30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 23 44-49 THE DEATH OF JESUS 19 02Feb2022 Luke 23 47 The world must know that Jesus is the Son of God
📖 Luke 23:44-49
19 – 02 Feb 2022 – The world must know that Jesus is the Son of God - Luke 23:44-49 - THE DEATH OF JESUS - Bible reading: Acts 20:22-24
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are calling us to live with an ethos that we have died with Christ. We live our lives to lose it for You and the Gospel. We give You all the glory and praise and in Jesus most precious name we pray, Amen.”
We are looking at the incidents that took place as the Lord Jesus breathed His last.
Luke 23:47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"
We read of this incident in the other Gospels.
Matthew 27:54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, " Truly this was the Son of God !" Mark 15:39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, " Truly this Man was the Son of God !"
The Centurion and the men who were with him feared God and acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God.
We live as though we have died to the world, but are alive to God. We live with a willingness to serve others for we are not pursuing the security that the world offers. This is our testimony that the people around us will experience, be impacted and turn to Christ.
Apostle Paul was one of the myriads who carried this ethos in his lifetime. This was his parting message to the Ephesian believers.
Acts 20:22-24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
The Holy Spirit was testifying to Paul that chains and tribulations await him.
Somehow, we Christians think that the Lord promises and gives us only the pleasant experiences of life. The Lord is showing that in the last days there will be tribulation for the church, as we testify to the love of God to our world.
Our message to the world is very simple. If man does not turn and give his life to Christ, he will perish. This is our message of urgency and love. We are here to warn the world, for the broad way leads to destruction but the narrow way and the narrow door leads to life. That narrow door is Jesus.
Whatever happens, we will not stop from letting the world know that if they do not give their life to Christ, they will perish.
The world must see that we are not seeking benefits for ourselves but that we are willing to lay our lives down for Jesus and for the Gospel.
This was the ethos that the Roman soldiers witnessed that day and they acknowledged God.
II Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Roman soldiers recognized Jesus as the Son of God but the Jewish leaders, who were well versed with the scriptures, were not able to see Jesus as the Son of God.
Matthew 26:63-70 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!" (64) 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." (65) 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! (66) What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death." (70) Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?" So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am."
The Lord never told the Roman soldiers anything about His identity, except to pray that the Father should forgive them.
The principle is that when people refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, they will be further blinded.
Matthew 13:14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'HEARING YOU WILL HEAR AND SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND, AND SEEING YOU WILL SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE; (15) FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE GROWN DULL. THEIR EARS ARE HARD OF HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM.'
Though the Jews refused to acknowledge Jesus at that time, the Lord will restore the Jews to Himself.
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
This is the time for the church to live to lose our lives for Jesus and for the Gospel.
Thought to ponder
Jesus is inviting you to come and die with Him.