Ray Ruppert's Blog, page 17

God's Purpose for You

 
What do you think the Lord's will is for you? What is your purpose on this earth? I'm not talking about the things that are clearly in the Bible, Like praying continually according to First Thessalonians 5 verse 17. Or to be holy according to First Peter 1 verse 16. I'm asking about what the Lord wants you to do with your life as you serve him.

We can see that everyone has a purpose as we look at Esther. She was a young Jewish girl, and orphan, taken against her will, to "try out" to be queen of the Persian empire. If she failed, she would become a concubine in the king's harem. Out of hundreds of beautiful young women, she was selected and became queen.

However an enemy of the Jews tricked the king to sign a decree to kill all the Jews in the empire. She was reluctant to ask the king for help, but her cousin told her this in Ester 4 verse 13 and 14 “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Think about the way the Lord arranged her circumstances to put her in the right place at the right time. And so, she was instrumental in saving the Jews. But remember it was the Lord who did it.

Every person in the Bible is an example of how the Lord has a purpose for a greater good. Seemingly insignificant people. The widow of Zarephath fed the prophet Elijah for three years. In a little village called Bethphage, someone owned a donkey and her colt. Their purpose was to loan them to Jesus for his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. A man carrying a water jar led the apostles to the upper room where Jesus held the Last Supper.

Now, you may wonder what the Lord's purpose is for you? If you are fulfilling the specific commands of the Lord, like believing on Jesus for salvation, living a holy life, you are putting other before yourself, you are diligent in prayer and Bible, study, you are fulfilling his purpose for you.

Here is what the Lord says for each of us. Ephesians 2 verse 10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The Lord does have a plan for you. You may not understand it now.

If what you want to do isn't sinful, Then you are already fulfilling the Lord's purpose for you. Of course that is all predicated on knowing Jesus. If you haven't come to know Jesus, watch my video on Youtube, "The Gospel in 3 Minutes" It will tell you how to know Jesus.

May God Bless you.

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

Don't Dis God

 

KingSennacherib of Assyria had conquered many lands and took on Jerusalem. Hesent his commander to intimidate Hezekiah by dissing Yahweh. Hesaid this in  2 Chronicles  32 verse 9

 

"Now,therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, anddo not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able todeliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much lesswill your God deliver you out of my hand!"

 

Sennacheribeven put it in writing. Doyou know what happened? Twothings, Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed. Thenthe Lord sent an angel and wiped out Sennacherib army. ThenSennacherib's sons killed him.

 

Howdo people dis Yahweh now?

Sayingthe Bible isn't true.Sayingthat the universe created itself.Sayingthat marriage doesn't have to be between one man and one woman.Sayingthat your biological sex isn't what Yahweh made you to be. Sayingthat Yahweh doesn't even exist, there is no God.SayingJesus was only a good teacher or something like that.Sayingthat Yahweh didn't raise him from the dead.Sayingthat Yahweh  will not punish sin.  Sayingthat Jesus' death on the cross isn't enough to save us.Sayingthat you have to follow certain rules to be saved from Yahweh's wrath.Sayingthat you must say Yahweh instead of God or Lord.

Here'sone of the worst ways of dissing the Lord. InMatthew 10 verse 32, Jesus says, "But whoever disowns me before men, Iwill disown him before my Father in heaven."

 

Ifyou have disrespected the Lord you can repent. He will forgive you. Don't belike Sennacherib. Ifyou have dissed the Lord by not turning to Jesus for salvation.

Watchmy video on Youtube, "The Gospel in 3 Minutes" Itwill tell you how to be saved.

 

MayGod Bless you.

 

DissingGod is disastrous for this life and especially for eternity. #bibledevotion#disgod #disownjesus #repent #salvation #gospelin3minutes #jesussaves

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

Wisdom Gained and Lost

 

Doyou ever ask for wisdom? Whatdo you want to do with that wisdom?

Solomonwas much wiser when he first became king than at the end of his reign.

 

Whenhe asked for wisdom, it is summarized in 1Kings 3:9  when Solomon had a dream andask the Lord, "Giveyour servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I maydiscern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your greatpeople?” TheLord was pleased and responded in verse 12 "Behold,I now do according to your word. Behold,I give you a wise and discerning mind, sothat none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.ESV

 

Don'tyou wish that our government leaders would ask the Lord forwisdom to run the country and know good from evil? Isure do. But the story doesn't end there. Listento how Solomon finished his life.

