Bible Studies for Life

The Death of Jesus

Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus came to Earth to live, preach, and teach about His Father God, and then die on the cross for our sins. He was humble even though He had more Power than can be described by our language. The Romans attempted to disgrace Him by putting Him to death between two thieves. Before Jesus died, He asked God to forgive the ones that killed Him. Salvation was for the Jews first, but Jesus healed and save Gentiles during His life. God answered Jesus's prayer for forgiveness when He made it possible for the ones involved with the death of Jesus to be saved. The Roman Centurion and other soldiers that witnessed Jesus's death admitted “truly this was the Son of God”. Soon after Jesus's resurrection many priests were converted. When the soldiers cast lots for the clothes of Jesus it fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 22:18. Do you know the complete story? Did it convince you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, please come to church and learn more. If you did accept Jesus, please come, and worship God with us.

Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

People called Jesus names, and the rulers joined in mocking Jesus. When they said if He be the Christ, it proved they had doubts because they stated Jesus had saved people. The soldiers also mocked Jesus even using some of the statements the Jewish rulers had used. The sign stating He was the King of the Jews was meant to mock Jesus but in reality, it was the Biblical Truth. Jesus was then, is now, and will be forever, King of the Jews and Gentiles! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The thieves mocked Jesus and called Him names, but as they hung there dying one of them admitted they deserve death for what they had done but Jesus had done nothing wrong. Then he asked Jesus to remember him when He went to His Kingdom. Jesus answered saying “verily I say unto thee today Thou shalt be with me in Paradise”. Even hanging on the cross Jesus had the power to save a man. This shows Jesus’ ultimate Authority. This act showed Jesus’ feelings for repentant people who trusted him. Jesus knew He and the other thief would be in Heaven that day. Are you saved and going to Heaven to see Jesus and maybe this thief?

Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Jesus and the thieves had been on the cross about 3 hours at the sixth hour. Darkness covered the Earth for 3 hours till the ninth hour and the veil of the Temple was torn in half. The Bible does not explain the darkness, just that the sun was darkened. When the veil of the temple was torn in half all people had access to God through Jesus Christ, because of what He had done. Jesus died on the cross so that all people that believed in Him could be saved and have eternal life in Heaven. Jesus cried out in a loud voice “Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit.” John wrote Jesus cried out “It is finished”. Either way Jesus had confidence in His Father, God to take care of Him. The Centurion had witnessed all that happened and glorified God saying, “certainly this was a Righteous Man”. The people came together at that site and beat their chest to show Sadness and Grief at the death of Jesus. Jesus’ followers and the women that followed Him from Galilee stood a long distance off to watch all that happened. Jesus rose again the third day to defeat death, sin, and the devil. Jesus did all this for all people so they could be saved and reconciled to God.

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A Stairway

Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Jacob was heading to Horan to escape Esau and to look for a wife. He stopped at a certain place and stayed there all night. He used stones from that place for a pillow and slept there. He dreamed about a ladder that reached the sky. Angels of God were going up and down the ladder. God used dreams to communicate with his people. Some were simple and easy to understand. Others were more complicated and needed an interpreter. This dream was a simple one. If you are not a believer, you may not know this event in the Bible or how important it is. Please keep reading. This story started because Jacob and his mother deceived Jacob’s father into giving Jacob the Blessing Esau deserved. Because of God’s Grace, Jacob escaped Esau’s wrath and headed to Haran. It seems like a huge accident that Jacob stopped at just the right spot to receive God’s Blessing. Romans 8:28 gives the answer. Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. No accident but God at work taking care of His People.

Genesis 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

This ladder was extremely special, God stood above it. He introduced Himself to Jacob as the God of Abraham and Isaac. God then promised the land to Jacob and his seed. God told Jacob his descendants would be too many to count. Because of his descendants All Families of the Earth would be blessed. We know that Jesus was born from the line of David who would be one of his descendants. Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation to anyone that would believe. God promised Jacob he would be with him until he was settled on the land God had promised him. God kept his promise.

Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

 Dreadful is related to the Hebrew verb translated afraid. The term can designate an emotion one might have when experiencing an event like Jacob had in his dream. The term can be used to express fear and reverence. It is clear that Jacob feared the Lord because of his power and Jacob had deceived his father to get his brother's blessing. Jacob also had intense respect for God because he is merciful. Jacob recognized he was on Holy Ground and God was present. He did not know what to do except to be reverent. Are you able to recognize the Holy Spirit leading you in your life? Pray to God for help and understanding because the Holy Spirit lives in every believer and is there to guide and comfort them.

Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Jacob got up early and took the stone he had used for a pillow to set up as a memorial to God. He poured oil on it as you would use oil to anoint a king. He changed the name of the place to Bethel meaning House of God. Jacob vowed that if God took care of him till, he was again in his father's house in peace that he would serve God as his only God. He also promised to give God a tenth of everything God gave him. We need to show God how much we love him by serving him continuously and giving Joyfully. There are many other life examples to learn if we read and study the Bible.

Isaiah 55:11









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