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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/14): Matthew 3:1-12.

Sep14

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“…and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:6

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REVIEW – Quite a while has passed since the last reading. Joseph brought his family back to Nazareth and settled there. Matthew says nothing about that time. Luke tells of one incident when Jesus went with his family to Jerusalem at age 12 and astonished the teachers by his questions and answers. (Luke 2:38-52) But that’s all we knew.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

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Matthew 3:1-6.

About 30 years after Jesus’ birth, a man who looked much like the prophet Elijah appeared on the scene. It was John, Jesus’ cousin and the son of the priest Zacheriah and Elizabeth. He became known as John the Baptist because that is what he did. He was also a mighty preacher.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was his sermon topic.

Matthew tells us that this John was one who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'” (Isaiah 40:3-5) He was preparing the way for Jesus to begin His ministry.

And John indeed DID look like Elijah. He wore a “garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.”

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(NOTE: I have eaten fried grasshoppers while on a short mission trip to Africa. They are like crunchy little twigs and taste like … grass.” I suppose there is protein in them, and many Africans catch and eat these often. But… also I’ve read that the “locusts” mentioned “could” be the pods of the locust tree, which are very much like carob. “Food” for thought.)

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Matthew tells us that people from Jerusalem and all Judea went out to hear John preach and were baptized by him in the Jordan River… confessing their sins. True repentance, or a change of heart, DOES produce a willingness to confess sins.

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(NOTE: John’s baptism had its roots in Jewish purification rituals, but did require repentance. Jews of that day who were baptized by John were ‘saying’ that they had been as Gentiles and needed to become the people of God genuinely. (This was an amazing admission!) John’s baptism is different from Christian baptism, which symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. See Romans 6:3-5. Here, John was preparing hearts to meet the Messiah.)

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Matthew 3:7-10.

However… not all Jews who came to hear John preach were interested in a change of heart. John recognized the legalistic Pharisees and the liberal Sadducees who came to “check him out” as the hypocrites they were.

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Seeing their superior looks and stances, John continued.

“And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children of Abraham. Even now … the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!”

This shocked these religious leaders. They believed that the wrath of God was coming only upon the Gentiles.

Then John really gives it to them, and to anyone else who came only “to see the show.”

“I baptize you with WATER for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. HE will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire!”

Whew! John truly was a “fire and brimstone preacher.”

Note the three types of baptism John mentions: with water, with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. 1) John’s baptism with water symbolized cleansing. 2) All believers are Spirit-baptized. 3) Because fire symbolized judgment, this was probably the “baptism” upon the unrepentant.

The picture of the Messiah’s “winnowing fork” tells of the separation between believers and those who reject Him.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/4): John 21:15-23.

Sep4

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“What is that to you? YOU follow me.” John 21:23.

REVIEW – Back in Galilee, seven of the disciples decide to go fishing – their OLD occupation – while they wait for Jesus. This effort yields zero fish. Then Jesus appears and basically tells them how to do their job. They obey, and this time the reward is a humongous catch of fish. (Lesson one: without Jesus, we can do nothing. But submit to Him, and our efforts will be fruitful, 30x, 60x, or even 100x.)

Jesus had prepared some bread and grilled fish for breakfast. He could have multiplied His small amount to feed them all, but He asked the disciples to bring some of the fish THEY had caught to the meal. He finished cooking them, broke the bread, and passed around this “familiar” meal. (Lesson two: Jesus can use whatever we willingly give Him to further His Kingdom and bless others.)

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John 31:15-17.

After breakfast, no one left the circle; instead, they turned toward Jesus, perhaps expecting Him to give them more instruction. They all learned something that morning; it’s true, but it was to Peter that Jesus directed His words.

“Simon, son of John (bar Jonah), do you love me MORE THAN THESE?” (Notice that Jesus uses Peter’s “old” name, meaning he was “walking in the flesh, not the spirit.” Peter remembered how he had at one time boasted that, “Though THEY ALL fall away because of you, I WILL NEVER fall away!” Matt.26:33)

“Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” Did he feel the hot stares of the other disciples on him? Did he glance around at the other disciples for confirmation? All were silent. But they HAD heard.

