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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/17): Matthew 4:12-17.

Sep17

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“Now when He heard that John had been arrested…” Matthew 4:12

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REVIEW – Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be TESTED. Jesus fasted from food (and comfort) for 40 days, no doubt spending much of the time communing with His Father. At the end of the 40 days, when He was weak with hunger (but spiritually strong), the devil came to Him with three temptations.

These tested Jesus’ determination to deny Himself and to love and serve His Father only.

  1. Would Jesus INDULGE His flesh and use His power to assuage His hunger?
  2. Would a desire to IMPRESS His people make Him, by “flying off the temple roof,” gain glory without the cross?
  3. And would He be so eager in His humanity to ACQUIRE all the kingdoms of the world (before the right time) that He would bow and worship the devil?

The answer? A resounding NO. After Jesus resisted these temptations so common to mankind,quoting the powerful Word of God that eventually made the devil flee, angels came and ministered to Him.

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Matthew 4:12.

Some time after Jesus’s baptism and time in the wilderness of Judea, He heard that John had been arrested, so He withdrew north into Galilee.

Matthew 14:3-5 briefly tells us who arrested John and why.

“Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people because they held John to be a prophet.”

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This is Herod Antipas, son of that wicked Herod the Great and brother to the late Archelaus and to Philip, who reigned north of Galilee. Herod had lured away Philip’s wife (and daughter) and married his sister-in-law Herodias.

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Matthew 4:13-16.

Instead of settling in Nazareth, where there was very little faith and much ridicule of Him, Jesus went a little ways northeast to busy Capernaum, situated by the Sea, and established His ministry there. Matthew tells us this fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in 9:1-2 and 42:6-7.

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles” – “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

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(NOTE: See if your Bible map – maybe back in Joshua – shows these regions: Naphtali covering most of western Galilee and the sea coast, and Zebulun around the areas of Nazareth and Nain.)

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Matthew 4:17.

And Jesus began to preach.

It’s almost as if John handed off the baton to Jesus. Even Jesus’ message was the same: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repentance is the main emphasis of Jesus’ public ministry from start to finish. After His death and resurrection and before He returned to heaven, Luke tells us what He said to His disciples in Luke 24:46-48:

“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 from Jerusalem. YOU are witnesses of these things.”

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(NOTE: Let’s look for this as we read through Matthew, and see where and how Jesus urges people to repent. And let us also humble ourselves before him, repenting and confessing our own sins. He has promised – on the basis of His death and resurrection – to forgive them… and even FORGET them. Hallelujah!)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/15): Matthew 3:13-17.

Sep15

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“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

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REVIEW – John, the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth, was introduced. Matthew described John’s appearance, which was much like the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). He also quoted Isaiah 40:3-5 and related it to John’s “prepare the way for the Lord” message and purpose. People flocked to hear his fiery preaching, were convicted, and repented. John “the Baptist” then baptized them for the repentance of sins.

When religious leaders came from Jerusalem to check out all the “hoopla,” John lashed out at their hypocrisy. He then prophesied about the One coming with power and judgment.

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Matthew 3:13-14.

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.”

It’s evident that news of John’s preaching and baptizing had spread to Galilee, and to Nazareth specifically. Jesus heard and made His way towards “the Baptist.”

Did His Father tell Jesus it was “time” to begin the ministry for which he came? Or had his 30th birthday signaled the time to act? (It was at thirty that young men entered the priesthood.) Whatever it was, Jesus heard the call, left His home and family, and went to John at the Jordan River.

We don’t know if Jesus and John had ever met, but surely they knew of each other. So, when Jesus presented Himself to be baptized, John objected, saying, “I need to be baptized by YOU, and do you come to ME?”

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Matthew 3:15-17.

Jesus answered, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” And John consented.

What did Jesus mean? Several things are possible.

Jesus was “born under the law to redeem those under the law.” (Galatians 4:4) As with all Jews, baptism or ritual purification was a common action. Jesus was identifying Himself with “His people.”

Others have suggested that the act of ‘going under the water’ had symbolically rinsed off sin for so many repentant people – and that the coming up out of the water showed Jesus taking their sin on Himself. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “

But really, all we know is that Jesus wanted to be baptized by John, and that His Father approved. Coming up out of the water, (Jesus saw, and perhaps John too) the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove to rest on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

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This encouraged Jesus, who knew where the path He walked would eventually take Him, and signaled to Him (and others) that His ministry had begun.

