The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 18:12-14; 28-30, “So the Roman cohort and the commander, and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people….”

28 “They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

29 Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this Man?’

30 They answered and said to him, ‘If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.’”

The Romans were a harsh and cruel people. They were, however, legally quite just. There was a sense of

justice in the Jews, too, although they were not careful to follow their own rules when it was to their advantage

to ignore them. (See the attachment.)

After His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was led away to Annas and then to Caiaphas for trials that were preparatory to that of the Romans. The Jews wanted Jesus dead, but they were not allowed to administer

the death penalty. Only the Romans could do that; thus, they needed the Roman procurator, Pilate. Pilate

questioned Jesus, but found no evidence whatsoever of wrong in Him. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod and Herod

found no wrong in Him. Still, the Jews cried out tumultuously for Him to be crucified. The Scriptures tell us that

Pilate was determined to free Jesus, but the persistent shout of the Jewish crowd finally compelled him to order

Jesus crucified.

Even today, tumultuous shouts of multitudes in the streets prevail over justice. We have all been wronged (or will be some day) by the overthrow of justice in favor of the insane clamor of those who oppose truth and righteousness. Nothing has changed. Even the supercilious Jews –Anas and Caiaphas—who stirred up the crowd, avoided entering the Roman Praetorium themselves, so as not to defile themselves and be unable to partake of the Passover. What utter smugness!

Just remember: Jesus Himself prayed earnestly and fervently to be delivered from all of this, yet it was the

will of His Father that the Son’s death on the Cross was to be for our deliverance. And so it was. Now, it is for us to proclaim truth and justice to all who will believe upon Him for their salvation! Praise the LORD for His

unspeakable gift through His Son!

Our prayers filled with love are offered daily for each of you,

Nana & Dado III

NOTE: Don’t forget to read the attachment!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”