Just Two Weeks to departure...
Check back next Monday too. In this study below, we'll "visit" one of my favorite places in the world...
Check back next Monday too. In this study below, we'll "visit" one of my favorite places in the world...
Your Personal Bible Study: Two weeks before we leave for Israel and Jordan…
"Lead Me to Calvary" - Events of the Crucifixion
Open your Trip Bible to Matthew 26:57- 28:10. Mark this and highlight other verses in this study too.
At the end of this tour, you'll have your own "favorite place" that we've visited.
Actually we all will be blessed - in so many ways and in so many places.
One high point on our last day in Jerusalem, we'll share the Lord’s Supper at
the Garden Tomb - right after we've viewed "Skull Hill, Golgotha, Calvary."
One of my favorite old hymns was often sung at Communion time is...
King of my life I crown Thee now. Thine shall the glory be.
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary...
The Cross (Matthew 26:57- 27:56)
First there were those illegal trials based on fake news (26:57-27:26)
1. Trial before the Sanhedrin (26:57-75)
Peter denied Jesus as the Master was appearing before Jewish leaders in the house of the
High Priest Caiphas (known in Jerusalem as "St. Peter Gallicantu.") Peter had followed at a distance,
but when directly confronted, he blatantly denied his Lord - three times. As Jesus had said, the rooster
crowing marked his denials. When you're at that very site, look for the bronze rooster...and listen
carefully for a reminder of what else took place there.
2. Trial before Pilate (27:11-26)
Although the exact location of this is uncertain, tradition says that Jesus appeared before Pilate in the
Fortress of Antonia rising above the northwestern edge of the temple. (It's no longer there)
(From here Jesus began His long walk to Golgotha, appropriately called "The place of the skull.")
Then, far worse than waterboarding, there was that grisly torture (27:27-31)
Roman authorities flogged Jesus (v. 26), a lashing so severe that prisoners sometimes died from this
alone - even before being crucified. (Careful not to exceed what was lawful, the Jews had placed a
limit of 39 lashes on those they punished in this way, BUT the Romans had no such limits!)
After the flogging, Jesus was stripped, mocked, spat on, and beaten over the head with a staff.
this Roman flogging often caused death. All this in "preparation" for the next step…
Finally the indescribable agony of His crucifixion itself In our culture we talk about "humane forms of capital punishment." The Roman authorities would have none of that. Crucifixion was one of the most gruesome forms of execution ever devised. (27:32-56)
1. Jesus' journey to Golgotha (27:32-44)
Jesus carried the horizontal beam of the cross until, weakened by His prior flogging, He collapsed.
The Roman soldiers forced a passerby to carry it the rest of the way to Skull Hill.
Then during the crucifixion, from the cross, Jesus in great pain could watch soldiers gambling for His
clothes, religious leaders mocking His death and two thieves sharing His dreaded fate.
2. Jesus' actual death on the cross (27:45-56)
Crucifixion was a lengthy, torturous death. Displayed in public, this form of execution was a powerful
deterrent to crime, and to rebellion against the Roman rule. But Jesus' death was different.
Yes, He was executed by Roman order, but In paying the price for humanity's sin, Jesus voluntarily
"gave up his spirit" - as a willing act of sacrifice!
We all know He did not die from the beating or even the crucifixion. He had already said,
"I lay down my life - only to take it up again. 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" (John 10:17-18).
His perfect sinless life, his agonizing death, his shed blood was his great gift - for us! AWESOME!
The Grave (Matthew 27:57-66)
The burial at the tomb (27:57-61)
1. Joseph of Arimethea courageously requested the body of Jesus from the authorities. (vv. 57-58)
2. Joseph placed Jesus' body in his own newly-prepared tomb. (vv. 59-61)
In a "coincidence" prepared by God, Joseph's new tomb had been chiseled out in the same area
where Jesus was crucified. According to John's Gospel,
"At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb,
in which no one had ever been laid." (John 19:41).
The guarding of the tomb (27:62-66)
1. The request came from religious leaders who had remembered Jesus' words (vv. 62-64)
2. The order came from Pilate and was carried out by his experienced soldiers (vv. 65-66).
Their careers and even their lives depended on properly guarding the tomb from any tampering.
The theory that the disciples stole His body contradicts this key fact: Jesus' tomb was sealed and
under professional Roman guard. Frightened disciples would have been no match for experienced
soldiers. Think of it. God actually put the tomb under protective Roman custody to validate the truth of the Resurrection – for all people, for all time!
The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-10)
The grand opening (28:1-4)
The glorious announcement (28:5-10)
1. Jesus is risen - (Hallelujah!)
2. The tomb is empty - (Praise the Lord!)
3. You will see Him - (Even so, come Lord Jesus!)
The Bottom Line:
The third Sunday after we get home will be Palm Sunday, the fourth, Resurrection/Easter Sunday - Wow!
God's "good news" is simple and it is substantial! This good news is that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures. His death was validated by His burial. Death was defeated when He arose - "on the third day according to the Scriptures." That physical resurrection was verified by several public appearances, including one appearance to a crowd of over 500. [By the way, if you think they were simply mistaken or hallucinating, that many people don't ever share the same "hallucination."]
The apostle Paul declares that this is the "good news" that he preached and by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). During our visit to Jerusalem, we stand in the area where Antonia Fortress was, and we walk the Via Dolorosa. Toward the end of our tour we will celebrate the Lord's Supper at the place of the Skull, and actually step into the "garden tomb." It's empty, and no evidence shows it ever held a decaying body. As you stand there, remember that Jesus suffered, died and rose again for you. THAT is the best “good news” ever!!
“…Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony.
Lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary!”
Please pray that our pilgrimage will bless all our passengers - those from Dr. DeLancy's group and our group - drawing each of us closer to each other AND to the risen Savior! If you are going on this tour, we’ll see you in two weeks - Monday morning, March 13 at 9:00 sharp!
If you're not going with us this time, please pray for us. Perhaps you can join us on our next tour.
If you have any questions about a trip like this, the Bible, or about our ministry, please contact us!
If you'd like to know about our awesome Savior and how to find a relationship with Him, please contact us! Have a blessed day - and Shalom! - David
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I hope you’ve enjoyed these Bible Studies including some material I’ve adapted from:
The Christian Traveler's Guide to the Holy Land by Charles Dyer and Gregory Hatterberg