Jesus didn’t contradict Peter; He instructed him, “Feed My lambs.” Peter’s mission was to care more for OTHERS than for himself.

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Then Jesus continued. “Simon, bar Jonah, do you love ME?”

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” Peter said, perhaps more quietly. Was he remembering how he’d once, twice… three times denied Jesus? Swearing that he did not even KNOW his Lord? I can imagine Peter squeezing his eyes closed as tears began.

“Tend My sheep,” Jesus instructed, challenging Peter to be a good shepherd over those he would lead, as his Master was.

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And then, for the third time, came that stinging, probing question, “Simon bar Jonah, do you love me?”

Peter, grieved perhaps as much as when he’d heard the rooster crow and remembered Jesus’ dark prediction, may have fallen to his knees at this point. “Lord … You know everything! You KNOW that I love You!”

Peter’s true humility and sorrow for his denials are revealed. Jesus knew it, but now the other disciples had witnessed it. He grew tall again in their estimation, although he was bowed low at Jesus’ feet. The others could now trust him to lead them again.

I imagine Jesus gently smiling as he reached out and pulled Peter to his feet. “Feed my sheep.” And I imagine Peter nodded.

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John had now shown the THIRD thing he wanted to make clear in this “epilogue chapter” – Peter’s reinstatement into leadership. That done, he was ready for that pesky rumor. The FOURTH thing he needed to do was reveal how the rumor started, then refute it.

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John 31:18-23.

After Jesus finished calling out the veracity of Peter’s love, and seeing Peter humble himself for ready service, He led him apart for a different revelation. Best friend John followed quietly along.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, Peter, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

Jesus said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. (imprisonment and crucifixion – stretching out his hands)

Perhaps Peter was thinking about Jesus’ words to them in Matthew 16:24-28. Read them now as Peter might have been recalling them….

  • Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • 16:25 – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  • 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
  • 16:27 – “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done,
  • AND THEN…..
  • 16:28 – “Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Wait, what? What did Peter just remember???

Walking with Jesus on the beach of Galilee, after breakfast and a difficult but sweet time of restoration, Peter remembered THOSE WORDS?

He looks at John and says to Jesus, “Lord, what about THIS man?”

Oh, no, that not-so-friendly competition raises its head. If Peter is destined to die, crucified, what about John? Will he suffer that death too? Or will he be one of those who…?

Then Jesus speaks the words that someone heard and spread as a rumor. “If it is My will that he remain until I come…what is it to you? YOU follow me.”

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Of course, Jesus was not promising that His beloved disciple would live until He returned. Jesus’ point was for Peter to ‘mind his own business.’ Peter was to accomplish Jesus’ will for HIS life, and not look at others’. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Peter! Follow in His steps.

By telling how it started, John hoped to quell this rumor.

By the way, Peter lived 30 more years and was martyred in Rome by crucifixion, hanging upside down. John lived 60+ more years and suffered torture and exile. God preserved him to write the book of Revelation; then he died a natural death of old age.

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John 21:24-25.

John then attests to the fact that it is HE, JOHN, who has written this. He is a WITNESS of these things. That should settle it. And then, before he lays his quill down for the final time, John’s mind is filled with many, many other things he could write about Jesus. Then he “waxed poetic.”

“Were every one of the things that Jesus did to be written… I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

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“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.“

The famous last stanza of the classic Christian hymn The Love of God, written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917.

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Next up, The Gospel of Matthew.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/1): John 20:19-29.

Sep1

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“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

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REVIEW – Jesus has risen from the dead. God is satisfied that Jesus has opened the WAY for sinful mankind to be saved. His beloved Son has obeyed to the last detail. Now there is only the regathering of His scattered disciples, their assurance, and their commissioning for their future work, and then His ascension.

The women were the first to hear the good news. Then Peter and John witnessed the empty tomb and believed. Mary Magdalene saw the Master with her eyes and heard Him speak to her. Now Jesus will appear to and encourage more of His disciples in Jerusalem before going to Galilee.

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John 20:19-23.

