Fellowship Hall

After Jesus prays for unity among His own, His disciples, He continues to the Garden of Gethsemane. John's account does not reveal his agony in prayer but tells of Judas coming with a band of men and officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees. He speaks of Peter using his sword and cutting off the ear of the High Priest's servant.  Jesus admonished Peter to put up his sword because the one who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. It is another way to say you reap what you sow. Jesus was sent to Annas, the recognized High Priest by the Jews. The High Priest appointed by the Romans was Caiphas, the son-in-law of Annas. Annas sent Jesus to Caiphas. Caiphas sent Jesus to Pilate because the Romans did not allow the Jews to put anyone to death and the ruling Jews and Pharisees wanted Jesus dead. After Pilate spoke with Jesus, He told the Jews he could find no fault with him but the Jews pressed him and told him they would go to Caesar if he did not comply with their wishes to condemn him to death.  Pilate gave in to their wishes but still tried to release him by offering him for release on Passover but the Jews cried for the release of Barrabas, an insurrectionist and rabble-rouser. So it was that Jesus was condemned to death by his very own because Pilate would not stand against the crowd. How about you?  Do you back up when faced with disapproval from  peers, your friends, family  or a culture that desires to be politically correct?  Let us ask for boldness and courage to stand for Jesus in this day and hour.   I hope to see you in Sunday School at 10:00 A.M.