KEY SCRIPTURE: John 19:12 KJV “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.”

In our key scripture, Pilate had wanted to release Jesus, yet the Jews cried at him that if he did that then he is not a friend of Caesar. He chose the latter.

Many men sadly forsake God to choose human association instead. Apostle Paul says, Gal 1:16 KJV “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” Paul did not allow any human association to becloud the calling of God upon his life. Many men of God failed in their ministries because they never understood that, the call of God is primarily unto Himself. It is a call to know Him, and also what He wants you to do for Him. Even, whatever we do for the people is done under His instruction and in His honour. God is the reason for our existence, and our lives are only meaningful if it is focused on pleasing Him.

These Pharisees said to Pilate that if he freed Jesus, then he was not a friend of Caesar. Pilate was taken aback because of this. He loved his human association with Caesar more than he being truthful to God. He finally gave in and handed Jesus over to them to go and crucify Him. Pilate missed a great opportunity to know the Son of God and the giver of life. He also missed that rare opportunity to encounter supernatural power that makes a man rule over wicked demonic powers.

Dear one, never choose human relationships over relating to our Lord Jesus. Some people know they are in sinful relationships, yet they are not ready to break that association. What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, only to lose his soul in hell? Dear one, it is time to break up every ungodly relationship to choose Jesus. He is consistently knocking on the door of your heart waiting for your permission to welcome Him in. Rev 3:20. Today is that moment. Choose Him right now.

THOUGHT: NO HUMAN BEING SHOULD COME IN BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.

FURTHER STUDIES

Gal 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.”

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 into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 19:12 KJV And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.”

After Jesus said to Pilate, you can’t have power over me unless it is given to you from above, He was expressing His faith in God. This word from the lips of Jesus, made Pilate give a great respect unto the master. He wanted to release Him. The Lord’s statement was an expression of His faith in the Father. Faith in God always dominates over various circumstances. The Bible says faith stops every onslaught of the enemy against us. Your faith brings you into the same realm as God. It says all things are possible to him that believes.

Our faith is fundamentally expressed through the words we say. Rom 10:10 KJV” For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.” This scripture is the main principle that our faith is expressed and it also works. The heart believes God and the mouth forcefully says it. This is God’s prescribed way to change supposedly impossible situations in our lives. What on earth would have made Governor Pilate have such high regard for Jesus, to the point of seeking His release, even after he had given him over to be scourged, ready to be crucified?

A lady was diagnosed with hepatitis B at a rather advanced stage. Her legs had started swelling, her stomach was enlarging, and her appetite for food was gone. I taught her to believe the word of healing according to 1 Peter 2:24. I told her to keep declaring to her body that every virus in her system was dead. She religiously observed that. After a time, every symptom was reversed and she was made free from that ravaging infirmity. Your faith would surely put you over. Say with me today, I believe that by the stripes of Jesus, I was healed of every infirmity, and I declare that my body is free of every infirmity, weakness, or deformity. In Jesus’ mighty name, no disease inhabits my body right now. I am free. Keep declaring this over your body, if there is any condition contrary to your normal health. Be bold with it and that condition would leave you.

THOUGHT: FAITH IN YOUR HEART AND A CORRESPONDING CONFESSION OF YOUR LIPS WOULD PUT YOU OVER.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 11:23 KJV “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

2Co 4:13 KJV “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 19:11 KJV “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

Pilate asked the Lord Jesus why is he not answering him. He added, “Do you not know that I have the authority to set you free or to authorise your crucifixion? The Lord did not lose sight of the truth. The truth is that only God has the final word over our lives. It is God who gives the right to men to exercise authority over other men’s lives. The outcome of whatever happens to us depends on how we respond to God’s word in our lives. God and His word are one God that can be predicted based on what his word says.

The Lord Jesus was not moved by the status of Pilate. He was only acting in response to the word of God. Since He knew what the Father had said to Him, whatever was happening did not change His mood or make Him act on impulse. The word says Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven, and thy faithfulness is unto all generations. PS 119:89,90.

Whenever we respond to situations out of fear, we lose ourselves from God’s authority and turn our lives to be manipulated by other factors or forces. Fear also means we do not have trust in God, and that gives anything at all the authority to determine what should happen to us. Jesus was never afraid of Pilate and what he could do to him. He therefore addressed Pilate rightly. He said you cannot do anything to me until the authority is given to you by my father. How did He address him rightly? He addressed him in the light of the word of God. This kept Him in the will of God. The safest place on the earth is to remain in the will of God.

