As Jesus stands before Pilate, those around are forced to declare their loyalty. When it comes to the moment of truth, who do we turn to for hope?
Worship this week with Holy Communion:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible study and fellowship
10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship
Devotions for this week: Jesus Condemned, John 19:1-16a
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday, John 19:1-16a, Jesus Condemned
Monday, John 14:15-31, The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Tuesday, John 15:1-17, Jesus the True Vine
Wednesday, John 15:18-–6:4a, The World’s Hatred
Thursday, John 16:4b-15, The Work of the Spirit
Friday, John 16:16-24, Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
Saturday, John 16:25-33, Peace for the Disciples
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor. Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. (John 19:15-16)
Pilate has the unenviable task of deciding the fate of an accused Jewish blasphemer. The religious issues are of no consequence to this Roman official, but sending an innocent man to death might agitate his conscience for a while.
Tell of a time you were in a crowd when tensions rose
- What is it that makes certain behaviors unacceptable when alone or in small groups, but more acceptable in large crowds?
- Did you keep your head when the crowd started to turn, or did you follow the crowd?
PRAY: O Lord, you stand unmoved by the clamor of the angry crowd. Show us what it means to truly surrender, trusting in your ultimate power over all the forces of darkness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
BLESS: May God guide your thoughts and actions. Amen.
