Where would Western Civilization be without the Ten Commandments? Thankfully, the principals of the Bible changed the world and gave us order. But, we are still imperfect sinners and capable of great evil. Evil does exist. Without knowing the principles of the Bible, I guess it's easier to understand, or explain the un-explainable, like why a different culture could fly a plane into the World Trade Center, or why some people would want to mutilate children. I heard someone say, "Our country will not be saved by a donkey or an elephant; rather we will be saved by a Lamb."
Our country is in big trouble and we are definitely experiencing spiritual warfare. Today, the media and radical left are trying to convince us what is right is wrong and what is up is down. Church attendance is low, our rule of law has been weakened, and the debauchery with regard to children, marriage, and respect for life seems like the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. I know the truth is the light and God will get the last word. We need to keep the faith and pray.
When reading about the crucifixion, I took the following notes and surmised politics haven't changed much. Politicians still today, bank on gullible voters and use half truths and exaggerations to gain support. Be careful of those who say one thing, but in reality, like the Pharisees, only care about preserving their power.
When Jesus walked this earth, the Pharisees were exposed, and because they were exposed by the true and authentic holiness of Christ, they hated Him, and they couldn’t wait to get rid of Him. It wasn’t just the Pharisees who wanted Jesus dead – King Herod also saw Jesus as a trouble-maker, who was coming between him and his political ambitions.
Jesus’ presentation of Himself as the Messiah was a threat to the Herodians' attempt to make Herod the influential political power in the land.
Both the Herodians and the Pharisees wanted Jesus out of the way because he was a threat to their power. That is why they came together to plot against Jesus (Mark 3:6).
It was not for anything Godly or righteous that the religious leaders wanted to put Jesus to death. It was their pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy that caused them to bring Jesus before Pilate to be crucified. They did not want to hear the truth of God.
Jerusalem was full of Jews who travelled there to celebrate Passover. The religious leaders did not want to arrest Jesus during Passover because they were afraid that the people might riot. But God's timing was different.
Reasons why the religious authorities hated Jesus so much:
They were jealous; they couldn’t stand it because they were envious and suspicious of his popularity.
They were upset that he didn’t join in with them, but rather publicly rebuked them.
He exposed their phony righteousness for what it was.
They were afraid of losing their power and authority.
The Pharisees were judgmental. Jesus said, “You’re like dead men’s tombs, whitewashed sepulchers that are painted without blemish on the surface, but inside are filled with dead men’s bones. You clean the outside of the platter, but the other side, the inner side, is filthy. You do everything possible to hide that impurity, that grime, and that filthiness from public view. You pretend to be righteous, and you major in that pretense of being righteous.” -Matthew 23:27
The Pharisees were fake. And nothing reveals a counterfeit like the presence of the genuine.
Jesus died for our sins today 2023 years ago. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” -John 14:6
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