Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Read Acts 2:23, 3:18; Psalm 22:16,18
“God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.” (Acts 2:23)
Jesus of Nazareth had a magnificent obsession: the cross. He was consumed by a compelling sense of divine providence, and each day of His adult life drew Him inexorably closer to the fulfilment of His mission.
Read Matthew 27:21–22
“Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:21–22)
Read John 18:12; Romans 5:8
So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. (John 18:12)
Jesus’ first three trials were religious in nature. The accusation was blasphemy, which was an offense that was admissible only in a Jewish court of law. So when Jesus stood before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin (trials one, two, and three), He was accused of blasphemy. But the charge of blasphemy meant nothing in a Roman court of law.
Read Mark 15:1–2
They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.” (Mark 15:1–2)
Read Mark 14:30–31
“Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (Mark 14:30–31)
Read Mark 14:37–38; Luke 9:23
“Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:37–38)
Read Mark 14:27–28
Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” (Mark 14:27–28)
Read Luke 22:1–2
Passover was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. (Luke 22:1–2 (NLT))
On His last night with His disciples, Jesus celebrated the Passover as devout Jews had been doing for centuries. Appropriately, He used that feast of remembrance to turn their attention to His own approaching death.
Read Isaiah 53:2
My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. (Isaiah 53:2 (NLT))
What did Christ look like to the men, women, and children who met Him? To be completely honest, probably not much like the images we see in stained-glass windows.
I am nevertheless convinced that Curiosity and Challenge are the healthy twins in the Discernment family. They are dressed alike until they grow up and become more refined and distinct.
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