Quotes:
“We all make something. Some make excuses. Some make differences.”--Unknown
“Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.--Dan Stanford”
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”--T. S. Elliot
“Results yields respect.”--Clark Kellogg
“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.”--Albert Einstein
“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.”--Henry Ford
“The road to success runs uphill.”--Willie Davis
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”--George Carlin
“The last breath of Messiah changed all of time for all time.” Samuel C. Fulkerson
Matthew 20:18-19
Let me tell you a story of conspiracy:
The last time Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem He was greeted as a triumphant hero by a large group of people who laid their cloaks in His path while waving palms and singing out praises. This week that started so great ended painfully on a hill called Golgotha (transliterated from the Hebrew word, Go-a-goal-lot, meaning skull).
Crucifixion was a Roman capital punishment reserved for those who committed the crime of treason. Had Jesus’ conviction been for any other crime other than treason against the rule of Caesar, He might have still been executed, however not by crucifixion. Those folks convicted of capital offenses considered less serious than treason would die a quicker and less public death by hanging or beheading. These facts clearly indicate that Jesus was officially charged with “treason”, a capital offense.
Crucifixions were purposefully very public, usually targeted for well-traveled places. This would ensure that the intense suffering and horribleness of the event would stand as a strong deterrent for other potentially treason-ness acts.
So how do we go from “O’ Joy” to “O’ boy”:
These events were taking place during preparation for Passover. Therefore Jerusalem would have been packed with Jewish pilgrims from Judea and all across the Mediterranean world to celebrate Passover and to make sacrifices at the Temple.
Jerusalem has been conquered 11 times in history (The Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, the Mamelukes, the Turks and the British.) Jerusalem had been under Roman occupation for many decades, and the Greeks before that by the time Jesus walk it’s streets for the last time. The Jewish fervor would have been running high during the Passover season as can been seen by the fact that Pilate abandoned his government's center in Caesarea, about 75 miles northwestward, and came to Jerusalem along with a couple of thousand soldiers. Pontius Pilate was the Roman Prefect and Governor of Judaea from 26 to 36 AD.
Pilate was appointed by Sejanus. Sejanus ruled under Tiberius Caesar (42 BC to 37 AD) from 16-31 AD; his power and prestige peaking in 29 AD and falling out of favor with Tiberius thereafter ending in his arrest in 31 AD. Jesus was crucified in 30 AD.
The first-century Jewish historian Philo (20 BC-50 AD) claims that Sejanus was anti-semitic and planned to destroy the Jewish race completely. (Philo, In Flaccum i,1; and Legatio 24,159-161). Eusebius (263 – 339 AD Roman Historian) almost quotes Philo, making the same inference about Sejanus. (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History ii, V).
Pilate who was appointed by Sejanus implemented his anti-semitic policies with fervor. Flavius Josephus (37 – 100 AD Jewish Historian) details Pilate's hatred and baiting of the Jewish people.
Pilate was without doubt a very violent ruler. He had little reserve about sentencing people to death especially Jews, whether by sword or crucifixion. Many hundreds of Jews had already died by his command when Jesus stood before him. Pilate was known to be suspicious of crowds and was eventually dismissed by the governor of Syria (Lucius Vitellius), for being too violent, which speaks volumes in-and-of-itself. The event that ended in Pilate’s retirement was recorded by Josephus and transpired in 36 AD (There had been a lull in persecution from 32 AD (When Tiberius had made a decree throughout the Empire not to mistreat the Jews.) until 35 AD (This is when Stephen was martyred in Acts 7). One year later: “Pilate blocked their projected route up the mountain with a detachment of cavalry and heavily armed infantry, who in an encounter with the first comers in the village slew some in a pitched battle and put the others to flight. Many prisoners were taken, of whom Pilate put to death the principal leaders and those who were most influential among the fugitives.” (Jewish Antiquities 18.85-89).
Luke 13:1-3 “1- There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2- And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3- I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
These Galilaeans are supposed to be those spoken of in Acts chapter 5.
Acts 5:37 “After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.”
It was said of these that they “would not acknowledge the Roman government and a number of whom Pilate surrounded and slew, while they were sacrificing in the temple”. (Josephus, Antiques lib 18).
Let’s consider the “why” for the Jews:
John 11:47-53 “47- Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48- If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49- And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50- Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51- And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52- And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53- Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”
Now let’s look at Jesus’ capture:
John 18:12-14 “12- Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13- And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14- Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”
It is very interesting that the Roman guards took Jesus to Annas and not the Pilate or even a garrison. Annas was latter responsible for James (James The Just) Jesus’ brother’s death in 62 AD.
Annas took him bound before his son-in-law Caiaphas at his house; not at the Temple or before a properly convened Sanhedrin.
Caiaphas after renting his garments sent Jesus unto Pilate because they had no legal authority to administer capital punishment.
Matthew 26:63-66 “63- But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64- Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65- Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66- What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.”
John 18:31 “Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:”
John 19:10 “Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”
Pilate insists that he finds nothing about Jesus justifying execution, he orders Jesus flogged. Pilate’s own political, and perhaps his actual physical survival depended on his demonstrated devotion to Tiberius as Sejanus had now fallen out of favor with him. This was Pilate's political Achilles ‘heel. Caiaphas threated Pilate by letting him know that if he freed Jesus he would report him to Rome that he failed to defend Caesar against an insurrectionist. They went as far as to say, "We have no king but Caesar," Pilate who is your king? So finally, under all the pressure Pilate gives in and orders the crucifixion of Jesus The Christ.
This all begs the question: Who Killed Jesus?
Did Judas kill Jesus?
He betrayed Him with a kiss selling Him for the price of a slave (30 pieces of sliver).
He certainly played his part.
Did Jews kill Jesus?
The religious leaders in Jerusalem were guilty according to the Gospel’s. It tells us that they plotted to capture Jesus; found false witnesses against Him, and of course they refused to believe His words and His mighty works. The religious leaders wanted Him dead and would not stop until their goal to have him killed was accomplished to the fullest measure.
Well they certainly played their part.
Did Pilate kill Jesus?
As we have seen he played his part.
Did The Roams kill Jesus?
They played their part.
Acts 4:27 sums up the list for us: “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,”
That is a pretty all inclusive list.
Hebrews 10:4, 10, 14 “4- For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 10- By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14- For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Isaiah 53:4-6, 10 “4- Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5- But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6- All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 10- Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”
Acts 3:17-18 “17- And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18- But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
No one is completely innocent of this crime.
We all were complicit in the death of Jesus The Christ.
Paul was convinced of his personal guilt:
1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
Well, we all played our part!
DON’T LET HIS SACRIFICE BE IN VAIN.