 

In1 Kings 11:1 it says, "NowKing Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh:Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women." ESV TheLord had expressly commanded that Israelites not marry in these nations becausethey would turn them to worship their idols instead of the Lord. Andindeed, Solomon made idols for his wives. Inverse 5 it says he went after the these gods which means he worshiped them.

 

Thatwas the beginning of Solomon's downfall as he threw the Lord's wisdom out thewindow. Apparentlyhe didn't follow his own advice in Prov 4:5 "Getwisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of mymouth." ESV

 

Weare told in 1 Cor 10:11-12 that all the things written in the OT were writtenas examples. Theywere written as warnings so if we think we are standing firm, weneed to be careful that we don't fall.

 

Followingin verse 13, we are told that the Lord won't give us anything we can't handle butwill give us the way out of temptations. Solet us be careful to ask for wisdom but when we get it, to follow it.

 

Foranyone who doesn't know Jesus as Savior, getting wisdom means getting savedfirst. Watchmy video on Youtube, "The Gospel in 3 Minutes" ifyou want to find how to be saved.

 

MayGod Bless you.

 

Aftergetting wisdom we need to follow it or we will fall into sin like King Solomondid. #bibledevotion #Solomon #government #wisdom #temptation #falling #leaders#repent #salvation #gospelin3minutes #jesussaves

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

Cost of a Dysfunctional Family

 

TheBible tells it the way it is. Thefollowing is a story of rape, murder, intrigue, treason, and sorrow. Ittakes place in 2 Sam chapters 13 - 19.

Itis to some extent that the fulfillment of God's judgment on David for hisadultery with Bathsheba.

 

Itstarts with David's oldest son Ammon raping his half-sister Tamar. Tamar'sbrother Absalom rather crassly tells her to forget it. 2Sam 13:21 says, "When King David heard of all these things, hewas very angry." ESV Davidwas King and Father to these three. But David didn't do anything. Hedidn't discipline in his own family.

 

Absalomplotted for two years then killed Ammon. Absalomfled and was brought back to David's after five years. AfterDavid received him back, Absalom plotted to overthrow David. Fouryears later, Absalom had support and declared himself king.

 

Davidfled from Jerusalem and regrouped his army. Inthe battle which killed thousands, Absalom was killed and David returned toJerusalem. Davidmourned for Absalom and his obsession over Absalom almost cost him the supportof his army and his kingship.

 

Thatwas quite a story. It'sthe story of what happens when sin is not dealt with in a godly manner. It'sthe definition of being dysfunctional. David'sown sin caused him to not deal with Ammon correctly. Hedidn't deal with Absalom correctly. Hedidn't show his appreciation to his army for saving him.

 

Perhapsyou are in a dysfunctional family. Peopledon't treat others in godly ways. Youcan be the first to change and repent of you sinfulness. Ifit is because you and family members don't know Jesus. Youcan be first to change. Watchmy video on Youtube, "The Gospel in 3 Minutes" ifyou want to find how to change.

 

MayGod Bless you.

 

KingDavid's dysfunctional family cost many lives and great heartache. It all startswith sin.  #bibledevotion #dysfunction#consequencesofsin #repent #salvation #gospelin3minutes #jesussaves

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

National Leader's Actions Have Consequences

 

Whydid the Angel of the Lord want to destroy Jerusalem? Itwas because of the pride of David the King. Davidhad sinned by taking a census of Israel. Theonly reason for a census was to go to war. ButDavid did it to stoke his ego over being the king of a great number of people.

 

Sothe Lord sent a plague among the people to punish David. Davidrepented and asked the Lord to stop the plague. Theplague was being carried out by the Angel of the Lord.

 

In2 Sam 24:16 the Lord answers David's prayer. "Andwhen the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, theLord relented from the calamity and said to the angel whowas working destruction among the people, 'It is enough; now stay your hand.'”ESV

 

Thesins of public officials have consequences. Theyaffect the whole nation because they are supposed to serve justly. Duringthis upcoming year and future years, youwill be required to vote for leaders who will run the country. Ifyou are not careful to vote only for honorable people, Youmay find yourself suffering the consequences of their sin.

 

Thesame thing happens to families when the leader sins. Consequencescause problems in the family as I explain in the next post about David. Butmore important is your own integrity. Whodo you affect when you sin? Thestory today tells us that even in the midst of the consequences, TheLord can change and restore.

