28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." 31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled. 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." 38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?" 40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
What is truth? That is the question that keeps coming back over and over, no matter what year it is. Last night we were talking in Women's Society about the Canons of Dordt where it talks about the reprobate, the group of people who do not belong to God's Kingdom. Here is a true example of a group of people who want absolutely nothing to do with God/Jesus, who are determined to see Him killed. Even though this is all part of God's plan these people are still responsible for what they did. This is also the same for us, when we do wrong, we are still responsible for what we have done, however, the wonderful news is that when we truly confess and repent we KNOW that we are forgiven and we do not have to pay back that debt since Jesus did that for us on the cross. Thank you LORD!
Friday, January 10, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
John 18:25-27
25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
My grandchild fell off his chair the other day and hurt himself. His Mom said, I warned you to sit still and yet you keep doing it and now you're hurt. My grandson says, I know, I know, but it just happens.... Can't you hear Peter fighting this same fight? I will never deny you, he told Jesus, but here he is denying Jesus at the same time Jesus is on trial, fighting for His life. This is who we are, when the sinner in us takes over. That's our default position. Read Romans 7:7-25 to get another sense of this struggle, but then remember that if Christ can rise from the dead He can surely help me with my saint/sinner struggle too. I will continue to pray for His Holy Spirit to work in my heart and even if I don't feel it, I know and believe He is there.
My grandchild fell off his chair the other day and hurt himself. His Mom said, I warned you to sit still and yet you keep doing it and now you're hurt. My grandson says, I know, I know, but it just happens.... Can't you hear Peter fighting this same fight? I will never deny you, he told Jesus, but here he is denying Jesus at the same time Jesus is on trial, fighting for His life. This is who we are, when the sinner in us takes over. That's our default position. Read Romans 7:7-25 to get another sense of this struggle, but then remember that if Christ can rise from the dead He can surely help me with my saint/sinner struggle too. I will continue to pray for His Holy Spirit to work in my heart and even if I don't feel it, I know and believe He is there.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
John 18:18-24
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Have you ever felt that someone did not understand you, in fact said something to really hurt or judge you? That's what I think Jesus must have been going through here. He was so open about His teachings and yet people just did not want to listen, the Jewish ruling council seemed to go out of their way to NOT listen to Him. This is another example of Jesus understanding what I go through when I can't make people understand. This is another example of details God is working with to make sure Jesus went to the cross. What might be the reason God has for not allowing people to understand me or you? Perhaps to teach me to listen??? or help me understand Jesus' suffering for me???
Have you ever felt that someone did not understand you, in fact said something to really hurt or judge you? That's what I think Jesus must have been going through here. He was so open about His teachings and yet people just did not want to listen, the Jewish ruling council seemed to go out of their way to NOT listen to Him. This is another example of Jesus understanding what I go through when I can't make people understand. This is another example of details God is working with to make sure Jesus went to the cross. What might be the reason God has for not allowing people to understand me or you? Perhaps to teach me to listen??? or help me understand Jesus' suffering for me???
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
John 18:15-18
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
Can you imagine Peter, sneaking around trying to get inside to stay close to Jesus but then having to lie about knowing Him? Even as he denied Jesus he probably felt bad but because he wanted to stay close he probably justified it in his mind. That's so easy to do, to justify our actions. I also often wonder why the other disciple was not questioned, but again it really is about God's plan. We hear about Peter because God had planned his denial so that later God could use Peter to glorify Him, to teach others about Him. It kind of blows me away when I think about how God plans these "little" details, days, weeks, months, years in advance of other parts of His plan!
Can you imagine Peter, sneaking around trying to get inside to stay close to Jesus but then having to lie about knowing Him? Even as he denied Jesus he probably felt bad but because he wanted to stay close he probably justified it in his mind. That's so easy to do, to justify our actions. I also often wonder why the other disciple was not questioned, but again it really is about God's plan. We hear about Peter because God had planned his denial so that later God could use Peter to glorify Him, to teach others about Him. It kind of blows me away when I think about how God plans these "little" details, days, weeks, months, years in advance of other parts of His plan!
Monday, January 6, 2014
John 18:19-24
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
We had a very interesting sermon yesterday afternoon, where the minister spoke on Jesus' trial. I always wondered why Jesus had to go through this trial, to be mocked and yet stand up for what was right. I think I really understood why yesterday because this human trial had to be held so that an important human being, namely Pilate, had to confirm that Jesus was sinless, and yet He had to die! Earthly government people, and us too for that matter, often think they make all the decisions themselves but truly they, and we, only have the authority that God gives us. God planned for Jesus to suffer and to die so that our sins might be paid for to God Himself, so that God's wrath against us would not happen. Therefore even this "trial" was in God's hands and no future generations could say that Jesus may have sinned somewhere along the line and that's why He was crucified. No, we have historical proof that a human trial eventually deems Him innocent. Amazing as we watch God's hand in this area too. Where is God in the details of YOUR life?
We had a very interesting sermon yesterday afternoon, where the minister spoke on Jesus' trial. I always wondered why Jesus had to go through this trial, to be mocked and yet stand up for what was right. I think I really understood why yesterday because this human trial had to be held so that an important human being, namely Pilate, had to confirm that Jesus was sinless, and yet He had to die! Earthly government people, and us too for that matter, often think they make all the decisions themselves but truly they, and we, only have the authority that God gives us. God planned for Jesus to suffer and to die so that our sins might be paid for to God Himself, so that God's wrath against us would not happen. Therefore even this "trial" was in God's hands and no future generations could say that Jesus may have sinned somewhere along the line and that's why He was crucified. No, we have historical proof that a human trial eventually deems Him innocent. Amazing as we watch God's hand in this area too. Where is God in the details of YOUR life?
Friday, January 3, 2014
John 18:15-18
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
How do we deny God/Jesus? This was Peter's first denial at this time of Jesus' "trial", but don't we do this everyday? When I forget to go to Him in prayer, trying to do things myself first and then, oh yeah, I should pray about this, even though I've actually already made up my mind what to do. I have to be reminded over and over I can't do this life by myself. I need my Saviour and His Holy Spirit. That's what I need to pray for every day, 70 times a day!
How do we deny God/Jesus? This was Peter's first denial at this time of Jesus' "trial", but don't we do this everyday? When I forget to go to Him in prayer, trying to do things myself first and then, oh yeah, I should pray about this, even though I've actually already made up my mind what to do. I have to be reminded over and over I can't do this life by myself. I need my Saviour and His Holy Spirit. That's what I need to pray for every day, 70 times a day!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
John 18:12-14
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
We remember the birth of a unique special man this past Christmas, but now we go forward into 2014. I would like to wish everyone God's blessings in 2014, as we try to serve Him this year! May the words of verse 14 resonate in our hearts, "that it would be good if one man died for the people." That's you and me! Christ died for us, that we might live in 2014, to imitate Him, to love Him, trust Him, obey Him in our love!! But together let's also look forward to the day when He WILL return again. Maranatha, Come LORD Jesus!
We remember the birth of a unique special man this past Christmas, but now we go forward into 2014. I would like to wish everyone God's blessings in 2014, as we try to serve Him this year! May the words of verse 14 resonate in our hearts, "that it would be good if one man died for the people." That's you and me! Christ died for us, that we might live in 2014, to imitate Him, to love Him, trust Him, obey Him in our love!! But together let's also look forward to the day when He WILL return again. Maranatha, Come LORD Jesus!
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