He is not here; He is risen, just as He said. -Matthew 28:6
He is risen! Each and every Sunday, Pastor Daniel shares the good news of Jesus Christ with the children and the surrounding community at our center. In the spirit of Easter, we asked Pastor Daniel to share an Easter message with us.
We know that Jesus was the one all-sufficient Savior. 1 Peter 1:18-20 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”
Hebrews 10:11-14 says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Jesus is the one and only all-sufficient Savior for all mankind. He was, “a lamb without blemish or defect.” There was nothing to charge him with. Even Jesus’ trial was illegal.
How was Jesus’ trial illegal?
No defense for Jesus was sought or allowed. (Luke 22:67-71)
Even before the trial began, it had been determined that Jesus must die. (Mark 14:1)
False witnesses were sought to testify against Jesus. (Matthew 26:59)
The high priest put Jesus under oath. (Matthew 26:63-66)
The trial was conducted at night. It was illegal according to the religious leaders’ own law, even now. (Mark 14:53-65,15:1)
Let’s take a closer look at how each verse relates to the point Pastor Daniel was sharing.
No defense for Jesus was sought or allowed. (And they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?” But he replied, “If I tell you, you won't believe me. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on the Son of man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand” They all shouted, “So are you claiming to be the Son of God?” and he replied, ‘You say that I am.” “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.” -Luke 22:67-71)
Even before the trial began, it had been determined that Jesus must die. (It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. -Mark 14:1)
False witnesses were sought to testify against Jesus (Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. -Matthew 26:59)
The high priest put Jesus under oath. (But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God - tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future, you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and comping on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” -Matthew 26:63-66)
The trial was conducted at night. It was illegal according to the religious leaders’ own law, even now. (They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire. Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but the contradicted each other. Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” But even then they didn’t get their stories straight. Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away. -Mark 14:53-65) and (Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Mark 15:1)
Pastor Daniel also shared a few more reasons why Jesus died.
Jesus died to bring reconciliation. We need to reconcile our differences. (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day. -Luke 23:12)
Jesus died to set prisoners free (As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. -Luke 23:25)
And finally, as an open invitation. Jesus’ death as an atonement for our sins is available to everyone. (Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28)
If you have met Pastor Daniel, you will be able to hear his voice as he shared these final thoughts, “Friends, it is not yet over to bring us closer to the father. Remember the seven last words of Jesus on the cross? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Eh! It is finished! Every difficulty have an expiring date we need to trust God.”
Thank you, Pastor Daniel, for pouring into the children and staff at The Raining Season. Your impact has a ripple effect throughout Sierra Leone.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season