 

Ifyou don't know Jesus as your Savior, all you do is counted as sin. Butyou can repent and be saved. Watchmy video on Youtube, "The Gospel in 3 Minutes" ifyou want to find how to be saved.

 

MayGod Bless you.

 

Whengovernment leaders sin, there are consequences to the nation. The same withfamily when the leader sins. Like David, we can repent and be restored.#bibledevotion #elections #government #integrity #leaders #repent #salvation#gospelin3minutes #jesussaves

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

Who Made God?

 

Noone made God. Bydefinition, God is eternal without begging or end. Ifany person or force or other entity made God, then that would be God. Godcan't even make God because the created being would not be eternal.

 

TheBible is clear about this. Genesis1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (ESV). Thisis the foundation for who God is. Beforethere was anything God was there.

 

Godrevealed his name, Yahweh, to Moses in Exodus 3:14, "Godsaid to Moses, 'I am who I am'" (ESV). "Iam who I am" is equivalent to saying "I exist because I exist." TheLord exists only because he is who he is. Heis not dependent on anyone or anything, Instead everything is dependent on him.

 

Somereligions claim that other gods created God. Mormonismor LDS believes that God was once a man, thatman was created by his god and then made to be God. ThenGod creates all the people on earth and will make some of them to be gods.

 

Thefallacy in this is that whoever made the man that became God would really bethe God we should worship, not the created god. Butthey say even that god was a man who was made by his predecessor god. Andthat god was a man who was made by a god. Thatgoes back into eternity and never stops. It is anendless regression without any true God being found.

 

Godis also omniscient, he knows all and this is what he says about thatfoolishness. Isaiah44:8 "Isthere any God besides me? No,there is no other Rock; I know not one" (NIV). Since God is omniscient he would know about other gods. If he were created by another god, he would know about that one. See,there is no other God. Not one who started a progression of gods and notone who created God.

 

Mostpeople who ask this question do so to confound Christian. Theyare not being honest about the question. Theydon't really want an answer because that would mean they are accountable to God becauseGod has made them.

 

Ipray that if anyone who sees this and gets this far into it and doesn'tbelieve in God, thatthey would recognize their sin and Are you insecure because you don't trust the Lord or know Jesus is your security? Watch this video I've made https://www.tiktok.com/@bibledevotiondaily/video/7091815127263038762?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7235060026946127406

 

Ifit makes sense and you want to be saved from your sins, then repent, expressyour faith in Jesus being your God, King, Savior, Priest, Judge and yourrighteousness, pray the prayer at the end of the video, if you pray and meanit,

KnowGod created you and loves you.

 

MayGod Bless you.

 

Whomade God is not usually an honest question. It is usually an attempt to stumpChristians. This blog explains the fallacy of thinking something created God.#bibledevotion #whocreatedgod #godeternal #onlyonegod #iam #Yahweh  #mormon #LDS #repent #salvation#gospelin3minutes #jesussaves

 

 

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

We Are All Goliaths

 

Howmany times have you heard the story of David and Goliath? Itseems that Everyone says that just as David faced his giant, we can face ours. 

 

Baloney!

 

Moreoften we are the Goliath. Thisstory is not about how we can face our big trials in life. It'smore about how we are Goliaths.

 

Ask yourself,why did David face Goliath? Hefaced off with Goliath because Goliath insulted God. Thesoldiers said in 1Sam 17:26, "Whois this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the livingGod?” (ESV). Indefying the armies of the living God, he was challenging God's sovereignty.

 

Davidwas aghast that no one would stand up for the Lord. WhenDavid went out to fight him,1Sam 17:43 says, "Andthe Philistine cursed David by his gods" (ESV). That'sus. We curse God by the idols in our lives.

 

David'sresponse is in 1 Sam 17:45-47 where he says, "Icome to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,whom you have defied ... Iwill cut off your head ... Thatall the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, Forthe battle is the Lord’s ... and he will give you into our hand" (ESV).

 

Thiswas a cosmic battle. It was about God's honor and that the whole earth willknow about God. 

Areour battles about God's honor? No! We fight against Jesus, the descendant of David. Whenwe don't see that our addictions, sexual sin, depression, and other sinfulpractices, dishonorGod, we are Goliaths. Welike Saul and his army, they are ineffective and don't challenge us. Wedon't want to see any Davids in our lives.

