King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Chapters: LUKE 23-24
Message: The Lord’s Portion
Hello My Friend,
I read this this morning, [The Lord’s portion is his people.] which prompted me to look up the Scripture and I found this, [Deuteronomy 32:9-10 For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.] God, delights in His people, out of the billions of people in this world, those who put their faith and trust in Him, whether they believed that Christ was to come or has come are His inheritance. Charles Spurgeon said this.
[How are they his? By his own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set his love upon them. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election. They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about his title there can be no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord’s portion has been fully redeemed.]
God, is the one who chooses us solely upon our faith in His Son, but He is also the one who purchased us. How? With the precious blood of His Son, [1 Peter 1:18-21 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we come to Luke’s account as to what took place as Jesus was about to give His precious blood to redeem those who believe in and receive Him as their Saviour. Luke, begins with this multitude of people bringing Jesus to Pilate with all kinds of accusations. Pilate, wanted nothing to do with this whole situation so, when he found out that Jesus was of Galilee he sent him over to Herod.
[Luke 23:1-7 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. 5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. 6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.]
[And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction,] I cannot say that I blame him for wanting nothing to do with this. I would not want to stand there and tell an innocent man that he must die over the envy of his very own people. Well, when Herod heard the news about Jesus, he could not wait to see Him.
[Luke 23:8-12 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.]
[questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.] What exactly did Herod expect to see Jesus do? Unloosen Himself from His shackles and strike them all down. While He could have very well done that, it was not His place to do so. Sometimes the best option when people are accusing us is to remain silent, as much as we may want to speak out and defend ourselves as we need to be careful in our words, [James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.]
[And Herod with his men of war set him at nought,] We find that it was Herod and his men along with the that stripped Jesus of His clothes and mocked Him because He remained silent. Saying something in the heat of passion could make matters worse, which is why Jesus, just stood there. These people who were accusing Him of all these things wanted ammunition to further their claim, it did not matter what anyone else said they were determined for Jesus to die that day. Pilate, thought that he was done with this and did not have to deal with sentencing an innocent man to death, in fact, he wanted to release Jesus. However, there was nothing that he could say to convince the people to let Him go. In fact, the more he tried the more they cried out to crucify Him.
[Luke 23:14-21 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. 17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) 18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) 20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.]
[Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:] They wanted to pardon a wicked man and kill an innocent man, that sounds about what we are dealing with today. I am sure that you know what is going on between Israel and Palestine and how all these people supporting Palestine. Do you know why the world is so quick to send judgment upon God’s people and yet free the wicked? I believe there are two reasons, the first in being that they do have a hatred of God and anyone who follow Him, [James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.].
The second in being that they do not know the facts and are only reacting to the liars who are corrupting and distorting their ability to reason, [Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.]. However, there could be a third reason as well, they enjoy their sin and will not have anyone give them a conscience that would get them to think about what they were doing. Remember what Jesus said, “they have no cloak for their sin”? [John 15:22-23 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.]
Pilate, tried to convince the people to let Jesus go three times, but they got louder and louder and therefore, he had no choice, but to let Him go into their hands. As Jesus is being led to Calvary, Luke ,records something else, Jesus speaking to the crowd as they cry for Him. I can only imagine what the crowd sounded like, one side cheering that Jesus was about to die and the other crowd lamenting.
[Luke 23:23-31 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. 25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. 26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?]
[but he delivered Jesus to their will.] Had Pilate let Him go two things would have happened, one; prophecy would have been altered and we would still be sacrificing animals to God. And two; the mob would have come after him.
[in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren,] Jesus, was telling them that there is no need to cry for Him because He will be just fine where He is going, but as for them and their children, they are the ones who will suffer. It will be so bad that the wicked will even want life to become nonexistent, which we are in fact seeing today with an up rise of abortion, sterilization, and man made attempts at sustainability with clones and plastic body parts. When human life itself is threatened you know we have a problem. I mean, what do these fools think that they are going to accomplish, that they get to live forever while everyone who does not agree with them dies? Let me tell you, the Charles Darwin’s and Bill Gate’s of this world are going to learn the hard way that you cannot play God, [2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:]
It is interesting to read how each one of the accounts given of Christ’s crucifixion gives us a little more insight as to what took place and how it all unfolded. I am going to have to sit down long enough to do a timeline of all four Gospels so that we can see how it all played out, perhaps I can do it next year come Resurrection Day. I really need to get back to writing special devotions for holidays and special events because there really is so much of what we do today that comes from the Scriptures. Nevertheless, we now come to Calvary, they nailed Jesus to a dead tree and placed Him right between two men who were also being crucified.
[Luke 23:33-37 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.]
[Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.] I say this a lot when people do things that they really have no idea what they were doing. These men thought that they were not only getting rid of the man that cause such a disturbance in their cause, but helping God by killing this blasphemer, whom they also at one point accused Him of being the son of Satan himself. And let me tell you, this is the only reason why Jesus forgave, many of them after they saw Jesus die knew right away that He truly is the Christ. However, my favorite passage of all the accounts given is right here, proof that once we get saved there is no need for works to sustain our salvation. Both of the men hanging there with Jesus had something to say, but one did believe.
[Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.]
[Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.] Wow! What a statement! We do not need long prayers and we do not need to live a life of servitude in order to be saved. All we need is three words, “JESUS, SAVE ME!” Of course, we need to believe in those words, knowing that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves, [Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.]
