Who Put Jesus on the Cross?

The Audio is very low (sorry).
The Romans?
The Jews?
Was it Satan?

Jesus was arrested at night and charged with blasphemy, the charge was “you a mere man are claiming to be equal with God.”
Blasphemy, under Jewish Law was punishable by death.

Was it the Romans?

Under Roman control the Jews had to bring Jesus Christ before Pontus Pilate to have him crucified. They didn’t have the authority due to the Roman occupation to carry out the death penalty.
Jesus Before Pontus Pilate

John 19:9-11
"Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

This proves that Pilate as a Roman procurator believed he had authority over the life of Jesus but that Jesus declared that the authority over his life was much higher.

Though he was convinced of Christ’s innocence, and though he tried to dissuade the priests and the crowd from their aim to have Christ killed, he finally relented to the blood-thirsty religious leaders: "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it" (Matthew 27:24).

Clearly Pilate’s decision was motivated by the fear of a potential revolt. Therefore, to keep the leaders happy, and to prevent a dangerous rebellion, he relented to their request. Thus, though Pilate had the power to prevent Christ’s death, he chose to sacrifice an innocent man to keep the peace. Pilate, therefore, was a willing participant and contributed to Christ’s death.

Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged and then released but the crowd called out, inspired by the religious leaders of the day, to crucify Jesus.
Pilate did not want Jesus crucified because he judged him innocent of breaking any laws that were important to him as a Roman.

However to appease the crowd he succumbed to the pressure and ordered Jesus crucified.

Was it the Jews?

The Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, set him up on multiple occasions and seduced one of his own disciples to turn against him for 20 pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:3-5
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 5"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

It is interesting to note that they were conscious of the fact that the majority of the people liked Jesus and, therefore, decided not to kill Him. They knew that the masses of people had to be handled carefully, to keep them from turning against them. Thus, their plan had to be skillfully conceived so as to convince the people that Christ was a blasphemer and that He deserved death.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that when Christ was brought to the Sanhedrin, “The Chief Priest, the elders, and the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death” (Matthew 26:59-61), and found several.

Finally, Christ’s own words were found sufficient to condemn Him to death. Thus, in the morning, “...all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death” (Matt. 27:1). Later, when Pilate tried to release Christ, they vehemently insisted that He had to be killed, and the angry crowd that was present, as well as the priests, finally prevailed (Luke 23:23).

Were the religious leaders guilty? According to the Gospel story, many were. They planned to capture Christ, they found false witnesses to testify against Him, and they refused to believe His word, though His miracles supported His claims. The religious leaders wanted Him dead and did not cease until their agenda to have him killed was fulfilled.

Was it Satan?

Did Satan try and kill Jesus on the cross? I think Satan feared the cross because he tried to get Jesus to avoid it.

Matthew 16:21-23
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I believe Satan wanted Jesus to die but he did not want him to be lifted up. He knew the prophecy and I believe tried to get Jesus to die another way or tried to get him to sin through various temptations.

Matthew 4:6
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "

Colossians 2:15
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
It was God’s Love for Sinful Mankind that Put Jesus on the Cross.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God the Father loves us so much that He was willing to go through unfathomable pain and anguish for us, by offering His only Son to be flogged and then to be nailed to the cross.

It was His love that put Jesus on the Cross. It was His love for sinful humanity that brought us unmerited forgiveness and opened the possibility of eternal life for all who believe.

Jesus Christ agreed to do God's will, fully conscious of the horrific ramifications that His decision would have had for Him. Yet, He was greatly encouraged by the fact that his future suffering would have brought about salvation for all who receive him by faith.

John 6:51
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Who, therefore, killed Jesus Christ? The answer should be clear by now: The Jewish leaders wished it; Pilate could have prevented it, Satan orchestrated it; our sins demanded it.

It was God the Father who willed it, and it was Christ who willingly offered himself to be sacrificed.

John 10:18
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The Cross screams, YOU ARE VALUABLE!

Jubilee Family Church

A Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

'That surprises you, doesn't it? ' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had an incredible grasp on heaven. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Revelation 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Jubilee Family Church

Authority

The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.

To watch the video of this message please click here.

1. There can be a transfer of Authority
Numbers 27:20
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Authority can be given away.
The Authority that is given is effective.
The Authority is given away by the will of God, the one in authority and via the laying on of hands.

Prerequisite to receive an impartation of Authority.
a man in whom is the spirit

The Character of Christ with a Gift from God will make an effective minister.
Gifts without character won’t last very long.
Character without Gifts also won’t go very far either.
Both is best! The greater the gift the greater the need for Godly Character.


2. It’s wise to delegate Authority to have a greater influence
Deuteronomy 1:15
So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.

The Jethro Principle
Prerequisite for receiving authority.
leading men
wise men
respected men
If you want to find a leader just look around and see who’s leading.

If you want to find a deacon just look around and see who’s taking a leadership role in taking care of the natural affairs of the church.

3. Authority can be taken away
Daniel 4:28-33
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.


32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Grace is the power to do the right things and resist the wrong things.
Mercy is not getting what we do deserve (judgment), Grace is getting what we do not deserve (power to live the Christian life).

4. Understanding Authority = Great Faith!
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Matthew 8:10
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Revelation about the authority of Christ will lead us to great faith.

5. We have Christ's authority delegated to us
Matthew 28
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The 12 Sent Out
Luke 9:1
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Should a person with the authority to drive out demons ask God do to it? When they come across a sick person should they ask God to do something he’s already given us the authority to do?
The 72 Sent Out
Luke 10:17-20
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

6. Fullness Comes from Christ
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

7. Submit to Human Authority
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Leaders who keep watch over you must give an account
Disobedient followers make the job of the leader a burden
This situation is of no benefit to the follower

8. Find your place under authority
Ephesians 4:15b, 16
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jubilee Family Church

Missionary in East Africa Fights for the Lives of Children

Click here to watch video.

Leroy Bennett has been telling me about the "Machine Gun Preacher". I thought I'd share with you a link to CBN's website where they do a video interview with Sam Childers a missionary in East Africa. I caution you, the video is disturbing.

To visit the Angels of East Africa Website Click Here
To learn more about the group that is behind the atrocities click here

Jubilee Family Church

KCCJ - 106.9 FM Making Progress

I wanted to give everyone a brief update on the status of 106.9 - KCCJ. I received the wrong cable ends from my supplier so I decided to hook up my kit transmitter to the 50 foot antenna. The signal improved quite a bit. As I was driving the kids to school yesterday (Tuesday) I could pick up a pretty strong signal in our van from the studio all the way to the airport at Southside. I was impressed with the coverage because it's only coming from a 1 watt transmitter! We are licensed at 36 watts by the FCC so our coverage area should really improve when the proper wire ends come in and I hook them up.

The big question everyone asks is, "How far will the station reach?" My typical answer is I'll hook everything up and see how far it goes but if 1 Watt can cover 1/2 of Batesville with a decent signal I believe 36 watts should get the job done. Obviously this is great news. I'm listening right now and if you're on the West side of Batesville try and tune the station in. My van could pick the station up at Pilgrims Pride but 2 smaller radios in the plant could not. It's still in the formative stages so there is a lot of tweaking that will go on but glorious praise to the King of Kings is being played now.

Share the station with a friend so we can build up our listenership and thus the influence of the Kingdom of God!

Jubilee Family Church