The stillness of the night air was shattered by “a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees” who had come “with lanterns, torches, and weapons” (John 18:3). The rabble, led by Judas the betrayer, arrested Jesus and “led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened” (Matthew 26:57). Long before sun-up, a kangaroo court of religious high muckety-mucks was gathered with a predetermined verdict. “

A few years ago, Carla and I walked through the ancient olive grove atop the Mount of Olives. Though you can see Jerusalem just across the Kidron Valley, Gethsemane was quiet, peaceful, still. Two-thousand years before, in the late hours of a long day, Jesus and His disciples withdrew to this serene sanctuary. It was a favorite place … “Jesus often met there with his disciples” (John 18:2). The Rabbi told His disciples, “ ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray’ … He be

On the night of His betrayal, “Jesus … looked up to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you’ ” (John 17:1). He started this intimate conversation by praying for Himself. He then turned His attention to the Apostles, those men that had spent just over three years in His shadow. “Oh Father, He prayed, ‘they were yours, you gave them to me … I pray for them … Holy Father, protect them … Sanctify them by the truth; your wo

At the final Passover celebration, Jesus forecast the coming of His Holy Spirit. “I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). The Christian Standard Bible translates the Greek word “paraclete” as “Councilor.” The English Standard Version, King James, New King James, and New American Standard translate the same word “Helper” while the New En

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms … If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also … I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:1-3, 6). I’ve read these words at countless funerals. It’s comforting to know that Jesus is preparing a home for His faithful children and that those who

Jesus lived and taught counter-culturally. The world teaches us to be king-of-the-hill, but Jesus taught humility. The world reveres the richest, the most powerful, the most influential, the guy with the biggest house, the fastest car, and big desk in the corner office. When an “argument started among (His disciples) about who was the greatest of them … Jesus told them, ‘Whoever … is least among you—this one is great’ ” (Luke 9:46–48). He cautioned Peter, John, James, an

Lazarus, the man miraculously called out of the grave, lived in Bethany, just a mile or two east of Jerusalem. Presumably Lazarus lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. I speculate that the entire family lived in the home of their father, Simon (Matthew 26:6). It was at Simon’s home that we learn a lesson about true worship… authentic worship… sacrificial worship (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). The family had a first-hand understanding of God’s grace. L

After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus returned to Bethany for the night. On Monday morning, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley, returning to Jerusalem. As He “went out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves” (Mark 11:12-13). At this point, Jesus did something seemingly out of character. He cursed the fig tree, saying,

The week leading up to Christ’s crucifixion is referred to as Holy Week. As we approach the annual celebration of Easter, let’s consider twelve significant events, each well-documented in the Scriptures. Let’s start with the Triumphal Entry. In a scene reminiscent of the emperor’s victorious return to Rome, Jesus commandeered a young donkey and rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of masses of Passover pilgrims, thus fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter

Jesus didn’t mince words! Speaking to the religious elite, He said, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). An insidious lie being perpetrated from pulpits and in print is the false teaching of annihilation. “Don’t worr