Devotions

Darkness Came Over All the Land

by  • 

These are the final hours leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate is called to pass sentence because it was illegal for the Jews to execute anyone. Pilate gives the Jews a choice, Jesus who has done no wrong or Barabbas a notorious prisoner. The chief priests incite the crowd who shout “Let him (Jesus) be crucified!” Pilate washes his hands and the crowd, knowing what Pilate means, shouts “His blood be on us and on our children!”. Pilate writes a notice, “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews”. The soldiers take Jesus and crucify him. At the end, the sky is darkened, an earthquake happens, and Jesus says, “It is finished”, the veil of the temple is torn and the way is opened for us to the Holy of Holy’s. 

Whom Do You Want Me to Release

Matthew 27:13–26
Pilate understood the motivation of the Jewish leaders in Matthew 27:18 “they had handed him over because of envy” and gave them a choice between Jesus, who had done no wrong and in Matthew 27:16 “a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas”. Pilate may have thought surely the people would release Jesus, as his wife implored him in Matthew 27:19. But, in

Matthew 27:20 (LEB) But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and put Jesus to death.

The “common people” as referenced here, are often oppressed and can be incited to rebellion, even to their own hurt as we have seen in history. The chief priests incite them to choose “Barabbas is called “one of those among the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection” (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19; cf. Acts 3:14), a “notorious prisoner” (Matt 27:16), and a “robber” (John 18:40) … As a bandit (lēstēs, the same term used of the two criminals between whom Jesus was crucified [Mark 15:27]), Barabbas may have belonged to one of the rural brigands. These brigands were popular with the common people because they preyed upon the wealthy establishment of Israel and created havoc for the Roman government.1

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Mark 15:16-20a
Matthew 27:27-31

Hail, King of the Jews!

Mark 15:16–20

If You Are the Son of God, Come Down

Matthew 27:27–31

Jesus is Crucified

Mark 15:21-41
Matthew 27:13-56
Luke 23:33-49
John 19:17b-37

It Was the Third Hour When They Crucified Him

Mark 15:21–32

They Divided His Clothes Among Themselves

Matthew 27:32–44

Today You Will be With Me in Paradise

Luke 23:33–43 

Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews

John 19:17–27
Pilate, in John 19:19 “wrote a notice and placed it on the cross … “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”” This was not in any recognition of who Jesus was, it was a way of degrading the Jews because their “King” was from this place that no one would aspire to. Pilate understood that “Nazareth did not possess a good reputation, as reflected in the question of Nathanael, himself a Galilean (John 1:46). The early church received similar scorn as the Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5). Such lack of respect was likely due to an unpolished dialect, a lack of culture, and quite possibly a measure of irreligion and moral laxity. Jesus was rejected by His townspeople near the beginning of His public ministry, being cast out of the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16–30; Matt. 13:54–58; Mark 6:1–6)”.2

The chief priest were offended in John 19:21 and asked Pilate to change the placard, but Pilate wanted to defame them.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Matthew 27:45-56
Mark 15:33-41
Luke 23:44-49
John 19:28-37 

Darkness Came Over All the Land

Matthew 27:45–56
Jesus was crucified at the third hour, now in Matthew 27:45-51 “from the sixth hour, darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour”. It was at the ninth hour that Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. And it isn’t recorded by Matthew, but it is also here that he uttered his last words on the cross, “It is finished”.

Truly This Man was God’s Son!

Mark 15:33–41

The Curtain of the Temple Was Torn Apart

Luke 23:44–49

It is Completed

John 19:28–37

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 27:13-56
  • Mark 15:16-41
  • Luke 23:33-49
  • John 19:17-37

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Wilkins, M. J. (1992). Barabbas (Person). In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 1, p. 607). New York: Doubleday.
  • 2. Batson, J. W. (2003). Nazareth, Nazarene. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1177–1178). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Devotions

I Find No Basis for an Accusation

by  • 

Jesus has been bound and brought before all of the Jewish religious leaders, the chief priests, the Sanhedrin, the peoples’ council of elders and Jesus has told them he is the Son of Man. It is for this that they want to crucify him. The whole assembly carries Jesus before Pilate who finds “no basis for accusation”. Pilate tries to push this off to Herod because Jesus was from Galilee but Herod sends him right back. Pilate washes his hands, a symbolic gesture for the Jews, and they say, “His blood be on us”. The sentence is decreed and Jesus is on his way to the cross.

