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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/28): John 20:1-10.

Aug28

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“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark… John 20:1

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REVIEW – After Jesus had been confirmed dead by a Roman Centurion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two wealthy members of the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) who were secretly seeking the Kingdom of God, came to Golgotha and took Jesus body away for burial.

Nicodemus brought a large amount of expensive spices and ointments, and perhaps the linen cloths. Joseph was supplying his own freshly hewn family tomb to lay Jesus’ body in. They were silent as they tightly wrapped the Messiah’s battered limbs and torso with the spice-laden linen strips, gently covering His face and head last in a separate cloth. Then they laid His body on one of the ledges.

When they finished, they rolled a large stone across the opening and went home. Sabbath silence descended on the tomb, the garden, the now empty Golgotha, and the Holy City.

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John 20:1-2

Early Sunday morning, as the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene came to the garden to do for Jesus’ body what Joseph and Nicodemus had already done. It was still dark, but Mary saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Seeing it already open that early was a shock.

Mark 16:1-4 adds this to the scene.

“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’ And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back. It was very large.

Mary Magdalene could think of nothing but to run to where she knew the disciples were hiding away.

When she saw Peter and John, she cried out, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!”

Peter and John decided to go see for themselves, and Mary Magdalene returned slowly, her head bowed, her eyes filled with tears.

Meanwhile, according to Mark and Luke’s account, the other women approached the tomb and spoke to an angel(s), who told them Jesus had been resurrected and they were to go and tell the disciples. These two women ran off to do that.

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.John 20:3-10

Somehow the women bypassed Peter and John as they ran TOWARD the tomb.

John (remember that friendly competition between John and Peter!) says that HE ran faster than the older, bigger Peter and arrived at the tomb first. As Mary had told them, the stone HAD been rolled away, and so John stooped and peered inside.

Then came Peter, charging forth as he always did. Perhaps out of bravery, or perhaps because he just couldn’t stop quickly, he ran right past John into Jesus’ tomb. John then followed Peter. Together they saw the linen cloths lying there, collapsed, but still in the shape of a body, as if Jesus had risen straight up out of them. And the head cloth lay separately, not connected to the rest.

John says, “he believed.”

But what did John believe? His next line was, “for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that He MUST rise from the dead.”

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Could it be that John believed what his eyes saw at the moment (the empty grave clothes), but that he, as well as all of the disciples, had not yet comprehended the truth – that Jesus, as part of the salvation plan God put into place – HAD to be raised to life?

If Jesus had only died in the place of sinners, paying the debt of their sins like all the sacrifices, but had not risen … what hope would there be? The fact that God raised Jesus to life was proof that (first) HE accepted Jesus’ death as payment in full, and (second), He would then return to Heaven to be with His Father forever.

And (third), perhaps more importantly, God had PROMISED His Beloved Son that He would NOT abandon His soul to the grave, nor let His body see the corruption that happens there. Read Psalm 16:9-10.

John didn’t understand all that yet, but they all would later, after the Holy Spirit empowered them. Read Peter’s sermon opening in Acts 2:22-27

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After death, we who believe will also be resurrected, given new bodies, and spend eternity with Him in heaven! Jesus is the firstfruits. We are the whole harvested crop!

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/27): John 19:38-42.

Aug27

“Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly… Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night… took the body of Jesus…” John 19:38a, 39a, 40a.

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REVIEW – After Jesus was crucified, his clothing was divided out, and His mother was given into the care of His beloved disciple; Jesus knew it was time for Him to die. He asked for something to moisten His tongue (“I thirst.”), and after they brought him vinegar-wine on a sponge, He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED.” His life, but also His mission, His work for which He was sent… all was accomplished. He had perfectly fulfilled the “plan of salvation” devised way before the earth ever existed. And then He had – of His own accord – given up His spirit of life.

The pompous religious leaders, “floating on air” at what they had accomplished, now, in false piety, went to Pilate to ask that the victims be killed quickly and their bodies removed, for it was coming up to the high holy Passover Sabbath and they didn’t want such “uncleanness” to be seen.

The heart-hardened soldiers did their leg-breaking deed until they came to Jesus. Seeing he was already dead, one thrust his spear into Jesus’ chest cavity to make sure. It was only left now to lower the crossbeams and take off the dead bodies.

John attested to this, as a truthful eyewitness, and stated the Scriptures that these actions fulfilled.

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John 19:38.

Another disciple (or two) was present besides John at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Both were “secret” followers. Joseph, from the town of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, also knew the importance of removing the bodies from the crosses before sundown. He hurriedly went to Pilate and asked for permission to take away Jesus’ body.

Mark 15:43-45 tells us that Pilate was surprised Jesus was dead so soon and sent a Centurion to make sure. When the affirmative report came back, Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph.

Luke 23:50-51 describes Joseph as “He was a respected member of the Council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the Kingdom of God.”

John is the only Gospel writer who mentions Nicodemus. He told about the teacher (a Pharisee) from the Council who came to Jesus by night, with questions about the Kingdom. Jesus told him he had to “be born again of the Spirit.” All this time, Nicodemus must have been contemplating Jesus’s words. John 7: 50-53 says he tentatively stood up for Him in the Council while Jesus still taught in the Temple. Nicodemus was harrassed for it.

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John 19:39-42.

Now, close to sundown, we see Nicodemus come with Joseph to care for Jesus’ body. Joseph was wealthy, we know, for he had a private family tomb newly hewn in the rock in the garden near Golgotha. And now we see Nicodemus as equally wealthy, bringing a large amount of burial spices and ointments to bind Jesus’s body for burial.

Together, they wrapped His body in linen strips, packed with spices, and gently laid it on the platform in Joseph’s tomb. Then they rolled the great stone across the opening to seal it and to keep animals and humans from desecrating the body.

Then the Sabbath rest descended on Jerusalem, as Jesus’ body lay in the tomb.

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

Aug26

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“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

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“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 (8/21): John 18:28-60

Aug21

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“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 (8/19): John 18:1-14

Aug19

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“I have told you that I am He, so if you seek Me, let these men go.” John 18:8

REVIEW – Jesus finished His “high-priestly” prayer for His disciples, including all of us who would also believe on His name through their testimony. Jesus’ earnest words for love and unity among them, as it was within the Trinity and including the disciples, were to prove to the world that God had indeed sent Him into the world to save all who would believe. Jesus WAS the promised Messiah, come out of immense love to save them.

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John 18:1-3.

It was then that Jesus led these men out of the upper room, through the darkened streets of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Brook, and up into a garden area where an “olive press” (Gethsemane) was located.

Jesus and the Twelve had probably met there often for private rest or teaching or maybe even overnight. It was here that Nicodemus came one night to talk with Jesus.

Perhaps it was a garden owned by a friend, such as Mark’s parents, who also had lent the upper room to Jesus for the Passover meal.

Regardless, all the disciples knew it.

Including Judas.

It was to this place that the betrayer led a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, carrying lanterns, torches … and weapons.

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John 18:4-9.

Jesus stepped in front of His disciples, who I’m sure stood, shocked, with mouths agape, especially when they saw Judas. What was happening? They wondered.

“Whom do you seek?” Jesus demanded.

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

“I AM HE,” Jesus said, and at once the whole bunch stepped backward and fell to the ground, including Judas!

After getting up, brushing themselves off, and picking up their lanterns and weapons, Jesus asked them again, “Whom do you seek?”

Did it come hesitantly? “Er.. Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I told you that I am He, so… if you seek ME, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken, “Of those whom you gave Me I have lost not one.”

(NOTE: If you like, you can review all the times where Jesus DID promise this. See John 6:39, 40, 44; 10:28; and 17:12)

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John 18:10-11.

Have you noticed that the disciples seem paralyzed and speechless through it all, in shock and fear? Even Peter says nothing.

But he does DO something.

Having a sword, Peter draws it, steps forward, and swings it at the High Priest’s neck.

Malchus, Caiaphas’s servant, steps in front and takes the blow, which severs his right ear. He grabs the side of his head and howls. Peter stands aghast, staring at the bleeding servant.

“Peter,” Jesus says softly. “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

(NOTE: Dr. Luke, in 22:51 of his Gospel, states that Jesus touched Malchus’s ear and healed him.)

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John 18:12-14.

And so, “the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and tied Him up.” They led Him first to the house of Annas, the former High Priest, and father-in-law to Caiaphas, the man currently in that office. (He was the one who said it would be expedient that One Man should die for the people.)

But what of the disciples? Matthew 26:56 and Mark 14:51 both record, “And all the disciples left Him and fled.”

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NOTE: In the next reading, we’ll see that Peter turned back and followed Jesus at a distance and so did John. John had a little leverage at the Court, and arranged for Peter to come into the courtyard to warm himself by the fire. John himself then went into the place where Jesus was being interrogated and recorded for us what happened.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/18): John 17:20-26

Aug18

Read and believe in Jesus

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who WILL BELIEVE IN ME through their word.” John 17:20

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REVIEW – Jesus continued to pray for His disciples (including those believers not in the upper room, and women followers too). Jesus emphasized that these believers belonged to God first, and that God gave them to Jesus (as a reward for his work on the cross).

Then Jesus asked His Father to “keep them in His name” after He leaves the world. He also asks the Father to “keep them from the evil one.” And He prays that God will “sanctify them.” (Remember, Jesus is praying this for US BELIEVERS too.)

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John 17:20-26.

And then that wonderful verse that shows that Jesus was thinking and praying for YOU and me, while He knelt in the upper room among the eleven disciples.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may ALL be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in us … so that the world may believe that You have sent me.”

Our unity with fellow believers in the love of Jesus and the Father helps unbelievers see that Jesus really is the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Jesus said in chapter 15 that the world will know we are Christians (believers in Christ) because of our love for one another. Now He says that our love and unity with each other and with Him is what will stir up a hunger for faith in the people around us.

“Then Jesus shows His eagerness for all His disciples to one day be with Him in heaven, ‘to SEE My glory that You have given me because You loved me before the foundation of the world.”

Wow, if Jesus is so eager for US to be with Him in heaven, how much more should OUR hearts long for Him, and for “that day.” (Even so, LORD, come quickly!)

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Then Jesus summarizes His prayer in the last two verses of chapter 17, emphasizing the strong connection between God, Himself, and all true believers in both knowledge and love.

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I know You. And these disciples KNOW that You have sent Me.”

“I made known Your name to them, and I will continue to make it known.”

“May the love with which You have loved Me be in them, and I in them.”

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(AMEN!)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/14) John 17:1-5

Aug14

Read and believe in Jesus

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 15.3

The Gospel according to John

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REVIEW – Jesus seemed to speak in riddles to the disciples. “In a little while” this, and in another “little while” that. Some of the disciples asked, “What does He mean?” and “What is He talking about?” Jesus had already referred to His death and resurrection, when they would be sad, but the world would rejoice, and then the opposite when He lived again. But now Jesus tells them about a longer period without Him, for He would be returning to Heaven to His Father. BUT! He would send the Holy Spirit in His place, who would be in them ALL, to help, teach, comfort, and empower. He assured them that their joy would be full! And He WOULD return!

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John 17:1-5.

And then the teaching was finished, and Jesus lifted His eyes to Heaven to pray. He knew their hearts and minds were in turmoil, and He wanted to pray for them. He began by speaking to His Father in an intimate communion of mutual knowledge and praise.

“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

“I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.”

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Such intimate prayer between Father and Son. It makes me want to kneel and bow in their presence.

You can feel the bond that they had before the world was created, united as One in the pre-knowledge of the Fall and man’s separation. They were also united in one plan: the redemption of mankind through the willing sacrifice of the Son, and the grace and mercy of the Father as He chose His redeemed and drew them to the Savior, with the Holy Spirit convicting and giving the needed faith.

You can also feel Jesus’ eagerness to be back with His Father. And so, “for the joy set before Him, He would endure the cross” and all that led up to it.

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Jesus’ prayer will continue in the next reading.