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Standing on the Rock

Yesterday while we were watching the morning news there was an earthquake on the East Coast. It wasn’t a big quake by any means, but it left the news anchors startled and quite literally shaken.

Maybe you are like me and some mornings when you wake up you feel unsteady, a bit shaken, something is unsettled inside. Sometimes there’s no explanation for this uneasy feeling, it’s just there. Other times it can be caused by underpinning of fear or just the unknown.

Just like those tremors and earthquakes, this emotional and spiritual tremor is unwelcomed. The question comes how do we deal with it.

“I love you, Lord God, and you make me strong. 2 You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter. 3 I praise you, Lord! I prayed, and you rescued me from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 CEV

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

Jesus knew that the times He lived in were tumultuous. The Jews were being ruled by the Romans. They were subject to a foreign ruler; taxes were high, there was civil unrest and the religious leaders were separated into two different sects. Life was uncertain. This is what Jesus had to say.

“ Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me 48 is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When a flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn’t even shake. 49 But anyone who hears what I say and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house wasn’t built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, it was smashed to pieces!” Luke 6:47-49 CEV

We don’t have to be shaken by our circumstances.

When we trust God’s word we have a sure foundation, a foundation that cannot be shaken.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

I feel like the Lord wants me to pray for you right now.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to you lifting all who are reading this to Your throne. Replace the shakiness in their hearts with Your peace that bypasses our understanding. Make their spiritual legs strong so they won’t be shaken. You promise that we can do all things through Christ, He is our strength. Your word Father is our rock, our firm foundation. We trust you!” Amen.

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When Words Stand Out

I don’t know how many times I have been asked “how do you study the Bible”. Too many to count.

My answer is always the same; read until it speaks to you.

The Bible is God’s letter to us. He’s writing to let us know how He feels about things, what’s important to Him, who He is and His hopes and dreams for us. This morning it didn’t take long for the words to stand out on the page; words that I have read hundreds of times before but this morning they were fresh and new.

You see the other day I had a couple of friends tell me that their kids and/or grandkids were going through a time where they are mad at God. Circumstances in their life have been horrendous. They have experienced things no one should have to go through, and they are holding God responsible for the bad.

This morning the Lord gave me an understanding of the situation. It comes from Joseph who had been sold into slavery, was wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten there and then exalted to Pharoah’s second in command.

“But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided. 20 You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing. 21 Don’t be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.’ After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better.” Genesis 50:19-21 CEV

We should never blame God for the evil in our lives, it’s not from Him. Instead, we should look for the good that God will do in turning the situation around.

“God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him .13  Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others.” James 1:12-13 CEV

Now back to this morning and the words that were jumping off the page.

“With all my heart
    I praise the Lord,
and with all that I am
    I praise his holy name!
2 With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!
I will never forget
    how kind he has been.

3 The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
4     and protects us from death.
His kindness and love
    are a crown on our heads.
5 Each day that we live,
    he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength
    of a young eagle.

6 For all who are mistreated,
    the Lord brings justice.
7 He taught his Law to Moses
and showed all Israel
    what he could do.

8 The Lord is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
    and his love never fails.
9 The Lord won’t always be angry
    and point out our sins;
10 he doesn’t punish us
    as our sins deserve.

11 How great is God’s love for all
    who worship him?
Greater than the distance
    between heaven and earth!
12 How far has the Lord taken
    our sins from us?
Farther than the distance
    from east to west!

13 Just as parents are kind
    to their children,
the Lord is kind
    to all who worship him,
14 because he knows
    we are made of dust.
15 We humans are like grass
or wild flowers
    that quickly bloom.
16 But a scorching wind blows,
and they quickly wither
    to be forever forgotten.

17 The Lord is always kind
    to those who worship him,
and he keeps his promises
to their descendants
18 who faithfully obey him…
22 All of God’s creation
and all that he rules,
    come and praise your Lord!
With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!” Psalm 103 CEV

God is kind. He is always kind! God cannot lie, these words are true to His character!

I know this was a longer blog but some of you needed to see what I saw this morning – God is KIND!

Let those words stand out in all that you experience today.

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Pray with Purpose

Last night a small group of neighbors got together for prayer. Not just any prayer but prayer with a purpose.

“Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone
whose prayers are sincere. 19 You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help. 20 You take care of everyone who loves you, but you destroy the wicked. 21 I will praise you, Lord, and everyone will respect your holy name forever.” Psalm 145:17-21 CEV

When we come to the Father in prayer, we are saying “I can’t do this on my own. I need Your direction, Your intervention, I need Your help – Your answer”. That’s the kind of prayer the Father gets involved in.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

I encourage those who pray to keep a prayer journal. One where you not only write the request but also write the answer. One friend said last night that she periodically goes back and reads her journal and then writes P.T.L. beside the answered prayer. Praise the Lord! It builds our faith when we see the answers.

As we were finishing up our “road to the cross” devotionals I came across these verses written by John.

“Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.” John 20:30-31 CEV

John recorded the miracles of Jesus so that our faith would be in Jesus. Writing down our requests and the answers reminds us and others that we can put our trust in Jesus. We can roll our cares over on Him because we know He cares for us.

We can have faith in Him to answer in time of need. Now that’s prayer with a purpose – purposely involving God, letting Him work and bring the answer.

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We Have A Purpose

Each one of us have a gifting and a purpose that no one else has. God created us with individualized skills, abilities and passions.

“ I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13  You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

Ask yourself these questions. What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? The answer to these questions will lead you toward your purpose.

“A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. 5 That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

6  God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. 7 If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. 8 If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

9 Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. 10 Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. 11 Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. 12 Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. 13 Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

14  Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. 15  When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. 16  Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you know more than others. Make friends with ordinary people. 17 Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, 18 and do your best to live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:4-18 CEV

That simple instruction comes from the Apostle Paul.

Do what you do best – teach, serve, encourage, lead, give. Be sincere, be loving, be persistent, be joyful, be kind, be forgiving. Be friendly.

All of these characteristics are part and parcel of the gifts of the Spirit. When we put them into practice, we are living like God desires us to live and we reflect Him to the world around us.

When I woke this morning, I had this verse on my mind.

“Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 19:14 CEV

Dave and I have a big meeting this morning and it’s important that we let the character of Christ shine in us. Our words and our thoughts need to please Him.

We each have a daily purpose and that’s to let the love of Christ shine!

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Scars of Victory

Last night as I was falling asleep, I began thinking about Jesus’ nail scarred hands. In the natural we often see scars as ugly, unsightly, something that needs to be covered but in reality, scars are a sign of a battle and a victory.

“It was evening of the first day of the week. The followers had gathered together with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, ‘May you have peace.’ 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were filled with joy.” John 20:19-20 NLV

Jesus’ scars showed the disciples the battle He had faced. They had been there, at the foot of the cross. They had seen the nails pierce His hands and His feet. They saw the spear cut through the flesh of His side. They saw Him die and their hearts filled with fear and defeat.

But now He stood before them and with His words He banished fear and with His scars He showed victory and brought joy.

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” I Peter 2:24 NLT

His wounds, inflicted in the battle of His life, now have a testimony of healing.

“21 Then Jesus said to them again, ‘May you have peace. As the Father has sent Me, I also am sending you.’ 22 When Jesus had said this, He breathed on them. He said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you say that people are free of sins, they are free of them. If you say that people are not free of sins, they still have them.’” John 20:21-23 NLV

Once again Jesus speaks peace over them. He knows that fear tries to force out faith. Jesus didn’t start His ministry until the Holy Spirit descended on Him and now He is commissioning His disciples for the work ahead with the same Spirit.

“24 Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. He was one of the twelve followers and was called the Twin. 25 The other followers told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ He said to them, ‘I will not believe until I see the marks made by the nails in His hands. I will not believe until I put my finger into the marks of the nails. I will not believe until I put my hand into His side.’

26 Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, ‘May you have peace!’ 27 He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not doubt, believe!’  28 Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believe. Those are happy who have never seen Me and yet believe!’”

Jesus is saying that to us. “Blessed are those who haven’t seen Me and believe”. We are blessed because we believe the message of the cross; we have heard that the scars are a sign of our salvation. They are scars of victory!

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The Rest is His-Story!

The purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth had been accomplished!

He showed the love of the Father to the world. He preached, did miracles, countered evil, healed the brokenhearted and broke the power of sin. It was finished.

The sinless, perfect Lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of the world and now there was only one more thing to do.

The rest is His-story.

“15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along? The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. 18 Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”” Luke 24:15-17 CEV

Two men walking the road to home had been discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem and Jesus came near. He walked and talked with them for about seven miles the Bible says.

“22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either.” vs.22-24

They were in a quandary. What had happened to Jesus? If He was alive, where was He?

“…30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. 32 They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” 33 So they got up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter.” vs. 30-34

They had probably been there when Jesus multiplied the boy’s lunch of loaves and fishes. There was something familiar about His ways and when He broke the bread and blessed it, they knew it was Him!

