Women’s Bible Study -For the Joy that was Set Before Him

John 18-21~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lesson FiveBefore Herod and before Pilate for the Second Time

John 18:39 - 19:13 Study for meeting held ____________________________

Keeping in mind the truth that all throughout His trials and sorrows, Jesus went forward ‘for the joy that was set before Him’; in our lesson this time we will look at Jesus’ civil trials before Pilate and Herod, and once again before Pilate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day One –

Sent unto Herod - Luke 23:7 Pilate has gone out and in, and out and in, questioning Jesus and telling the Jews he found no fault in Him. Today we will look at Pilate’s reaction when he hears the Jews speak of where Jesus began His teaching. Since the gospel of John does not teach about Jesus’ trial before Herod, we will look at that trial from the Gospel according to Luke.

Prayer: May we begin by asking God to open our understanding, that we may see the purpose for which Jesus had to appear before Herod, and that we may see God’s glory even in this. Read: Luke 23:4-12

Study: Read again Luke 23:5-7 ** Look over the chart on the rule of the Roman Empire at the end of this lesson to understand the place of Pilate, Herod, and Caesar in the rule over the Jews.

1. What was the response of the chief priests and the multitude to Pilate’s finding no fault in Jesus? (vs.5)

2. What question did Pilate ask them when he heard their words?

3. Who was Herod, and what was his ‘jurisdiction’?

4. Why was Herod in Jerusalem at that time?

5. Why was Pilate glad to send Jesus to Herod?

Notes: “Pilate was somehow struck with fear of Jesus, partly perhaps because of what others had told him of this Man, and partly because of His extraordinary and majestically tranquil appearance…. On the other hand he was also afraid of the Jews, who seemed to be determined to have Jesus put to death, and who became more vehement and fierce in their demands according as Pilate insisted more firmly, that Christ was without guilt. And above all, he was afraid of Caesar. And so he tried to find a way out of the difficulty. He sent Jesus to Herod as soon as he learned that the Lord was a Galilean, a matter which was the more easily arranged because Herod was in Jerusalem at the time. Notes cont.

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Day One continued “Jesus, the firstborn, not according to the flesh but according to the promise of God, and according to sovereign election, now stands face to face with Herod the king of Israel!… Who was Herod? He was the last representative of the old dispensational line of the firstborn according to the flesh… Herod was an Idumaean, a descendant of Esau, the reprobate standing in the place of the firstborn according to election! After the captivity of Judah, the Edomites had occupied the lands south of Judah, and had become known as Idumaeans. Antipater, the grandfather of Herod Antipas was governor of Idumaea, and was made procurator of Judah by the favor of Julius Ceasar. And his son, the terrible and cruel Herod the Great, was made king after his father’s death. And after the death of that bloody tyrant, his son Herod Antipas, the same to whom Christ was sent by Pilate, received part of his father’s dominion, and became tetrarch of Galilee. Herod was an Edomite!” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I Survey

Meditate: May we take these words of Psalm 47:8 with us today, remembering God reigns over all, to work out His sovereign purpose. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.Prayer: May we close in prayer, asking God to bless this study of His Word to our hearts that we may see how He works all things for His purpose and His glory.

Our God is King of all the earth, with thoughtful heart His praise make known; O’er all the nations God doth reign, exalted on His holy throne. Psalter #129 st.4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Two – Jesus’ Fifth trial - Luke 23:8-10

Jesus’ activity over the last three years was well-known throughout the land of Israel and beyond - and to Herod. Today we look at Herod’s reaction to seeing this Jesus.

Prayer: May we begin in prayer, asking God to bless us as we study, that we may see how Jesus, the fulfillment of Messianic prophesy, was treated in disdain as part of His suffering for us.

Read: Luke 23:4-12 Isaiah 53:7 Study: Read again Luke 23:8-101. Why was Herod glad to see Jesus? What had Herod heard about Him? Matt. 13:53ff and Matt. 14:1-12

2. What did Herod do next?

3. What was Jesus’ response?

4. How did the chief priests and the scribes respond?

5. What was it that made them so angry?

6. What message had Jesus once sent to Herod? Luke 13:31-33

7. What made this trial also illegal?

Notes: “Herod was ‘exceeding glad” to see Jesus, we read, because he had heard much about Him and was fascinated by reports of the mighty miracles that He wrought. Notes continued

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Day Two continued “Herod had long desired to see one of those miracles (23:8), and it appeared now as if he has a golden opportunity to have that wish gratified. That Christ’s miracles were signs, signs of the saving grace of God, would never have occurred to the mind of Herod. He wanted simply to be entertained by this magician from Nazareth. He began at once therefore to question Jesus ‘in many words’… The Sanhedrists had come, however, for a verdict, so they “stood and vehemently accused him” (23:10). “This was to be a trial, and they were trying to do their part” (Lenske)….

