Key Thought

Today's Prayer

How can I thank you, dear God, for loving me so much? How can I ever show my appreciation, Lord Jesus, for the price you willingly paid for my sin? Thank you for knowing the cruelty that lay ahead of you and yet bearing it for me. To you, Lord Jesus, belong all glory, honor, and majesty. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers. They went across the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden {of olive trees}. Jesus and his followers went there. Judas knew where this place was, because Jesus met there often with his followers. Judas was the one that turned against Jesus. So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden. Judas also brought some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus knew everything that would happen to him. Jesus went out and asked, "Who are you looking for?" The men answered, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am Jesus." (Judas, the one that turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am Jesus," the men moved back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" The men said, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I told you that I am Jesus. So if you are looking for me, then let these other men go free." This happened so that the words Jesus said before would be true: "I have not lost any of the men you gave me." Simon Peter had a sword. He took out the sword and struck the servant of the high priest. Peter cut off the servant's right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in its place! I must accept the cup {of suffering} the Father has given me."

Related Scripture Readings

It was almost time for the Jewish Passover festival. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world. It was now time for Jesus to go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved those people in the world who were his. Now was the time Jesus showed them his love the most. Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to turn against Jesus. (Judas was the son of Simon.) The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. Jesus also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. While they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. Jesus got a towel and wrapped the towel around his waist.

We should always follow the example of Jesus. Jesus is the leader in our faith. And he makes our faith perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But Jesus accepted the shame of the cross like it was nothing. He did this because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne.

Pilate went back inside the palace. He asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer him. Pilate said, "You refuse to speak to me? Remember, I have the power to make you free. I also have the power to kill you on a cross." Jesus answered, "The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. So the man who gave me to you is guilty of a greater sin."