Know Your Bible

The Cross of Christ – Mockery, Mercy, and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Host: David J. Lewis

Series: Know Your Bible Program

Scripture Focus: Matthew Chapter 27

Episode Description

In this powerful study, evangelist David J. Lewis walks us through the heartbreaking, triumphant, and prophetic events of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Matthew 27. From the calculated betrayal by religious leaders to the final breaths of the Savior, this episode exposes the human motivations behind the cross—and the divine purpose that turned man's worst sin into our greatest victory.

Dive deep into the trial before Pilate, the manipulation of the crowds, and the deep symbolism behind the blood of Christ. Together, we will examine the historical realities, correct common misconceptions about the weight of the cross, and trace the profound spiritual weight of Jesus' final words.

Key Takeaways & Scripture Timeline

• The Crowd's Choice (Verses 20–23): Discover how the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to demand the release of the murderer Barabbas and cry out for Jesus to be crucified. Read Matthew 27:20-23.

• The Futility of Washing Hands (Verses 24–25): Pontius Pilate tries to absolve himself of guilt in a basin of water while the crowd claims the blood of Christ upon themselves and their children. Read Matthew 27:24-25.

• The Soldiers' Mockery & Simon of Cyrene (Verses 27–32): From the crown of thorns to the purple robe, explore the cruelty of the Roman guard and the fascinating legacy left by Simon of Cyrene's family. Read Matthew 27:27-32.

• Truth Spoken in Mockery (Verses 33–44): As thieves and religious leaders taunt Him to "come down from the cross," we reflect on why Jesus chose to stay. Read Matthew 27:33-44.

• The Miraculous Aftermath (Verses 51–53): Earthquakes, split rocks, and the tearing of the temple veil. Read Matthew 27:51-53.

The Seven Final Sayings of Jesus Highlighted in This Episode:

1. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" — Matthew 27:46

2. "Woman, behold thy son... Behold thy mother." — John 19:26-27

3. "I thirst." — John 19:28

4. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." — Luke 23:34

5. "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." — Luke 23:43

6. "It is finished (Tetelestai - Paid in Full)." — John 19:30

7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." — Luke 23:46

Connect With Us

Have a Bible question or looking for a church community in your area? We are here for you day or night.

• Visit Us in Phoenix, AZ: Join the Tonto Street Church of Christ (1101 W. Tonto St.) or the Broadway Road Church of Christ (43 W. Broadway Road).

• Partner Congregations: Stop by and worship with our partners at the Morenci Church of Christ (AZ), the Eloy Church of Christ (AZ), or the Church of Christ in Coquille, Oregon—where you are a stranger only once!

• Call Us: 480-209-6154 (At your beck and call anytime, day or night)

• Write to Us: 2114 West Apache Trail, Suite 1, #145, Apache Junction, AZ 85120

• Special Event: Come join us this October 11th–15th for the annual Arizona Lectureship in Phoenix! Everyone is welcome.

The Kiss of Death — The Betrayal of Jesus Christ

What does it mean to betray a friend? We’ve all seen the old gangster movies where a chilling kiss on the cheek marks a man for destruction. But that "kiss of death" wasn't invented by the mob—it was used thousands of years ago in a dark, quiet garden to sentence the Son of God to execution.

In this powerful episode of Know Your Bible, Evangelist David J. Lewis takes us directly into the heart of one of the most tragic and pivotal moments in human history: the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Judas wasn't an outsider; he was part of the original twelve apostles. For three and a half years, he walked with Jesus, watched the dead rise, saw the sick healed, and even had his feet washed by the Master. Yet, driven by false ideas of Christ's kingdom, he orchestrated a calculated plot to hand Him over to a weapon-wielding mob.

But as the trap springs, we see something remarkable. Jesus doesn't panic. He steps forward and utters three of the most terrifying, powerful words in scripture—"I am He"—causing the entire mob to fall backward to the ground in involuntary reverence.

Brother David challenges us to look past Judas and examine our own hearts. Every time we shun the truth, compromise our values out of fear, or step away from God's Word, are we fleeing from Christ just like the disciples did in the garden?

Discover how to stand firm in your faith, honor His sacrifice, and embrace the true plan of salvation through these foundational Scriptures:

• The Trap in the Garden: Read the sobering account of the betrayal, the deceptive kiss, and Christ's arrest in Matthew 26.

• The Leading of the Mob: See how Judas used his intimate knowledge of Jesus's prayer life to guide the chief priests and Pharisees straight to Him in John 18.

• Betrayed with Affection: Unpack the tragic irony of a sign of love being weaponized into an act of treason in Luke 22.

• The Naked Truth of Fear: Witness the moment fear overcame loyalty, causing the disciples to forsake Jesus and flee into the night in Mark 14.

Are you remaining loyal to Christ in your daily life, or are you walking away from His Word when the pressure mounts? Tune in to realign your path with Scripture and find true spiritual grounding.

Connect with the Ministry & Worship With Us: This program is proudly brought to you by the David J. Lewis Evangelistic Association in conjunction with the Churches of Christ. If you have a Bible question or need spiritual guidance, Brother David is at your beck and call anytime, day or night.

• Phone: 480-209-6154

• Mailing Address: 2114 West Apache Trail, Suite 1145, Apache Junction, AZ 85120

• Free Bible Study Resources: Request a compact disc (CD) of this broadcast or any other Bible subject completely free of charge by writing or calling.

Visit a Congregation Near You:

• Phoenix, AZ: 1101 W. Tonto St. or 43 W. Broadway Road

• Morenci, AZ: Morenci Church of Christ

• Eloy, AZ: Eloy Church of Christ

• Coquille, OR: Coquille Church of Christ ("Where you are a stranger only once!")

