Under the cover of darkness in the middle of the night that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.  Surrounded by the armed guards from the Sanhedrin with accompanying Roman Soldiers, Jesus was arrested around midnite.  There was no charge of a crime other than being Jesus of Nazareth.   Initially He was taken to the home of Annas, the “retired chief priest”, father-in-law to Caiaphas the current chief priest.  (John 18:13).  Every detail from His arrest through His trial was a travesty of Justice.  The rules of the Jewish courts were all broken throughout this trial.  The Lord of Lord and King of Kings was placed on trial by these self-righteous men.  The greatest injustice of all times, yet how did Jesus respond?

            Jesus spent the hours before His betrayal in agonizing prayer with the Father.  He knew every detail of what was coming.  So, it was as the crowd surrounded Him for His arrest, He walked out to them—calm, cool, and collected.  As they asked for Him, they were carrying torches and weapons.  They must have appeared frightening to have so many.  Jesus said, “whom do you seek?  They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus saith unto them I am He…as soon as He said, ‘I am He, they went backward and fell to the ground.”  John 18:4-6.  His voice was enough.  And His presence of strength such that they fainted briefly.  Yet, Jesus did not flinch nor run with this opportunity.  Instead, He stood firm and asked again, “Whom do you seek? And again responded, “I am He”. 

            Then Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant; but Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and Jesus restored the ear of the servant Malchus.

The Greatest Injustice of All Times and Jesus Response

There were laws set out in Deuteronomy regarding the sacredness of the judicial system.  “¹⁸ “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your ^[c]gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. ¹⁹ You shall not pervert justice; you shall not ^[d]show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and ^[e]twists the words of the righteous. ²⁰ You shall follow what is altogether just”  (Deuteronomy 16).

As such there were specific laws regarding accusing someone and the court cases.  There were lower courts outlined all the way up to the final Supreme Court within their system.  As part of that someone would not be able to be arrested without there being a specific crime.  In the case of Jesus, in darkness they had determined they needed Him gone because He might turn the people away from their rulership.  He was arrested in the darkness of night due to their fear of the people.  This went against the transparency inherit to truth being.

So, in the darkness of night when Jesus would be alone with His apostles where they went to rest “a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders” Mark 14: 23

Matthew 26 tells us of Jesus Response, “⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. ⁵⁶ But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” 

“But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”  Luke 22: 53

A Mockery of a Court in search of a Crime

“¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was ^[b]expedient that one man should die for the people.”  John 18. 

During the former meeting carried out without allowing Jesus to present a defense and without any crime, Caiaphas had suggested it was better that one man die to save the rest.  What Irony.  He was speaking a truth of which He did not realize.  After all, Caiaphas meant to just keep the status quo with the Romans in which he enjoyed some prestige and power.  If this Jesus continued there might be a rebellion and Caiaphas stood to lose money and power, even if the people were released from Roman rule. 

So, Jesus was led to the home of Annas and then to Caiaphas (only a courtyard separated their homes).  Trials were not to take place in homes in the middle of the night.  But in the meantime, as they questioned Jesus, they sent people in search of witnesses to accuse Jesus. 

The Greatest Injustice of All Time:  False Witnesses found

Though they questioned Him, mocked Him, spit upon Him and struck Him while blindfolded, Jesus did not fight back.  Jewish law required there be a public hearing before the Sanhedrin with witnesses.  No one could even accuse themself of a crime.  It must be with two or more witnesses who could agree and confirm the crime.  Neither could a crime be that of speech only.  But rules nor justice prevailed or even mattered at this time. 

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, ^[k]the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, ^60 [l]but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two ^[m]false witnesses came forward ⁶¹ and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” ⁶² And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! ⁶⁶ What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”  Matthew 26: 59-66

Further Breeching of the Law

Jewish law required there not be a unanimous decision, for at least one must show mercy.  In this case, there were none to show mercy.  Furthermore, the death penalty required three days prior to sentencing with the chief magistrate spending a full day fasting and allowing the witnesses time of reconsideration.  This too was overlooked in the case of Jesus, adding to the greatest injustice of all times being perpetrated.    They wanted Jesus gone.  Certainly, Satan nor the Sanhedrin wanted it on this day, as they began.  But God was in final control.  In His meekness, gentleness, strength and dignity, Jesus had infuriated them.  He showed no fear.  Nor did He bow before them.  Rather in calm, gentle strength, He had humiliated them.  That they could not tolerate, and their fury led them to rush on forward with their plan to destroy Him. 