As I said earlier, when Jesus died some knew right away that He truly is the Christ and believed, along with those who followed Him. However, most of them, actually felt as though they did this great honor in killing Jesus. Now, the other Gospels say that Jesus said this, [Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?] before He died, but Luke adds something else that Jesus said, [Luke 23:46-49 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.]
[smote their breasts, and returned.] These fools boasted as they watched Jesus hang His head down and die. They were actually proud of the fact that they killed the very Messiah they had hoped would come to save them, yet oblivious to that fact. However, one man named Joseph, believed and saw fit to have a place for Jesus’ body to lay in which he used the tomb that he had left for himself.
[Luke 23:52-56 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.]
[and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.] This was an actual Sabbath, being the last day of the week. So, they prepared the spices for Christ’s burial on Friday, then rested the next day. After Jesus died, many mourned His death, since it was the Sabbath, they stayed in their homes, I am sure the priest and scribes were boasting about what they did at the same time coming up with their scheme for when this all blew up in their faces. Come Sunday morning, the women brought the spices they prepared to embalm Jesus’ body as they would normally do whenever someone died. Of course, they got the shock of their lives when they discovered that Jesus was not in the tomb.
[Luke 24:1-6 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,]
[two men stood by them in shining garments:] Why does Luke tell us that there were two men when the others have said one so far? Well, Matthew and Mark never said that there were not two, just that one was inside the tomb where He was laid. John, also shows that there were two angels.
[Why seek ye the living among the dead?] I love this, it reminds me of what Jesus said, [Luke 20:37-38 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.] When those among the dead die, they often throw extravagant funerals, coffins engulfed with gold and jewels, and inside them hold some of the most precious things they could not let go of as though they could take them with them. This is why Jesus also said, [Luke 9:60b Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.]
We who believe in the Gospel of Christ and accept Him as our Saviour are among the living, our bodies may sleep when we too, give up the ghost, but we will also resurrect, when Jesus returns, [1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:]
Now, as soon as the ladies heard the news they remembered what Jesus had said and ran to the disciples who were now called apostles to tell them the good news. However, things did not look so good, they did not believe them, [Luke 24:8-12 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.]
[And their words seemed to them as idle tales,] Who would actually believe such a story? I will tell you who, those who believe in Christ. Can you imagine the way they looked at them? Peter, ran to the tomb only to discover that Jesus was not in there, in fact, no one was there. And this is exactly why we are saved by grace through our faith in Christ alone by our accepting Him as our Saviour the second we believe, [Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:]
Now, as the news got out that Jesus was not in the tomb, people began asking questions among each other, little did they know that Jesus was right there with them, [Luke 24:14-18 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?]
[Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem,] I love how Jesus approaches them. Jesus, was actually trying to get them to realize that this is exactly what He was talking to them about prior to His being captured. Yes, they were in much grief still at the thought of losing their beloved Christ, but their grief blinded them from seeing that He was right in front of them, in fact, they were with Him most of the day before they discovered Him.
[Luke 24:21-27 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.]
[And beginning at Moses and all the prophets,] How would you like a history lesson from Jesus Himself? And here is the thing, they did not recognize Him. The truth is, they could not see Jesus because their faith was blocked by their grief. Our faith tends to play tricks on us sometimes as we forget those promises God makes when we do not quite understand what is going on. However, that is what grace is for, eventually, Jesus opens our hearts and minds to see that He has been right in front of us all along, which He did with the apostles.
[Luke 24:30-34,36 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.]
The apostles were quite disturbed that they did not realize that it was Jesus who had been with them the whole day. And I can also imagine how scared they were to realize that Jesus was right there with them, He even had to convince them that He was flesh and bones and not a spirit.
[Luke 24:38-44 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.]
[and did eat before them.] This reminds me of what Jesus said, [Luke 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.] I love it that He ate before them, I do not think I ever touched on this before, but the kingdom of God has certainly come not only upon His sinless death, but upon His resurrection as well. While His death made atonement permanent upon our faith in Him, His resurrection made eternal life in His kingdom possible, [Romans 6:8-11 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.]
Israel long awaited their Saviour, the one who would come and set them free. These men were so distraught that they forgot what Jesus had told them, and even what the Scriptures had told about Him since Moses. Jesus went through the Scriptures, showing them every passage that spoke about His virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection, and after their faith was renewed that was when He revealed who He was. Jesus, also reminded them of a promise yet to be fulfilled that will take place once He left.
[Luke 24:46-51 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.]
[until ye be endued with power from on high.] This would be the Holy Spirit descending upon them, He is the key to both our entrance into the kingdom of God as well as being one of God’s inheritance. Without the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us we are as dead men, but with His power, we not only get through those gates into the kingdom of God, we become joint-heirs with Jesus, [Romans 8:14-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for loving me and not giving up on me, for Your faith in me, and giving me a heart that believes in the Gospel. It took some time, but You knew exactly when my eyes would open to the truth about Your Son, and I would know how to accept Him as my Saviour. Thank You, for all the trials and tribulations that You got me through so that I could truly understand that Christ is my redeemer and the only one who could ever save me from my sin. I am proof that You can save anyone who has faith in Your Son, we just need to believe in all that HE is. I love You and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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