Thought For Today

Annas then sent Him (Jesus) bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:24

Lord You were innocent. They bound You as if You were a criminal. It is not a very pretty picture that I see in my mind. It is even harder for me to think about when I know You did all of it for me. None of us like being falsely accused and punished for something we didn’t do but that is what was happening to You. You were without fault.

Thank You Lord for loving each and every one of us.

Thank You for understanding how we feel when we are falsely accused.

Thank You for always being there to comfort and pull us up when we need You.

Oh how grateful we are that we can come to You whenever or wherever we are.

What a gift that is! Thank You….

Thank You Lord.

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Jesus answered him, (the officer) “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike Me?” John 18:23

Lord, it is so hard to be falsely accused. You were innocent and yet these men in power were trying to discredit You. You went through all of this for us. It was Your choice. You gave Your ALL for us. How can we ever thank You enough?

Thank You!

Thank You Lord.

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When He (Jesus) had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?” John 18:22

Lord all You had said was that they should ask those that had listened to You speak. You knew the heart of the officer that struck You. You knew that he was there to destroy You. You knew that he was trying to impress the high priest. There was nothing hidden in his actions from You. You knew why he was doing what he did.

Thank You Lord for always knowing the reason we do what we do.

Thank You for knowing our every thought.

Thank You that You keep working with us to help us become more and more like You.

Oh how blessed we are because You love us enough to help us change into Your image.

Thank You Lord.

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Jesus answered him, (high priest) “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me, what I said to them; they know what I said.” John 18:20, 21

Lord, the high priest knew full well what he was saying and accusing You of. He was trying to make Your life miserable. He was being very intimidating. He was going to be as tuff on You as he could be. He wanted to do You in and get rid of You. You were far too popular.

Thank You Lord that You knew the desires of this high priest.

Thank You for speaking up for Yourself and showing them that You had done nothing wrong.

Thank You for being our example and showing us how we can handle ourselves.

Everything in our lives becomes more clear when we keep our eyes upon You.

Thank You! Thank You Lord.

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The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. John 18:19

Lord it is so hard to be questioned when innocent. This high priest was trying to trip You up so he would have a reason to put You in prison or kill you. He was jealous of your popularity. How sad there are people like this in the world even today.

Thank You Lord for showing us a different way to live.

Thank You for showing us love and how to love. Oh …we will never get it perfect but each day we can become better and better at it with Your help.

Oh how we need Your changing power in our lives Lord. Thank You for changing us moment by moment.

Thank You Lord.

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Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. John 18:18

Lord, Peter was there to be with You and support You and here we see him with those that had captured You. He was cold so he is there with those that were out to destroy You. We find him – standing – warming himself while You were inside facing those that were finding fault with You. He chose to join the enemy to stay warm.

Lord, self sacrifice can be very hard. It is very easy to be taken in and it causes us to do the wrong thing. Oh we want to be faithful….we want to be strong…and yet we stumble and fall over and over.

Thank You Lord that You love us so much that You call us back to Yourself. You dust us off –so to speak- and pick us up and use us for Your glory.

Thank You! Thank You Lord.

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The maid who kept the door (of the court of the high priest) said to Peter, “Are not you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” John 18:17

Lord, I wonder how many of us would have been any different than Peter was that day. He knew he was better off saying he wasn’t associated with You. After all he knew You were in trouble and he could be too if he admitted that he was associated with You. As much as he loved You and was following You he still buckled under when questioned. What would I do Lord? Could I stand true?

Lord our prayer is to keep us strong. Keep us faithful. Keep our eyes on You.

Thank You Lord that You are able to keep us.

Thank You for faith that believes and we believe.

Thank You for helping us each step of the way.

Thank You Lord!

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Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus, while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in. John 18:15, 16

Thank You Lord for Peter and the other disciple that stood by You.

Thank You Lord for friends and family that stand by us.

Thank You Lord for the encouragers on life’s pathway.

What a gift they are and what a blessing.

Thank You Lord.

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First they (soldiers, captains, officers) let Him (Jesus) to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. John 18:13, 14

Jealous people. Lord all of this was happening because You were becoming too popular and taking all the attention. People were following You. This was all driven by fear. Fear that the officials of the day were loosing their footing with the people because they were following You.

Oh how jealousy can creep into our lives and cause us to act in ways that are not like You want us to be.

It is so easy to have it sneak into our lives Lord. How we need Your tender nudges to bring us back to focusing upon what You want us to be and not what we see that we want.

Thank You Lord for Your unconditional love that is oh so patient as You draw us back to Yourself.

Thank You for Your gentle nudges.

Thank You Lord.

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So the band of soldiers and their captains and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound Him. John 18:12

Lord we all know what happened next.

Thank You Lord for Your unconditional love for each and every one of us.

Thank You for giving each of us the opportunity to come to You.

Thank You for always being there waiting for us with open arms.

Oh how we love You Lord and appreciate all You are to us.

Thank You Lord.

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