A defense, or an explanation of any kind would have served no purpose here before Herod. This was no trial. Herod was merely playing games. Besides, as Rev. Hoeksema put it, “Had (Jesus) not instructed His own disciples not to cast their pearls before the swine lest they should trample them under foot?”

We ought to note, incidentally, that Pilate’s procedure here is, to say the very least, highly irregular. By his verdict of innocent, the case should have been considered closed. Why transfer a closed case to Herod? Lenske writes that, “by doing it nevertheless, more decisively than by listening to new charges he (Pilate) disregarded not only his verdict but even the fact that he had rendered one. The whole case is thrown wide open, and legal procedure and legal safeguards are thrown to the wind. The trial has ended, what follows is no longer a trial but only a miserable jockeying and haggling; the outcome could not be in doubt after this sort of thing was begun.” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock Meditate: May we take Psalm 2:2-3 with us today remembering that God is sovereign, even over the desires of the wicked.

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,against the LORD, and against his anointed.

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.Prayer: May we ask God’s blessing on us through today’s study, that we may see God’s hand working out His counsel of salvation in Christ, even in the wickedness of the heathen.

O wherefore do the nations rage, and kings and rulers strive in vain, Against the Lord of earth and heaven to overthrow Messiah’s reign? Psalter #4 st.1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Three –

Enemies become friends - Luke 23:11-12 It didn’t take Herod long to become disinterested. When Jesus would not perform a miracle and would not answer his questions, he was finished with Jesus. Today we will look at what Herod did with Jesus before returning Him to Pilate.

Prayer: May we begin our study today, asking God to impress upon us more, our Savior’s sufferings, and how He bore them - for us.

Read: Luke 23:4-12

Study: Read again Luke 23:11-12 1. Consider the meaning of ‘nought’, and explain what you think it means that Herod and his soldiers ‘set Him at naught’.

2. What two things had Herod and his men done before he sent Jesus back to Pilate? (Luke 23:11)

3. What had been the relationship between Herod and Pilate, and for what reason?

Questions cont.

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Day Three continued4. Why would that change now? Why could they now be friends? 5. What did Peter and John later say about Herod and Pilate? Acts 4:24-28

Notes: “Irritated by Jesus’ refusal to cooperate with him (the king), Herod “set him at nought” (23:11). He and the members of his court dressed Jesus in a “gorgeous robe” and made a joke of His supposed Kingship… Having finished with Jesus, Herod sent Him back to Pilate. Note well that he was not obliged to do that. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod with the idea that Herod take the case. There was no reason at all, therefore, why Herod could not have released Jesus. But he did not, and “thus he implicated himself with Pilate in all the guilt of His condemnation, and with him accordingly (Acts 4:27) he is classed” (Jamieson). The result of the exchange, according to Luke 23:12, is that a quarrel between Pilate and Herod was healed. If the quarrel had to do with a dispute concerning jurisdiction, as many commentators believe, it can readily be seen how this incident might have the effect of reconciliation. For by sending Jesus to Herod, Pilate was acknowledging Herod’s jurisdiction in matters such as this in regard to residents of Galilee. This would tickle Herod’s pride, since he would consider it to be a concession on the part of Pilate. And, when Herod returned Jesus to Pilate, “he said in effect that he would approve any disposition of the case that Pilate might make” (Lenski). “And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together” (23:12).” Don Doezema in Upon This RockMeditate: May we take Psalm 2:4-5 with us today, and understand that Herod’s wickedness did not go unpunished. God’s control in all things is always for His glory. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Prayer: As we close today’s study may we ask God’s blessing on us, that we may see and believe His sovereign control and eternal purpose in all of Christ’s suffering.

Their strength is weakness in the sight of Him Who sits enthroned above; He speaks, and judgments fall on them who tempt His wrath and scorn His love. Psalter #4 st. 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Four –

You have a custom - John 18:39a Pilate once again has to deal with the problem of what to do with an innocent man. He now tries another method. Today we will look at how Pilate tried to use a tradition of the feast to release Jesus. This is considered Jesus’ sixth and final civil trial.Prayer: May we begin in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to guide our study as we see the wickedness of the Jews, never forgetting how we too, in our sins chose evil over Christ.

Read: John 18:39a Matthew 27:15-16 Mark 15:6-8 Luke 23:13-17 Study:1. Who all did Pilate then call together, and what did he remind them had been their charges against Jesus?

2. What did he remind them again concerning his own verdict, and Herod’s decision?

3. John 18:39a introduces a custom, which the other gospels also speak of. Comparing the following passages, explain what that custom was and when it took place:

Matthew 27:15 Mark 15:6 Luke 23:13-17 John 18:39a Questions cont.

