1 Corinthians 15 ~ hold fast

The Garden Tomb was found by Biblical Archeologists because it fit the biblical location, looking like a skull, as it says in the Bible the tomb was near Golgotha. In 2003, Archaeologists gave evidence there never was another city wall. The theoretical earlier city wall would have let the enemy stand upon the mountain looking down into Jerusalem - not a feasible idea and no evidence of that other wall has been ever located. This tomb is closest to the city wall described in the Bible.

Please notice, it is still empty today!



1 Corinthians 15


English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

What did the Resurrection mean to the people alive at Jesus' Resurrection?

Matthew 27:51-52
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised


John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

1 Corinthians 15:5b-8
he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”


John 20:26-29
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


Have a Blessed Easter.


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Luke 23:48-56 ~ on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment

The Women at Jesus' Tomb, painted by James Tissot

Luke 23:48-56

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

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.


After a death, a severe blow - a tragedy, we know people pray. We know because we are fortunate to live in a time the city television news crews record people saying - they prayed and prayed to God.

Mary, His Mother, John - the beloved disciple and His Mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, the women from Galilee, and there were also many other women who came up with Jesus to Jerusalem. They had stood at the Cross of Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

What did they do on the last Saturday Sabbath. Passover. Holy Saturday. What was the first Easter Vigil? It is known -from the beloved disciple, John's writings. (John wrote in John's Gospel, in John 1,2 and 3, and Revelation.) It was not hard for John to Believe the end of the world - they had all discussed, personally, with Jesus - the end, was near. John, in the Scripture writings, had seen evil triumph. John had witnessed Jesus' Glory as the Son of God. John referred to this Glory seeing Moses and Elijah, hearing the Voice of God proclaim Jesus as His beloved Son, so 16 times in John's Gospel he speaks of Glory without breaking his promise to Jesus not to reveal it directly. John had witnessed the Son of God cry out His feeling of abandonment from God and he heard Jesus cry out His forgiveness. John was permanently shaken by the Glory and the evil.

In the midst of feeling like supreme evil had triumphed over The Messiah, what do we know was recorded? The crucifixion records what drowning, shocked survivors clung to with all their might during the first Easter Vigil. They looked at what their soul could cling to. This is what they clung to in the hope, the consolation they were seeking from God Almighty's power and mercy:

Matthew 26:53
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?


Matthew 27:

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.

34 they offered him [Jesus] wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised

53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.


Matthew 28:
11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.


Mark:

18 And they (soldiers) began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”


Luke:

27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

40 But the other [thief, one of the two with Christ] rebuked him [first thief], saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.


John:

19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.

36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.


Now, let's think about this.

John 19:33-34
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

Some Mayo Clinic doctors have created a Website to discover why Jesus died in just hours instead of the days a crucifixion can take - using the methods described in the Bible about Jesus' crucifixion. This website is a winner of the Majon Web Select Seal of Excellence Award, as mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. 34 physicians contributed and they drew from 40 or more medical sources. The Website has pages and pages of documentation. The summary conclusion would be Jesus died very quickly from a failing heart brought about from the shock of betrayal, and extreme mortification at the treatment of abandonment and crowd persecution, as well as from the scourging and being forced to carry, recorded in the Scriptures, a 300 lb. cross. (Yes, I know it is debated if it was a cross beam or cross, Scriptures say "cross"). Asphyxiation contributed to His heart failure. Why the determination of heart failure? Not from the events themselves, Jesus' age and physical fitness from walking great distances would usually rule out heart failure even with the horrors perpetrated upon Him. It is from the blood and water flowing from Him by the spear piercing Him.

The summary physician concludes Jesus' heart failure was a mercy from God.

So, what were all these traumatized, suffering followers doing who loved Jesus? Doing what David did when he felt his life was in danger.

Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

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Isaiah 52:13-53:12 ~ for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; [shall prosper]
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.

14 As many were astonished at you—
his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—

15 so shall he sprinkle [startle] many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.


Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected [forsaken] by men;
a man of sorrows, [pains] and acquainted with [knowing] grief; [sickness]
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation,
who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?

