Could any of us suffer the cross and all the other abuse Christ endured for all of mankind? I couldn't. He deserves our gratitude and our life. We should pay the price for our own sins. Not this man who was sinless. But he chose to suffer for our sin and now he is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father. All that he did he did for you and me. All that he asks in return is to follow him. All that I will ever do is be faithful.
Prayer Of The Day
- Thread starter cinphi
- Start date
What a time to know Jesus. I read each day what is taking place around the world and it reinforces the truth in Bible scripture. These are exciting times and we look forward to sharing the word of salvation and what lies ahead. I can sense the electricity in the air. I can hear the trumpet sound way off in the distance. What a time to be alive Amen.
I pray that as we approach this Sunday we walk through the steps and the events that took place so long ago. This is the most powerful time of the year when we as Christians celebrate Jesus gift to the world. I try and put myself in the same time period and I wonder what it would have felt like to see what happened. Watch the Passion of the Christ and it brings it to life for you. Again what a time to be alive. Let us all remember the sacrifice of the lamb.
What was going on in Jesus thoughts at this time so long ago? I try to put myself in his place but I can't begin to imagine what he was feeling. That's the key,he does know what it means to be human and he does know all of the emotions we have. He came here so that he could be our intercessor. When we take our prayers to the Father Jesus is standing right there by our side and he can speak for us. How wonderful to have the only high priest who knows what we are going through. We can not be more blessed to have him standing by our side. Amen.
John 18
1HAVING SAID these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron [in the ravine]. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered.
2And Judas, who was betraying Him and delivering Him up, also knew the place, because Jesus had often retired there with His disciples.
3So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards (attendants) of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?]
5They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I am He. Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them.
6When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.
7Then again He asked them, Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.
8Jesus answered, I told you that I am He. So, if you want Me [if it is only I for Whom you are looking], let these men go their way.
9Thus what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.(A)
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?
12So the troops and their captain and the guards (attendants) of the Jews seized Jesus and bound Him,
13And they brought Him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.
14It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was expedient and for their welfare that one man should die for (instead of, in behalf of) the people.(B)
15Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and so he entered along with Jesus into the court of the palace of the high priest;
16But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter inside.
17Then the maid who was in charge at the door said to Peter, You are not also one of the disciples of this [a]Man, are you? He said, I am not!
18Now the servants and the guards (the attendants) had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.
20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly.
21Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said.
22But when He said this, one of the attendants who stood by struck Jesus, saying, Is that how You answer the high priest?
23Jesus replied, If I have said anything wrong [if I have spoken abusively, if there was evil in what I said] tell what was wrong with it. But if I spoke rightly and properly, why do you strike Me?
24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25But Simon Peter [still] was standing and was warming himself. They said to him, You are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not!
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him?
27And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
28Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper].
29So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this [c]Man?
30They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you.
31Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.
32This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die.(C)
33So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews?
34Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people and nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?
36Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source].
37Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.
38Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him.
39But it is your custom that I release one [prisoner] for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews?
40Then they all shouted back again, Not Him [not this Man], but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.
1HAVING SAID these things, Jesus went out with His disciples beyond (across) the winter torrent of the Kidron [in the ravine]. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered.
2And Judas, who was betraying Him and delivering Him up, also knew the place, because Jesus had often retired there with His disciples.
3So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards (attendants) of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?]
5They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I am He. Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them.
6When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.
7Then again He asked them, Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.
8Jesus answered, I told you that I am He. So, if you want Me [if it is only I for Whom you are looking], let these men go their way.
9Thus what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.(A)
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?
12So the troops and their captain and the guards (attendants) of the Jews seized Jesus and bound Him,
13And they brought Him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year.
14It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was expedient and for their welfare that one man should die for (instead of, in behalf of) the people.(B)
15Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and so he entered along with Jesus into the court of the palace of the high priest;
16But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter inside.
17Then the maid who was in charge at the door said to Peter, You are not also one of the disciples of this [a]Man, are you? He said, I am not!
18Now the servants and the guards (the attendants) had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.
20Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly.
21Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said.
22But when He said this, one of the attendants who stood by struck Jesus, saying, Is that how You answer the high priest?
23Jesus replied, If I have said anything wrong [if I have spoken abusively, if there was evil in what I said] tell what was wrong with it. But if I spoke rightly and properly, why do you strike Me?
24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25But Simon Peter [still] was standing and was warming himself. They said to him, You are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not!
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him?
27And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
28Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper].
29So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this [c]Man?