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Day Four continued4. Who determined which prisoner would be let go?

5. Who was Barabbas and what does scripture tell us of what he had done?

Notes: “Another opportunity… This opportunity was the custom of releasing at the feast a prisoner of the people’s choice (Mark 15:6). According to Lenske it was the governor’s prerogative to make the nomination from which the people were to choose the one to be pardoned. In this particular case it appears that Pilate responded to their request by quickly making a double nomination: Jesus on the one hand, and, on the other, Barabbas – the most notorious criminal in prison at the time, one who had been jailed for insurrection and murder. Barabbas was a calculated choice on the part of the governor. He intentionally selected the worst criminal possible in order to insure the release of Jesus. The people cannot, to Pilate’s way of thinking, possibly unite on freedom for Barabbas. At last, therefore, he could bring this unpleasant case to a favorable conclusion.” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock M editate : May we take Psalm 2:7 with us today and be assured of how God was always working out His decree to bring about the saving of His people and the exaltation of His Son.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me,Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Prayer: May we close our study in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for revealing to us what our salvation cost, and ask Him to so work in us, that we may live in thanksgiving for so great a salvation.

This His word shall be made known, this Jehovah’s firm decree:Thou art My beloved Son, Yea, I have begotten Thee.

All the earth at Thy request I will give Thee for Thy own;Then Thy might shall be confessed and Thy foes be overthrown;

Then Thy might shall be confessed and Thy foes be overthrown. Psalter #3 st. 3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Five – The King of the Jews - John 18:39-40

Pilate then set before the people his plan, his way out of crucifying an innocent Man. Today we look at the intense hatred of the Jews against Jesus.Prayer: As we look at God’s Word to learn the truths taught here, may we ask God to reveal to us how these truths work out in blessings for our lives.

Read: John 18:39-40 Matt. 27:16-18 Mark 15:9-10 Luke 23:16Study: 1. What was Pilate’s conclusion and his decision on what to do with Jesus? Luke 23:16

2. What question did Pilate ask the multitude? Matthew 27:17

3. What was Jesus called, and what does that Name (title) mean? Matthew 27:17

4. What did Pilate also call Jesus? Mark 15:9 and John 18:39

5. What did Pilate understand about the reason the Jews wanted Jesus killed?

6. What would that have to do with the choice Pilate felt sure they would make between Jesus and Barabbas? Day Five cont.

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Day Five continuedNotes: “He (Pilate) had a plan… He thought by himself: ‘if I place Jesus on a duo with this Barabbas, I will rid myself of a bad case. I am afraid of this Jesus; I see a strange majesty in the Man; I am sure He is innocent; I hate to proclaim Him guilty. And so, if I put Him on a duo with this despicable murderer and rebel, they must of course choose for Jesus, and I am rid of this unsavory case.’ And Jesus is placed before the mob, together with the murderer. Pilate drags Jesus from the dizzying heights of glory, and places Him next to the murderer and rebel… To such depths the Lord would bow in order to save you!

There is a twofold motive (of the Jews for choosing Barabbas). The one is this: love of self, of sin, of corruption. And that motive is universal. It rules the entire life of every man, woman, and child of the reprobate world, whether they are the so-called noble souls or the gangster. The second motive for choosing Barabbas is hatred against God and real goodness. Oh yes, you are right; they have tasted the heavenly life. And they must have nothing of it. Who wants Jesus in his company every blessed hour of the day and night? He is terribly in the way. Let’s get rid of Him. That, my friend, is the judgment of the flesh, also of your and my flesh. If your look is sharp enough and penetrating enough, you will see yourself with all God’s elect there. But then in your sin, guilt, corruption, and death. In the deepest sense of the word, God has set Jesus on this duo. And God has abased Him, for your sake and on your account. I can but worship such wondrous wisdom!” Rev. G. Vos in The Unspeakable Gift

Meditate: May we take Psalm 65:3 with us today, and meditate on our sins; how they prevail against us, and how they are purged away in Christ. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

Prayer: Understanding how we too are guilty of love of self and of hatred of God, may we ask our Heavenly Father for His strength in battling our sin, and give Him thanks for the promise of victory in Christ.

Against us sin has battled hard; for help we look to Thee and pray; Thou our transgressions wilt forgive, Yea, thou wilt take them all away. Psalter #166 st. 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Six –

Not this man, but Barabbas - John 18:40 “A choice between the criminal and the Christ, between the murderer and their King!” Rev. Hoeksema Today we look at the persistence of the Jews in their desire to crucify Jesus.

Prayer: May we begin our look into God’s Word in prayer to Him, that He will lead us to understand the depths of sin of mankind and the willingness of Christ to save His own.

