Christ is Risen!

Bob: When Jesus was put on trial before the Sanhedrin, he was accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God.

Jesus: Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Priest: Are you then the Son of God?

Jesus: You rightly say that I am.

[crowd noises]

Priest: What further testimony do we need, for we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth?

Bob: And welcome to FamilyLife Today, thanks for joining us on the Friday edition.  Back a number of months ago, I watched much of the documentary that was put together by Ken Burns on World War II.  It was interesting to watch because my dad had been in World War II, so to see some of this old video footage, the newsreel footage of these soldiers fighting in Europe and in the Pacific.

It was sobering to see that live footage.  I have often thought to myself, "I wonder what it would be like if we had newsreel footage or audio recordings …

Dennis: Some kind of documentary?

Bob: Yeah, the events of the life of Jesus.  And I guess what we have today is a little bit like that, isn't it?

Dennis: It is.  In fact, we have a reading of Luke, chapter 22, all the way through Luke 23, verse 49 that takes us right up to the point where Christ was crucified and when He finally died.

And although it's not a visual, the professional way in which this is done, Bob, it takes you there.  You are about to get a fresh – I think, a fresh glimpse and look into the emotion that surrounded those last moments of Christ's life that Luke wrote about, and it's going to help aid in taking you into the Easter season in maybe some different ways that you've never experienced before.

Bob: This is from the Word of Promise audio production of the Bible.  It's a dramatized version of the New King James Translation of the Bible and, as you said, this takes us right into Good Friday, more than 2,000 years ago.

Dennis: And what I want to encourage our listeners to do is to maybe ask God for some fresh ears and listen to this story as though they've never heard it before.

Narrator: Now the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called Passover, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.  Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the 12.

So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray Him to them, and they were glad and agreed to give him money.  So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Then came the day of unleavened bread when the Passover must be killed.  When the hour had come, they sat down, and the 12 apostles with Him. 

Jesus: With fervent desire, I have desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.

Narrator: Then He took the cup and gave thanks.

Jesus: Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.

Narrator: And He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them.

Jesus: This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.

Narrator: Likewise, he also took the cup after supper.

Jesus: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.  But, behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table and truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he has betrayed.

Narrator: Then they began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing.  Now, there was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest, and He said to them –

Jesus: He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves, for who is greater – he who sits at the table or he who serves?  It is not he who sits at the table?  Yet I am among you as the one who serves but you are those who have continued with me in my trials, and I bestow upon you a kingdom just as my Father bestowed one up on me that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

Jesus: Simon!  Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail.  And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.

Simon: Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.

Jesus: I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know me.

Narrator: And he said to them –

Jesus: When I sent you without money back, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?

Simon: Nothing.

Jesus: But now he who has a money bag, let him take it and likewise a knapsack, and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one, for I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in me.  And he was numbered with the transgressors for the things concerning me have an end.

Apostle: Lord, look.  Here are two swords.

Jesus: It is enough.

Narrator: Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.

Jesus: Pray that you may not enter into temptation.

Narrator: And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed.

Jesus: Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me.  Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done. 

Narrator: Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him, and being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.

Jesus: Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.

[soldiers marching]

Narrator: And while He was still speaking – behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the 12, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.

Jesus: Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

Narrator: When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him –

Apostle: Lord, shall we strike with the sword?

Narrator: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear, but Jesus answered –

Jesus: Permit even this.

Narrator: And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him –

Jesus: Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize me.  But this is your hour in the power of darkness.

Narrator: Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house, but Peter followed at a distance.  Now, when they had kindled the fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him.

Servant Girl: This man was also with Him.

Peter: Woman, I do not know Him.

Narrator: And after a little while, another saw him.

Man: You also are of them.

Peter: Man, I am not.

Narrator: Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed –

Man: Surely, this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilaean. 

Peter: Man, I do not know what you are saying.

[rooster crows]

Narrator: Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him –

Jesus: Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.

Narrator: So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

[Peter cries]

Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him, and having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him –

Soldier: Prophesy, who was the one who struck you?

Narrator: And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.  As soon as it was day, the elders of the people called the chief of priests and scribes came together and led Him into their council.

Priest: If you are the Christ, tell us.

Jesus: If I tell you, you will, by no means, believe.  If I also ask you, you will, by no means, answer me or let me go.  Hereafter, the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Priest: Are you then the Son of God?

Jesus: You rightly say that I am.

Priest: What further testimony do we need, for we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth?

Narrator: Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate, and they began to accuse him.

Man: We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar saying that He Himself is Christ, a king.

Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?

Jesus: It is as you say.

Narrator: So Pilate said to the chief priests in the crowd –

Pilate: I find no fault in this man.

Narrator: But they were the more fierce.

Priest: He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.

