JESUS CHRIST: His Cross and Compassion

 March 17, 2024- Morning Bible Reading and Meditation- Mark 15KJV

JESUS CHRIST: His Cross and Compassion 

1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

Words to ponder:

1. the chief priests and their consultation

In keeping silence when being accused, there is wisdom. For in silence is the conveyance of the truth which is most often than not, hard to accept. 

This is why The LORD of all, answered nothing when He was being questioned about him, why people addressed Him as the King of the Jews. 

For He is indeed He is. Just that, the majority of His people particularly the learned and skilled refused to accept.  

The song said “ you said it best, when you say nothing at all.”

That is also how we should deal with people who keep themselves silent. If they are silent, we also have to hold our peace; for the question we are asking within ourselves about them, is in their silence already been answered. 

This way also, when The LORD is silence to our prayers, we should be at peace. For in GOD’s perfect time His answer will also be revealed. We should only be willing and not resistant to whatever will be His answer. 

If it is “no” He has something better. 

If it is wait, then there is a perfect timing and we should practice patience. 

But if it is yes, there will be no delay.

2. V.6-13-Have chosen the criminal Barrabas over CHRIST

Choosing to lie rather than telling the truth.

Choosing to do evil rather than doing good.

Choosing to blaspheme rather than trusting and giving glory and honor to JESUS, 

Is choosing to live a hellish life rather than living in peace with The LORD!

This is what those people did when choosing to free the criminal Barrabas over The Son of GOD: JESUS.

Instead of pondering what The LORD did for them, “Crucify Him” altogether in one voice they shout out loud. 

And yes, they succeeded to kill the Lamb of GOD, as they nailed Him on that cross. 

Buried Him three days and three nights, but on the third day He arose!  

Yes! He arose! The LORD is risen from the grave.

To those who wept for Him, the joy of seeing Him risen, a new hope for them He gave. 

But to those whose heart is dimmed and to them all who were deceived.

The blood of them and their children they mourned, for they were conquered and aggrieved.  

Only Trust JESUS, accept, believe and call His Name. 

He is the truth the way and the life, the Mediator between GOD and man. 

He can make all things beautiful, do the impossible, He Only can,

He is the bread of life that satisfies the hungering soul, the true Amen and the  I Am !

3. v.15-21- chosen cruelty over compassion

On this instance, I have seen the longing for approval of others and the cravings to satisfy the desires which is insatiable; of even those who are already in power, over other human beings. 

The cruelty and bloodthirsty people, which is fueled by foolishness, ignorance and hatred; because they too are being oppressed and enslaved by thier own depravity,  prevails over righteousness, goodness, kindness and love. 

They soon easily forsaken what JESUS did; as most of them witnessed the healings of many hopeless ill-striken people, them who were filled with bread provided for them by The LORD of providence in the wilderness, them who have no hope of seeing the light, but through the healing words of the Great Physician, their born-blinded fellow people have opened their sight and saw the beauty of GOD’s creation.  

Many of our fellow men are like Pilate and the soldiers; who have known the right thing to do, when it is in their hand to do it; but because of the peer pressures, they just let themselves go with the flow. 

Many of us are like those people who blindly follow their proud and power hunger leaders; that even if we know we should stand up and fight for the right, we just go with whatever is being spoken, without even thinking why we should do it, or is it the right thing to do; anyway, everybody is doing or saying it. 

Should they have learn the act of listening to their own conscience they would not let themselves take part in condemning, in barbarity and in cruely smiting and mocking the Righteous One; from which eventually lead them to their own destruction. 

Let this gives us a lesson that we should not be content to keep on living what we grown up with, not just go with the flow, not give in to peer pressures; but keep on seeking for that right path The LORD JESUS has already made for us. 

Read the King James Bible and pray for wisdom and guidance. The LORD gave His words for everyone to know Him and His blessed plan. 

4. V22-30 Crucifixion on the cross

“22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.

27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.”

It was written in the Psalm 22 KJV of David: 

“1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

         The King of The Jews

The King of the Jews was crucified.

But none of them who have done that understand.

That it was prophesied and was written beforehand. 

For the sin of the world, The LORD of glory, the King of kings, He died. 

Now that it was written that all men may know. 

That the gift of GOD have come, was born of a virgin, teach, heal, preach and His mighty power He shows. 

But the unbelief and hardness of heart blinded their vision, 

That they mocked, they crucified the Righteous One, and laugh at Him to scorn. 

Until now many refuse to beleive that He is the Only Truth.

Some of them reviled His Holy Name using Him for their own cause. 

Some religion were named after Him but denied to teach His word. 

That most people doesn’t want to beleive, living stray, wearied and confused. 

Let not the sin of unbelief beset our thoughts.

Let none of this lies cause us to wander from The LORD.

For He alone is the is the only Way to GOD, the Giver of life, and the blessed Truth. 

The Author of Love, the Basis of our faith and our Only Blessed Hope!

5. V31-39- CHRIST was condemned and has been crucified in His own beloved land

The chief priests with the scribes mocked The Holy One: JESUS The Christ, as they have determined to condemn Him to be crucified; a cruel death in Israel, for a heinous crime such as blasphemy. 

The word of GOD detailedly written even the time of the hour wherein they have carried out their judgement; and they think they successfully did, without noticing what occurred in every specific given time. 

At the third hour, which is 9 in the morning, they crucified JESUS, at sixth hour or 12noon, there was darkness all over the land; and at the ninth hour, which is 3 in the afternoon, JESUS gave up the ghost. He died on the ninth hour and the curtain, separating the Holy of holies, from the holy place was rip off asunder in the middle; removing the most sacred work of the high priests to be the mediator between GOD and the people. 

So that all; just like the centurion who was given the spiritual discernment to come to that understanding,  that whom they crucified was indeed the Son of GOD.

It was given to the Roman leader soldier, not to the learned of Israel, not to their commoners or what they called publicans. And it was done in the light of the day; for us to understand that, even in the very light of the day many still live in darkness; allowing themselves to be deceived. 

Implying also that because of the hard-heartedness of GOD’s very own people, understanding were withhold from them, and the wisdom from GOD was then given to the gentiles, after the death of the CHRIST, in the hands of His very own people. 

The true Son of GOD has came, and the vision of them who think they are wise were dimmed to see the truth, that the Redeemer of the world did already has came.

Many wise, many who think they are right have been void of understanding. 

Because they took pleasure and enjoy the power which was just given or lent to them. 

And unless a person will humble down to let the wisdom from GOD enter into them,  they will never come to the knowledge nor understanding who the real Son of GOD is. 

For no one who will cling unto their own understanding about God will experience the true encounter of who The Son of GOD really is. They will continue themselves to be deceived. 

Let the wisdom of GOD lead each one of us to the saving knowledge that will lead to the understanding who really is The Son of GOD and have the sound wisdom about His words which is the only source of truth. 

6. V.40-47 - the Honorable Counsellor Came and Craved the body of JESUS the CHRIST 

Jesus the Christ laid dead in the sepulchre of Joseph of Aremathaea; the honorable counselor and well known man in his generation waiting for the kingdom of GOD. 

Women who followed and watched afar off see to it they knew where their Lord was buried. 

The sufferings and agony on the cross ended, and the tired, beaten and wounded dead body of JESUS was now laid down to its final resting place on the tomb.

It was chosen by the LORD.

That His life ended on the cross.

A death that should pay at all cost.

To seek and to save us sinners who are lost. 

It is written in Romans 5KJV

“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Thank GOD through JESUS CHRIST.

We have the access to enter into GOD’s rest. 

Not because JESUS The Christ was laid down dead.

But because He rose again from the dead, and in the right hand of GOD, He is now seated. To judge the quick and the dead. 

Let us be like that honorable counselor who came and took courage to  craved for the dead body of JESUS; that we may also come to craved to be within the living body of CHRIST our Savior by listening, learning and loving His words, ways and works.

Believe in Him , be saved from eternal destruction to live with Him forever more ! 

Good morning!

Mark 15KJV

1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.

14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.

27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.