Read: Matthew 27:19-21 Mark 15:11 Luke 23:18-19 John 18:40 Acts 3:12-15 Study: 1. According to Matthew what took place at this very time, when Pilate was on the judgment seat trying to get out of giving Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified?

2. What were the chief priests and the elders doing at this time?

3. What question did Pilate finally put to the crowd (Matthew 27:21)?

4. Describe their response: Luke 23:18-19 John 18:40 Day Six cont.

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Day Six continued Notes: “Let us clearly understand the significance of the choice before which the people were now placed. One the one hand, a criminal, one from the lowest strata of society, an outstanding representative of the world of sin and iniquity, a child of darkness, public enemy number one, that is worthy of death according to the law of God and man. On the other hand, there is Jesus, the Holy and Just One, the Anointed of God as widely famous for His having done good throughout the land, as the other was notorious for his works of darkness… They were perfectly aware that here they were placed before the choice between the perfectly righteous and the most notorious bandit, between Him Who claimed, and Who had a right to claim to be the Anointed, the Son of God, and him that was worthy of death. The very nomination was an abomination. He (Christ) willingly travels all the way of the cross, by His perfect obedience, bringing the sacrifice that taketh away the sin of the world. And having made atonement for sin, and having been exalted at the right hand of God, it is He Who by His Spirit and grace changes our wicked preference for Barabbas and all he represents, into a profound and everlasting delight in the friendship and service of the living God!” Rev. H. Hoeksema in When I SurveyMeditate: May we meditate today on Acts 3:14-15, remembering how we too, are guilty of the blood of Christ, and how God, by His grace, has taken our guilt away in the cross. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;  And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Prayer: May we close in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for His great mercy in redeeming us from the guilt of our sins.

Far is salvation from the men who do not seek Thy statutes, Lord; Great are Thy mercies, quicken me according to Thy holy word. Psalter #340 st.2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Day Seven -

The Scourging - John 19:1 With no cause, Pilate has his soldiers scourge Jesus. Today we look at what scourging is, what the result is, and how Jesus’ scourging was prophesied.

Prayer: As we begin our study may we ask God to lead us to see once again the physical sufferings our Saviour suffered for His Father’s elect.

Read: John 19:1 Deut. 25:1-3 Isaiah 50:6 Isaiah 53:4-5 Study: 1. What was scourging?

2. What does Deut. 25:1-3 teach about scourging?

3. Who is scourging supposed to be reserved for? Prov. 19:29

4. What did the Roman soldiers want to do to Paul? Acts 22:22-24

5. What was done to Paul later in his life? II Cor. 6:5 & II Cor. 11:23-24

6. What was prophesied about our Savior? Isaiah 50:6 and Isaiah 53:4-5

Notes: “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him!  Though scourging was customary, it opened to Pilate another possible avenue of escape. He hoped that when the people would see Jesus’ emaciated, beaten, bloody form, they would be satisfied to let Him go. Notes cont.

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Day Seven continued “Especially had he hoped for this when he allowed Jesus to appear before them as a poor imitation of a king whom the soldiers had mockingly dressed up in the scourging room.  In the scourging room!  The soldier's hangout! The place where they spent their leisure moments to chat and visit between the scenes of trial. Where now, you may imagine they had more to talk and frolic about than usual. In this room were also all the weapons of torture kept. There was the flogging pole. And on the wall, each in its proper place, were the lashes used in flogging. In another area, row upon row, were pitched their spears and shields which they could pick up at a moment's notice when they would be ordered out to use them. Only he who was a Roman citizen could be spared the ordeal of flogging. All the rest, whether guilty or innocent, were beaten to draw out of them innocence or guilt. And usually when one was sentenced to be crucified, he was first stripped to the waist or made entirely naked, then tied with his hands to the flogging pole with his head bent forward and with his back arched in such a way that the skin was stretched tightly. Then with the powerful hand of one of the soldiers the victim was severely beaten with leather strips affixed on the one end to a wooden handle, and on the other were attached metal pellets or pieces of bone. By such scourging the victim's back was cut to pieces.  They ploughed deeply upon His back! They made long their furrows!  Yes, verily, the Prince of Israel shows His people how to endure the whip lashes of the wicked, of the wicked of whom the Psalmist declared (129:3) that the enemies had played hard upon Israel's back, that by His stripes they might be healed!” Rev. G. Vos in the Standard Bearer article: Christ’s Mock Coronation

Meditate: May we think often today of the amazing truth of Isaiah 53:4-5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Prayer: May we close our study in thanksgiving to God for placing our guilt upon His only begotten Son, and may we ask Him to go with us throughout our day to enable us to walk with Him in joy for what He has done for us.

Needy and sorrowful, to Thee I cry; Let Thy salvation set my soul on high;Then I will sing and praise Thy holy Name, my thankful song Thy mercy shall proclaim.

