SATURDAY 31ST MARCH, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:- LUKE 23:33-38
TOPIC:– TEN SETS OF PEOPLE THAT SUFFERED JESUS [2]
TEXT:- ACTS 4:26-28
3. The Chief/High Priests: The Priesthood was almost totally corrupted at that time. They had around them a secret Police force of common thugs, who spied on the people and no one dared even whisper a word against them for fear of prison.
Annas was the retired High Priest when Jesus stood before him. The actual High Priest was Caiaphas, Annas’s son-in-law. Annas has the power and ruled through his five sons.
Jesus was tried first before Annas at night. He was not the High Priest, and it was illegal to hold a trial at night in secret.
He was later taken to Caiaphas’ house at 3:30 a.m, the son-in-law of Annas. Again at night, and illegal, under Jewish law.
Jesus was then taken at 6:00am before the members of the Sanhedrin. They had no formal charge against Him, so they charged Him with treason against Rome.
Annas was the retired High Priest when Jesus stood before him. The actual High Priest was Caiaphas, Annas’s son-in-law. Annas has the power and ruled through his five sons.
Jesus was tried first before Annas at night. He was not the High Priest, and it was illegal to hold a trial at night in secret.
He was later taken to Caiaphas’ house at 3:30 a.m, the son-in-law of Annas. Again at night, and illegal, under Jewish law.
Jesus was then taken at 6:00am before the members of the Sanhedrin. They had no formal charge against Him, so they charged Him with treason against Rome.
4. The Sadducees and Pharisees: They belonged to two political parties in the Sanhedrin.
a. The Sadducees rejected life after death, angels or and things supernatural. They were the aristocracy and well to do ruling class.
b. The Pharisees believe in God. Paul said they had a zeal, but not according to truth. They have refined hypocrisy to science.
a. The Sadducees rejected life after death, angels or and things supernatural. They were the aristocracy and well to do ruling class.
b. The Pharisees believe in God. Paul said they had a zeal, but not according to truth. They have refined hypocrisy to science.
5. The Elders and Scribes: Passed themselves off as the religious leaders of the Jews. Yet they lived on pride, power and self-righteousness. They longed for a messiah, but they wanted a strong military leader who would throw off the Roman oppressors. They wanted Israel to be strong and powerful and a glorious nation. They could not accept a messiah, who came from the family of a poor carpenter, or the poor town of Nazareth.
6. The Roman Governor, Pilate: He was a puppet of Roman. His only concern was in getting rich, and making a good name so that when he returned to Rome, he would be honored. Scandal or unrest in the captured Palestine would look bad on his record. He wanted to drop the matter of Jesus, but because the Jews were so upset, he had to appease them to keep the peace. So he allowed an Innocent Man, that he knew had done no wrong, be crucified for his own financial and political gain.
7. The Roman Soldiers: The soldiers actually carried out the crucifixion. The officers were all Roman, but within the ranks were men from many countries. It was as if God intended to illustrate the sin of all men, because most nationalities were represented there. They acted as soldiers of their day. They mocked their prisoner, tortured Him mercilessly, played cruel games, blindfolding Him, they slapped Christ Jesus, and asking Him, “who it was that hit Him.” They hated the Jews, and vent their hate of all Jews on Christ. They put a crown of thorns on His head, gave Him a scepter, and some scarlet rages mocking Him, as the king of the Jews. It is interesting that the Romans tortured, and actually crucified Christ.
8. The Jewish people: They cried in the streets, “crucify Him, crucify Him.” and they mocked Jesus in the cruelest of ways. Even as He hung in torment and terrible suffering, they mocked Him, and spat on Him. Most hated Him vehemently.
9. You and I: Men, are the same today as they were when they suffered Jesus. We were not there in person, but we were there in character. Each one who took part in suffering Jesus, we today are their counterparts. Sin marred mans’ lives today as it did then. Their sins are our sins, their guilt our guilt. When we purpose to establish our own righteousness, ignoring the righteousness of God, we stand with those people of old.
We too are steeped in sin, seeking to gratify our craving and lusts, having little thought of others. All those who reject Christ mock Him, make little of His suffering for them, show contempt on all He did. Oh, yes, every person who claims to know Christ as Savior, yet lives in sin, continues in sin, mocks Jesus as He suffered. It would have been the same, had Christ come in this generation. Nothing would be different, it will even be worse. See 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
We too are steeped in sin, seeking to gratify our craving and lusts, having little thought of others. All those who reject Christ mock Him, make little of His suffering for them, show contempt on all He did. Oh, yes, every person who claims to know Christ as Savior, yet lives in sin, continues in sin, mocks Jesus as He suffered. It would have been the same, had Christ come in this generation. Nothing would be different, it will even be worse. See 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
10. Is God too?: We have only looked at the human aspect of the cross. What of the spiritual; of God’s purposes? Surely Christ died for the sins of the entire world. Because man sinned, then in order for man to be saved, Christ had to pay the penalty. No one else but God could.
You see in reality, it was God who allowed Jesus to be crucified! God allowed this suffering on Him because of you and I, for us to be saved. See John 3:16.
You see in reality, it was God who allowed Jesus to be crucified! God allowed this suffering on Him because of you and I, for us to be saved. See John 3:16.
Prayer points:–
1. Thank You my God for dying on the cross for me, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Oh Lord my God! I am sorry for rejecting You in the past, no more again, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Oh Lord my God! I accept You as my Lord and Savior henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. I will not suffer You again oh Lord my God, in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. Because of Your death oh Lord Jesus, let me serve You forever!
1. Thank You my God for dying on the cross for me, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Oh Lord my God! I am sorry for rejecting You in the past, no more again, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Oh Lord my God! I accept You as my Lord and Savior henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. I will not suffer You again oh Lord my God, in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. Because of Your death oh Lord Jesus, let me serve You forever!
Have A Lovely Easter Saturday!
