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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/26): John 19:28-37.

Aug26

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, ‘I thirst.’ And then… ‘It is finished.'” John 19:28 & 30

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REVIEW – Jesus was taken to Golgotha and crucified with two others. His crime was listed on a board over His head: ‘King of the Jews’. The soldiers divided His clothing and bargained for His tunic. Four women looked on in grief, including Jesus’ mother, Mary. The beloved disciple – alone among the eleven – also stood nearby. With compassion and duty, Jesus committed the care of His mother to John.

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John 19: 28-30.

Between the four gospel accounts, seven “words” or sayings were spoken by Jesus. John, however, mentions only three.

Towards the end of the three hours, when Jesus hung on the cross (in darkness, according to Luke 23:44), He managed to say in a raspy voice, “I thirst,” and some sour wine on a hyssop branch was brought to Him and held to His mouth.

(Sour wine, or ‘vinegar,’ would cause any amount of saliva left in His mouth to rush in and make speech possible. This was different from the ‘wine mixed with myrrh’ in Mark 15:23 that was offered to Him at the beginning. That drink was used to deaden the senses, and it kept the victims from struggling while the soldiers nailed them to the cross. Jesus had refused that “drug.”)

After Jesus drew the sour wine into His mouth, He said, “It is finished!” Then He lowered His head and died.

Both Mark’s and Matthew’s accounts reveal that this was said in a LOUD voice, like a shout of victory, which it was. Jesus had completed His work of salvation that His Father sent Him to do. His horrific death showed the visual results of sin in the world.

His visible pain and agony made plain what is due to each and every person who has ever lived, sinners all, unless they believe that Jesus – the sinless, undeserving-of-punishment Savior – has died in their place.

God had told Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed and sinned, they would “surely die.” And they did, physically. But they believed the promise that the coming “seed of woman” would accomplish victory over sin and death and allow them to live spiritually. That “seed” was Jesus.

And as we will see, God accepted the substitutionary death of His perfect, sinless Son, in the place of all who will believe, and RAISED Jesus back to life. THAT was the proof that God was satisfied, and we’ll read about it in a couple of days.

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John 19:31-37.

This next part seems to add cruelty on top of cruelty. In order to keep their Kosher Laws of cleanness for the upcoming Sabbath Day, those insensitive, self-righteous, murderous Jewish officials came to Pilate and asked that the deaths of the crucified criminals be “hurried along a little” so the bodies wouldn’t still be there on their holy day.

Okay, a quicker death might be preferable, but the means was horrific. Crucifixion mainly killed by asphyxiation. As they weakened, the victims had to push up with their feet to draw air into their lungs. That would be impossible if their legs were broken, and they would soon be unable to breathe and would die.

This is what the Jews were asking Pilate for.

So, soldiers were sent to Golgotha to swing a club and crush the shin bones of the three “criminals.” (Imagine the screaming and then gasping for air!)

But mercifully, Jesus was already dead. And that is how God planned and prophesied it would happen.

1) Isaiah had prophesied that “no bones would be broken” on the Lamb of God. (See Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12)

2) It was also prophesied that the Messiah would be pierced. See Zechariah 12:10).

3) And most importantly, Jesus ‘gave up His own life’ at the moment HE chose. He had said, ‘No man would take His life, but that HE would lay it down.’ That is what he did when HE “bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

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Instead, the soldier did something else to “prove” death. He rammed his spear up into Jesus’ chest cavity below His ribs. Immediately, blood AND WATER poured out.

Yes, it is sentimental to say that ‘Jesus died of a broken heart,’ but what the blood and water actually proved was that the blood and fluid around His heart and lungs were already mixing. The experienced-in-crucifixion soldier would know at once that Jesus was dead.

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Then John adds his personal testimony about Jesus’s death and quotes the Scriptures. (Remember HE was there. He knows what happened, and he tells us the truth… so we might believe.)

“For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They will look on Him whom they have pierced.'”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/25): John 19:17-27.

Aug25

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“And they took Jesus and led Him away, and He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called Golgotha, where they crucified Him.” John 19:17-18.

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REVIEW – Jesus has been in the custody of the Roman Governor, Pilate, who has handled Him like a “hot potato,” fearful of offending the Jews, fearful of offending Heaven, and fearful of offending Rome. He did not want to sentence this Nazarene to death – he found no fault in Him at all.

He suggested Barabbas instead. He appealed to the Jews’ sympathy by torturing Jesus, but the crowd, urged on by its religious leaders, refused both options. Pilate felt squeezed in a vice. Jesus himself did not even beg for mercy.

Pilate finally gave in and signed the order for Jesus’ execution.

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John 19:17-22.

Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.”

The Roman soldiers took Jesus to the place of execution, a hill from where all passersby could view the results of crime and be deterred. Golgotha was a place that even looked like a skull.

There they nailed Jesus, the sinless and beloved Son of God, the only way to the Father, the Truth and the Life … to a blood-stained wooden cross. Two other fellows, true criminals, were crucified with Him and hung on His right and left.

Pilate, in a last jab at his Jewish tormentors, wrote the sign that was placed above Jesus’ head on the cross. It was supposed to list the offender’s crimes so people would be warned. But no crime was assigned to Jesus. He wrote in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek:

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

The chief priests went to Pilate. “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said I am King of the Jews!'”

But Pilate dug in his heels and said, “What I have written, I have written.”

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John 20:23-24.

So common was crucifixion at that time that the four soldiers who had nailed these men to crosses hardly took notice of their deed or the suffering above them. They had stripped Jesus, and custom said His clothes now belonged to them.

They divided His clothes (outer garment, belt, sandals, and head covering) among themselves, then argued over who would get His tunic. It was woven in one piece, and to cut it up would spoil it. Instead, they took out the “lots” and gambled who would get it.

Psalm 22:18: “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

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John 19:25-27.

Also nearby, standing at Jesus’ cross, were four women who looked up at Him and sorrowed. Mary, Jesus’ mother, was devastated to see her Son in such horrible pain and suffering.

(I wonder if she remembered the words of the righteous and devout old man, Simon, when they had brought baby Jesus to the temple to be dedicated: “a sword will pierce your own soul.”)

Beside her, supporting her, were Mary’s sister, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John, the “beloved disciple,” also stood nearby.

When Jesus saw them, He struggled to speak. “Woman, behold, your son!” And then to John, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour John took her to his own home and cared for her.

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 (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: (6/3) Luke 23:26-43

Jun3

A 5-day per week study.

June 3 – Reading Luke 23:26-43

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:43

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus stood under the interrogations of Pilate, of Herod, and of Pilate again.  The Roman governor declared him not guilty of anything worthy of death. But the religious leaders and the incited crowds demanded crucifixion.  Pilate gives in and delivers Jesus to their will (not knowing it was GOD’S will for Jesus to die).

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Vss. 23:26-32.

As they led the weakened Jesus away from the court and up the hill to Golgotha with the heavy cross on His bleeding back, He stopped, unable to continue.  A Roman soldier grabbed the nearest strong-looking guy and made him carry Jesus’ cross the rest of the way.

(Not what HE expected to do on Passover morning! Did he stay and watch Jesus crucified and hear Him speak?)

(Simon of Cyrene evidently told this experience to his sons, Alexander and Rufus.  Paul later references them as believers.)

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A great multitude followed the procession up the hill. The women in the crowd were mourning and lamenting for Jesus.

Jesus turned to them with this warning.

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for ME, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’  At that time, they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’

For if they do THESE THINGS when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

(These women were not necessarily believers. More probably, they were professional mourners who attended “high-profile” executions. Jesus’ words to them were a prophetic warning about what was coming to their city and nation.)

Two other criminals were led away as well, to be put to death with Jesus.  We will hear more of them later.

 (NOT the murderer Barabbas, however. He got off scot-free. He was like us.  We were sinners, condemned to death. But Jesus became our substitute, dying in our place.  The sinless for the sinful.  His death and resurrection made it possible for us to then be declared righteous by God when we trust in Him.)