Psalter #187 st. 2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Eight - The Mocked King - John 19:2-3

The physical suffering of Jesus was intense, and without a cause. Today we continue to look at the nature of humankind and the sin of the world against the Son of God.

Prayer: Before we begin to look at this sorrowful description of sin against our Savior, may we ask God to bless us that we may see our own sins and that He may bless us with the grace of repentance.

Read: John 19:2-3 Psalm 2:6-7 Jeremiah 23:5

Study:1. In John 19:1 we saw that Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. List the additional things the soldiers did to the Son of God:

2. What was the mocking purpose behind the crown of thorns?

3. What was the mocking purpose behind the purple garment?

4. What did the soldiers then call Jesus?Questions cont.

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Day Eight continued5. What did they do to Him?

Notes: “And they platted a crown of thorns, and pressed it on His head!  The soldiers will have their fun today!  They cover His bleeding body with a faded purple soldier's robe, and placed a flimsy reed in His hand for a scepter, a symbol of mock authority. And they make mock obeisance! They bow down before Him, false worshippers as they are! And they exclaim: Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote Him with their hands!  What awful mockery!  What awful depravity!  Such ridicule of His Kingly office! As a King, He must have a crown. But why such a crown? As King He must have a royal robe. But why such a robe? As King He must also have a scepter. But why such a scepter? Here is evidenced man's total depravity! And lest we should conclude that the soldiers were wicked beasts, vile men whom we would have stopped had we been there; let us understand it well, this is every natural man apart from the grace of God! This is what every man by nature is capable of doing and actually does when God allows Himself to be taken with wicked hands, and He does not fight back!” Rev. G. Vos in the Standard Bearer article: Christ’s Mock CoronationMeditate: May the truth of Isaiah 50:6 be impressed in our hearts today: Christ gave Himself in our stead.

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Prayer: May we humbly draw near to our Heavenly Father in thanks for all His undeserved mercy, asking Him to so work in us that we never think lightly of our sins, but live to Him in obedience and thankfulness.

How blest is he whose trespass hath freely been forgiven,whose sin is wholly covered before the sight of heaven.

Blest he to whom Jehovah imputeth not his sin, who hath a guileless spirit, whose heart is true within. Psalter #83 st.1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Nine -

Behold the man - John 19:4-5 Pilate brings Jesus back out and presents Him to the crowd. Today we consider Pilate’s words to the mob, and how he presented Jesus to them. Prayer: May we begin our day’s study by asking God to bless us that we may see our own wickedness, when we see how the Jews treated Jesus, the Son of God.

Read: John 19:1-13 Study: Read again John 19:4-5 1. Reading verses 4&5, do you think Pilate watched the soldiers mocking Jesus?

2. After the soldiers had finished treating Jesus with disdain, Pilate then took over. What did he do?

3. What did Pilate say to the crowd - again? What did he want them to know?

4. When Jesus followed Pilate out, what was His appearance? What was Pilate’s purpose in presenting this Jesus to them?

Questions cont.9

Day Nine continued5. How did Pilate announce Jesus to the Jews?

Notes: “Devilish purpose!  It was Pilate's purpose to use this caricature to finally persuade the people to let Jesus go. There is no indication that Pilate did not condone this vile treatment of the Saviour. He does not remonstrate against the evil abuse of the soldiers, but he uses the mock image they built in one last effort to have Jesus discharged.  "Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!"  See what I have done to Him! You say that He made Himself a King? Well, witness what I think of His kingship! Notice that I have made it so that there is hardly anything left of Him. You say, He has power? If you will look at Him closely you will see that He has no power at all! You say, He is a threat to Caesar? What is there to be alarmed about? Look at Him! Does He look like a king? Look at that crown! That crown that fits so tightly that there are lines of blood streaming from His brow! Look at that robe! Do you see any semblance of royalty in it? Behold the man!  Mind you, all the while this fiend of injustice knows that Jesus is perfectly innocent. Hear him speak: I find no fault, no cause for punishment in Him!  How devilish! What miscarriage of justice!  To knowingly scourge an innocent man! To allow the King to be so ridiculously mocked! And then to present Him as innocent and harmless! Indeed, his was a devilish purpose!” Behold the man! He does not look like a king at all! Much less like the King!  He is God's anointed King! For the moment the only crown that befits Him is one of suffering of which the thorns are a fit picture. For the present the only attire that befits Him is the soldier's faded robe that can only bring upon Him ridicule and shame. O, yes, His is the scepter of Judah's tribe which He shall wave in His hand when He is seated at Father's right hand. But for now, let it be the flimsy reed, until one can be forged for Him to wield when He shall come in the power of His Father and with all the holy angels to set up His kingdom, of which there shall be no end!”  Rev. M Schipper in the SB article: Christ's Mock Coronation

Meditate: May we meditate on Philippians 2:8 today and consider the deep meekness and humility the Son of God took upon Himself.

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Prayer: May we close our study today giving thanks to God for the great gift of salvation through the sufferings and death of His only Begotten Son, and for the knowledge of His victory.

It is for Thee I am reproached, for Thee I suffer shame, until my brethren know me not, and hated is my name. Psalter #184 st.6

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day Ten -

Crucify Him, Crucify Him - John 19:6 With hatred and anger beyond understanding, the Jews cry out their wicked desire. Today we look at the chief priests and the crowd, and their rage against the Son of God.

Prayer: May we begin our lesson today asking God to show us the hatred of man for God, that we may examine ourselves and seek to glorify Him. Read: John 19:6 Genesis 3:15 Matthew 27:22-23 Mark 15:12-14 Luke 23:20-22

Day Ten cont.

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Day Ten continuedStudy: 1. Jesus had come out beaten almost beyond recognition, and wearing a mockery of kingly apparel. What would be the reaction of any decent man who saw Jesus in this condition?

2. Can you explain why the Jews reacted the way they did?

3. Putting the setting together by looking at the other gospels: What did Pilate desire? Luke 23:20

What did Pilate say to the priests and officers? Matt.27:22 and Mark 15:12 What did Pilate call Jesus? Matt. 27:22

What did Pilate remind the Jews that they had called Him? Mark 15:12 4. Why would Pilate use these names/titles, when he must have known that would aggravate them?

5. What did the priests and officers cry out?

6. What was Pilate’s response to their cry?

7. How was the devil at work here? Gen. 3:15 What was his one goal throughout history?

Notes: “One wonders how Pilate could have expected that the sight of Jesus could have provoked the Jews to sympathy. It did not do that to him. With one word he could have stopped the punishment. For that matter, he alone was in a position to have prevented it all. But no sympathy did he feel. He cared only about himself. Neither were the Jews aroused to pity. And, as far as a supposed fear of Jesus’ political ambitions were concerned – well the Jews had never really been afraid of that anyway. They hated Jesus for what He was, not for what He might someday try to be. So, the sight of Jesus only served to rekindle the fiendish rage of the chief priests. As soon as they saw Him, we read “they cried out, saying Crucify him, crucify him”. And again they apparently swept the crowd right along with them. Completely frustrated, Pilate replied, “Take ye him, and crucify him, for I find no fault in him”… It is as if Pilate said, “I declare the man innocent. You say he must die. Well, I do not intend to be your executioner.”

Don Doezema in Upon This Rock

Meditate: May we take Psalm 1:4-5 with us today, and remember the end of the wicked, and rejoice in the promise to us as redeemed children of God.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Prayer: May we close today’s study in prayer of thanksgiving, recognizing that, by nature we are part of that raging mob, but by God’s grace we are redeemed from that rage. May we ask Him to keep us in His care so that we never forget what He has done for us.

The wicked like the driven chaff are swept from off the land; They shall not gather with the just, nor in the judgment stand. Psalter #1 st.4

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Day Eleven – Pilate was the more afraid - John 19:7-9

We have looked many times at how Pilate said he found no fault in Jesus and how he desired to let Him go. This is the first time we read of the fear of Pilate. Today we look at the truth laid out plainly before Pilate, and how he reacted.

Prayer: May we begin today’s lesson by asking God to open up this passage to us by His Holy Spirit, that we may see what fearing man can do.

Read: John 19:7-9 Matthew 27:23 Mark 15:14 Luke 23:22 John 5:14-25 Romans 1:18-22

Study: 1. Pilate had told the Jews to take Jesus themselves and crucify Him because he found no fault in Him. What was their answer to Pilate according to John 19:7?

2. What law were the Jews referring to? Lev. 24:16

3. What did the Jews tell Pilate Jesus had “made Himself”?

4. How had Jesus revealed Himself to men during the three years of His ministry? Matt. 11:2-6 If the Sanhedrin knew their scriptures, what should have been clear to them about Jesus?

Isaiah 35:5-6 with Matt. 11:2-6

5. What was Pilate’s reaction to their words: he made himself the Son of God?

6. Entering back into the palace Pilate questioned Jesus again. What is striking about his question (John 19:9)? Explain what Pilate was really asking?

