Author: Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 19:14-29

14   House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
    but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15   Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
    and an idle person will suffer hunger.
16   Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
    he who despises his ways will die.
17   Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
    and he will repay him for his deed.
18   Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    do not set your heart on putting him to death.
19   A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20   Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21   Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
22   What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
23   The fear of the LORD leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;
    he will not be visited by harm.
24   The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25   Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26   He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27   Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28   A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29   Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
    and beating for the backs of fools.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 24

A Psalm of David.

1   The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
2   for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.
3   Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
4   He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
5   He will receive blessing from the LORD
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6   Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7   Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8   Who is this King of glory?
    The LORD, strong and mighty,
    the LORD, mighty in battle!
9   Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10   Who is this King of glory?
    The LORD of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 24:13-35

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

On Resurrection Sunday, two disciples of Jesus (not from the eleven apostles) were walking on the road to Emmaus. It was a seven-mile walk and they were talking to each other about what had happened. As they chatted, Jesus came alongside them but they were kept from recognising them. Jesus asked them what they were talking about and they were astounded that He seemed to be the only one in Jerusalem who didn’t know what had just happened. Jesus probed them further and asked what things they were talking about. They told Him of Jesus of Nazareth who was a prophet who had done great things and taught with great authority. Then they spoke to Him about how the Jewish leaders had delivered Him over to be condemned to death and crucified. They lamented over the fact that they had hoped He was the one who would have redeemed Israel. But then they explained how some women had been to His tomb, found it empty, and brought back reports of angels who said that He was alive. They also told Him that some others had gone to the tomb and found it empty but they had not heard of anyone who had seen Jesus yet. Then Jesus gently rebuked them for being slow to understand and believe what the prophets had spoken of. He explained how it had always been necessary that the Christ should suffer and then enter His glory. He taught them from Moses (The Pentateuch or Genesis-Deuteronomy) and the Prophets (the rest of the Old Testament), from the whole of the Old Testament, and explained to them everything that the Scriptures taught about Himself.

When they got near to their destination, Jesus acted as if He was going further but they urged Him to stay with them. He stayed with them and when they sat at the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. At that moment their eyes were opened and they realised who they had been speaking with. Immediately He vanished from their sight. Their encounter with Jesus drove them directly back to Jerusalem because they felt compelled to share what they had experienced with the others. When they got to Jerusalem they found the apostles declaring that the Lord had indeed risen and explained that He had appeared to Peter (1 Cor 15:5). Then the two disciples added their testimony of what had happened to them on the road and when breaking bread together with Jesus.

What an amazing experience those two disciples had. They experienced that moment when everything fell into place and what they knew came together into something they could understand and believe. Sometimes we need quite a bit of time from hearing the stories of the Bible to the point where everything fits together in a way that becomes real. Take what you have learned and share it with someone else today and be part of helping them get a clearer picture of what Jesus did for them.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jonah Runs from God: Jonah 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 24:1-12

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

On Sunday, the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared before the Sabbath. They clearly expected to find Jesus lying dead in the tomb. Instead, they found the stone rolled away from the tomb and Jesus’ body was missing and they didn’t understand why. Then two angels appeared to them in dazzling clothing and they were afraid. The angels asked them why they were looking for the living [One] among the dead. He was not there, He had risen. They reminded the women of how Jesus had told them all the way back in Galilee that he would need to be crucified and then on the third day, rise again. Even though Jesus died on Friday afternoon and rose early Sunday morning, it is still quite acceptable to say He rose on the third day as part of three calendar days are used in the counting. The women remembered Jesus’ words and then returned to tell what had happened to the eleven (Judas was no longer with them) and the rest of Jesus’ followers. It is interesting to note that women were the eyewitnesses to these things. If someone of that culture were to fabricate the story of Jesus’ resurrection, they would not have used women because their testimony was not considered credible. Even Peter didn’t believe them and ran to the tomb to see for himself.

How incredible that we serve a risen Saviour!