Instead, they fulfilled everything that God had planned from the beginning.  It does not eliminate their guilt; but it does show that God is still Sovereignly in control even when it all looks upside down.  Even when every rule is broken and evil seems to prevail, God will accomplish all that He has planned despite the evil.  When God steadies His hand, waiting with patience, He is not taken by surprise at the evil.  Instead, He can from the evil bring about His Goodness, display His Mercy.  Never forget, justice will prevail.  One day, God will judge this earth and all of humanity.  On that day, all the injustices ever perpetrated will be punished.  There you and I will stand before His throne and be judged as to whether we accepted the atoning gift of salvation purchased by His son on our behalf or not. 

Concluding Thoughts-The greatest Injustice that God allowed because He loved You and me

There is no injustice that we may face on this earth to compare to the greatest injustice of all time that was bestowed upon God’s Only Begotten Son.  Yet, He humbly submitted to it, knowing that was the only way to purchase our redemption and remain perfectly righteous and just.  So, let us consider all this.  Today in this world, we face many hardships.  Injustice is rampant as we feel the grips of hostile hypocritical tyrannical forces choking out the truth, we hold so dear.  Yet, we too must not lose heart.  We know that God is in control.  This has been proven throughout the ages.  Every prophecy fulfilled in its perfect timing revealing to us the fortitude of the plan of God as it unveiled and continues to be performed.  We can trust in His plan always.

Even in our darkest night, He is there.  We may not understand at the moment; but He has a perfect plan for you and me.  The greatest injustice ever perpetrated occurred at the cross; yet, from there we know the victory over sin and death was won.  He rose from the grave victorious and sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for all who know Him as Savior and Lord.  He will return again as King of King and Lord of Lords.  Yet a little while and all the end day prophecies will be fulfilled. 

As I await the rapture, let me stand with His dignity, strength, and love pulsating through my heart.  Let me lay aside my own selfish, short sighted desires, that I might be a beacon of light to this ever-darkening world of injustice and evil where humanity believes themselves the moral compass, while themselves denying the one true God.

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

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The Humbling Effects of Forgiveness, Grace, and Love. How to Know

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)

                It was in the darkness of night.  No one really knew the how or why of it all.  A mockery of a trial that broke every rule of justice.  Little to no sleep.  Yet, Jesus had told them, this was coming.  He had rebuked Peter when he said, “it cannot be.” And had even called him, Satan to suggest it.  Still, who would have thought, the Jewish priests would carry on such a injustice, breaking every rule of their own court.  Peter had been even told of his impending failure, yet he did not believe.  In fact, he believed he would fight to the death to protect His Lord.  Now as the scene played out and Jesus was facing the trials of the Jewish leaders, Peter denied his Lord three times.  Broken, He fled the scene.  But He would soon know the humbling effects of forgiveness, grace, and love.

                How dark must have been those hours for Peter.  He could not forgive himself.  Not after all this.  It was cold and dark.  The world seemed to be completely upside down.  He had followed Jesus to the courtyard; but seemed hours there alone in the cold.  Surrounded only by the riffraff.  He wanted to warm his heart and soul by the fires.  Jesus inside before the elder priest and then taken through the courtyards to the house of Caiaphas.  What was happening?  He waited, wondering, remembering.  He had tried to save Jesus with his sword in the Garden and Jesus told him, no?  In fact, Jesus restored the ear of the guard.  So, what was happening?  Was it all over?  Could this be the end? Then, Peter did the one thing he thought himself was the unforgiveable offense.  He denied His Lord. 

An Unforgiveable Offense

Have you ever felt like you failed God?  Failed to follow His commands or found yourself falling into the same pit of temptation, repeatedly?  I have.   Peter did.  David did.  Then it is with a broken and contrite heart, one looks upon Him again.  Peter did not come to the foot of the cross as Jesus died.  Did he feel himself unworthy?  Perhaps. 