7. How did Jesus answer Pilate?

Notes: “We have a law,” they said, “and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”. It would be difficult to imagine a charge that could have been more unsettling to Pilate. Already had he been made uneasy by Jesus’ quiet but confident claims to Kingship. And now there is a question about His being the Son of God!... Pilate’s uneasiness was more than a fear of vengeance that might be wreaked upon him by the gods for his mistreatment of Jesus if the man were in fact a god. Pilate was afraid of God, i.e. Jehovah. For, the ungodly, though they refuse to glorify Him as God, do know God (see Romans 1:21). In order that men may be without excuse, God causes His majesty to shine forth in all His works (Romans 1:20)… It was fear, at any rate, that led to Pilate’s bringing Jesus one more into the Praetorium for questioning. “Whence art thou?” he asked Jesus (John 19:9). He is not interested in knowing whether Jesus comes from Galilee, Judea, or whatever; he is interested in His origin. If He is indeed the Son of God, then His origin is other than merely earthly. But Jesus “gave him no answer.”” Don Doezema in Upon This Rock

Meditate: May we meditate on Psalm 25:14 today remembering that our fear of God is a gift from Him.The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Day Eleven cont.12

Day Eleven continuedPrayer: May we close our study today asking God to lead us to fear Him alone, to stand in awe of Him, and to desire to obey Him.

With fear and reverence at His feet God’s holy ones in council meet;

Yea, more than all about His throne must He be feared, and He alone. Psalter #241 st.6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day Twelve – I have power - John 19:10-11

Pilate is again frustrated with Jesus! He wants to free Him, but He is not co-operating. Today we look at where the power Pilate claimed to have, truly came from.

Prayer: May we begin today by asking God to lead us, by His Holy Spirit, to see this display by Jesus of the Sovereignty of God.

Read: John 19:5-11 Lamentations 3:37 Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 19:21

Study: Read again John 19:10-111. Pilate seems to be reprimanding Jesus. As if he is saying - why won’t you answer me? What power does he tell Jesus he has?

2. Jesus does respond to this bold claim of Pilate.What truth does Jesus tell Pilate; where does all power come from?

3. Explain the comforting doctrine that is taught in these words of Jesus.

4. Jesus tells Pilate an additional truth. Therefore (because all power is given from above) there is one (or some) who delivered Jesus unto Pilate who has (have) the greater sin. Can you explain that? Who is Jesus speaking of, and why would he/they have the greater sin?

5. After Pilate had told the Jews at least three times that he found no fault in Jesus, Pilate is still looking for a way to release Him. What should he have already done?

Notes: “Jewish guilt, Jesus says, is greater. And it is that, because to them had been “committed the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:2). They had the law and the prophets. They knew the Scriptures, especially as those Scripture spoke of the hope of Israel. And they were far more knowledgeable than Pilate concerning the nature of Jesus’ activities during the three years of His public ministry. They were far more enlightened than was Pilate, therefore, and their guilt would be determined accordingly.”

Don Doezema in Upon This Rock “Pilate had been guilty of sin already in scourging Christ, and allowing the Roman soldiers to abuse Him; and would be guilty of a greater sin in delivering Him up to be crucified, knowing He was innocent. But the sin of Judas in delivering Him into the hands of the chief priests and elders, and of the chief priest and elders and people of the Jews, in delivering Him to Pilate to crucify Him, according to the Roman manner, were greater, inasmuch as theirs proceeded from malice and envy, and was done against greater light and knowledge. For by His works, miracles, and ministry, as well as by their own prophecies, they might, or must have known, that He was the Messiah, and Son of God.” John Gill in Exposition on the Whole Bible

Day Twelve cont.13

Day Twelve continuedMeditate: May we take the clear teaching of Acts 2:22-23 with us today.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among youby miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you,as ye yourselves also know; Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

Prayer: May we close our study in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to bless this Word to our hearts that we may be comforted in the knowledge of His Sovereign control over all things.

O Thou Jehovah, God of Hosts, what mighty one Thy likeness boasts? In all Thy works and vast designs Thy faithfulness forever shines. Psalter #241 st 7

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Thou art not Caesar’s Friend - John 19:12-13 Finally the Jews get through to Pilate and make him give in to their cries. Today we look at the threat, that the Jews used to convince Pilate to crucify Jesus.Prayer: May we ask God to guide us by His Spirit in our study, that we see the dark sin of loving self above God. Read: John 19:1-13 Study: Read again John19:12-131. Pilate had been telling the Jews that he found no guilt in Jesus. What does it mean here in verse 12, that from ‘thenceforth’ Pilate sought to release Him? What was it in Jesus’ words in verses 7-11 that made Pilate more desirous to release Him?

