April 19, 2019: John 18; Mark 15.

“Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of Your Son. …So He might give real and eternal life to all in His charge. …I spelled out Your character in detail to the men and women You gave Me. …Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life. …So they can be one heart and mind. …Now I’m returning to You. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing so My people can experience My joy completed in them. …”

Jesus’ Prayer from John 17

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John 18:1, “Jesus, having prayed this prayer, left with His disciples and crossed over the brook Kidron. …” The Message

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“Kidron Brook…the winter torrent which flows through the Valley of Jehoshaphat, on the eastern side of Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives. …Through the mountain ravine no water runs, except after heavy rains in the mountains round about Jerusalem. …David crossed this brook bare-foot and weeping, when fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23, 30). …It afterwards became a receptacle for all manner of impurities (2 Chronicles 29:16; 30:14) and in the time of Josiah this valley was the common cemetery of the city (2 Kings 23:6). …Its precipitous, rocky banks are filled with ancient tombs. …It runs in a winding course through the wilderness of Judea to the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea.” biblestudytools.com/dictionary/kidron/

King Jesus crossed the Kidron brook where King David wept as he crossed. David put his kingdom in the hands of God and God gave it back to him. Jesus put His Kingdom in God’s hands as He crossed.

The Kidron Valley was a dump and ancient cemetery. All around Jesus was dead stuff and dead bones. Even the brook died. It only ran in winter. It ended in the Dead Sea. Jesus knew He was on His way to die.

But He crossed the brook knowing God would take care of His Kingdom. God would take care of His followers – present and future.

John 18:36, “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. …” The Message

Jesus trusted God completely. He didn’t need to explain Himself or defend Himself. I need to do the same.

Mark 15:5, “Still, he said nothing. Pilate was impressed, really impressed.” The Message

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Proverbs 19:11, “Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.” The Message

Jesus showed us how to live – even in death. He gave. He gave his last breath. They didn’t kill Him. He laid His life down.

Mark 15:37, “But Jesus, with a loud cry, gave His last breath.” The Message

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John 10:18, “No one takes it from Me. I lay it down of My own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received the authority personally from My Father.” The Message

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