JENTEZEN FRANKLIN - APRIL 5th, 2026

Summary

Real America’s Voice – Episode Summary

Guest: Jentezen Franklin
Release Date: April 5, 2026
Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)

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Overview of Episode

This special episode of Real America’s Voice, featuring Pastor Jentezen Franklin, departs from the network’s typical political and cultural commentary for an Easter Sunday meditation. Blending biblical storytelling, worship music, and preaching, Franklin delivers a message of hope, redemption, and resurrection centered on the final days of Jesus Christ. The episode aims to provide “good news” amid the usual 24/7 news cycle, encouraging listeners to reflect on forgiveness, sacrifice, and the power of Christ’s love.

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Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Setting the Tone: Good News on Easter Sunday

• [03:17] Jentezen Franklin’s Invitation
  Franklin opens by acknowledging the gravity of headline news but encourages listeners to set aside the noise and open their hearts to the message of the Gospel.

  “What you do with the next few moments can affect the years ahead your life. So lean in, listen to this message. I believe it's going to speak to you and you're going to encounter a God who loves you and cares about you this very moment.”
  — Jentezen Franklin [03:22]

2. Worship & Praise: Community and Faith as Central

• The episode is woven with several worship songs celebrating Jesus as “King of Glory” and recognizing his authority and power.
  • Lyrics emphasize Jesus’s miraculous power, healing, and ultimate sacrifice.
  • Notable recurring phrase:

    “We crown you King of Glory.” — Worship Leader [09:02-09:33]

• Calls for communal participation in worship, underlining the unifying force of shared faith.

3. Retelling the Passion Story: Key Scenes from the Gospels

• The Last Supper
  — [12:02] Host narrates the story of Jesus’s final meal with his disciples, highlighting:
  • The argument over greatness
  • Jesus modeling humility through service
  • Jesus predicting betrayal by Judas
  • The institution of the Lord’s Supper and its symbols: bread as body, wine as blood

  “He broke the bread and told them, take and eat, for this is my body that is given for you... This is my blood that is poured out for many as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.”
  — Podcast Host [14:38]

• Gethsemane and Betrayal — [19:48] Host reflects on Jesus’s agony in the garden, showing his human vulnerability and acceptance of divine purpose:

  “Yet at the end of his prayer, he took a deep breath and said, not my will, but yours be done.”
  — Podcast Host [20:59]

  • The emotional anguish and steadfast obedience of Christ set the stage for his suffering.

4. Crucifixion: The Meaning of Suffering

• Arrest and Trial
  — [23:50] The narrative continues with the betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pilate, and the crowd’s insistence on crucifixion.
  • Physical suffering is depicted vividly, with reference to Isaiah’s prophecy:

    “He took the punishment, knowing that by his wounds we would be healed.”
    — Podcast Host [26:04]

• Songs of Suffering and Redemption
  — [26:13-36:39] Worship lyrics echo the message of a suffering Savior who chooses to bear human pain and offer hope, inviting listeners to identify with Christ’s suffering and to receive his healing.

5. Invitation & Assurance: No One Excluded from Grace

• Room at the Cross
  — [38:44-41:47] Songs and oral meditations stress that all people, regardless of their past or pain, have a place at the cross and are invited into Christ’s redemptive work.

  “Oh, the millions have come. There's still room for one. Though millions have come. There's still room for [you].”
  — Worship Singer [39:44]

6. Jentezen Franklin’s Sermon: The Crown of Thorns and the Power of Forgiveness

• [50:51] Main Sermon—Why the Crown of Thorns?
  • Franklin draws a powerful theological link between the crown of thorns placed on Jesus and the curse brought by sin in Genesis.
  • He unpacks the symbolism:

    “He wore the crown because he bore the curse. He took the curse on himself.”
    — Jentezen Franklin [54:40]

  • Compares Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22) with Christ carrying the cross, highlighting the ram caught in a thicket (“thorn patch”) as a prophetic image of Christ’s sacrifice.
  • Franklin underlines Christ’s words from the cross:
    • “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
    • “It is finished.”

