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Download: html Who Is Jesus? (Chapter 8)Why did the religious leaders of His Own people reject Him?Jesus' message that all that the people had to do was to simply "love God with all their heart, and love their neighbour as themselves" (Matthew 22:37-39), liberated them from the dictatorial stranglehold and control that their religious leaders held over them. His teachings snatched the people out from under the established religion's control, a development that filled the religious leaders with fear and envy. They reasoned, "If we let Him alone, all men will believe on Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our influence!" (John 11:47,48) These bitter religious foes finally had Jesus arrested and brought to trial on false charges of sedition and subversion. Although the Roman governor found Him innocent, he was pressured and persuaded by the influential High Priests to execute Him. When Jesus' enemies came to arrest Him, He assured His disciples, "They couldn't even touch Me without My Father's permission! If I would but raise My little finger, He would send tens of thousands of angels to rescue Me!" (Matthew 26:53) — But instead, He chose to die. — For you and me! Nobody took His life from Him, He laid it down, He gave His life of His Own free will and accord. (See John 10:11, 17,18) But even His death did not satisfy His bitter and vengeful enemies! To ensure that His followers couldn't steal His body and claim He had risen from the dead — as He had said He would — these false religious leaders had a huge stone placed over the entrance to His tomb, and posted a group of Roman soldiers there to guard it. — A scheme that proved futile, as these same guards became eye–witnesses to the greatest miracle of all. — Three days after His lifeless body was laid to rest in that cold tomb, He arose from the dead, victoriously conquering death and Hell and the grave! Who Is Jesus?, Copyright © 1998-2010, The Family International |