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Vss. 23:33-38.

(Such a horrible scene, I can hardly write about it.)

When they came to the top of the hill, a place called ‘The Skull,’ they stripped Jesus and the others and nailed Him to the wood. Then they raised those instruments of torture and dropped them into prepared holes.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Jesus cried out.

Beneath His cross, the soldiers picked through His clothes and cast lots for them.

(Pitiful garments of His earthly journey.)

People stood around watching.

  • The rulers scoffed at Him, saying, “He saved others, let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen one.”

(Such blasphemy!)

  • The soldiers also mocked Jesus, coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!)

(Pilate had put a placard over Jesus’ head with that inscription.)

  • One of the criminals who was also hanged on a cross railed at Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself AND US!”

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(Luke gives three of the horrible verbal assaults thrown at Jesus. They remind me of the mocking assaults Satan hurled at Jesus after His 40 days of fasting in the desert.  And, indeed, these, at His crucifixion, were inspired by the devil himself, trying to cast doubt on Jesus’ heredity and mission – the “seed of woman” who would “crush the head of the serpent.” Genesis 3:15.)

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Then we meet the second of the two criminals on the crosses on either side of Jesus.  He said to the scoffing one, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but THIS MAN has done nothing wrong!”

And turning to Jesus, he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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(Did you see that beautiful conversion?  A confession of sin and acknowledgment that he deserved death.  A declaration of who Jesus was (sinless, the King of the Jews). A plea for remembrance and forgiveness.  And then …  Jesus’ beautiful acceptance of the saved sinner. 

(And this is how people are born again today, too!  GLORIOUS!!)

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/2) Luke 22:66 – 23:23:25

Jun2

A 5-day per week study.

June 2 – Reading Luke 22:66 – 23:25

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“I find no fault in this Man.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus is arrested and taken away. Peter, following into the courtyard, denies his Lord three times.  Jesus looks at him, and he remembers, running out and weeping bitterly. Jesus is mocked and blasphemed.

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Vss. 15:66-71.

At Caiaphas’ house, Jesus was questioned and abused (see Matthew’s account). Witnesses were called, but none could agree. When morning came, the “official” trial began with the full 70-member Sanhedrin meeting. They’d already decided to put Jesus to death; this was simply the formal charge.

Caiaphas: “IF you are the Christ, tell us.”

Jesus: “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer.  But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

The whole council: “Are you the Son of God, then?

Jesus: “You said it.”

The whole council: “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from His own lips.”

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(There was at least one member who voted ‘nay,’ Joseph of Arimathea. It’s possible the ‘secret believer,’ Nicodemus, also did not vote ‘yes.’ But they had all they needed in this illegal trial.)

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Vss. 23:1-5.

Settled in their own minds and law, they also needed to ensure the death penalty.  The Council took Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate, for this.

The Council: “We found this man misleading our nation…”

The Council: “…and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar…”

The Council: “…and saying that He himself is Christ, a king.”

Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus: “You said it.”

Speaking to the chief priests and the crowd, Pilate declared, “I find no guilt in this man.”

The Council: “He stirs up the people…”

The Council: “…teaching throughout all Judea…”

The Council: “…from Galilee even to this place!”

Pilate: “Galilee?”

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Vss. 23:6-12.

When Pilate heard that, he asked if Jesus was a Galilean. And when he heard that Jesus belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod… who himself was in Jerusalem at the time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some miracle done by Him.

Herod questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no answer.

The chief priests and scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.

But no deal. Jesus remained silent.

Miffed, Herod, with his soldiers, treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Jesus back to Pilate.

(“And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.”)

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Vss. 15:13-17.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people (the Sanhedrin and a growing crowd).

“You brought me this Man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this Man guilty of any of your charges against Him. Neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us.

“Look, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.  I will therefore punish and release Him.”

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Vss. 15:18-25.

But they all cried out together, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas.”

(Now Barabbas was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.)

Pilate tried to release Jesus instead.

The crowd: “Crucify, crucify Him!”

Pilate: “WHY? What evil has He done?  I have found in Him NO GUILT DESERVING DEATH. I will therefore punish and release Him.”

