March 25, 2024
March Madness, Sadness, and Gladness
Consider the range of emotions that occurred during Jesus' final week . . .
Articles for tag: Garden Of Gethsemane
September 25, 2023
Drinking Our Cup
Jesus was treated as he did not deserve so we could be treated as we do not deserve. . . .
July 11, 2022
In Times of Darkness
The Lord’s Supper was instituted in a time of darkness. And, so, when we are going through dark times of our own, we can partake of Communion and remember Jesus, and what his sacrifice means for us.
November 25, 2021
Throwback Thursday: ‘He . . . Gave Thanks’
In a 1954 editorial about Thanksgiving, Burris Butler wrote: "As a nation we have been blessed with abundant material benefits. For these we may properly give thanks, but our thanksgiving should not stop there . . ."
April 1, 2021
Pilate’s Guide on How to Miss the Truth
Most of us think we are unbiased in our quest for truth. We like to think of ourselves as impartial evaluators of data who seek to arrive at the best decision. But the truth is, most of the time, we desire a specific conclusion, and we search the data in such a way that helps us end up there. We overlook red flags and yellow lights. We come up with excuses and unreasonable explanations. And we usually don’t even realize we are doing it. We think we are looking for the best answer, when in reality we are looking for
July 20, 2020
The Servant of Slaves
By Stuart Powell How does Jesus enter our lives? In the same way he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—as a servant. Jesus’ disciple described it this way,“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden’”(Matthew 21:5, English Standard Version). Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem, before his suffering, opened with a scene foreshadowed in Zechariah 9:9. As he rode the donkey colt down the steep slope of the Mount of Olives, passing by the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus redefined the relationship between
March 13, 2017
Lesson for March 19, 2017: Matchless Love (John 15:1-17)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the March 12, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Matchless means peerless; no equal; unsurpassed. When we speak of God”s love for us, it is matchless. Our text is in the middle of what is called the Farewell Discourse of Jesus. The content stretches from John 13″“15. It was the night of his betrayal. In an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem, Jesus met with
October 10, 2016
Lesson for October 16, 2016: The Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14″“5:10)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 9 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott The Bible is full of priests. There is a sense in which all of God”s people are priests (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). But there is another sense in which certain people were called especially to represent God to the people and to represent the people to God. Some of these priests were exemplary
March 14, 2016
Lesson for March 20, 2016: Struggling Faith (Mark 14:26-31, 66-72)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the March 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott A common struggle we face is consistent faith. On Palm Sunday the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). But by Friday they shouted, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:14). Peter (and the other disciples) had that same
January 25, 2016
Lesson for January 31, 2016: The Death of a Friend (John 11:38-44)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the January 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Jesus and death cannot coexist. Death has no victory around Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55). Jesus destroys the one who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus proved this in his earthly ministry. Prior to his own resurrection, Jesus raised three people from the dead:
September 18, 2015
Two Kings
By Tom Ellsworth Malchus was not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill slave; he was the trusted servant of the influential high priest. As the armed band of soldiers approached Gethsemane, Malchus undoubtedly was at the forefront, leading with all the clout of Annas and Caiaphas. He would help arrest the notorious rabbi, Jesus, or die trying. This man was no innocent bystander; he was eager to protect the rule and authority of his master. As Judas slithered up to Jesus and branded him with a kiss, the fireworks began. In an act of noble loyalty, Peter drew his stubby sword and lunged
March 2, 2015
Lesson for March 8, 2015: Another Comforter/Advocate (John 14:15-26)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 1 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone In his Gospel, the apostle John often focused on a central theme for an entire chapter (John 14, 15, 16, 17). The predominant note in John 14 is comfort. The setting is the night on which Jesus was betrayed. After instituting the Lord”s Supper in the upper room, Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) set out for the Garden of
April 25, 2014
Where Is Eden?
By Jeff Faull Where is the Garden of Eden? Not the actual geographical description. You can read that in Genesis 2. Where is the garden now? What happened to it? Last we knew, it was in Genesis 3. Remember? Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:23, 24, New
August 16, 2013
Communion . . . and Unity
By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we attend a football game or a baseball game, we remember far more than the score (if we even remember the score). The whole event comes back to mind; driving to the game, our parking spot, our seats, the noise of the crowd, peanuts in the shell, the $6 hot dogs, and so much more. We remember everything surrounding the event. So did the disciples. That last night with Jesus was indelibly imprinted on their minds. How could they forget? They gathered for the Passover meal. Jesus washed
September 10, 2012
Lesson for September 16, 2012: Faith Empowers Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-13)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This lesson continues our study of highlights from the book of Hebrews. The early chapters clearly demonstrate ways in which the New Covenant is superior to the Old. The letter was written to urge Christians to remain faithful. Today we are reminded that, like a good parent, the Lord disciplines his children. Our Task Hebrews 12:1-3 The writer has just concluded what is often called “the faith chapter” in which he uses past heroes of
May 21, 2012
Lesson for May 27, 2012: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Some Bible students have pointed out that while John 13 contains a narrative and a dialogue, chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 each have a central theme. The predominant note in John 14 is conflict. The setting for this week”s lesson text is the night Jesus was betrayed. After instituting the Lord”s Supper in the upper room, Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) set out for the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ”s Promises John 14:1-4 Do
February 21, 2010
Welcome Home
By Marshall Hayden It was our first trip with church members to the Holy Land. Driving from the airport, our guide (who has since become our favorite guide) asked the bus driver to pull onto the shoulder of the road about a hundred yards from the top of a hill. “Follow me,” he said. As we topped the rise, there it was, spread out ahead of us, filling the horizon! “Welcome to your spiritual home,” he said. When we climbed back on the bus we heard the first strains of a recording, “Jerusalem.” It was pretty quiet. Except for a
February 12, 2006
Garden Friends
Following Jesus is tough—especially for church leaders who feel they have nowhere to be honest. Jeff Krajewski points to Jesus’ own trusted friends and urges the church to become a place of safety and grace.