When Jesus had turned to look at him, Peter felt the eyes of Jesus penetrate his heart and soul.  All too often through my life I have also felt the sting—Jesus eyes penetrating my heart, condemning.  Yet, because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross,

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 1:1-2

How do we know that?  Can we truly know the Humbling Effects of Forgiveness, Grace, and Love?  What is it to know that we are forgiven?  Then, with that same humility we forgive others because of the gracious love of Jesus in us. 

Romans 7  

¹³ Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Our Dilemma, as was Peter’s

Deep within us, we want to believe that we are different.  We desire to believe that we would make the right choices.  Be strong for Jesus.  Today and forever.  Yet, truth is:

Romans 3: ⁹ What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

¹⁰ As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;
¹¹ There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
¹² They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
¹³ “Their throat is an open ^[d]tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
¹⁴ “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways;
¹⁷ And the way of peace they have not known.”
¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become ^[e]guilty before God. ²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

What a humbling effect to know the depth of our own sin and then to realize the forgiveness, grace and love that Jesus bought for us on the cross. 

Oh, what humbling effect of Forgiveness, grace and Love abounds

It must have been with a broken heart Peter gathered with the apostles after Jesus’ crucifixion.  How heavy a heart, he must have had!  Yet, note that when Jesus was seen by the women, He told them to run and tell the apostles and tell Peter.  Oh, what grace and love abounded for Peter, regardless of his failure!  What precious love that Jesus has for each of His sheep, even when we wander astray.

Peter so excited that Jesus was resurrected, still did not understand his role going forward.  After all, he had failed God, so how could he be useful for anything.  He returned to fishing.  It was all he knew and what he was good at.  He could not continue to fail his Savior there.  But Jesus had a different plan. 

Back at the beginning, Jesus had met Peter at the shores of the lake.  Again, this night, there were no fish.  So perhaps even as a fisherman, he felt his ineptitude.  He was naked in that boat when he looked across the sea to see Jesus on the shore.  Quickly, he wrapped his naked body with a robe and began to swim across the sea.  Must like us, we want to cover up the nakedness of our sinful hearts when we come to the Savior.  But He see us and knows who we are. 

Jesus walked with Peter that day and with a simple question revealed the depths of His heart and that of Peter. 

A Burning Question:

Peter, do you love me with an agape “God-like love?”  Oh, Lord, I love you with a phileo (friendship love).  Then again, the same question.  Third time, Jesus asked,  Do you love me Simon Peter; yet this time he says it using phileo as the word for love.  Peter, said Lord you know my heart.  Now Peter understood the Humbling Effects of Forgiveness, Grace, and Love. Now He was ready for the ministry to which he was called. 

Peter then was ready to begin the ministry as God had called Him to.  He was later willing to die for Christ.  Although, he insisted on being crucified upside down due to his being unworthy to die in the manner that Jesus died. 

I Peter

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance ^[b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been ^[c]grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not ^[d]seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

In Him we Have Hope and Victory

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He ^[a]made us accepted in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and ^[b]prudence, ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, ^[c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. ¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who^[d] is the ^[e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.  Ephesians 1

Concluding Thoughts-The humbling effects

God is all that we need.  When we come to end of ourselves, He IS.  So, out of our brokenness, He reigns.  The humbling effects of truly seeing the depth of His forgiveness, grace and love toward one who has fallen so short of His Glory transforms my heart. One day I shall look like Him, One day when I stand before His throne of grace. Until then let me surrender to Him, every moment of every day that the humbling effects of His love might reach a world around me.

WHEN I CAME TO THE END OF ME

So many times I strayed so far from you

And wondered what was I to do

I tried so hard, my might, to do your will

I could not see I should stand still

What could I do? Bring you a gift?

The harder I tried, the farther I’d drift

I reached that point, reality

I’d broke your heart! You still loved me!