9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief; [he has made him sick]
when his soul makes [when you make his soul]
an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring;
he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul
he shall see [he shall see light] and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one,
my servant, make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, [with the great]
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, [with the numerous]
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.


Descent from the Cross, painted by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn


We were so fortunate to take our two sons to Washington D.C., we walked from one end of the city to the other. One thing caught the absolute attention of my youngest son, so much so we had to look for him. We went to several art museums. And in the National Museum of Art, we had to look for Alexander. When we found him, his mouth was open slightly and he was looking at Rembrandt's Descent of the Cross.

Anything interesting your child that much, interests you. I asked 15 year old Alexander what he thought of it and he asked quietly, "Don't talk yet." I looked up at this painting and my eyes filled with tears.

Alexander noticed me later and my expression watching the painting. He asked me what I thought. I said wonderful. Alexander said, "That's not the word I would use. This is God coming down from the Cross. I didn't even know what death looks like, but this is death. The weakness. How awful Christ's death was, but there are a few people who are taking Him down so ..... tenderly."

Alexander walked away and he was annoyed. I asked him why. He said, " It was such an awful death and then to see the tenderness of His mother at her Son's side. His mother. And the other people - it confuses me. What was God looking for? Why not make it all bad..."

"Alexander. That is what life is. The good and the bad. You know about Jesus. This is what He came for. If He didn't act as our sacrifice, we would not be here. We would not be part of eternity. We would be creatures of decay."

We didn't know it that day in 2007, but that conversation would be continued in September of 2008. Good Friday is not about my Isabelle, my daughter stillborn, but we learned what it was to have a child die.

There are times life plows it's furrows into you. God knows sorrow. God knows pain. First hand. Just as Jesus, God walking the earth, knew the tears of sorrow in Lazarus' death. God wept to see His Son suffer and die.

There are people today who find Jesus' death repugnant. Even when we are soul deep bruised, there is a greater reality. A higher power than just us. A bigger plan. God's purpose for Jesus was larger than Mary's pain. God planned it, God foreknew it.

God tasted His plan. He lived His plan. He did the hard work. He wept. He walked deliberately into fulfilling His Word. Knowing. Knowing mankind. Knowing in the Old Testament He warned them not to storm up Mount Sinai to see Him. God longed to touch us, to take our pain, to comfort us. So He lived among us, dwelt with us. Knowing what we would do to Him. And just as people see Jesus - GOD - as repugnant - God chose to do this amazing sacrifice - ending all sacrifices in God's Temple and the Temple itself - for All of Mankind.

Suffering? God is There. God Sees Something Important in Mankind Worth Saving.

What is this to you, an individual?

God does the impossible. He takes Jesus crucified, a mockery before men, torn apart. A mockery of being lifted up. And God makes Jesus King. Forever. 2,000 years the Church of God still blazes forth the Truth of His Glory. Eternally.

He places His Words in us to reach us. God takes bruised, bleeding, broken death and turns it into the Faith - it actually happened. Into Hope - He means me. And Love - I am invited to grab and keep God's love for me.

I have a dear friend, life kicked as hard as it will to knock her down. She stumbled, ended her fallen marriage to have an affair with a handsome man. Married him. Together they had a good times, weren't good parents, had a distant, casual relationship with Church. Even less a relationship with Jesus. He had a broken childhood with a mom who didn't teach him how to be a parent, how to know God. He put drugs into himself to compensate for his brokenness. My friend tried to get him to love her more than the drugs. She offered him a lovely home, people who loved him, but she told him he would be divorced over the drugs.

He was 39 years old when his wife discovered he wasn't taking a nap. He had overdosed. Life flighted. 4 days of tests. All showed complete brain death. His mom fled shrieking after the first day. Leaving my friend so alone.

A Hospital Chaplin asked her if she was Christian, she sobbed she was Presbyterian. That Chaplin reached out, took firm hold of her arm and told her she was not going to be alone. He was not going to leave her side until she was at peace.

The time came to pull the plug. That Hospital Chaplin, who's first name really is Rock, anointed her husband's head with oil. He made the sign of the cross. "Harry, Jesus is coming to give you life. When you see the light of Jesus Christ as Lord, reach out and take His hand. Harry, Jesus loves you very much. Reach out and take Jesus' hand."

Harry didn't even have pupils dilating. He was brain dead. Harry opened his eyes, lifted up his head, put his hand up, smiled and died.

My friend was baptized in a creek as soon as she could arrange it. Seeing Jesus come to love Harry changed her life. That is what God is. He comes into a situation - where nothing is right. Nothing is righteous. Only desperate need and willingness to receive Him. And ever particle of light transforms tragedy into Glory.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Faith - Jesus actually is who He says He is. And does what He promises to.
Hope - He meant for me
Love - All there ever was, inviting You to be Loved forever.

Jesus Christ. The Alpha and the Omega. God's Son. Given for you.

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Matthew 26 ~ the Son of Man will be delivered up

Matthew 26

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Archeologists have found a 6,500 square foot house with dungeon or pit for prisoners, historical documents agree it is Caphaias' house (below) frequently used for meetings. Located on Mount Zion. Just outside the Old City. Mt Zion and the Mount of Olives are about 2,000 feet apart.

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Caiaphas' Ossuary discovered in the family tombs in Israel in the 1960s. An alabaster flask found in tombs in Israel. Persian era. Museum of Israel. 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

30 shekels from the days Jesus lived on earth

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

The Last Supper is found by following all of the Churches built upon the site known as the Upper Room, built above David's Tomb. Located in Mount Zion.

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Olive trees are at least 2,000 years old in Mount of Olives

33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

HopePointe Church garden

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”

Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus delivered up to Caiaphas, painted by James Tissot

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.

At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter's Denial, painted by Ron di Cianni

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Father God. Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled." Isaiah 49:7 This is what the LORD says--the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel--to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." 7/19/20142 Samuel 1:1-16 ~ And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’" http://scripture-for-today.blogspot.com/2013/07/2-samuel-11-16-and-he-said-to-me-who.html 7/19/2014 Hebrews 10:26-31 ~ will be deserved http://scripture-for-today.blogspot.com/2010/08/hebrews-1026-31-will-be-deserved.htm link ♔ Lord Jesus Saves † <><














































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Luke 15:1-10 ~ joy in heaven

Luke 15:1-10

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

View from the Cross, painted by James Tissot



What would cause God to want to live and move and have His dwelling among us? Why would He want to bring us grace upon grace?

When we think about Moses bringing the Word to us, in this generation, we probably think of Cecil DeMille's movie - the lawlessness, revelry and golden calf waiting for Moses' return from the mountain. When the Children of Israel first arrived at Mount Sinai, God had all of them assemble at the foot of the mountain. Moses was going to speak His Covenant to them. God had them wait for 3 days.... then He would reveal Himself to all of them. They had to be warned not to rush up the mountain to God.

Exodus 19:2b-15
There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”

When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

The Father Chose to Give us His Son, Jesus, for a New Covenant.

Luke 15:20
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me

Luke 18:16
Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

Luke 6:19
And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

Matthew 20:34
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 1:41
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

Luke 4:40
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

This is the week the Son would go to the Father. Holy Week. Jesus continued to teach. He taught He is the Vine and His Father the Vinedresser. Jesus is the Father running to us. Grace upon Grace.

Blessed are You, Father. And Your Son, Jesus Christ. Redeemer. Holy Spirit.

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Isaiah 42:1-7 ~ I will give you as a covenant for the people

Jesus Heals the Sick, painted by James Tissot


Isaiah 42:1-7

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged [bruised] till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

When we look at the Gospel of John - to see what Jesus would have been doing on Tuesday of Holy Week, we see Jesus becoming emphatic, emotional about declaring Jesus Is God's Word - of Truth and Grace - choosing to live with us.

Jesus cried out. To Tell Us. His words:

John 12:44-48

And Jesus cried out and said:

“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me! And whoever sees me sees him who sent me!

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Jesus Teaches by the Sea, painted by James Tissot

John 1: 1-5, 9-14, 16-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


Beloved in the LORD, this is the nature of God who loves you.

Thank You, Father God, You are grace and truth dwelling among us, in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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