Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage begins with the twenty-eighth verse of the nineteenth chapter and continues through to the eighteenth verse of the twentieth chapter. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished: and he bowed his head, and ave up the ghost” (John 19:28-30). “The jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierce his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. A Nd he saw that it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19:31-37). “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about and hundred pound weight. Then took I they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcure was nigh at hand” (John 19:38-42). “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcure, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she run the, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other discip;les, and came to the sepulchre. So they both ran together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home” (John 20:1-10). “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepiest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepiest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her” (John 20:11-18). AFTER THIS!. AFTER THIS JESUS KNOWING! AFTER THIS, JESUS KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS! AFTER THIS, JESUS KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED! AFTER THIS, JESUS KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED, THAT THE SCRIPTURE MIGHT BE FULFILLED! JESUS KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED! When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter something absolutely incredible when you take the time to truly consider it. It is when you begin reading the words found in this passage of Scripture you can and will be brought face to face with something that was incredibly unique to the gospel narrative written by the apostle John. As you read the four gospels you will find this omniscience which the Lord Jesus had as it pertained to the thoughts, the intentions, the murmurings, the grumbling, the questions, the doubts, and even the arguments and disputes that went on within the hearts of others. You cannot read the four gospels and not encounter and come face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and the knowledge He had of absolutely everything that was taking place around Him. Jesus was One who was not unaware of that which was taking place around Him and was keenly aware of the thoughts and intents of the hearts of mine. Time and time again within the four gospels you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and how He was intimately aware and had a deep and abiding understanding and knowledge of the thoughts and intents of the hearts of men. What’s more is Jesus was able to discern and see through the traps and the snares which the religious leaders of that generations sought to lay for Him. It is absolutely impossible to read the four gospels and not encounter the absolutely incredible truth surrounding the knowledge which the Lord Jesus had concerning those things which took place all around Him. The more you read the four gospels you can and will encounter Jesus’ intimate knowledge concerning everything that was going on around Him. Jesus was well aware of the desire of the religious leaders and even of the Jews to destroy and put Him to death and even when they sought to stone Him. There is more than one occasion within this gospel when you encounter both the Jews and their religious leaders who sought to persecute and destroy Him because of the words He spoke and the works He wrought in the midst of the earth. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible reality that Jesus not only possessed omniscience within Himself as one of the members of the triune Godhead but He also possessed this deep and abiding discernment and understanding concerning those things which were taking place all around Him. In all reality it was absolutely impossible to get anything by the Lord Jesus Christ—regardless of whether it was an attempt to ensnare and entrap Him with His words or even an attempt to destroy and put Him to death. The four gospel narratives are replete with the desires and intentions of the religious leaders—and even the Jews themselves—to destroy Jesus and to somehow remove Him from the picture. Throughout each of these gospels you will encounter the absolutely wonderful reality of a Jesus who knew and perceived within Himself those things that were thought and those things that were conceived within the hearts and minds of men. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of this is found in the final portion of the seventh chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke. It’s within this passage we find Jesus being invited to enter into the house of a Pharisee during those days and how a woman from the city who was a sinner dared come in and pour out her extravagant worship upon Him. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the seventh chapter of this New Testament gospel concerning the encounter and exchange which took place between Jesus, this woman from the city who was a sinner, Simon the Pharisee and even those which were present in the house at that time: “And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath. Not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto her, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:36-50). This is something we must needs recognize and understand for within this passage of Scripture we encounter this woman from the city who was a sinner who dared enter into the house of Simon who was a Pharisee unannounced and perhaps most certainly uninvited. I very much doubt that Simon who was indeed a Pharisee would have invited this woman who was a sinner into his home—much less allow her to bring her alabaster box of ointment with which she would pour upon the feet of the Lord Jesus. Moreover I highly doubt Simon would deliberately and intentionally invite this woman from the city who was a sinner into his home for fear of somehow being defiled and polluted by her. What we find is that this woman from the city who was a sinner knowing that Jesus entered into this house and willing to risk public shame and exposure that she might pour out her extravagant worship upon the feet of the Lord Jesus. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for when Simon the Pharisee watched and observed the actions of this woman—and not only the actions of this woman but also the actions and response of the person of the Lord Jesus—he spoke within himself concerning Jesus and if He were a prophet He would know who and what manner of woman this was and that she was a sinner. Please don’t miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it is when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and the intimate knowledge He had within His heart and spirit concerning those things which were said, those things which were thought and those things which were done around Him. The four gospels are entirely and altogether replete with examples of this intimate knowledge and discernment the Lord Jesus had concerning those things that perhaps weren’t even spoken and thought within the heart and mind of an individual and not publicly or audibly voiced in the midst of that generation. I am reminded of another passage of Scripture found within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician and this intimate knowledge the Lord Jesus had within Himself concerning those things which were present before and all around Him. The more you read the four gospel narratives the more you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding Jesus’ awareness of those things which were taking place around Him and even the desire men had to destroy and put Him to death. In the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the same beloved physician you will find Jesus in His hometown of Nazareth and speaking in the midst of the synagogue. It would be here in the town of Nazareth of Galilee Jesus would get up for to read and be delivered the prophetic scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus would find a certain place within this prophetic scroll and would not only read the words contained therein before those who were present but He would also make certain comments concerning them—comments which would anger and offend those who were present on this particular day. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the fourth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke beginning with the fourteenth verse: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, is not this Joseph’s son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill wherein their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way. And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power” (Luke 4:14-32). It is absolutely necessary to call and draw our attention to the words which are found within his passage of Scripture for although it doesn’t explicitly mention Jesus being aware of their attempt to destroy and put Him to death it does reveal that Jesus passed right through them. The beloved physician Luke wrote how after Jesus had spoken the words concerning the generations of Elijah and Elisha all those who were present in the midst of the synagogue were indeed filled with wrath at Him. Undoubtedly all those who were present in the midst of the synagogue were filled with offense and wrath within their hearts at the words which the Lord Jesus had spoken unto them for His words indicted them concerning their unbelief. In fact it would be elsewhere in the four gospels it would be mentioned of those in Nazareth that Jesus could do no mighty miracle among them save lay hands on a few sick folk and they recover from their sicknesses. This was—according to the gospel authors—due to the tremendous amount of unbelief which was present within the hearts and minds of those who were present in the midst of the town of Nazareth. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly was for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth which was found in the four gospels and how Jesus was intimately aware of all those things which were present all around Him—the thoughts, the emotions, the intentions, the murmuring, the grumbling and the like within the hearts of those who were present. What’s more is Jesus was even aware of the intention of those in Galilee who desired to come and make Him king after they not only witnessed and observed the miracles He did in Jerusalem at the feast as well as partook of the bread which He fed them with there in Galilee. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning to read with and from the first and opening verse: “After these things, Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberius. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a. Mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them. May take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and racing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, it is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:1-21). Within this passage of Scripture we find Jesus feeding a multitude of five thousand men from five loaves of bread and two fish which He would bless, break, multiply and give unto the multitude that they might be fed—and not only fed but also fed to the full. What’s more is that it would be within this passage of Scripture where Jesus not only filled the physical bellies of the multitude of five thousand which were present on this particular occasion but there would also be twelve baskets filled with the fragments of all that was left over. Pause for a moment and consider how not only did Jesus fill the five thousand with and from the five loaves of bread and the two fish but He also filled twelve baskets full of the fragments which were left over after they had all eaten and were satisfied. What we find after this is something which is truly interesting when you take the time to think about it for if you continue reading you will find Jesus perceiving within Himself that they would come and take Him by force to make Him a king. Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible knowledge which Jesus had within Himself concerning the thoughts and intentions that were present within the hearts of those who were present during that generation. It would be during this generation the Lord Jesus would indeed perceive that they would seek to take Him by force and make Him a king, and as a direct result he would depart again into a mountain himself alone. OH there is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within his passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible knowledge, understanding and discernment Jesus possessed within Himself—and not only this but also the omniscience which He possessed within Himself and that which was revealed unto Him by the Father and the Spirit which had anointed and rested upon Him. The ultimate and underlying reason I find it necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture is because the apostle John makes his readers and audience intimately aware of the knowledge which Jesus had within Himself. You cannot read the words which are found within this gospel and not encounter and come face to face with the knowledge which Jesus had within Himself. This is something which we must needs recognize for if you begin reading with and from the thirteenth chapter of this New Testament gospel you will find this knowledge which Jesus had within Himself concerning the hour that had come upon Him—and not only the hour which had come upon Him but also those things which would befall Him. What’s more is that as you read the words which are found within this New Testament gospel you will find that Jesus was very much aware of those things which would take place during those days and was not at all surprised by anything that would come upon Him. In fact if you read the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew you will find that immediately after Simon Peter made the confession and declaration that Jesus was indeed the Christ and the son of the living God Jesus would begin teaching them those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh. If you begin reading with and from the sixteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will indeed encounter the tremendous truth of the knowledge which Jesus had concerning those things which would befall and come upon Him—namely that He would be betrayed, that He would be delivered up into the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people and suffer many things at their hands, that He would be delivered into the hands of sinners who would scourge Him, that He would indeed be crucified and put to death, and that He would be buried in the grave before being raised from death to life on the third day. Jesus taught His disciples those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh before being killed and crucified and put to death leading to His resurrection on the third day. Oh it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew beginning with the sixteenth chapter: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the Keyes of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any many will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every an according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:13-28). “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:9-13). “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry” (Matthew 17:22-23). “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:17-19). “And it came to p ass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people” (Matthew 26:1-5). It is absolutely necessary we recognize and understand the words which are found within this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the tremendous knowledge Jesus had concerning those things which He must needs suffer. Jesus knew the purpose for which He had come into the world and knew that he must needs suffer in the flesh. Moreover Jesus also knew that He must not only suffer in the flesh but would also be killed and crucified. Within each of these passages we encounter and come face to face with the fact that Jesus not only knew those things which would befall Him but He also taught His disciples and prepared them those things which He would indeed suffer in the flesh. Jesus was well aware of those things which He must needs suffer in the flesh and recognized that he would indeed suffer at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people as well as at the hands of sinners. Jesus was indeed well aware of the fact that He would suffer many things in the flesh according to the Scripture and that the Scripture must be fulfilled concerning Him. Jesus knew that He must needs suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes, the elders of the people and the religious leaders of His generation and taught the disciples concerning this that when it actually took place they would not be offended. Moreover Jesus knew and understood that He must needs suffer at the hands of sinners, be scourged and ultimately be destroyed and put to death by them before being buried in the earth until the third day when He would rise again from death to life. Jesus deliberately and intentionally sought to prepare and make ready His disciples for those things which befall and come upon Him as it pertained to His suffering and being put to death knowing all that had been spoken of concerning Him. Jesus knew the Scriptures—both what was written in the Law and the prophets—concerning Him would indeed be fulfilled in that generation and that He must needs suffer many things before being killed and crucified. If you continue along this line of thinking concerning the intimate knowledge Jesus had concerning those things which would befall and come upon Him you must needs also consider the words which were presented in the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand the word and language which is presented in this passage of Scripture and how what is indeed found within these chapters is Jesus preparing His disciples for certain distinct realities which would come to pass. It was indeed true that Jesus had taught and prepared His disciples for those things which He must suffer in the flesh at the hands of the religious leaders and sinners before being killed and crucified. Jesus did indeed teach and prepare His disciples for those things which He must needs suffer and that He must be crucified before being raised form death to life on the third day. What we find here in these chapters is Jesus teaching and preparing His disciples for something entirely and altogether different. It is within these chapters where we find the Lord Jesus Christ teaching and preparing His disciples for additional events and realities which would take place in the coming days. It is as you read the words found within these passages of Scripture you can and will find the Lord Jesus teaching and preparing His disciples for His departure from this world and His return unto the Father who was in heaven. The Lord Jesus did indeed teach and prepare His disciples for the truth that He must needs depart from this world and return unto the Father who was in heaven as was ordained and appointed by the Father concerning Him. What’s more is that not only did Jesus prepare His disciples for His departure from this earth and return unto the Father but He also prepared him for His coming