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Vision of Obadiah: Obadiah 1

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 23:44-56

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

From about noon until 3 p.m. there was darkness over the whole land surrounding Jerusalem. This darkness coinciding with Jesus’ crucifixion showed God’s displeasure at what the nation had done. Jesus’ death finally brought a way for man to be completely reconciled to God. The curtain dividing the holy place from the most holy place was torn in two. Instead of a priest entering only once a year, we now have complete access to the Father through Jesus. As in His life, Jesus completely trusted the Father in His death (Psalm 31:5). As in many times throughout Luke’s gospel, we see people responding to Jesus’ actions in praise to God. The centurion couldn’t help but recognise that Jesus had been innocent. The crowds who had seen everything returned home mourning. Those who had been with Jesus, including the woman who had followed Him, stood at a distance and watched everything that happened. They served an important role as eyewitnesses.

Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Jewish leadership but had not agreed to their course of action. He was a righteous man who had been looking for the kingdom of God. Even when many have turned against God, God has often kept a few people who are faithful to Him. If you find yourself standing for God in the midst of many who are against Him, take courage in your position. The group may still move things in the wrong direction but you can still have a godly influence. Joseph wasn’t able to prevent Jesus’ crucifixion but he was able to give Him a proper burial in his own tomb (Mat 27:60). Both Joseph and the women who watched were eyewitnesses that Jesus had really died. Jesus was laid to rest on the day of Preparation, on Friday before the Sabbath began that evening. The women went home and prepared spices and ointments before resting on the Sabbath.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

God’s Reason for Punishing Israel: Amos 3

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 23:26-43

26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

While Luke doesn’t write about the scourging of Jesus, He was so weak that Simon of Cyrene was seized and made to carry the cross behind Jesus. Despite the loud calls to crucify Jesus, many still followed Him mourning and lamenting over what was happening to Him. Despite His own suffering, Jesus still took time to show compassion for those who followed Him. Once again He spoke of the coming suffering that would befall Jerusalem because of Israel’s rejection of her Messiah. Instead of deliverance, the nation would suffer destruction. In those coming times, the sorrow would be significantly greater for those who had children and the suffering so great they would consider death a relief.

Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on either side. Jesus showed incredible forgiveness even in His death. He prayed that the Father would forgive those who crucified Him. They didn’t appreciate the significance of what they were doing. God’s mercy allowed them to escape immediate judgment and provided an opportunity for them to still turn to the very One they crucified for forgiveness when they realised the magnitude of their sin. The soldiers cast lots for his clothing (Psalm 22:18). The rulers continued to mock and insult Jesus. They mocked Him for not saving Himself but He could not because His death was necessary for Him to save us. Above Jesus hung an inscription saying, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Even one of the criminals that hung beside Jesus insulted Him and made the same accusation that if He was indeed the Christ, why didn’t He save Himself—and them. But the other criminal recognised that he hung there legitimately for the crimes he had committed while Jesus hung there for all the crimes He had not. The second criminal truly saw Jesus as the Messiah and called on Him in faith—“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ response is beautifully simple, “today you will be with me in paradise.”

Salvation is an incredible gift given to those who don’t deserve it. That second criminal did all anyone can do for salvation, believe that Jesus can and will provide it. Jesus’ answer assures us that there is nothing we can do to earn or keep it because He guaranteed eternity to the criminal who hung there fully deserving his death and with no merit or ability to earn his salvation.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Day of the Lord: Joel 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 23:1-25

1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Having declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy wasn’t enough. The Jewish council didn’t have the authority to impose capital punishment. For that, they needed a Roman governor to convict Jesus. So they took Jesus before Pilate. They accused Him of misleading the nation. They saw Jesus as leading people away from the true faith of Judaism but before Pilate, they meant leading them away from loyalty to the Roman empire. They claimed that Jesus opposed paying taxes to Caesar which is the complete opposite of what He taught (Luke 20:25). Then finally, they correctly stated that Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Christ, the Messiah, the King, but they framed it to appear that He was an insurrectionist, intending to usurp Roman rule. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” and Jesus answered in the affirmative. The wording seems ambiguous but Pilate clearly understood it as an affirmation because he wrote that title on the inscription on Jesus’ cross (Luke 23:38). Pilate found Jesus to be innocent of the charges but the Jews insisted on his guilt bringing up his teaching in all Judea from Galilee to Jerusalem.

When Pilate heard that Jesus was from Galilee he sent him to Herod because that was Herod’s jurisdiction. Herod was pleased to see Jesus because he had heard about him and hoped to see some miraculous sign. Herod questioned Him at length but Jesus remained silent, like a lamb before His shearers (Isa 53:7). Herod clearly wasn’t interested in learning the truth about Jesus because they mocked Him and treated Him with contempt. This is still true today when people ask and debate about Jesus but their intention is not to discover the truth but to jeer at Christianity. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate having passed no judgment. It is interesting to note that Jesus’ presence brought peace. Herod and Pilate who had been at enmity with each other reconciled and became friends from that day.

Pilate called the leadership together and again said that he did not find Jesus guilty nor had Herod. He had been accused of misleading the people and yet that is exactly what the Jewish leadership was doing. Pilate found Jesus innocent and not deserving of death and sought to release Him. In order to appease the leaders, he offered to punish Jesus and then release Him.

But they did not want Jesus released, they wanted Him crucified. Luke doesn’t mention the tradition that a prisoner was released during Passover (Mark 15:6). So they asked for Barabbas to be released. Barrabas was incarcerated for rebellion and murder. Barrabas’s sins are representative of all of ours for we all rebel against God and are murderous, at least in attitude (1 John 3:15-16). The Jews demanded that the guilty go free and the innocent be crucified. Pilate tried again to release Jesus but they shouted out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate tried a third time to no avail. Eventually, he gave in to their demand, released Barrabas, and handed Jesus over to their will.

Have you ever considered that you are the rebellious murderer, Barabbas, guilty of all charges? You get to go free because Jesus, the completely innocent One, has died in your place.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

God’s Case Against Israel: Hosea 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 19:1-13

1   Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
    than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2   Desire without knowledge is not good,
    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3   When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
    his heart rages against the LORD.
4   Wealth brings many new friends,
    but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5   A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
6   Many seek the favor of a generous man,
    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7   All a poor man’s brothers hate him;
    how much more do his friends go far from him!
  He pursues them with words, but does not have them.
8   Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
    he who keeps understanding will discover good.
9   A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will perish.
10   It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
    much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11   Good sense makes one slow to anger,
    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
12   A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13   A foolish son is ruin to his father,
    and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
  He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.
4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5   You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
  you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
  and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
    forever.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Luke 22:54-71

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.

66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 â€œIf you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested. He was led to the high priest’s house and Peter followed from a distance. Peter warmed himself by the fire in the courtyard and a servant girl looked closely at him and then said, “This man also was with him.” Peter didn’t just deny being with Jesus but denied even knowing Him. Then someone else saw Peter and called him “one of them”. Peter denied being one of Jesus’ followers. About an hour later someone else insisted that Peter must be one of Jesus’ followers because he was Galilean but Peter denied this a third time. While his denial was still on his lips, the rooster crowed. Jesus looked at him and then Peter remembered that Jesus had said before the rooster crowd he would have denied Him three times. That cock crowing must have been painful for Peter because it reminded him of his fallibility. But it also brought hope. Jesus was still in control. Once again, what Jesus had said would happen had unfolded to the minute. Peter’s restoration began because of his immediate recognition of his sin. We will all sin again and again. Our relationship with God grows stronger when we are quick to recognise, acknowledge and turn from our sin (Psalm 51:17).

The men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. They showed some understanding that Jesus was able to know things beyond his natural senses. Their mocking was blasphemy because they taunted God incarnate (God in human form).

They had mocked Jesus throughout the night and when day broke, the Jewish council came together to hold a trial. They asked Jesus directly if he was the Christ. They understood the main issue was over whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. Jesus’ response highlighted their necessary but failed response, that they did not believe. All evidence points to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah but they refused to believe. Jesus identified Himself as the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) and looked beyond His suffering and death to when He would be restored to His place of power, seated at God the Father’s right hand. There is no denying that Jesus made a bold claim to be God. They recognised this and asked Him, “Are you the Son of God, then?” They responded that Jesus had condemned Himself by what he had said. In reality, they stood condemned because they had heard it from His own lips. They had heard all the testimony they needed to believe in Jesus as their Messiah but they condemned Him as a blasphemer.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Hosea Marries a Prostitute: Hosea 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake