Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT

Friday, March 12th

False Accusations, Mark 15:1-8 -Written by Carol Sparks

 

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision.  They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.  “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.  “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.  The chief priests accused him of many things.  So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer?  See how many things they are accusing you of.”  But Jesus made no reply and Pilate was amazed.  Now it was the custom at the feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested.  A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.  The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  Mark 15:1-8

The Jewish leaders who were jealous and resentful of Jesus wanted him tried and executed on a cross.  The only way to accomplish this feat was to make false accusations against him.  (Who is the Liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ…I John 2:22.)  The slander promoted by the religious leaders illustrates the sinful human condition and our need for a Savior. The plan of salvation offers forgiveness; resulting in a restored relationship with God.   Jesus is about to fulfill his mission on earth.

Isaiah called Jesus the ‘man of sorrows; familiar with suffering.’  Jesus was hated, slandered and persecuted and he warned that we, as Christians, will be subjected to the same type of treatment.  When the truth is distorted and we suffer because of our commitment to the Lord, God will give us the grace and strength to remain faithful to the one who gives us peace and takes away our suffering. 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT Saturday, February 20th 40 Days, Lenten Sacrifice - Written by Ben Kraihanzel   Matthew 4:1,2   Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.   2  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matthew 3 ends on profound moment in the life of Christ, his baptism. This moment was significant because it not only gave us a glimpse of the humanity of Jesus, but also allowed Jesus to identify with sinners (us). Heading into Matthew 4:1-2, we see another moment of    identification as Jesus is led into severe   temptation by the devil. There is a   remarkable contrast between the imminent glory of Jesus’ baptism and the dark challenge to be tempted by the devil. The timing of 40 days and 40 nights is a callback to the nation of Israel   wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  Jesus will succeed where Israel as a nation failed. Temptation is a cert...
Read more
Image
  Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT Saturday, April 3rd Transfigured , Matthew 17:1-6  - Written by Kristen Raine After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  2  There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.    3  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4  Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him   I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6  When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.   Matthew 17:1-6 Can you imagine this moment?   Seeing Jesus in perhaps His heavenl...
Read more
  Lent 2021 - TURNING POINT Sunday, April 4th Victory , Matthew 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Je...
Read more