The Preacher’s Corner

today as we get into John chapter 19:1-15 and get past the initial  meetings between Pilate, the Chief priests and those who accompanied  them to Pilate's house, and Jesus, we find Pilate administering a  flogging upon Jesus and measures of disgracing Him, such as the crown of  thorns and the purple robe that would be draped upon His torn flesh! We  find a certain fear come into the heart of Pilate once Jesus was  revealed to be a potential demi-god, and ultimately Pilate will have his  hands tied when the Jews challenge his loyalty to his emperor! All this  and more revealed today with Pastor J!

As we continue into the trial of Jesus today we are brought before  Pilate for a deal to be struck between the court of the Jews and Pilate  for the purpose of killing Jesus! As revealed yesterday, the Sanhedrin  brought Jesus before Pilate because they said He was "evil" and that was  supposed to be enough accusation for Rome to execute Jesus! Today, the  first question out of the Governor's mouth was, "Are you the king of the  Jews?" Certainly this would have been enough to be able to accomplish  what the Jews wanted and for Pilate to be done with all this mess!  Through their conversation though the Governor discover he doesn't have  enough evidence personally to be able to do anything in truth so he  tells the Sanhedrin he could find no fault with Jesus! Doesn't matter  the the religious leadership of the Jews though, for we know from the  other Gospels they bring in false witnesses and proclaim Caesar as their  rightful king! They simply want Jesus dead!!! All this and more today  with Pastor J.

Today in John chapter 18 we enter the palace of the High Priest and we  begin the inquisition of our Lord Jesus Christ! We shall cover verses  11-32 and see the denial of Jesus from Peter; the questioning of Jesus  by Annas; The delivery of Jesus to Caiaphas, who would then deliver  Jesus to Pilate; and the fact that Pilate didn't have any other charges  brought against Jesus than, "He is a big meanie, and EVIL!!!!!!" There  is much to get through today with Pastor J so hold on tight:-)

Today in John chapter 18 we come before the arrest of our LORD by the  soldiers. This is a very powerful moment for so many reasons, but the  best of them all is in the three simple words Jesus spoke that would  cause all who were around Him in that moment to fall before Him! Jesus  said, "I Am He." No one could, at that moment, stand in the presence of  the Almighty and had to fall to the ground!!! This and so much more  today with Pastor J (such as, the expertise of a fisherman with the use  of a sword)!!!

As we finish the prayer of our Lord Jesus in John chapter 17 we learn of  the intimacy of Jesus' heart, not just for those disciples who began to  follow Him during the time of His earthly ministry, but also for you  and me with all the generation we have an ability to impact with the  Gospel! We hear the multitude of times Jesus referenced the Father's  name through His prayer and come to understand that this is not vain  repetition, but a continual remembrance to whom He (as well as we) are  talking to! There is much to be received through this 2nd half of this  blessed prayer and may God richly bless you in receiving it today with  Pastor J!

Welcome to John chapter 17 and the Lord's Prayer. Unlike the training  the disciples received in Matthew 6:9-11, when they asked Jesus, "Teach  us to pray..." here in John 17 we get a taste of the relationship  between Father and Son as Jesus breaks out into prayer with His  disciples in the upper room! There is so much to be received from this  chapter that there isn't enough time in all of eternity to mine it  out!!! So, welcome to the Corner today and May Jesus' prayer bless your  soul above and beyond measure, Amen!!!

Today in John 16:16-24 we are introduced to Jesus' teaching concerning  His death and resurrection which completely throws His disciples off  because they don't understand what's about to happen. We can't be too  hard on them though, for we certainly would be in the same "boat" with  them if we were in their scenario! Jesus reveals the sorrow we may  currently carry in our hearts due to the momentary separation we face in  our loved ones passing, and going on before us, but that our sorrow  will be changed into a joy no one can take from us in the future Jesus  called, "that day"!!! May God bless you richly as you consider the  things shared on the Corner today with Pastor J.

Today as we get into John chapter 16:1-15 we receive powerful teachings  from Jesus concerning the persecution that was to come upon the  disciples in their day as well as the reality of persecutions which may  come upon us today. The world still hates the Gospel and the things and  people of God just as much today as was back in the times of the  disciples! Also, We receive from Jesus a great explanation of the work  of the Holy Spirit in this world, which is to convict this world of sin,  righteousness, and judgment! This is the work which will be done  through us by the Holy Spirit into this world (and now you can  understand why Christianity is not so popular in the world today).  Lastly we understand another purpose of the "Helper" is to instruct us  in God's Word as we are able to understand it! This and so much more  today with Pastor J, so have a great Friday, a great weekend, and may  God richly bless you as you receive from Him!!!

Today we finish John chapter 15:18-27. There are several truths Jesus  gives today from His teachings. The fact the world is not going to  respond well to His Word and will seek to harm us and hate us for being a  part of Christ and separated from the world! The fact that we have been  filled with the Spirit of truth, who is our helper, to guide us in  sharing our faith in every opportunity we get to do so! The reality that  through Jesus' teachings, and because of His many miracles performed,  the world is without excuse to not believe in and follow Him/God. This  and so much more shall be shared today through Pastor J, so hang on  tight!!!

Today as we dig into John 15:7-17 we discover the very commandment of  Jesus given to His disciples (to us today who follow Him), "Love one  another as I have loved you! We shall discover this word love has  connection to the word "abide" and the word "friends" which are used in  our section of Scripture today! May God bless us richly for receiving  His teachings today and may we take what we receive and carry it out to  the world so they may know!!!