Satan

When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” (John 12:29-31) Read: 1 Chronicles 4:24 – 5:17, Psalms 137:1-9, Jeremiah 52:28-30, Ezekiel 32:17 – 33:20 Relate: In the five…

Reflection on Seeds and Dying

Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in…

Your King Is Coming

Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:14-15) Read: Lamentations 2:1 – 4:22 Relate: Way back in the time of Abraham there was a priest/king who the patriarch paid his tithes to. His name…

Among You

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:7-8) Read: Jeremiah 32:1 – 33:26, Ezekiel 26:1-14 Relate: You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. It was in a…

The Ice Bucket Challenge

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. (John…

The Alabaster Jar

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she…

Early Expectations

So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.  As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples. It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover…

Jesus Unites

He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. (John 11:51-52) Read: Ezekiel 17:1 – 19:14 Relate: Every…

One For Many

Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” (John 11:49-50) Read: Ezekiel 14:1 – 16:63 Relate: Which is more important, the individual or the group? Would…