Jesus knew beforehand about Judas’s freewill decision to betray Him, one of many instances in the Bible showing that God’s foreknowledge of our free choices in no way infringes upon the freedom of those choices. And He knew not only of Judas’s betrayal, but also that Peter, despite all his bravado, would at the crucial … Continue reading –>
How sad the story of Judas! Had he died before his last journey to Jerusalem, he might have been among sacred history’s most venerated heroes. Church buildings could have been named after him. Instead, his name is forever linked to betrayal and treachery. Read John 6:70 and Luke 22:3. How do they help to explain … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Jesus’ Last Days Before His Crucifixion” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the … Continue reading –>
Free will. Could Jesus have chosen another course? Could He have sidestepped the brutal treatment He received and returned unscathed to the heavenly home He loved so much? Could He have acknowledged the awfulness of sin without dying from its consequences? If He could have, why didn’t He? You and I possess free will just as Jesus … Continue reading –>
During Passover week, the priests sacrificed thousands and thousands of lambs at the temple just up the hill from the Kidron Valley. The blood from the lambs was poured onto the altar and then flowed down a channel to a brook that ran through the Kidron Valley. The brook may have actually turned red from … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 26:17-19. Why is it so significant that this was the time of the Passover? See also Exod. 12:1-17, 1 Cor. 5:7. The story of the Exodus is, of course, a story of Redemption, of deliverance—a work that God does for those who could not do it for themselves. What an appropriate symbol for … Continue reading –>
We are now entering the last days of Jesus’ life on earth. He has yet to go to the cross, has yet to be resurrected, and has yet to reveal Himself fully as the crucified and risen Savior of the world. However much those who followed Jesus loved Him and appreciated Him, they still had … Continue reading –>
Why Speaking Out on Church-Related Sexual Abuse Is Actually Witnessing Recently I have had three conversations going – one on Facebook, two on text – that involve clergy sexual misconduct. Cindy . . . Chelsea . . . Kirsten . . . I’m so sorry. These women are hurt, frustrated, angry, and lost, and they feel they … Continue reading –>
Each year in the week before Easter I like to contemplate the life of Jesus day by day of the week leading up to His crucifixion. This week as we study the following five stories from that all-important week, I will again contemplate these scenes. I will not only search the meanings and lessons, but I … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 26:1-16, Luke 12:48, Matt. 26:17-19, 1 Cor. 5:7, Matt. 26:36-46, Matt. 26:51-75. Memory Text:“‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me … ’” (Matthew 26:31, NIV). In this lesson, Jesus is now entering the final moments before the cross. The world, even the universe, begins … Continue reading –>