CHORUS: 

When I didn’t have the strength

You still stood strong

When my heart was filled with tears

God is my joy song

You are the love,

My Everlasting peace,

 You are the life that flows in me

When I didn’t have a hope

At the end of my life’s rope

And I couldn’t find my way

You came to save this wandering stray

And now I know a different me

It is your love that set me free

That in this world I now might see

All that you are, your majesty

When I came to the end of me

My love for You, Your love for me

CHORUS: 

When I didn’t have the strength

You still stood strong

When my heart was filled with tears

God is my joy song

You are the love,

My everlasting peace,

 You are the life that flows in me

When I didn’t have a hope

At the end of my life’s rope

And I couldn’t find my way

You came to save this wandering stray

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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Jesus Surrendered Absolutely All to the Father’s Command. Will You?

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)

                Jesus surrendered absolutely all to the Father’s Command.  Willingly He took upon His shoulders the full wrath of God against the sin of all humanity.  He who had enjoyed only the Father’s love, admiration, and devotion, now would experience the full fury of God’s wrath against the sin of the world.  A sin that could not be overlooked, nor brushed aside.  What was the center of all this evil purposed by humanity?  Pride, arrogance, and a desire to not just be made in God’s image; but rather to be God.  Ruler and master of our own destiny.    No lie too outrageous to reach that goal.  The smallest piece of clay desiring to tell the potter what is best for all of humanity.  Yet, if we look around us that is precisely what we still see today.  Each person is given the choice. 

However, humans desire, all too often, to choose self over serving God.   To rise above the creator rather than remembering we were His creation, not His equal.  Yet, the only one who truly was equal, the perfect son of God willingly surrendered Himself to the Father’s will so that we might have a way of escape from the wrath we so justly deserved. We, who deserved all the wrath, have a way of escape by accepting the gracious gift of God, by surrendering to His Plan of Salvation.  All we need to is to choose joy, by believing that God is Sovereign Lord, Jesus died to pay our penalty; then with humble repentant heart to turn to Him.  As we surrender our life to Him, He provides all that we need and takes responsibility to transform our heart to be like His.

Jesus Surrendered Absolutely to the Punishing Wrath Against Sin

                Do not underestimate the degree of suffering that Jesus endured.   Some wish to minimize what Jesus suffered, saying, “After all He is God and could not feel the shame or pain as we do.”  Yet quite the opposite is true.   We who so deserve the wrath of God, could never understand the agony for Jesus to be separated from the Spirit and the Father for even a nano second in time.  Much less to be the recipient of all their wrath against sin for 3 long hours. Even His own wrath against sin magnified as He was on that cross.  Yet even there He was gracious, forgiving, and kind.  He thought of His apostles, the thief beside him, his mother and the roman soldiers carrying out the execution.  

We live our lives so often in a semi-spiritual state.  Occasionally we experience the glorious wonder of His Presence within us or surrounding us.  Yet, we cannot comprehend what a separation from the Father meant to Jesus.  Their love for each other beyond anything we might experience.  We understand only to a tiny degree, when we mourn for our loved ones what that separation experience is.  Jesus knew beyond a doubt the ultimate joy of God the Father’s presence.  He desired nothing more than that constant communion. 

Yet, He willingly came to earth in a human body to experience the sufferings here within a fallen and broken world, receiving the disdain and suffering that evil brings.  Then, Jesus surrendered absolutely to the most horrific separation from the Father and Spirit while receiving their wrath against sin being poured out upon Him.   

Never forget this.  Always remember His blood poured forth for your redemption.  Do not underestimate all that Jesus surrendered absolutely to purchase your salvation. 

Surrendered Absolutely with Grace

³⁹ Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. ⁴⁰ When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”⁴¹ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” ^43 [f]Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

⁴⁴ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.⁴⁵ When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. ⁴⁶ Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”  Luke 22

Despite His agony, Jesus always placed His concern for His disciples as primary.  That is true love and devotion.  How often do we place the destiny of others over our own pain?  Are we willing to suffer so that others might find Jesus Christ and thereby change their eternity?  If indeed we are to be like Him, are we willing to surrender absolutely to the will of the Father?  No matter what! 

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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How to rejoice Always! Remember all God plans, Jesus amazingly completes!

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 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

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

Poetry Books Available

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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

Previous

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)