30They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you.
31Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.
32This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die.(C)
33So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews?
34Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people and nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?
36Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source].
37Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.
38Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him.
39But it is your custom that I release one [prisoner] for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews?
40Then they all shouted back again, Not Him [not this Man], but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.
John 19
1SO THEN Pilate took Jesus and scourged (flogged, whipped) Him.
2And the soldiers, having twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple cloak around Him.
3And they kept coming to Him and saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [Good health to you! Peace to you! Long life to you, King of the Jews!] And they struck Him with the palms of their hands.(A)
4Then Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I bring Him out to you, so that you may know that I find no fault (crime, cause for accusation) in Him.
5So Jesus came out wearing the thorny crown and purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, See, [here is] the [a]Man!
6When the chief priests and attendants (guards) saw Him, they cried out, Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no fault (crime) in Him.
7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to that law He should die, because He has claimed and made Himself out to be the Son of God.
8So, when Pilate heard this said, he was more alarmed and awestricken and afraid than before.
9He went into the judgment hall again and said to Jesus, Where are You from? [To what world do You belong?] But Jesus did not answer him.
10So Pilate said to Him, Will You not speak [even] to me? Do You not know that I have power (authority) to release You and I have power to crucify You?
11Jesus answered, You would not have any power or authority whatsoever against (over) Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the one who delivered Me over to you is greater.
12Upon this, Pilate wanted (sought, was anxious) to release Him, but the Jews kept shrieking, If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anybody who makes himself [out to be] a king sets himself up against Caesar [is a rebel against the emperor]!
13Hearing this, Pilate brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement [the Mosaic Pavement, the Stone Platform]--in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and it was about the sixth hour (about twelve o'clock noon). He said to the Jews, See, [here is] your King!
15But they shouted, Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar!
16Then he delivered Him over to them to be crucified.
17And they took Jesus and led [Him] away; so He went out, bearing His own cross, to the spot called The Place of the Skull--in Hebrew it is called Golgotha.
18There they crucified Him, and with Him two others--one on either side and Jesus between them.(B)
19And Pilate also wrote a title (an inscription on a placard) and put it on the cross. And the writing was: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.
20And many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, [and] in Greek.
21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am King of the Jews.
22Pilate replied, What I have written, I have written.
23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, one share for each soldier, and also the tunic (the long shirtlike undergarment). But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.
24So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots to decide whose it shall be. This was to fulfill the Scripture, They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. So the soldiers did these things.(C)
25But by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26So Jesus, seeing His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, [Dear] woman, See, [here is] your son!
27Then He said to the disciple, See, [here is] your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own [keeping, own home].
28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished (ended), said in fulfillment of the Scripture, I thirst.(D)
29A vessel (jar) full of sour wine (vinegar) was placed there, so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a stalk, reed of] hyssop, and held it to [His] mouth.
30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
31Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath--for that Sabbath was a very solemn and important one--the Jews requested Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away.
32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other who had been crucified with Him.
33But when they came to Jesus and they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came (flowed) out.
35And he who saw it (the eyewitness) gives this evidence, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe also.
36For these things took place, that the Scripture might be fulfilled (verified, carried out), Not one of His bones shall be broken;(E)
37And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced.(F)
38And after this, Joseph of Arimathea--a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews--asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate granted him permission. So he came and took away His body.
39And Nicodemus also, who first had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred pounds.
40So they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices (aromatics), as is the Jews' customary way to prepare for burial.
41Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever [yet] been laid.
42So there, because of the Jewish day of Preparation [and] since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus.
1SO THEN Pilate took Jesus and scourged (flogged, whipped) Him.
2And the soldiers, having twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple cloak around Him.
3And they kept coming to Him and saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [Good health to you! Peace to you! Long life to you, King of the Jews!] And they struck Him with the palms of their hands.(A)
4Then Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I bring Him out to you, so that you may know that I find no fault (crime, cause for accusation) in Him.
5So Jesus came out wearing the thorny crown and purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, See, [here is] the [a]Man!
6When the chief priests and attendants (guards) saw Him, they cried out, Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no fault (crime) in Him.
7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and according to that law He should die, because He has claimed and made Himself out to be the Son of God.
8So, when Pilate heard this said, he was more alarmed and awestricken and afraid than before.
9He went into the judgment hall again and said to Jesus, Where are You from? [To what world do You belong?] But Jesus did not answer him.
10So Pilate said to Him, Will You not speak [even] to me? Do You not know that I have power (authority) to release You and I have power to crucify You?
