Bible Study: Gospel

A study on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in relation to people and places is quite interesting. There were six people specifically mentioned with their roles in relation to Jesus and five places where Jesus had gone through. Each of these people and places contributed to the accomplishment of God the Father's will.

Six People

Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus John 18:5   They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. He said to them, I am. And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.

Annas, the one who questioned JesusJohn 18:13  And led Him away to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Peter, the one who denied JesusJohn 18:16  But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter in.John 18:27  Then Peter denied again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Caiaphas, the one who delivered JesusJohn 18:24  Annas then sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.John 18:28  Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the praetorium, and it was early morning. And they themselves did not enter into the praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

Pilate, the one who delivered JesusJohn 18:38  Pilate said to Him, What is truth?And having said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, I find no fault in Him.John 18:39  But you have a custom that I release one man to you at the Passover. Is it your will therefore that I release to you the King of the Jews?

Barabbas, the one who replaced JesusJohn 18:40  Then they cried out again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

If these six people were to be studied of their character that led to Jesus' crucifixion, I don't think any believer could say they did not possess any of these characters. How often we betrayed Jesus like Judas for personal gain? I believe a lot of time. How often we questioned Jesus like Annas of His Godhood and doubted Him in our trying circumstances? Many of us do at times. How often we denied Jesus publicly among the unbelieving and rebellious crowd in our workplaces or in a community or in a social gathering? We have no excuses. How often we delivered Jesus like Pilate and saved ourselves from impending accusation and public condemnation? We often do this too. How often we escaped our punishment and been replaced by Jesus like Barabbas?

I can speak for myself. In many cases, I am no better than any of these six persons. But the truth is, all these persons paved the way for my salvation! Yes, I can identify myself with all these ones, but the Lord Jesus Christ needed those to justify my sinfulness and died for me, to redeem me, and save me! Despite all those people being just me, He still loved me and gave His life for me! I can hang my head in utter shame for my sinfulness, but thank God, He gave His Son to die for me. What a gospel!

Three Places

Gethsemane, the place where Jesus prayedMatthew 26:36  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to the disciples, Sit here while I go over there and pray.Mark 14:32  And they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, Sit here while I pray.

Gabbatha, the place where Jesus was judgedJohn 19:13  Pilate therefore, when he heard these words, brought Jesus outside and sat down on the judgment seat in a place called the Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucifiedJohn 19:17  And bearing the cross for Himself, He went out to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

These three places where Jesus prayed, was judged, and was crucified are also very significant in its spiritual application. The Lord went through those places and experienced the will of the Father by drinking the cup of wrath, was unrighteously judged, and inhumanly crucified. All for me! Now, I must experience the same spiritually, all these places subjectively. I must pray and take the Father's will as my will, be judged of my soul life with all its good and bad, and be crucified in my old man daily that I may live to Christ. All for Him! These were the experiences of the Apostles, and it must also be the experiences of the believers today, including me.   

There is a need to pray and pray, even unceasing pray (1 Thes. 5:17). Then, be judged of all that is not according to God in our life and our living (1 Cor. 11:32). And, be crucified with Christ that Christ may live in and through us(Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21).

The six people led to our salvation from eternal punishment and the three places are leading us to experience a normal Christian life, to pray, be judged daily, die daily, and live Christ daily to be an overcomer. What a gospel is this! The gospel of salvation for sinners and the gospel of salvation for saints!