I am always taken back by the way Jesus personalizes Himself when He ministers to people. He brings the divine presence of God into the routine of daily life. When He first met Peter, James and John on the shores of the Sea of Galilee He helped them catch a boat-sinking load of fish and called them to be “fishers” of men. In His first miracle He provided wine for a wedding. Now, at the tomb He simply said Mary’s name and then He prayed over some bread and broke it. But each time His actions revealed the power of God.

He still comes in simple ways to touch and change our lives.

“46 He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV

His-Story must be told and He’s asking us to tell it!

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Up Before Dawn

I have always found it hard to sleep the night before I had something big to do the next day. I can only imagine how it must have been for Mary and the other women as they prepared to go to the tomb. Jesus’ burial had been hasty and they were going now to properly care for His body.

Up, before dawn, they were on their way. Who would roll back the stone? Would the soldiers arrest them because they were Jesus’ followers? No matter the questions, they went.

“The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3 The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead.” Matthew 28:1-4 CEV

I don’t know if the earthquake was felt throughout the entire city or just at the garden tomb but it was certainly something unusual. In fact, it was so frightening that season soldiers were paralyzed with fear.

When the women got there, the stoned was rolled away and the tomb was open. The angel appeared to the women and told them to go tell the disciples that Jesus was risen from the dead, just as He said he would.

“She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus’ favorite disciple and said, ‘They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.’ 3 Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.” John 20:2-3 CEV

Peter and John got to the tomb and they went in. They found the cloth had He had been wrapped in and the cloth that had covered His face but there was no body. They left the tomb and went back to the other disciples but Mary stayed.

She was weeping. She stooped down to look inside, she knew Jesus wasn’t there so I’m not sure what she was hoping to see.

“and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13 The angels asked Mary, ‘Why are you crying?’ She answered, ‘They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.'” John 20:12-13 CEV

She was probably startled or even frightened by seeing the angels but her concern was for Jesus. Where have they taken Him? She turned to leave and she saw who she thought was the gardener.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’ She thought he was the gardener and said, ‘Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.’ 16 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni.'” John 20:15-16 CEV

In her darkest hour, in her deepest grief, Mary was looking for Jesus. While Peter and John left and went back the other disciples, Mary stayed. Wondering, searching, weeping.

And then she heard Him call her by name. She knew that voice, she heard the compassion in His tone. It was her Savior and Lord.

It was Jesus! He called her by name.

Our relationship with Jesus is a personal one. He was sent to die for the sins of the world but when we come into relationship with Him it becomes personal. When our eyes are filled with tears and our hearts are fighting fear, if we listen we will hear Him call us by name!

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The Silent Sabbath

I can only imagine what it must have been like to one of Jesus’ disciples on that Sabbath Day.

 “There was a man named Joseph, who was from Arimathea in Judea. Joseph was a good and honest man, and he was eager for God’s kingdom to come. He was also a member of the council, but he did not agree with what they had decided.

52 Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that had been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. 54 It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[a]

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and watched how Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. 56  Then they went to prepare some sweet-smelling spices for his burial. But on the Sabbath they rested, as the Law of Moses commands.” Luke 23:50-56 CEV

The quiet, the grief, the anxiousness, the heart break, the disillusionment, the fear.

They had truly believed that He would set up an earthly kingdom and now He, their Messiah, was dead. Hope was gone. Fear invaded their silence – would the soldiers be coming for them next? Would they be accused, tried and crucified?

Across the city there was a commotion going on at Pilate’s court.

“On the next day, which was a Sabbath, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. 63  They said, ‘Sir, we remember what this liar said while he was still alive. He claimed in three days he would come back from death. 64 So please order the tomb to be carefully guarded for three days. If you don’t, his disciples may come and steal his body. They will tell the people he has been raised to life, and this last lie will be worse than the first one.’

65 Pilate said to them, ‘All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how.’ 66 So they sealed it tight and placed soldiers there to guard it.” Matthew 27:62-66 CEV

These were the same men that had Jesus arrested and hauled to Pilate’s court the day before. They were scared. If Jesus was who He said He was He would be raised from the dead and that was frightening.

There was no silence here.

“ Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:14-15 ERV

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse behind the rock that sealed the tomb. Jesus met His enemy; the one who had tempted Him in the wilderness, the one who had stirred up the hatred against Him. There in the world of the spirit, Jesus defeated Satan and his powers; Jesus stripped him and showed the world that Satan had been defeated!

“56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

When God seems silent, when our hope is gone, remember there is victory for us in Christ Jesus. Break the silence and raise your voice in praise!

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Why Was Friday Good?

Why is this Friday called Good? Good for whom?

The Road to the Cross stopped here. The sky was dark. The temple curtain was torn in two. The earth quaked. Jesus died.

“Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died.51 At once the curtain in the house of God was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks fell apart.” Matthew 27:50-51 NLV

Certainly, it wasn’t good for Jesus disciples and followers. They were crushed and brokenhearted by the events which had just taken place.

Good for Mary? She saw her Son brutally killed. No, it wasn’t good.

“When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said, ‘Jesus must really have been a good man!’ 48 A crowd had gathered to see the terrible sight. Then after they had seen it, they felt brokenhearted and went home. 49  All of Jesus’ close friends and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.” Luke 223:47-49 CEV

“Jesus’ mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and his favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, “This man is now your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is now your mother.” From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.” John 19:25-27 CEV

The devil probably thought it was a good day. The religious leaders and their council thought it was a good day.

“What we preach is God’s wisdom. It was a secret until now. God planned for us to have this honor before the world began. 8 None of the world leaders understood this wisdom. If they had, they would not have put Christ up on a cross to die. He is the Lord of shining-greatness.” I Corinthians 2:7-8 NLV

For the thief hanging on the cross beside Jesus it was a good day. For each one of us, it was a good day!

“ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

For God, the Father, it was good and for Jesus, it was finished!

“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21 CEV

“After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died.” John 19:30 CEV

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 ERV

As I’m concluding this writing the words of an old hymn are bubbling up from my soul. Written in 1707, this song tells my story “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross”.

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Yes, Good Friday! The day the road ended at the cross.

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Facing Trials

We all face trials. In fact, Jesus had just told His disciples to pray because they were going to have trials ahead. That’s why Jesus prayed, He needed strength to make it through the next few days, those days when His earthly road would end at the cross.

“Jesus replied: Do you really believe me? 32 The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” John 16:31-33 CEV

I have defeated the world! And He did, but first there were the trials and the battle.

When Jesus was arrested in the garden the soldiers took Him to Caiaphas the high priest and the council. These were the men who had given Judas the money for the betrayal. They questioned Him and then led Him off to Pilate, the governor of Jerusalem. All of this was done in the wee hours of the morning.

“Everyone in the council got up and led Jesus off to Pilate.” Luke 23:1 CEV

Their charge: He claims to be the Messiah, our King. After Pilate questioned Jesus he said, “I don’t find him guilty of anything.” The Jewish leaders persisted and said He started this teaching in Galilee and it has spread here.

That was Pilate’s out. If Jesus was from Galilee He should be judged by Herod, who ruled that region. So, Pilate sent Him to Herod. Herod was excited to meet Jesus, he was hoping to see a miracle.

“He had heard many things about Jesus and hoped to see him work a miracle. 9 Herod asked him a lot of questions, but Jesus did not answer.” Luke 23:8-9 CEV

The chief priest and the council made many accusations about Jesus to Herod, but all Herod did was mock and insult Jesus. He dressed Jesus in a royal robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

“Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people. 14 He told them, ‘You brought Jesus to me and said he was a troublemaker. But I have questioned him here in front of you, and I have not found him guilty of anything that you say he has done. 15 Herod didn’t find him guilty either and sent him back. This man doesn’t deserve to be put to death! 16-17 I will just have him beaten with a whip and set free.’” Luke 23:13-17 CEV

But that wasn’t good enough for the council. They wanted Jesus to die.

“18 But the whole crowd shouted, ‘Kill Jesus! Give us Barabbas!’ 19 Now Barabbas was in jail because he had started a riot in the city and had murdered someone. 20 Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he spoke again to the crowds. 21 But they kept shouting, ‘Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!’

22 Pilate spoke to them a third time, ‘But what crime has he done? I have not found him guilty of anything for which he should be put to death. I will have him beaten with a whip and set free.’

23 The people kept on shouting as loud as they could for Jesus to be put to death. 24 Finally, Pilate gave in. 25 He freed the man who was in jail for rioting and murder, because he was the one the crowd wanted to be set free. Then Pilate handed Jesus over for them to do what they wanted with him.” Luke 23:18-25 CEV

The physical abuse that Jesus suffered was horrific.

“…the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved. 7 He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. 8 He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined
what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done.” Isaiah 53:6-8 CEV

This was written by Isaiah approximately 400 years before Jesus died on the cross.

Jesus knew before He came to earth what a brutal death He would endure and He came willingly! He faced the trial so we could go free! AMEN!

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