Some say Jews killed Jesus.
Others think it was the Romans.
A few think Satan manipulated events to kill Jesus.
Although there are excellent arguments to support each belief,
these perceptions can greatly benefit from enhanced spiritual understanding.
The answer to this question will touch your heart, and the truth will enlighten your soul.
For His punishment and death was one of the most painful means of execution ever devised by man.
But first, it is important to explain why and how He was killed…in order to understand who killed Jesus.
Jesus was Obedient unto Death
“And
being
found
in
appearance
as
a
man,
He
humbled
Himself
and
became
obedient
to
the
point
of
death,
even
the
death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
“As
the
Father
knows
Me,
even
so
I
know
the
Father;
and
I
lay
down
My
life
for
the
sheep.
And
other
sheep
I
have
which
are
not
of
this
fold;
them
also
I
must
bring,
and
they
will
hear
My
voice;
and
there
will
be
one
flock
and
one
shepherd.
Therefore,
My
Father
loves
Me,
because
I
lay
down
My
life
that
I
may
take
it
again.
No
one
takes
it
from
Me,
but
I
lay
it
down
of
Myself.
I
have
power
to
lay
it
down,
and
I
have
power
to
take
it
again.
This
command
I
have
received from My Father.” John 10:15-17
Jesus
explained
what
would
happen
to
Him.
Not
that
the
disciples
would
comprehend
the
implications
of
what
He
said.
But rather, by remembering His words in the future, they would understand the meaning of what He said.
Jesus
knew
what
was
before
Him.
He
knew
of
the
physical
torture
He
would
endure;
the
price
He
would
pay
with
His
body;
and
the
eternal
benefits
of
following
God’s
will.
This
awareness
was
exemplified
as
He
prepared
His
heart
for
what
was
about
to
happen.
“And
He
was
withdrawn
from
them
about
a
stone’s
throw,
and
He
knelt
down
and
prayed,
saying,
‘Father,
if
it
is
Your
will,
take
this
cup
away
from
Me;
nevertheless,
not
My
will,
but
Yours,
be
done.’
Then
an
angel
appeared
to
Him
from
heaven,
strengthening
Him.
And
being
in
agony,
He
prayed
more
earnestly.
Then
His
sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44
It is important to know Jesus understood His purpose and ministry on earth.
•
Fulfill prophetic scripture
•
Confront and reveal religious darkness in Israel
•
Demonstrate His God-given miraculous power as evidence of His divine assignment
•
Mirror the Father
•
Speak absolute truth as God directed Him
•
Give His body as a living sacrifice for the sins of the world
As
you
continue
to
read…it
is
also
important
to
understand
and
remember
that
Jesus
had
at
His
beckoning
legions
of
angels
to
overcome
any
adversary.
Everything
He
was
about
to
experience
He
willingly
endured…alone.
As
He
was
being arrested, Simeon Peter drew his sword and sliced the ear off a servant of the high priest.
“But
Jesus
said
to
him,
‘Put
your
sword
in
its
place,
for
all
who
take
the
sword
will
perish
by
the
sword.
Or
do
you
think
that
I
cannot
now
pray
to
My
Father,
and
He
will
provide
Me
with
more
than
twelve
legions
of
angels?
How
then
could
the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?’” Matthew 26:52-54
Jesus
chose
to
fulfill
His
purpose
and
be
obedient
unto
the
Father—including
His
arrest,
trial,
conviction,
and
crucified
death—and as such, He touched the man’s ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)
Unfortunately,
many
of
us
do
not
have
a
clear
understanding
of
the
shocking
realities
of
the
crucifixion
process
that
was
used
by
the
Romans.
Therefore,
this
writing
may
be
difficult
for
some
to
read.
But
it
is
important
for
all
of
us
to
mentally
visualize
what
our
Savior
and
Lord
went
through—to
enhance
our
comprehension
of
His
sacrifice
and
the
love
God
has
for us.
The Sanhedrin
The
Sanhedrin
was
the
Jewish
court
system
during
the
time
Jesus
lived.
