“They Led Him”March 5th 2011 |
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Reading: Luke 22:54-62; 23:33
Verses: “Then they took him, and LED HIM, and brought him into the high priest’s house.”
“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council.”
“And the whole multitude of them arose, and LED HIM unto Pilate.” “And as they LED HIM away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” --Luke 22:54, 66; 23:1, 26
Verses: “Then they took him, and LED HIM, and brought him into the high priest’s house.”
“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council.”
“And the whole multitude of them arose, and LED HIM unto Pilate.” “And as they LED HIM away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” --Luke 22:54, 66; 23:1, 26
When you first read the story detailing the crucifixion of Christ in the Gospel of Luke, it is easy to get the mistaken impression that the chief priests, the people, and Pilate were in control of the events of that day. After all, the Scripture says, they “LED HIM.” That phrase makes it sound like Christ had little control over the situation and could do nothing to stop what was about to happen. However, nothing could be farther form the truth! They could never lead Christ in any direction that He was not willing to go.
You may find it of great interest to know that the phrase, they “LED HIM,” is mentioned one more time in the Book of Luke. Jesus was preaching in the synagogue at Nazareth and His words stung the conscience of those present. The Bible said that when “they heard these things,” they all “were filled with wrath,” (Luke 4:28-29). In a fit of rage, they “rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and LED HIM unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.”
Their intention was to kill Him, but this was not the time or place for His death, nor was it the manner of death that had been prophesied. So what did Christ do? He simply walked away! “But he passing through the midst of them went his way,” (Luke 4:30). They were absolutely powerless to lead Him any farther than He allowed. “No man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come,” (John 8:20).
The same was true of the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion. This was not something planned and carried out by men. This was something that was done according to “the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” (Acts 2:23). This was God’s plan “before the world began,” (II Tim. 1:9). They were not forcing Christ to die. He was willingly going to Calvary so that you and I might be saved. Christ said, “I GAVE my back to smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting,” (Isa. 50:6). He was not forced to do this. He did it “that He might sanctify the people with his own blood,” (Heb. 13:12). He did it for you and me “that He might bring us to God,” (I Pet. 3:18).
Thought for Today: “Christ let them lead Him to the Cross that He might lead us to God.” M.D.H.Sr.
You may find it of great interest to know that the phrase, they “LED HIM,” is mentioned one more time in the Book of Luke. Jesus was preaching in the synagogue at Nazareth and His words stung the conscience of those present. The Bible said that when “they heard these things,” they all “were filled with wrath,” (Luke 4:28-29). In a fit of rage, they “rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and LED HIM unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.”
Their intention was to kill Him, but this was not the time or place for His death, nor was it the manner of death that had been prophesied. So what did Christ do? He simply walked away! “But he passing through the midst of them went his way,” (Luke 4:30). They were absolutely powerless to lead Him any farther than He allowed. “No man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come,” (John 8:20).
The same was true of the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion. This was not something planned and carried out by men. This was something that was done according to “the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” (Acts 2:23). This was God’s plan “before the world began,” (II Tim. 1:9). They were not forcing Christ to die. He was willingly going to Calvary so that you and I might be saved. Christ said, “I GAVE my back to smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting,” (Isa. 50:6). He was not forced to do this. He did it “that He might sanctify the people with his own blood,” (Heb. 13:12). He did it for you and me “that He might bring us to God,” (I Pet. 3:18).
Thought for Today: “Christ let them lead Him to the Cross that He might lead us to God.” M.D.H.Sr.