One man who allowed the situation to play against him was Job. Job had challenges that came to Him because he was always living in fear. Job 3:25, 26 KJV’ For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came.’ Job’s life was seriously troubled when the things he feared came on Him. Although God permitted Satan to test him, his fears made things go in such a way that, God could do nothing about it, but to allow Satan to tempt him. He kept saying I was not safe. How should we live?  Put your trust in the Lord and declare your confidence in Him.

THOUGHT: STAY FAITHFUL TO GOD’S WORD, TO KEEP YOU IN HIS PERFECT WILL.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 17:4 KJV” Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”

Psalms 119:67 KJV” Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 19:7 KJV” The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law, he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of GOD”

On what charges was the Lord Jesus convicted to be crucified? The Lord was sent to Pilate on the charges of sedition according to Luk 23:2 KJV” And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King”. On this charge, Pilate could not find any convincing grounds to call for His crucifixion.

In our key scripture, the religious leaders changed their earlier charge against Jesus from sedition to blasphemy. This law was in Leviticus 24:16.What did Jesus blaspheme about? He said He and the Father are one. This claim is understood by the Jews that, He as a man makes himself God. John 10:33 KJV” The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God”. It was on this grounds that the Lord Jesus was crucified. He said He is the Son of God, and according to the Jews, it meant He is God.

Some have contended that where in the New Testament did Jesus say that He is God? Well, John 10:30 says so vividly and clearly. John 10:30 KJV “I and my Father are one.” The Jews also understood it clearly with no ambiguity. Jesus received worship from Thomas, Joh 20:28 KJV ” And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God”. The Lord did not refuse him but accepted the worship, because He is God. The Lord says at different times in the book of Revelations that He is the Alpha and Omega. Rev 1:8,1:11,21:6,22:13

Jesus is not just a good man, a prophet, or just a Saviour. He is God the first and the last.

THOUGHT: BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD, HE IS A WORTHY SAVIOUR

FURTHER STUDIES

Revelations 21:6 KJV” And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

John 10:30 KJV” I and my Father are one.”

KEY SCRIPTURE; John 19:6 KJV” When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.”

Pilate found no justification to kill Jesus, yet he gave Him over to be killed. He did so because of these people. insisted Jesus should be crucified. Pilate was the governor of Israel. He had the full complement of the Roman army in his region. If he decided to declare Jesus would not be crucified, these screaming Jews could do nothing to him. He had a sovereign will like every one of us have, but he surrendered his will to the demands of the people.

According to the bible, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Who are you yielding to? Are you yielding to the flesh or the Spirit? Why did Pilate subject his will to the desires of the people? Pilate chose his reputation over the truth. The flesh has a voice that speaks and cries to be obeyed. When the voice of the flesh dominates the mind, you will yield ultimately to it.

In the story of Samson and Delilah, she kept pestering him to tell him, where his secret strength was. Samson never decided to say no,’ I will not tell you’. What will stop the cries of the flesh is your decision, backed by your action. If Pilate had made them all to keep quiet and said loudly to them, I am the governor and I have decided not to crucify Him. They would have murmured, but they could not have shouted any longer. The voice for sin would keep screaming until you silence it, with your decision. Remember a decided mind cannot be tempted.

Some are addicted to a certain lifestyle, substances like alcohol, etc. Please do like the prodigal son. Think through your actions and ask yourself questions Lk 15:17. By answering himself he decided never to stay in that condition. Dear one, arise out of that addiction today a never go back. Say, I have stopped this habit, and I am not going back again.

THOUGHT:  YOUR WILL IS SOVEREIGN, NO WRONG THING, SHOULD CONTROL IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luk 4:4 KJV And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luke 4:8 KJV “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 19:4 KJV” Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.”

Pilate reluctantly gave the Lord Jesus over to be scourged. After the scourging, he had still not changed his perception about Him. He held to the fact that Jesus had done nothing deserving of death. On the flip side, the religious leaders were filled with anger and rage, demanding the Lord’s death. Why such divergent views? The religious leaders held a corrupted mind about Jesus. They had viewed Him as one who attracted the populace and held the spotlight. This attitude bred envy and also led to seeking his elimination. Anytime one allows envy to become hatred, hatred becomes pain. Pain makes the presence of the individual torment you. The next reaction is to eliminate that person from your life. These people were calling for Jesus’ death because psychologically his death meant that the pain that His presence gave them had also been taken away.

Is there anyone whose presence, or thought about Him gives you pain because of something he or she might have done? Are you feeling and even wishing that fellow was out of your life or domain? You can correct that feeling. Just consider Pilate, he did not develop any wrong feelings toward Jesus over time. He was not prejudiced about Jesus in any way, so he could fairly approach Him, and be properly exposed to Him. The following are some of the bases for bad feelings towards others. They are

1.  When one has offended you,

2.  When you might have heard a lot of negative things about an individual,

3. When you are envious of that individual.

 All these are strengthened by the fact that you do not let these wrong thoughts depart from you. The word to describe letting the wrongs or wrong thoughts leave you is called forgiveness.

There are some very good friends, married couples, or associates who do not want to see each other because the sight of the other spells pain, which cries to be released. This pain claims it will only go if that person goes away from your life. This is what results in divorce in marriages, as well as very good relationships that break up. Do not keep wrongs, release them. There are some individuals that you have to decide to forgive them even before they offend you. Pride often prevents many from freely forgiving their offenders. Kill every pride in you by asking the Lord to forgive you for being proud. When pride is exposed, it easily leaves its victim. When pride is gone you can easily forgive and not hold bitterness that leads to pain and other wrong reactions.

THOUGHT: NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOUR WOULD END IN SEPARATION,SO STOP THAT NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

FURTHER STUDIES

Col 3:12 KJV “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

Col 3:13 KJV” Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 19:2 ISV “The soldiers twisted some thorns into a victor’s crown, put it on his head, and threw a purple robe on him.”

After all the flogging and its pain and shame, these soldiers made Victor’s crown of thorns and pushed it into His skull. Please note, that this was not God doing these acts against His Son, but as Jesus said, this was the hour of evil, and Satan was the one stirring these men to inflict such pain and untold agony on the Son of God. Satan did all these with the hatred to inflict the worst pain on Him, but in the mind of God, it was you and I who were going through all that agony. Isaiah 53:1 asks, who has believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

What report was Isaiah talking about? Isaiah wrote about a thousand years before the coming of the Lord Jesus was prophesying about Jesus, who would painfully bear the punishment of all humanity. He did this so Satan, who had deceived man to sin against God, and as a result of that had the full rights over men. Through His suffering, men could claim exemption from every attack of Satan. Rev 12:11 KJV “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” To overcome Satan by the blood means to count on the suffering Jesus went through as your very sufferings and so, you are free from any further claims of torment from Satan.

The scripture says affliction shall not arise a second time. Nahum 1:9. We suffered in Christ when Jesus physically bore our shame, pain, and disgrace. You can now align your prayers in such a way that Satan can’t continue His activities in your life any longer. Pray this way; Thank you Father for allowing Jesus my Lord to suffer for me. Satan your activities in my life expired when Jesus bore them and died for mankind. Today, I fully accept what the Lord Jesus did for me, and I command you, devils, to leave my life, right now in Jesus’ mighty name. I am now free from your harassment in Jesus’ mighty name. From now keep saying, ‘You Satan, and your demons are banned from my life in Jesus’ name.’ Start celebrating your victory over him.

THOUGHT: JESUS’ VICTORY WOULD BE OURS IF WE INSISTED ON IT AND DECLARED IT IS SO IN OUR LIVES.

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 2:14 KJV” Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

Rev 12:11 KJV” And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 19:1 KJV “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.”

Before every Roman prisoner was crucified, he had to go through scouring. Crucifixion was not started by the Romans, but they perfected it. The flogging or scourging was to prepare the victim for the most painful death process. Women, senators, and Roman soldiers were not treated this way except soldiers who deserted from the Roman army.

 The usual instrument used for flogging was a short whip with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals.  For scourging, the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post.  The back, buttocks, and legs were flogged either by two soldiers (lictors) or by one who alternated positions.  The severity of the scourging depended on the disposition of the lictors and was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death.  As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues.  Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.  Pain and blood loss generally set the stage for circulatory shock.  The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive on the cross.  After the scourging, the soldiers then taunted the victims.

The above is a vivid picture of what the Lord went through before He was taken to be crucified. What was the significance of all these? Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” The Lord did no wrong to undergo any of these yet because of our sins He suffered. If He bore such intense suffering for us, do we have to carry in our bodies any disease at all? I do not think so. Matt 8:17 ISV This was to fulfill what was declared by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “It was he who took our illnesses away   and removed our diseases.” Matthew clearly states it fully.