On the evening of that first day (Sunday), when the disciples were still hiding behind locked doors for fear of the Jews (Would they arrest THEM as well?), Jesus came to them, right through the walls.

He stood before them and necessarily said, “Peace be with you,” because they were obviously terrified.

(Yes, back in Galilee, they thought He was a ghost when He came walking to them on the water, but this was different.) He looked like the Jesus they knew, but He also didn’t. And how did He get inside their house? No one had opened the door.

(From the account of the two men on the way to Emmaus when Jesus joined in their walk, we know that Jesus could keep His identity hidden and reveal it whenever He chose. He could also vanish at will. See Luke 24:15-16 and 30-32.)

To calm and assure His anxious disciples, Jesus showed them His hands and His side, as proof that He really HAD BEEN crucified. The bloodless wounds were still very visible. They were shocking, but they also reassured the disciples, and the men could finally relax and be GLAD to see their Lord.

Again Jesus spoke peace to them, and then He commissioned them to the work that He himself had begun – to spread the Good News, first to His people, and eventually to the entire world. “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

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(Luke’s account reads, “Then He opened their eyes to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”)

(Matthew’s familiar account reads, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…'”)

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John 20:24-25. Sadly, Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. We know from earlier scriptures that he loved Jesus as much as the others, but he feared losing Him. So when Jesus spoke of His death, he didn’t want to “hear” it. Possibly, he was off by himself, tucked into a ball of intense grief. And so when he heard the account of the others seeing and talking with Jesus, he just couldn’t believe it.

And then, that famous proclamation: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side … I will never believe.”

(I wonder how often, later, he cringed when he thought of those words.)

But Jesus knew just how to deal with this hurting disciple (no more rebellious than Peter!!). Eight days later – oh, what a long time for Thomas to wait! – Jesus came and stood among them again – the doors still being locked.

“Peace be with you,” he said to all of them, and then to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. (Thomas’ exact words) “Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

And Thomas’s overpowering, debilitating grief collapsed. “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/31): John 20:11-18.

Aug31

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18

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REVIEW – Mary Magdalene and a few other women went to Jesus’ grave early Sunday morning with burial spices, not realizing that Joseph and Nicodemus had already prepared Jesus’ body. Mary was ahead of the group, eager to arrive, and perhaps more emotional. She saw the stone rolled away from the tomb and assumed the worst.

Leaving the other women (who would see angels and hear the good news), Mary ran to where Peter and John were, carrying the message, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid Him.”

Shocked at her words, both Peter and John ran to see if it was true. Both entered the tomb and saw the niche or shelf where Jesus had lain; only HE was not there. The grave clothes and head napkin lay collapsed as if Jesus had vanished through them. John “believed” that He’d been resurrected, but didn’t understand that the resurrection was part of the salvation plan.

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John 20:11-13.

While Peter and John returned home, Mary slowly, and weeping all the way, walked back to the garden where Jesus’ open tomb was.

By this time, the other women had taken the message the angels gave them (“Jesus has risen! Tell the disciples, and Peter, that He’s going ahead of them to Galilee and they will see Him there.“)

Mary stood outside the tomb for a moment, weeping, and then stooped down to look inside. Then she saw the two angels the other women had seen. “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked her.

Blindly she answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him!”

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John 20:14-16.

Before the angels could speak to her, Mary straightened up and turned away from the grave, weeping even more profusely, perhaps with her face hidden in her scarf.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” said a figure before her.

Mary glanced up, supposing him to be a gardener, and cried out, “Sir! If you have carried Him away, please tell me where you have taken Him, and I will take Him away!”

And then that one word…. “Mary.”

(IMO, Jesus said her name with a light chuckle and a big smile, full of love and tenderness for this distraught but faithful disciple.)

However you imagine Jesus speaking to her, Mary immediately recognizes His voice when He says her name.

“Rabboni!” she cried out, which means “my Master!” in Aramaic.

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John 20:17-18.

Jesus then, almost immediately, says to Mary, “Do not cling to me…”

Perhaps she has fallen at his feet, holding them, her tears wetting them. Perhaps she would even dry them with her hair, as she had done one time, when Jesus was dining with a rich Pharisee.

