway through the song it says.  “You have answered me…  I will praise you.
You loyal followers of the Lord praise him.”  Did He remind Himself and His followers of the conclusion to guarantee victory?

Guarantee Victory

Then, He cried forth, “It is finished.  Into your hands I commend my spirit.  Then He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.”  His life was not taken from Him.  His voice remained strong.  No one had taken His life.  He gave it up for us.  No one noticed this more than the Centurion who witnessed it all. 

 Matthew 27: ⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ 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?” ⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

⁵¹ Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, ⁵² and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; ⁵³ and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. ⁵⁴ 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!”

Remember how Jesus had prayed, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.”  This Roman centurion who took part in His death was one of the first who were saved.  Is that not amazing? Such amazing grace. 

Christ’s Resurrection

But none of this would matter if He did not raise from the dead.  It was Christ’s resurrection that would guarantee victory over sin and death for all who believe in Him.  This life is filled with pains, sorrows, death, struggles and tragedies.  But when sorrow overwhelms our hearts, we must only remember that He knows our sorrows.  He provided the victory.  It is as Paul wrote, “ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”  But He did rise from the grave and left behind many witnesses and proof.  (To read more go to:   4 Reasons I know He is Risen and Hope Reigns )

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by ^[a]Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have ^[b]fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.  I Corinthians 15: 

The truth that does Guarantee Victory.

Yes, Jesus rose from the grave.  For that reason, When Sorrow Overwhelms, we need only remember Christ’s Resurrection.  We have that same power within us if we know Him as our Lord and Savior.  That truth does guarantee victory. 

Ephesians 1¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 

¹⁸ (That) the eyes of your ^[f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality^[g] and ^[h]power and ^[i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

This is my prayer for you and me today.  That when sorrow overwhelms, remember the exceeding greatness of His power toward you. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

Previous

Joyous Praise of Jesus. What Would Make the Stones Cry Out?

What One Thing Must I really do to be Saved?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

                Finally, it was time for Jesus to descend into Jerusalem as the Messiah.  Precisely what He had come to earth to accomplish.  Merely 4 days and He would be arrested, then hung upon the cross.  This was Passover. On the 10^th of the month of Nissan, the sacrificial lambs were brought into Jerusalem.  The sacrificial lambs would be on display so all could see their perfection for four days before being placed on the altar. There was joyous praise as the ceremonies began.  This was Grace on Display.  Each year at the Passover the people were reminded of God’s gracious salvation of His people that first Passover in Egypt.  The blood of the lamb symbolized God’s love, protection, and forgiveness.  This meant life rather than death.  So yes there was Glorious Joyous Praise and celebration at this time of the year.

Now, it was the 10^th of Nissan in the year 33 AD.  Long ago, Daniel had prophesied the Messiah would arrive into Jerusalem on the 10^th of Nissan, 33 AD.  Precisely, he had written at the instruction of Gabriel.

Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.  Daniel 9:25-26

TIMING is Exact.

The command sent forth to restore and build Jerusalem occurred in the month of Nissan 444 B.C.—that began the clock ticking toward the time the Messiah would arrive at the end of 69 weeks of years.  Their lunar years were 360 days, thus making the time referred to as being 173,880 days from March 5, 444 B.C.  This fell on March 30, 33AD which was the day the Messiah would enter Jerusalem.  These final 70 weeks regarding the story of God’s people Israel was to:

²⁴ “Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city

To finish the transgression. (Until the final transgression of humanity is done-the greatest of which was the crucifixion of Christ)
To make an end of sins. (Declaring Victory over sin and death).
To make reconciliation for iniquity. (By Jesus paying the price for our sin).
To bring in everlasting righteousness. (One day yet to come when Christ returns)
To seal up vision and prophecy. (When the final prophecy is complete).
And to anoint the Most Holy. (When every knee shall bow)   Daniel 9:24

So, Jesus was to come to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity.  Then during the 70^th week (yet to come) He is to bring in everlasting righteousness and seal up vision and prophecy.  And to anoint the Most Holy.  So, all these Pharisees and Sadducees should have known, this must be the Messiah.  But alas they forgot this key verse which separated the times.