THOUGHT: I MAKE HIS SUFFERINGS BENEFICIAL TO ME BY REFUSING TO BEAR ANY DISEASE.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Pet 2:24 ISV “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live righteously.   “By his wounds, you have been healed.”

Isaiah 52:14 ISV Just as many were astonished at you—   so was he marred in his appearance, more than any human, and his form beyond that of human semblance—”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 18:40 KJV “Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Life is full of choices. Your present state is a result of the kind of choices you made some time ago. When Moses came to the tail end of His ministry, he asked the Israelites to decide between life and death Deu 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:” This call is replicated in our choice between choosing Jesus and Barabbas. What will you choose, or what have you chosen? Barabbas is a symbol of man’s effort to achieve his ambitions all by himself. It only leads to failure and death. There is always that which seems right to men, but the end thereof is the way of death. If your life is filled with arguments and what is called common sense ideas, such that you look down on the way of Christ, then you have chosen Barabbas.

Dear one, the evidence about the reality and validity of Jesus cannot be contested. There have been countless hard-core men and women who opposed Jesus with every breath and blood in them. These people come again boldly testifying of Jesus. What has brought such change? Most of them are very sound-minded individuals. All of them give this testimony. They had an encounter with the resurrected Lord Jesus. In some cases, these people wanted to know the true God, so they cried to Him to show Himself.

 Some of these were Muslims, Buddhists, and many more. They all described the very same appearances. Each time He appeared to men He validated the Holy Scriptures.

Dear one, would you choose this Jesus who has continually proven that He is alive and real? In all His dealings with men, He manifests His great power to restore men to health, peace, and a transformed life. Would you continue rejecting Him, to choose the false way, which is very uncertain? Jesus is life, He would transform your moral life, and above all give you power over the unseen evil powers that are making a mess of most men. I spoke to a young man who for some strange reason left the university at the very first level. He stayed at home for over four years. I asked him, would you like to continue your schooling? He answered no. I asked him to shut his eyes as I prayed for him. I rebuked the spirit controlling his mind to depart from him. After the prayer, I asked again, would you go to school? He now answered yes. He started the school again, and he is in his third year presently doing very well. Take it or leave it, there are evil forces beyond the abilities of men. Jesus gives power over all such things. Give your life to Him

THOUGHT: JESUS HAS OVER-PROVEN HIMSELF AS VERY REAL, WHY CHOOSE THE UNCERTAIN WAY?

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 10:11 KJV “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

Rom 10:13 KJV” For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 18:40 KJV “Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Pilate feeling convinced about Jesus’ innocence wanted to free Him. There was a tradition of freeing one prisoner each year. Pilate requested that Jesus be released to them. They all shouted in unison, away with Jesus, give us Barabbas. The bible added that Barabbas was a criminal or better still a robber. The question is, how on earth would anyone reject Jesus to choose Barabbas?

The following are a few reasons that made most of them reject Jesus to prefer a robber.

1. Most of them were deceived about Jesus. The religious leaders had said all kinds of lies about Him, such that He sounded abominable in their ears. In our modern times, many are also deceived about Jesus. Some say He is a myth. Others say the real truth about Him is hidden, while the very false ones have been given to us. This is very unfortunate since a chunk of the ancient manuscript exists up till today, and the rules of canonical scriptures or terms for accepting the manuscripts were very open and clear.

2. Some also rejected Him because although they might have seen some miracles of Jesus, or even been healed by Him, yet they weakly followed the mob who called for His crucifixion. Some reject Jesus today because although they might know one who experienced a miracle, they are not ready to leave their carnal sinful ways.

3. Some rejected Him because they thought Jesus’ teachings were against what Moses taught. There are many today who hold to certain philosophies, which are motivated by pride, yet they are bereft of true peace in their hearts.

4. There are a few who reject Him because of the way some of His disciples behaved. Similarly, people’s dislike for Jesus is a result of the way certain people, including some pastors behave. Please those people are not the way, the truth, and the life, why allow their actions to influence you?

Dear one Jesus is exactly what the bible talks about Him. He has given true peace to many men who came to Him. Jesus brings healing to the sick and deliverance to the captives. He is forever the same Heb 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Would you humbly surrender to Him today? Pride and lust have deceived many, reject them today.

THOUGHT: THOSE WHO COME AS A CHILD EXPERIENCE HIS MIGHT AND REALITY

FURTHER STUDIES

Matt 18:3 KJV” And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

1 Corinthians 1:20,21 KJV” Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”