The
Great
Sanhedrin
(led
by
Caiaphas
the
high
priest)
was
the
supreme
religious
body
in
Israel,
wielded
significant
power,
and
was
the
final
authority
on
Jewish
law.
The
court
was
comprised
of
71
persons
who
were
considered
wise,
had
good
judgment
and
experience.
The
Sanhedrin
dealt
with
religious
and
ritualistic
Temple
matters,
criminal
matters,
and
in
solving
conflicts
relating
to
ritual
law. There were also smaller religious Sanhedrins in every town.
Sources:
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-sanhedrin
;
https://www.britannica.com/topic/sanhedrin#ref75027
Power—mixed
with
sinful
human
nature
and
satanic
influence—resulted
in
the
Great
Sanhedrin
misguiding
Israelites
away
from
God’s
truth,
and
God’s
desire
for
His
people.
When
Jesus
Christ
began
His
ministry,
His
words,
His
behavior,
and
His
miracles
confronted
and
confounded
the
religious
elite.
Because
they
were
living
in
spiritual
darkness, they were unable to see the truth: Jesus Christ was the Messiah.
Their
darkened,
misguided
and
preconceived
perceptions
caused
them
to
believe
the
Messiah
would
be
a
warrior;
the
Messiah
would
lead
the
Israelites
in
defeating
their
enemies;
the
Messiah
would
bring
peace
to
their
nation;
and
the
Messiah
would
fulfill
all
their
needs.
However,
Jesus
was
lowly
and
unassuming,
He
associated
with
sinners
and
tax
collectors,
He
taught
with
astonishing
insight,
performed
miracles,
was
growing
in
popularity,
and
directly
stood
against
religious
strongholds.
But
because
of
their
sinful
state,
hardened
hearts
and
darkened
minds,
Jesus
did
not
fit
into
their
expectations of the promised Jewish King. They hated Jesus and sought to eliminate Him.
But
the
one
clincher
that
caused
their
hatred
to
boil
and
influenced
the
deepest
core
of
their
innermost
beings—is
when
they
perceived
Jesus
spoke
blasphemies
(act
of
insulting,
showing
contempt,
or
lack
of
reverence
for
God)—which
was
punishable by death (Leviticus 24:13-16).
“Then
behold,
they
brought
to
Him
a
paralytic
lying
on
a
bed.
When
Jesus
saw
their
faith,
He
said
to
the
paralytic,
‘Son,
be
of
good
cheer;
your
sins
are
forgiven
you.’
And
at
once
some
of
the
scribes
said
within
themselves,
‘This
Man
blasphemes!’
But
Jesus,
knowing
their
thoughts,
said,
‘Why
do
you
think
evil
in
your
hearts?
For
which
is
easier,
to
say,
‘Your
sins
are
forgiven
you,’
or
to
say,
‘Arise
and
walk’?
But
that
you
may
know
that
the
Son
of
Man
has
power
on
earth
to
forgive
sins’—then
He
said
to
the
paralytic,
‘Arise,
take
up
your
bed,
and
go
to
your
house.’
And
he
arose
and
departed
to
his
house.
Now
when
the
multitudes
saw
it,
they
marveled
and
glorified
God,
who
had
given
such
power
to
men.” Matthew 9:2-8
“Then
the
Jews
surrounded
Him
and
said
to
Him,
‘How
long
do
You
keep
us
in
doubt?
If
You
are
the
Christ,
tell
us
plainly.’
Jesus
answered
them,
‘I
told
you,
and
you
do
not
believe.
The
works
that
I
do
in
My
Father’s
name,
they
bear
witness
of
Me.
But
you
do
not
believe,
because
you
are
not
of
My
sheep,
as
I
said
to
you.
My
sheep
hear
My
voice,
and
I
know
them,
and
they
follow
Me.
And
I
give
them
eternal
life,
and
they
shall
never
perish;
neither
shall
anyone
snatch
them
out
of
My
hand.
