Mark 14:53-72 – Guilty!

Read Mark 14:53-72

Guilty of what exactly? The religious leaders were floundering to figure out what to charge Jesus with that would convict him of death. Jesus’ visit to the home of the High Priest was certainly not by choice, and the hospitality was seriously lacking. After parading several witnesses through this laughable “trial court” scene, it was clear nobody could collaborate.

And then it happened. After remaining silent for what must have seemed like an eternity, Jesus spoke. He responded to their inquiry about whether he was the Messiah. What was Jesus’ response? He said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Continue reading “Mark 14:53-72 – Guilty!”

John 14:6 – Who is Jesus?

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

This was the first verse I had the girls at the orphanage memorize because it is that important. If the girls take nothing more away from my class than this truth, they are on their way to living a more Christ-centered life. This verse is simple, yet powerful. If we have any desire to be close to God, Jesus is how we get there.

Context: Jesus was speaking intimately with his disciples in this chapter, telling them about the future and what was to come. He could sense their uneasiness in the unknown, and so he gave this direction to comfort and assure them. We may not understand the kingdom of God, heaven, or where Jesus is physically at this moment, but we can be sure he is the one to be watching. He certainly has left us a bunch of great teaching nuggets in this chapter. Continue reading “John 14:6 – Who is Jesus?”

Ezekiel 23:22-35 – Oh Jerusalem!

Read Ezekiel 23:22-35

God’s message continues using the same sister metaphor, but God singles out Oholibah (Jerusalem). The judgment coming just for her is spelled out in these verses. It won’t be pretty. If they survive the attack, these people will notice something has just rocked their world. God wants them to be sure to know it was Him.

All this destruction could have been avoided. The LORD told them, “You brought all this on yourself by prostituting yourself to other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols.” It’s no accident that we have a recorded account of God’s fury against his people. We can lament for the people in their disobedient ignorance. Continue reading “Ezekiel 23:22-35 – Oh Jerusalem!”

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