Hands & Side Pierced

HANDS AND SIDE PIERCED

Fourth of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Zechariah 12:10, John 20:25-29

Zechariah 12:10:  “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as a firstborn son.”

John 20:27:  “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into My side.  Stop doubting and believe.’”

 

            The lesson linked below shows why people began calling disbelieving friends   “Doubting Thomas”.  But something else happened in the house where the disciples had gathered.  The doors were locked, and Christ just suddenly appeared.  Those glorified bodies will truly be awesome, folks!

            I could talk a long time about Jesus’ powers.  But that’s not the message the Spirit wants me to write today.  The Scripture in John happened over the course of eight days.  The disciples, minus Thomas, had seen the risen Christ last Sabbath, and Jesus appeared the following Sabbath.  Eight days later.  Both times the disciples were gathered together in a religious setting when Jesus came to them.

            The doors were locked for a reason.  The disciples were scared.  They needed privacy for fellowship and worship.  They remained in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  They found comfort and encouragement among fellow believers.  Jerusalem was probably electric. Wouldn’t you imagine the city was divided with mixtures of people debating the “Jesus Issue”?

            Again, the Spirit wants me to abandon this interesting subject…okay.  Jesus made special effort to “drop in” a second time when He knew Thomas would be present.  This puts Jesus in a category all by Himself.  He is deeply concerned with every detail of people’s individual faith.  Thomas mattered to Jesus.  Jesus wanted Thomas to   believe—his eternal destiny was at stake!

            That’s an example for Jesus’ followers.  We’re to care deeply about other’s belief in Jesus, too.  And we’re also to be sensitive about others’ beliefs.  Some faiths are strong, while others not-so-much.  Jesus didn’t embarrass Thomas.  Gently, He offered Himself as proof of His resurrection.  

            Romans 15:1-2 says, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not please ourselves.  Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”  If we are faithless, we are Christless (1 John 5:11-12).  Christless people are graceless, hopeless and joyless.

Take Home Nugget

            Notice that Thomas didn’t leave.  Nor did the other disciples force him to leave.  They continued to be devoted to one another.    

The world will know believers by our love.

                                                                                                                                             J.D. Griffith

 

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Triumphal Donkey Ride

TRIUMPHAL DONKEY RIDE

Third of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-10

Zechariah 9:9:  “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, our king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foul of a donkey.”

Matthew 21:8-9 “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Those that went ahead of Him and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!   Hosanna in the highest!’”

 

            How do you think you’d act if you knew everything that will happen in your life?  Jesus as the Word of God (John 1:1), knows the Bible by heart.  Now imagine that Jesus knew what Zechariah prophesied centuries before the scene unfolded before His very eyes that is written in Matthew 21:8-9.  Jesus lived Déjà vu.    

            Déjà vu is French term that means “already seen”.  (Or like when something happens that we swear we've’ already lived before—but really haven’t).  These parallel Bible series devotions are all like that.  Every devotion shows a New Testament repeat of what’s already been written by different people in the Old Testament.  (Why it’s called a parallel Bible series). 

            How do you think Jesus felt when riding a donkey into Jerusalem the day we call Palm Sunday?  What do you think was the expression Jesus wore on His face?  The crowd was cheering for Him, singing and waving palm branches—even spreading them on the ground where the donkey walked.  Was Jesus smiling?  Was He waving at the crowd? 

             I think He was.  People struggled for centuries trying to understand God.  So, Jesus laid aside His glory in heaven so He could come to earth as a human being.  He was and will always be God.  Yet, He lived the life of a human being because He loves us so much.

            We “see” the love of God on Jesus’ face when He chose and taught His disciples.  We “hear” how Jesus spoke to His disciples and many others.  We try to copy Jesus’ having lived a sinless life.  Those action words are in italics because if we use our imagination, we’re with Jesus as we read the New Testament.

Take Home Nugget

            There’s a reason for repeating what the prophets said and Jesus living in the New Testament.  Again, it’s for God’s love for us.  We’re living in the New Covenant of grace that Jesus ushered in by His death on the cross (Luke 22:20). 

Jesus’ triumphal ride so long ago was so that we can live triumphantly in His grace today.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Passover Lamb

PASSOVER LAMB

Second of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29

Isaiah 53:7:  “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, He did not open His mouth.”

John 1:29:  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

 

            Does this title seem curious to you?  What’s Passover?  Check out the lesson linked below to learn more about Passover.  Passover was the major event for God rescuing his people out of Egypt.  Blood is always involved in people’s redemption.  In Passover, the blood of a lamb was put on top and sides of a house’s doorframe in order for the people to remain safe inside.