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Both O.T. Scriptures and the book of Acts show the Spirit of God choosing special men and sending them out. At Pentecost, 120 people received this divine gift at once as flames of fire descending on them. Then they went out to preach and start the Church, the bride of Christ.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/11): Matthew 2:19-23.

Sep11

Remembering the lives lost in the events of September 11, 2001

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“He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23

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REVIEW – After the visit from the Magi, who were seeking to WORSHIP the young King of the Jews, the evil-hearted Herod mercilessly slaughtered all the baby boys under two in Bethlehem, in an attempt to DESTROY the young King of the Jews. Certainly, he was filled with and controlled by the devil, who, since God’s promise of a Savior in Genesis, had been trying to stop God’s plan of redemption.

However, God warned Joseph in a dream shortly after the Magi departed to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt ASAP. Again, Joseph immediately obeyed. The gifts the Magi had brought were instrumental in their escape and their livelihood in Egypt.

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Mathew 2:19-21.

King Herod did not last long after the massacre of the children. He was already full of a despicable disease from which he’d tried every known cure without success. In his madness, he’d already killed his ‘beloved’ wife Mariamme, and many of his sons and relatives in an attempt to keep them from deposing him.

But God has the last word when a king is dethroned, and a man dies.

The great Herod succumbed to his disease … and Jerusalem rejoiced … for a minute. He still had a few sons by other wives who could take his throne. Who would it be?

The Roman emperor, Augustus, would decide. After some scrambling and many bribes, in which Herod Antipas tried for the spot, the wicked and brutal Archelaus, son of Herod’s Samaritan wife, became the new king of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. (Antipas was sent to rule over Galilee and Perea. He was the “Herod” of Jesus’ ministry.)

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(NOTE: Archelaus was so ineffective that Rome eventually deposed him and appointed a series of governors. Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor of Judea.)

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Anyway, God sent an angel in a dream to Joseph saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary, and went to the land of Israel. (Such immediate obedience!)

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Matthew 2:22-23.

As Joseph and his family entered the southern border of Israel, he heard that Archelaus had been made king, and he was afraid. Perhaps he’d been planning to return to Bethlehem, where they had lived for two years after Jesus’ birth. But it was so close to Jerusalem and the king’s residence. Could another massacre happen?

God did not let his chosen caretaker of Jesus fear for even a moment. He again warned him in a dream NOT to settle in Judea, but to return all the way back to Nazareth, that tiny, “nowhere” town on the side of a hill in Galilee.

And Joseph obeyed. They probably traveled the unfamiliar coastal road to keep out of the attention of Archelaus.

Did the young couple remember that journey to Bethlehem years ago with Mary pregnant and about to deliver? Did they remember that first stable where Jesus was born, and the arrival of the shepherds with their wondrous story of an angel choir and message? And then the home where those amazing Magi visited? And that horrible night of flight.

And now back to sleepy Nazareth, where Mary had been scorned for her pre-nuptial pregnancy. Would those people remember? What would they think of Jesus? Would they call Him a…?

“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.'”

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(NOTE: there isn’t a specific O.T. scripture that says the Messiah would be “called a Nazarene.” Matthew, as with his quotes before, likes to “picture” or allegorize his points.)

Consider this: the root of the word Nazareth is nezer, or “branch” or “shoot”, and remember one of Matthew’s purposes is to show Jesus as the true descendant of David, and the King of the Jews.

Now, consider these passages:

  • Isaiah 11:1 – “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse (David’s father), and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him…”
  • Jeremiah 23:5 – “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king… “
  • Jeremiah 33:15 – “In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and He shall execute justice and righteousness for the land.”
  • Zechariah 38b – “…behold, I will bring my servant, the Branch.”

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These O.T. prophecies pointed towards Jesus’ 1,000-year reign on earth, still future to us, but by presenting them and comparing them to the title Jesus will be known for on earth – Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus, the Nazarene – Matthew is hoping his readers will make the connection and “see” the Branch of David, and the King EVERY TIME they hear and read about Jesus.

Let US do the same.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/10): Matthew 2:13-18.

Sep10

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“And he (Joseph) rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt…” Matthew 2:14

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REVIEW – A delegation of wise men came from the East to Jerusalem seeking the One who had been born “King of the Jews.” This put Herod “the Great” in a panic, for he thought HE was the king of the Jews. Herod asked the religious leaders where the Messiah was to be born, and they quoted Scripture, identifying Bethlehem.

Herod told the wise men about the little town to the southeast, and then that sly wolf asked them sweetly, ‘WHEN’ they had first seen their “guiding star.” After they’d mounted camels and were leaving, Herod called to them, “When you find Him, bring me word so I can come and worship Him too.”

The wealthy Eastern Magi easily found the house where the King of the Jews was living, for the “shining light” stood right over the roof (much like it had over the Tabernacle in the wilderness). They worshipped the Boy King, gave gifts to His parents, and then quietly departed, taking a way home that avoided Jerusalem, for God had warned them not to return to Herod.

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Matthew 2:13-15.

Joseph and Mary, with the young Jesus on her hip, waved to the camel train as it faded into the sunset. They came back inside, still in a state of wonder, hardly believing until they saw again the gifts the Magi had brought. Then, it seems that as soon as they retired, the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

“Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.”

Joseph must have sat up immediately and awakened Mary, who gently woke Jesus. Hurriedly, they packed their few belongings, some food, and Joseph’s tools into sacks, along with the Magi’s gifts, and loaded a small donkey cart. Within hours of the wise men leaving, Joseph had his family on the road to Egypt.

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(What a righteous man. No wonder God chose Joseph to care for His Son during the boy’s growing-up years. Immediate obedience, without question: how many of us could or would obey so quickly?)

The Magi’s gold paid for the trip and a place to stay in Egypt. The myrrh and frankincense from the East (very rare and valuable in Egypt) helped to keep the family until Joseph could get established again.

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(What perfect timing! We can always trust our omniscient God with fearful surprises and “unknown” futures. He is THERE before we are. And He has already taken care of our expenses.)

Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my Son,” which speaks of God bringing the nation of Israel out of captivity. Here, Matthew uses it more as a “picture” or “allegory” than a prophecy.

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Matthew 2:16-18.

Herod soon realized the Magi had tricked him.

How long would it take to travel the 6-8 miles to Bethlehem, look and ask around, and find that kid? Even if they stayed a few days, they should have returned to Jerusalem by now. He was furious.

He called his most devious and loyal henchmen and sent them to Bethlehem. Their orders? To kill all the male children in the town and the region who were two years old or younger.

The above line is easy to type, but oh, the horror of such a plan to consider and imagine. Mothers and babies screaming as the henchmen wield their huge swords, leaving the little ones dead and in pieces. Parents trying to hide the little ones, but having them wrenched from their arms and slaughtered before their eyes. Oh, the weeping and wailing! The heartbreak. The ghastly horror!

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Again, Matthew quotes O.T. scripture to describe (more than predict) the horrific massacre.

Jeremiah 31:15 says, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children: she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Jeremiah’s prophecy was of the Babylonian captivity, when weeping and wailing accompanied the deaths and deportation of the Jews from their homeland. Their lamentation prefigured the pain that occurred that day in Bethlehem.

But, horrendous as it was – the death of all those sweet boys, the hopes of their fathers and mothers – the more atrocious idea was that Herod knowingly attempted to kill Israel’s promised Messiah. It was the first of many attempts, and it would finally happen, but only in God’s way and in God’s time.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/8): Matthew 1:18-25.

Sep8

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“She shall bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

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REVIEW – Matthew was the first of the four Gospels written; its author was an ex-tax collector named Levi, until the Lord saved him. In his own writing, he uses his other name – Matthew – which means “gift of the Lord.”

Matthew writes mainly to a Jewish audience (look for many O.T. references, no explanations of Jewish words or customs, and a respect for God’s name). He does not write chronologically; instead, he groups his information into five themes.

His genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Israel’s patriarch Abraham and their great king, David, shows his purpose in writing this gospel: to present Jesus as 1) the promised Jewish Messiah and 2) the King of Israel.

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Matthew 1:18.

Joseph and Mary were “betrothed” to be married. (Betrothal in Bible times was “marriage but without consummation,” and needed a divorce to be broken.)

In Luke’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her of the miraculous conception of a baby in her womb by the Holy Spirit. Soon afterward, she went to Bethlehem to stay with her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. Elizabeth’s son would be John the Baptist. Mary stayed there for 3 months until John was about to be born, then returned to Nazareth. It was probably then that she told Joseph of her own pregnancy.

