HOLY WEEK
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Daily Readings: John 18 and Psalm 34 In John 18, Jesus was arrested. But it soon becomes evident that while He placed Himself under the physical control of the authorities, He was never controlled by them spiritually. John records His arrest in such a way as to report three times that Jesus confessed: “I am…
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Daily Readings: John 17 and Psalm 33 As we make our way through Holy Week, we skip ahead to John 17 today and are supremely privileged to overhear Jesus at prayer. In love for His disciples, He prays for them (v.6-19), and, in love for all those who will believe in Him through their witness,…
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Daily Readings: John 13 and Psalm 32 The night of Jesus’ betrayal had arrived. Judas had negotiated his price and was awaiting his moment. The rest of the apostles were oblivious. The day had been long, and many preparations had been made for the evening meal. Everyone was tired, and in their weariness they had…
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Daily Readings: John 12 and Psalm 31 When Jesus entered Jerusalem that final week, His popularity was massive. The Pharisees said of Him: “‘…Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (v.19). To top it all off, the account of His calling Lazarus out of the grave had even reached the ears of some…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 27 and Psalm 27 It all happened so quickly after Jesus was betrayed, arrested, abandoned and falsely accused that Thursday night (Matt. 26). Early on the Friday morning, shortly after the rooster crowed the third time, Jesus was already hauled off to the palace of Pilate, the Roman governor. Standing alone and…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 26 and Psalm 26 In Matthew 26, Jesus faced a huge variety of responses. Radical opposition (v.1-5), indignant misunderstanding (v.8-9) and murderous betrayal (v.14-16) contrasted deeply with lavish love (v.6-7) and great generosity and kindness (v.17-19). Judas tried to fool Jesus (v.20-25), while Peter was only fooling himself (v.31-35). And eventually, the…
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Daily Reading: John 13:1-17, 34-45 “It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (v.1) This is the moment everything shifts in John’s Gospel.…
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Daily Reading: John 12:1-11 If yesterday we looked into the mirror of the religious authorities to examine our own hearts and lives, today we will have to look into the mirror of Judas and his behaviour in this passage. I find myself reflecting on the reason he picked on Mary for her beautiful offering, when…
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Daily Reading: Matthew 26:1-5 What strikes me as I read this morning’s passage is the contrast between how settled and resolved Jesus is to willingly and lovingly lay down His life for the sake of the world, and how settled and resolved the religious leaders are to selfishly and wilfully sacrifice Jesus (innocent as he…
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