Read John 20:11-14 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. – John 20:11 (NLT) God knows where each of us is on our path to belief and surrender. He is willing to give us the additional time and experience we need to come to faith. If you are facing a spiritual…
Read John 19:38-42 When Pilate gave permission, Joseph [of Arimathea] came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. –…
Read John 19:28-37 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he…
Read John 19:17-27 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple…
Read John 19:12-16 Then Pilate tried to release [Jesus], but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.” … Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. – John 19:12,16a (NLT) When pressure comes upon someone, you find out what’s…
Read John 18:38-19:11 Then Jesus said [to Pilate], “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” – John 19:11 (NLT) As with Pilate and the Jewish leaders, there are selfish, cruel or evil powers in our world, but…
Read John 18:28-38a Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. – John 18:37-38a (NLT) The truth of God affects everyone. It…
Read John 18:25-27 Again Peter denied [knowing Jesus]. And immediately a rooster crowed. – John 18:27 (NLT) Pruning hurts, at least at first. Even though Jesus had predicted it to Peter, he still denied knowing Jesus three times. The crowing of the rooster brought Jesus’ words back to Peter, and he was devastated. But we will see later that he…
Read John 18:19-24 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?” – John 18:23 (NLT) The authority of Jesus comes through loud and clear. Annas has no answer, and sends Him to Caiaphas. The world has no real answer to the claims of Jesus, and often…
Read John 18:13-18 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. … The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” – John 18: 15a, 17 (NLT) Following where Jesus is going can take us into uncomfortable places. We may find ourselves in hostile environments, like Peter; we…