How about this, would the Romans know Jesus was quoting from the Bible? Jews and Gentiles Crucified Jesus, representing all of us. Father Forgive them for they know not what they do, more readily applies to the Gentiles. This reminds me of my Gospel Tract titled "They knew all along".
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Questions about the Bible #86 by Brother C W Miller
John 3:2; After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you."
Isn’t it interesting what some people know, but they don’t want it to get around that they know it? If it got out, there might be a risk involved from their peers and something precious could be lost. ~ Nicodemus was a ruler from the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee who lead the religious establishment in Jerusalem. He comes to Jesus at night and let’s the cat out of the bag; they know that Jesus was sent to them from God and the reason they know is because they’ve authenticated his miracles. This meant that those miracles may just as well have been a sign from their maker; much like a tag sewn into the collar of a shirt naming the brand. Nicodemus may have been sent by the Sanhedrin to investigate Jesus; or he may have taken a risk to see for himself…
On another day when there was a large crowd around Jesus on the road, a ruler from the local Synagogue who’s name was Jairus knelt down at the feet of Jesus. He pleaded with Jesus for the life of his daughter, who was at the point of death. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night but Jairus came to him in the day for all the town to see; he indeed risked much. It has been a long tradition in America that the President never bow to a foreign leader; Jairus knelt at the feet of Jesus! As part of the established religion, Jairus knew that Jesus was sent from God. His risk may have been greater than that of Nicodemus but even Jairus didn’t risk all; he knew that Jesus was sent from God. Whatever he lost that day, he gained by receiving his daughter back from the dead…
When Jesus was brought up before the Sanhedrin for the charge of blasphemy, their council discussed his fate; even acknowledging that Jesus certainly preformed miracles. Caiaphas said that it would be better for one man to die than all their people perish at the hands of the Romans because of the Civil uproar over Jesus. Caiaphas said this because he had prophesied earlier in the year that Jesus would die for the world; they knew! ~ Nicodemus and Jairus risked much but did not risk all; they knew. Though Caiaphas knew, he truly risked all by not coming to Christ…
Adam and Eve Sinned in the Garden of Eden and since then, all have Sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God by lying, stealing and hating. God is Just and Holy, he sends Sinners to Hell as punishment for Sin. But you don’t have to go there because God is also Love; so much so that he sent his only Son Jesus Christ to be the Sinless sacrifice which atones for Sin. Jesus died on a Roman cross, was buried for three days, and rose from the dead as another Sign; one that says he is God! Trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and your Sins will be forgiven. When God looks at you, he will see a sign; one that looks like his Son. ~ The Bible says that everyone knows there is a God but suppresses the truth and have turned astray. Do not be like the Pharisees and suppress what you know. If you need more, seek and you will find; I bet you didn’t know this until
now…
John 11:47-48; Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council to discuss the situation. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “For this man certainly does miracles. If we let him alone the whole nation will follow him—and then the Roman army will come and kill us and take over the Jewish government.”