Kindred,
When the hour came for Jesus to be arrested, Jesus said to his sleeping disciples, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners."*
When Jesus was arrested, he spoke to his captors and asked, "Did you have to come with swords and clubs, as though I were an outlaw?"**
Jesus questioned them because his only "crime" was to everyday sit down and teach in the Temple.**
When Jesus tried to reason with the Council, the Council, after spitting in his face and beating him, said, "Prophesy for us, Messiah! Guess who hit you?"***
When the hour came for the Roman governor to sentence Jesus, he asked, "What crime has he committed?" The crowd shouted, "Crucify him!"****
When the hour came to crucify him, the soldiers "made a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head...knelt down before him and made fun of him, spat on him, took a stick and hit him over the head."*****
Only after Jesus died, when the earth quaked, rocks split apart and everything else that happened did the soldiers, who were watching him, knew fear.
Ever wonder why the power of sinners never fear those without swords until too late?
Ever wonder why the power of sinners after subduing a passive captive, resort to excess force and abuse?
Ever wonder why the power of sinners never believe the true prophet, but will believe the false prophets?
Ever wonder why the power of sinners treat those with differences in opinions and thought as outlaws to be met with deadly force?
What causes in them that kind of hate, that kind of disrespect and that kind of cruelty?
Did Christ's teachings end upon his death?
When the hour of death came for the power of sinners, were there no consequences in Judgement for them?
Though scripture does not go as far as to record the Judgement, what do you think the penalty is for crimes against humanity, for crimes against an innocent?
How much greater for the Son of Man?
When the hour comes for your tests of character, will you still be sleeping and resting?
When the hour comes for your Judgement, what do you think it would be (in accordance with the Lord's Ethics and Standards)?
*Matthew 26:45
**Matthew 26:55
***Matthew 26:67-68
****Matthew 27:23
*****Matthew 27:29-30