At that incident, Jesus told the pious man, “The one who has been forgiven much, loves much.” (Mark 16:9 says that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary, so she must have “loved Him much.”)

But Jesus prevents her from clinging to him, hoping to keep Him on earth forever, as He has been until His death. Jesus tells her that His ascension back to Heaven to His Father is coming soon. He has only 40 days, and then He will go to the Father and send back the Holy Spirit to be with and in them.

Jesus also wants her to deliver a message to His disciples. “Go and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

And Mary obeys her Master.

Canceling the panicked message she gave them before (“They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have laid Him!”), she now says confidently and joyfully, “I have seen the Lord.”

Mary was a messenger for Jesus, a sent one, or ‘apostle’ if you will. She was ‘an apostle to the apostles’, with that glorious message: HE LIVES.

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Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960

Verse 1
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

Verse 2
In all the world around me,
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
Through all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
Will come at last!

Verse 3
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to
Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind!

Chorus
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart!
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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/24): John 19:1-16

Aug24

Read and believe in Jesus!

“Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no King but Caesar.’” John 19:15

REVIEW – Jesus endured roughness in the Garden at His arrest, being slapped around at the palace of Annas, abuse and accusations on the way to see the High Priest, then the decree of “Guilty” from the Sanhedrin under the leadership of Caiaphas, and finally, the call for His death.

The guards continued their mocking brutality as they waited for morning when they could move Jesus on to the Praetorium and the Roman Governor. 

Familiar with their clean/unclean practices, Pilate went out to meet the mob. “What accusations do you bring against this Man?” 

“Of doing evil,” they basically said, and Pilate told them to see to it themselves. (Perhaps his breakfast was waiting.)  But when the Jews answered that they were not allowed to put a man to death, Pilate listened up. He called Jesus inside to question Him.

We had a glimmer of hope as Pilate at first refused to condemn Jesus. “I find no guilt in Him. Shall I release to you the ‘King of the Jews’?”  But the Jews cried louder, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas”

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John 19:1-7.

Thinking a little savagery might appease the growing crowd, Pilate had Jesus flogged.  This was a cruel act where Jesus was stripped, tied up facing a post, and beaten by soldiers with a whip in which pieces of bone had been tied. USUALLY, this was done before execution to weaken the victim, but it seems that here, Pilate wanted to elicit sympathy for Jesus, so he could release Him.

It didn’t work.

The soldiers also made a crown of thorns, pressed it onto Jesus’ head, and put a “royal” purple robe on Him.  Then they mocked Him further by hailing Him as “King!” and viciously socking Him through the robe.

Jesus was a frightful figure (weakened, bruised, and bleeding) when Pilate brought Him outside to the waiting mob.  Instead of sympathy or compassion, however, the crowd screamed “CRUCIFY HIM!”

“I find no guilt in Him!” cried Pilate for a second time. 

The Jews threw back their penultimate argument.  “According to our law, He ought to DIE because He has made himself THE SON OF GOD!“

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John 19 8-11.

This accusation scared Pilate even more. Romans were very superstitious. The title “Son of God” to them, would place Jesus in the category of one with supernatural powers. Pilate had just whipped and tortured a person who could (in his mind) bring down a curse or vengeance on him!

He brought Jesus inside and asked Him, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not answer.

“YOU will not speak to ME?? Do you know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify you?

Jesus answered quietly, with an authority of His own.“You would have NO AUTHORITY over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

(Jesus was probably speaking of Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders as having turned Him over to Pilate and having the greater sin, for THEY knew the Scriptures, the Messianic prophecies; they had heard Jesus’ teaching, and witnessed His miracles. Pilate knew none of that. However, Pilate was not without excuse.)

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John 19: 12-16.

After hearing Jesus speak with such authority, the Roman Governor sought all the more to release Him.

Then the Jews spoke their ultimate argument which was the last straw for Pilate. “If you release this Man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes Himself a king (like this Jesus) opposes Caesar.”

Terrified now for his soul and his position as Governor, Pilate brought out Jesus and sat down on the judgement seat at the place called “the Stone Pavement” or “Gabbatha.

Matthew 28:24 says “Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood, see to it yourselves.”

Then this pagan Roman official said, “Behold your King!”

And the reply from those of whom it was entirely TRUTH, as prophesied in their Holy Scriptures, was, “We have no king but Caesar.”

NOW, who was speaking blasphemy?

And so Pilate delivered Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/21): John 18:28-60

Aug21

Read and believe in Jesus

“I find no guilt in Him.” John 18:38b

REVIEW – Jesus, inside the house of Annas and observed by John, answers plainly a question by the former high priest. ‘I taught openly in synagogues and the Temple; if you want to know what I said, ask all those people.’

A guard didn’t like that answer and slapped Him, a foretaste of greater abuse to come. Annas decided to send Jesus to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. As Jesus was led there, He was able to see Peter in the courtyard, openly and vehemently denying he was a follower of Jesus – for the third time.

The rooster crowed, stunning Peter, but realizing Jesus’ presence sent him into the night, weeping.

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John 18:28-32

NOTE: John skips the mock trial with Caiaphas, but Mark 14:55-64 gives us a glimpse.

1) First, many false witnesses spoke against Jesus, but they couldn’t seem to agree with each other (and the LAW says 2 or 3 witnesses MUST agree).

2) Some claimed they heard Jesus say that He would destroy the Temple and rebuild it Himself in three days, but even here, no two could agree exactly.

3) Caiaphas stood up and demanded, “Have You no answer to make against these men who testify against you?!” But Jesus looked at him, His mouth firmly closed.

4) Finally, Caiaphas asked, “Are YOU the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

And Jesus responded, “I AM.” This caused chaos in the chambers, and in a great show of pious horror, Caiaphas tore his gorgeous priestly garments.

5) “What further witnesses do we need?” He asked the 70 members of the Sanhedrin. “You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?”

They all condemned Jesus and called for His death.

6) Some members spit on Jesus. Others covered His face, hit Him, and taunted Him by saying, “Prophesy who hit you!” Given license from these actions, the Temple guards began beating Jesus with their fists.

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And we pick up with John 18:28…

“Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s headquarters. It was early morning.”

Now why would they do that? Several reasons.

It was Passover. They had a “criminal” that they wanted executed, but this was a high holy day. They were ceremonially “clean” so they could take part in this holy day. Stoning someone to death would make them ceremonially “unclean” for at least a week.

Second, for a person as well known as Jesus, the Romans would demand the right of execution. And, presumably, the Jews could not kill someone for breaking the law because they were a nation under Roman control.

And lastly, it was prophesied that the Messiah would not be stoned to death, but would be “lifted up on a pole, or tree,” which pointed to the Roman form of execution. (See Psalm 22:16 and Deuteronomy 21:23.) Later, in Acts 7, however, we see this religious group stoning Steven to death, a believer in Christ,

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And so we see the accusing Jews standing “outside” the Roman headquarters (to “stay clean” for Passover). Governor Pilate was used to these Jewish customs and came outside.

“What accusation do you bring against this man?” A logical question for a “judge,” even today.

“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.” They said.

Yes, yes. Pilate knew these Jews well and turned to go back inside. “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”

“But, but… it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death!”

This caught Pilate’s attention.

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John 18:33-38a.

Pilate went inside and sat down, calling for Jesus to be brought to him.

“Are You the King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus, looking at his somewhat battered appearance.

“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say this about me?” Jesus asked boldly. Was Pilate’s heart open to the Gospel, or was he speaking only as a judge?

“Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” replied Jesus, explaining more to this Gentile ruler than to His fellow Jews.

“So…. You ARE a king?”

“You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate throws down his quill and rises. ” What is truth?”

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John 18:38-40.

Outside in front of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate announced, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews?”

But instigated by the Jewish officials, the crowd cried out, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas!”

Now Barabbas was a robber. (He was also a terrorist, an insurrectionist, and a murderer.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/20): John 18:15-27

Aug20

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“Since that disciple (John) was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door.” John 18:15b-16a

REVIEW – While in the quiet garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was approached by a group of hostile Jewish leaders and soldiers – all led by Judas – and after their embarrassing fall to the ground – said they were there to ARREST Jesus.

Peter got carried away and whipped out his sword. Blood flowed, but Jesus stopped the violence and healed the ONE wound.

Jesus made sure His disciples were NOT also under arrest, after which they all ran away; then He submitted to being bound and led off to Annas’ house for the first of many “puppet” trials.

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John 18:15-18.

After initially running away from the scene of Jesus’ arrest, Peter and John returned to follow the crowd from a distance. The soldiers took Him first to the home of Annas, the former high priest.

John was known to the household, so he could enter Annas’ courtyard. He then spoke to the servant girl who kept watch, and she let Peter inside too. Then John went on into Annas’ house to see what was happening to Jesus.

Outside, in the dark night, by the warmth of a charcoal fire, Peter began his three steps downward into denial and despair.

“You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” Asked the servant girl.

“I am not,” answered Peter.

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John 18:19-24.

Meanwhile, inside Annas’ house, John stood in the back and anxiously watched as they interrogated Jesus. First, the former high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

Jesus answered them, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

(This is probably the longest answer that Jesus will give in all of His trials.)

After Jesus said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus and said, “Is this how you answer the high priest?”

And Jesus answered the officer, right to his face. “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?“

Silence in the courtroom.

Then Annas, remembering he was ‘not actually’ high priest that year, although he was revered for his former standing in that office, sent Jesus bound to his son-in-law, Caiaphas, the current high priest.

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John 18:25-27.

Meanwhile, out around the charcoal fire, rubbing their hands together for warmth, someone said to Peter, “You also are not one of His disciples, are you?

Peter denied it, saying, “I am not.

Then one of the servants of the high priest, a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

Peter again denied it … and at once a rooster crowed.

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(NOTE: Luke 22:60-62 tells us that at that moment, they were transporting Jesus from Annas’ house to Caiaphas, and Jesus was able to see into the courtyard and hear Peter’s final denial. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, ‘before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And Peter went out and wept bitterly.“)

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(None of us have probably experienced exactly what Peter felt that night when he spoke those words and then saw Jesus looking at him. But you and I have probably had times when we knew we had disappointed Jesus by our fall into sin, or perhaps denied Him or His so great a salvation. We’ve wept bitterly, but it seemed Jesus was nowhere around. Was the separation final? Had Jesus forsaken us? Oh, how we might have wept.

But we are yet to study how Jesus, after His resurrection, made a special effort to see Peter alone. And then, back at the Sea of Galilee, how Jesus, step by step, leads Peter back into fellowship with Him and into leadership of the Eleven. God is good! For Jesus’ sake, He forgives if we confess and repent. Praise Him forever!)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/28) John 12:1-11

Jul28

Read and believe in Jesus

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. A joyous, praise-worthy thing, right? And yet the Jewish authorities seethed at Jesus’ growing popularity. They called a meeting of the Council to decide what to do with Him. “If He keeps growing in popularity, promoting Himself as King, the Romans will come and take away our place (Temple & priesthood) and destroy our nation. WE MUST DO SOMETHING!” And so they put out a warrant for Jesus’ arrest, planning to seize Him and kill Him. Jesus lay low. But now Passover was approaching. The BIG Question was whether He would show up in the Holy City or not.

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John 12:1-3.

Jesus had traveled back to Jerusalem with His disciples on the Friday before Passover, arriving in time for sundown and the beginning of the Sabbath. They are again staying with His friends in Bethany and eating the Sabbath meal with them. Martha is serving (but not complaining this time). Lazarus is reclining with Jesus and his men at the table.

And Mary, who in times past sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach, is again in this position. However, her heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for the Master. As she kneels there, she breaks open a small, very expensive alabaster jar of pure nard. (Nard is an oil extracted from a plant grown in India and imported, so perhaps you can imagine its fragrance…and its cost.)

(Actually, my fave perfume is from India as well and called Shalimar. It’s sugary sweet in fragrance.)

Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with the oil, and wipes it with her long hair, which she has let down. It is an act of pure love flowing from a tender heart.

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John 12:4-8.

A harsh, brittle accusation splits the air as Judas Iscariot gets to his feet. “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

He perhaps points to Mary at Jesus’ feet, her hair tangled and oily, and looks away in disgust. 300 denarii was, after all, the equivalent of a year’s wages for a common laborer.

(John again adds a bit of explanation to his gospel narrative, telling us that, “Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief! And having charge of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” )

Jesus knew this, of course, and I can imagine Him looking deep into Judas’s eyes and saying, “Leave her alone.”

Then He explained to the others, “She may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.”

As soon as he could, Judas left the meal and went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. (Mark 14:10-11)

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John 12:9-11.

Somehow = perhaps Judas spread the word = a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came, not only on account of Him, but also to see the risen Lazarus. So … the official Jews made plans to kill Lazarus again. Even now, many of them were believing in Jesus when they saw Lazarus!

Jesus remained the rest of the Sabbath day (Saturday, until sundown) with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

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The next day was Sunday … Palm Sunday.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/21) John 10:22-42

Jul21

Read and believe in Jesus

“” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus clearly stated that HE was the good Shepherd of Israel. He kept His sheep safe, fed them, and in fact, would lay down His life for them. He also compared Himself to the gate or door into the sheepfold – the ONLY door. There is only one way to safety, to God, to salvation, to heaven, and it is Jesus. Jesus knows that the very authorities who are harassing Him are the ones who will demand His death at the hands of the Roman government, but with power He reminds them that HE is the one with the authority, the power to give up His life. AND, He alone has the power and authority to “take it up again,” or be resurrected to life. A division among the leaders about Jesus is beginning to be apparent. But the evil core will press till they kill Him.

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John 10:22-30.

It’s now about a month or so later, in December. The Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, is being celebrated.

(NOTE: This is not one of the Feasts that God required Israel to celebrate. In fact, it didn’t even start until 164 BC. In 170 BC, Israel fought against the then Syrian leader, Antiochus Epiphanes, who had captured Jerusalem and defiled the Temple. This Hasmonian family successfully freed the temple and the land from Syrian dominance until 63 BC, when Rome, under Pompey, took control.

This bit of guerrilla warfare was called the “Maccabean Revolt.” However, the Temple needed cleansing and their was but ONE day’s worth of sacred oil to anoint all the holy articles. It would take 8 days to make a new supply and they prayed. God allowed that ONE day’s worth of oil to light the Candlestick in the Temple for the EIGHT days. (This is why the eight candles on a Menorah are lit each night on Hanukkah today, in remembrance of that Miracle.)

Anyway, Jesus was in Jerusalem again. Since it was winter and cold, He was on the eastern side of the Temple under the sheltering “porch,” or colonnade, of Solomon (presumably with His disciples).

Some of the religious authorities approached Jesus, gathered in a circle around Him, and demanded, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you ARE the Christ (Messiah), tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them plainly. “I told you, and you do not believe.” Yes, He had. And several times they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. But they wanted to hear His words again, encircling Him as they did, so He couldn’t escape this time.

Jesus tells them that the “works” (miracles) He does in His Father’s name should be enough proof of Who He is. But they can’t “see” that, because they are not “His sheep.” They can’t “hear” His voice calling them to follow Him either. If they DID see and hear… and believe, Jesus said He would give them eternal life, and they would never perish.

Then Jesus said that “His sheep” are safe. “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” And, “No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand either.” Why? And here is the clincher they were waiting for: “The Father and I are One.”

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John 10:31-39

And the Jews picked up stones to stone Him.

Jesus holds them back with His words. “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

“It’s not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for BLASPHEMY, because YOU, being a man, make Yourself GOD,” they answer.

Then Jesus holds them back with what WE think is a very confusing argument. He talks about God calling some unjust judges “gods” (Psalm 82:6), and they know that the scripture can’t be broken; and so what’s the problem with Him calling Himself “the Son of God?”

They are perplexed for a minute, thinking that over.

Jesus continues, “If I am NOT doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; BUT if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that … the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

Again they sought to arrest him, but Jesus escaped from their hands.

Hey, when it is NOT the time for arresting Him, NOTHING can stop Jesus’ escape.

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John 10:41-42.

Because of the increasing hostility, Jesus left Jerusalem and retreated across the Jordan River to where John had been baptizing. (This is where Jesus’ ministry had begun, with His own baptism, the Holy Spirit descending on Him, and the voice of His Father.) Many followed Him there, people who had heard John’s declarations about Him, and they believed in Him.

Jesus remained there until it was time for that “last” journey to Jerusalem near Passover, which would end in His death (and Resurrection).

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/20) John 10:1-27

Jul20

Read and believe in Jesus

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…“ John 10:9a

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – In three parts, Jesus has healed a man born blind, watched as the man’s faith grew under persecution by the Jewish leaders, and then blossomed into true discipleship and worship when he met Jesus face to face.

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John 10:1-6

Jesus continues speaking to the same people from chapter 9: religious leaders (false shepherds) who were blind so they could not lead God’s people; the people listening, whom Jesus refers to as the sheep (all Israel); and the few believers in the crowd (My sheep).

(Israel is often compared to sheep in the Old Testament, with the Lord as their shepherd (Psalm 23:1). “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11), and promises that one day, “I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15.)

Jesus tells them, “in a metaphor,” that HE is the Shepherd of the sheep. When He speaks to “His sheep,” they hear him and follow Him. They know His voice and trust Him.

And although the religious leaders knew the O. T. scriptures, revealing that they were NOT the kind of shepherds that pleased the Lord. “They did not understand what Jesus was saying to them.”

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john 10:7-9

Jesus elaborates on the metaphor of sheep and shepherds from a different angle.

“I am the door of the sheep(fold). All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.”

“I am the door. If anyone enters BY ME, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is saying that belief in HIM is the only way to be saved. (John 14:5 says it even more clearly, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” )

The door, the gate, the way. There is NO OTHER possible means to be saved except by Jesus and faith in His atoning work on the cross.

Jesus continues to state this even more clearly. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

He compares Himself and His way of shepherding to that of the current and past shepherds of Israel. They were as ‘hired hands,’ not really caring for the sheep, only what they could get from the job. In their case, prestige, admiration, money. BUT, when real difficulty came, they were nowhere to be found, protecting themselves from the “wolves” who attacked the sheep. They were … BAD shepherds!

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

There is personal knowledge between the Good Shepherd and His own. He knows them personally, cares for them (read Psalm 23 again), and will sacrifice Himself for them.

“And I have ‘other sheep’ that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and THEY will listen to my voice.”

Jesus is speaking of most of us, Gentiles, non-Jews. Yes, He has opened His “sheepfold” to include us as well, to any who come to Him by faith.

“So there will be ONE FLOCK, one Shepherd.”

Paul reinforces this truth. In Christ “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on ALL who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12.

And also, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus. And, if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:28-29

Wow, what a promise!

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Then, probably looking straight at those religious authorities who will (in a few months) take Jesus to trial and demand His life from the Roman governor, looking at THEM, Jesus says…

“I lay down my life that I may take it up again. NO ONE takes it from me, but I lay it down of my OWN accord. I HAVE AUTHORITY to lay it down, and I have AUTHORITY to take it up again. I received this from My Father.”

WHEW! I wonder if they stepped back a pace or two at the power of Jesus’ words?

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John 10:19-21.

It’s interesting that “there was again division among the Jews because of these words.“

Many said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to Him?

But others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

This is not the first time that there was division among the authorities.

In John 7:40-52, some were “wowed” by Jesus’ words, and Nicodemus even questions their ire against Him. (We know that both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, members of the Sanhedrin, later believed in Jesus and were responsible for burying His body after the crucifixion.)

John 9:16 tells us that at the testimony of the formerly blind man, “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs/’ And there was a division among them”

Acts 6:7 also says that “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” under the apostles’ preaching. (That must have stirred up a hornet’s nest!)

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Anyway, it was much like today. Some will believe in Jesus and receive everlasting life and resurrection on the last day… and some will refuse to believe and forfeit eternal life in heaven for agony in hell… for eternity. Oh, be one of the former ones!!