Christ has some disciples of whom little is known. Joseph of Arimathaea is one of them. At the very time when the apostles have forsaken Jesus, Joseph is not ashamed to show his love and respect. There are many believers who may not be well-known in the church, but whose love of Christ is second to none.

Several miracles go along with Jesus’ death. There is darkness over all the earth for three hours, and the temple curtain is torn in half. The darkness is used by God to get Jerusalem’s attention and make them think. The tearing of the temple curtain between the holy place and the holy of holies will fill every

The two thieves are both near to Christ. They both see and hear all that is happening. They are both dying men and in terrible pain. They are both wicked sinners needing forgiveness. But one dies in his sins as he has lived - hard, unrepentant, and unbelieving. The other repents, believes, cries to Jesus

Jesus’ words in these verses contain two things: a warning and a prayer. First, through His prophesy He warns the women of Jerusalem. In the Jewish mindset being childless is a huge disgrace. The idea of this being a blessing is a completely foreign concept. But 70 years after Christ’s death Jerusalem comes under siege by

There is a necessity about Christ being publicly proclaimed innocent. Jesus is about to be offered as a sacrifice for our sins. It is right that those who examine Him should formally pronounce Him guiltless and blameless. The Lamb of God is to be a perfect Lamb, and God so orders the events of Jesus’ trial that

There is not a word of truth in the accusations that the Jews make against Jesus. They are trying to persuade Pilate that Jesus is leading a rebellion against Caesar, and they hope that this Roman governor will panic and get rid of Jesus for them. False witnesses and slander are two favourite weapons of Satan. He

Our Lord Jesus Christ isn’t just taken, unjustly, as a prisoner - He is insulted and humiliated. We can’t even begin to imagine what this world would be like if God did not restrain men and women from being as sinful as they possibly could. These verses are just a glimpse of the evil that results when God’s

The story of Peter’s fall teaches us first how small and gradual are the steps we take into big sins. Peter’s first step is proud self-confidence. Though all men will deny Christ, he is convinced he never will. The second step is neglect of prayer. The third step is wavering indecision. When Christ’s enemies come,

The worst and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love to Christ. Judas pretends to love and respect Jesus at the very moment when he is about to turn Him over to His enemies. Down through history there have always been men like Judas who are ready to betray Christ with a kiss and

Our Lord Jesus Christ sets us an example of what believers should do in times of trouble. Both the Old and New Testaments give the same pattern for bearing trouble. Prayer is what Jacob uses when he is afraid of Esau. Prayer is what Job uses when property and children are suddenly taken from him. Prayer