Joseph was a just and gentle man. But he didn’t know what to think. The woman he was betrothed to was pregnant, and he knew HE was not the father. What did that mean? Should he believe her quite unbelievable story, or accept the more plain possibility of infidelity?

In turmoil and grieving in his heart, he decided to divorce her privately. (That meant he would obtain a writ of divorce from an official and hand it to her privately, apart from any witnesses.) And it would be over.

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Matthew 1:19-21.

Dreams remembered upon waking were thought to be a special blessing in Bible times. It was believed to be a sad thing if one went more than 10 days without one. (Those were normal, eating-too-many-lentils type dreams, and not like the one Joseph received from an angel of the Lord.)

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“Joseph, son of David,” began the angel in his dream. Wait. David? From Matthew’s list of Jesus’ genealogy yesterday, we saw that Joseph’s father was named Jacob. The angel (probably Gabriel) addressed Joseph as a member of King David’s royal line. Yes, he was, but Joseph probably didn’t think about being in the ancient king’s line very often.

“Do not fear to take Mary as your wife,” continued Gabriel. Oh! Just the answer he was seeking! Joseph thought with relief. But…

“…for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit,” the angel answered Joseph’s unasked question, leaving him even more stunned.

“She will bear a son, and YOU shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Then the angel was gone, the dream ended, but everything remained vivid in Joseph’s mind.

Mary was pregnant by … the Holy Spirit. (Oh, my!) Her baby was a boy, and when He was born, Joseph was to name Him Jesus (or Savior). It was the father’s duty to name the children, so this was no surprise. But “Jesus”? What did it mean that the boy would “save His people (the Jews) from their sins”?

Perhaps, as he thought about all this, Joseph recalled Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call Him Immanuel,” which Joseph knew meant, God with us. This boy, this Jesus, this Savior who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was GOD. With. Us!

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When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel commanded and took Mary as his wife. No questions. No reservation. “Mary, be my wife!” “Yes!” Done.

But Joseph did not “know her” (have sex with her) until after she had given birth to the Son, and Joseph had named Him JESUS.

(NOTE: the naming was at 8 days old, when baby boys were circumcised.)

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Next time, two years later….

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

Aug31

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“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 (8/26): 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 (8/21): 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 (8/13): John 16:16-33

Aug13

Read and believe in Jesus

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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The Gospel according to John

REVIEW -You can feel the sense of time slipping away as Jesus gives His disciples last-minute information, instructions, and encouragement.

1) HE knows that in less than 24 hours He will be dead. THEY don’t know or understand that.

2) HE knows He will rise again from the dead, but they have no thought whatever of that.

3) HE knows that after His resurrection, He will soon return to heaven and to His Father who sent Him on this redeeming work. THEY are “getting” that, but are scared and worried about being left alone and what will happen afterward.

4) HE comforts them with the promise of the all-powerful, all-helpful “Holy Spirit-Helper” (or “Comforter” as the KJV says). This third member of the Trinity will guide them, relay God’s truth to them, and glorify Jesus. THEY are slowly getting that, but are still worried and asking questions.

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John 16:16-24

(This next part is a little confusing, as Jesus is speaking both of His death and resurrection, as well as His ascension to Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit ten days after that.)

Jesus says, “A little while, and you will see Me no longer, and again a little while, and you WILL see Me.”

Like us, some of the disciples ask, “What is this that He says to us, ‘a little while and we’ll not see, and again a little while and we will see’? What does He mean? We don’t know what He’s talking about.”

Jesus sees their confusion and concern, and answers them with encouragement more than explanation.

1) Truly, truly, YOU will weep and lament, but THE WORLD will rejoice. Yes, you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow WILL turn to joy.” (Like a woman in childbirth rejoices when her child is born!)

2) You WILL have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice — and NO ONE will take your joy from you. In THAT day….”

He’s speaking of Pentecost.

No way, unless they had studied the prophet Joel, would they understand the Holy Spirit’s coming with wind and fire on the 120 faithful believers waiting and praying in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.

No way could they begin to believe the Holy Spirit’s power that would come on them, so they could preach the Scriptures with amazing discernment, and that, in multiple tongues of nations they had never learned.

