Despite the fact that Jesus declared that it is finished, the story is not over. The power in the death of Jesus is made of effect when met with His resurrection. And it is exactly that that we will talk about this week.John 20 opens up with Mary Magdalene going early to the tomb. When she gets there, she sees that the stone had been removed from the tomb. She ran back to Simon Peter and the disci...

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”3 Peter therefore went out, and the other discipl...

When was the last time you spent time in thanksgiving to the Lord for the work of the cross? Take 15 minutes this morning and praise the Lord for the finished work. Thank the Lord for sending His Son.......

I posed a question in yesterday's devotion: Do I believe the cross completed the work? I could argue semantically that I don't entirely simply given the fact that there were prophecies fulfilled after that statement and the fact that the resurrection is necessary to demonstrate that death ahs been overcome. But then again, that would be to look at the statement of Jesus from an incorrect perspecti...

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.-Hebrews 4:1The finished work of the cross of Christ has been a prominent theme showing up for me in recent weeks. It is exciting to continue reflecting on this reality.I remember, as the hopeless romantic that I was, many shows and movies that went something along these lines. Guy me...

There are three major themes, among other major themes, that I am going to highlight. Let us remember the purpose of John's writing. He is writing that the reader may believe. He is writing that the believer would be reinforced in their belief. With that, these three key elements truly stand out.To being, the first major theme is that Jesus freely gives up His own life. Jesus speaks with Pilate wh...

In this context, it is difficult to exactly explain what the connection would be. This is the very thing all points in Scripture connect too. In a broad stroke, one might answer that the connection is the very word of God in totality. This is the substance that casts the shadow of things to come in the Old Testament. It is the thing the New Testament is written in light of. This is the point that ...

The results for Jesus' trial are in! As Barabbas was released, Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. A twisted crown of thorns was placed on His head, a purple robe draped over His shoulders, and he was beaten. After this, Pilate presents Jesus to the people. It is understood that the hope would be that the people would accept the judgment that was brought upon Jesus. As we all know, they were not s...

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the cr...

Pray for the revelation of the Lord to be given you. If you need to repent for sharing a similar conviction I shared, I encourage time of repentance. Do as James 4 instructs:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.-James 4:10......

Having continued to reflect on this passage, all the more I desire to look upon Jesus example of suffering. We have so many media interpretations of what suffering looks like and how to suffer well. Jesus trumps all of them. In His suffering, He was not self-seeking. The contrast is that Peter was concerned entirely for himself. Let's look at what James says concerning self-seeking.14 But if you h...

I am caught considering what social pressures I succumb too. The threat was very real for Jesus as He endured His trial, and the potential of the threat was very real for Peter as well. Nevertheless, the pressure of those around him calling him out for being associated with Jesus led Peter to deny Jesus 3 times. So I come to this place humbly considering my own state. While I do not blatantly deny...

Do you remember that old disciple who said he would never abandon Jesus? Do you remember the disciple that cut off the ear of Malchus in order to defend Jesus? That very same disciple, by the name of Peter, has his own narrative going on at the same time Jesus' trials are going on. While Jesus is under going scrutiny, so is Peter. There almost appears to be this compare and contrast element happen...

Many scholars have noted a very interesting take on this passage. It is a common expression that we have adopted with Christ being our Passover Lamb. This section brings that to life a little bit more. We see something take place in Exodus 12 with the lamb that would be offered for sacrifice.Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month shall be your beginning o...

Finally being in the hands of the Jews, Jesus is brought to trial. Now get ready for this one because there is a lot of back and forth going on.To begin, Jesus is brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was High Priest that year. We are not given a whole lot of detail, but we see that Jesus is questioned concerning His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus' response was not received we...