Narrator: When Pilate heard of Galilee, He asked if the man were a Galilaean, and as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Now, when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.  Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.  Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

That very day, Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them –

Pilate: You have brought this man to me as one who misleads the people and, indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.  No, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him and, indeed, nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.  I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.

Narrator: For it was necessary for Pilate to release one to them at the feast, and they all cried out at once –

Man: Away with this man!

Man: Away with this man!

Man: Release to us Barabbas.

Narrator: Barabbas had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city and for murder.  Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus again called out to them, but they shouted –

[crowd shouting]

Pilate: Why?  What evil has He done?  I have found no reason for death in Him.  I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.

Narrator: But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices, that He be crucified, and the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested, and he released to them the one they requested who, for rebellion and murder, had been thrown into prison.  But he delivered Jesus to their will.

Now, as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man – Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country and on him they laid the Christ that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said –

Jesus: Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me.  Weep for yourselves and for your children, for, indeed, the days are coming in which they will say "Blessed are the barren wombs that never bore, and breasts, which never nursed."  Then they will begin to say to the mountains that fall on us and to the hills cover us, for if they do these things, the green wood will be done in the dry.

Narrator: There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death, and when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the criminals – one on the right hand and the other on the left.

Jesus: Father, forgive them for the do not know what they do.

Narrator: And they divided His garments and cast lots, and the people stood, looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered –

Man: He saved others, let Him save Himself if he is the Christ, the chosen of God.

Narrator: The soldiers also mocked him, coming and offering him sour wine.

Soldier: If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.

Narrator: And in inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, which read, "This is the King of the Jews."  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him.

Criminal: If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.

Narrator: But the other, answering, rebuked him –

Criminal: Do you not even fear God?  Seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we, indeed, justly, that we receive the due reward of our deeds?  But this man has done nothing wrong.

Narrator: Then he said to Jesus –

Criminal: Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 

Jesus: Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

Narrator: Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

[thunder]

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two, and when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said –

Jesus: Father!  Into your hands I commit my spirit.

Narrator: Having said this, He breathed His last.  When a centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God.

Centurion: Certainly, this was a righteous man.

[women sobbing]

Narrator: And the whole crowd who came together to that site, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances and the women who followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Bob: Again, we've been listening today to Luke, chapter 22 and much of chapter 23 from the New King James Version of the Bible.  This is the Word of Promise audio production, and it is sobering to consider that a price had to be paid for our sin, and it was paid on that day.

Dennis: It was, and fortunately, we know the rest of the story that three days later He arose and because He is alive today, He offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life to anyone who will call out to Him in faith.  And as those last words were being spoken, I couldn't help but think of 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, which tells about that person who has placed his or her faith in Christ.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.  The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.  All this is from God."

He died to redeem us, but He also died to give us a message, and we are His ambassadors right now to a lost world that desperately needs to know the Savior who did die on a cross but who, on the third day, was raised again to newness of life, so He could bring eternal life to us.

Bob: There may be some of our listeners who need today for the old to pass away and for the new to come.  The promise of the Gospel is that there is forgiveness of sin, the old is done away with, it's covered over by the blood of Christ.

Dennis: Paid for.

Bob: And the new comes as God begins to do a transforming work in a person's life as that person is made alive in Christ.

We have a booklet we would love to send to any of our listeners who are interested in learning what it means to be a Christian.  It's a booklet called "Pursuing God," and we'd love to send it to you on this Good Friday as a free gift to you to help you understand what it means to have a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

You can request a copy of this book by going to our website at FamilyLife.com.  Click on the right side of the home page in the box that says "Today's Broadcast," and there is information about how to receive a copy of this book or call us at 1-800-FLTODAY, that's 1-800-358-6329, and request a copy of the book, "Pursuing God."  We are happy to send it out to you, we just ask that you read it through, and we trust that God will use it to help you understand what it means to be a follower of Christ and to help you make that decision today, to receive His forgiveness and the transformation that He promises in Christ.

Again, our website is FamilyLife.com, or you can call us at 1-800-FLTODAY.  Let me also mention that we have copies of the entire New Testament dramatized as you've heard today in the word of Promise Audio Bible, and you can get more information about receiving the New Testament on CD, fully dramatized, as you've heard, either by going to our website at FamilyLife.com or calling us at 1-800-F-as-in-family, L-as-in-life, and then the word TODAY.

And with that, we're going to have to wrap things up for today.  I hope you have a great weekend, I hope you and your family are able to worship together this weekend, celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, and I hope you can be back with us Monday when we are going to take a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a new movie.  It's called "Fireproof," and we'll give you all the details on Monday.  I hope you can be with us for that.

I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, and our entire broadcast production team.  On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine.  We'll see you back Monday for another edition of FamilyLife Today. 

FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas, help for today and hope for tomorrow.

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