November 3
Mark 15:2-5; Matthew 27:11-14; Luke 23:1-2; John 18:28-40; Mark 15:6-15; Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 19:1-16; Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:27-31
C.S Lewis made the statement that "Jesus was either a liar or a lunatic or the Lord". Who Jesus is demands a decision, and our circumstances do not change that, no matter how dire they might be. I recently talked to a patient who unfortunately tragically lost her son, who was in his 20's. This event occurred a little over a year ago. She was still struggling with it. After listening to her story, what I did not do was: tell her I knew what she was going through (because I didn't), give her some nice Christian statements like "God will never give you more than you can handle", or try to explain to her why her son had to die at such a young age (because I don't know, only God can answer this one). Through the years I knew her to be a Christian, so asked her if she had been leaning on Him for strength during this time. She questioned whether He was real or even existed seeing her current predicament. I recently spoke to woman in a similar situation who never knew Jesus who needed to be introduced to the Savior, this conversation was different, she just needed to be reminded of who He was. Despite her sorrow, she too had to make a decision. The historical reality of the Personhood of Jesus cannot be questioned if anyone wants to argue from a point of intellectual integrity. Besides the Bible, which some could state is coming from His fan club, Jesus was described in the Talmud by those who deemed Him their enemy, and was also described by those who were secular or indifferent such as Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the elder. So, this patient could not question His existence. I next asked her if she ever read books like, "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel, or "Cold Case Christianity" by J. Warner Wallace. Both books showed that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the risen Son of God. These books were also written by two former unbelievers as they launched their investigations. My patient did not need to be taught who He was, she simply needed to be reminded that despite her circumstances, Jesus was still who He was, and her comfort and rest can come from Him and no other. She expressed guilt over some decisions which were made surrounding the timing of her son's death, to which I reminded her that condemning thoughts are never from God, but come from the evil one, as I reminded her of Romans 8:1, "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." God will convict and discipline His children, but He will not condemn us.
As we move through the book of Matthew, we must remember that on Sunday in Matthew 21, they were celebrating the arrival of the promised King, the Messiah on that Palm Sunday road. Now only a few days later, as their King no longer looked the part, now that it appeared that the authorities had easily knocked Him off of His throne, these people, many disillusioned by the turn of events had to make a decision. Was He still their King. A choice had to be made. We read in Matthew 27:15-17, "Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”" Much to the astonishment of Pilate, they demanded the release of Barabbas. We read in 27:16, that Barabbas was a "notorious prisoner", in Luke 23:19, we read he was a murderer. Yet the people chose this man over Jesus Christ, the Man who never once sinned, and came to Earth in order to save them from the penalty of their sins. Once the verdict goes against Jesus, we read of His treatment in 27:26-31, "Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified."
After this treatment, our Savior was so beaten that He was barely recognizable. We read of this prophetically in Isaiah 53:2,5, "...And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him...But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;...". Many don't realize that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. Where do you place yourself in the events leading up to and surrounding the crucifixion of the Son of God? Do you question whether or not this event even occurred? Do you believe that it happened but don't really care? Do you not understand how this event which occurred 2000 years ago is relevant to your life today? Where do you stand right now, for a decision must be made: do you love Him and place your trust on Him, or do you not consider Him or not believe in Him? Some might change their feelings from day to day, and this might be based on circumstances or distractions, but may we never forget, as it says in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." May we never forget the utter hopelessness of our situation without Him, as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." It is Jesus Christ, and Him only, there just is no other option. I hope those who read this today will make a firm personal decision to place all of their trust on Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: