It looked like Jesus’ enemies had finally won. There could be no doubt that He had died – even if the blood loss from the scourging and the suffocation he suffered on the cross hadn’t killed Him, the Roman soldier’s spear thrust certainly would have done it. And as Jesus…

“I thirst” (John 19:28). And no wonder. From the flogging He had received (John 19:1), not to mention having His hands and feet nailed to the cross (John 19:18), Jesus had lost a lot of blood, which caused Him to have a raging thirst. But all His tormentors gave Him…

“Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar” (John 19:12). That’s what the religious leaders told Pilate, and that continues to be the main reason why the Church faces opposition all over the world. That’s why the communist government in China tears down sanctuaries and imprisons pastors. That’s why Muslim…

“What is truth” (John 18:38)? That’s what Pilate asked Jesus, probably out of weary, worldly cynicism. As the Roman prefect of Judea, his only concern was to keep the peace, and he didn’t particularly care how that got done. As his contemporary Herod Agrippa described him in a letter to…

Bible Reading for February 13 – John 18:1-27 “I am.” That’s what Jesus said to the soldiers sent by the chief priests to arrest Him. Oh, it would have been easy enough for him to hide. The garden was dark, and He and all of His disciples were undoubtedly dressed…

Bible Reading for February 12 – John 17:1-26 How closely do you think your prayers line up with what Jesus is praying for you? He is, after all, at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us even now (Romans 8:34). So, what do you think He is praying…

“Ask, and you will receive” (16:24). Well, isn’t that what the “Word of Faith” teachers have been telling us? Doesn’t that mean if we just have enough faith we can ask God for a Cadillac and He’ll give it to us? Well, no. And the context of this verse renders…

Why is American culture suddenly so hostile to Christianity? After all, it wasn’t that long ago that parents could drop their kids off at the movies or leave them in front of the television without too many misgivings. But in recent years, the culture around us has moved from support…

Maybe some preacher told you about God’s law, and about the Hell that awaits those who don’t keep it. Maybe as a result, you’ve been pursuing personal holiness just because you’re afraid of being punished. And maybe, as life goes on and temptations keep coming, you’re tired of failing over…

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). In the face of so many problems around the world and in our personal lives, who doesn’t need some peace today? But Jesus doesn’t just promise to make us feel better in the midst of our confusion. No,…