I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and HIS LOVE.
This was prophesied 700 years before it happened, “Jesus was DESPISED and REJECTED by mankind, He was a man of SUFFERING, and familiar with PAIN…He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Surely He took up OUR PAIN and bore OUR SUFFERING, yet we considered Him PUNISHED by God, STRICKEN by Him, and AFFLICTED. But He was WOUNDED for our transgressions, He was CRUSHED for our iniquities; the PUNISHMENT that brought us peace WAS ON HIM, and by HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.” (Isa. 53:3-6)
ON SUNDAY: “…they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with A LARGE CROWD, were leaving the city…and entering Jerusalem “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.” (Mark 10:46, 11:8) “When Jesus came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:36-38)
LATER THAT SAME WEEK: “The governor said to them (the large crowd gathered), “Which of the two do you want me to release to you? (Jesus Christ or Barabbas)” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” THEY ALL SAID to him, “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But THEY CRIED OUT ALL THE MORE, saying, “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED!” (Matt. 27:21-23)
WHY DID THEY CRUCIFY JESUS: “…the high priest said to Jesus, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: TELL US IF YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE POWER, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “HE IS DESERVING OF DEATH.” (Matt. 26:62-66) Just a few days earlier “HE DESERVES TO BE A KING!”
SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY? IS HE THE SON OF GOD OR IS HE A BLASPHEMER?
-Bill Stockham