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: Friday, November 15, 2024
Chapters: Luke Chapters 23-24
Message: As It Is Written
Hello My Friend,
Every time I read Luke’s account of Christ’s passion I get a kick out of the way he tells it and how Jesus responds to them after His resurrection. It is as though Jesus brings a bit of a sense of humor to such a serious event, although I am sure that none of them were laughing. It also shows the human side of Jesus even after His resurrection. Jesus, had to remind them that everything that happened was already foretold and needed to come to pass as it was written in the Scriptures.
[Luke 24:44-47 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. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 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.]
Did Moses, David, Isaiah, John the Baptist, or any of the other prophets ever realize that their words were actually in reference to their Saviour? They may not have, but one thing is for sure, they were believers and awaited the day that He would come in the flesh to save them just as we are today. God, would have never used anyone who was not a believer to even play any part in the immaculate conception, birth, sinless death, burial, and resurrection of God’s only begotten Son, who happens to be Immanuel, Shiloh, the Prince of Peace, the Messiah, the LORD, the Word, and every other title that He is known as throughout creation, [Hebrews 11:39-40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.]
A we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Luke, also gives his account to Christ’s passion, we learned from Mark that it was the members of the Sanhedrim who condemned Christ to death. It was probable that Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, were the only members who opposed this, but none dared to challenge them. So, the entire council brought Jesus to the governor, Luke, includes where they attempted to use politics to condemn Jesus and now we learn of why Pilate asked Jesus if He were King of the Jews.
[Luke 23:1-5 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.]
[And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people,] When they could not convince Pilate that Jesus was breaking government laws, they moved on the Law of Moses, which Pilate had clue of. However, Pilate, thought that he could dodge a bullet when he learned that Jesus was from Galilee.
[Luke 23:7-11 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. 8 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.]
[hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.] This was seriously not the time for Jesus to be doing some kind of miracles at the expense of pleasing a foolish man who had John, the Baptist beheaded to please a woman. Nevertheless, even though Jesus did and said nothing, even Herod saw no reason to kill Him, but he too feared the Jews and sent Him back to Pilate.
[Luke 23:13-18 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 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:]
[they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man,] 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? They hate God, love their sin, and do not care to know the truth. 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.]
I cannot say that I blame Pilate 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. Nevertheless, Pilate, tried to convince the people to let Jesus go three times, but they got louder and more fierce, so fearing for his own life, he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.
[Luke 23:20-24 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. 23 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.]
[Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.] 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. 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 crying for Him.
[Luke 23:27-31 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?]
[the days are coming, 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 think it is a blessing for life to become nonexistent. Does this sound familiar? Today, we are seeing a massive increase of abortion, sterilization, and altering of ones gender. When human life itself is threatened you know we have a problem. What do these fools think that they are going to accomplish? Live forever while everyone who does not agree with them dies? That is exactly what they are trying to do. They are trying to play God, and has Satan’s name written all over it as he is the one who started that.
[Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.]
[For if they do these things in a green tree,] This is why God leaves life and death up to Himself and no one else, man is way too much like Satan, they want to control everything and everyone and I for one rather have my life in God’s hands any day. 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. We now come to Calvary, where they nailed Jesus to a dead tree and placed Him right between two men.
[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.]
[forgive them; for they know not what they do.] These men thought that they were not only getting rid of the man that caused such a disturbance in their cause, but helping God by killing a blasphemer. The only reason why Jesus forgave them is because He knew they would believe the second He died. Remember what Jesus said, the only ones who will never be forgiven are those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, which is what all of them were doing, [Mark 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:]
Calvary, is another name for Golgotha, it is the Latin translation for the place of skulls, both of the men hanging there with Jesus were mocking Him also, but one of them had a change of heart.
[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.]
[Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.] This man right did something that we all must do before our dying breath, he admitted that he is a sinner and that only Jesus can save him. Right there Jesus gave him the full assurance that he would be with Him as soon as he had closed his eyes in death. The same is true for all who come to Him, [Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 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.]
Now, Jesus, and these men have been hanging there for three hours, then all of a sudden at noon the entire earth became dark and for three hours, it remained that way. Maybe that was God’s way of giving some sort of relief to Jesus from the hot sun beating on Him, but when the third hour came, Jesus, could not take it anymore. While the other Gospels account that before Jesus died, He said, [Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?] which means, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Luke, adds something else.
[Luke 23:44-49 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 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.]
[Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:] Proclaiming the words once spoken by David himself, [Psalms 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.] Jesus, points out that only God is the giver and taker of life and that all souls belong to God. This actually fits in perfect about what Jesus said in regards to being born again, [John 3:6-8 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.]
[all the people that came together…mote 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. We learn that Joseph of Arimathaea, was indeed a member of the Sanhedrim, and did not agree with the council, he gave the tomb that he had reserved for himself for Christ to be buried in.
[Luke 23:50-54 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. 52 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.]
[that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.] The actual Sabbath drew near the next day so the women quickly prepared the spices used for embalming a body, intending to go to the tomb the following day after the Sabbath.
[Luke 24:1-5 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?]
[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. The angel goes on to remind them that Jesus is alive and arose just as He said He would.
[Luke 24:6-11 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 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.]
[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.
[Luke 24:13-17 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 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?]
[But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.] Jesus, wanted to know why they were walking around in such grief, but the truth is, they were so distraught that they did not even recognize that they were talking to Jesus. These men thought that Jesus was either heartless or completely oblivious to the fact that the one they thought came here to save them was killed.
[Luke 24:18-21 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? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 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.]
[trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:] You see, it was the assumption that Jesus would just sweep in, take the throne for Himself, and that they would be freed from both Roman rule and Jewish rule. That is when Jesus came out and called them fools for being quick to forget the Scriptures.
[Luke 24:25-31 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. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 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.]
[slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:] All of us are guilty of being slow of heart to believe the Scriptures when things happen that we do quite understand. By the way, these were not the Apostles who walked with Jesus the entire time, however, there were just as slow of heart as the others. As soon as these two men discovered that it was Jesus they ran to the Apostles, who were hidden in a room with other out of fear that the Jews would come after them.
[Luke 24:33-36 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. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.]
[as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them,] Could you just imagine Jesus appearing out of nowhere? It is no wonder why they thought that He was a ghost. He even had to convince the Apostles that He was flesh and bones and not a spirit, in fact, He even ate with them.
[Luke 24:38-43 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.]
[while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered,] They were still a little confused as to what was going on so Jesus calmed their fears by reminding them of the Scriptures. It does not matter how strong our faith or how long we have studied the Scriptures, we are
[And he took it, and did eat before them.] I love that Luke shows the human side of Jesus after He resurrected, I am sure that He was quite hungry after not eating for three days. This proves that while He is indeed God, He takes great stride in being one of us as well, [Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.]
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 24:49-53 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. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.]
[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.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,]
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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