Today’s scripture: John 18:19-24 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
Darkness is descending; an unimaginably evil inevitability is in the air. It’s like when those first few drops of rain fell from an almost unnoticed tropical storm in the Bahamas, which later became Hurricane Katrina. Or when nineteen men with a plan purchased airline tickets for the morning of September 11, 2001.
The strike on His face: the first physical abuse that would soon be all-out torture and execution. And yet, He went on with a determination that nothing could diminish, proving that He certainly believed His earlier statement from a much more tranquil time: “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
As we read a few days ago, Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him (John 18:4a). Yet, He had great courage because He did something that’s so very easy to say, yet so very hard to do: He listened to God, said what God wanted Him to say, and did what God wanted Him to do.
Now, I invite you to read the following, and consider if you can make it your prayer. I hope it will lead you into your own heartfelt prayer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lord, I ask You to help me be more like You. I’ll never be as brave and full of faith as You are (at least on this side of Heaven), but help me be more determined, more faithful, so I can pass through those storms that descend upon me. And Lord, I also ask You to help my brothers and sisters in the faith, and also my family, my friends, and all the oppressed to ride out their storms. Thank you for holding our hands, Lord, as we hold out ours to You. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Thought and prayer for the day: Lord, I ask you to help that person I know who’s going through a terrible storm in his or her life. Thank You, Lord, that you are their faithful fortress and shelter.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.