 

We defy God by trying to clean up our own act.We defy God when we think that our salvation is about us and up to us.We defy God when we focus on fixing ourselves instead of bringing glory to God. We defy God when we don't overcome sinful behavior by God's power working in us.

 

TheHoly Spirit is like David who comes to us to convict and destroy the sin in us. Oursins make us Goliaths but Jesus came to slay those sins.Peoplewho call themselves Christians and live like the world are Goliaths who aredefying God. Ifthat's you,  Watch this video I've made https://www.tiktok.com/@bibledevotiondaily/video/7091815127263038762?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7235060026946127406

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

Saul Hiding in the "Baggage"

Israel wanted and king and the Lord gave them one. When Samuel first brought up the subject with Saul, he answered in 1 Sam 9:21 “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” (ESV) He sounds like a humble person and this is what a great leader needs to be.

When it came time to reveal his kingship, all Israel gathered together. The Lord had them cast lots until the lot came to Saul. But where was Saul? The Lord told them, in 1 Sam 10:22 “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” (ESV) Was this still humility or a character flaw, hiding for his duty?

Later when Saul disobeyed the Lord big time, Samuel said in 1 Sam 15:17 “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel?" (ESV) He wasn't humble but insecure. His insecurity led him into disobedience because he didn't trust the Lord. Finally, it led him to envy, murder, paranoia, witchcraft, and suicide.

Humility will seek the best for others and put them first. Humility will seek to be obedient to the Lord and trust him for the outcome of all circumstances. Insecurity takes matters into its own hands as Saul did in his disobedience. Insecurity is ultimately the sin of faithlessness or distrust.

Like any other sin, insecurity if not confessed and repented can lead to other sins as it did with Saul.

Are you insecure because you don't trust the Lord or know Jesus is your security? Watch this video I've made https://www.tiktok.com/@bibledevotiondaily/video/7091815127263038762?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7235060026946127406

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

John 19:16-30 NKJV, Jesus’ Crucifixion, Prophecies Fulfilled

 

16 Then they took Jesus and led Him away. 17 And He, bearing Hiscross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called inHebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one oneither side, and Jesus in the center.

The other Gospels fill in many details that John omits. SinceJohn had access to the other Gospels, guided by the Holy Spirit, he must havemade the decision to include only these details. The only ones that arerepeated is the location, two others were crucified with him, the wording ofthe accusation against Jesus, and the soldiers dividing Jesus’ garments. SinceJohn repeated these, there must be some significance to them.

The Place of the Skull or Golgotha is the first significantpoint as it is outside of Jerusalem. Jesus is portrayed as the Lamb who takesaway the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is the sacrifice that appeases thewrath of God, and this is modeled in the Old Testament sacrifice (Lev 16:15-16).But this rite also includes a second animal, the scapegoat. “The goat shallbear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goatgo free in the wilderness” (Lev 16:21). By being crucified outside the city,Jesus also fulfils the role of the scapegoat as he carries the burden of oursins outside the city.

Golgotha also has some historical significance that raisesmuch speculation. It can be traced back to Genesis 3:15 where we are given acryptic prophecy about the coming Messiah (the seed of the woman) who will bruisethe seed of Satan’s head while Satan bruises the Messiah’s heal. Then comesDavid and Goliath. Goliath has been considered by some as a seed of Satan whobelieve that Goliath and other giants were the offspring of demons and women (Gen6:2-4). David is also considered as an offspring of Eve. The connection toGolgotha occurs when David cuts off Goliath’s head. “And David took the head ofthe Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem” (1 Sam 17:54). The speculation isthat Golgotha is the spot where David buried Goliath’s head and that when Jesusbled on the cross, his blood seeped into the ground and touched Goliath’sskull. This may be speculation, but the imagery is potent. The blood of Jesusconquers the work of Satan according to Colossians 2:15, “He disarmed therulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them inhim.” Thus, the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in Jesus’ death on thecross.

Jesus being crucified between two criminals is absolutelycritical as it fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12 that says he was numberedwith the transgressors. He had to be crucified with at least two others. ButJohn leaves out the conversation with the one thief who repented and askedJesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus’ answer is significant,“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Ittells us that immediately after death we will be with Jesus in his kingdom.There isn’t going to be a delay or soul sleep and any such nonsense. We will bewith Jesus and recognize him and he will recognize us. It tells us that Jesus’human spirit didn’t go to hell or any other place.

19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And thewriting was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jewsread this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; andit was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests ofthe Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'Hesaid, "I am the King of the Jews."'" 22 Pilate answered,"What I have written, I have written."

Writing the charges for a person’s crucifixion and postingthem om the cross was a warning to others who would attempt to violate Romanlaw. The third fact that is included in other Gospels is the charges for Jesus’crucifixion saying that Jesus is King of the Jews. This is obviously not alegal charge deserving of death. Pilate may have put the charges on the crossjust to spite the Jewish leaders and he may have put it up there because hereally believed it. It doesn’t matter what his motive was, the truth of the factis that Jesus is the King of the Jews and was crucified.

Of course, the chief priests complained to Pilate which isa detail the other Gospel do not mention. They wanted a subtle change to the wordingthat would make it seem like a legitimate charge and not a statement of thetruth. However, Pilate wasn’t about to change it. The charge against Jesus hasbeen proclaimed for all to see for all succeeding generations that Jesus is,indeed, King of the Jews.

He is King of the Jews, but the question for us today is,is he your King? Does he rule over your lives and hearts? If he doesn’t then weare no better than Pilate who proclaimed the truth but didn’t do anything aboutit. Or we are no better than the chief priests who only saw it as Jesus’ claimand therefore not binding on ourselves.

23 Then the soldiers, when theyhad crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier apart, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top inone piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it,but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might befulfilled which says:

"They divided My garmentsamong them,

And for My clothing they castlots."

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Each of the Gospels records the soldiers casting lots forJesus’ clothes. John is the only one that adds the details that his tunic waswithout a seam and that this specifically fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 22:18.John must have added these details because the seamless robe is important aswell as it is an exact fulfilment of prophecy. If the robe had not beenseamless, they probably would not have cast lots but would have torn it intofour parts as is suggested that they did with the other clothes. Mosttranslations specify that they made four parts, not simply making four piles ofclothes. When God fulfills prophecy, he doesn’t leave out details.

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and Hismother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesustherefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He saidto His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"  27 Then He said to the disciple, "Beholdyour mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Luke says that the women who had been following Jesus fromGalilee along with Jesus’ acquaintances were watching (Luke 23:49). Mark 15:40mentions only three women by name who were “at a distance.” Matthew doesn’tmention any of Jesus’ followers being near Jesus during his crucifixion. So, thisencounter with Mary and John is only provided in John’s Gospel. It issignificant that John is the only one of the Apostles that dared stay so closeto Jesus so that he could hear and record this very tender moment as Jesusentrusted his mother into John’s care.

In the upper room, Jesus had fully informed his closestdisciples of his departure, but they didn’t completely understand what wasabout to happen. Mary had been informed shortly after Jesus’ birth that somethingwould happen that would cause a sword to pierce her heart (Luke 2:34-35). Thiscloud had been with her all her life. It informed her understanding of what theMessiah would as she pondered these things (Luke 2:19). Jesus doesn’t forgether. Jesus doesn’t forget any of us.

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were nowaccomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "Ithirst!" 

One thing is clear, Jesus couldn’t die until everything isaccomplished that must happen to him and by him. What things must beaccomplished? It starts with Jesus fulfilling the Law as he said in Matthew5:18, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota,not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Jesus had to livea life in perfect obedience to the Law in order to live a righteous life. Hehad to do what Adam didn’t do so that his death could not be for any sin of hisown. It is his righteous life that he now gives to those who believe in him forsalvation.

Jesus also said in Luke 18:31, “See, we are going up toJerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophetswill be accomplished.” If you want to see many of the things that had to beaccomplished, read Psalm 19 and Isaiah 53. Many of these things occurred whileJesus was on the cross and are recorded in the other Gospels.

Jesus also said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will ofhim who sent me and to accomplish his work.” In John 5:36 he said, “For theworks that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I amdoing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” So, Jesus had to dothe miracles that testify to the fact that Jesus is the Mesiah. Ultimately, thework that Jesus was sent to do was to have us believe in him as he told inquirerin John 6:29, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hassent.”

Of course, the final thing that had to be accomplished wasJesus being a propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). We don’t use this wordvery often because many people can’t imagine that God would require his own Sonto die to appease his wrath. But that is exactly what Jesus did on the cross.But his wrath was against us, not Jesus until “For our sake he made him to besin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”(2 Cor 5:21).

