The Devotional

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 223 Luke 23:44-49 – The King on the Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 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. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly, this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah The reaction of Creation resulting from the death of the Creator, when Jesus gave up His spirit and breathed His last physical breath, is a moment in the...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 222 Luke 23:26-43 – The King on a Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew; “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” . Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ save Yourself and us.” But the other answering, rebuked him saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we receive the due reward for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “LORD, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah At this event in the life of Christ, the battle between human cruelty and Devine Grace is at the pinnacle. Also, it is the war between God and the devil. Yet it is not ...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 221 Luke 23:26-37 – The King on a Cross ( Matt. 27:32–44 ; Mark 15:21–32 ; John 19:17–24 ) Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. “For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ “Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified H...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 220 Luke 23:13-25 – Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; “no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed, nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. “I will therefore chastise Him and release Him ” (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for d...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 219 Luke 23:6-12 – When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah This outline is extracted from Dr. Thomas Constable’s research regarding the final day of the physical Life of Chris...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 218 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah Jesus' Religious Trials Before Annas John 18:12-14, 19-24 Before Caiaphas Matt. 26:57-68; Mark ...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 217 ( Matt. 27:1 , 2 , 11–14 ; Mark 15:1–5 ; John 18:28–38 ) Luke 23:1-5 – Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “ It is as you say.” So, Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”  Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah   The contrast or juxtaposition of religion and Truth is, even to this day, a daily battle throughout the world. In this small portion of scripture this morning we see clearly that the war that rages against God is controlled by Satan through or by religion. The...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 216 Luke 22:63-71 – Jesus is mocked and beaten ( Matt. 26:67 , 68 ; Mark 14:65 ) Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. ( Matt. 26:57–68 ; Mark 14:61–64 ; John 18:12–14 , 19–24 ) As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. “And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.   “Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 215 Luke 22:54-62 – Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while, another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before th...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 214 Luke 22:47-53 – And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah ( Matt. 26:47–56 ; Mark 14:43–52 ; John 18:1–11 ) As you may recall, when important event...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 213 Luke 22:38b - 46 – … “it is enough.” Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah   According to the time of the evening, it is late Thursday or early Friday morning; Jesus will not talk ...

The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 212 Luke 22:35-38 – And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end. ”So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah This passage is not recorded in any of the other gospels, but I believe it is important since it falls within the last personal conversations that Jesus has with the eleven (Judas has left the group to betray the Messiah). Taking an excerpt from the commentary of Dr. Tom Constable we read – Luke probably included this part of Jesus' conv...