MALNUTRITION

Can you imagine how well your body, mind and life would fare if the only meal you had was one day each week, forever.  I am sure that our life would wither and eventually die of malnutrition!!!

When we Christians depend on our Sunday visit to Church for Spiritual nourishment and fail to partake of the Word of God each day we gradually fall into a dangerous condition that leads to spiritual death.

So many stories of divorce, sickness, fear, loneliness, hatred, addictions, etc. are a sign of spiritual malnutrition.  As we neglect to walk with our Lord day by day, moment  by moment we fall into a lethargy caused by lack of nourishment of our spirit. How can we hope to contend with the many trials of living in this world without the food that is so necessary to sustain our spiritual life!  The Bible, corporate worship, wise counsel by Holy Spirit filled pastors and teachers, loving Christian fellowship, and prayer are many ways that the Holy Spirit works  to build our spiritual strength, which leads to powerful faith and unspeakable joy in our Lord and His gift of life.

There is absolutely no excuse, in this nation, for anyone to die of spiritual malnutrition. The answer to ALL of life's problems is in Christ Jesus.  Knowing Him requires a daily diet of His food,  which is HIS WORD.  Jesus never promised a freedom from difficulties in this life, but He did promise to give us the strength and wisdom to endure and emerge victorious over life's trials.  When we focus on the promise of everlasting life with God, the joy of the Lord overcomes all sadness, despondency, fear, hatred, lack of patience and dependency on things rather than God's love.

We must seek Him and we will find JOY, PEACE, LOVE, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE and the COMFORT that our Lord offers when we KNOW that we are saved and headed for perfect JOY in the presence of God for all eternity.

REAL LOVE

As Sis and I  mark our 56th years of a happy marriage,  it begs the question, why is this modern world awash in divorce and infidelity???  It is because there is a total misunderstanding of Love.  Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a FEELING. In reality, love is a choice and an action as 1 Cor. 13:4-7 shows.  God is the source of our love.  He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us. Jesus is our example of what it means to love; EVERYTHING He did was SUPREMELY loving.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love; He lives in our heart and makes us more and more like Christ.  God's love always involves A CHOICE AND AN ACTION.

John says, " God is Love, not Love is God."  Our world,with its shallow and selfish view of love, has turned these words around and contaminated our understanding of love.  The world thinks that love is what makes person FEEL good and that it is all right to sacrifice moral principles and others' rights in order to obtain such "love".  But that ISN'T real love; it is the EXACT OPPOSITE---selfishness .  And God is not that kind of "love". If we truly love GOD we will love as He does.

While being faithful to God and our spouses makes us feel good, it is not the feeling that we must seek but rather, the action that is right and holy.  When we are faithful to God's design for Holiness, which sometimes requires sacrifice, the earthly reward will be manifest.  The ETERNAL reward is everlasting BLISS in the presence of Almighty God our FATHER.  Salvation is FREE and does  not, in any way depend on our actions, our recognition of God's love in that GIFT is our faithfulness to HIS COMMANDS. Our relationship with our HEAVENLY FATHER, DEPENDS on love for HIM as exhibited by our Love for Him by our ACTION OF OBEDIENCE.  LOVE IS ACTION!!!

HAPPY DAY

Today,  April 27th, 2012, my wife and I celebrate our 56th wedding Anniversary.  We met on Dec. 16th 1955 and were married April 27, 1956.  This is such a blessing to me, and as expressed by Carmelita (Sis) my wife.  It has been a story book marriage. We made it through trials, mostly health and the normal tests of living, but never lost our love for each other.  Sis, always was and is now more than ever my true love.  She is the PERFECT WIFE,  SUPER MOM, AND NOW SUPER GRANDMA AND GREAT GRANDMA.  I give thanks to God our Father, through Jesus, His only begotten Son for this gift of the biblical wife.  We pray that each of you will look at your own lives and count the wonderful blessings that our Lord has and is bestowing upon you all.  No matter the circumstances, Jesus is with us always and everywhere.  We only need to call on His name for the joy of our Lord to overshadow any and all testings.  The tests are allowed in order to strengthen our Faith.  Last night I was moved to give Praise and Glory to God by recalling many of the blessings in my life and when I did the negatives totally disappeared.   We  Love You All and wish you a bright future and good health of Spirit, Mind Body and Soul.

HEALING

We speak much of physical healing, but little of spiritual healing.  It is well known that despondency greatly affects the human body, yet often the TOTAL focus is on germs, cells and a myriad of other microscopic monsters. Yes, it is necessary to identify, research and destroy those little critters.

In reading of the WORD of GOD, we can find much wisdom that can PREVENT and even treat the fundamental cause of many life threatening diseases. As we have studied over the past 4 months, we see how critical it is to obey the Word of GOD.   Knowing God's will for us is discovered clearly through the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.  However, the Old Testament lays the foundation for the New Covenant.  Proverbs is a good guide to living for our Lord now, in this time.

"Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life." Proverbs 10:27.
 "Those who fear the Lord are secure;. Prov.14:26.
 "Fear of the Lord is a Life Giving Fountain" Prov 14:27.
 "Better to have little, with fear of the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil" Prov 15:16.
  "For the despondent, every day brings trouble;for the happy heart, life is a continual feast" Prov15:15.

Fearing the Lord is KNOWING THAT HE IS GOD!!!. Fear of the Lord is listening for His "Voice" and obeying Him. We obey the knowledge that He imparts to us through the HOLY SPIRIT via study of His Word, listening to the Word through anointed preachers and teachers and TRUSTING IN JESUS. Trusting in Jesus is believing that He is the SON OF GOD, that He lived on this earth,  gave us the keys to KNOWING GOD. That we are saved from the fires of Hell and eternal damnation by His LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION from the dead. That He is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is coming back to remove all evil from this earth and establish His Kingdom forever with all believers reigning with Him.

How can we CHOOSE to live a despondent life when we have the promises of God our  FATHER?????

Choose Peace and Joy and Happiness by KNOWING HIM through His BLESSED HOLY WORD.

"FEAR OF THE LORD teaches wisdom, humility precedes honor." Prov. 15:33

MIRACULOUS CONVERSION

As we continue to read the conversion of St. Paul and then his activities from that time on, we see that Paul DID NOT dwell on the terrible sins that He committed against God.  Following Paul's conversion he immediately entered one of the most powerful Evangelistic ministries of all time.  He worked full time at winning souls and building churches.  He ACCEPTED God's forgiveness and moved on.  We must do the same if we are to live fruitful lives for Christ.  In doing so we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding under ALL circumstances.   Please read the following WORD and see the POWERFUL  change that we too can experience by accepting God's love and forgiveness.  When we continue to condemn ourselves for things that are totally gone from the mind of God (Psalm 103) we place our selves in bondage and cannot effectively serve of Lord, nor enjoy true PEACE.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

FORGIVE YOURSELF

I know some people who spend much of their lives condemning themselves for sins that our Lord forgave.  Believing in Jesus for salvation and rejecting His sacrifice for our sins is harmful to; 1. Our relationship with our Father. 2. A complete waste of our lives as to doing good.  3. Can cause a destruction of our ability to forgive others.  4. Definitely leads to poor physical health due to living under a "cloud" of guilt.

Think of St. Paul who was guilty of murdering many Christians.  Suppose he failed to accept God's forgiveness!  Take the time to read the following scripture.  You are probably familiar with it, but it never hurts to re-read the word because it continues to reveal truths that we may have missed in the past.

         


April 21, 2012 - New International Version
Acts 9:1-25
Saul's Conversion
9:1-19pp -- Ac 22:3-16; 26:9-18
 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." 13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.

UPSET?

Have you ever been faced with a situation where someone has done you serious harm?           Did you experience an initial desire to strike back?  The natural reaction might include a deep resentment that can lead to a long lasting grudge that could very well harm yourself.  Harboring grudges is always destructive to the well being of the one who is not willing to forgive.

On several occasions during my adult years I have faced such trying times. Before I met and embraced my Savior these occasions caused me to suffer from my dwelling on those hurts.  After I received Jesus, the Holy Spirit gave me a defense against my own weakness to repay evil with evil.  I first noticed that God had truly entered my life and gave me a spirit of forgiveness that was genuine.  My reaction to these  attacks was to show genuine love for my “enemies” by treating them with kindness and respect.  In the greatest test in my life those “enemies” are now my dear friends.  I did nothing more than to treat them with respect and a friendly attitude.  I take no credit for this because that was not my nature, it was a gift of grace from God through the Holy Spirit. 

Later as I studied the Word, I discovered a passage of scripture that goes like this; “ If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:20-21

When we live for Christ we sometimes will be “attacked” by some who simply do not understand our good intentions, then they “attack” us in many ways because of our Faith. We must rejoice in that type of suffering for it is foretold by Jesus that this would happen.  When Jesus said the we must take up our CROSS and follow Him, He wasn’t
referring to sickness and disease but rather the suffering that we would suffer for following Him.

May we then be glad when we are taken to task for doing good and LOVE OUR ENEMIES. In this way we are obeying Jesus. In this way some will be led to follow Jesus by our love them and sharing Jesus by example.

My reward for loving my enemies has been to witness those adversaries becoming my friends and returning my love, and in some cases becoming true Christians.

The following is a comment I received on the blog "A GREAT EXAMPLE". It is a fine expansion of that study. Please read and enjoy the wisdom expressed.

