In His Service

         The Sifting   John 18:2-18, 25-27, Lk.22:31-32,34 A line from a master teacher in a motion picture, “Failure the greatest teacher is.” sums up the positive of failing. Peter’s life was to take a major jolt, his hubris would be crushed and his faith sifted and yet it was through these denials of Christ his faith was purified in order for him to truly love, lead and strengthen others. Let’s look at the first portion of the text, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers…I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” ( Lk. 22:31-32,34) Jesus had told Peter he would fail in denial of knowing Jesus three times and that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, but Jesus had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. Unbeknown to Peter the trial of sifting by Sata...

  The Darkness Before The Dawn John 18:1-11 Jesus’ words to the disciples at the table of the last supper should resonate in our hearts and ears as they resounded in the disciples, “ Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ” (Jn. 14:1) Jesus told all who heard or read his words in the dark times of their lives, “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn.16:33) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27) We have peace in the midst of the darkness because of our faith, trust, and love in Christ. The arrest and trial of Jesus is truly spread over all four gospels. Each writer of the gospels expounds on similar and different elements of that Thursday night. It was the prayer vigil that is captured in the first three gospels, and it w...

    One In Jesus John 17:20-26 To believe, to proclaim, to invoke the name of Jesus Christ are all a part of the prayer for those who have yet to believe through the Good News, the message of love, hope, truth, and salvation in Jesus. Jesus finished his prayer with his disciples, beseeching the Father for all of mankind, all who will believe in Jesus for salvation. Let’s begin with the first portion of the text, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Jesus just set the new parameters in his prayer, it is praying for all of mankind to believe in the One the Father has sent. Jesus knows that the message of salvation through his name must be proclaimed to every nation, tongue, and tribe of people in the world. “ And there is salvation in no one else; for there is ...