29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and theyfilled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!"And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

The final prophecies are fulfilled in these last twoverses. Psalm 69:21 says, “For my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” Thisisn’t the same wine mixed with gall, which he refused (Matt 27:34), because itwould have deadened his senses. It may seem minor, but every prophecy had to befulfilled. Finally, Jesus had to die, and he uttered those famous words, “It isfinished.”

It is finished means that for you and me, the doorway intothe presences of God is made available by Jesus’ sacrifice. This was signifiedby the curtain in the temple being torn in two from top to bottom (Matt 27:51).The Law was accomplished by Jesus for us all.

This word, finished, was used by merchants when a debt hadbeen paid in full. Jesus paid our debt in full. The Old Testament sacrificescould not pay the debt for our sins, they could only cover our sins. But Jesuscame as the Lamb of God to take away our sins (John 1:29, Heb 9:24-28).

Jesus gave up his spirit. He decided when he was going todie. This highlights Jesus’ own statement in John 10:17-18:

17 For this reason theFather loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 Noone takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority tolay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have receivedfrom my Father.”

This demonstrates that Jesus’ deathand resurrection is a trinitarian work, which we will discuss in chapter twenty.

Warren W. Wiersbe, “John 19:28-30,” The Bible Exposition Commentary: NewTestament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1989).

Copyright by Ray Ruppert

John 19:1-16 ESV, Political Maneuvering, Jesus - King of the Jews

 

What we see in this passage is political maneuvering asPilate and the Jewish leaders attempt to have their own agenda carried out. Itis a tug-of-war to that none of the players understand that God is the one incontrol. Read this and try to understand the angst of Pilate as his careercould depend on the outcome. Read it and try to understand the deep “righteous”anger of the chief priests as well as their dread if Jesus is released andgains power. Read it to see who they serve.

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldierstwisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in apurple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” andstruck him with their hands.

Why did Pilate have Jesus flogged? What was the purpose?Was it just out of his sadistic nature? Looking at what he said in Luke23:14-16 gives a possible motive.

15 “I did not find thisman guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for hesent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 Iwill therefore punish and release him.”

It is possible that Pilate hopedthat when they saw the results of a Roman flogging or scourging as it is oftentranslated would appeal to their sense of outrage. The brutal treatment wouldpeel off strips of skin and flesh from Jesus’ back. As we’ll see below, Pilatereally did want to release Jesus.

Apparently, when Pilate left Jesus with his soldiers to beflogged, he really didn’t care how they treated Jesus. Their brutality wasn’tlimited to physical torture, but included the worst humiliation they couldmuster. Certainly, they knew as much as Pilate in that Jesus was being calledKing of the Jews. Why would anyone want to treat a prisoner to this kind of mockeryafter a brutal flogging? It boggles my mind. Perhaps it is a fulfilment of Micah5:1, “With a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.” As well as Isa52:14, “As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyondhuman semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind.” Indeed,the mockery and cruelty can be attributed to Satan’s hatred of Jesus. But thesethings could only be done to the Lord in accordance with God’s plan.

4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing himout to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out,wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Beholdthe man!”

This is the second time that Pilate finds Jesus withoutguilt. As pointed out before, this is an important legal declaration. Thesinless Jesus is not guilt in the eyes of the state. The government is appointedto carry out justice according to Rom 13:4, “For he [the government] is theservant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Obviously,we will see that the flawed government doesn’t always act justly. In this case,Pilate is spot on in his judgment.

Pilate still tries to get Jesus released by calling Jesus“the man.” The Jews have more to say about Jesus, but Pilate downplays the factthat Jesus is the King of the Jews. Yet, he allowed Jesus to appear in thepurple robe, a sign of royalty.

6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out,“Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves andcrucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

They saw Jesus with the robe, but they couldn’t see that hehad been flogged. There was blood on his face from the crown of thorns, but thereal brutality had been hidden. Was that a mistake by Pilate or was it the waythe sovereign Lord arranged it? The result is obvious that the Jewish leaderswere not going to be pacified by mere torture. They wanted blood and theywanted all of it.

But Pilate is trying to save his own neck. He pushes backon the leaders to take responsibility for Jesus’ crucifixion and for the thirdtime repeats that he finds Jesus not guilty. He knows full well that they haveno authority to crucify Jesus. If they did, he would have something to holdover their heads.

7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that lawhe ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilateheard this statement, he was even more afraid.