2. Pilate had the desire, and the authority to release Jesus. What held him back?

3. What did the Jews cry out to Pilate when he sought again to release Jesus?

4. Why would they use the loss of the friendship of Caesar as a threat to Pilate at this time?

5. Why would this threat be the final thing that broke Pilate?

6. Explain from verse 13 what Pilate now did.

Notes: “Pilate sought by all means, and studied every way to bring the Jews to agree to Jesus’ release. But though he sought to release Him, he did not do it, nor use the power he boasted he had. The reason in himself was, he was desirous that the Jews would agree with him. The secret reason in providence was, God would not have it so; and yet things must be carried to this pitch, that it might appear that Christ suffered not for His own sins, but ours, and that He suffered willingly. But the Jews cried out, saying, if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend. This was a piece of craftiness in them, for nothing could more nearly affect Pilate, than an insinuation of lack of friendship and fidelity to Tiberius, who was then Caesar, or emperor. It was also an instance of great hypocrisy in them, to pretend a regard to Caesar, when they hated paying tribute to him, and would have been glad, at any rate, to have been free from his yoke and government. Day Thirteen cont.

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Day Thirteen continued “It was a very spiteful hint, and carried in it a sort of threatening to Pilate, as if they would bring a charge against him to Caesar, should he let Jesus go with His life, whom they in a contemptuous manner call "this man". Whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar. Such a declaration might be truly interpreted as high treason; yet Christ did not say that He was such a king, but, on the contrary, that His kingdom was not of this world. When Pilate heard from the Jews, that freeing Jesus would show an unfriendliness to Caesar; and gave very broad hints that they would accuse him to Caesar of treachery and unfaithfulness; and knowing well the jealousies and suspicions of Tiberius, and fearing lest it would turn to his own disrepute and disadvantage, he immediately brought Jesus out of the judgment hall, the place where He had been examined; not to declare His innocence, nor to move their pity, nor to release Him, but to pass sentence on Him. And he sat down in the judgment seat: for that purpose. He now takes his place, and sits down as a judge, in order to give the finishing stroke to this affair.”

John Gill in Exposition on the Whole Bible

Meditate: May we meditate on Isaiah 53:8 today, thinking again on what all our Savior bore for us.He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare his generation?

For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Prayer: May we close our study in great thankfulness to our God for His mercy and love in our salvation; for the glory of His Name.

It is my zeal for Thy abode that has consumed my life; Reproached by those reproaching Thee, I suffer in the strife. Psalter #184 st. 7

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The Government of the Roman Empire

During the New Testament time the following formed the political setting of the Roman Empire – “the world” (Acts 17:6)

** The Emperor - Augustus was the ruler of the Roman Empire when Jesus was born. The rulers were then called emperors, with the surname of ‘Caesar’ (Caesar Augustus, etc.). They were the absolute ruler over the Roman Empire. Augustus set up rulers over countries and over provinces of these countries. Listing of Emperors: Augustus (30 B.C. - A.D. 14) Jesus' birth (circa 5 B.C.) (Luke 2) Tiberius (AD. 14-37) Jesus' Public Ministry (Luke 3) Caligula (A.D. 37-41) Wanted status of deity Claudius (\D. 41-54) Expelled Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2) Nero (A.D. 5468) Probably responsible for deaths of Peter and Paul

** Kings – (tetrarch) Rulers of Herodian Family: Kings were the highest local rulers of the territories in the Roman Empire, subject to the emperor at Rome. The King's office was approved by the Roman senate. During New Testament times Palestine, in whole or in part, was ruled by the kings of the Herodian dynasty.... --Herod the Great - the most notorious of the vassal kings. (Matthew 2:1-19, Luke 1:5) – Authority over Palestine at tine of Jesus' birth. At his death, his kingdom was sub divided among three surviving sons: -- Herod Archelaus over Judea - Samaria (4 B.C. - A.D. 6) (Matthew 2:22) - Replaced by procurator in A.D. 6 -- Herod Antipas over Galilee and Perea (4 B.C. - AD. 39) (Mark 6:14-29, Luke 3:1, 13:31-35, 23:7-12) - Controlled Galilee and Perea during Jesus'; public ministry. He is the Herod most frequently mentioned during Jesus' public ministry since many of the events took place in and around Galilee -- Philip over the area northeast of Palestine (4 B.C. - A.D. 33) (Luke 3:1) - Ruler of territory around Caesarea Philippi --Herod Agrippa 1 - (Acts 12:1-24) --Herod Agrippa 2 - (Acts 25:13-26:32

**Governors Governors (procurators) were rulers of designated territories, appointed by the emperor and directly responsible to him. Much of their work involved finances, such as taxes. They also had supreme authority, such as Pilate used regarding Jesus. The Procurator who ruled over Judea and Samaria had an official judicial residence in Caesarea . . . at the same time Herod Antipas was a tetrarch (king) of Galilee, Pilate was governor of Judea, Samaria, and Old Idumea . . . Most of the New Testament references to governors are to Pilate, Felix, and Festus." Pilate was governor from AD. 26-36; therefore, his reign paralleled the ministry of Jesus.He became involved with the trial of Jesus in Jerusalem only when members of the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of claiming to be King. If true, this would have made Jesus a potential threat to the emperor's authority.

(Adapted from the web)

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