Sanctus Real – Jesus Loves You (Official Music Video)
Jesus Loves You, by Santus Real
John 3:1-21, Matthew 27:57-60, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42, Acts 5:34-39, Acts 22:3, Mark 15:43
Scholars Friends of Jesus
Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Gamaliel are men of learning, notoriety, and wealth. These men, Pharisees, part of the Sanhedrin, were indirectly supporters of Jesus. Their deeds and words were instrumental in the spreading of the Gospel and demonstrated their quest for truth: Was this Jesus, the Messiah, the long expected One? They wanted to know. Their fear was criticism of their peers.
Nicodemus, a rabbi, sought Jesus out under cover of darkness and stood by
at Calvary as Jesus bled and died. Nicodemus put the puzzle pieces of prophecy together for he was a seeker of God, and aided Joseph of Arimathea in the burial of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea was part of the fulfillment of prophecy for Jesus was buried in Joseph’s new, borrowed tomb. (Isaiah 53:9) Gamaliel, a rabbi who taught Saul, later known as Paul, spoke to the Sanhedrin with great eloquence and in doing so, gave the disciples some time to spread the Good News of Jesus resurrection unobstructed by the Jewish religious body.
Friend to ALL
Jesus is the Messiah for all mankind: The poor, the demented, the possessed, the outcast, the rich, the famous, the middle class, the aged, and the children. The question is this: Will we believe all these witnesses? Jesus, was not a respecter of persons. He spoke truth to all. God gave us free will to decide for ourselves if we would choose Christ. The proof of WHO He is, is evident everywhere. (Romans 1:20) All are called, few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)
Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than the rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) His friend list shows more poor than prosperous were His friends. This was a statement of facts, not a condemnation of wealth, education, and public standing. These men, rich, learned, and leaders of the community, were held in high esteem for their lives were supposed to be models of all God had called the Jewish nation to be: a chosen people, holy as God was holy. (Leviticus 19:2)
“Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth’s become so hard to see. The world is on their way to YOU but they are tripping over ME! Always looking around but never looking up, I’m so double-minded, a plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided……..Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers; let our hearts be led by mercy,………break our hearts for what breaks YOURS!” (lyrics from Jesus Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns)
Are we judging or are we searching? These friends of Jesus were searchers of truth and choose to do what was right in the face of criticism.
Jesus Friend of Sinners, by Casting Crowns
Yvonne Jones
Additional Reading:
https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/12/18/gods-gift-of-jesus/
