February 16th, Monday: John chaps.19-20

John 19

We'll learn about the crown.

Jesus and Pilate had been talking about a kingdom.

So it was only right that the King have a crown.

It was meant for mockery, but it preached a powerful message for Jesus was wearing the consequences of Adam's sins.

But a crown is a sign of victory.

He has overcomed.

Then of course, there's the cross.

Jesus started out bearing His own cross, but then Simon was drafted to carry it for Him.

We're not told why, although traditions says that Jesus fell and could not carry it.

Considering all that He had been through, that's not difficult to believe.

Criminals carry the cross as a sign of guilt, and Jesus was not guilty.

We'll read about the conquest.

'It is finished!' was the cry of a conqueror.

Jesus accomplished what all of the Old Covenant sacrifices could not do.

The prophecies were fulfilled and the sacrifice for sins made once and for all forever.

It was not a martyr that Joseph and Nicodemus put into that tomb – it was a Victor!

John 20

We'll read about confusion.

Mary jumped to conclusions and soon had Peter and John on the run.

They were busy, but they had nothing to say, and were accomplishing very little.

They saw the evidence for the resurrection, but it did not change their lives.

They needed a meeting with the living Christ.

We'll read about love.

Unbelief blinds our eyes to the Lord's presence.

See, when He speaks His Word to us, faith and love are rekindled.

Mary was changed from a mourner to a missionary, when she met the living Lord.

And then we'll read about peace.

Locked doors will not give you peace, nor will they keep out your loving Saviour.

He comes with a message of peace based on His sacrifice on the cross.

We'll read about faith.

The Lord tenderly deals with our doubts and unbelief.

We today cannot see Him or feel His wounds, but we have the Word of God to reassure us.

When your faith falters, do not ask for signs.

Open His Word and let Him reassure you.