Jesus was led into the courtyard of the Governors’ official residence. They called together a “band†of Roman soldiers which were one-tenth of a legion and that usually consisted of about six hundred men (v. 16). They put a purple robe on Jesus and made a crown …
C. The goading of God (vv 26-31) – In this chapter we see how when the people rebelled against God He gave them over to oppression. However, because of great compassion He raised up deliverers, the Judges who freed them (vv 27-28). Through centuries of Israel’s sin (v. 29), God c …
Jesus explained how when we obey God’s Word we grow in spiritual knowledge; and as we grow in spiritual knowledge, we grow in freedom from sin (vv. 31-32). These unbelieving Jews, even though they were under the iron hand of Rome at that very time, claimed that as Abraham’s …
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to know what authority Jesus had to cast money-changers out of the temple (vv. 1-2). This group of leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus so they tried to trap Him with their question. They wanted to catch Him in His words so that no matter …
Psalm 124 is a hymn praising God for deliverance from enemies. Pharaoh and his army had intended to swallow up the Israelites, but instead they were all swallowed up in the Red Sea. Israel escaped because the Lord was on their side (v. 2). They escaped the predator’s teeth and the bird …
Joining Sanballet and Tobiah were the Ammonites from the east, Geshem and Arabs from the south, and men from Ashdod which was a Philistine city from the west. They all plotted together to attack Jerusalem from all sides (vv 7-8). Again, in the midst of adversity the Jews are driv …
When people suffer so much that their “spirit is broken†they often lose their “fight’ and want life to end (vv. 1-2). It seems this may have been the way Job felt as he sensed that death may be very near. His friends were against him and would not go to c …
Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their Christian faith and conduct when facing persecution and pressure. There had been a time when those to whom this letter was written had known persecution; and they had learned what it was to become involved with those under suspic …
It has become hard for some to put faith in anything or anyone. Institutions have promised so much, and they have let us down. We have had faith in government and government has let us down. We have trusted people and people have let us down. It is easy to lose confidence in peo …
Charles Spurgeon used to say, “Little faith will take your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.” Peter urged his readers to apply love, faith and rejoicing so they could experience some of heaven’s glory now amid suffering. Obedience to God amid trials prepares us …