My
Father,
who
has
given
them
to
Me,
is
greater
than
all;
and
no
one
is
able
to
snatch
them
out
of
My
Father’s
hand.
I
and
My
Father
are
one.’
Then
the
Jews
took
up
stones
again
to
stone
Him.
Jesus
answered
them,
‘Many
good
works
I
have
shown
you
from
My
Father.
For
which
of
those
works
do
you
stone
Me?’
The
Jews
answered
Him,
saying,
‘For
a
good
work
we
do
not
stone
You,
but
for
blasphemy,
and
because
You,
being
a
Man,
make Yourself God.’” John 10:24-33
Was Jesus Christ God in the Flesh…Or Did He Commit Blasphemy?
Although
the
word
Trinity
does
not
exist
in
the
Bible,
the
term
has
been
used
throughout
history
to
describe
the
tri-unity
of
the
Father,
Son
and
Holy
Spirit
as
one
single
Divine
Being.
God
the
Father,
God
the
Son
and
God
the
Holy
Spirit
are
one
and
the
same—but
yet
are
three
individual
Persons.
Dr.
Walter
Martin
(who
founded
the
Christian
Research
Institute
and
known
as
“The
Bible
Answer
Man”
on
radio)
said:
“No
man
can
fully
explain
the
Trinity,
though
in
every
age,
scholars
have
propounded
theories
and
advanced
hypotheses
to
explore
this
mysterious
Biblical
teaching.
But
despite the worthy efforts of these scholars, the Trinity is still largely incomprehensible to the mind of man.”
As
such,
the
“oneness
of
the
Trinity”
challenges
our
human
comprehension;
requires
an
understanding
of
the
limitations
of our mental capacities; and our faith in that we will fully understand when we are in Heaven.
Jesus
said
‘
“If
you
had
known
Me,
you
would
have
known
My
Father
also;
and
from
now
on
you
know
Him
and
have
seen
Him.’
Philip
said
to
Him,
‘Lord,
show
us
the
Father,
and
it
is
sufficient
for
us.’
Jesus
said
to
him,
‘Have
I
been
with
you
so
long,
and
yet
you
have
not
known
Me,
Philip?
He
who
has
seen
Me
has
seen
the
Father;
so
how
can
you
say,
‘Show
us
the
Father’?
Do
you
not
believe
that
I
am
in
the
Father,
and
the
Father
in
Me?
The
words
that
I
speak
to
you
I
do
not
speak
on
My
own
authority;
but
the
Father
who
dwells
in
Me
does
the
works.
Believe
Me
that
I
am
in
the
Father
and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.’” John 14:7-11
Jesus
said
‘
“If
I
honor
Myself,
My
honor
is
nothing.
It
is
My
Father
who
honors
Me,
of
whom
you
say
that
He
is
your
God.
Yet
you
have
not
known
Him,
but
I
know
Him.
And
if
I
say,
‘I
do
not
know
Him,’
I
shall
be
a
liar
like
you;
but
I
do
know
Him
and
keep
His
word.
Your
father
Abraham
rejoiced
to
see
My
day,
and
he
saw
it
and
was
glad.’
Then
the
Jews
said
to
Him,
‘You
are
not
yet
fifty
years
old,
and
have
You
seen
Abraham?’
Jesus
said
to
them,
‘Most
assuredly,
I
say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” John 8:54-58
Jesus said
“I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30
“Let
this
mind
be
in
you
which
was
also
in
Christ
Jesus,
who,
being
in
the
form
of
God,
did
not
consider
it
robbery
to
be
equal
with
God,
but
made
Himself
of
no
reputation,
taking
the
form
of
a
bondservant,
and
coming
in
the
likeness
of
men.” Philippians 2:5-7
“For
to
which
of
the
angels
did
He
ever
say:
‘You
are
My
Son,
today
I
have
begotten
You’?
And
again:
‘I
will
be
to
Him
a
Father,
and
He
shall
be
to
Me
a
Son’?
But
when
He
again
brings
the
firstborn
into
the
world,
He
says:
‘Let
all
the
angels
of
God
worship
Him.’
And
of
the
angels
He
says:
‘Who
makes
His
angels
spirits
and
His
ministers
a
flame
of
fire.’
But
to
the
Son
He
says:
‘Your
throne,
O
God,
is
forever
and
ever;
a
scepter
of
righteousness
is
the
scepter
of
Your
kingdom.
You
have
loved
righteousness
and
hated
lawlessness;
therefore
God,
Your
God,
has
anointed
You
with
the
oil
of
gladness more than Your companions.’” Hebrews 1:5-9
“In
the
beginning
was
the
Word,
and
the
Word
was
with
God,
and
the
Word
was
God.
He
was
in
the
beginning
with
God.
All
things
were
made
through
Him,
and
without
Him
nothing
was
made
that
was
made.
In
Him
was
life,
and
the
life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5
“He
was
in
the
world,
and
the
world
was
made
through
Him,
and
the
world
did
not
know
Him.
He
came
to
His
own,
and
His
own
did
not
receive
Him.
But
as
many
as
received
Him,
to
them
He
gave
the
right
to
become
children
of
God,
to
those
who
believe
in
His
name:
who
were
born,
not
of
blood,
nor
of
the
will
of
the
flesh,
nor
of
the
will
of
man,
but
of
God.” John 1:10-13
The Arrest, Trial and Conviction of Jesus—Injustice Personified
Upon
the
identification
of
Jesus
by
a
kiss
from
Judas
Iscariot
(one
of
the
disciples
of
Jesus),
Jesus
was
arrested
(Mark
14:44-48).
“And
those
who
had
laid
hold
of
Jesus
led
Him
away
to
Caiaphas
the
high
priest,
where
the
scribes
and
the
elders
were
assembled.
But
Peter
followed
Him
at
a
distance
to
the
high
priest’s
courtyard.
And
he
went
in
and
sat
with
the
servants
to
see
the
end.
Now
the
chief
priests,
the
elders,
and
all
the
council
sought
false
testimony
against
Jesus
to
put
Him
to
death,
but
found
none.
Even
though
many
false
witnesses
came
forward,
they
found
none.
But
at
last
two
false
witnesses
came
forward
and
said,
‘This
fellow
said,
‘I
am
able
to
destroy
the
temple
of
God
and
to
build
it
in
three
days.’’
And
the
high
priest
arose
and
said
to
Him,
‘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.’
Then
they
spat
in
His
face
and
beat
Him;
and
others
struck
Him
with
the
palms
of
their
hands,
saying,
‘Prophesy
to
us,
Christ!
Who
is
the
one
who struck You?’” Matthew 26:57-68
However, Caiaphas had a couple of problems:
1
.
He did not have power to execute Jesus, and was dependent upon the Romans for capital punishment.
2
.
Blasphemy was not a crime under Roman Law.
3
.
He needed a different Roman crime other than blasphemy to convict Jesus.
Therefore,
Caiaphas
spun
a
spiritual
and
heavenly
truth
into
an
earthly
lie.
Caiaphas
said,
Jesus
thought
of
himself,
or
His
followers
thought,
or
people
said
that
He
was
the
King
of
the
Jews.
This
diabolical
and
convoluted
claim
positions
Jesus
as
committing
sedition
(treason,
conduct
or
speech
inciting
people
to
rebel
against
the
authority
of
a
state
or
monarch)—which
was
considered
a
capital
crime
against
Rome—and
Pilate
(the
Roman
governor)
was
forced
to
respond to the charges.
It’s
important
to
note
that
Jesus
never
said
He
was
the
King
of
the
Jews.
It
was
when
He
was
in
front
of
Pilate—when
Pilate
asked
Him
if
He
was
the
King
of
the
Jews—Jesus
responded
by
saying
“I
am.”
Jesus
never
spoke
a
word
of
deceit,
only
truth,
and
could
not
deny
His
deity.
Jesus
knew
the
consequences
of
His
response—which
provided
Pilate
with evidence of the charge and he had to move towards punishment.
Although
Pilate
knew
Jesus
was
not
a
threat
to
Rome,
and
attempted
to
find
a
procedural
means
to
release
Jesus,
the
religious leaders used their manipulative power to ensure Jesus would not be forgiven and killed via crucifixion.
The Process of Crucifixion
Crucifixion
was
a
means
of
capital
punishment
(death
penalty)
used
by
the
Romans
for
one
who
had
been
convicted
of
a
criminal
offense.
Designed
with
the
intent
of
causing
a
slow
and
gruesome
death—it
was
one
of
the
most
diabolical,
painful
and
excruciating
forms
of
punishment
that
has
ever
been
contrived
by
man.
In
addition
to
executing
the
guilty,
the
secondary
purpose
of
the
overall
crucifixion
process
was
to
serve
as
a
warning
to
dissuade
others
from
committing
a similar crime.
Think
about
the
following…other
forms
of
capital
punishment
are
more
humane
than
crucifixion.
For
example,
beheadings,
hangings,
firing
squads,
electrical
execution,
IV
injection,
and
so
forth
cause
death
quickly.
Whereas,
death
on
the
cross
normally
took
several
days.
Plus,
executioners
would
sometimes
leave
the
body
hanging
to
extend
the warning and reinforce consequences of the crime.
Those who were to be crucified were first punished with scourging.
Scourging
“So,
Pilate,
wanting
to
gratify
the
crowd,
released
Barabbas
to
them;
and
he
delivered
Jesus,
after
he
had
scourged
Him, to be crucified.” Mark 15:15
(also Matthew 27:26, John 19:1)
The
body
was
stripped
of
all
clothing,
made
to
stoop
and
stretch
their
arms
around
an
object
(pillar,
boulder,
or
other
large
object),
and
bound
with
thongs
(Acts
22:25)
so
that
the
arms
were
extended
and
the
back
stretched
taut.
This
exposed the back, sides, buttocks and legs as a target for the flagrum.
The
flagrum
is
a
short
whip
made
of
leather
thon
gs
(or
ropes)
connected
to
a
handle.
Small
pieces
of
sharp
metal
and
bone
were
knotted
into
the
leather
thongs
at
different
intervals
so
that
each
lash
would
dig, rip and tear into the flesh at different locations.
The
Bible
does
not
specifically
define
how
many
lashes
Jesus
received.
However,
Deuteronomy
25:1-3
states
if
someone
deserves
to
be
beaten,
then
the
maximum
number
of
blows
is
40.
To
comply
with
this
mandate,
Jews
limited
the
number
to 39 (to make sure they did not break the law).
Although
Paul
was
not
scourged,
he
mentioned
in
2
Corinthians
11:24
that
he
was
beaten
five
times
and received 39 stripes each time.
Scourging
would
quickly
remove
the
skin
and
create
deeper
lacerations,
torn
chunks
of
flesh,
exposed
muscles
and
excessive
bleeding
as
each
and
every
lashing
was
delivered
with
force...over
and
over
and
over.
Each
time
the
pain
would
cause
the
body
to
raise,
turn
and
twist—thereby
exposing
the
chest
and
stomach
as
the
straps
wrapped
around
the back and sides. Scourging would continue until only a living remnant remained.
“When
we
see
Him,
there
is
no
beauty
that
we
should
desire
Him.
He
is
despised
and
rejected
by
men,
a
Man
of
sorrows
and
acquainted
with
grief.
And
we
hid,
as
it
were,
our
faces
from
Him;
He
was
despised,
and
we
did
not
esteem
Him.
Surely,
He
has
borne
our
griefs
and
carried
our
sorrows;
yet
we
esteemed
Him
stricken,
Smitten
by
God,
and
afflicted.
But
He
was
wounded
for
our
transgressions,
He
was
bruised
for
our
iniquities;
the
chastisement
for
our
peace
was
upon
Him,
and
by
His
stripes
we
are
healed.
All
we
like
sheep
have
gone
astray;
we
have
turned,
every
one,
to
his
own
way;
and
the
Lord
has
laid
on
Him
the
iniquity
of
us
all.
He
was
oppressed
and
He
was
afflicted,
yet
He
opened
not
His
mouth;
He
was
led
as
a
lamb
to
the
slaughter,
and
as
a
sheep
before
its
shearers
is
silent,
so
He
opened
not
His
mouth.”
Isaiah 53:2-7
Upon
the
conclusion
of
His
scourging—as
an
example
of
man
in
his
darkened
and
clueless
fallen state—they attempted to humiliate Jesus.
“And
the
soldiers
twisted
a
crown
of
thorns
and
put
it
on
His
head,
and
they
put
on
Him
a
purple
robe.
Then
they
said,
‘Hail,
King
of
the
Jews!’
And
they
struck
Him
with
their
hands.”
John 19:2-3
Transition from Scourging to Crucifixion
Jesus
was
required
to
carry
His
cross
upon
His
shredded
and
bleeding
back
through
the
streets
to
a
hill
outside
Jerusalem’s
walls
called
Golgotha.
However,
due
to
severe
blood
loss
and
shock,
Jesus
is
unable
to
carry
the
cross
to
Golgotha, so Simon of Cyrene assists in this task.
“Now
as
they
came
out,
they
found
a
man
of
Cyrene,
Simon
by
name.
Him
they
compelled
to
bear
His
cross.”
Matthew
27:32
Crucifixion
There are two likely means the living body of Jesus was nailed to the cross.
1
.
The
cross
(vertical
beam
and
cross
beam)
were
already
attached
and
lying
on
the
ground.
His
hands
and
feet
were
nailed
into
place;
and
the
entire
cross
with
His
body
attached
were
raised
together.
The
base
of
the
vertical
beam would slide into a hole to keep the cross upright.
2
.
The
vertical
beam
was
secured
in
the
ground.
His
hands
were
nailed
to
the
cross
beam,
and
then
the
cross
beam
plus His body were raised and attached to the vertical beam. His feet would then be nailed into the vertical beam.
Some
believe
nails
were
driven
directly
through
the
hands
of
Jesus,
others
believe
nails
were
inserted
through
the
two
bones
directly
below
the
wrist.
This
difference
in
opinion
is
based
upon
the
ability
of
a
nailed
hand
to
support
the
body’s
weight
(without
the
nail
tearing
through
the
flesh
of
the
hand).
The
different
beliefs
are
also
influenced
by
whether
or
not
the
feet
of
Jesus
were
nailed
into
the
sides
or
front
of
the
vertical
beam,
or
onto
a
small
ledge
that
would
support
pushing upward.
The
nailing
of
the
feet
was
important.
The
full
weight
of
the
body
upon
the
nailed
hands
was
required
for
maximum
torment.
It
is
difficult
to
breath
when
the
body’s
full
weight
is
placed
on
the
nailed
hands
and
the
arms
are
fully
stretched.
So,
the
crucified
would
push
upward
with
their
feet
and
breath
until
they
could
no
longer
stand
the
pain
in
their
feet,
then
they
would
relax
and
return
the
pain
to
their
hands
and
pressure
on
their
lungs.
This
process
would
repeat
over
and
over
until
death
by
asphyxiation
or
by
some
other
means.
What’s
more,
their
back—which
had
just
been
scourged—would
rub
against
the
vertical
beam
as
they
raised
and
lowered
themselves—causing
even
more
excruciating pain.
Therefore,
the
nailing
of
the
feet
was
done
in
a
location
where
the
knees
were
angled
outward
and
not
straight.
This
gave
the
crucified
an
ability
to
relieve
the
pain
in
their
hands
and
pressure
upon
their
lungs
so
that
they
could
breath.
Plus,
having
an
ability
to
push
upward
with
the
feet
extended
the
length
of
death.
