• Published on
    The final days of Jesus Christ’s life on Earth, from His entry into Jerusalem, to his resurrection, reveal a story of faith, love and purpose. This was a time when Jesus, God’s Son, showed who He was and why He came. Each day of Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem, and the cross, carries a lesson, a promise kept, and a glimpse of His heart. As He said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

    We begin with Palm Sunday, Matthew 21:1-11, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, a choice that showed he was a lowly king, meek and humble, and fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy: “Rejoice greatly… behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.” Zechariah 9:9. A multitude waved palm branches, and “… cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:9. But Jesus wept over the city, warning in Luke 19:41-44, “If thou hadst known… the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes,” teaching that rejecting Him would bring ruin.

    Jesus drove out those selling in God’s temple, declaring, “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:19. After that, the scribes and chief priests sought to kill him, because they feared Him, for all the people were astonished at His words. Mark 11:15-18

    Later, He faced questions from the Jewish leaders in the temple, who asked about His authority to teach these things, and He answered their question with a question about John the Baptist, which they could not answer, so neither did He answer their question, showing His wisdom and faith in God. He then shared a story with them of a son killed by selfish men, and warned of the consequences. Matthew 21:28-46. He praised a widow’s small gift of two mites in the offering, all that she had, proclaiming that those who give from their lack are more blessed than those who give from their abundance. Mark 12:42-44

    “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper …," a woman anointed Jesus with very expensive oil. Judas Iscariot (the Betrayer) complained about the waste, stating that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but he really wanted to steal from the profits. Jesus replied that the anointing of the oil prepared Him for His burial, a sign of His coming death and resurrection. Judas Iscariot then betrayed Him by conspiring with the Jewish leaders to turn him in to them for 30 pieces of silver, Matthew 26:6-15, as Jesus warned, “And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!” Luke 22:22

    The next day, Jesus ate with His disciples. He took bread and wine, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body… this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission [payment] of sins,” offering the new promise of salvation through His sacrifice. Matthew 26:26-29. He washed their feet, teaching humility, humbleness and love, His purpose shining brightly, as He neared the cross. John 13:5

    In deep sorrow, He prayed to the Father, sometimes so intensely that his tears became drops of blood: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,” Matthew 26:36-44, accepting our punishment, as Old Testament prophecy foretold: “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities …” Isaiah 53:5

    He was betrayed and crucified without justification, but not without purpose: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

    He rose from the dead, as proclaimed by the angel at His empty grave: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:1-6. He gave His life so we could live, and He leaves a legacy of faith, hope, love, peace, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

    Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Easter!


  • Published on

    "THE COMFORTER" AUDIO BLOG

    John 14

    1 ​"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

    2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

    3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

    4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

    5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

    6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

    7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

    8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

    9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

    10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

    11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

    12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

    13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

    14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

    15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

    16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

    17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

    18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

    19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

    20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

    21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

    22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

    23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

    24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

    25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

    26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

    27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

    28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

    29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

    30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
    ​
    31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."

    Thank you, Jesus. Amen.


  • Published on

    "THE SOWER OF THE SEED" AUDIO BLOG


    Luke 8

    4 "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

    5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

    6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

    7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

    8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

    9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

    10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

    11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

    12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

    13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

    14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

    15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

    Amen.

    ​

  • Published on

    "THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT" AUDIO BLOG

    Matthew 5

    ​1 "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

    2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

    3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

    5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

    6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

    7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

    8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

    9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

    10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

    12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

    13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

    14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

    15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

    16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

    17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

    18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

    19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

    21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

    22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

    23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

    24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

    25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

    26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

    27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

    28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

    29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

    30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

    31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

    32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

    33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

    34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

    35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

    36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

    37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

    38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

    39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

    40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

    41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

    42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

    43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

    44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

    45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

    46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

    47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

    48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

    Thank you, Jesus. Amen.



  • Published on

    "THE MEANING OF EASTER (FROM MATTHEW)" AUDIO BLOG
    (1 of 3)
    ​
    ​​THE BETRAYAL

    "THE MEANING OF EASTER (FROM MATTHEW)" AUDIO BLOG
    (2 of 3)
    ​
    ​​THE CRUCIFIXION

    "THE MEANING OF EASTER (FROM MATTHEW)" AUDIO BLOG
    (3 of 3)
    ​
    ​THE RESURRECTION


    THE BETRAYAL

    Matthew 26

    ​20 "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

    21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

    22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

    23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

    24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

    25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

    26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

    27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

    28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

    29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

    30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

    31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

    32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

    33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

    34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

    35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

    36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

    37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

    38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

    39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

    40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

    41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

    42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

    43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

    44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

    45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

    46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

    47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

    48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

    49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

    50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

    51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

    52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

    53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

    54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

    55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

    56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

    57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

    58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

    59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

    60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

    61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

    62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

    63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

    64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

    65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

    66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

    67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

    68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

    69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

    70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

    71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

    72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

    73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

    74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

    75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."



    ​THE CRUCIFIXION

    Matthew 27

    1 "    When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

    2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

    3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

    4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

    5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

    6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

    7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

    8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

    9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

    10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

    11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

    12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

    13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

    14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

    15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

    16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

    17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

    18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

    19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

    20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

    21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

    22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

    23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

    24 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.

    25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

    26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

    27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

    28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

    29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

    30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

    31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

    32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

    33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

    34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

    35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

    36 And sitting down they watched him there;

    37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

    38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

    39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

    40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

    41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

    42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

    43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

    44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

    45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

    46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

    47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

    48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

    49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

    50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

    51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

    52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

    53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

    54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

    55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

    56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.

    57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

    58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

    59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

    60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

    61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

    62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

    63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

    64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

    65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

    66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."



    THE RESURRECTION

    Matthew 28

    1 "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

    2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

    3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

    4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

    5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

    6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

    7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

    8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

    9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

    10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

    11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

    12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

    13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

    14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

    15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

    16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

    17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

    18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

    19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
    ​
    20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
  • Published on

    ​"JESUS PRAYS BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION" AUDIO BLOG

    ​
    ​Jesus prays for His followers, just hours before His crucifixion:

    John 17

    1 "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

    2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

    3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

    4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

    5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

    6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

    7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

    8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

    9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

    10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

    11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

    12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

    13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

    14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

    15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

    16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

    17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

    18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

    19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

    20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

    21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

    22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

    23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

    24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

    25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

    26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

    Amen.

    ​