GOD'S COMMANDMENTS. CASTING LOTS. GAMBLING.

I wanted to add another comment about the main thrust of this study . . . your discussion about the Commandments and their purpose is very important for any Christian to hear and understand. It is personally important for ME to hear again and again. The ten simple commandments should prove to EVERYONE that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Whether in deed or thought (Matthew 5). We NEED Jesus Christ. Submission to him and acceptance of his grace is not somehow optional if you otherwise "refrain" from sin. You can't. And to think you can is the worst sin of all . . .Pride. Your testimony becomes sanctimony. You must be and remain . . broken on the Rock. (Matt 21:44)

about those casting lots for his garment. i can see it as people picking and choosing the Word(s) of God , and what salvation/righteousness is, as well as making money over Jesus, but missing the point/Truth. only wanting a part of God (perhaps the friendly or useable parts). just some thoughts.

Amen . . he poured himself out for us completely. What a day that was . . we can only read about it but the reaction of the heavens and earth . . the tearing of the veil . . no one there could have any doubt as to its import .. especially those that mocked him.

The event rings with the worthlessness of material things.

Thinking more about John D's comment on cloaks in general in the Bible and the cloak of Jesus in particular . . . there was the woman with the bleeding disease who touched his cloak and was healed. I think this goes to John's comment about covering/salvation. Also, Jesus said if any man take away thy coat "let him have thy cloak also." Matthew 5:40. This seems to have occurred literally while our Lord was on the cross . . he forgave his killers who took every physical thing from him and gave them his covering. Jesus saw his only material possession split up among his enemies . . in a perfect example that the things of this world are nothing in the Kingdom of God ( . . .even the sole material possession of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords . . ). Perfect humility. I also think of when he instructed his disciples to sell their cloaks and buy a sword. Luke 22:36. I think this refers to the sword of Christ's Word and righteousness and is an instruction not to focus on material things. Preach the Gospel. Again, "buy the truth and sell it not" and Mark 8:36 . . what profiteth a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul. (I apologize if I took this thread in the wrong direction . . you guys had other great topics to discuss.)

John D's input on this also causes me to think . . .that Jesus forgave his accusers/killers at the very same time . . and same verse in Luke . . when the Roman soldiers were parting his raiment and casting lots (Luke 23:34; " Then said Iesus, Father, forgiue them, for they know not what they doe: And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."). John D mentioned that garments represent covering or Jesus' gift of salvation. Perhaps they each received a physical piece of his raiment which represented a spiritual covering as well. Jesus Christ loving his enemies. Hopefully they each received Jesus at some time in their lives and were saved. Or the episode could also represent the fruitlessness of acquiring Jesus' physical raiment without his spiritual covering. There is no magic in his "robe".

Lots (bad pun) of good stuff here in a relatively short meeting. Thank You again Reg. Another take on why the soldiers wanted the garment . . . which is also a trampling . . . was for the keeping of a trophy ("I was there when we killed Jesus") of the fallen king and/or as a valuable relic. The soldiers might have thought they could brag over killing the King of the Jews and eventually sell Jesus' garment for money to his followers. This may be why they split it up. Remember (John 19:19) that Pilate wrote a sign above Jesus on the Cross "Jesus of Nazareth , , The King of the Iewes". The Romans are well known for humiliating disobedient kings of conquered territories to trample down any potential insurrection. One historical example is Hannibal and the sewing of Carthaginian fields with salt so that Carthage could not rise again. This spirit of humiliation and desecration continues to this very day in the Church of Rome with the constant Mass (. . re-killing/crucifixion/sacrifice of Jesus) and its trade in relics. The Popes modern day Praetorian guard . . the Jesuits themselves . . believe the killing of heretic kings (of which Jesus is secretly considered to be one) to be justified, and have killed many since their creation as an order. The "Killing of the King" ritual in freemasonry is another reflection of this spirit. Many believe that the Kennedy assassination was this humiliation ritual played out ( in this regard, it is interesting to note that JFK's brain is officially "missing" from evidence; Rome's trophy?). Another example was the murder of Julius Caesar (pre-Christ) whereby each of the Senators thrust a knife in and dipped their hands in blood so they could both claim credit and spread the culpability around. This practice of desecration of the bodies of enemies also may inform why it was important that Nicodemus be involved in Jesus' burial . . so that no additional desecration occurred at the hands of Roman soldiers known for taking gruesome trophies ( in the same spirit, the Templars were said to be in possession of the head of John the Baptist.). It also may help inform the Roman soldier's motivation for stabbing of Jesus's body on the cross . . lack of respect/trampling. Some have said this was done to ensure that Jesus was dead. I do not accept this this explanation because it ascribes an arguably humane motivation to the stabbing of Jesus' body which is not consistent with Roman practice. They sought to inflict as much humiliation and pain as possible on their victims. Our Lord's humiliation also included being offered vinegar to drink by the soldiers and being mocked while on the cross. And Matthew 19:33 attests that the soldiers saw that Jesus was dead already before the stabbing. This topic also reminds me of the movie "The Robe" with Richard Burton whereby Jesus' garment appears to have a magical power. The movie is a propaganda piece to promote the lie that Peter was a missionary to Rome.