KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:22 KJV” Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.”

We continue with the trial of Jesus in Pilate’ palace. PILATE realised there was no sin with Jesus. He asked who would choose, Barabbas or Jesus?  They shouted give us Barabbas and crucify Jesus. The name Jesus means Jehovah is saviour. He is called the Christ, or the anointed one. Jesus is God in the flesh Jesus is the word of God, and He is God (John 1:1). These people rejected Him because they did not know who he was. They were envious of Him, because they put Him in the same class as themselves.

Today, I ask you, what are you doing with Jesus? Everything about you would begin to change according to what you do with Jesus. Even if you are a Christian your life would either be promoted or demoted depending on what you do with Jesus.1 Corinth 2:9, reveals that eyes have not seen nor ear head, neither has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him. Daniel writes that those who know their God shall wax strong and do exploits. Dan 11:32. Jesus is the embodiment of absolute perfection. He represents perfect freedom. He is the answer to every question of mankind. Jesus gives power for a victorious life. What are you doing with Jesus? It is very unfortunate to find Christians who seek to use Jesus to get what they want yet they have no special place for the master. Do not rob yourself of true reality by placing Jesus at second place.

If you are not a born-again child of God then the one you need to rule your affairs is Jesus. Jesus in your life is peace, healing, wisdom, protection and whatever good thing you may think about.  If you are sick Jesus can heal you. Jesus has proved a faithful and powerful master who is worth depending on. In the light of all these, why would any man reject such a powerful being.? People reject Jesus because they have no knowledge of him. How can one know Him? Dear one, Jesus can show Himself alive to you. All you need is to ask Him to show Himself to you. Stop fighting and challenging whether He is real or not. Be sincere and just ask Him to show Himself to you.

THOUGHT:  JESUS IS ALWAYS READY TO ANSWER ANY SINCERE HEART

FURTHER STUDIES

Deut. 4:29 KJV” But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Rev. 3:20 KJV” Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:20 KJV” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.”

In our key scripture, the chief priest and the Pharisees, managed to persuade the multitudes to call for the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people have made shipwreck of their lives because of wrong or evil influences. Among the youth we call it peer pressure. Anyone could be wrongly influenced, if he or she has not made up his mind to stick to God’s standards.

There are people who are addicted to all kinds of stuffs and even habits as a result of bad or wrong influences. There are young men who are given to sniffing cocaine, taking all kinds of drugs, alcohol and many more. They wished they were free of these things, yet because of their associations they are held to that lifestyle. There are some ministers of the gospel who are also influenced by friends to join occult groups. The marital homes also suffer, its kind of wrong influences, through certain associations. Always remember that bad communications corrupt good manner (2nd Corinth 15:33)

Beside the direct influences are those who suffer from indirect influences to their own destruction. If one act in any way to gain the praise of others, it is a remote kind of influence. The pursuit of fame and financial affluence drives people into mingling themselves with all kinds of wrong ways to make money. The Lord said, the Pharisees liked to were their long robes and make long prayers to win the recognition of people. There are things many people do, that seeks to show how good they are in that field and not fundamentally to honour God. Check your motive always.

Why do people fall into this error of wrong influences.?

1. Most of such people are not living under the authority of Jesus over their lives.

2. Some fear to offend others by taking an opposing stand.

3. Some people have not defined what they want out of life.

4. Some are just lovers of themselves and will go for anything that satisfies their ego.

How can one set himself free from negative influences?

1. Acknowledge that God is the only judge to whom we are all accountable to

2.Realize that the praise of men is a mirage, and has no eternal value.

3.Any friend whose value system does not honour Jesus can’t be your close pal.

4. Don’t be afraid to be misunderstood when you have to be different.

5.Do nothing for self glory, but rather do all things to the glory of the Lord Jesus

THOUGHT:  IT IS IDOLATORY TO SEEK TO PLEASE MEN AGAINST GOD’S WAY.

 FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 1:10 KJV” For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”.

1 Corinth 15:33 KJV” Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:19 KJV “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”.

During the trial of our Lord Jesus many things were going on around the time. One of such things was the distresses that came to the wife of the governor. The scripture did not talk about the distressing situations that came to her, yet the bible said she suffered many things. Just men are God’s delight. The eyes of the Lord are on the cry of Just men. Psalms 34:15 KJV “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry”.

Who is a just man? A just man is a man who loves the Lord. He always places God’s word above everything else.  Gen 6:9 KJV “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Our study for today says we should beware of Just men. Just men always live under God’s eye of surveillance. God seeks their blessing. If you seek his destruction, you are trying to alter God’s program for Him. Since that is not God’s agenda for Him, God would come against you. It is a great life to live as a just man.

