May 5, 2014: I am Over It

Luke 23:1-25

Amplified Bible (AMP)

23 Then the whole assembly of them got up and conducted [Jesus] before Pilate.

2 And they began to accuse Him, asserting, We found this Man perverting (misleading, corrupting, and turning away) our nation and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), a King!

3 So Pilate asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? And He answered him, [It is just as] you say. [I Am.]

4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the throngs, I find no guilt or crime in this Man.

5 But they were urgent and emphatic, saying, He stirs up and excites the people, teaching throughout all Judea—from Galilee, where He began, even to this place.

6 Upon hearing this, Pilate asked whether the Man was a Galilean.

7 And when he found out [certainly] that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him up to Herod [a higher authority], who was also in Jerusalem in those days.

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had eagerly desired to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard concerning Him, and he was hoping to witness some sign (some striking evidence or spectacular performance) done by Him.

9 So he asked Him many questions, but He made no reply.

10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and the scribes stood by, continuing vehemently and violently to accuse Him.

11 And Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him; then, dressing Him up in bright and gorgeous apparel, he sent Him back to Pilate.

12 And that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—[though] they had been at enmity before this.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 And said to them, You brought this Man before me as One Who was perverting and misleading and turning away and corrupting the people; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have not found any offense (crime or guilt) in this Man in regard to your accusations against Him;

15 No, nor indeed did Herod, for he sent Him back to us; behold, He has done nothing deserving of death.

16 I will therefore chastise Him and deliver Him amended (reformed, taught His lesson) and release Him.

17 For it was necessary for him to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.

18 But they all together raised a deep cry [from the depths of their throats], saying, Away with this Man! Release to us Barabbas!

19 He was a man who had been thrown into prison for raising a riot in the city, and for murder.

20 Once more Pilate called to them, wishing to release Jesus;

21 But they kept shouting out, Crucify, crucify Him!

22 A third time he said to them, Why? What wrong has He done? I have found [no offense or crime or guilt] in Him nothing deserving of death; I will therefore chastise Him [in order to teach Him better] and release Him.

23 But they were insistent and urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed (accomplished their purpose).

24 And Pilate gave sentence, that what they asked should be done.

25 So he released the man who had been thrown into prison for riot and murder, for whom they continued to ask, but Jesus he delivered up to be done with as they willed.

Two points pop out at me today. First of all, the accusations in verses two and four sound like they could easily take place in modern day America. Seriously. I'm thinking this type of a scenario is not too far fetched in our near future. I heard an amazing sermon last night at church about stuff going on in California. He said it's looking like pretty soon a preacher won't be allowed to legally preach all of God's word. Only the parts that don't offend anyone will be allowed. Whaaaaa????? So go back and read verses two and four again. This sounds like what ministers of the Gospel have to look forward to in their future. Crazy, huh? But unfortunately, this is harsh reality.

The second point, which is entirely different, is this. I'm super excited about this one. I have had some ongoing hurt in my heart. Maybe bitterness as well. Yeah, definitely bitterness, although I hate to admit it. I used the word hate because I like to think I'm a fairly nice person who doesn't harbor bitterness against anyone. However, as hard as it is to admit, it's there. Or rather, it WAS there. I had a revelation two days ago. I had been praying for years, yes years, about junk in my heart. It would go away, then it would creep back. Annoying. Extremely annoying. Why? Because God's word clearly states that I can't take my hurt and bitterness to heaven with me. 

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  

Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Matthew 6:14-15 - For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 

Proverbs 20:22 - Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Hebrews 12:15 - Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

Nope. I won't make it to that perfect place as long as I hang onto those things. So, for about, I don't know, more than 10 years or so, I have been laying my pain down over and over, but I still had it. Frustrating. Definitely quality of life hindering.

Anyway, my answer popped up on my friend's facebook wall two days ago. So very simple. Now I can take my prayers one step farther.

"Cease trying to forgive those who fretted or wronged you. It is a mistake to think about it. Aim at killing the "self" now...in your daily life, and then, and not until then, you will find there is nothing that even remembers the injury, because the only one injured, the "self", is dead. "God Calling" AJ Russell

"Self, yeah, I'm talking to YOU. I am killing you today. Pride, you've got to go as well. You two are hindering my quality of life. You two have been annoying me for a LONG time. I am tired of your garbage. This "How could he/she do that to me?", and "I don't deserve this!" kind of attitude has GOT to go. Jesus took unspeakable pain and suffering for me. Surely I can take a little pain for Him. So, self and pride, its over. You are done for. I am killing you today. Sounds harsh? To bad, so sad, good riddance, good bye, and so long."

"Jesus, You have just witnessed a killing. I am done with feeling hurt and offended. I am so over it. I am ready to move into the freedom of my new life in You, without self and pride hanging around to drag me down. I am killing self and pride as many times as it takes to get the job done! And forgive me for not getting this sooner. I already feel a freedom like I've never felt in my almost 55 years! How I love You. Thank You for Your perfect example! Thanks, again, for Your perfect, supreme sacrifice. You are altogether lovely, Jesus. AMEN."