For Friday, October 23, 2026:
Acts 4:27b NLT: “Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed.”
It seems as if everyone in the Holy Land was against Jesus – political leaders, Pharisees and those under the Jewish Council. Even Gentiles who didn’t have a horse in this race sided with the anti-Jesus throng. Eventually they would all win, and Jesus the human would die.
This was a necessary part of God’s plan to redeem mankind. As Christ died, he would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Repentant humans would be forgiven and could share the eternal kingdom with our God.
It’s an odd plan in that the Messiah would have to offer his life. But remember, Jesus was fully God and fully man. The human portion could die, but his soul, his spirit, his eternal essence would never die! The history of church growth proves to us that Jesus was alive and well in his Father’s house. The Apostles continued performing Jesus-miracles in Jerusalem. And Jesus personally spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul then switched sides, was baptized and planted many churches in Asia Minor.
As a result, there are about 2.3 billion Christians in the world today, about a quarter of the world’s population. The false gods are all dead. They’re buried somewhere, and everyone knows. Jesus is the only deity who walked away from his tomb and eventually ascended into heaven, returning home to the Father. Right now he’s preparing a place for all the loyal believers!
Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church