Dear wife or husband Beware of your just mate. Some men take advantage of the godliness of their wife. They go out for other woman, knowing their wives would not make any noise about them. Please you have no idea about the danger that is awaiting you. God has delayed in bringing your judgement because He is only waiting on you to repent from that lifestyle. Beware of that just husband. Michal, the wife of David despised Him in His heart when David was celebrating the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:21–23) 2 Samuel 6:23 KJV ” Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.”

Dear Christian brother and sister, beware of that holy brother or sister that you have decided to frustrate. You are setting up yourself to fight God himself. If you curse a just man, you have cursed yourself. When you bless him, you have likewise blessed yourself? Gen 12:3 KJV” And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: …….”

THOUGHT:  THE JUST MAN DOES NOT WORRY ABOUT THOSE WHO HATE HIM, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOD’S WORRY.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Ch 16:22 KJV “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”

Zech 2:8 KJV” For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:17 KJV” 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?”

The Lord was brought to Pilate the governor, by the chief priests and the Pharisees. Pilate interrogated the Lord, yet He did not answer a word. Pilate realised there was no offence with Him. He announced to the crowd, I am presenting to you, Barrabas a very notorious criminal and Jesus, of which you, would have to choose one and reject the other. The whole crowd, shouted in oneness, crucify Jesus. They chose Barabbas, and rejected Jesus, to be crucified…Barrabas a hardened criminal was the choice of the mob. Who or what do you choose today?

Jesus is a symbol of life, health and peace. He is the way the truth and the life. God our Father gives us that same option, even now. Deut 30:19 KJV” I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

Why do some men still reject Jesus and choose death and curses? Why do others still choose lust, abominations and eternal destruction? Many are deceived just as the mob were deceived on that day Pilate gave them the choice. These people had encountered the great miracle ministry of Jesus, seen the great love He showed to all. The few leaders, out of envy said Jesus should die and that He was a liar. They believed and rejected Him as a whole nation. Today many are deceived about Jesus. Some say He is a myth, yet He has revealed Himself to anyone who sincerely calls on Him. Some deceive many by saying the bible was written by Europeans to deceive Africans. This is a great intellectual dishonesty in the light of all the historical evidences, archaeological findings in the middle east and many more.

Are you also deceived by a few self-centred individuals who may want to live after their lust, and therefore deceive the many? Jesus is real. He is still changing lives. He still gives peace. All over the world, people are still encountering Him. He has shown Himself alive to people, who opposed and openly rejected Him. He still heals the sick and raises the dead, through anyone who would trust His word. He has changed my life and would do same for you if you would choose Him today. He has shown us how to find Him. If you would sincerely call on Him to reveal Himself to you, He would come to you.

THOUGHT:  DO NOT ALLOW, PHILOSOPHERS, OR EVEN FALSE PASTORS TO DECEIVE YOU,CALL ON JESUS YOURSELF AND YOU WOULD FIND HIM.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I believe that you sent Jesus to die for me. I repent from every stubbornness and surrender my life to Him. I receive the Holy Spirit to rule my life today. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul.

FURTHER STUDIES

Col 2:8 & 9 KJV “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

John 1:11,12 KJV” He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:3 KJV” 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,”

After the Lord was condemned to die, Judas realised he had betrayed an innocent blood. He brought the price of the betrayal to the high priest and said “I have betrayed an innocent blood…”He threw the thirty pieces of silver to the floor and left. Judas ultimately ended up committing suicide. Judas was sincerely remorseful yet his repentance was not complete. He was not free from the guilt of sin. Repentance is complete when we accept our forgiveness from the Lord. The scripture said, we must confess our sins, for God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Judas was under the impact of condemnation and guilt. He could not forgive himself and so he could not accept Christ forgiveness. His repentance was therefore incomplete.

Dear one, are you free from your wrong actions? Various people are not free because they do not go through a complete repentance. What is a complete repentance? It is the act of being convicted of your sins such that you ask the Lord for forgiveness, and accept His forgiveness by faith, then you change your mind completely about your actions, or you stop that action outright. The end result of a complete repentance is a changed mind, changed action with a free heart and mind. The sign that the Holy Spirit is in charge of one’s life and heart is joy and peace. Romans 14:17 KJV” For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Dear one, the reign of the Holy Spirit in your life is when the following virtues manifest in you, righteousness, peace and joy. If you are truly repented from your ways, then you are no longer in charge of yourself, but the Holy Spirit is.

The following are the reasons many are not truly at peace or the Holy Spirit is not in charge of their lives. They confess their sins, yet they still hold on to those wrong ways.

Some are indeed very remorseful, and change their actions, but do not accept Christ forgiveness, and so carry the sense of guilt.

There is a third group, they are those who confess their wrong ways, accept that they are forgiven, yet they do not change their ways. In all these three cases the Holy Spirit cannot rule their lives. Dear one, you can be totally free. Make a complete repentance today.

THOUGHT: RIGHTEOUSNESS, JOY AND PEACE ARE NOT HUMANLY MANUFACTURED, BUT THROUGH THE REIGN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the blood of my Lord Jesus, that washes away all my sins, I walk in the light of the word, and am filled with the Holy Spirit, who manifests righteousness, peace and joy in my life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 8:14 KJV” For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”.

Galatians 5:1 KJV” Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:67 KJV “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands”,

Whenever you make a positive stand for God, always tune up for a resistance from the enemy. The devil never goes down without a fight. After the Lord declared boldly that He would be sitting on the right hand of power, and would be descending from the clouds of heaven, the whole of hell broke loose, they started attacking Him. This is how it goes, so don’t be shaken, when you have declared your faith or the truth of God, and everything begins to go terrible against you. In Jesus case, the high priest tore his clothes and said, Jesus must be killed. The soldiers spat on Him, and began to beat him up.

When Moses was sent by the Lord to liberate the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. He went with Aaron to request for the release of the Israelites from Egypt. The King got so infuriated that, he instructed the task masters to demand bricks without giving them straw. (Exo 5:1-12). The king made their burden heavier. Moses did not run away in fear. After Moses had consulted with the Lord, He began to show king Pharoah and his nation that He is the Lord of the universe. Satan will always stir up a stiff opposition, aimed at causing you to give up in such times. Please just know that God cannot deny Himself. He would surely honour His name through you.

Dear brother or sister, your role at such a moment is to hold your grounds and maintain your faith in the Lord. Do not allow the adverse situation to cause you to give in to the enemy. Please understand that every battle for the Christian is the Lord’s. It is always His glory at stake. Your portion is for you to maintain a physical front for Him to work through you. If you give up, or you are afraid, God would have no person to work through.

THOUGHT:  YOU ARE GOD’S BATTLE AXE, STAY IN HIS HANDS BY FAITH

2.  SATAN WILL RISE AGAINST YOU, BUT YOUR RESISTANCE WILL CONQUER HIM

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 59:19 KJV “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him”.

James 4:7 KJV” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.

KEY SCRIPTURE; Matthew 26:64. “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. “

We continue with our discussions on the trial of the Lord Jesus in the high priest palace. After the Lord had kept silence for almost some moments, he said “He would be seen sitting on the righthand of power, and would be descending from the clouds of heaven”. The Lord knew that a vivid description of His personality and authority would be received as an abomination. This would mean, the high priest calling for his execution by crucifixion. He said it all the same, because He had come to bear witness to the truth. He was not afraid of the death verdict because that would bring to pass what God has said.

Every child of God should never be afraid of the controversies that come from telling the truth.  We must be bold to tell the truth always. Many are afraid of controversies and oppositions that the world will raise when we seem to be different. The glory of God is always manifested when the Lord has a man standing for Him. Children of God who take certain strong stands or boldly declares God’s position on certain matters are often placed in very critical states, yet the Lord comes through for them and brings glory to His name.

The authorities who oppose the way and truth of God, soon realise that there’s a God who rules in the affairs of men, and they are brought to their knees. It happened in the days of Daniel (Daniel 3:8-27) The Lord Jesus was crucified because He spoke the truth. He resurrected from the dead, revealing that, those accusers could not determine what happened to him. Nobody can prevent what God has said concerning those who stand for the truth. Even if they are killed, they would be glorified.

THOUGHT:  GOD WILL STAND WITH ANY MAN, WHO STANDS FOR THE TRUTH

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Kings 6:17 KJV” And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha”.

Daniel 3:25 KJV “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:63 KJV “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” ,he went on and  spoke.

The Lord was being tried at the palace of the high priest. Various people came to accuse Him. The bible said their accusations was false. How did the Lord react to these accusations? He did not answer a word. He kept His peace. The only thing that made Him talk was the fact that the high priest, said, ‘I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether, thou be the son of the living God? ‘This statement which is true ,that is, He is the Son of God, and secondly the fact that ,he adjured Him by the authority of the living God.