However,
if
a
decision
was
made
to
expedite
death,
the
Romans
would
simply
break
the
legs
so
that
they
could
no
longer
push
upward,
and
they
died
by
asphyxiation.
Our Lord’s Forgiveness and Final Moments
As
He
hung
on
the
cross
Jesus
said
“‘Father,
forgive
them,
for
they
do
not
know
what
they
do.’
And
they
divided
His
garments and cast lots.” Luke 23:34
“Now
from
the
sixth
hour
until
the
ninth
hour
there
was
darkness
over
all
the
land.
And
about
the
ninth
hour
Jesus
cried
out
with
a
loud
voice,
saying,
‘Eli,
Eli,
lama
sabachthani?’
that
is,
‘My
God,
My
God,
why
have
You
forsaken
Me?’
Some
of
those
who
stood
there,
when
they
heard
that,
said,
‘This
Man
is
calling
for
Elijah!’
Immediately
one
of
them
ran
and
took
a
sponge,
filled
it
with
sour
wine
and
put
it
on
a
reed,
and
offered
it
to
Him
to
drink.
The
rest
said,
‘Let
Him
alone;
let
us
see
if
Elijah
will
come
to
save
Him.’
And
Jesus
cried
out
again
with
a
loud
voice,
and
yielded
up
His
spirit.”
Matthew 27:45-50
The torn Temple veil symbolized His sacrifice and shed blood was now the atonement of sins for Jew and Gentile.
“Then,
behold,
the
veil
of
the
temple
was
torn
in
two
from
top
to
bottom;
and
the
earth
quaked,
and
the
rocks
were
split,
and
the
graves
were
opened;
and
many
bodies
of
the
saints
who
had
fallen
asleep
were
raised;
and
coming
out
of
the
graves
after
His
resurrection,
they
went
into
the
holy
city
and
appeared
to
many.
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!’” Matthew 27:51-54
“Therefore,
because
it
was
the
Preparation
Day,
that
the
bodie
s
should
not
remain
on
the
cross
on
the
Sabbath
(for
that
Sabbath
was
a
high
day),
the
Jews
asked
Pilate
that
their
legs
might
be
broken,
and
that
they
might
be
taken
away.
Then
the
soldiers
came
and
broke
the
legs
of
the
first
and
of
the
other
who
was
crucified
with
Him.
But
when
they
came
to
Jesus
and
saw
that
He
was
already
dead,
they
did
not
break
His
legs.
But
one
of
the
soldiers
pierced
His
side
with
a
spear,
and
immediately
blood
and
water
came
out.
And
he
who
has
seen
has
testified,
and
his
testimony
is
true;
and
he
knows
that
he
is
telling
the
truth,
so
that
you
may
believe.
For
these
things
were
done
that
the
Scripture
should
be
fulfilled,
‘Not
one
of
His
bones
shall
be
broken.’
And
again,
another
Scripture
says,
‘They
shall
look
on
Him
whom they pierced.’” John 19:31-37
The
Roman’s
practice
of
breaking
the
legs
to
expedite
death
is
interesting
due
to
the
fact
that
prophetic
scriptures
state
that
none
of
the
bones
of
Jesus
would
be
broken.
God
gave
Moses
and
Aaron
specific
rules
for
the
Passover
lamb.
The
lamb
was
to
be
without
blemish
(Exodus
12:5),
and
no
broken
bones
(Exodus
12:46,
Numbers
9:12).
Jesus
Christ
was
our
Passover
Lamb—without
blemish
or
spot—and
without
broken
bones.
“For
indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7
“For
to
this
you
were
called,
because
Christ
also
suffered
for
us,
leaving
us
an
example,
that
you
should
follow
His
steps:
‘Who
committed
no
sin,
nor
was
deceit
found
in
His
mouth’;
who,
when
He
was
reviled,
did
not
revile
in
return;
when
He
suffered,
He
did
not
threaten,
but
committed
Himself
to
Him
who
judges
righteously;
who
Himself
bore
our
sins
in
His
own
body
on
the
tree,
that
we,
having
died
to
sins,
might
live
for
righteousness—by
whose
stripes
you
were
healed.
