John 18
The Source of Hope!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Saturday, June 27.
Where do you find your hope for the future?
John 18 confronts us with the weakness of man, the corruption of religion and government, and the fickleness of public opinion. This is a story about betrayal amongst friends, greed for power, the abuse of authority, and the weakness of human leadership. Jesus’ crucifixion forever mocks our efforts to find hope in this world or in people.
Jesus did not despair and give up because He remained focused on His Father, the source of His hope. His eternal perspective gave Him the courage to do what needed to be done in the face of overwhelming evidence to despair. John 18:11 records Jesus saying to Peter, “Put your sword away into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
In other words: Don’t panic! God’s got this; remain faithful! There is hope!
Listen to Jesus’ eternal perspective as He went to the Cross. From John 18:36-37, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest… But now my kingdom is from another place… for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”
Seize the moment and find your hope in Jesus! Keep an eternal perspective because everything is not as it seems!
Don’t despair and don’t give up! There is hope when you are looking to the Source of all hope!
May His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.