He Regretted What He Had Done

Matthew 27:1–10
Judas could not find any way back from his act of betrayal. The chief priests had encouraged him to betray Jesus and had offered him money, an incentive to do so, but now, after it was done, they didn’t want anything to do with Judas. This is just like evil company, they will talk you into doing what they want and then blame you because you didn’t do the right thing.

Jesus is Brought Before Pilate and Herod

Luke 23:1-12
Mark 15:1-5
Matthew 27:11-14
John 18:28-38 

I Find No Basis for an Accusation

Luke 23:1–12
They all came to Pilate in Luke 23:1 “The whole assembly”, the Sanhedrin, the chief priests and scribes, the council of the elders, and officers of the temple. And in Luke 23:2 “they began to accuse him”. Jesus was not misleading anyone. Jesus had never made any threats against Caesar and had never spoken against paying taxes. It was the scribes and Pharisees who tried to catch Jesus with this line, but Jesus answered, “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”. Finally, Pilate says in Luke 23:4 “I find no basis for an accusation against this man”. But the crowd continues to press now throwing in Galilee as Jesus starting point. Pilate, a good politician, now hopes to dodge this whole mess and sends Jesus to Herod, Galilee is Herod’s jurisdiction.

See How Many Charges They Are Bringing

Mark 15:1–5
Jesus is not reacting to these false accusations and Pilate doesn’t understand. Why isn’t Jesus defending himself? Doesn’t Jesus know that they are seeking his death? Even if Jesus had responded, how do you justify yourself against false accusations?

He Answered Nothing

Matthew 27:11–14
Jesus did not react in any way to this mob or the false accusations or even Pilates taunting him with “Are you the king of the Jews?” Of course, an answer of yes would have been treason against Caesar. But whatever the emotional pressure of the moment, Jesus remained composed. 

It is Not Permitted for us to Kill Anyone

John 18:28–32
Pilate tries to avoid any involvement saying in

John 18:31 (LEB) So Pilate said to them, “You take him and judge him according to your law!” The Jews said to him, “It is not permitted for us to kill anyone,”

But the Jews throw a decision right back at Pilate because they could not “kill anyone”. Only the governor, Pilate had this power. From the beginning, “They were conscious they had no case of which Pilate could take cognizance, and therefore insinuate that they had already found Him worthy of death by their own law; but not having the power, under the Roman government, to carry their sentence into execution, they had come merely for his sanction”1.

The Jews Ask For Barabbas

Matthew 27:15-26
Mark 15:6-15
Luke 23:13-25
John 18:39-19:16 

His Blood Be On Us and On Our Children!

Matthew 27:15–26
Pilate saw nothing in Jesus worthy of death, but the Jews insisted that he was guilty according to their Jewish law. Rome allowed religious autonomy, but the death penalty could only be delivered by Roman decree. Pilate says this man is not guilty, the Jews insist, he must be crucified. So Pilate washes his hands, and “The effect of the whole complex is to underline in the strongest way the responsibility of ‘the Jews’ for Jesus’ death. The symbolic washing of hands recalls the ritual prescribed in Deuteronomy 21:6–9, and the metaphorical language of Psalms 26:6; 73:13. Cf. 2 Samuel 3:28 for David’s similar declaration of his own innocence of a killing which was likely to be attributed to him”.2

He Customarily Released for Them One Prisoner

Mark 15:6–15

Nothing Deserving Death Has Been Done by Him

Luke 23:13–25

We do not have a king except Caesar!

John 18:39–19:16

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 27:1-26
  • Mark 15:1-15
  • Luke 23:1-25
  • John 18:28-40
  • John 19:1-16

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 163). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 396–397). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Devotions

The Cup That the Father Has Given Me

by  • 

Jesus has prayed in the garden and now a crowd shows up with lanterns and torches and swords and clubs. They wouldn’t dare touch him in the temple courts where the people were, but this group from the chief priests and their officers came in the night to take him. So as they took him he asked them to let his disciples go and they fled into the night except John who was known by the high priest who followed along as they took Jesus and Peter who followed along behind as if he was part of the crowd. But Peter is recognized, and he is a Galilean, yet he denies three times that he is a disciple of Jesus. Then the cock crows as Jesus said would happen. Peter must confront his weakness, yet Jesus still accepts him.

Jesus is Arrested

Matthew 26:47-56
Mark 14:43-52
Luke 22:47-53
John 18:1-11

The One Whom I Kiss—He is the One

Matthew 26:47–56
They had plotted with Judas to take Jesus outside the city away from the crowds. They found Jesus waiting for them and in Matthew 26:49 “he (Judas) came up to Jesus immediately … and kissed him”. 

A Crowd With Swords and Clubs

Mark 14:43–52
Judas didn’t come alone. There was a crowd with him and they didn’t come empty handed. They were ready to take Jesus by force, and thinking they would need to. You may have seen mob mentality in action before and it caused a reaction from one of Jesus disciples, but there was no resistance from Jesus, in

Mark 14:48–49 (LEB) And Jesus answered and* said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber, to arrest me? 49 Every day I was with you in the temple courts* teaching, and you did not arrest me! But this has happened in order that the scriptures would be fulfilled.

Stop! No more of this!

Luke 22:47–53
As the crowd came threatening Jesus, his disciples reacted, in

Luke 22:50–51 (LEB) And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and* said, “Stop! No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.

Jesus had not come to take anything by force and he intervened here to bring peace even as they were taking him to be tried and crucified. 

The Cup That the Father Has Given Me

John 18:1–11
John includes two additional details about this event. When the crowd approached in John 18:4-8 Jesus asked “Who are you looking for?” and they said “Jesus of Nazarene.” then Jesus answered, “I am He.” and they all fell backward to the ground. There is power in the word of God. And the second detail is that it was Peter that had drawn the sword. Peter was often the first to react, a passionate man, ready to defend Jesus who needed no defense.

Jesus on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

Matthew 26:57-75
Mark 14:53-72
Luke 22:54-71
John 18:12-27 

Many Gave False Testimony

Mark 14:53–65
The chief priests and the elders had already decided to kill Jesus, they just needed to be able to justify their action so in

Mark 14:55 (LEB) Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, and they did not find it.

They were frustrated that Jesus was not reacting to the accusations so finally in Mark 14:60-64 the high priest said “Do you not reply anything?” and finally the high priest asks, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” and Jesus responds in

Mark 14:62 (LEB) And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

They knew the Christ would come but they refused to believe that Jesus was the Christ so they killed “the Son of the Blessed One”.

I Do Not Know This Man

Mark 14:66–72
Peter could not stay away even though he had been released with the other disciples. Peter followed along with the crowd as if he were one of them. But as he was warming himself by the fire, it was a cold night, one of them recognized him as Jesus disciple. Peter denies, and denies, and denies as Jesus told him he would.

You Will See the Son of Man

Matthew 26:57–68

This Man Was With Jesus the Nazarene

Matthew 26:69–75

The Lord Turned Around and Looked Intently

Luke 22:54–65

If You Are The Christ, Tell Us!

Luke 22:66–71

The Officers of the Jews Seized Jesus

John 18:12–18

The High Priest Questioned Jesus

John 18:19–27

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 26:47-75
  • Mark 14:43-72
  • Luke 22:47-71
  • John 18:1-27

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

Devotions

This is Life Eternal

by  • 

Jesus is preparing the world for the age to come, a time when the Kingdom of God has come near, a time when the final sacrifice has been made, a time when people may choose to believe God and accept Jesus Christ. Eternal life has been offered, and Jesus defines it, “that they may know you (God)”. Then Jesus prays for the Apostles, those that had walked with Him and witnessed His words and work in the earth. He prayed for joy, protection, and sanctification. And, then He prayed for us, all who would believe because of their words and He prayed for unity among us “in order that the world may believe that you sent me”. This is what the world needs to see, that we love one another.

The World Hates the Disciples

John 15:18-17:26 

This is Life Eternal

John 17:1–5
Jesus came that we might have eternal life. Not everyone will have this life, but everyone could have it. The knowledge of who God id exists in the world, it is available for all of humankind to know. But this isn’t like physical life and physical death as we know them. Eternal life is defined in

John 17:3 (LEB) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

If eternal life is in knowing God, then eternal death is separation from him. Separation from God happened in the garden with Adam and Eve by their sin. From there, sin has ruled in the earth, separation from God has ruled, death and sickness and disease have ruled because we, all of humankind was cut off from access to God. But Jesus Christ came in

1 John 5:13-15 John goes on to say that “we can have confidence”, those of us “who believe in the Son of God”. But it isn’t just written to those that believe, it is those that “believe in the Son of God, so you may know you have eternal life”. Knowing this, “you have eternal life”, now, “we can be confident”. 

The Men Whom You Gave Me Out of the World

John 17:6–19
Jesus could easily have taken us out of the world but he didn’t. Instead, he is preparing the world and us who remain in it for the times ahead. He says in

John 17:8 (LEB) because the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they received them and know truly that I have come from you, and they have believed that you have sent me.

Jesus delivered God’s word to us. What Jesus said was God’s will for us. The disciples who followed Jesus weren’t just witnessing the life of a man, they were witnessing the will and purpose of God to free all men from sin and death. Jesus says in John 17:12 “When I was with them, I kept them in your name”. Now He prays in John 17:11 “Holy Father, keep them in your name”. Then He says:

  • that they may have my joy
  • that you protect them from the evil one
  • sanctify them in the truth

 

Those Who Believe in Me Through Their Word

John 17:20–26
Now Jesus prays for us, who will come after Jesus lived on the earth, who will come after the Apostles of the Lamb. We don’t have Jesus giving us the gospel of the kingdom. We have the words that were written by the witnesses who were with him, His Apostles. We also have the words of those that have believed through them and been born again. These are the ones who are now sealed by the spirit of truth, the same Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus in John 1:32 and the same Holy Spirit that fell on them all in Acts 2:2-4 and the same Holy Spirit that fell on Cornelius and his household in Acts 10:44. This message that the Kingdom of God has come near is spread by preaching the word, it is spread by a witness who has experienced life and shares the gospel of life through Jesus Christ as Peter did in Acts 10:34-43. Jesus prays for them, for us, in

John 17:21 (LEB) that they all may be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.

and it is through our unity that “the world may believe that you sent me”.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42
Matthew 26:36-46
Luke 22:39-46

My Soul is Deeply Grieved

Mark 14:32–42

The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak!

Matthew 26:36–46
Matthew 26:39 (LEB) And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Pray That You Will Not Enter Into Temptation

Luke 22:39–46

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 26:36-46
  • Mark 14:32-42
  • Luke 22:39-46
  • John 17:1-26

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

Devotions

Satan has Demanded But I Have Prayed

by  • 

There is an enemy that we face in this world and he has some authority. He tempted Jesus and Jesus answered, “It is written” and the devil left him alone. Peter is going to be tempted, and it seems he will fall away some distance, but his faith will hold. And, he will turn back to God and he will be stronger for it.Now, Jesus says, “A new covenant I give you …” We have heard the word love before, but Jesus demonstrates love in a new way.

Peter’s Denial

Luke 22:31-38
John 13:31-38 

Satan has Demanded, But I Have Prayed

Luke 22:31–38
Because Jesus says, “when once you have turned back” in Luke 22:32, it is clear that Peter will succumb in some way to Satan’s demand. But, because Jesus has prayed for Peter, Peter’s fail will not fail. Peter will turn back. Peter will fulfill, not only his own calling, but will be a strength to his brothers. 

A New Commandment I Give You

John 13:31–38
Jesus has been teaching them for three years. No one has been closer to Jesus. No one has heard Jesus expound on the parables than these apostles. They have heard the two great commandments, Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself. And now, as one of his last words to them, Jesus says in

John 13:34–35 (LEB) “A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another—just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

He says to them, “love one another-just as I have loved you”. But how is that different than the way they were operating? “He loved his disciples selflessly”, sacrificially, understandingly, forgivingly1.

It wasn’t just that he accepted them or that he comforted them. This love isn’t just empathy, and it isn’t just forgiving you so you can be all you can be. It is much stronger than that because his love is in faith, believing you can become more than you have ever been.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

John 14:1-15:17 

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

John 14:1–14
Jesus offers two statements to encourage his disciples. In John 14:2 “I am going away to prepare a place for you”. Which is to say, that we have a secure future, and it will be a good one. The second statement is in John 14:12-14 that “the works that I am doing he will do also, and he will do greater works”. Then he says in

John 14:13–14 (LEB) And whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

My Peace I Give To You

John 14:15–31

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 22:31-38
  • John 13:31-38
  • John 14:1-31