 We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty. ~Mother Teresa We all have giving hearts and want to be servants of Christ but sometimes feel that we are not capable because what we could do would not be enough. Please remember that serving can be in small offerings by showing love and kindness to those who need comforting. Love God first and foremost, care for yourself, your family and others. Always strive to be kind, generous and considerate to all you meet along the way and in doing so you will be the true example of Christ's love.     Sending you love and blessings.

A GREAT EXAMPLE

“When the Lord Jesus finished talking with them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.” Mark 16:19-20 When Jesus ascended into heaven, His physical presence left the disciples (Acts 1:9) Jesus’ sitting at God’s right hand signifies the completion of His work, His authority as God, and His Coronation as King. Mark’s Gospel emphasizes Christ’s power as well as His servanthood. Jesus’ life and teaching turned the world upside down and continues to do so. The world sees power as a way to gain control over others. But Jesus, with all authority and power in heaven and earth, chose to Serve others. He held children in His arms, healed the sick, washed the disciples’ feet, and died for the sins of the world. Jesus’ followers today receive this same power to Serve. As believers, we are called to be servants of Christ. As Christ served, so we are to serve. A contemporary example of serving others is Mother Theresa. Forsaking personal possessions and personal comfort and all that the world offers. Placing herself in physical danger of contracting a myriad of diseases. Always giving Glory to God through Jesus’ love. Is she an extreme example? NO, not at all, she LIVED the Gospel. We need to emulate her as a true example of Christ’s Love. After all, isn’t our job to follow Jesus? Mother Theresa did.

CHALLENGED

During the decades from the Ascension of Jesus following His Resurrection, the Church, the body of Christ has been persecuted for believing in Jesus. Millions have died for the truth and are now in heaven with our Father. Today, we in America are facing the boldest challenge to living and proclaiming our Faith openly. We must not cave in to pressure to "water down" the Gospel. In reading the following scripture passage please note the emphasis on the "one and only way" to God. Some who are claiming to be true Christians have left the faith and are preaching some other way. Jesus warned of the many who would fall away from the truth. Also, their is an attempt by some in authority to cause the Church to depart from the truth and yield to pressure to abandon traditional faith. May we pray for thew Holy Spirit to give us the courage to REMAIN FAITHFUL TO JESUS, THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. Acts 4:1-22 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. ' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

OUR COMMISION

When Jesus was with His disciples following His Resurrection He gave them a commission that was to last for their lifetime. This command also applies to all His followers, including you and I. Mark 16:15-18 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." Do you ever feel that you do not have the skills or determination to be a witness for Christ? You must personally realize that Jesus rose from the dead and lives for you today. As you grow in your relationship with Christ, He will give you both the opportunities and the inner strength to tell His message. Just remember that your relationship with Him depends on your faithful obedience to learn His commands and FOLLOW them. May we, together by our lifestyle and personal witness be blessed to lead souls salvation.

HE'S ALIVE!

Matthew 28:1-20
The Resurrection
28:1-8pp -- Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-10; Jn 20:1-8
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see

YES, He's alive and as promised is seated at the right hand of our Father. He promised to be with us always and indeed He is. I know, not just believe, I know He lives. I have seen Him at my darkest hours and in times of joy. HE'S TRULY ALIVE!!!

Enjoy our new life in Christ and the promise of our own resurrection. He is in Glory. He IS Glory!! Hallelujah!!!

IT IS FINISHED!

hew 27:32-66
The Crucifixion
27:33-44pp -- Mk 15:22-32; Lk 23:33-43; Jn 19:17-24
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself ! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself ! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
27:45-56pp -- Mk 15:33-41; Lk 23:44-49; Jn 19:29-30
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ""Eloi, Eloi," "lama" "sabachthani?""--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
The Burial of Jesus
27:57-61pp -- Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

BETRAYAL ( PLEASE TURN YOU SOUND UP)

Matthew 27:1-31
Judas Hangs Himself
1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
Jesus Before Pilate
27:11-26pp -- Mk 15:2-15; Lk 23:2,3,18-25; Jn 18:29-19:16
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27:27-31pp -- Mk 15:16-20
27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

HUMILIATION

Jesus Arrested
26:47-56pp -- Mk 14:43-50; Lk 22:47-53
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Before the Sanhedrin
26:57-68pp -- Mk 14:53-65; Jn 18:12,13,19-24
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' " 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "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." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

The Beginning

26Matthew 26:1-25
Matthew 26:1-25 (New International Version)


The Plot Against Jesus
26:2-5pp -- Mk 14:1,2; Lk 22:1,2
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
26:6-13pp -- Mk 14:3-9 26:6-13Ref -- Lk 7:37,38; Jn 12:1-8
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
26:14-16pp -- Mk 14:10,11; Lk 22:3-6
14 Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.