MARK: Spotlight on Pontius Pilate

            Pontius Pilate was the 5^th Prefect of Judea who ruled over the area for ten years (A.D. 26-36).  Pilate was a good example of an unprincipled achiever who will sacrifice what is right to accomplish he own selfish goals and ambitions. Although he knew in his heart that Jesus was innocent of all charges brought against him by the Sanhedrin, he caved to the demands of the crowd rather than risk a likely personal setback to his career. Sadly, this is a real temptation for anyone in a position of power.

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus shares with us a modicum of information prior to A.D. 26. Some incomplete information shows that Pontius Pilate was more than likely an Italian-born Roman citizen whose family was well off financially, thus qualifying him to be of the middle class. He probably held various military posts prior to his appointment in Judea. Pilate governed areas of Judea, Samaria, and the areas south as far as the Dead Sea to Gaza. As Prefect Pilate had absolute authority over all non-Roman citizens of the province. He reported to the Roman governor of the region, who lived in Syria to the north (Luke 2:2).

            Pilate’s relationship with the Jews had always been stormy. To the Jews he was insensitive to their religious beliefs. The Jews seemed to know how to get Pilate to rescind some of the more stifling pro-Roman policies he invoked ... by rioting. The scene they would cause would be highly disruptive and potentially dangerous. The enraged situation would cause Pilate to back down, thus demonstrating a weakness that the Jews exploited as often as they felt it was necessary. He didn’t want news to get out of an uprising. That type of information could spell the end of his rule in Judea.

            Scripture refers to Pontius Pilate as the Roman governor of the Judean province; however, according to my research that doesn’t appear to be the case. The appointed ruler of each Roman province was a “Legate”, who was a provincial governor appointed by the emperor, and was responsible directly to either the Senate or the Emperor. According to my reading, in Pilate’s case, the Legate or Governor was seated in Syria as I stated above.  Next in line was the Prefect, who was a person appointed to a position of command or authority. A lesser official would be a Procurator. The proper title for Pontius Pilate would have been Prefect ... appointed by the Legate / Governor.

            The Jews sent Jesus to see Pilate regarding the “crimes” he had committed against Rome, by claiming to be a King. The Jews thought saying that he was a King would get Jesus put down as it would be in direct conflict with the Emperor of Rome. However, Pilate found nothing wrong with Jesus that would cause him to be executed, which is what the religious leaders wanted. 

            “For Pilate, there was never a doubt about Jesus’ innocence. Three separate times he declared Jesus not guilty. He couldn’t understand why these people wanted to kill Jesus, but his fear of the Jews’ political pressure made him decide to allow Jesus’ crucifixion. Because of the people’s threat to inform the emperor that Pilate hadn’t eliminated a rebel against Rome, Pilate went against what he knew was right. In desperation, he chose to do wrong.” ^[1]              

After the death of Jesus, Pilate would continue in office for another 3 years, showing that Tiberius (the Emperor) considered him an effective administrator. Pilate’s later history is shrouded in mystery. Josephus tells of a bloody encounter with the Samaritans, who filed a complaint with Pilate’s superior, Vitellius, the governor of Syria. Pilate was ordered to stand before the Emperor to answer for his conduct. Historic reports state that he was exiled to the city of Vienne in Gaul (France) where he eventually committed suicide.

            Up next, “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] The Life Application Study Bible; p2159.

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Thought for the day ...

May ALL God's greatest blessings be yours ...

RL Keller

Christian Author

Bread of Life Ministries

Busy Week

This will be a very busy week for me ... I am asking for your patience as my postings may be delayed.

Thanx ... 

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

MARK: Spotlight on Judas Iscariot

            There are some questions that surround Judas Iscariot. There’s not too much we know about it. We know he had questionable morals because John 12:6 states he was a thief.

When Jesus is anointed by Mary with perfume, Judas, the treasurer for the disciples, stated that the perfume was worth a year’s wages and could have cared for the poor. Verse 6 states the following: “Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.”

            Why would Jesus, who knows all things that can be known, choose a common thief as one of his closest allies? It has everything to do with OT prophecy and their being fulfilled. “Jesus chose Judas as a disciple because, ultimately, Judas fit into the plan of God. Jesus had come to earth to die for the redemption of sinners. That death, “the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18, NKJV), was not an accident but was God’s intended purpose.” ^[1]

            “Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him” (John 6:64). In Judas, we have a clear example of how a person can be religious, hear the Word of God taught, witness genuine miracles, and for all appearances seem to be saved, and yet not be born again.

            Not only was the betrayal of Jesus foreknown by God, but it was part of His definitive plan. So God CAN use the most wicked acts of men for good. Judas did what he did because his mind was open to satanic suggestion. Once he had committed his egregious deed, he was “remorseful”, yet nowhere does it say he was “repentant”. He didn’t know Jesus the way a true follower knows him. Instead of seeking forgiveness for his heinous deed, he took his own life.

            Regarding his death, scripture appears to have a contradiction ... Matthew 27:5-8 states he hung himself, Acts 1:18 states the following: “Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.” Scholars state that it is highly unlikely that Judas would have simply fallen, and his body split open. They surmise that he hung himself and after time had passed his bloated and semi-decaying body caused the rope to snap and that fall from an undetermined height would have caused his body to split open, causing his insides to spill out. Whether this is true or not we'll never know, but it's an interesting notion.

            Some hate Judas, others pity him, but whatever happened to him was his own doing. God didn’t make him betray Jesus but knew him and his sinful inclinations and thus knew exactly what he would do. Judas willingly betrayed the Lord and while he felt regret, he never sought forgiveness. Forgiveness is available to anyone and everyone just for the asking with a sincere and repentant heart. 

God knows who stands with him and who does not. He also knows those who are Christians in name only. They seek the benefits but not the dedication to serve in love. They are at every service and even tithe regularly but are still dead inside. They have never fully invested in living for Jesus Christ. They haven’t allowed knowing him to revolutionize their lives. They do what they do church-wise because they feel that HAVE to, not because it brings them joy. Eternal life tops any other investment one could make in this life. Live for God.

Up next is a spotlight on Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of the province of Judah, of which Jerusalem was capital. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary; www.gotquestions.org; The Life Application Study Bible.

^[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-choose-Judas.html

MARK: Spotlight on Herod Antipas

          Antipas, one of Herod the Great’s sons, began as a tetrarch*over Galilee & Pereia. He was the ruling Herod during Jesus time. His reign would be from 4 B.C. - A.D. 39. Not being a man of honor, he stole his half-brother Philip’s wife Herodias. They eloped leaving his wife alone.

Herod Antipas was the one that had John the Baptist beheaded at the behest of Salome, the daughter of Herod Philip. When someone makes a promise, especially one in a ruling position, it must be honored. Even though Antipas seemed to somewhat like John the Baptist, he had him arrested and subsequently executed. The reasoning for these actions were to stop John’s constant verbal reminders that Antipas marriage to Herodias was a sin. John was relentless, making sure the ruler knew that his actions were against the one true God’s standards for living.

Antipas had several meetings with Jesus. The Lord’s popularity and miraculous powers caused the ruler to consider Jesus as being the reincarnation of John. While this was not at all true, it prayed on Antipas’ mind, causing him much consternation.

During the trial of Jesus, Antipas was to decide the Lord’s fate, yet could find nothing in the charges against Jesus that warranted death. He sent Jesus back from whence he had come, namely Pontius Pilate.

Herod Antipas had enough problems to deal with that he didn’t need to get involved with the whole ‘Jesus thing’. For one, Arêtes, the Nabatean king whose daughter had been Antipas’ wife before he became involved with Herodias, decided to avenge this grievous insult. Antipas’ troops were unceremoniously defeated. This, along with some other problems, led to his political downfall. Antipas was finally banished by the Roman emperor to an obscure section of France.

            There are two particular lessons we can learn from Herod Antipas’ life. First, a life motivated by ambition is usually characterized by self-destruction. And secondly, opportunities to do good usually come to us in the form of choices that need to be made.

 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

* A subordinate ruler. Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary. Subject to the authority or control of another.

MARK: Focusing on Jesus ...