 Why did the Lord keep quiet and did not say anything to them? What they were saying was all lies. Lies are satanic confessions that needs no reaction, because they are not true. The second reason why the Lord did not react to their lies was that He was not supposed to defend Himself, so he would fulfill the scripture in Isa 53:7, which says,” He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Here we see in the scriptures that, it was prophesied long time ago that he would keep His mouth shut when been tried.

What do we learn from His example? When we are accused falsely, ask yourself does this accusation

has any legal implications that I need to speak to the issues. If there is no such legal implications, you may refuse to comment on the accusations since there is no truth in them. If you wish to say something, then just say, it is not true or give your version of the case, and leave it as such.

There have been some children of God who tried defending themselves over such matters, and ended in very bad and swearing words. Remember, your yes must be yes, and your no must be no. On such occasions your untactfulness in proving your innocence can lead to strive. You must not strive as a child of God.2Timothy 2:24 KJV” And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, “TRUTH is like a lion, it would always defend itself.

THOUGHT: STRIVE IS DEFENDING YOURSELF, NOT THE TRUTH, FOR TRUTH NEEDS NO ONE TO DEFEND IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:37 KJV” But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

2 Timothy 2:24 KJV “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient”,

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:60. “But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,”

The Pharisees and the religious authorities tried to find points of accusations against Jesus, so they could kill Him, but found none. People came with all kinds of accusations yet it did not hold water. He was simply faultless. Could this be said about you? Well, you may say this is Jesus, and He is the Holy one, and so there could be no fault about Him. Please align you thinking well, and correct your mind from that error. Jesus on the earth, did not live in His capacity as God. He put aside His power and glory as God. (Phil 2:5&6, John 17:5) He depended on the Holy Spirit just as we also have to depend on the Holy Spirit.

Why then could they not find any fault in Him? The answer is in the following verse. Hebrews 1:9.”Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” He decided to love righteousness and to hate iniquity.

This is the seed for perfection. When a man set his mind on going after that which is right. This is what the bible said about Daniel, that a perfect or excellent spirit was in Him. (Daniel 6;3)

Every child of God has the Holy Spirit, yet the child of God who decides on a course to do the right thing every time is said to have an excellent Spirit.  It is the attitude of doing the right thing always.

Please note that, this does not mean that person may not make a mistake.

 The truth about such a person is that he or she does not have a premeditated error or mistake.

Any error found in Him is a normal human error, for example, getting tired, forgetting some issues or things of that nature. He has made up his mind and therefore his faculties to do the right thing always.

When the Lord instructed that we be perfect as the father is perfect, (Matt 5:48) He was not joking, or asking us to do something which was impossible.

 Perfection must first be a concept in our mind. It then becomes our pursuit, after which it would become our experience and lifestyle. Number 14:24 says that Caleb and Joshua had another Spirit. They had an attitude to do right and please the Lord always. This is the seed of perfection and makes one produce perfect actions all the time. May your life be perfect so you would always bring glory to the Lord. DECIDE TO BE PERFECT ALWAYS.

THOUGHT; THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION IS POSSIBLE

 FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:48 KJV “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”.

Philippians 2:6 ,7 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men”:

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:58 KJV” But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end”.

Apostle Peter had vowed never to forsake the Lord Jesus. He was honouring his promise, yet He did it from a distance. He was virtually acting out of fear. He was trying to justify his conscience. Many times, people do things to satisfy their conscience yet they may not be very sincere. Time and circumstances would tell if Peter was really following in sincerity or not? This was proven not to be true when a young girl tried to expose his identity.

In practice, Peter was portraying the attributes of a backslider. The following are some of the traits of a backslider.

1.He may come to church yet his heart is far away.

2.A backslider is far from the word and prayer.

3.When the young girl came to him and said you are one of His disciples, He denied vehemently, and said he does not know him. A backslider under pressure will easily deny his relationship with the Lord. If you easily give in to sin, then you may be a backslider. (Matt 26:70)

4.Peter had to deny the Lord for two other times. The peak of any fall is an outright denial. The heart of a backslider is so filled with other things such that, he or she keeps acting like one, who does not know the Lord.

5.Every backslider does not trust the grace of God to help him. He does all things by his own efforts.

6. A backslider does not have the joy and peace of God.

How does one come out of a backslidden life?

1. Be sincere with yourself and accept, you have backslidden.

2. Confess your sins to the Lord and accept His forgiveness.

3.Have s sincere love for the master

4.Be regular at church and be ready always to learn all that you are taught.

5.One sign of a come back is to joyfully worship the Lord. Worship him in sincerity.

THOUGHT; A BACKSLIDER IS DECEIVED ABOUT HIS STATE, UNTILL HE FINDS HIMSELF TOTALLY DENYING THE MASTER.