Matthew 26:47-56 : Ray Bentley, April 25-26, 2020
Jesus' arrest and betrayal: While Jesus was still speaking with the disicples in the garden, teaching them to be spiritually ready and prepared for temptation, behold Judas arrived with a great multitude with swords and clubs. Interesting that the Gospels never speak of Judas with overt disdain or hatred. He is just “one of the 12.” Ever since he came on the stage of human history, Judas has been a symbol of ultimate betrayal. Judas was tested. The disciples were all being tested this night. The leadership of Israel was being tested. Crises do not make you or break you. They reveal you. Character is revealed by the choices we make in the midst of a crisis. As the disciples' faithfulness decreased, Jesus demonstration of power and glory increased. While it appeared the enemy's plans prospered, the plan of God prospered all the more.
Ray Bentley, MATTHEW 26:57-75, May 2-3, 2020
Jesus was forsaken by the disciples. They all fled into the darkness of the garden, and He was alone. Every one needs to learn from His example of intimacy with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had a communion and intimacy with the Father tha...
Matthew 27: 1-14 - Ray Bentley
When Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, His trial was illegal, according to Jewish law. Only when Jesus confessed to being the Messiah and God’s Son did they discover a way to destroy Him. The Jews did not have the authority to exercise capital punishment, so ...
Matthew 27:15-26, Ray Bentley, Sunday, May 17, 2020
Jesus brought before Pilate: There was something different, even innocent about Jesus; Pilate hoped that releasing a prisoner might solve the problem. The choice was, “A notorious prisoner named Barabbas,” who had committed murder as a revoluti...
