John.Creel
Joy-Wondered-Great Joy
Historic Setting: Approximately 2025 years ago near Jerusalem, Bethany, and the mount of Olives
Jesus and His disciples prepare for the feast of Passover. In a place prepared, Jesus breaks bread with His disciples before He was to suffer. He explained the bread is His body which is given for them, and the cup is His blood which is shed for them. Shortly after, Jesus taught His disciples as they strove about who was the greatest that He was among them as He that serveth. He then appointed them a kingdom, as the Father appointed to Him so they may eat and drink with Him at His table in His kingdom, and sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Fast-forward around the mount of Olives, Jesus instructs His disciples to pray that ye enter not into temptation. Scripture teaches Jesus kneels praying to His Heavenly Father that if it is His will to remove this cup from Him, nevertheless not His will, but the Father’s be done. An angel appears unto Him from heaven, Jesus was strengthened. In agony, Jesus prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Shortly afterward, the multitude arrives to arrest Jesus as He reinforces that He was daily in the temple and no hand was against Him, but that it was their hour and the power of darkness. Some hour or so later the men who held Jesus began to mock Him, and smite Him. At daybreak, Jesus is led into the council by the elders, priests, and scribes. They asked Jesus, art thou the Christ? Tell us they demanded. Jesus replied, “If I tell you, ye will not believe: and If I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” They continue art thou the Son of God? Jesus said unto them, Ye say that I am.
The multitude arose and led Jesus to Pilate who asked Him if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered Pilate, Thou sayest it. Pilate found no fault in Jesus and sent Him to Herod due to Galilaean jurisdiction. Herod was glad Jesus appeared before him because he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him. Herod questioned Christ, but He answered Him nothing. Herod and his men of war mocked him and arrayed Jesus in a gorgeous robe. Jesus was then sent back to Pilate who sought to free him by offering a prisoner release but the people being led by the chief priests desired Barabbas, a murderer to be delivered to them and that Jesus be crucified. Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified and His cross was laid upon Simon, a Cyrenian.
Jesus was taken to a place called Calvary, and there they crucified Jesus with a malefactor on each side. Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The soldiers mocked Him and offered Him vinegar and saying if thou be the King of the Jews save thyself. One of the malefactors said unto Jesus, Lord remember me when thou comest into they kingdom. Jesus told him, verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
After Jesus’ death on the cross, three days following Jesus’ body was not in the tomb and reports that Jesus was risen from the dead was delivered by angels who asked, why seek ye the living among the dead. Jesus also revealed Himself to two disciples on the way to Emmaus and when He broke bread. As those disciples returned to tell the disciples they had seen Jesus after His resurrection, Jesus appeared in the midst and said peace be unto you. The apostles were terrified and thought they had seen a spirit. Jesus told them a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have as Jesus showed them His hands and His feet.
While the disciples believed not for joy, and wondered He said unto them, have ye here any meat? Jesus then ate a piece of broiled fish and an honeycomb. Jesus then opened their understanding to the scripture that it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead on the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jesus also instructed them to tarry at Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high. Jesus then led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He did Jesus was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. They worshipped Jesus, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
The glorious hope of the resurrection lay before those who believe the truth that Jesus is the Son of God and follow Him in spirit and in truth. Even after all hope was seemingly gone for Jesus’ followers, God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead as it was told them. God’s promises are yes and amen. The light of Jesus shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Jesus is a wonderful redeemer, healer, and savior so we can be reconciled to Him and receive eternal life.
(Summary of Luke 22-24)
