Matthew – Page 113 – I'm Following Jesus

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Chapters: Matthew 27-28
Message: The Suppression of The World

Hello My Friend,

In 2009, a sergeant in the US Army serving in Afghanistan deserted his post and troop, ended up getting captured and spent five years as a prisoner there, in which several soldiers got wounded severely attempting to rescue him. He was released in 2014 only because President Obama negotiated a deal with the Taliban, of all people, to release him in exchange for five of their wicked men, that is right, five. In 2017, he stood before a judge where he was facing prison time, and while he was given dishonorable discharge and reduced rank, he did no prison time at all. The man was actually regarded as a hero. I bring this up because, to the world, the hero’s are not the ones who actually died to protect them, they are the ones who live to suppress them. The world really is left, Jesus calls them goats, they appear all righteous, yet are opposed to anything moral and pure, which is why He will tell all of them that they are workers of iniquity and to depart from Him, being cast into hell, along with the devil who truly is evil. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” – Matthew 25:41.

Talk about moral and pure, all people had to do was look at Jesus and they would immediately feel convicted of their sin. The Jews could not stand to look at Jesus because He exposed them for the liars and deceivers they were, they knew that if the truth came out it would be the end for them as many would actually believe in Jesus and leave the synagogue. They thought they had Jesus right where they wanted Him, if they could convince the governor that He was guilty than He would be sentenced to death, then they would be off the hook for killing Him themselves. So, they deliver Him to Pilate, but he knew that Jesus did no wrong, in fact, wanted nothing to do with sentencing Him to death. Pilate decided to give them a choice, it was custom that one prisoner would be pardoned and released during the Passover, he asked them who he should release.

“Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” – Matthew 27:15-20,23-26.

“I am innocent of the blood of this just person:” There are two different types of people in the world, they ones who truly try to live a moral life, and actually believe in Jesus, but sadly they never receive Him as their Saviour. And there are those whom wholeheartedly despise Jesus and in everything He stands for, they will do anything they can to not only destroy, but discredit His testimony as well. Now, here He is, hanging on the cross as thousands of lookers watch, some in pain as their Saviour was dying, some just waiting to see if angels or God would show up and doing something crazy, yet many were in disbelief, making all sorts of comments.

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” – Matthew 27:39-43,50-53.

“the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;” Who were they kidding, did they actually think they would believe if Jesus did come down from the cross? Jesus, could have, at any time, come down from there, but what would that have proved, they would have still found something to discredit Him. The Jews never believed, but the Romans sure did. That veil, the one that separated God from man was ripped down the second Jesus died. He became the only source for not only redemption, but direct one on one communication with God. We no longer have to speak to a prophet or priest to connect with God, we can go directly to Him as long as we know Christ as our Saviour. If you think that the chief priests and scribes did not know Scripture, think again, in fact, they tried to change it. They knew that Jesus would raise on the third day, and even convinced Pilate to place guards at the tomb to prevent that from happening.

“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” – Matthew 27:62-66.

“so the last error shall be worse than the first.” The deceiver, were they serious? Of course, they were, these were the chief priests and Pharisees, the ones who refused to believe anything about Jesus, and they knew they were wrong, they were just too proud to admit that everything Jesus said was true. You see, the wicked know they are the true deceivers, but that does not stop them from using people to lie and make it appear that they themselves are the ones being deceived. It did not matter though, they could have put a thousand guards in front of that tomb, Jesus would have still arose, and He did. Did that make them believers? No. They made up some story and paid the guards to say that the disciples stole His body.

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” – Matthew 28:2-4,8,11-15.

“Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” The wicked will do anything to discredit Jesus still today, and right now they may seem to have the last laugh, but there will come a day when every knee will bow, and then where will they be, in hell. As Christians, we are not put on this earth to blend in with the world, we are here to stand out in faith, knowing that everything in the Bible is true. Our only defense is to get in the Word of God and show them that we will not give up on our God and King. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.” – Isaiah 45:22-24.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – Matthew 28:5-6.

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, To the world, everything I believe in and stand for about You is a joke and untrue, I am so glad that I am not part of them. I understand that I am not saved by my works of righteousness, but by my believing and accepting that Your work on the cross is all I need to save me. I am trusting only in You Jesus to keep me out of hell and know that no matter what I have done or will do I am forgiven and You will never leave nor forsake me. To show my appreciation and love for You I want to live my life with You in it. Lead me and guide me, help me to be a witness and a testimony to the amazing life that I now live with You, and let me be bold to speak the truth when others want to tear me down for my faith. I love You, Lord and pray in Your name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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