Tag: truth

  • What is Truth-2-Scourging your enemy

    What is Truth-2-Scourging your enemy

    Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him.

    John 19:1 NASB

    A Contest to Govern

    Contests to govern are always waged between the wealthy in charge and the wealthy who would rather be in charge.

    Roger Harned- talkofJesus.com

    Why is God about to suffer by the hands of His enemies?

    To fully understand what is about to take place, we examine the motivations of those in charge:

    1. The religious enemies of Jesus and
    2. The political enemies of Jesus

    Mocking your Enemy in Public

    By now we have seen the betrayal of Jesus by one of His own. And because of Jesus’ popularity with the populace of Jerusalem, powerful religious leaders had seized Jesus under the cover of darkness and tried Him in pre-choreographed trials away from the crowds.

    You may find it helpful to understand the background of Rome’s mocking its enemies in public, which you can read more about in the commentary.

    Much of the following insight quotes BlueletterBible.org commentary of Chuck Smith, secure link of full text & audio versions:: C2000 Series on John 18-19
    - Graphics & secure internal links below open separate tabs to previous posts from this series from the Gospel of John.

    This is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent ​— ​Jesus Christ. John 17:3 CSB picture of bright sun in the golden sky
    Eternal Life

    Jesus, the Christ of GOD

    Logos Word of God
    Logos: Greek describing Jesus Christ. “In the beginning was the word… John 1:1

    During the night in Gethsemane:

    and he said unto them, Who are you looking for? And they answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. And he said unto them, I am he. (Jhn 18:4-5)

    quote & commentary below from blueletterbible.org

    You’ll notice that the word he is in italics, which means that is was added by the translators. Jesus just said, “I am.” That divine name of the eternal God. When Jesus said, “I am,” there went forth, no doubt, a blast of power, divine power.

    And as he said unto them, I am he, they fell backward to the ground.

    (Jhn 18:6)

    Now, at that point, Jesus could have just walked off and left them lying there. It is interesting that Jesus is in control of the whole situation. He is the Master. And though they have come to arrest Him, He is the one that is giving the orders.

    Now we examine the motives of Jesus’ enemies:

    Religious Rule over the Jews

    painting of Hebrews in the wi
    I AM the Bread of Life

    Jerusalem’s previous administration had lost power over the Empire’s right to tax their captive kingdom (Herod’s, in name only). When the Jews violently took to the streets in protest a couple of years previously, Pilate executed many Jews and revoked the authority of their leaders to execute anyone.

    depiction of Jesus in a crowded room on trial by Caiaphas
    Jesus trial by Caiaphas, High Priest

    Annas

    Continuing from the commentary of Chuck Smith

    And they led him away to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year (Jhn 18:13).

    Annas had been the high priest from the year five to the year sixteen. Annas was probably one of the most influential, powerful, wealthy men in the city of Jerusalem. At this particular time, the high priesthood was a political kind of an appointment by the Roman government. And it was secured by a bidding kind of a process. They paid and bribed for the privilege of being the high priest. It was extremely corrupted at this point. Annas was the high priest, and being the patriarch of that family, was recognized still as the power behind the office of the high priest.

    More about Monday's incident of Jesus overturning the tables of the moneychangers at the Temple in the commentary link.

    .. And so, He was first brought to this man, an extortioner, a wealthy man, a Sadducee.

    Caiaphas

    So that’s why there were two high priests, Annas the patriarch, the old man, recognized by the people; but the Roman government had appointed politically Caiaphas as the high priest. [My emphasis. – RH]

    Now, this Caiaphas was the one who said, “Look, it’s necessary that one be killed for the whole nation.”

    And Simon Peter followed Jesus (Jhn 18:15),

    And John does not tell us about His trial before Caiaphas, but the other gospels, Matthew and Mark tell us about the trial before Caiaphas.

    Physical Abuse of Jesus by the Jews!

    Note further from Smith’s commentary the beginnings of the sufferings of their Messiah Jesus by the hands of the Jewish leaders clinging to their tenuous power in Jerusalem.

    Now, Jesus had already experienced a tremendous buffeting in the house of Caiaphas. There, they put a covering over His head. And with this bag over His head, they began to hit Him. Now, that’s vicious. We are fearfully and wonderfully designed, and we are designed to have automatic reflex actions. And when we see a blow coming, we automatically reflex to protect ourselves from that blow by fainting and going with the blow, thus cushioning it. And as long as you see the blow coming, it’s amazing what you can absorb. As long as your body can see it coming and you can then compensate and cushion and relax and flow with it.

    .. So by covering Jesus’ eyes, by covering His head, and then buffeting Him, no chance to faint or to respond, and you take the full force of the blow, you don’t know it’s coming, Wham! That hurts! He’d already taken that kind of abuse.

    His face already bruised, swollen, bloodied by the blows from Caiaphas, they continued the abuse by smiting Him, putting on the crown of thorns, mocking Him. There is a horrible mob psychology, where people lose all of their natural inhibitions and restraints and act as a mob and like an animal. And it’s always shocking the things that people can do in the anonymity of a mob. The true vicious nature of man, sinful nature of man is revealed.

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  • What is Truth?

    What is Truth?

    Opinion Poll | Vote today:

    Which politician do you believe?

    Who will vote for Truth?

    A vile venom of political and religious rhetoric is nothing new under the sun in the 1st century A.D. or this 21st century.

    If you share any of my political views or religious convictions, you’ve likely been agitated by escalation of accusations in current events.

    We find many parallels in history, but none with more impact that a 1st. century trial of Jesus Christ by Jerusalem’s Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

    Truth on Trial

    politics and religion - imaginary view of Roman temple of Jupiter
    1st c in the year of our Lord

    Previously in 2020..

    We have been following the Gospel (Good News) of John:

    ALL took place in 1st century Jerusalem in the brief span of one week!

    Continuing Jesus’ trials..

    Yesus facing Pilate

    Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

    “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

    Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

    “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there…

    John 18:37-38a NIV

    Jesus has already been found guilty and tried by the Jewish leaders Annas and Caiaphas during the wakening hours of this day. Then they brought the Messiah to the governor Pilate, who has just questioned their prisoner in his own judge’s quarters (which the Jews would not enter).

    John 18:

    38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

    Now Pilate brings Jesus back into the public spotlight.

    And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him…

    What an amazing statement of truth!

    Prior to questioning Jesus in his Judge’s chambers, Pilate had already acquitted Jesus in public.

    What accusation do you bring against this Man?

    We read previously in Kings, Governors, Politicians & Priests 2 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.”

    In effect, the Roman Governor of all the province of Judea acting as High Court Judge of Jerusalem tells them, ‘Case dismissed.’

    Now, after private questioning of Jesus about their accusation, Pilate once again finds Jesus, Not Guilty!

    But now begins the politics of playing the crowds.

    Justice by Public Opinion – a Poll of the people

    Once again, some time passes as the Jerusalem crowds gather for the preparation for the Passover feast. The buzz of the multitudes outside must have reminded Pilate of the great accolades for Jesus as He had approached Jerusalem just five days before.

    As Governor of Judea, Pilate also had to placate officials of the Sanhedrin who Jesus offended in the Temple courts on Monday.

    What’s a politically correct way to please the crowds who followed Jesus AND the Jewish leaders who help Pilate maintain the peace of Jerusalem?

    The Judge of Judea will show mercy to this innocent man.

    So the Prefect likely sent guards to the prison to bring a second previously condemned man to the governor near to Pilate’s position above the crowds. Now the Jews will see the truth of an innocent Man compared to an insurrectionist murderer like this prisoner Barabbas.

    “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

    IF you didn’t already know the ending of this Good Friday, you might jump up and applaud Pilate’s political correctness.

    Everybody wins when the governor shows mercy. This powerful Roman governor of Judea seems to judge truth with great fairness.

    BUT, as you know, crowds may be easily swayed from doing what is right.

    40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”

    Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

    CSB

    John 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

    To be continued...
    Page TWO - Please click Page 2 below for the questions.

    Yes, it’s a POLL

    Your political opinion about religion

    & politics A.D. 2020

    Pages: 1 2

  • From This World to the Next – Truth

    From This World to the Next – Truth

    Jesus continues to pray for those the Father has given Him:

    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

    John 17:19 KJV

    What is truth?

    ‘What is truth?’ Pilate will soon ask the Creator of all things who came to this world of His creation.

    Yet prior to the tragic truth of the trial of His righteousness sacrificed for us, Jesus prays for those given to Him:

    “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.[CSB]

    Christ Jesus, sanctified for us, prayed about truth. So just as we previously defined sanctification [in our last post linked above] let’s define truth as used in scripture.

    ἀλήθεια – truth

    1. objectively
      1. what is true in any matter under consideration
        1. truly, in truth, according to truth
        2. of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
      2. what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
        1. in the greatest latitude
        2. the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
      3. the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
    2. subjectively
      1. truth as a personal excellence
        1. that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit

    The Truth of Eternal Life

    All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

    Romans 3:23 CEV

    This includes you, fellow sinner.

    Eternal God and Mortal Man

    A reflection of Psalm 90:
    Before the mountains were born
[c]Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:2 picture of mountains in mist by lake

    3 You return mankind to the dust,
    saying, “Return, descendants of Adam.”

    7 For we are consumed by your anger;
    we are terrified by your wrath.
    8 You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
    9 For all our days ebb away under your wrath;
    we end our years like a sigh.

    But what next?

    ‘The days of our years are threescore years and ten… OR perhaps eighty, the Psalm reminds us… (OR perhaps a score more, but maybe just 50 years… or a death more sudden).

    ‘… Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
    For soon it is gone and we fly away.” – Psalm 90:10b NASB

    Returning to the night of Jesus’ betrayal

    The Messiah Jesus came to man — living among us and teaching God’s way.

    The Lord looks toward heaven on this night on which He was betrayed. From an upper room in Jerusalem Jesus prays to God our Father. This perfect High Priest stands before His own Altar of suffering and Sacrifice on behalf of those the LORD has chosen.

    For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

    John 17:19 NASB

    You will die and I will die.

    The Son of Man did die… for those whom He sacrificed for Himself.

    The witness of Scripture and the Gospel confirm what happened next to the Messiah of God. What will be next for you?

    Hebrews 9: excerpt:

    A New Covenant

    Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies… only the high priest enters…

    11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation..

    .. through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

    … sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh …

    … “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU.” …

    For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

    Hebrews 9:24

    … at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

    And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment

    Hebrews 9:27 NASB

    AND YES, fellow sinner, you know well from Scripture what is NEXT after DEATH.

    28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

    Do You await HIM?

    As Jesus our High Priest interceded for them, the Apostles only had hint of what would come next. Certain sacrifice of their Lord and ours! Probably persecution and death for each Disciple of Jesus, the only question being when.

    Yet by the Lord’s prayer of protection He sent disciples into a world which hates Jesus, the Christ of GOD; a world which hates the very GOD it denies.

    No question about it, ALL will die; but few await death with joyous expectation. Do you await the resurrection of our flesh and joining of your soul and the Spirit of the LORD GOD?

    NONE want to face the Judgment of sin – an evil nature woven into our being which cannot face the Very Light of the Lord GOD.

    Those who deny God or claim Christ falsely must, in time, face the judgment of having chosen darkness over the Light and Glory of God and of having refused God’s grace of a new choice to turn back to the path of righteousness which leads to life in paradise.

    What is True of Christ Jesus?

    The Good News of John about Jesus our Savior:

    Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

    Truth from the Gospel of John 14:6

    • The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
    • “Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
      • “This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil…
        • “But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
    • Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
    • “I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:19 KJV

    Do you hear your Savior’s voice and open the door to Him?

    Will you receive eternal life?

    He has sanctified those He calls to eternal life.

    How will you get to the paradise of God without the righteousness of Christ Jesus?

    ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. – Revelation 3:22 KJV

    Amen.