For
you
were
like
sheep
going
astray,
but
have
now
returned
to
the
Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25
So, I ask again…
Who killed Jesus Christ?
The answer and truth…
it was not the Jews, nor the Romans, nor Satan.
It was you…and it was me…and it was all who believe…
Jesus willingly laid down His life as a ransom for our sins.
And by doing so, He gave each of us an opportunity to spiritually
come alive while we are living in these flawed mortal bodies,
and to live thereafter for eternity in His presence.
I know not of any other god who has willingly died…
to pay the price for our sins.
Our Savior, and Lord of lords and King of kings is worthy of praise, worship, glory…and our entire being.
God Bless You
Harold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
the
Bible
study
topic
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader;
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The
questions should be considered or discussed after reading “Who Killed Jesus Christ”.
There
are
two
types
of
questions:
lesson
and
opinion.
Lesson
questions
(preceded
by
a
number)
are
provided
an
answer.
Opinion
questions
(preceded
by
an
“O”)
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
the
determination
of
opinions
and/or discovering how the lesson content illuminates our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided
Questions
(Do your best to respond to each lesson question before looking at the answer.)
1. There are six items listed that described the purpose and ministry of Jesus. How many can you remember?
O Why do you think the Sanhedrin, led by Caiaphas, fail to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and execute Him?
O Do you think Satan manipulated those who influenced the crucifixion of Jesus?
Read the following scripture:
“And
you,
being
dead
in
your
trespasses
and
the
uncircumcision
of
your
flesh,
He
has
made
alive
together
with
Him,
having
forgiven
you
all
trespasses,
having
wiped
out
the
handwriting
of
requirements
that
was
against
us,
which
was
contrary
to
us.
And
He
has
taken
it
out
of
the
way,
having
nailed
it
to
the
cross.
Having
disarmed
principalities
and
powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15
O
Do you think Satan knew what would occur by crucifying Jesus? In doing so crucifixion would:
•
Make alive those who are dead in sin.
•
Remove all consequences of our sin by nailing it to the cross.
•
Disarm and triumph over Satan’s principalities and powers.
O
What
is
the
impact
to
your
heart
and
soul
when
you
realize
we
are
responsible
for
the
death
of
Jesus,
and
that
He
willingly died so that we could live?
“Therefore
I
also,
after
I
heard
of
your
faith
in
the
Lord
Jesus
and
your
love
for
all
the
saints,
do
not
cease
to
give
thanks
for
you,
making
mention
of
you
in
my
prayers:
that
the
God
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
the
Father
of
glory,
may
give
to
you
the
spirit
of
wisdom
and
revelation
in
the
knowledge
of
Him,
the
eyes
of
your
understanding
being
enlightened;
that
you
may
know
what
is
the
hope
of
His
calling,
what
are
the
riches
of
the
glory
of
His
inheritance
in
the
saints,
and
what
is
the
exceeding
greatness
of
His
power
toward
us
who
believe,
according
to
the
working
of
His
mighty
power
which
He
worked
in
Christ
when
He
raised
Him
from
the
dead
and
seated
Him
at
His
right
hand
in
the
heavenly
places
far
above
all
principality
and
power
and
might
and
dominion,
and
every
name
that
is
named,
not
only
in
this
age
but
also
in
that
which
is
to
come.
And
He
put
all
things
under
His
feet,
and
gave
Him
to
be
head
over
all
things
to
the
church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:15-23
Answers
1.
Page
2:
Fulfill
scripture;
confront
religious
darkness,
prove
His
divine
assignment
via
miracles,
mirror
God,
speak
absolute truth, and give His body as a living sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The questions may be viewed and downloaded as a PDF file by clicking on this button.
Can you think of one or more persons who could benefit from reading this lesson? If so, pass it on!