The difference between
the Pharisees and the Sadducees were rooted in their approach to politics and religious interpretation. Despite their differences, they did not like the message of Jesus' ministry, and sought his destruction. The
Sanhedrin delivered Jesus to Pilate to be crucified.
Whole neighborhoods, communities and jurisdictions led Jesus to Pontius Pilate. A multitude arose, and led Him to Pilate: whispering, backbiting and spreading fabrications in an attempt to make Jesus look like a criminal. We want Him dead! We want Him away from us! They accused Jesus of perverting the nation, and saying that He himself is Christ a King.
Are you keeping up my good people, or is this over your head? Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews? Jesus said, "that's right. What you say is correct". Then Pilate said to the council made up of chief priests, attorney generals, chief justices and to the people, I find no fault in this man. The people became more angry and hateful, saying, He stirreth up the people, from adjoining districts, localities and states--Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. (Luke 23)
When Herod saw Jesus, he was more than happy because he had been wanting to see Jesus for a long time. He had heard many things about Jesus and was hoping to have a miracle done by Jesus for him. Then he questioned Jesus, and Jesus did not say a thing. Nothing. The chief priests, church leaders, church-goers, born-again believers, community, state and local political leaders, and scribes stood by and vehemently accused Jesus. Who does He think He is, bringing that trash and fakery into our neighborhood and communities? We want Him dead. We want Him out of our community.
Then, Herod--joined up with the haters to protect his political position--with his men of war turned against Jesus, mocking Him, and dressed Jesus in a gorgeous robe, and returned Him to Pilate. This same day Pilate and Herod became friends; before they were political adversaries.
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, that they brought Jesus to him as one who was attempting to change the community, the people, the state, and the country. He said I have examined the man and have found no fault in Him regarding the things that you speak of. Both I and Herod agree that this man, Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him; so that the scriptures can be fulfilled. Jesus has an appointment to be in the grave three days and rise again. Jesus has an appointment to save, heal, deliver, set free, break yokes, pluck up, pull down, overturn and return every evil attempt back to the sender as it is written in the Word of God. And let me remind you that Jesus' Word will accomplish that which He set it forth to do, and it will not return to Him void.
The people said forget about it. We want this man dead! Crucify Him! Crucify him, crucify Him. Pilate asked them the third time, Why, what evil hath He done? I have found no cause of death in Him: I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go. But hate and jealousy among the people and chief priests prevailed. Pilate sentenced Jesus to death and the predestined election was stolen--BUT, it had already been written: Jesus was to be crucified, buried and on the third day, rise from the dead! Hallelujah! Already written and already done! The strategy had to be carried out to obtain the victory of the cross!
Halleluiah Father! Halleluiah! Halleluiah!
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which are, and was, and is to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou should give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Revelations 11:18) oooh! did you catch that: lightnings, voices, thundering, earthquakes and great hail?
Already written. Already done.
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