11Jesus answered, You would not have any power or authority whatsoever against (over) Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the one who delivered Me over to you is greater.
12Upon this, Pilate wanted (sought, was anxious) to release Him, but the Jews kept shrieking, If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anybody who makes himself [out to be] a king sets himself up against Caesar [is a rebel against the emperor]!
13Hearing this, Pilate brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement [the Mosaic Pavement, the Stone Platform]--in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and it was about the sixth hour (about twelve o'clock noon). He said to the Jews, See, [here is] your King!
15But they shouted, Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar!
16Then he delivered Him over to them to be crucified.
17And they took Jesus and led [Him] away; so He went out, bearing His own cross, to the spot called The Place of the Skull--in Hebrew it is called Golgotha.
18There they crucified Him, and with Him two others--one on either side and Jesus between them.(B)
19And Pilate also wrote a title (an inscription on a placard) and put it on the cross. And the writing was: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.
20And many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, [and] in Greek.
21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am King of the Jews.
22Pilate replied, What I have written, I have written.
23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, one share for each soldier, and also the tunic (the long shirtlike undergarment). But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.
24So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots to decide whose it shall be. This was to fulfill the Scripture, They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. So the soldiers did these things.(C)
25But by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26So Jesus, seeing His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, [Dear] woman, See, [here is] your son!
27Then He said to the disciple, See, [here is] your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own [keeping, own home].
28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished (ended), said in fulfillment of the Scripture, I thirst.(D)
29A vessel (jar) full of sour wine (vinegar) was placed there, so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a stalk, reed of] hyssop, and held it to [His] mouth.
30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
31Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath--for that Sabbath was a very solemn and important one--the Jews requested Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away.
32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other who had been crucified with Him.
33But when they came to Jesus and they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came (flowed) out.
35And he who saw it (the eyewitness) gives this evidence, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe also.
36For these things took place, that the Scripture might be fulfilled (verified, carried out), Not one of His bones shall be broken;(E)
37And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced.(F)
38And after this, Joseph of Arimathea--a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews--asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate granted him permission. So he came and took away His body.
39And Nicodemus also, who first had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred pounds.
40So they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices (aromatics), as is the Jews' customary way to prepare for burial.
41Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever [yet] been laid.
42So there, because of the Jewish day of Preparation [and] since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus.
We will never forget the price he paid for our sins. The lamb slain at the cross once and forever for all mankind. He deserves our gratitude and our lives. Only one would suffer the cross for you and me for the sin in our lives. I owe him everything and I do not think twice about what and who he is. He is Jesus Christ son of God and he is risen Amen. Please if you do not know him do not hesitate to ask him into your life. He is waiting for you with open arms.
John 20
1NOW ON the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from (lifted out of the groove across the entrance of) the tomb.
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus [tenderly] loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!
3Upon this, Peter and the other disciple came out and they went toward the tomb.
4And they came running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first.
5And stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not enter.
6Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there;
7But the burial napkin (kerchief) which had been around Jesus' head, was not lying with the other linen cloths, but was [still] [a]rolled up (wrapped round and round) in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went in too; and he saw and was convinced and believed.
9For as yet they did not know (understand) the statement of Scripture that He must rise again from the dead.(A)
10Then the disciples went back again to their homes (lodging places).
11But Mary remained standing outside the tomb sobbing. As she wept, she stooped down [and looked] into the tomb.
12And she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13And they said to her, Woman, why are you sobbing? She told them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.
14On saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there], but she did not know (recognize) that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you crying [so]? For Whom are you looking? Supposing that it was the gardener, she replied, Sir, if you carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him and I will take Him away.
16Jesus said to her, Mary! Turning around she said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni!--which means Teacher or Master.
17Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me [do not hold Me], for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brethren and tell them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.
18Away came Mary Magdalene, bringing the disciples news (word) that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.
19Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
20So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture).
21Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.
22And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!
23[Now having received the Holy Spirit, and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.
24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it].
26Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
27Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!
28Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!
29Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and [c]to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.
30There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book.
31But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [[d]through Who He is].(
1NOW ON the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from (lifted out of the groove across the entrance of) the tomb.
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus [tenderly] loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!
3Upon this, Peter and the other disciple came out and they went toward the tomb.
4And they came running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first.
5And stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not enter.
6Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there;
7But the burial napkin (kerchief) which had been around Jesus' head, was not lying with the other linen cloths, but was [still] [a]rolled up (wrapped round and round) in a place by itself.
8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went in too; and he saw and was convinced and believed.
9For as yet they did not know (understand) the statement of Scripture that He must rise again from the dead.(A)
10Then the disciples went back again to their homes (lodging places).
11But Mary remained standing outside the tomb sobbing. As she wept, she stooped down [and looked] into the tomb.
12And she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13And they said to her, Woman, why are you sobbing? She told them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.
14On saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there], but she did not know (recognize) that it was Jesus.
15Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you crying [so]? For Whom are you looking? Supposing that it was the gardener, she replied, Sir, if you carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him and I will take Him away.
16Jesus said to her, Mary! Turning around she said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni!--which means Teacher or Master.
17Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me [do not hold Me], for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brethren and tell them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.
18Away came Mary Magdalene, bringing the disciples news (word) that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.
19Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
20So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture).
21Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.
22And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!
23[Now having received the Holy Spirit, and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.
24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it].
26Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
27Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!
28Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!
29Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and [c]to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.
30There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book.
31But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [[d]through Who He is].(
I want to remind everyone that after Jesus rose he also stayed a time with those around him before he was caught up into heaven. He did many more miracles and the next events to take place is the acts of the apostles. The beginning of Christianity and how it spread. We must recognize that the Holy Spirit was given to anyone wanting to receive it and it is our guide and comforter.
Acts 1
1IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach(A)
2Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.
3To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.
4And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.(B)
5For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with ([a]placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.
6So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
7He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
9And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.
10And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,
11Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.
12Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.
13And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [[d]indefinitely] staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [son] of James.
14All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15Now on one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.
16Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion in this ministry.
18Now this man obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.
19And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect--Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
20For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership.(C)
21So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us--one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.
23And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts ([e]their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen
25To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place.
26And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
Acts 1
1IN THE former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach(A)
2Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.
3To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.
4And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.(B)
5For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with ([a]placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.
6So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
7He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
9And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.
10And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,
11Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.
12Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.
13And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [[d]indefinitely] staying--Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [son] of James.
14All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15Now on one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.
16Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion in this ministry.
18Now this man obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.
19And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect--Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
20For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership.(C)
21So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us--one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.
23And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts ([e]their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen
25To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go [where he belonged] to his own [proper] place.
26And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
I am still thinking about Christ rising and that he did remain with them for 40 days. I bet it would have been great to be with him at this time. Can you imagine how everyone felt knowing he did indeed conquer death. We too can have eternal life with him and other believers. Don't you want that for yourself and every person. I know I do. Perhaps that is why I have so much passion when it comes to Jesus. I don't want anyone to be lost for eternity. And the Bible is clear as to what happens to someone who rejects Christ. Please make sure you have asked the questions you need answered when it comes to the truth about Jesus. Do not choose death but choose life.
Lord I thank you for the ability to speak freely about you and your word. I am only able to share what you want me to. I feel very blessed.
I hope that you all realize I am not trying to force my beliefs on you but that I am only sharing the love of Christ and his righteousness. I know that sometimes Christians can scare people away from the Lord by judging others telling them they should or should not do a certain thing. I don't want to condem anyone because that is the job of the Holy Spirit. Once you accept Christ and spend time with him you become a new creature and he will teach you what is not of God. In the name of Jesus I pray we all continue to grow with Christ.
I hope that you all realize I am not trying to force my beliefs on you but that I am only sharing the love of Christ and his righteousness. I know that sometimes Christians can scare people away from the Lord by judging others telling them they should or should not do a certain thing. I don't want to condem anyone because that is the job of the Holy Spirit. Once you accept Christ and spend time with him you become a new creature and he will teach you what is not of God. In the name of Jesus I pray we all continue to grow with Christ.
A new day a new chance to be more Christ like. We can never be sinless but we can try to walk upright in this world to be an example for those around us. I pray that we can humble ourselves and put others before our needs if they are needing encouragement. We are here to serve. God bless.
As Christians we sometimes don't always agree on what scripture says about a certain topic and we may not all see things eye to eye but in my opinion that is not the message of the cross. We are not here to judge our fellow man according to our interpretation of scripture. God knows the heart of everyone and he will judge us all. The message of the cross is so simple but man tries to complicate it. Believe that Jesus rose from the dead and confess this and let the Holy Spirit take care of the rest. Yes we can grow by studying the word and listening to God but as humans we tend to complicate things by allowing our human nature to take control. Christ's greatest commandment is to love one another. Let's do that Amen.