The Gospel account of Jesus' Crucifixion as told by the Disciple John, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in John 19: 17-30. We are reminded that the crucifixion is the single most important event in all of human history. On the one hand, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the single greatest tragedy, but on the other, it’s the most glorious event that has ever happened.  

This week's message looks at John 19:1-16, focusing on Jesus' trial before Pilate. We witnessed the brutal scourging, the cruel mocking with a crown of thorns, and Pilate's declaration: "Behold the Man!" and later "Behold the King!". All this reminds us of the Holiness of God and the depravity of man.

In our sermon we see Pilate and the Jews jockeying for power - the power that was actually held by Jesus, the one they thought was finally under their control. The most obvious reading of this section of scripture is that Jesus was on Trial, but if we look closer, He wasn't... The World was.

In this week's sermon, we hear the narrative from John 18:12-27, in which Jesus, having just been arrested, was brought before the most powerful religious leader in Israel, Annas the high priest.  Right behind Jesus, we see one of His disciples, Peter. Peter is on trial as well. But it's a trial of a different kind, one that each one of us face daily.

As we start chapter 18 of the Gospel of John, we dive into the Garden of Gethsemane narrative. Immediately, we see Christ's complete control over the situation, even as He willingly submits to the Father's will. The imagery of Jesus crossing the blood-red Brook Kidron serves as a poignant reminder of His impending sacrifice for the sins of the World.

Finishing up Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, we hear in this week's text, Jesus plead for unity five times, modeling it on the perfect oneness He has with the Father. It’s a unity of love, purpose, and mission that flows from our shared life in Christ. Our love for one another and our commitment to a shared mission are designed to be the Church’s most powerful witness.

In this past Sunday's sermon, from John 17:6-19, Jesus prays specifically for His disciples, focusing on protection, unity, and truth. He asks God the Father to guard them after He leaves, keep them united, and set them apart as holy through His word as they face a hostile world.

In our message this week, we hear Jesus's prayer to God the Father, known as the beginning of the "high priestly prayer".  Jesus declares that His hour of glorification has arrived. We were reminded that God and Jesus are one, that God is glorified through Jesus, and that Jesus is glorified through his work of Salvation on the cross. Guest Speaker: Kobe Whitlock  

Finishing up the Gospel of John, chapter 16, Jesus explains that He previously used figures of speech and parables because the disciples could not fully grasp the reality of His death, resurrection, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In these final verses, Jesus promises that a time is coming—beginning after the resurrection—where they will clearly understand His identity and the Father's deep love for them.

In our sermon from John 16: 16-24, Jesus promises that the disciples upcoming sadness will turn into deep, lasting joy. He compares their grief to labor pains in childbirth—hard at first, but leading to a greater reward. When a person accepts Christ, he can expereince that same eternal Joy found only in the person of Jesus.