-
Simon Carries the Cross
Simon was compelled to carry Christ’s cross, but we who live subsequent to His death and resurrection are called to take up His cross willingly (Luke 9:23). As followers of Jesus, we are to bear the scorn that ...Read More
-
Mocked and Beaten
The Christian faith is derided in many circles, and many professing believers throughout history have been tempted to play down the offense of the gospel or work hard to show the world that Christians are not as “uncool” as they ...Read More
-
Sentenced to Death
A select group of corrupt religious leaders and unjust Roman officials are those who enacted the legal procedures that resulted in Jesus’ death. Yet in a sense, we all killed Jesus, because had we not sinned, there would have been ...Read More
-
Jesus Stands Before Pilate
Our God is a God of justice (Deut. 10:18) and is angered any time justice is not done. We likewise must be moved to work for justice, and being reminded that Rome did not deal with Jesus righteously should ...Read More
-
A Tragic End for Judas
Matthew Henry comments, “Some have said, that Judas sinned more in despairing of the mercy of God, than in betraying his Master’s blood.” Neither Judas’ betrayal nor his suicide is the unforgiveable sin, only his refusal to seek the ...Read More
-
The Rock Fails His Master
John Calvin says Peter’s rash vow to remain with the Lord (Matt. 26:33) and subsequent failure encourage us not to rely on our own weakness, but to earnestly rely on the Spirit. It is easy to say that ...Read More
-
Jesus Answers His Accusers
In spitting upon Jesus and striking Him, the leaders are the ones who commit blasphemy. However, as John Calvin writes, “this insolence was turned by the providence of God to a very different purpose; for the face of Christ, dishonored ...Read More
-
Jesus on Trial
Zephaniah 3:5 assures us that the Lord is perfectly righteous and therefore incapable of any injustice. We must therefore, unlike the Sanhedrin in Jesus’ day, learn to hate injustice and to do whatever we can to make sure that ...Read More
-
Jesus Is Arrested
Christians know that we need to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us, but sometimes we have “defended” Christ improperly. Sometimes, like Peter in today’s passage, we have pursued aggressive violence. Other times ...Read More
-
The Garden of Gethsemane
Honestly presenting our hopes and fears before the Lord carries with it the danger that we might sin and become mad at Him when His will does not match ours. Nevertheless, we may humbly admit all that is weighing upon ...Read More
-
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
In the second volume of his commentary on Matthew, James Boice says that today’s passage is encouraging because it affirms that Christianity is for weak people (p. 563). Zechariah 13 says that though believers may sinfully abandon their master ...Read More
-
The Lord’s Supper
Jesus says that His blood is poured out for “many,” not for “all” (Matt. 26:28). His death is not effectual for all people who have ever lived; Christ’s death is effectual only for His people, securing eternal salvation ...Read More
-
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Calvin reminds us to “always place before our minds the providence of God, which Judas himself, and all wicked men — though it be contrary to their wish, and though they have another end in view — are compelled to obey.” The ...Read More
-
Preparing for the Passover
Some preachers and scholars have long portrayed Jesus as a helpless victim of events, one who is caught off-guard by His arrest and crucifixion. Today’s passage, among many others, indicates that this view is mistaken. Our Savior’s death ...Read More
-
Judas’ Wicked Scheme
Judas’ betrayal of the Savior is the most wicked deed ever committed. It warns us to be careful lest sin take hold of our hearts and make us turn our backs on Christ. Those who truly know Jesus will not ...Read More