            Only lambs without a defect were acceptable sacrifices.  1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

            Jesus was chosen before the creation of the world for the purpose of redeeming people from sin (1 Peter 1:20).  Jesus is what John the Baptist said, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).  Jesus kept silent when given an opportunity to defend Himself from His accusers (Matthew 27:13)—parallel to what the opening scripture Isaiah 53:7 says.         

            “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if had been slain, standing in the center of the throne…(Revelation 5:6a) shows Christ as the mighty conqueror.  Jesus as Lamb of God is a victorious military leader bearing the marks of His slaughter, came to power through His death. 

            Not only as a Lamb, but Revelation 5:5 says that Jesus, “the lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

            Believers of Jesus are also referred to in the books of 1 Corinthians and Revelation.

Take Home Nugget                                                     

            Revelation 14:14 says, “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure.  They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  They were purchased from among men and offered as a first fruits to God and the Lamb.  No lie was found in their mouths; they were blameless.” 

            1 Corinthians 1:8 shows us:  “He [Jesus] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Meek as a Lamb, Christ is our Lion defender.

J.D. Griffith

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Friends Fled

FRIENDS FLED

First of seven in Passion for Redemption Parallel Bible Series

Psalm 88:18, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31, 56, Luke 23:49

Psalm 88:18:  “You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.”

Zechariah 13:7:  “‘Awake, O sword, my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Matthew 26:31:  “Then Jesus told them, ‘this very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”

Luke 23:49:  “But all those who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.”

 

            This first devotion in Passion for Redemption will peer closely into Jesus’ last week of His earthly life.   Beaten Bloody devotion showed that Jesus was severely whipped at the flogging Pilate ordered.   Roman flogging intended to hasten criminals’ death at their crucifixion.  Jesus was flogged after His arrest, when many of His disciples fled.

            No one knows the heart of a friend.  We grow close to people at work and at play.  We think we’re tight, but that’s not always right.  We learn the truth about people when being tested. 

            At one job, I listened to fellow employees gripe about our low wages.  I had worked for a different company that paid more than what I currently received.  In order to improve the quality of our lives, I called an “all hands on deck” meeting, notifying management as well as employees.  My fellow employees got nervous.  “What’s this about?” they asked me.

            “I’m going to ask for higher wages!” I told them.  Everyone seated around a circular meeting table, I pled my case.  There are problems I had as a single mother to make ends meet, I explained.  Management listened intently.  When called on to give their opinions, not one coworker spoke up in agreement with me!

            My coworkers were still there in person, but truly, they had all fled!

            Peter had denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75).  “When Judas who had betrayed Him saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse, and returned the thirty pieces of silver coins to the chief priests and elders. (Matthew 26:3).   Both disciples knew Jesus had predicted their falling away.

            When the going gets tough, who needs friends who flee? 

Take Home Nugget

            After the meeting ended, the president called me into his office.  “Call me, if you ever need a job!” he said in confidence.

            What do you think about that?

            Check out the lesson linked below to see when Jesus’ disciples fled.

Standing up for principles sometimes means standing up for others, even when they flee.

J.D. Griffith

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Beaten Bloody

BEATEN BLOODY

Twelfth of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 50:6, Matthew 27:26

Isaiah 50:6:  “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.”

Matthew 27:26:  “Then he [Pilate] released Barabbas to them.  But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.”

 

            The Passion of the Christ movie by Mel Gibson stirred up a commotion about Anti-Semitism.  That means that the movie shows Jewish people in a bad, or negative light.  How could the Jewish people have tortured and crucified their Christ?  This is a grown-up discussion.  My intent is to use Bible Scripture to show people that everything that happened to Jesus was preordained.

              Matthew 27:26 above, uses the word “flogged” to describe the whipping Pilate ordered.  “Flogged” doesn’t sound so bad.  But it was.  My study Bible says, “Roman floggings were so brutal that sometimes the victim died before crucifixion.”  Then it references Mark 15:15, where the note is more descriptive:

            “The Romans used a whip made of several strips of leather into which were embedded (near the ends) pieces of bone and lead.  The Jews limited the number of strips to a maximum of forty (40 but in practice, 39, in case of a miscount).  Romans didn’t limit the number of strips used.  So, victims of Roman floggings often did not survive.” 

            The whipping Jesus received in the movie was realistic; it really happened that way.  It’s just brutal to watch.  Christians cringe at seeing ruthless violence against our Savior.  (Not for kids’ eyes.)  It certainly leaves one fuming.  This part of the movie isn’t Anti-Semitic.  The movie is just horribly true.

            But the crowd that gathered that day were Jewish people.  The chief priests and elders of the Jewish religion urged the crowd to answer the way they hoped would resolve their “Jesus problem”.  It was no secret that they schemed to have Jesus killed. 

            When Pilate offered to release Barabbas (full name was Jesus Barabbas) or Jesus who is called the Christ, the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas’ release.  They further urged to have Jesus executed (Matthew 27:1-23).  The crowd made no mistake in demanding Barabbas’ release.  (He was sort of a hero among the Jews, having formed a rebellion against the Romans.  See Luke 23:19 and John 18:40). 

Take Home Nugget

            The passage that often validates blaming the Jews is Matthew 27:25:  “All the people answered, ‘Let His blood be on us and on our children.’”  And it is!  They actually asked to be held accountable for Jesus’ death!  Anti-Sematic?  You decide. 

Lord, help us to guard our tongues.  Stop us from saying words that calls for our being oppressed and harassed. 

J.D. Griffith

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King and Potter's Field

KING and POTTER’S FIELD

Eleventh of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Zechariah 9:9, 11:12-13, Matthew 27:6-10, 37

Zechariah 9:9:  “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foul of a donkey.”

Zechariah 11:12-13:  “‘I told them, ‘If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.’  So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.  And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they priced me!’”

Matthew 27:6-10:  “The chief priests picked up the coins [thirty pieces of silver] and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury because it’s blood money.’  So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.”

Matthew 27:37: “Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’”

 

            Judas led them to Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  God is valued at thirty pieces of silver?  No one wants “blood money” after the deed is done.  Neither the one trading for cash nor the ones offering cash wants any part of that cash anymore.  Blood money bought a potter’s field in both the Old and New Testaments.

            The potter’s field is a cemetery for foreigners, the poor or people no one claims.  It’s no man’s land.    

             Judas was in charge of the disciples’ money (John 12:6).  But he must have zoned out during Jesus’ preaching the three years he was included as His disciple.  He seized the opportunity to turn Jesus in for a quick profit.  No harm done, he probably figured.  After all, Jesus wasn’t hiding.  He could have been arrested anytime.     

            The big deal of his sin dawned on Judas watching Jesus being arrested.  He had just kissed Jesus, and heard Jesus call him “friend”. (Matthew 26:49-50).  What did I just do?   Judas might have thought.  The terror of Divine wrath enveloped Judas.  Overcome by despair, Judas cast the thirty coins back to the chief priests (Matthew 27:4-5).

            Only, they didn’t want the money now.     

Take Home Nugget

            Judas confessed his sin to the chief priests, but not to God.  Judas blew it.  God would have forgiven even this sin—if only Judas would have confessed it before Him. 

            !!! 

            Judas could easily have been buried in the same potter’s field his thirty pieces of silver bought, after he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).  Certainly, no one claimed him.  (See lesson linked below for a different end for Judas.)

God not be mocked.  Let us NEVER try to fool God of our true intentions!

J.D. Griffith

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No Defense

NO DEFENSE

Tenth of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 53:7, Mark 15:5

Isaiah 53:7:  “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before the shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

Mark 15:5: “But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.”

 

            Why was Pilate amazed?  Mark 15:3 says, “The chief priests accused Him of many things.  So again Pilate asked Him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer?  See the many things they are accusing You of.’”  Jesus saw into their hearts.  Defense was pointless. 

            Trying to explain things would not be accepted, and would only further inflame their murderous intent.  

            Jesus did answer Pilate in Mark 15:2:  “‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate.”

            “‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied.” 

            Before Jesus was formally arrested in Matthew 26:62, someone testified that Jesus said He’d “destroy the temple of God and raise it up in three days.”  The high priest stood up and asked Jesus to defend those charges. 

            You want me to explain my death and resurrection?  Jesus probably thought, forget that! 

            Matthew 26:63-64:  But when the high priest threatened Jesus with, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God.” Jesus was legally obligated to reply. 

            “‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied, ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

            Pin drop time.  Clearly, what Jesus had to say, people weren’t prepared to hear.  After Jesus did reply, the high priest tore his clothes in Matthew 26:65, and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!  Why do we need any more witnesses?  Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.  What do you think?”

            “‘He is worthy of death,’ they said.”

            Blasphemy [BLAS-fem-ee] means irreverent disrespect for God.

            Matthew 26:67 continues, “Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists.  Others slapped Him and said, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ.  Who hit You?’”

            Have you ever been humiliated like this, where people refused to believe you?

Take Home Nugget

            There is a popular quote from the movie, “A Few Good Men”, when a famous actor yells, “You can’t handle the truth!”   I see Jesus biting His tongue so that He wouldn’t shout that into the faces of His accusers, can’t you?

            If mom caught you with chocolate around your mouth, and wondered if you snatched cookies from the cookie jar, what would you say?     

Silence speaks volumes when nothing is said.

J.D. Griffith

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