Back and forth goes the posturing. The Jews don’t takePilate’s bait and up the ante. The stakes are getting higher as they revealtheir real reason for requiring the death penalty. It shakes Pilate to thecore. Now, he is on the run. You would think that this claim by the Jews wouldhave no affect on a Roman who probably has many gods but as a military leaderand governor, doesn’t really give a rip about gods. Yet he has been in thepresence of Jesus. When we are in the presence of holiness, we are changed. Weshould have a realistic fear of the holy Jesus. This is the fear that Simonfelt when he realized who Jesus was in Luke 5:8, “Depart from me, for I am asinful man, O Lord.”

9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where areyou from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You willnot speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you andauthority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authorityover me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he whodelivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Pilate still wants to be in control of the situation. Afterall, that is what a governor is supposed to do. But he can’t even get Jesus toanswer him. Then he uses the threat of his position to “force” Jesus to answerhim. But Jesus’ answer isn’t what he expected.

Who has the authority here? Clearly it is God and God isallowing Pilate to stew over this mess. What Jesus says is very important forall of us. Jesus knows that Pilate will turn him over to be crucified. Jesusknows that this is a horrendous miscarriage of justice. Jesus is declaring thateven though Pilate is carrying out God’s plan, it is still injustice andtherefore a sin. Yet this sin is not as great as the ones who have accusedJesus of blasphemy and are crying for is crucifixion.

This brings up the question, does the magnitude of a sincause a lost person to suffer more in hell than one who has not been as evil.Will Hitler have it worse in eternity than a “good” person who has neverreceived Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? I think so. Jesus told us threetimes that it would be more tolerable for Sodom than the cities that rejectedhis disciples (Matt 10:15) or his miracles (Matt 11:23-24). We should takecareful note that this doesn’t mean that there will be anything pleasant abouthell for anyone who has rejected Jesus.

Just as there are worse punishments for the evilest people whoreject Jesus, so will there be better rewards for those who know and obey Jesusbetter than others. Consider the several parables that Jesus taught aboutgiving minas or talents to servants then going away. Those who obeyed betterthan others had greater rewards. Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “Forwe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one mayreceive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Hereminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, “If the work that anyone has built on thefoundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up,he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as throughfire.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews criedout, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makeshimself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he broughtJesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The StonePavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.

So Pilate is still trying to release Jesus. The Jews arebecoming even more adamant that Pilate authorize his crucifixion. What they sayis an unveiled threat to Pilate’s political position. They are telling Pilatethat if he releases Jesus, they will make sure Ceasar will hear that hereleased a pretender to the throne over Israel.

Pilate is not savvy enough to get out of this predicament.What a contrast to the way the Jews had tried to trap Jesus on multipleoccasions, but they couldn’t deal with his wisdom. It just shows that humanwisdom and manipulation is no match for God’s wisdom and his plan.

14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was aboutthe sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out,“Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall Icrucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

This is the final moment when Pilate could have rescuedJesus. But it is obvious that he had already made up his mind to give in to thechief priests’ demand. If he really wanted to save Jesus, he would not have announcedto them that Jesus was their King. He knew it would infuriate them. But sincehe couldn’t have his way, he made sure that he would at least have the lastjab.

It makes me think of arguments we have. I’m not talkingabout good discussions, but when we are emotionally invested in trying to winanother over to our way of thinking or action and it isn’t going well. Therecomes a point where we know we won’t win so we throw out a verbal rejoinderthat is not designed to win the other over but to make them feel as angry as weare. It is not the way we are taught by the Word. “Let your speech always begracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer eachperson” (Col 4:1).

Pilate’s statement pushes the Jewish leaders’ buttons, andthey respond showing how great Satan’s stronghold is in their lives. Deep downthe must know that Jesus is King but they have committed themselves to havingJesus crucified. When they say they have no king but Caesar, they have justannounced to the world that their allegiance is not to God but to the world andits system. They are committed to Satan’s governance.

Earlier, when Pilate “washed his hands” of the affair anddeclared he was innocent of Jesus’ blood (Matt 27:24), the people responded, “Andall the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’” (Matt27:25). Now the chief priests confirm this horrible curse upon themselves andtheir descendants who reject Jesus as their Messiah. Indeed, anyone, Jew or Gentile,slave or free, who does not acknowledge Jesus as the Lord, King, Savior,Priest, and Judge, will suffer the eternal condemnation that these swore onthemselves that day.

Copyright by Ray Ruppert