      “He talked about forgiving and finishing. Not starting and then falling away, but forgiving and finishing.”
      — Jentezen Franklin [57:01]

• Call to Personal Application
  • Encourages listeners to let forgiveness (from God, toward others, and toward self) transform their lives this Easter.
  • Connects the Resurrection to hope for the future:

    “If you can’t believe in the resurrection, you can’t believe in the rapture.”
    — Jentezen Franklin [58:30]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On encountering God’s love:

  “What you do with the next few moments can affect the years ahead your life.”
  — Jentezen Franklin [03:22]

• On betrayal and brokenness:

  “Is it me? Is it me? Desperately hoping it was not.”
  — Podcast Host [13:32]

• On suffering:

  “Sweat rolled down his forehead like drops of blood...”
  — Podcast Host on Gethsemane [19:54]

• On redemption:

  “He wore the crown because he bore the curse.”
  — Jentezen Franklin [54:40]

• On hope for everyone:

  "Oh, the millions have come. There's still room for one."
  — Worship Singer [39:44]

• On the meaning of Christ's death:

  "Forgiving and finishing. Not starting and then falling away, but forgiving and finishing."
  — Jentezen Franklin [57:01]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 03:17 | Jentezen Franklin’s opening, invitation to listeners | | 05:03 | Opening worship: “Let the Lion” | | 12:02 | Narrative: The Last Supper and betrayal | | 19:48 | Narrative: Gethsemane and Jesus’s temptation | | 23:50 | Arrest, trial, and crucifixion | | 26:13 | Worship: Son of Suffering | | 33:03 | Franklin returns, promises life-changing moments | | 38:44 | Worship: Room at the Cross | | 41:47 | Worship: Thank You Jesus for the Blood | | 50:51 | Franklin’s main sermon: crown of thorns, forgiveness | | 58:40 | Episode closes |

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Tone and Language

• Language: Uplifting, empathetic, and evocative; balanced between narrative retelling and passionate exhortation.
• Tone: Hopeful, solemn due to the subject matter, but ultimately celebratory and reassuring—as befits an Easter broadcast.

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Summary for New Listeners

This special Easter episode offers a deeply moving blend of storytelling, worship, and biblical insight. Jentezen Franklin and the podcast host lead listeners through the foundational Gospel events of Holy Week, from the Last Supper to the betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion of Jesus, culminating in the message that Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection offer hope and forgiveness to everyone—no matter their past or struggles. Franklin emphasizes that the curse of sin and pain was borne by Christ, and that embracing forgiveness is the key to healing and transformation. Worship music punctuates the message, reinforcing the central theme: there is always room at the cross, and the good news of Easter is for all.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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Guaranteed Human support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.com Ever wonder

[Martha Stewart]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Jensen Franklin]

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[Martha Stewart]

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[Podcast Host]

See full [e-mail] I think when you're diagnosed with cancer, you crave a semblance of normalcy and so work allowed me to be me. So I think it's really important that companies stay flexible. Cancer in a diagnosis can be all consuming, but it doesn't have to be.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Research shows there is a significant connection between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery. We can make work a better place

[Podcast Host]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail]

[Jensen Franklin]

hello, I'm Jensen Franklin and I'm so glad you're watching real America's voice. And I want to encourage you today to know that normally I know you're used to seeing the News being broadcast 24 hours a day all over the world, but the founder of this network wanted to take some time on this Sunday and bring some good news to all the other news. What you do with the next few moments can affect the years ahead your life. So lean in, listen to this message. I believe it's going to speak to you and you're going to encounter a God who loves you and cares about you this very moment.

[Worship Leader]

It's it. Let the lion hail hail I love judah. Let the lion. Sa.

[Worship Singer]

You got thunder in your vocal you got flames in your eyes you got wonder working power pouring down to your side check the tomb all the way through the gravers in the inside ain't no other poor the greatest spirit po of all time you got power demons cower when they healing call you got power that's the towers make goliath sp. You got power to devour any counterfeit you are the lord. You are the lord oh. You are the lord. You are the lord. All those funeral rules you ruined when you made the dead rise heaven healer you just spitting mud you open blind eyes you got wonders I can never could have counterfy try call the doctor and the doctor said I'm giving you tell your enemy the victory is already here more than 60,000 angels just a tip for the spirit one day every knee will bow and every heart will be yours this is the end of the war character score you are the lord. You are the lord. You are the lord. You are the lord.