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of John (Vol. 2, p. 174). Louisville, KY: Edinburgh.
Devotions

Drink From It All of You

by  • 

Jesus and his disciples gather in Jerusalem for the Passover feast. They have prepared a place for them to have a meal together and as they all get settled, Jesus says one of you will betray me. They are all asking, is it me? Surely not. Then Jesus gives Judas the bread and tells him “What you are doing, do quickly”. Judas is on his way. During this meal, Jesus takes bread and blesses it and breaks and gives it to them, has done this before. Then he takes the cup and says this is the covenant, his blood for their sin and he says, “Drink from it, all of you” and the message hasn’t changed. Have you taken from the cup he offers? It is the only way to be reconciled with God.

Jesus Will Be Betrayed

Mark 14:18-21
Matthew 26:21-25
Luke 22:21-23
John 13:21-30 

One of You Who is Eating With Me

Mark 14:18–21
Jesus had his enemies, but it was one that was close to him that betrayed him. It was “while they were reclining at table and eating” in Mark 14:18-19 that he tells them, “it is one of the twelve”. By saying this, Jesus “exonerates the other members at the Passover meal. The likely suspects, in other words, are dismissed, and all the intimate companions—they whose very hands have been in Jesus’ bowl—are suspect”.1 

Surely I Am Not He

Matthew 26:21–25
The twelve apostles were all saying, “Surely I am not he, am I Lord” and Judas also joins in Matthew 26:25. Jesus answers Judas “You have said it.”

Jesus had waited until after they had settled. He gave them time to talk about the issues of the day. He gave them time to enjoy their meal. He waited for that quiet moment near the end of a good meal and then as Morris notes, about Matthew 26:21 “Matthew passes over all that took place until the time when Jesus made his startling announcement. He prefaced it with the solemn “Truly I tell you” (see on 5:18); what he was about to say was important, and he did not want any of them to miss it”.2

Woe to That Man

Luke 22:21–23
God has a plan to redeem mankind. Jesus will give his life as Luke 22:22 says, “the Son of Man is going according to what has been determined”. But the response of the twelve wasn’t “how can we intervene and stop this?”. Instead it was finger pointing and “debate with one another”. How often do we react like this and miss the whole point of what is happening.

What You Are Doing, Do Quickly!

John 13:21–30
Even though Jesus had spoken openly to them about the betrayal, they still didn’t understand. Judas leaves them, in John 13:30 and is on his way to the chief priests to gather those that would take Jesus.

Who Is the Greatest

Luke 22:24–30
We know that on the way to Jerusalem the mother of James and John had come to him asking for her son’s to be seated at Jesus right and left hand. And, now they continue their dispute in Luke 22:24, “which of them was recognized as being greatest”. Jesus responds in John 22:26 “but you are not like this”, meaning not like “the King’s of the Gentiles”.

The Lord’s Supper

Mark 14:22-26
Matthew 26:26-29
Luke 22:15-20

While They Were Eating

Mark 14:22–26
In Mark 14:22 “he took bread and, after giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them and said, Take it, this is my body”. And in Mark 14:24 “he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many”. 

Drink From It, All of You

Matthew 26:26–29
Jesus tells them in

Matthew 26:28 “for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”.

But before this, in

Matthew 26:26-27 Now while they were eating Jesus took bread and, after giving thanks, he broke it, and giving it to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

They had seen him break bread and bless it before, and it fed 5,000 and again he fed 4,000. Now, he explains the blood of the covenant, blessed, broken and given for the sin of the world, and it is more than enough.

Do This in Remembrance of Me

Luke 22:15–20
Jesus emphasizes the importance of this Passover meal and “The Passover was not just another meal, but a most important festival. It must be eaten reclining, and there were requirements such as the eating of bitter herbs. Thus quite an amount of preparation was necessary. The meal was not a solitary one, but was eaten in companies usually comprising ten to twenty persons”.3

But Jesus says one thing more, in

Luke 22:16 (LEB) 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

He wants them to continue, and top remember, because there is coming a day when we will be together with him again.

Peter’s Denial

Matthew 26:31-35
Mark 14:27-31

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Matthew 26:21-35
  • Mark 14:18-31
  • Luke 22:15-30
  • John 13:21-30

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

This series follows the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You at the end of Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 424). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.
  • 2. Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 655). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
  • 3. Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 322). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.