Our challenge this week is to focus each day on a small part of John's account of the Passion week, bringing us through the death of Christ right into resurrection morning.
Use this reading schedule each day to draw closer to the Lord and worship everyday in light of our Savior and King. Feel free to share any thoughts or testimonies you may have in the comment section below. If you are reading this from the church website, here is the direct link to my blog to post comments there: http://fbcthinkoutloud.blogspot.com/
Let's unify and share together in our reading this week of John 18-20
Here is the reading schedule for the week:
Sunday: 18:1-18
Monday 18:19-40
Tuesday 19:1-7
Wednesday 19:7-13
Thursday 19:14-22
Friday 19:23-30
Saturday: 19:31-42
Sunday: Chapter 20
May God help us: Get in the Word, and live the Word, and give the Word.
John 18:6 I was wondering what made this band of soldiers fall backward and to the ground? Was it angels mysteriously showing their presence? Was it their own guilt and recognition of WHO this really was that weakened their knees? Or was it an extra ounce of the glory of God being revealed emanating from God the Son?
ReplyDeleteWhatever it was - I like it!
John 18:2-- I love that Jesus and his followers had their own special spot. It says that they had been there many times together. I bet those guys felt pretty cool to be in Jesus' inner circle. I feel pretty amazed and thankful that Jesus wants to hang out with me too.
ReplyDeleteI like the soldier part too. I wonder how long it took them to get themselves together.
ReplyDeleteI am struck by the awesome presence of Jesus. In verse 11 he says "the cup that my father has given me, shall I not drink it?" He knows what he needs to do all the while Peter is cutting peoples ears off.
John 19:1-7 The lack of justice in Christ's trial is terrifying. Pilate has Jesus scourged and publicly mocked and then comes out and says, “I find no fault in him.” This coupled with the hatred of the Jews provides a clear description of how many people today respond to Jesus and His gospel: with ignorance, illogic, and hatred. I trust God helps us articulate clearly and with compassion to those who have yet to KNOW JESUS.
ReplyDeleteI have a study bible and I am constantly learning something new and more in depth. For example, I didn't know why the Jews came to Pilate for approval for killing Jesus. I learned that in order to keep the Jewish requirements they needed a Roman Governor's permission. I thought it was interesting how Pilate found "no charge against him (Jesus)" four different times before Jesus' crucifixion. For me, this and Peter's reaction earlier, showed me that no matter many people tried to "intervene", God's plan was going to happen (did happen). As treacherously awful as it was I can find no greater blessing.
ReplyDeleteSo true, it is amazing to see the difference between true power and positional "power". Pilate has the authority position in man's eyes, but is so weak. He serves as a pawn for the Jewish authorities and in sovereign fashion - god uses all of it for His ultimate purpose and our eternal good - It causes me to consider just how little I understand of current events around us in light of God's plan for us and the ages. John 19:7-13 brought more of this to mind.
DeleteWhat stuck me today in vs 11 is that Jesus knows the truth and He knows God's plan - He is unmoved even in the face of such hatred.
ReplyDeleteThe Scripture is fulfilled, all is completed, my sin debt is paid.
ReplyDeleteJohn 19:23,24 The coat taken off this crucified one, more desired and valued than the one who had worn it. Salvaged from the pile at the foot of the cross, scooped up just before the blood began to soil it, and given to the one with the highest roll. A twisted world where a well-made coat catches man's focus and the well-worn Savior dies in the backdrop. Blood drops, soldiers scuffle, a mother morns, heaven stands still, and the future.....
ReplyDeletePerhaps in one of the most powerful verses in the whole of Scripture, Jesus says in verse 30, "It is finished." He did not say "I am finished." Nor did he say, "They are finished", as if He were passing judgement. With His favorite disciple and His mother looking on, he did not even say, "We are finished."
ReplyDelete"It is finished." The "it" was the atonement required for my sin. That is so incredible.
Just one more thought... in light of the pronouns that Jesus did *not* use as He gave up the spirit, it's truly a miracle then, that the world only faced darkness and earthquakes at that moment. I speculate, but I think that, had the Lord's judgment not been fulfilled and satisfied as Christ breathed His last, the world would have faced the judgment and condemnation it deserved.
Enjoyed reading your words Ryan, thanks for thinking outloud with us. Are there any more powerful words than "It is finished".
ReplyDelete