BEYOND HIS
PASSION
BEYOND HIS
PASSION
The Whole Story of
Jesus Christs
Death and Resurrection
As Recorded in the Gospels and the Significance in Time and Eternity
JIM & ROY GILLEY
Copyright 2003 by Jim & Roy Gilley
The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright 1982 by
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
SOME SPECIFICS ABOUT THIS WORK
The New King James Version translation, copyright by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, was used as the basic text in arranging Beyond His Passion. Word changes to that text are in brackets for clarity. Some of the readings are a blending of passages from more than one Gospel. Comments are located occasionally in the text to provide further information. Verse numbers are not included because of the blending of readings, and repetitive wording in excess of that needed for clarity may be eliminated in some readings. A complete listing of Scripture passages used in arranging Beyond His Passion is located at the end of this work.
We appreciate the contributions received by A.T. Robertsons work, A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1922, 1950) and John Franklin Carters work, A Laymans Harmony of the Gospels (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1961). An Interlinear Greek-English New Testament was also used in writing this work (Third Edition, Jay P. Green, editor, 1996, Baker Book, Grand Rapids). Other translations were also reviewed: The Authorized King James Version; The New International Version, copyright by Zondervan Publishing House; The New Living Translation, copyright by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois; The New American Standard Bible, copyright by The Lockman Foundation; The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All used by permission.
All Rights Reserved.
WORLD PUBLISHING
Nashville, TN 37214
www.worldpublishing.com
ISBN 0-529-11953-6
Printed in the United States of America
04 05 06 07 08 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
THE PASSION OF JESUS was not something which occurred due to fate or mans ability to plan such a horrible event. Instead, it was an event arranged by God and His Son Jesus Christ before the beginning of time. The Bible says that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
Because Adam rebelled against God at the bidding of Satan (Genesis 3), there was a wall built between God and people. But men and women are Gods prize creation. And because of His great love for them, He provided a way to forgive them while retaining His just and righteous character. A way was made to provide men and women the righteousness required to be with God again. In the Garden of Eden, God promised that His Son would come to crush Satan. However, He also stated that His Son would be wounded and bruised as He provided a way back to Him (Genesis 3:14-15). Yes, His Son would suffer, not for His sins, but for the sins of those whom He would bring back to God.
Many people are familiar with John 3:16 which says, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But we must understand and accept how John 3:16 can be realized. We must understand that God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Beyond His Passion is the full account of Jesus sacrifice, but the story continues with His resurrection from the dead and His ascension to the Father. To gain a full understanding of these accounts, we will begin with the prophecy of His Passion as recorded by Isaiah over 700 years before Jesus was bornin most vivid detail!
THE PASSION IN
PROPHECY
A READING OF PROPHECY RETOLD
AS A HISTORY LESSON
WHO HAS BELIEVED our report? To whom will Jehovahs saving power (arm) be revealed?
For [ Jesus] grows up before (Jehovah) like a tender plant, as a root out of dry ground. He has no [special] form to which we should be attracted. Why should we desire Him?
He is despised and abandoned by men. He is a Man of pains, acquainted with grief. We hid our faces from Him. Since He was despised, we did not value Him.
But truly, He carried our griefs and pain. We thought He was plagued, stricken, and afflicted by God, but He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. His whipping was for our peace, and with His wounds we were healed.
We have strayed like sheep, going our own way, away from God. And Jehovah made Him pay for the iniquity of everyone. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth. He was captured, restrained and denied justice. And who considered His inheritance? No one! He was cut off from the land of life by the sinfulness of His own people. Yes, the striking went to [ Jesus]. His grave was to be with the wicked, but at His death, He was in the grave of a rich man.
Although He had done nothing wrong, Jehovah was pleased to crush Him, to strike Him, and to make His whole being (soul) a guilt offering for mankind. But Jehovah sees from where [ Jesus] comes (seed), and that His days are eternal. And the will of Jehovah shall be accomplished in [ Jesus] hand. And [ Jesus] will see the labor of His whole being and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My Righteous Servant shall justify many, for He carried their iniquities. Therefore, I will give Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the plunder with the strong, because He poured out His whole being unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. And He bore the sins of many and made intercessions for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53)
THE LAST WEEK OF
JESUS MINISTRY
AND THE CROSS
He was wounded for our transgressions.
(ISAIAH 53:5)
Spring of A.D. 30
AND THE PASSOVER of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem. Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, What do you thinkthat He will not come to the feast?
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus [had been raised from the dead]. Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because, [after seeing him], many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
[ Jesus and his disciples] drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your King is coming to you,
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