²⁶ “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.  Daniel 9

Jesus came to die, that He might be the final sacrificial lamb who paid the price once and forever for your sins and mine.

So, Why Did They Not See?

They did not consider the mysterious gap in time between His coming to make reconciliation for sin and His ultimate reign as King of Kings.  Never did they consider His plan to save the Gentiles. Although He had told them many times in many ways.  Indeed, He told them to live righteous, Holy lives. To be light to a dark world, bringing salvation to others.  Ah instead they chased the dark ideologies and idols of the ones they were to save.  Either that or they followed the sins of the spirit: pride and arrogance.  Believing themselves so righteous, they believed the Messiah would come and destroy all the others, setting up His Kingdom with them as rulers.  How foolish they were to ignore all the prophecies about the Suffering servant.

And so, as He entered into Jerusalem, the joyous praise of His disciples disturbed the Pharisees and Sadducees.  This was the first time Jesus had allowed such joyous praise.  Because He knew it was not time until this day.  The exact day foretold by the prophets of old.  Had the Religious Scholars forgotten to read Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:

Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no ^[a]form or ^[b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no ^[c]beauty that we should desire Him.
³ He is despised and ^[d]rejected by men,
A Man of ^[e]sorrows and acquainted with ^[f]grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

⁴ Surely He has borne our ^[g]griefs
And carried our ^[h]sorrows;
Yet we ^[i]esteemed Him stricken,
^[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
⁵ But He was wounded^[k] for our transgressions,
He was ^[l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes^[m] we are healed.
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord ^[n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
⁸ He was taken from ^[o]prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
⁹ And ^[p]they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Joyous Praise to the Righteous Servant Bruised for Us

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to ^[q]bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
^11 [r]He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great.
And He shall divide the ^[s]spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death.
…numbered with the transgressors.
He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.

Obedient Servants Do His bidding

Well, we would be foolish to think the disciples remembered that He was coming to die.  Neither did the apostles recall this fact, although He had just told them.  But let us look closer to the story as outlined by Luke. 

It came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, ³⁰ saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. ³¹ And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”  Luke 19

So, they went with no doubt to do exactly what He asked. 

³² So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. ³³ But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”  ³⁴ And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” ³⁵ Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.   Luke 19

Soon they returned with the donkey colt and his mother (as we note in Matthew 21). 

Obedience with Joyous Praise, but did they know?

Did anyone realize this was the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Maybe some did, as they looked up some 200 feet and saw Jesus riding into town on the donkey.  Did they realize this was His perfect declaration of being the Messiah?  At any rate they began their joyous praise, hailing Him as King of Kings.  Surely, He had come to set them free!

³⁷ Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, ³⁸ saying: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of theLord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Luke 19

 But not every was happy. 

³⁹ And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”  Luke 19

Tell them to stop praising you as though you are the Messiah!

⁴⁰ But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent,the stones would immediately cry out.”  Luke 19

Why would the stones Cry Out in Joyous Praise?

Jesus knew that today was the day, the exact day prophesied in Daniel.  It was so important that He be proclaimed as the Messiah that if the people were silent, the stones would proclaim Him.  God’s prophecies and His will Always are accomplished exactly as He foretells.  

Jesus came in the Triumphant Messiah entered the gates of Jerusalem to be viewed in all His perfection and then to pay the price for all our sins.  David wrote this joyous praise song for such a day in Psalm 118. 

 ²¹ I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.

²² The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
^23 [c]This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
²⁷ God is the Lord,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.

²⁹ Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

The Heart of our Savior

⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴² and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴ They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19

Why were their eyes blinded? 

³ But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.                         2 Corinthians 4

So, which are you?  Are you filled with joyous praise to the King of Kings, trusting Him no matter what?  Is your hope based on trusting Him who will one day establish His Kingdom, willing to endure the trials and tribulations until then?  What will you do with all the gifts you have been given today?   Or do you only want Jesus to solve your problems today?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

Previous

What One Thing Must I really do to be Saved?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.