The manic crowd chanted: “CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY!”

So, Pilate granted their demand. He released Barabbas and delivered Jesus over to their will.

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(Ultimately, this was God’s will and plan (see Acts 2:23). The true Lamb of God was killed for the sins of the people.  Jesus, indeed, had ‘no guilt deserving death.’  But he carried our sin to the cross and was killed in our place.

2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.”)

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/1) Luke 22:54-65

Jun1

A 5-day per week study.

June 1 – Reading Luke 22:54-65

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.”  Luke 22:60

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Judas led a virtual army of Jews and Romans with clubs and swords to arrest Jesus.  Their intent was to convict Him of a capital crime.  Judas’s intent in kissing Jesus was to earn 30 silver pieces.  Jesus was calm, but Peter was not. He drew his sword and sliced off an ear of the nearest man.  Jesus stopped that and healed the man.

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Vss. 22:54-60.

They (probably part of the Sanhedrin’s guard under the high priest) seized Jesus and led Him away (out of Gethsemane, into Jerusalem), to the high priest’s house.

Annas was the “official” high priest that year, although his recently deposed father-in-law, Caiaphas, held the real power. They took Jesus first to Annas’ house. It may have been that Annas’ and Caiaphas’ houses shared the same courtyard.

Peter (and John) followed Jesus at a distance.  John, being known in the household, went in first, then got Peter into the courtyard (see John 18:15-16).  He sat down with some others by the fire. The servant girl who questioned Peter first was probably the doorkeeper to Annas’s house and the one who let him into the courtyard.

“This man also was with Him,” she accused, after looking at Peter closely when he sat down in the light.

“Woman! I do not know Him!”

Later, someone else saw Peter and said, “You also are one of them!”

“Man, I am NOT!” said Peter vehemently.

An hour later, another person insisted, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”

“Man, I do not know what you are talking about!”

 

And immediately, WHILE he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

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Vss. 22:61-52

And at that minute, Jesus was being led over to Caiaphas’ house. He turned and looked at Peter. (This was a fixed, intent look.)

“And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’”

And the devastated disciple went out and wept bitterly.

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Vss. 22:63-65.

After this, the abuse begins with Jesus. The men holding Him blindfolded him and punched Him again and again.

“Prophesy!  Who struck you?”

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(Imagine being blindfolded, not knowing where the next strike would come from. A fist to the stomach, a blow to an ear, a kick to the groin…)

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“And they said many other things against Him, blaspheming Him.

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“Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…” Philippians 2:6-8 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/29) Luke 22:47-53

May29

A 5-day per week study.

May 29 – Reading Luke 22:47-53

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”  Luke 22:48

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus had just spent hours in agonized prayer about His upcoming ordeal, to the point that He was sweating blood.  He despised the shame of the cross, but for the joy set before Him, He would endure it. (Hebrews 12:2)  He stands and awakens His disciples, scolding them for not praying too.  He knows the crowd was coming – not for His teaching or healing this time – but for His life.

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Vss. 22:47-48.

First to walk up the path from the Holy City to Gethsemane was Judas.  He had promised the Jewish religious leaders that he would betray Jesus to them “in the absence of a crowd.”

He knew the quiet place where Jesus often came to rest and be alone with His disciples. So, he led them, “a great crowd with torches, swords, and clubs,” to the place.

This crowd included a “cohort” of (600) Roman soldiers (the ones with swords) and armed temple guards from the Sanhedrin (with clubs). (The religious leaders had included the Roman soldiers because they needed permission to arrest a man for the death penalty.)

Judas had promised. Now he was delivering.

Judas had told them exactly how they would know which man to arrest.  He would go to Jesus and greet Him with a kiss. That would be the sign.  They could then move in and arrest Him.

But when Judas grew near to kiss Him, Jesus quietly asked his wayward disciple,

“Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Judas may have hesitated, but both Matthew and Mark tell us he followed through with an embrace and kiss on Jesus’ cheek, usually the most intimate and affectionate demonstration of love.

The guards moved in quickly after this “sign.”

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Vss. 22:49-51.

The other disciples were thoroughly awake now. They took in the situation and decided it was time to act, to defend their Master.

“Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

Surely this was Peter who spoke. He immediately withdrew his short sword and took a swing at the closest person.  It was the servant of the high priest (Caiaphas).  Peter missed lopping off his head, and instead, the man’s ear was sliced off.

“No more of this!”  Jesus cried. He then turned and healed the servant’s ear.

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Vss. 22:52-54.

This startling incident briefly paused the arrest as they stared at the healed man. Jesus turned to the chief priests and officers of the temple and the elders who’d come up from behind and said,

“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me!”

Then it was as if Jesus sighed.

“But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

They could have arrested Him at any time while he was in the city, but they chose to do it in the night, reflecting the darkness of their hearts.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/15) Luke 19:1-10

May15

A 5-day per week study.

May 15 – Reading Luke 19:1-10

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Today, salvation has come to this house.”  Luke 19:9

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – On the road outside Jericho, Jesus healed a blind beggar, who already believed He was Israel’s Messiah. Now that faith blossomed, and he was able to see again. His first sight? The Messiah of Israel. After that, the seeing beggar followed Jesus, glorifying God. He would probably not be a beggar much longer.

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Vss. 19:1-4

Jesus and the rejoicing crowd now entered through Jericho’s gates. Inside, there lived a wealthy, shrewd chief tax collector named Zacchaeus. Zach was a short guy. Maybe his small stature was what led him to become an important and very rich tax collector. Instead of being mocked for his size, he would get “some respect” (or fear) from the people.

But Zach was curious about the uproar in his city. Why the crowd? What for the noise? He just HAD to see.

Of course, being barely over 4 feet tall among much taller people, he’d probably been used to climbing trees to see better. There, he could get a good look at the crowd and who was at the center. Yes, it was a bit embarrassing. He had to make sure his gorgeous robes covered his “nether parts” and that he did not lose a sandal when astride a fat limb. Perhaps there was a certain tree that he knew well that he could scurry right up and be among the leaves before anyone noticed.

But someone noticed.

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Vss. 19:5-7.

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.'”

WHAT? WOW!

“So Zachhaeus hurried and came down and received Him joyfully.”

Wow, Someone actually wanted to fellowship and dine with this tax collector … someone who obviously was not wealthy himself. This man looked plain and even, poor. But oh, that face! Love seemed to shine out continuously.

OF COURSE, there were those – probably most of the crowd that followed – who did NOT APPROVE of Jesus eating/staying with a “sinner,” a hated Tax Collector (even IF one of his own disciples was a former collector for Rome).

But Jesus came for sinners. He saw the emptiness in Zach’s soul, the dissatisfaction of all that money (which could not buy love or even friendship), and He LOVED him.

Zachhaeus became a believer in Jesus, the Messiah, the Son and Lamb of God. As proof, well, take a look at what he did that proved his changed heart.

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Vss. 19:8-10.

“Behold, Lord (Yes, Jesus must be your Savior AND Lord), the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold!”

You might think, well, what is so amazing about this?

  1. First, his WILLINGNESS to admit his crimes and make amends for his greed and fraud.

2. The Law required 20% extra when restoring money that a Jew defrauded from others. Zach offered 400%!

3. AND, on top of that, he pledged – not 10% – but HALF his wealth to go to the poor. (And he was very rich.)

Zachhaeus’ heart had been changed. The Bible doesn’t say that he left all to follow Jesus as Matthew had done. But his salvation had greatly improved his standing in the eyes of the people. His money gladly flowed to them, the cheated and the poor. Perhaps he remained as a Roman Tax Collector, but I believe his fees were now true and fair. And… he “maybe” even regularly hosted meals for the poor (just conjecture on my part.)

We DO know that this short-statured man must have become “taller” in the eyes of the people. He had a new attitude and a new life within him… Jesus.

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(Did our lives change so much when we became believers? The gentle, loving Savior living in us surely must have made us love and share with one another more. “Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” “God IS love.” 1 John 4:7-8)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/6) Luke 16:1-15

May6

A 5-day per week study.

May 6 – Reading Luke 16:1-15

Read and believe in Jesus.

“No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal (wasteful) Son and the hardworking son, and a loving father who welcomes wanderers and disgruntled children alike, but who seeks repentance.

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Vss.  16:1-2

Jesus told this parable to the disciples (not the religious leaders), though it links to the one before. The prodigal son wasted his father’s inheritance, and the manager wasted his master’s possessions.

THIS story is about dishonesty, deception, retaliation, bribery, greed, and shrewdness.  And Jesus seems to condone them all, right?  Yeah, NO! This is the perfect, sinless Son of God.  So let’s try to dig out what He meant with this unusual parable.

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‘There was a rich man who had a crooked manager, and charges were brought against him…”

The rich man called the manager and told him to turn in the books, for he was fired.

So far, so good.

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Vss. 16:3-7.

At first, the manager was in panic mode.  Yikes! “I’m not strong enough to dig!  And I’m ashamed to beg!

Being a day-laborer was out – he’d spend his days with his feet up on a desk, scrolling on his phone, drinking iced sweet tea, and not paying attention to his boss’s assets.

And sitting in the local market, with an alms cup held out to strangers, also did not appeal to him.  Now what?

(He basically didn’t WANT to work.  He liked the ease. Then he got an idea!)

“I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into the houses.”

(Notice his reason, beginning with “so that…”  This was bribery. ‘I do this for you; you will reciprocate this to me.’  No thought for his employer.)

So, that’s what he did.  He went around to all his employer’s debtors and lowered the amounts they owed.  Notice that BOTH parties are complicit. None of the debtors said, ‘Well, that wouldn’t be fair to your employer.’  Nope, they all agreed.

And we presume, if this were a TRUE story, these debtors would have made life easy for that manager.  BUT this is a parable, a story with a lesson to be learned.  And this is the hard part.

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Vss. 16:8a.

Notice the master’s reaction. Totally shocking,

“The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.”

This shows, first, that the master was also a crook.  One crook to another, he admired his manager’s criminal genius. Perhaps he would have considered re-hiring him if this were a true story.  

It’s clear now that ALL the characters in this story are corrupt/dishonest: the master, the manager, and the debtors.   

Huh!

What does Jesus want His disciples to ‘see’ in this crazy parable?

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Vss. 16:8b-9

First, Jesus says, “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”

Sons of this world – unbelievers.

Sons of light – believers.

(Most unbelievers are wiser in the ways of the [financial] world than some believers are toward the things of God.

Even the most wicked are shrewd enough to provide for themselves against coming evil.  Believers ought to be more ‘shrewd’, because they are concerned with matters of eternity.)

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Jesus continues with true advice to His disciples about what to do NOW to ensure a more fruitful, glorious eternity.  

He says, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

“Unrighteous wealth” = money in this world.

“Make friends” = share the gospel, pray for unbelievers, support missions and ministries for evangelism.

“The failing world and its economy” = At the (or your) end, when Jesus comes, or you die.

“THEY may receive you” = all those you had a part in bringing to Jesus will welcome you into glory.

“The eternal dwellings.” = Heaven, for all eternity.

Invest yourself in promoting the kingdom of God, with what earthly money and work you can. You will have a living “treasure” in Heaven to meet you when you die or when Jesus comes.

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Vss. 16:10-13.

Jesus sums it up, looking at the negative side. 

“If then you have NOT been faithful in unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you true riches.  And if you have NOT been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other … OR he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

“You CANNOT serve God and money.”

Serve the Lord! Use the world’s money to further the Kingdom. Put the Lord first in your life, love Him, serve Him.

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Vss. 16:14-15.

Oh, it seems that the richly clad Pharisees WERE still there, around the peripheral, probably.  These “lovers of money” ridiculed Jesus when they heard these things.

Jesus answered them harshly, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Whoa!

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 Oh, Lord, please let my heart be towards You and not the things of the world. Help me to be wise in how I handle the money You give me.