Tag: Minister

Inside – the high priest began asking Jesus about His followers, and what He had been teaching them. Jesus replied – “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple – where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking Me this question ? Ask those who heard Me. They know what I said.”

Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest ?” he demanded.

Jesus replied – “If I said anything wrong – you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth – why are you beating me ?”

Then Annas bound Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas – the high priest.

In Part 5 of my continuing sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. In Verses 19 to 24 John writes about the high priest and his questioning of Jesus. (This is the morning that He was crucified – what we now know as Good Friday.)

This questioning was in accordance with Roman law at the time where defendants were questioned directly. It was an attempt for the defendant – Jesus – to incriminate Himself. This differed from Jewish law where witnesses were questioned instead to establish guilt. Jesus replied that they should talk to the witnesses – His followers – as everything that He had taught them was not done in secret. It was done in a public forum – free for anyone to see and hear.

One of the Temple guards was so insulted at what he saw as rude and disrespectful answers to authority that he slapped Jesus across the face.

Jesus obviously knew that he was in the right. No witnesses accused Him of anything. No evidence was presented.

Let’s continue on with Verses 25 to 27, and Peter’s 2ND and 3RD denials of Jesus:

Meanwhile – as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself – they asked him again – “You’re not one of His disciples – are you ?”

He denied it – saying – “No – I am not.”

But one of the household slaves of the high priest – a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off – asked – “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus ?” Again – Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Sometimes it may seem convenient to keep your personal relationship with Jesus Christ a secret in order to avoid questioning, mocking, ridiculing, and persecuting by those of the world who hate us for who we follow and what we believe. I think that we’re all guilty of that at times when we’re distracted by the world and not focused on our King of Kings. Christ said (in red letters) – “But everyone who denies Me here on earth – I will also deny before My Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

Missed the first 4 parts of this sermon ? Check them out – PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3 / PART 4

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

First they took Him to Annas – the father-in-law of Caiaphas – the high priest at that time. Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders – “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”

Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. The woman asked Peter – “You’re not one of that man’s disciples – are you ?”

“No” – he said – “I am not.”

Because it was cold – the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it – warming themselves, and Peter stood with them – warming himself.

In Part 4 of my continuing sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. In Verses 13 to 18 John writes about “another of the disciples” and “that other disciple” and “the disciple who knew the high priest”. The fact that John didn’t identify him by name probably means that it was John himself – “the disciple Jesus loved”.

This was the pivotal moment in which Peter denied Jesus for the first time. Jesus stood-up to His questioners and denied nothing. Peter was not bold enough to do so. Jesus was right when he told Simon Peter earlier that “before the rooster crows tomorrow morning – you will deny three times that you even know Me.”

Peter had good intentions, but he was slowly descending into temptation and sin. He followed Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. Then he stood with the enemy by the fire to get warm.

Be bold. Be blessed. Listen for God’s voice to give you guidance and direction. Follow His wisdom. He will show you The Way.

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

Missed the first 3 parts of this sermon ? Check them out – PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus – the high priest’s slave. But Jesus said to Peter – “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me ?” So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied Him up.

In Part 3 of my continuing sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. And that’s Verses 10 to 12. Peter wanted to prove his devotion to Christ, so he set out to physically fight against the Roman soldiers and Temple guards. This utter rebellion completely went against what Christ had taught His disciples earlier that evening. He did not want them to use violence – to use weapons – in a spiritual battle. His disciples – then and now – are not to fight for His life, for He suffered for us. He gave His life for us, so that we can live.

As Christians we will be persecuted along this journey by those who don’t believe and follow Christ. Persecution is being mocked and ridiculed for who and what we believe. It’s discrimination against us and special restrictive laws for us. It’s physical violence against us. Many Christians around the world believe and follow our God in total secrecy to protect their lives, but that’s not what God intended for us. During His short ministry here in this world He protected His disciples, and He prepared them by teaching them how to depend on The Holy Spirit for protection and wisdom once He returns to the Father. We have that same unlimited power of the Spirit living within us – if we truly believe in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Our 3-in-1 God is very much alive today, and God The Holy Spirit guides and directs us from within every step of the way towards eternal life.

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to Him, so He stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for ?” – He asked. “Jesus the Nazarene” – they replied. “I Am He” – Jesus said. (Judas – who betrayed Him – was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I Am He” they all drew back and fell to the ground !  Once more He asked them – “Who are you looking for ?” And again they replied – “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you that I Am He” – Jesus said. “And since I am the One you want – let these others go.” He did this to fulfill His own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those You have given Me.”

In Part 2 of my sermon leading-up to Resurrection Sunday I continue from the Gospel of John – Chapter 18. And that’s Verses 4 to 9. The Roman soldiers and Temple guards – led by Judas the betrayer – repeatedly asked for “Jesus the Nazarene” even though they knew exactly who He was. Jesus repeatedly told them “I Am He” – also meaning “The ‘I Am’ is here” – and “I am the Lord”. Jesus presented Himself just as the Father presented Himself to Moses.

God replied to Moses – “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses – “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh – the God of your ancestors – the God of Abraham – the God of Isaac – and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you. This is my eternal name – my name to remember for all generations. (Exodus 3:14-15)

Our God is omnipotent.

When the Roman soldiers drew back and fell to the ground upon Jesus proclaiming that “I Am He” – they didn’t really understand why that happened. They got back up and confronted Jesus who demanded that His disciples be let go. Jesus was about to sacrifice His own life for His followers. He was protecting His sheep from the wolves by the power of the name the Father gave Him. He guarded them – except for the one headed for destruction (Judas).

I’ll continue this journey through John Chapter 18 – next Sunday Scripture.

All rights reserved (c) 2021 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries