Sermons

What thoughts would Jesus have had before Caiaphas and Pilate? He had been preaching repentance. He had also been revealing His plan for ministry, which included calling disciples, some of whom would later become apostles. He called Simon Peter and Andrew to make them fishers of men. The called disciples followed Jesus, causing havoc within the established religious order in Galilee. He made friends and enemies. Jesus came to trial before Pilate. This began in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, Jesus had to rebuke even his own disciple for instigating bloodshed during His arrest. Jesus was thinking about the future. Jesus affirmed His two titles. He quoted Daniel 7. This sealed Jesus' execution, with Rome's approval. There is a pivotal statement, "...from now on..." Jesus sees what is coming in one scene. In Hebrews 12, Jesus takes His mediatorial role and proclaims His return. In Acts 7, we see Stephen at his death observing that he saw God and Jesus standing with Him. What will be on our minds at our death? Paul reflected on his past but also God's love. There is too little emphasis on Jesus' return. Peter said scoffers would come saying, "Where is He?" He will come at the right time, as the flood came upon the earth in Noah's time. What kind of people should we be before His coming? We should be those who look for a new heaven and earth. We must make every effort to be obedient. Will our thoughts be on the real future? God can inspire these thoughts. We begin this now. When death comes, we think, "From now on." We must focus on the promised future.