Jewels from John and Lessons from the Kings

No Turning Back For the Audio Version of this devotion, click here -  No Turning Back “ Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the  sons  of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”  John 21:2-3 (NKJV) The trial, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, was probably one of the most traumatic times for the disciples of Jesus and for all those who loved Him and followed Him closely. After having given up their all, and after having Jesus their Master, live with them, teach them, provide for them, protect them, pray for them and love them for three and half years, the absence of Jesus’ physical presence must have certainly devastated the disciples. Even though Jesus predicted His death, burial and His rising from the dead on the third d

Devotion # 28 All Authority Comes From Above For the Audio Version, click here -  All Authority Comes From Above (Read John 18: 28 -40 and John 19: 1-16 for the detailed account) “ Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered,  “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”   John 19: 10-11 (NIV) Pilate was in a major dilemma when the Jewish leaders, who, not wanting blood on their hands, passed the buck on to Pilate to sentence Jesus to death. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was ‘ the King of the Jews? ’ Jesus stunned him by replying that His Kingdom was not of this world, and hence there were no earthly followers to fight on His behalf.   When the Jews told Pilate that Jesus also claimed to be the ‘Son of God’ it terrified Pilate even more.   Pilate knew deep down that Jesus was not guilty, and as he continued to question Jesus, He was not willing to

Devotion # 27 So Close Yet So Far For the Audio Version of this devotion, click here  -  So Close, Yet So Far “Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman Governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.” John 18:28 (NLT)  The time when Jesus was arrested, was the exact time when the people of Israel were celebrating the Passover Festival. Every year as they celebrated the Passover, in remembrance of their freedom from slavery in Egypt, little did they realize that it was only the sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, who could truly set one free from their bondage to sin.  In John Chapter 11, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and many commenced to put their faith in Him, it agitated the Pharisees and the Chief Priests so much that they planned to put Jesus to death. When the matter was brought t

Devotion # 26 Do They Know Who We Are?   For the Audio Version click here:  Do They Know Who We Are? ' The woman asked Peter, "You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No," he said, “I am not.”' John 18:17 (NLT)  Read John 18:15-18; 25-27 Most of us are familiar with the incident of Peter denying Jesus. However, have you wondered what made it so obvious to everyone that Peter was indeed a disciple of Jesus? He and John entered the courtyard of the High Priest, but somehow, the servant girl and the others identified Peter, even though it was dark. Two of the Gospel’s mention that someone recognized him as a Galilean, just like Jesus. His close association with Jesus for three and half years left such an indelible mark that even a stranger said, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Matthew 26:71  (NKJV). Sadly, at that point however, Peter was so fearful and fainthearted, that he thrice denied knowing Jesus.  There was an am

Devotion # 25 The Power of Being ‘One’ For the Audio Version click here:  The Power of Being 'One' “I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.” John 17:20-21 (GNT) If we as the Body of Christ, deeply desire for the world to believe that Jesus is indeed the Saviour whom the Father sent down from heaven, and if we aspire to make that huge impact on those around us, the secret is Unity. Jesus knew this was of utmost importance, and that’s why He prayed, not only for His disciples but for all of us who have heard and believed the message of the Gospel, that we all be One.  One of the crafty tools in the hands of Satan is disunity. Once the seeds of dissension are sown by the enemy, his work is almost fully done. Many are not aware of his evil schemes

Devotion # 24 Expect to be Unaccepted For the Audio Version click here:  Expect to be Unaccepted Jesus said, “ If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”  John 15:18  (NLT) Read John 15:18-25 When we read of all that Jesus taught and did while here on earth, it would make us wonder for which of His truthful teachings and wonderful deeds did so many hate Him. Jesus however, was not alarmed by this reaction. On the contrary, He told His disciples, that for those who chose to follow Him, this was what they too should expect from the world.  Jesus clearly explained the reasons why He was disliked by many; Firstly, He was not of this world and so His teachings and the standards He put forth, were in contradiction to what people chose to live by. Secondly, many did not recognise that Jesus was truly the Saviour of the world, sent by the Father to save all of mankind from their sins. Thirdly, they saw and experienced all the signs and wonder