Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Scripture Reading for Monday 19 December 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 19 December 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "The Arrest of Jesus"
Today's Scripture Reading John 18:1-27 (Part 1)
Today's Key Verse: John 18:6 "Now when He said to them, "I am He", they drew back and fell to the ground."  

Today's Writings is Part 1 from John 18:1-27 and tomorrow will be part 2 from John 18:28 thru John 19:42 which deal with the arrest, trials and crucifixion of Jesus. 

John, like the other Gospel writers, covers the events leading up to the crucifixion thoroughly and also adds fresh details.  He reports the jolt that went through the mob that came to arrest Jesus when the Lord tells them "I Am He".  Jesus knew He was about to be arrested and could have escaped but He did not.  He submitted Himself voluntarily to the ordeal that was ordained by God.  In verse 6 we see that for a moment, Christ unveiled His majesty.  His statement of Deity, "I AM He," manifested such glory that it literally threw the soldiers to the ground. Three times during this arrest scene Jesus claimed to be "I AM," echoing God's self-revelation.  He then tells the arresting soldiers to let the men there with Him to go thus Jesus demonstrated His love for His disciples.

John tells us that Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of Malchus a servant of the high priest (18:10-11).  John, unlike Luke in 22:51 does not mention Jesus healing the ear of Malchus. Peter we see is shown to be very human and complex person.  He is brave one moment and ready to fight against overwhelming odds for his Lord, and the next moment his courageous collapses when he is questioned by serving maids outside of Pilate's house.  How like us Peter was.  Christians have face martyrdom bravely.  Yet many still hesitate to witness for the Lord when threatened by ridicule or indifference.

John in his Gospel reports the trials both before Annas (verses 12-14), and the high priest (verses 19-24) and Peters denial of Christ (verses 15-18, 25-27).  Annas was the high priest from A.D. 6 to 15.  Although he was disposed by the Romans, Annas was able to control the post through four of his sons who succeeded him, and through his son-in-law, Caiaphas.  Caiaphas was actually high priest from A.D. 18 through A.D. 36, when Christ's public ministry took place.  Annas' influence is shown in references to him as high priest (Luke 3:2) and in he control he exercised over the movements of Jesus that night.

In verse 15 we read that Peter as well as another disciple followed Jesus.  Is is likely that John was that "other disciple " who, with Peter, trialed Jesus to the home of Annas.  John says he was "known to" the high priest's household and so was able to observe the trial of Jesus from within the house.  What a contrast between Peter and Judas.  Peter wept bitterly and turned back to Jesus.  Judas despaired rather than repent.  God can forgive us of our failures if only we turn back to Him.    

Today's Christmas Song: "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"

O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see Thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by;
Yet in the thy dark street shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in Thee tonight

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, we come before You Abba Father, thanking you for You Mercy, Love and Grace that was so great for us that You sent Your only begotten Son to die our death upon the Cross of Calvary.  Thank you Jesus for becoming the spotless and sinless sacrifice for us and providing us the Living Water that we receive when we accept you into our lives.
                                                                                                                                 Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The ultimate reason for future believers to know the love of God is so that God's love may be replicated in them, thus drawing the entire world to Christ."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Various Scripture Reading on "The Prophecies of the Birth of Jesus." 

Have a God Filled Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  Pray for our Brothers and Sister in Christ who are being persecuted for there Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ.  Also Pray for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel.  Always Remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."

"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with the songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7 

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi






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