There was just no way, in this intimate time with Jesus, with a real sense of foreboding hanging nearby since Judas left, that they could understand this… coming JOY!!

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John 16:25-28.

“I have said these things to you in ‘figures of speech’. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

“In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say that I will (have to) ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself LOVES YOU, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

“And now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

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John 16:29-33.

The disciples are all excited. They think they finally know what Jesus is talking about.

“Ah, NOW You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! NOW we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question you; THIS is why we believe that You have come from God.”

But Jesus knows their hearts – that they are still confused about what is about to happen in an hour, and will also happen in 40 & 50 days. (And He yearns to spend time praying for them!)

“Do you NOW believe?” Jesus asks.

Then He tells them solemnly that what will happen in just an hour or so will scatter them all to their homes in fear, leaving Him alone. But… He will not be alone (He comforts Himself), for the Father is always with Him.

“Have My peace, and take heart! I have overcome the world!”

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/7) John 14:15-31

Aug7

Read and believe in Jesus

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:16

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus has been speaking intimately with His eleven believing disciples. They are afraid and confused at what He says – He’s leaving, they can’t come, but not to worry; He’s preparing a place for them and will come again, and they will go to Him. They have questions, but Jesus’ answers don’t help them much. He also promises that they will do MORE/GREATER “works” than He has done because He’s going to the Father. AND… that they will be able to ask the Father anything in His name and He will give it to them. Just love each other sacrificially and obey His commands!

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John 14:15-17.

Then Jesus begins to lay out some amazing promises for them. But He premises these with this truth: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Obedience is tied firmly to love. Just like when we love our parents, we will obey them and want to please them. So with God. Obedience (without griping, as our parents would say) shows our love, PROVES our love. As our parents also would say, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Jesus told the self-assured religious leaders just that in Luke 6:46-49.

“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and NOT DO what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and DOES them, I will show you what he is like.” Then Jesus compares the wise (obedient) man and foolish (disobedient) man who build their home foundations on different soils, and the outcomes of their choices.

NOTE: When Jesus is speaking of obedience to His commands, He is not simply saying to love one another sacrificially, and you’re done. HIS commands include the entire revelation from the Father.

  1. So, what is the first supernatural blessing Jesus promises?

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be WITH you FOREVER, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. YOU know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you.”

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John 14:18-24

2. And before they can ask more questions, Jesus assures them with the second supernatural blessing.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but YOU will see me. Because I live (again), you also will live.”

Jesus is speaking of his death, and the three days in the tomb in which they will definitely “feel” like deserted orphans. After a little while, however, they WILL see Him again, when He is resurrected. The world won’t see Him (There is no record of any unbeliever seeing Jesus after His resurrection), but THEY will. And because Jesus will be raised from the dead … so will they!

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3. Then, a wonderful third supernatural blessing, union with God.

“And in that day, you will KNOW that I am in the Father…. and YOU in Me… and I in you.” “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to  him.”

Dear Judas (the son of James, not Iscariot) manages to get a question in.

“Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Patiently Jesus answers. “If anyone loves me (that’s you guys), he will keep my word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

“But whoever does NOT love me or keep my words (that’s the world, Judas), they won’t have My Father and Me coming to dwell in them.

Hopefully Jesus’ answer cleared up Judas’ question.

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John 14:25-31

4. Jesus promises the blessing of a supernatural teacher.

14:15: “I will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”

And now, 14:26: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH YOU all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

What a comforting promise! A holy, indwelling helper to teach them (and us) and help them remember all the things that Jesus said, demonstrated, taught, and promised! WOW!

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5. And now the blessing of supernatural peace.

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace, I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Wow. Later, the apostle Paul describes the peace that Jesus promised as: “the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

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Jesus continues to encourage His disciples and to allay their fears and confusion. He says they should rejoice that He is going away, because He will come again.

“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does, you may believe.“

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”

“Rise. Let us go from this place.“

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NOTE: John doesn’t describe “The Last Supper” as the other Gospel writers do. He centers instead on the final teaching and encouragement Jesus gives to His disciples.

And although chapter 14 ended with Jesus telling them they were leaving the upper room, John will insert three more chapters of teaching, prophecy, and the final “High Priestly Prayer” by Jesus. We’ll look at them in the next 7 days of reading.

And then, with chapter 18, we’ll catch up with Jesus and the disciples as they go out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane.