(Inspired by John 19: 31-42) Once Jesus had died on the cross, His mother and young John, His best friend, couldn’t leave. It was like they were nailed to the spot. They stood there for quite some time, staring at the abused body of the Lord, unable to mentally process what had been done to the Son of God and Savior of the world. “Orders from the procurator!” a Roman soldier, who had just marched up to the execution detail, shouted. “What are they?” growled the guard in charge. “The Jews’ Sabbath day is supposed to start in a couple of hours,” the soldier reported. “At the request of the chief priests, the procurator orders that the legs of the prisoners be broken to allow them to die quickly. He wants them all three dead and off the crosses before the trumpets from the temple signal ... Read More about 44 – Time to Take a Stand
43 – The Lamb of God Revealed
(Inspired by John 19:17-30) After Pilate had given the order to crucify Jesus, two other condemned criminals who were thieves were brought out to join Him. A large wooden beam was placed across the shoulders of each, and their arms were tied to it. When the heavy, rough wood was dropped on Jesus’s severely lacerated back, intense pain shot through his body. As all of this was taking place, Pilate had gone back into the Roman headquarters and called a scribe. “Take a piece of parchment,” the governor ordered, “and write on it in large letters, ‘JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ I want everyone to be able to read it, so write it in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, or whatever it is the Jews speak.” “They speak Jewish Aramaic, Excellency,” the sleepy scribe returned humbly. “Well, write ... Read More about 43 – The Lamb of God Revealed
42 – Satan Is Allowed His Way
(Inspired by John 19: 1-16) Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, stood before the chanting crowd and literally felt sick to his stomach. He knew that the chief priests had arrested Jesus the Nazarene out of pure jealousy. Their hatred of the teacher was so great that they were doing everything they could to force Pilate to kill him, but Pilate knew the Nazarene was innocent. The governor felt sure that he could appeal to the common people, who were supposed to like Jesus, and he would be able to release the teacher. That’s why he offered them a choice of releasing Jesus or Barabbas, a murderer and thief. To hear the people responding to the pressure of the chief priest by crying for the release of Barabbas over a guiltless man disgusted him. The gloating smile on the face of Caiaphas, ... Read More about 42 – Satan Is Allowed His Way
41 – Truth’s Witness
(Inspired by John 18: 28-40) Things were going Caiaphas’s way, and he was quite pleased about it. He and his cronies had arrested Jesus, the controversial teacher from Nazareth, and had managed to finagle a death sentence for Him. Now only one step remained to complete their plan to kill Jesus, and that was to convince Pilate, the Roman governor, to carry out the sentence. When the detail of Roman soldiers sent to assist the high priest’s guards with the arrest arrived at the military barracks, they marched straight in with the prisoner. All of the Jewish leaders stopped at the gate. This took place so early in the morning that the servants had to wake Pilate up. He was still hurriedly tugging on his robe when he rushed into the large hall where the soldiers waited with Jesus. The ... Read More about 41 – Truth’s Witness
40 – Discovering You’re Not Who You Think You Are
(Inspired by John 18: 12-27) As Jesus’s disciples fled through the dark, forested hillside, the Roman soldiers roughly arrested Jesus and tied His hands like a criminal. Satisfied that the first part of their orders were completed, the Roman cohort and the temple guards marched the Nazarene down the hill, across the Kidron Valley, and into the sleeping city. After escaping the pursuing militia, Rock ran into young John and pulled him into the dark shadows of a large rock. “They took the Teacher, Rock,” John said in anguish, “and we didn’t do anything to stop it!” “I tried,” Rock said defending himself, “but the Master wouldn’t let me! He made me put away my sword!” “There were too many of them,” John returned. “He probably saved your life. It turned out like He said. He got taken by ... Read More about 40 – Discovering You’re Not Who You Think You Are
39 – God’s costly Cup
(Inspired by John 18:1-11) When Jesus completed His special prayer for his followers, He turned and led them to the little garden that was His favorite spot on the Mount of Olives. The burden that He was carrying was almost more than He could bear, and He needed to spend what time He had left talking with His Father about it. Judas of Kerioth had not hesitated when he rushed away from the disciples’ Passover meal. He quickly made his way through the city to the house of Caiaphas to complete the deal for betraying the Teacher. He was hoping to tell them where to find Jesus, collect his money, and leave. He never wanted to have to see Jesus or any of the others ever again, but Caiaphas had other plans. There would be no mistakes tonight. The guards were ordered to take Judas with them. ... Read More about 39 – God’s costly Cup