Jumping Ahead

N.T.#796"Jumping Ahead"

May 13, 2026 

John 18-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

What did spontaneous Peter do?

He drew his sword, then he chopped off the right ear of the servant to the high priest, whose name was Malchus. Wow Peter! Are you in trouble! There were 600 soldiers that morning in the Garden and you do this? 

Jesus came to Peter's rescue-Put up your sword. The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink from it? (verse 11)

Did Peter intend to kill the man by splitting his head open? Malchus dodged the sword at the last moment, only loosing an ear. 

Jesus' cup was one of suffering and agony on the cross. He took our place for punishment of our sins. What love!

LET IT GROW

Allow God's plan to unfold. It's tempting to take matters into our own hands, to force the issue. Most often such moves lead to sin. We must trust God to work out His plan. 

Had Peter had his way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross, and God's plan of redemption would have been thwarted. However, Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51) Then Jesus rebuked Peter for acting like an unbeliever and failing to see God's plan unfolding. 

Do we often jump ahead and try to solve a problem before we allow God to work it out? 

LET IT GO

Forgive when it is easy and forgive when it hurts.

Love unconditionally. 

Surrender to God's plan.

LET IT GO

Whom Do You Seek?

N.T. #795 "Whom Do You Seek?"

May 12, 2026 

John 18-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We left Jesus and His 11 disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. The disciples had fallen asleep and Jesus went to the gate when a crowd showed up. What happened next?

• A group of 600 soldiers, high priests, Judas, and Pharisees who came to the garden. (verse4)
• Jesus asked, "Whom seek ye?"
• Their answer was, "Jesus of Nazareth." 

This is the name that appeared on the official arrest warrant issued by the Sanhedrin and the Roman government. (Falwell)

How did Jesus answer? "I am He." (verse 5) He calmly answered and did not try to escape. Jesus stated His deity, as in 8:58. Perhaps the 600 soldiers too their position in defense, preparing for resistance and a fight. They were frightened by a single rabbi and His 11 followers? Only 1 had a weapon-Peter.

What happened as soon as Jesus said His identity? They went backward and fell to the ground. The enemies of God shrank before the presence of the Almighty. 

Who do we seek? Who do we consider the One that can change hearts and lives? Jesus.

LET IT GROW

On numerous occasions, Jesus demonstrated the moral power that was His as the Son of God. Here, those men were struck by the power of Jesus' words. (David Jeremiah)

Jesus is no mere man. He's the God-man. He's the Word who was with God, was God, and became flesh. (1:1, 14) Jesus spoke the divine name using the same voice that had spoken the world into existence. And it knocked the betrayer and his accomplices off their feet.  (Tony Evans)

Again, Jesus asked who they sought, Jesus of Nazareth was their answer again, and He answered, " I am He." This time, though, Jesus added, Let these go their way. (verse 8) 

John said it was so it might be fulfilled that Jesus said, Of them which thou gavest Me have I lost none. (6:39; 17:12)

When Jesus intervenes to protect you, His intervention is always effective. (Evans)

LET IT GO

Nothing matters when we stand before a Holy, Almighty God. None of us are righteous, no not one.

Will we stand in His presence or to our knees will we fall?

Will we fall on our face and tremble?

It is better to bow before Almighty God now and confess our sins then ask His forgiveness than to stand before the Righteous Judge.

Which will it be, my friend?

Betrayed

N.T.#794 "Betrayed"

May 11, 2026 

John 18  

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been betrayed? It is such a deep pain that it paralyzes you emotionally. Jesus knew that pain, for one of His disciples betrayed Him. 

They came to take Him away. Jesus took His 11 disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. They went there frequently for a place of seclusion where Jesus prayed. Judas led the band of 600 soldiers, chief priests, and Pharisees to where Jesus was. 

They came with torches to take the Light of the world (Jesus) with weapons to arrest the Prince of Peace. Since Jesus knows all things, He expected this, for Jesus went to the location where He knew Judas could find Him. 

One of His own disciples betrayed Him early that morning-Judas. 

Are we prepared for people to betray us? I doubt it. Usually it is so unexpected that someone we trust and maybe love would do such a thing. It is unimaginable that they would hurt us so deeply that we are shocked. And sometimes they even lie about it. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus was completely aware of Judas' plan. Judas sold out information as to where Jesus was for 30 pieces of silver. Maybe he knew what the group's intentions were or maybe not. At any rate, Judas lived to regret it, they killed himself. The group was intending to kill the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Did you notice that Jesus didn't run and hide when the group came looking for Him? Jesus went to the gate to meet the crowd. It was at this point that Judas kissed the Master in order to indicate His identity. (Matt. 26:49)

We can meet evil head on with Jesus beside us. Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world. (16:33)

LET IT GO

Keep the faith.

Love our enemies.

Turn the other cheek.

Trust God.

 

Peace

N.T.#792 "Peace"

May 7, 2026 

John 16-Part 4

I have overcome the world. (verse 33)

LET IT GLOW 

Going through a tough time? You can have peace. Read on to find out how.

As the time for Jesus' cross quickly approached, He stated that the disciples would scatter then. Peter and John would watch from the background. Others would run for their lives. Basically, everyone would be afraid for their own life and leave Jesus alone. (Yet, He was not alone since the Father was with Him.) (verse 32)

Jesus was sent from the Father, is in the Father, and would return to the Father. The Son and the Father are one. (Tony Evans)

It was all in God's plan in order to provide salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Isn't it easy to have strong faith whenever we aren't challenged? It's easy to declare our faith in God while among Christians in church. It's harder to live it out in the world, surrounded by unbelievers. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus wasn't telling His guys to fill them with fear, but so they might have peace in Him. (verse 33) We can't know if we truly have peace until conflict strikes. A Christian's peace is found in our connection to Jesus Christ based on His work. (Evans)

How can we courageous and faithful, with peace during tribulation? 

Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (verse 33c)

The world may beat us down, but we can live with bold faith because Jesus is the sovereign King over the world. He has defeated sin, Satan, and death. Amen!

Jesus can overrule our earthly circumstances. So we must abide in Him and His Word and Spirit abide in us. Surrender to God's will keeps us in His will. 

Jesus accepted the disciples' statement of faith, even though He knew what lay ahead for them. We know their words and lives soon matched as they grew in faith, even to the point of death. Jesus takes us through the same process. 

How well are we living out what we say and believe about Jesus?

LET IT GO 

Help us deny our self, take up our cross, and follow You, King Jesus.

Show us we are not alone in our struggles, Lord.

Bless us with Your peace today.

To You be the glory forever. 

Jesus Prayed For Us

 N.T.#793 "Jesus Prayed For Us"

May 8, 2026

John 17

LET IT GLOW 

How long do we pray?

This entire chapter John wrote is what Jesus prayed. He prayed for all who would follow Him, you and me, as well as the disciples.

For what did Jesus pray?

• God be glorified and Jesus be glorified (verse 1)
• Eternal life for believers (verse 2)
• Believers know the Only True God and Jesus (verse 3)
• God keeps (guards, watch over) believers in a wicked world (verse 11)
• Unity (verse 11)
• None compromise with the wicked world (verse 12)
• Jesus' joy be fulfilled in them and us (verse 13)
• God's Word given them (verse 14)
• Protection from the evil one (verse 15)
• They are not of the world (verse 16)
• Sanctification (holiness) (verse 17). 

Jesus asked for unity in harmony and love as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united.  He desired the disciples and us to be protected by keeping us connected to our holy and righteous Father. Also, Jesus prayed we would be protected from Satan and the worldly ways.

LET IT GROW

In verse 17, Jesus prayed we would be sanctified, set apart, through God's Truth, His Word. Jesus prayed for the church and future believers in Him. He wants us to be complete. 

In verse 24, Jesus desires those given to Him will be with Him and see His glory, 

Dear one, do you believe in Jesus as God's Son, the Way to heaven, the Truth, the way of life? 

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Life Application Study Bible)

*Please pray for the blog, for someone is trying to prevent my posting through typing here.

LET IT GO

Help us stay in unity with You, Jesus, and Christians.

Do You Believe?

 N.T.#791 "Do You Believe?"

May 6, 2026 

John 16-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Christ told His disciples He was going away in a little while, but then they would see Him. I'm sure that was confusing to them. They would wee while the world would rejoice. However, their sorrow would turn into joy because of the resurrection of Jesus.  (verse 20) 

Jesus reassured the guys He would see them again. The Holy Spirit would produce a permanent joy. (verse 22)

Jesus used the example of the pain in childbirth and joy the child brings to the mother. The pain in insignificant to her by that time. 

LET IT GROW 

When that day came, it would be impossible for the disciples to personally ask Christ for things. 

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. (verse 23)

Jesus intercedes for Christians in prayer to the Father through the name of the Son, Jesus Christ. When the Spirit came, Christ would reveal the Father plainly. 

The Father answers our prayers because He loves us, because we love Jesus and believe in Him as Savior. (verse 27)

Don't know who said this, but what a profound statement in made in verse 30:

... this we believe that Thou camest forth from God. (verse 30)

Friend, do you believe in Jesus as God's Son?

LET IT GO

Whatever my lot, You are still my God.

It is well with my soul.

I trust in God my Savior.

You will never fail.

Holy Spirit

N.T.#790 "Holy Spirit"

May 5, 2026 

John 16-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

What does Jesus till us about the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit

• He guides in all truth. (verse 13)
• He does not speak of Himself.*He speaks of what He hears.
• He reveals things to come. future revelation. 
• He glorifies Jesus. 
• His revelation is from Jesus. (verse 14)

Jesus' personal sacrifice shows us His priority was to love us. Opposition is hard to deal with. 

The Holy Spirit guided the guys as they wrote the Scriptures. We are able to understand it through the Holy Spirit's working. 

LET IT GROW 

The disciples didn't get what Jesus was speaking about-His leaving and returning. We should not get upset if we don't understand what Jesus is doing in our life. After all, His first disciples were confused and Jesus was right there with them. Keep pursuing Him.

We know Jesus was speaking about His death to His disciples. Then He would rise from the dead and appear to them in His resurrection body. Joy would return to them.

LET IT GO

Are we listening to the Holy Spirit?