            Of the 4 Gospels, most of the stories found in Mark’s Gospel appear in the exact order that they actually occurred. Though Mark is the shortest of the 4 Gospels, it is the most action-packed. Most of the action occurs in Galilee, where Jesus ministry began. Capernaum served as Jesus’ base of operation _{[Mark 1:21; 2:1 & 9:33]}, from where he would go to places like Bethsaida where he would heal a blind man _{[Mark 8:22ff]}, Gennesaret, where he performed many healings _{[Mark 6:53ff]}, Tyre & Sidon (to the far North), where the Lord healed many, drove out demons, and met the woman from Syrian Phoenicia _{[Mark 3:8; 7:24ff]}, and Caesarea Philippi, where Peter publicly declared that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah _{[Mark 8:27ff].} After his ministry in Galilee and the surrounding regions, Jesus headed for Jerusalem _{[Mark 10:1]}. Before going there, Jesus told his disciples 3x that he would be crucified there and then come back to life _{[Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34]}.

 

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY:  When Jesus came from his home in Nazareth to begin his ministry, he first took 2 steps in preparation - being baptized by John the Baptizer in the Jordan River and being tempted by Satan in the rough Judean wilderness. After the temptations were completed, Jesus returned to Galilee and later set up his home base in Capernaum.

 

JESUS HEALS A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN: From Capernaum, Jesus & his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee. A storm blew up out of nowhere, but Jesus calmed it. Landing in the land of the Gerasenes, Jesus sent demons out of a man and into a herd of 2000 pigs who subsequently plunged over a steep bank to their death in the nearby lake.

 

THE TOUCH OF JESUS: Jesus associated with the sorts of people the Pharisees would NEVER have be seen with. He met the needs of both those who came to him and those he went to himself. It didn’t matter whether they were famous or unknown, rich or poor, young or old, sinner or saved - Jesus cares for them all. He sought out those in need. NO PERSON was or is beyond the loving touch of Jesus.

 

Up next is a Spotlight on Herod Antipas. Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

MARK: The Mega-Themes

1) JESUS CHRIST - Jesus Christ alone is the Son of God. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus demonstrates His divinity by overcoming sickness & disease, demons & even death. Although He had the power to be a king on earth, Jesus chose to obey His Father & die in our place.

                  When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved that He WAS God, that He could FORGIVE sin, and that He has the power to change our lives. By trusting in Him for forgiveness, we can begin a new life with Him as our Lord & Savior.

 

2) SERVANT - Jesus fulfilled the OT prophecies as being the coming Messiah by coming to earth. He didn’t come as a conquering king; He came as a servant. He helped people by telling them about God and healing them. Even more than that, He performed the ultimate act of service by willingly giving His own life as a sin sacrifice, thus paying the price due for our sins.

                  Because of Jesus’ example, we should be willing to serve God & others. Real greatness in Christ’s Kingdom is shown by service & sacrifice. Ambition or love of power or position should not be our motive; instead, we should do God’s work because we love Him.

 

3) MIRACLES - Mark’s Gospel records more of Jesus’ miracles than His sermons. Jesus is clearly a man of power & action, not just words. He did miracles to convince the people who he was & to confirm to the disciples His true identity ... God.

                  The more convinced we become that Jesus is God, the more we will see His power & His love. His mighty works show us He is able to save anyone regardless of his or her past. His miracles of forgiveness bring healing, wholeness, and changed lives to all who trust Him.

 

4) SPREADING THE GOSPEL - Jesus directed His public ministry to the Jews first. When the Jewish leaders opposed Him, Jesus went to the non-Jewish (Gentile) world healing & preaching. Roman soldiers, Syrians, and other Gentiles heard the Good News. Many believed and followed Him. Jesus final message to His disciples challenged them to go into all the world and preach the gospel of salvation.

                  Jesus crossed national, racial, cultural & economic barriers to spread His Good News. Jesus’ message of faith and forgiveness is for the whole world - not just the church, thus fulfilling the worldwide vision of Jesus Christ so that people everywhere may hear this great message and be saved from sin and death.

 

                  Up next we’ll look at KEY PLACES JESUS WENT; JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY & JESUS HEALS A DEMON POSSESSED MAN. Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.