[Worship Leader]

And we crown you king of glory and we crown you king of glory and we crown you king of glory and we crown you lord of all and we crown you you are worthy and we crown you. You are worthy. We crown you. You are worthy. We crown you Lord and we crown

[Worship Singer]

you King of glory.

[Worship Leader]

We crown you King of glory. We crown you King of glory. We crown you.

[Podcast Host]

In the streets of Jerusalem, crowds gather and anticipate they have heard the most extraordinary news. A time for celebration and song. It's the arrival of the king.

[Worship Leader]

All times and tongues. Let's start singing the sweetest sound Freedom found make it let's start singing Celebrate the king Seated on the throne the glory is yours forever more Celebrate the Son look at what he's done the blood of the Lamb has overcome Celebrate the Seated on the throne oh, the glory is yours forever more Celebrate the sun look at what he done the blood of the Lamb has overcome the greatest days are still ahead. We're just getting started. Holding up. Holden, up. Hold it up. Hold it. Hold it. Hold.

[Podcast Host]

Jesus and his disciples often ate meals together, just the 12 of them. And those times were special. There were no crowds and no one to distract them. They were able to just sit and be with Jesus, to recline next to him and soak in every bit of wisdom he had to give. Most of those suppers with him were full of laughter and joy. But this night was different. It began with a ridiculous argument between the 12, asking Jesus which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, being the patient man that he is, told them simply that the one who serves would be the greatest. He was the prime example of that, was he not? For Jesus was, in fact, the greatest of all. Yet he came to serve us. Each disciple stooped their head low in embarrassment and let the argument go. I would love to tell you that the night was pleasant from there on, that they had a wonderful dinner and laid their heads down in peace. But that's not how it happened. The disciples were heartbroken when Jesus announced that one of them, his friends, would betray him. How could that be? They thought. Who would dare betray their own friend? Each of them questioned, is it me? Is it me? Desperately hoping it was not. As the disciples discussed this with each other, John leaned over to Jesus and asked quietly, who is it that will betray you, Rabbi? His answer was simple. The one who dips his bread into the bowl after I do. And that's when John saw it. A hand reached across the table and dipped into the bowl. The hand belonged to Judas Iscariot. He was secretly betraying Jesus. Judas, the one who had been with them for so long, who had witnessed the miracles Jesus had done. It was he who had betrayed Jesus. John's eyes caught Judas walking out, making no announcement as to where he was going, and no one else questioned his absence. But before John could further discuss the horrible incident, Jesus had already taken some of the bread from their meal and lifted it up, giving thanks to his Father for it. Then he broke the bread and told them, take and eat, for this is my body that is given for you. Then after he raised the cup and gave thanks, saying, this is my blood that is poured out for many as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me. It was at that moment that the disciples realized it was no ordinary supper with their Lord and friend. What they didn't know, however, was that supper would be the last meal they shared with him before he died.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your product prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc, SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures this

[Martha Stewart]

is Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret Getting ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter beforehand so the paper grips and stays in place. Then lay down the Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper so drips and spills stay on the paper, not all over your kitchen counter. You can roll out dough, prep a party spread or cook alongside family when you're done. Cleanup is as simple as lifting the paper and revealing that clean counter underneath. Effortless. You can use it for cooking and baking prep and even crafting, especially when you need extra working space because when the mess is already handled, you can focus on what matters, the food, the people, and the moment. It may look effortless, but now you know, it's Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper. Take a tip from me. Wet it it, set it, prep it, done. Make it easy. Make it with Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper available now in the Reynolds wrap aisle in Walmart.

[Podcast Host]

I think when you're diagnosed with cancer, you crave a semblance of normalcy and control. And so work allowed me to be me. So I think it's really important that companies stay flexible. Cancer in a diagnosis can be all consuming, but it doesn't have to be.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Research shows there is a significant connection between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery. We can make work a better place

[Podcast Host]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail]

[Jensen Franklin]

hello, I'm Jensen Franklin and I want to welcome you to Real America's Voice. There's something that's going to happen, I believe as you watch this program. Lean in, listen, and let's see what God can do in your life.

[Podcast Host]

Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to follow him to the garden of Gethsemane where they would keep watch as he went to pray. They had never seen Jesus like he was that night. His face was full of sorrow. His hands were shaking by his side. Sweat rolled down his forehead like drops of blood. Jesus was in anguish, knowing what was to come. He walked through the garden and eventually fell to the ground, saying, father, if it is possible, please take this cup from me. Jesus knew the gruesome death he had to die in order to save those he loved. And he was scared. He pleaded with his father to take it away from him so that he wouldn't have to suffer nor carry the weight of this burden any longer. Yet at the end of his prayer, he took a deep breath and said, not my will, but yours be done.

[Worship Leader]

A father. Which art in heaven. Hallow it be. Thy

[Worship Singer]

name.

[Worship Leader]

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for sa.

[Podcast Host]

The footsteps of Roman soldiers were heard in the distance, being led by the betrayer with great fear. Peter, James, and John watched as Judas greeted our Lord with a devious kiss, sealing the deal for soldiers to seize him. They violently grabbed his arms and took him away and though Peter tried to stop them, it was Jesus who protested against his rescue. Jesus gave the soldiers permission to drag him away, throwing him into the hands of men who would decide his fate. The Roman soldiers viciously threw Jesus at the feet of Pilate, who interrogated him to see if he was truly guilty of a crime. However, he found no basis for a charge. He even tried many times to set Jesus free. But after the Jewish leaders argued with him, his last option was to turn the decision over to the people. And when he asked the crowd what would they have him do with Jesus, they yelled out in a unified voice, crucify him. Crucify him. Pilate pushed aside his own opinion and washed his hands of the situation, declaring that he was innocent of this man's blood. They tied Jesus to a post and whipped him mercilessly. His skin was torn and the pain that rushed through his body was surely unbearable. Yet he didn't open his mouth, nor did he protest. He took the punishment, knowing that by his wounds we would be healed.

[Worship Leader]

Sam Son of God and all his innocence. You're walking in the d with you and me. He knows what living is. He's acquainted with our grief. A man of sorrow Son of suffering Blood and tears. How can it be? There's a God who weeps there's a God who believes. Oh praise the one who would reach for me. Hallelujah to the son of suffering. And so imagine you all distant and removed. But you chase us down in mercy pursuit to the sinner you were great in the you broken, you embraced. And in the end the. In the end the pr. In your blood and tears. How can it be? There's a God who leaves. There's a God who believes. Oh praise he's the one reaching for me. Hallelujah to the.

[Worship Singer]

Free. Your stripes my healing. All praise king Jesus Glory to God in heaven.

[Worship Leader]

But you still see your love still reaching. All praise king Jesus Glory to God forever. Your cross is my free your stripes are my healing. All praise king Jesus Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is still speaking and your love is still reaching. How great King Jesus. Glory to God forever. And your cross is my freedom and your strength come my healing. All praise king Jesus and glory to God in heaven. You fill me you. How can it be? There's a God who is. There's a God who lead Praise the one one would reach for me. Hallelujah to the shadow.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Support for the show comes from public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now Generated Assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis, analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures this

[Martha Stewart]

is Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret when prepping for cooking and baking, get ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter so the paper grips. Lay it down and drips and spills stay on the paper, not on your counter. Cleanup is as simple as lifting it away to reveal clean counters. Effortless it is thanks to Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper. Wet it, set it, prep it, done. Available in the Reynolds Wrap aisle at Walmart.

