Home -- Content: Series 7 (Laws) -- Translation: English -- Book: 2 (Gospel) -- Chapter: 4 (Divine "Must" ) -- Text
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The Sharia of Christ in the GOSPEL
D - THE DIVINE "MUST" IN THE LIFE OF JESUS
1. The Boy Jesus in the Temple
2. The Baptism of Jesus
3. The Temptation of Jesus
4. The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee and Nazareth
5. Jesus in Jerusalem
6. The Lord’s Supper as the Granting of the New Covenant
7. Jesus is Condemned and Crucified (The Divine "MUST" Enacted - Part 1)
8. Christ Rises From the Dead (The Divine "MUST" Enacted - Part 2)
9. Summary
1. The Boy Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:45-50 -- 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I MUST be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
(Further verses on the divine "MUST" in the life of Jesus are found in Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, 13:10, Luke 4:43, 9:22, 12:50, 13:33, 17:25, 19:5, 22:37, 24:7.25-27.44.46, John 20:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3.4 and other places)
2. The Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17 -- 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "
Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (
See also Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34)
John 1:29-31 -- 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 "I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."
3. The Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11 -- 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (See Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
4. The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee and Nazareth
John 4:34 -- Jesus said to them, "
My food is to do the WILL of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."
Luke 4:40-43 -- 40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and
He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;
43 but He said to them, "
I MUST preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."
John 10:11.17-18 -- 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
gives His life for the sheep. …
17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
18 No one takes it from Me, but
I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This COMMAND I have received from My Father."
Luke 12:49-50 -- 49 I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50 But
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!
John 12:23-24 -- 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
Matthew 16:21-23 (1st announcement of His suffering) -- 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples
that He MUST go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (
See also Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22)
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
23 But He turned and said to Peter, "
Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (
See also Mark 8:32-33)
Luke 9:28-31 -- 28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And as He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
31 who appeared in glory and
spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (
See also Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-13)
Matthew 17:11-13 (2nd announcement of His suffering) -- 11 Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.
12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished.
Likewise the Son of Man MUST also suffer at their hands."
13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:21-23 (3rd announcement of His suffering) -- 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "
The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. (
See also Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43-45)
Matthew 20:17-19 (4th announcement of His suffering) -- 17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them,
18 Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and
the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again." (
See also Mark 10:32-34, Luke 9:43-54)
Luke 17:24-25 -- 24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.
25 But first He MUST suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Luke 19:5-6, 9-10 -- 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I MUST stay at your house." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. … 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Matthew 20:28 -- … the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
5. Jesus in Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-7 -- 1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
2 saying to them, "
Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.
Loose them and bring them to Me.
3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. (
See also Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-38, John 12:12-19)
John 9:4-5 -- 4 I MUST work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 15:13-14 -- 13 Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one's life for his friends.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
John 3:14-15 -- 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even
so MUST the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 2:19-21 -- 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "
Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
Matthew 22:41-45 -- 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David." 43 He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: 44 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool' "? 45 "If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" (See also Mark 12:35-3, Luke 20:41-44)
6. The Lord’s Supper as the Granting of the New Covenant
Matthew 26:2-4 (5th announcement of His suffering) -- 2 You know that after two days is the Passover, and
the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.
3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4 and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. (
See also Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-6)
Matthew 26:6-12 -- 6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor."
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman?
For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. (
See also John 12:1-8)
Matthew 26:18-20 -- 18 And He said, "
Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand;
I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. (
See also Mark 14:12-17)
Matthew 26:26-28 -- 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "
Take, eat; this is My body."
27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
"Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (
See also Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20)
John 6:51.53-54 -- 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." …
53 Then Jesus said to them, "
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Matthew 26:31-35 -- 31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for
it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
33 Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
34 Jesus said to him,
"Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples. (
See Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:31-35)
John 16:28 -- I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again,
I leave the world and go to the Father."
Luke 22:37 -- For I say to you that
this which is written MUST still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
Matthew 26:38-46 -- 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.
Stay here and watch with Me."
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father,
if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting?
Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." (
See Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46)
Matthew 26:49-54 -- 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it MUST happen thus?" (See also Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53)
7. Jesus is Condemned and Crucified (The Divine "MUST" Enacted - Part 1)
Matthew 26:63-66 (The testimony of Christ in the Jewish religious court) -- 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God:
Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"
64 Jesus said to him, "
It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you,
hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
66 What do you think?" They answered and said, "
He is deserving of death." (
See also Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:63-71)
Matthew 27:11-14.24-26 (Jesus in the secular roman court) -- 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "
Are You the King of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "
It is as you say."
12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?"
14 And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "
I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." …
24 And all the people answered and said, "
His blood be on us and on our children."
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and
when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. (
See also Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28, 19:16)
Luke 23:33-43 -- 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary,
there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, "
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,
37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."
38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (
See also John 18:19)
Matthew 27:45-49 -- 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!"