Save the Date — Annual Arizona Lectureship: Mark your calendars for October 11th through the 15th! The Churches of Christ will be conducting our annual Lectureship right here in Phoenix. Join us for an incredible week of edification featuring over 50 speakers from across the country diving deep into a single biblical theme. All are welcome—come exactly as you are!

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Here is a clear, scannable summary of the transcription from the Know Your Bible Program, structured as a podcast show-note or episode recap:

Podcast Episode Summary: The Reality of Gethsemane

In this episode of the Know Your Bible Program, host John David Berlin introduces a powerful sermon from evangelist David J. Lewis (representing the David J. Lewis Evangelistic Association and the Churches of Christ). Broadcasting from Arizona, Brother Lewis walks listeners through a deep, verse-by-verse examination of Matthew 26:36–56, dismantling common misconceptions about Jesus' final hours in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Key Takeaways

• Debunking the "Sweating Blood" Myth: Brother Lewis directly challenges a popular teaching that Jesus literally sweat drops of blood due to fear. He points directly to Luke's gospel, emphasizing that the text uses a personification ("his sweat was, as it were, great drops..."), meaning the sweat was pouring off Him as heavily as blood, but was still physically water.

• The True Source of Jesus' Agony: The sermon addresses the claim that Jesus feared death, calling that notion borderline blasphemous. Instead, Lewis argues that Jesus—knowing He would rise again in three days—did not fear physical death, but rather agonized over the upcoming, temporary separation from God the Father as He took on the sins of the world.

• The Frailty of the Disciples: The episode highlights the contrast between Jesus' persistent, godly trait of prayer and the physical weakness of His "inner circle" (Peter, James, and John), who repeatedly fell asleep when asked to watch and pray.

• Peter's Broken, yet Kept Promise: While Peter is often criticized for his defensive actions, Lewis points out that Peter actually intended to keep his promise to fight to the death. By drawing his sword against a massive mob and cutting off the ear of Malchus (the high priest's servant), Peter showed genuine, albeit misguided, willingness to die before Jesus stopped him.

• The Flight of Fear: The episode closes on a somber note, examining the sheer terror that caused all the disciples to abandon Jesus, including the historical detail in Mark's gospel of a young man fleeing completely naked after his linen cloth was grabbed.

Community & Contact Information

This program is brought to you in partnership with local Churches of Christ across Eloy and Morenci, Arizona, as well as Coquille, Oregon.

• Phoenix Locations: 1101 W. Tonto St. and 43 W. Broadway Road.

• Contact Phone: 480-209-2114

• Mailing Address: 2114 West Apache Trail, Suite 1, Number 145, Apache Junction, AZ 85120.

• Free Resource: Listeners can write or call to request a completely free compact disc (CD) copy of this program or any other Bible subject.

Upcoming Event: The annual Arizona Lectureship is taking place in Phoenix from October 11th through the 15th. The week-long event features over 50 speakers diving into a single biblical theme. All are welcome to attend for edification, singing, food, and fellowship

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

1. Program Overview & Host

• Broadcast Details:  "Elijah's translation" is an episode of the Know Your Bible program. It is produced by the David J. Lewis Evangelistic Association in conjunction with the Churches of Christ 00:00 Opens in a new window .

• Speakers: The episode features an introduction by John David Berlin, followed by the main speaker, Evangelist David J. Lewis 02:00 Opens in a new window , 02:25 Opens in a new window .

2. Sermon Theme: The Translation of Elijah

• Scriptural Focus: The sermon covers the biblical narrative found in 2 Kings 2:1-12, focusing on the final journey of the prophet Elijah before he is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind 03:00 Opens in a new window .

• The Faithfulness of Elisha: Rather than examining the story purely from Elijah's perspective, Evangelist Lewis analyzes it through the eyes of his successor, Elisha 07:38 Opens in a new window . He emphasizes Elisha's absolute loyalty, tracking the three distinct times Elijah tells him to stay behind, only for Elisha to repeatedly declare, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee" as they journey from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and finally the Jordan River 03:09 Opens in a new window , 11:18 Opens in a new window .

• The Double Portion Granted: After parting the Jordan River using Elijah's mantle 04:29 Opens in a new window , Elijah asks what he can do for Elisha before he departs. Elisha requests a "double portion" of his spirit 04:44 Opens in a new window . Lewis points out that this request was visually fulfilled when Elisha witnessed the chariot of fire 05:11 Opens in a new window . He backs this up by noting that throughout the rest of the Book of Kings, Elisha performed exactly twice the amount of miracles, prophecies, and resurrections as Elijah did 22:54 Opens in a new window .

3. Personal Reflections & Ministry Announcements

• Reflections on Loyalty: Evangelist Lewis contrasts Elisha’s biblical faithfulness with his personal experiences in ministry, recounting times when church members and leaders failed to stand up for the truth or deserted him during congregational conflicts 08:39 Opens in a new window , 09:42 Opens in a new window .

• Contact Information: Listeners are invited to call David Lewis directly at 480-206-1541 or write to the association at 2114 West Apache Trail, Suite 1, #145, Apache Junction, AZ 85120 25:16 Opens in a new window , 25:30 Opens in a new window .

• Free Resources & Events: The ministry offers free compact discs (CDs) of the program upon request 25:44 Opens in a new window . Lewis also extends an invitation to the annual Arizona Lectureship conducted by the Churches of Christ in Phoenix from October 11th through 15th, featuring over 50 speakers 25:57 Opens in a new window .

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Evangelist David J. Lewis comes to us from Apache Junction, Arizona, where he currently  serves the local church  as their full-time evangelist.

Phone: 480-209-61542

114 W. Apache Trail, Ste 1 #145

Apache Junction, AZ 85120