30 April 2017
Two-Minute Features | 07 May 2017

Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 3 (TMF:640)

Friday, May 05, 2017
Peace to Live By: Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 3 (TMF:640) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       So, we all know the story of how Jesus was pierced, taken off the cross, and then put in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. So, despite all of Satan’s efforts to keep Jesus in the tomb or seemingly somehow prevent him from resurrecting, even trying to guard the tomb with a small army, one angel would cause this army to become as dead men. Matthew records this awesome account, in Matthew chapter 28. It says, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:2-4, ESV). Therefore, Satan’s setup of a small Roman band of soldiers was no match against just one angel from Heaven. And since Satan could not stop Jesus’ resurrection, he turned back to the hearts of the Jewish leaders. He got them to have the guards lie about what had happened at the tomb.

Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 2 (TMF:639)

Thursday, May 04, 2017
Peace to Live By: Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 2 (TMF:639) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       “And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews. “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:34-43, ESV). So, even in the midst of all of that, someone had common sense. And it was one of the robbers who had been crucified with Jesus. And even though he had just been saved (and he wasn’t water baptized by the way), he was going to be with Jesus in paradise that very day!

Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 1 (TMF:638)

Wednesday, May 03, 2017
Peace to Live By: Satan Tried to Prevent Jesus' Resurrection, Part 1 (TMF:638) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       It would seem that somehow Satan thought he could make Jesus’ death so bad that there was no way he could rise from the dead. For Jesus went through great suffering on his way to the cross, as he endured the flogging, mocking, beatings, and even carrying his own cross. And then after Jesus had died, he had a spear pierced through his side. Satan made sure that Jesus’ persecutors and executioners gave Jesus that hardest time possible. He made sure it was miserable, perhaps in hopes that Jesus would give up and quit. But Jesus endured all the way to the end. Therefore, after carrying his own cross but with the help of Simon, Jesus was crucified. And with him were two criminal as crucified. Let’s continue in Luke’s account, starting in verse 32: “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:32-34a, ESV).

The Jewish Leaders Unjustly Try Jesus, Part 2 (TMF:637)

Tuesday, May 02, 2017
Peace to Live By: The Jewish Leaders Unjustly Try Jesus, Part 2 (TMF:637) - Daniel Litton
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        We can see the violence and malice of the Jewish leaders when Jesus went from trial to trial, in a hurried up, illegal way in order to have him put to death. As we are in Luke chapter 22, let’s go ahead and look at Jesus before the Jewish council. Let’s pick up in verse 66: “When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips” (Luke 22:66-71, ESV). So, Jesus makes it clear to them that he is in fact the Christ, the Son of God. But like he told the leaders, they wouldn’t believe him. They thought there was no way this man could be the Messiah, for he didn’t do things the way they did them and he wasn’t full of pride and pomp like they were.

The Jewish Leaders Unjustly Try Jesus, Part 1 (TMF:636)

Monday, May 01, 2017
Peace to Live By: The Jewish Leaders Unjustly Try Jesus, Part 1 (TMF:636) - Daniel Litton
(Tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       “Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:52, 53, ESV). That last verse here is the key, for Jesus said, “this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” He had already testified to the Jewish leaders that they were of their father, the devil, and worked to do his wishes. And here again was Satan’s wishes in full bloom, for Jesus was being arrested. We can see the violence and malice of the Jewish leaders when Jesus went from trial to trial, in a hurried up, illegal way in order to have him put to death. As we are in Luke chapter 22, let’s go ahead and look at Jesus before the Jewish council. Let’s pick up in verse 66: “When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God” (Luke 22:66-69, ESV).