The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 19:7-9,
"The Jewish leaders insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he [Jesus] claimed to be the Son of God.' When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. 'Where do you come from?' he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer."
It appears Pontious Pilate had no stomach for putting Jesus to death. We read he became more fearful as he heard additional details of the complaints from the Jewish leaders. Upon hearing from the Jews that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate asked Jesus where he was from. Jesus didn't answer. His purpose was to be put to death to provide payment for the sins of mankind.
It truly is a question for the ages, "Where, Jesus, do you come from?"
Some might say he was born in Bethlehem. Some might say he came out of Egypt. Most would say he was a Galilean from Nazareth. While all these may have some reference in fact, they fail miserably to inform us where Jesus Christ actually came from.
In Jesus' own prayer in John 17:5, Jesus tells the Father, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." Jesus came from the Father! He is from the heavenly realms and existed there as God the Son before the world began! In verse 3 of his prayer we learn that the Father had sent Jesus, and in verse 4, that he was to complete the work the Father had given him.
In John 17:8, Jesus told the Father that his disciples knew where he had come from, "They [Jesus' disciples] knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me." Jesus acknowledged the Father had sent him into the world, "As you sent me into the world..." John 17:18. He went on to pray that the disciples would be brought into unity such that it would result in the world recognizing the Father had sent the Son into the world, John 17:23.
"The Jewish leaders insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he [Jesus] claimed to be the Son of God.' When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. 'Where do you come from?' he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer."
It appears Pontious Pilate had no stomach for putting Jesus to death. We read he became more fearful as he heard additional details of the complaints from the Jewish leaders. Upon hearing from the Jews that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate asked Jesus where he was from. Jesus didn't answer. His purpose was to be put to death to provide payment for the sins of mankind.
It truly is a question for the ages, "Where, Jesus, do you come from?"
Some might say he was born in Bethlehem. Some might say he came out of Egypt. Most would say he was a Galilean from Nazareth. While all these may have some reference in fact, they fail miserably to inform us where Jesus Christ actually came from.
In Jesus' own prayer in John 17:5, Jesus tells the Father, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." Jesus came from the Father! He is from the heavenly realms and existed there as God the Son before the world began! In verse 3 of his prayer we learn that the Father had sent Jesus, and in verse 4, that he was to complete the work the Father had given him.
In John 17:8, Jesus told the Father that his disciples knew where he had come from, "They [Jesus' disciples] knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me." Jesus acknowledged the Father had sent him into the world, "As you sent me into the world..." John 17:18. He went on to pray that the disciples would be brought into unity such that it would result in the world recognizing the Father had sent the Son into the world, John 17:23.
Given that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, came from the Father and died for our sins, what might that mean to each of us?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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