[Jensen Franklin]

When I was diagnosed, all I wanted

[Worship Leader]

to do was get back to work. I wanted to get back to that

[Jensen Franklin]

trajectory that I was on prior to the cancer. I always felt like I had value. I had a place on the team

[Martha Stewart]

to just be treated with dignity.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

It means everything. Research shows there is a significant connection between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery. We can make work a better place

[Podcast Host]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail]

[Jensen Franklin]

hello, I'm Jensen Franklin and I want to welcome you to Real America's Voice. If you'll give me the next few moments and listen, you're going to have the opportunity, I believe, to have a moment that can change your life.

[Worship Leader]

Sam the bread, your body and the wine your blood.

[Jensen Franklin]

Sweet communion, set a table for us the crucified Jesus no greater love than

[Worship Leader]

the bread, your body and the wine your blood. Oh we will remember oh Jesus, I savior, oh just

[Jensen Franklin]

to get me closer

[Worship Leader]

than I've ever been oh, we will remember Remember. Oh, we remember Body broken for us. Thank you, Jesus this is our savior look at him look at him this is our savior look at him look at him this is our savior look at him look at him this is our savior look at him look at him Our Christ redeemer Look at him look at him. Jesus our savior oh, just to know you and you're suffering Just to get me closer than I ever been oh, we will be oh, just feel you and you're suffering Just to get me closer than I've ever been oh,

[Worship Singer]

really Will remember.

[Worship Leader]

Sam. Ram. Sam.

[Worship Singer]

To the one holding the needle to the one holding the knife to the one who feels invisible Lost the light inside those eyes to the one stuck in the balance between hopelessness and life There is room at the cross for

[Worship Leader]

you

[Worship Singer]

There is room at the altar There is room at the be There is a room at the table A place for me and fear it's not about being someone else just feeling being true that breaks room at the cross

[Worship Leader]

for you

[Worship Singer]

to the one holding the bottle to the one holding the bait to the one lost in the vapors of working hard to please favorite to the one who seeks acceptance from the fickleness of man oh, there is room and the cross for you There is room at the altar There is a room at the p There is a room at the table A place for me and fe it's not about being someone else the feeling in truth There is room at the cross for you oh, the millions have come. There's still room for one. Though millions have come. There's still room for. There is a room at the altar There is a room at the pe There is a room at the table Place for me and feel it's not about being someone else Feeling and being true at that praise Room at the cross for you.

[Worship Leader]

At that prayer room at the cross for you Sam. I was a wretch I remember who I was I was lost I was blind I was running out of time and sin separated the preach was far too wide but from the far side of the chasm you held me in your sight so you made a way across the great divide left behind heaven's throne to build it here inside and there at the cross you paid the debt I hold broke my chains free my soul and for the first time I had hope and thank you Jesus for the blood of life and thank you, Jesus it has washed me wide and thank you, Jesus you have saved my life Called me from the darkness into glorious Come on Will you stand with me and worship today? And there is nothing stronger than the want to work in power. Because the sons and daughters we. There is nothing stronger and the wonder woman working power. Jesus come alive thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus you have sa me from the darkness into glorious God you Jesus for the blood alive Jesus wash me wide and thank you Jesus you have saved.

[Worship Singer]

Thank you for the cross I praise you I praise you without it I belong there's no love like your love A thousand songs a night love I I sing thank you for the cross I praise you praise without it I

[Worship Leader]

belong there's no love like your love A thousand songs in my love there's no love like your love A thousand

[Worship Singer]

songs there's no love like your love A thousand songs Hard enough to say thank you thank you for the cross.

[Worship Leader]

Nothing but the light of Jesus. Jesus Nothing but the blood of Jesus Nothing but the blood of Jesus Hallelujah to the king of kings today oh, we praise you, Jesus almighty Jesus Come on, we sing a hallelujah A hallelujah oh, it was the blood could have only been the blood Hallelujah hallel the only was a blood oh, it's never been about performance per se

[Worship Singer]

for

[Worship Leader]

tell you it's only by the blood oh, it's never been about to serve it or burning It's a gift that's freely given Let me tell you it's only by the blood Come on Does anybody want to be holy of my days Purify father Let me tell you it's the blood of the does anybody want to you are forgiven justified Let me tell you come on. A hallel. I know it was a bl could have only fel a hallelujah. I know it was the blood could only be. Hallelujah I know it was the blood Couldn't hold it we say thank you, Jesus thank you, Jesus let's give him

[Jensen Franklin]

the praise this morning. Lord Jesus, we honor you. We praise you. We thank you with our grateful hearts, Lord. We magnify and exalt your name this morning Praise your name. Praise your name Jesus. Do you love him this morning. You may be seated. Hello, I'm Jensen Franklin, and I. I want to welcome you to real America's voice. Maybe you've been going through some things and you've had moments that have discouraged you. Or maybe you just feel like you've messed up and you can't recover. This message is for you. I believe it's going to speak to you this very Moment. Matthew chapter 27 said that they led Jesus to Caiaphas house. And there a band of soldiers, which would have been, according to the commentary, 600 Roman soldiers were assigned to take him. And the scripture gives graphic details. They beat him with their fists. They slapped him with their palms. They took reeds and clubs and beat his head. They pulled his beard from his face. They would make incisions and start on one side. And we think that they just tore some pieces of hair. But they would tear the whole face of the victim until he was unrecognizable. And then, in what seems to be a cruel joke, they saw some thorns and put together a crown of thorns and shoved it on the temple of Jesus and then took a reed of sticks and they began to hit and pound onto the crown of thorns, driving those thorns deep, deeper and deeper to the temple of Jesus. And even though it seems that it was just a random thing, it was not a random thought. It was the divine plan of God that Jesus be crowned with thorns. Genesis chapter three said that when Adam and Eve were in the garden, garden in its original condition, there were no thorns, no briars. But after they sinned and disobeyed God and sin came into the world and onto the human race. Suddenly, the Bible said, the fields and the plants began to give forth thorns. And in that moment, the emblem for sin, sin for death, for addiction, for bondage, for suicide, for hopelessness, for depression, fear, worry, sickness, disease, the emblem of all of it, became the thorn. So it's no wonder that when Jesus went to the cross, it was a thorny path. And when Adam and Eve fell in that garden, that's where pain came from. That's where sickness came from. That's where disease came from. That's where death came from. What I'm trying to say to you simply is when they put the crown of thorns on Jesus, listen now carefully, carefully. He wore the crown because he bore the curse. He took the curse on himself. And when they carried him to the cross and he bled after they had beaten him with those reeds and drove those thorns into his skull and nailed him with the nails to the cross, cross. He bled, and he died for you and for me. That's why the picture is drawn centuries before in Genesis 33, of a man named Abraham being told by God to take his son up a mountain called Moriah. Listen carefully. Which would become, 2,000 years later, the same hill that his name called Calvary. Mount Moriah and that place are synonymous. They are the same. Abraham didn't even know what he was doing. But he put the wood on his son's back, and the son is carrying the wood just like Jesus carried the cross. Two thousand years later, Abraham lays his son son on the altar and raises the knife. And just as he is about to sacrifice him, something strange happens. An angel says, don't do it. He's dispatched from heaven, and he says, don't do it, Abraham. God was testing you. There's a sacrifice. There's a ram. Listen to the wording. Whose head and horn is caught in the thicket. The word thicket in the Hebrew language is thorn, patch. The. The ram that has the thorns on his head is God's choice for the sacrifice that will set your son free, Abraham. And when you see the crown of thorns on the sacrifice, you'll know that that blood is enough to set you free from anything that is trying to kill you and destroy you and destroy your purpose and your future. And what did Jesus say? Two powerful statements. Number one, he said, father, forgive them. They know not what I do. What was on his mind as he was leaving this world. I need to really, really, really check myself and make sure I have released forgiveness and that I have received the forgiveness and that I have forgiven myself. Father, forgive them any and all, release forgiveness this Easter. Let it heal your family. Let it heal your relationships. Get the bitterness and the hostility out of your spirit by saying, father, forgive them. And. And then Jesus said, it is finished. He talked about forgiving and finishing. Not starting and then falling away, but forgiving and finishing. One of these days, the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead, three days after that crucifixion is going to quicken our bodies. Now, I'm going to tell you something. If you can't believe in the resurrection, you can't believe in the rapture.

[Podcast Host]

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