†
Matthew 27:62-66
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
We have a pretty good idea what Pilate was doing on Holy Saturday. The First Passover after the grace upon grace Ministry of Jesus Christ. The day after the Crucifixion.
Pilate is extremely uncomfortable.
The historic letter to Emperor Claudius, written by Pontius Pilate and referred to by 3 Roman historians, Epiphanius (Heresies 50.1), Justin Martyr (First Apology, Justin the Philosopher, A.D. 150) and Tertullian (Apology, A.D. 200). The Acts of Pontius Pilate were kept in the Roman archives, Commentarii principis. The Pilate to Claudius letter has fully disappeared, in more recent history. And false letters of Pilate to the Emperor, are shared outside of fact, social media, not following the historical references.
Judea had portions of 3 Legions.
And in the portions, an equivalency of one and a half Legions of the Roman Empire. This meant they had 3 Tribunes and 6 Centurions. We know the names of two of the Tribunes, thanks to the details of the Roman Empire.
Never did God make the soldiers famous to earn them a death. The unnamed soldiers on Good Friday were placed oddly in Scripture as men, signing on for 20 years as military to the Roman Empire, who obey orders. And then ... gave witness to their prisoner, condemned to die, as the Son of God.
The soldiers would return home to Rome and in 16 years, the Roman Empire, had a frightened Emperor learning more and more about Jesus, The King of Kings. And Mark was asked by Peter to write Peter's most asked questions about Jesus' Ministry. These soldiers played a very unique part in History.
The soldiers, the guard, are uncomfortable.
It was a very unusual set of military operations. And more discomfort would follow.
The Disciples have clumped together and hidden, in a place the Scriptures do not reveal, for the safety of the first Century Christians in Jerusalem. They have betrayed Jesus, The Christ.
Holy Saturday
isn't comfortable
for all the people who tried to find comfort.
Matthew 19:27-29
27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
28 Jesus said to them,
“Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” 
The family of Jesus is very uncomfortable.
They had left Mary, basically, to fend for herself. Minus a sister of Mary's.
Joseph of Arimathea
asking Pilate for Jesus' body
is admitting the Council wasn't complete.
Very Brave of Joseph of Arimathea.
How Is Jerusalem, this Holy Saturday of Passover
This was not a 2 Million pilgrimage Passover.
Rome had been occupied since 63 BC. Julius Caesar's same age General Pompey invaded. Pompey was the son-in-law, married to Julius Caesar's only child, his daughter, Julia. Pompey was eager to enter the God on earth Temple in Jerusalem. The God of Gods. He specifically chose this mission to enter the Holy of Holies. Pompey arrived when the invasion was complete and strode to the Women's Court. Suddenly, Pompey, who had travelled for weeks, planned for months; Was inside The Temple in Jerusalem, beyond the signs warning of death. Pompey, immediately returned to Rome, went to see his same age father-in-law, and explained some aspects of life are not for mortal men. And Pompey, was pompous, the name originates with the historic General, told Caesar, he knew not to tamper with God.
Josephus, the Historian to 3 Roman Emperors. Began after the invasion of 72 A.D. from soon to be Emperor Titus. Josephus was another General and had been taken by the invading Roman Empire to see Masada. Much of our understanding of the connection between Rome and Judea was because of General Josephus.
The Historian
General Josephus
in Judea,
after Jerusalem was laid waste,
Josephus looked at the accounting of the Temple
and wrote the History of the Jews
and Roman History
for 3 Roman Emperors.
The accounting of pilgrimages told Josephus
the Temple would have up to 16
Temple Ceremonies during
High Holy Days
the pew counts were obtained by the number
of accounting for animal sacrifices,
and the count of Jerusalem High Holy Days
as Good Friday and Easter
occurred on Passover
— was 2 Million Pilgrimages by the people, —
generally excluding children,
this is the definition
of the word
— MULTITUDE —
This was not a 2 Million pilgrimage Passover.
On Good Friday, many women were following the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 3 Passages of the Gospels mention the bravery of the women to attend to Jesus on Good Friday.
The road to Emmaus tells us, “All of Israel knows.” And we see a large crowd yelling for his Crucifixion. One of the Gospels records men followed with many women to mourn and weep His Death.
We can be sure, this pilgrimage was cancelled.
And Jesus spoke to them. And John wrote of the women who risked their lives to be at the Cross for Jesus.
Matthew 27: 54-56
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” 55And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Luke 19:40
And He answered and said unto them,
“I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Jesus told us if we did not give praise, the rocks would cry out.
Abba, Father,
When the
Events of
Easter
As we think of the Sacrifice
of Jesus Christ
His Love
as He Forgave
We realize
a Thousand Years
are a Day to You.
And Give You Thanks
for
our
Salvation.
God of Light
You are in all things
You are Light of the world
Light of mankind
Light of Heaven
In all Things, You Create
You have given us Jesus Christ
Holy is
the Highest Name
Above
all others
Your Kingdom come
Your Good Will be done
we pray for more
on earth
just as it is in Heaven.
Give us This Day
Our Daily Bread.
Jesus the Living Bread.
Forgive us our Trespasses
as
we forgive those
who Trespass
Against us.
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from Evil.
For Thine
is the
Kingdom
and the Power
and the Glory.
Amen in Jesus Christ
John 21
Thank you, Jesus our Lord Christ
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment