Daily Lesson for Monday 16th of December 2024

Pilate did not wait for an answer from Jesus concerning truth. Instead, he went back out to try to persuade the people. By dialoguing with them instead of just letting Jesus go free, Pilate placed himself at a disadvantage. The religious leaders recognized that they could manipulate the governor through the crowd.

Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com

Pilate refers to a custom of letting a prisoner go free at the time of Passover and asks if the people want him to release “the King of the Jews.” Surprisingly, and quite ironically, the people ask for the release of a brigand named Barabbas rather than the innocent Jesus.

Now begins the mockery and shaming of Jesus. The Roman soldiers plait a crown of thorns, put a purple robe on Him, and keep coming up and mockingly hailing Him as King of the Jews. This type of greeting by soldiers would be similar to the way they greeted the emperor, but here it was done in mockery.

By playing on the pity of the people, Pilate seems to be seeking some way to release Jesus. He brings Jesus out wearing the crown of thorns and purple robe. The scene, uncommented on by John, displays Jesus in mock kingly garb, with the governor calling on the people to “ ‘Behold the man!’ ” (John 19:5, ESV). This reminds the reader of John the Baptist’s words in John 1:29, ESV, “ ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” It is ironic that the pagan governor presents the Messiah in this kingly attire before Israel.

However, as John 19:6-16 shows, the mob calls for Jesus’ crucifixion, based on His claim to be the Son of God. This frightens Pilate, who seeks all the more to arrange Jesus’ release. But the leaders seal Jesus’ fate by claiming that to release Him is to oppose Caesar. They know that Pilate’s loyalty to Caesar would mean he could not release someone claiming the same role. The leaders say they have no king but Caesar. Thus, their deep hatred of Jesus was greater than their national aspirations. To rid themselves of this Jesus, they were willing to sacrifice claims to national autonomy.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-12-behold-the-man/

John has written what is possibly the most well-known Bible verse in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son” which has had many say
Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice – Hymn 273 and 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272. John writes of many people who turned to Jesus in this quarter’s studies. Here are two hymns from which to choose for your theme hymn this quarter.

The title of this week’s lesson study loudly declares 
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory – Hymn 237 with the ending of the Sabbath afternoon introduction showing our enthroned Saviour: 
Hymn 408 – Lord, Enthroned In Heavenly Splendor.

What is Truth? asks Sunday’s study time? To understand the truth clearly, we then ask 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272 to teach me 
This Is The Threefold Truth – Hymn 203. As we close on Sunday asking for grace and truth, we can sing our prayer in 
Hymn 659 – May The Grace Of Christ Our Saviour.

As Jesus’ trial moves forward in the book of John, it is with mocking voice that we read “Behold the man!”, but we know the opposite and shout 
Worthy, Worthy Is The Lamb – Hymn 246. With Jesus then hanging on the cross, rather than the notice nailed to the top of His cross, we wish to sing 
Hail Him, The King Of Glory – Hymn 202.

After the extreme sadness and sorrow of the cross, The Empty Tomb is a joy: 
Hymn 166 – Christ, The Lord Is Risen Today and 
Hymn 171 – Thine Is The Glory with Mary running to share the joy of the risen Lord. May we be running around on this poor old earth and sharing the love of our risen Lord with everyone, so that soon, and very soon, our Lord Jesus will be coming to take us Home for eternity.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless many others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-the-hour-of-glory-the-cross-and-resurrection-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought : John presents Jesus as dying in shame, but it is, at the same time, His glorious enthronement as the Savior in fulfilling the hour.
December 21, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read John 18:33 to 19:5.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What did Jesus and Pilate talk about?
3. Personal Application: How do you understand Jesus as the truth compared to the world’s understanding of truth?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why did Pilate want to release Jesus when all the religious leaders wanted Him crucified?.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 19:25-30.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What happened with Jesus’ mother at the cross?
3. Personal Application: Were you ever concerned about who would take care of your children or elderly parents if something happened to you? Did you make provision for them? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “When Jesus said, “It is finished”, what did He mean? Was everything over? Was the whole plan of salvation accomplished then?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 20:1-10.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What was the importance to us about these verses?
3. Personal Application: How is your faith? Do you need evidence like Thomas? When things go bad, do you wonder about your relationship with God? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why did it mention the folded clothes and face cloth here? One Rabbi wrote a book about how the disciples stole Jesus’ body away to make it look like a resurrection. But how does his “evidence” match up in these verses?.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 20:11-18.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Mary say that indicated she didn’t understand what was going on?
3. Personal Application: Can a person believe there is eternal life and a resurrection if Jesus did not raise from the tomb?? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-the-hour-of-glory-the-cross-and-ressurection-teaching-plan/

Daily Lesson for Sunday 15th of December 2024

In John 18:28-32, the trial of Jesus is not described in detail. The focus is on Jesus brought before Pontius Pilate.

The governor asks Jesus if He is the king of the Jews (John 18:33). It is the first reference to this title but will not be the last. Jesus asks Pilate if he is asking this on his own or did others say that He was. His question turns the tables on the governor, querying if he understands to whom he is speaking. The reader already knows that Jesus is the King. Will the governor?

Image © Pacific Press

Pilate responds with his own query: “ ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’ ” (John 18:35, NKJV). It was an evasion, rooted in irritation at the close application of Jesus’ question. It was the governor’s first step away from the truth, letting prejudice block his perception.

Jesus responds that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Pilate then perceptively deduces that Jesus does claim to be a king (John 18:37). This leads to Jesus’ important explanation that He was born to bear witness to the truth and that every person who is “ ‘of the truth’ ” hears His voice (John 18:37).

Pilate then asks, “ ‘What is truth?’ ” (John 18:38, NKJV). But he doesn’t wait for the answer. Instead, he goes outside to try to save Jesus from the crowd.

Truth is a theme in John’s Gospel. As the eternal Word (logos, John 1:1-5), Jesus is the Light and the Truth. All this is in contrast to darkness and error. He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Grace and truth came through Him (John 1:17). John the Baptist bore witness to the truth (John 5:33). Jesus affirmed that His Father is “true” (John 7:28). Jesus Himself heard the truth from His Father (John 8:40). Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Word of God is “truth” (John 17:17). Despite his question, Pilate missed his opportunity to know the truth because of his prejudice, his earlier decisions, and the pressures upon him.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-12-what-is-truth/

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 14th of December 2024

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study: John 18:33-40; John 19:1-5; John 19:17-22; John 19:25-27; Luke 2:34-35; John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

Memory Text:

“Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’ ” (John 18:37, ESV).

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are the climax of John. The first ten chapters cover roughly three and a half years; chapters 11–20, in contrast, cover about one to two weeks.

The four Gospels present the death of Jesus in different ways. Though their accounts are compatible, each author emphasizes key points that especially resonate with the themes of his Gospel. Matthew emphasizes the fulfillment of Scripture; Mark emphasizes the parallel between the baptism of Jesus and the Cross; and Luke focuses on the Cross as healing and salvation (the story of the thief on the cross).

But John presents the Cross as the enthronement of Jesus, particularly tied to the idea of the hour, which is referred to numerous times throughout the book (John 7:30, John 8:20, John 12:27). This idea of enthronement is an ironic picture since crucifixion was the most ignominious and shameful way to die that the Romans used. This contrast points to the deeply ironic depiction that John presents: Jesus is dying in shame, but it is, at the same time, His glorious enthronement as the Savior.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 21.

Sunday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-12-the-hour-of-glory-the-cross-and-resurrection/