The Cross And The Sword

“What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” But they shouted back, “No!…

As Prophesied

“Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way he would die.) (John 18:31-32) Read: 1 Corinthians 14:1 – 15:58 Relate: There was a group of pirates who worked off a part of…

Judas

Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove. (John 18:2-3) Read: Acts 12:6 – 14:20 Relate: I was looking…

The Big Ask

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy… Then you will ask…

Information Gap

 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” (John 16:17-18) Read: Matthew 19:1-30, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 18:9-30…

John 5:39-40 (The Point)

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. (John 5:39-40) Read:  1 Samuel 6:12-23, 1 Chronicles 15:1 – 16:43 Relate: There’s this pastor in New York City named Tim. Tim is the pastor of Redeemer…

John 5:14-15 (Sin)

But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. (John 5:14-15) Read: 1 Samuel 13:1 – 14:52, 1 Chronicles 9:35-39 Relate: Sin. When the woman…

A Different Road

If Jesus wanted to be the Messiah they were expecting, there could not be a better time. If He wanted to set up an earthly kingdom and avoid the scandal of the cross, now was the time. They were ready.