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him." (
See also Mark 15:33-37)
Luke 23:46 -- And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "
Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this,
He breathed His last.
Matthew 27:51-54 -- 51 Then, behold,
the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "
Truly this was the Son of God!" (
See also Mark 15:38-39; Luke 23:47-49)
Matthew 27:57-60 -- 57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (See also Mark 15:38-39; Luke 23:47-49)
8. Christ Rises From the Dead (The Divine "MUST" Enacted - Part 2)
Matthew 28:5-6 -- 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Luke 24:6-7 -- 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7 saying,
'The Son of Man MUST be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' " (
See also Luke 16:1-8)
Luke 24:25-27 -- 25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 OUGHT NOT the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets,
He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (
See also Mark 16:12-13)
John 20:26-29 -- 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"
27 Then He said to Thomas, "
Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Luke 24:44-48 -- 44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things MUST be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was NECESSARY for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins SHOULD be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.
9. Summary
Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was tragic. The multitudes rejoiced and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” When Peter and John had found the donkey and its colt, and brought them to Jesus, according to the promises of Zechariah, the disciples and the multitudes believed that now the promised Jesus should enter Jerusalem, hold the reins of government, and set up the kingdom of God. They did not comprehend the revelations, which Jesus had repeatedly made in detail concerning his sufferings, his death, and his resurrection. Jesus proceeded to Jerusalem and saw the cross before his eyes, whereas the disciples imagined themselves sitting as heads of the government department beside the divine, powerful king.
During his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus began to take away the sin of the world. The Baptist comprehended the mystery of Jesus, and he proclaimed to his disciples, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The Baptist also wished that Jesus might practice an earthly power to release him from prison, and honor him as his faithful forerunner.
After the baptism of Jesus, the devil wanted to take the Lamb of God away from his way to the cross. He encouraged him, who fasted, to turn stones into bread, and to throw himself down from the roof of the temple that the crowd might rejoice, and the angels might carry him as they should in his second coming. But Jesus was determined to complete his way to the cross, even if the devil had given him all the power and authority on earth. He did not retard his march, but fulfilled the requirement. Jesus knew that his atoning death was the only way to reconcile the world to God.
He called himself the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep to save them from the wolves. He also called himself the grain of wheat, which falls into the ground to produce much grain. The Pharisees decided to kill Jesus because he healed the sick on the Sabbath. Yet, on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses the representative of the Law, and Elijah the representative of the Prophecy appeared to him to reveal to him what was expected for him in Jerusalem, and why he had to fulfill his march of sufferings.
Jesus told his disciples five times “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again." (Matthew 20:18-19) Why did Jesus not flee to a neighboring country when he had known exactly what was expected for him in Jerusalem? Why did he not hide himself? Because there lay a holy "MUST" over the course of his life. He wanted to fulfill the will of his heavenly Father, and save the world by his atoning death.
Jesus clarified to Nicodemus, a representative of the people in the Sanhedrim, that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15) Why did Jesus compare himself to the serpent the symbol of evil? Because he drew to himself the sins and the dirt of the world for the sake of his love to save, by his atoning death, all those who looked at him from the deadly poison of the serpent.
During his last supper, Jesus explained to his disciples the meaning of the paschal lamb in the New Covenant. As the children of Jacob in Egypt painted the lintel and the two doorposts of their houses with the blood of the slain lamb in order that the wrath of God might pass over them. In such a way, those who drink the blood of Christ in the symbol of the wine, all those who believe in him will be protected from the judgment of the wrath of God. As the families in the Old Testament had to eat together the roasted meat of the lamb that they might be strengthened in the community of the lamb, and flee from bondage, so Jesus wants to dwell in his followers through the symbol of the broken bread that his strength might be perfected in their weakness and that they might flee with him from the authority and bondage of sin. It was necessary for him to die as the Lamb of God for our salvation.
Jesus publicly confessed before the religious court that he was the Son of God and the promised Messiah. But at the same time he testified to the judges that they would kill him, and that he would sit at the right hand of the Power, i.e. at the right hand of God, and that the Almighty would make all his enemies, including the judges who condemned him, a footstool for his feet. Jesus also testified that he would return in the last day on the cloud of heaven to judge the living and the dead, including the representatives of his people. At that, the majority sentenced him to death, because he used this prophecy to clarify his conduct, and called his testimony a blasphemy. They hit him and spat in his face, but he kept silent having declared to them that the divine necessity was inevitable.
Jesus tried to save his people, but he could only save one who was the thief crucified beside him. He said to him: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)The poor crucified thief saw the love of Jesus, and heard his intercessory prayer as he said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34) Then the spirit of hope began to grow in the thief. He asked the crucified Prince of Peace to remember him when he comes into the glory; and this believer was immediately granted his certain salvation. Did the crucified thief become a symbol of all those whom Jesus saves?
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