Tag: Jesus

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The Gospel of Matthew: The Charges.    

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV)

“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:1–5 (ESV)

“Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” (Luke 23:1–5 (ESV)

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 18:28–32 (ESV)

In studying the Passion Week of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is wise to examine all four Gospel accounts. Each evangelist, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, contribute to our comprehensive understanding of our Lord’s arrest, trials, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Condemned to death by the Jewish religious authorities, Jesus subsequently faced three trials before the ruling secular authorities. This includes the Son of God’s first trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

Luke’s Gospel alone specifically outlines the Sanhedrin’s criminal charges against the Lord Jesus Christ. “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:2). The fabricated accusations included (1) misleading the Jewish nation; (2) forbidding Jews to give tribute to Caesar; and (3) being an insurrectionist against Rome by saying He was a king.

“The first item in what may be regarded as a threefold charge was rather vague. It may perhaps be viewed as the introduction to the next two items. So construed, the total charge would be, “We have found Jesus to be a man who has been misleading our nation by forbidding people to pay taxes to Caesar and by claiming that he himself is the Messiah, and, as such, a king,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

“As to “forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar,” this was a downright lie, as is clear from Luke 20:21–26 (see especially verse 25). And as to “saying that he himself is Christ, a king,” meaning “in the political sense,” another lie, for that Jesus never wanted to be king or Messiah in that sense is clear from John 6:15, as well as from his entire ministry with its strong emphasis on such qualities as humility, service, and self-denial.”

It would be the third accusation against Jesus of which Pilate would curiously interrogate the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

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Under Attack!

Have you ever sensed the Devil is attacking you? Have you ever had an awareness of the Devil’s presence in your home, bedroom or even in school or at work?

I recall one occasion when I was a student at Detroit Bible College. I was taking an evening theology class on the Doctrine of Angels. Obviously, the content of the class would not only include the subject of angels, but also the Devil and demons.

One evening, our prof played a cassette tape (lets you know how long ago this was) by an evangelical minister performing an actual exorcism. As you may know, an exorcism is the casting out of a demon from an individual who this demon(s) has possessed. The recording was pretty intense.

As I listened to the tape, I began to sense in the classroom a heaviness or a spirit of oppression and fear. I thought it was just me. I mean, the original Frankenstein movie still freaks me out. However, I was not the only one sensing this uneasiness.

Our professor stopped the tape and said that he felt the spirit of oppression as well. We began to sing hymns and choruses we knew by heart. Almost immediately the sense of fear and oppression began to leave the room. However, when I left class and went to my car, I checked the back seat before getting in to drive home. Even as I drove home on a major Detroit freeway, I kept singing hymns and choruses and reciting Scripture to keep the sense of fear at bay.

Martin Luther sensed this same spirit of oppression when he was at Wartburg Castle for ten months. While in his room, which served not only as his office and study but also as his bedroom, he often struggled with doubt and conflicts within his soul. Don’t we all?

Tradition says that Luther once threw an inkwell at the wall where he sensed the Devil was standing. While this story is probably not true, what is true is what Luther wrote about his battle with the Devil. He said, “I fought the devil with ink!” This probably refers to not only Luther’s books and pamphlets, but also his translation of the New Testament into German. Luther would use God’s Word to defeat his adversary.

Luther once wrote, “When I awoke last night, the Devil came and wanted to debate with me; he rebuked and reproached me, arguing that I was a sinner. To this I replied: Tell me something new, Devil! I already know that perfectly well; I have committed many a solid and real sin… [Christ] took all my sins upon Him so that now the sins I have committed are no longer mine but belong to Christ. This wonderful gift of God I am not prepared to deny, but want to acknowledge and confess.”  

I recall verse three from Luther’s hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God. Perhaps you can identify with it as I can.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! His doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

The Apostle Paul writes, “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Keep fighting the good fight, beloved!

Soli deo Gloria!

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Peace, Purity & Unity

“Out of love and zeal for truth and the desire to bring it to light…” Martin Luther

Burk Parsons, co-pastor of St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Fla., has some great insights regarding Martin Luther’s act on October 31, 1517.

“On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He did so for the sake of the peace, purity and unity of the church. His first thesis called the church to genuine and continual repentance, and among his last theses he called the church to true peace through Jesus Christ.”

“Luther wasn’t a rebellious schismatic who sought to lead a revolt against Rome; he was an ardent herald and defender of the gospel who, due to his obstinate and unwavering faithfulness, drew Rome’s ire in the midst of its revolt against the truth of the gospel, the gospel and the true church. Luther wasn’t a divider, he was a peacemaker. For there to be true peace and true unity, there must first be truth, and truth divides before it can unite. Truth must conquer before it can liberate.”

Parsons continues by explaining that, “Luther did not divide the church—Rome divided the church by infusing the church with the false doctrines of men. The Reformer’s didn’t leave Rome – Rome left them by leaving the truth, the gospel and the church. The Reformers sought reform in Rome, and in return, Rome sought their heads. Rome divided the true church from the false church, and kicked out the true church.”

The Apostle Paul expressed similar concerns to the elders of the Ephesian church shortly before he set sail for Jerusalem. He said, “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).

The true church of Jesus Christ must not only be on guard against its enemies from without or in the world, but also on guard against its enemies from within the church. The battle for truth continues in our day, as it did in the days of Paul and Martin Luther. Therefore, let us be like the Bereans, who received the Word of god with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see what was true. (Acts 17:10-11). Be on your guard, beloved.

Soli deo Gloria!

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After Darkness, Light!

One of the pictures I have as a desktop background on my laptop computer is the International Monument to the Reformation located in Geneva, Switzerland. It is usually referred to as the Reformation Wall. The motto of the 16th century Protestant Reformation is Post tenbras lux which means “After darkness, light!”

A reformer, or a reformation, is defined as an improvement, a renovation or a reorganization of something which currently exits. A reformer does not seek to destroy the object of his reform. Rather he seeks to either overhaul or restore order where disorder or error has occurred. The reformers themselves considered their work to be a reformation and not a revolution to the church.

Martin Luther, and those who preceded him as well as those who followed him, were seeking to reform and not destroy the church. They saw abuses by the church which needed to be corrected. Not the least of these issues was the question of the ultimate source of authority within the church: the pope or the Scriptures. God would choose Martin Luther to be the preeminent individual to bring these issues to a head.

Martin was born on November 10, 1483 in the German town of Eisleben to Hans and Margarette Luther. He was named Martin because he was born on St. Martin’s Day. Luther lived in an exciting time.  He was 9 years old in 1492 when Columbus discovered America. His parents were German peasants. Luther’s father eventually became a minor in Mansfield and ultimately owned six foundries.

Luther’s childhood was marked by prayer, strict morality, and loyalty to the church and its traditions. It became quickly evident during his childhood that Luther possessed a melancholy personality. He was consumed and driven not only with fits of depression and insecurity, but also with an overwhelming sense of guilt before God because of his sins.

From 1492-1498 he attended school at Mansfield, Magdeburg and Eisenach, where Martin learned Latin. From 1501-1505 he attended the University of Erfurt where he earned his BA in 1502 and his MA in 1505. He was preparing for his doctorate in law. One biographer writes that “young Martin earned both his baccalaureate and master’s degrees in the shortest time allowed by university statutes. He proved so adept at public debates that he earned the nickname The Philosopher.”

Luther was set to be become a lawyer.  His father Hans wanted his son to not only be a lawyer, but also to become a successful lawyer. This would mean that Martin would be able to take care of his parents when they were old.

Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that Luther seemed to encounter a crisis every five years. The first of these “crises” occurred in 1505. It was an event in which Luther’s life would be irrevocably changed.