again unto them by and through the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would teach and make the disciples intimately aware of the fact that he and the Father would come unto them by and through the person of the Holy Spirit who would not only abide and dwell within them but would guide them into all truth and would be a Comforter. In addition to this the Lord Jesus would also prepare His disciples for His coming back for them that where He was with the Father there they might also be. I am absolutely convinced that in order to truly understand the words and language that is found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John there is a great need to pay close attention to the words which we see in these chapters for within them we are brought face to face with that which Jesus would teach and speak unto His disciples that they might not be offended and might be ready for all that would be experienced during the days ahead. Jesus knew that he would indeed depart from this world and would return unto His Father. Jesus knew that after ascending unto the right hand of the Father—not only would He and the Father come unto the disciples and His followers by and through the person of the Holy Spirit but that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and would teach and remind them of all those things which he had taught and spoken unto them while He was still present among them. Jesus knew that He would indeed go unto the Father to prepare a place for them and that where He was together with the Father there He would be together with them as he would come back for them. Oh Jesus and the Father would indeed come unto them by and through the person of the Holy Spirit that they might abide together with and dwell within them where they were. With this being said the Lord Jesus would also prepare a place for them in His Father’s house that when He came back for them to gather them together unto Himself He might bring them unto His father’s house that where they dwelt and abode there they would be. The Holy Spirit would indeed be the abiding and manifest presence of the Father and the Son where the disciples and body of Christ would be that where they were there the Father and the Son might be also. This would indeed be a sign, a seal, a pledge and a promise of something entirely and altogether different for while the Father and the Son would come unto the body of Christ where they were that they might dwell and abide with and within them the eternal Son would come again for them and gather them together unto Himself that where He was with the Father there they might be also. As if this weren’t enough Jesus would also prepare and make them ready for those things which they would suffer in the flesh for they would indeed be hated of all nations for His name’s sake and would be persecuted. I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in these particular chapters found within the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. The words which we find within these chapters call and draw our attention to the absolutely tremendous truth surrounding those things which the Lord Jesus did indeed and would indeed prepare His disciples for—not only that which would take place in the earth after His departure but also that which they would experience when He would indeed come again for them. The Lord Jesus knew all those things which would come upon Him and knew all those things which must needs take place hereafter and would teach and prepare the disciples for that so they would not be surprised and that they would not be offended. Jesus deliberately and intentionally taught the disciples concerning those things which would take place during those days for it would prepare and make them ready that they might not be caught off guard and might not be taken by surprise when they did in fact come to pass. This is something we have a great need of recognizing and paying attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and the knowledge which He had concerning those things which would come in the days ahead. It is absolutely necessary and imperative we recognize and understand these words for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the departure of Jesus from the earth, the ascension of Jesus unto the right hand of the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the coming again of the Lord Jesus to gather together unto Himself all His disciples and even those things which His disciples and followers would experience and endure during the days which were coming. Oh it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in these chapters beginning to read with and form the thirteenth chapter of this New Testament gospel: “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (John 13:12-20). “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus aid, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall see me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:31-35). “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:1-4). “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:9-14). “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:15-21). “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatosever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto yhou, I go away, and come again unto you. If he loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to p ass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence” (John 14:25-31). “These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that I hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:17-27). “These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killers you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I have told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe no on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16;1-11). “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them not. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father” (John 16:12-16). “Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish’s, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsover ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked me nothing in my name: ask, and. Ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things hav eI spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father” (John 16:19-28). “Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in my ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:31-33). Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for within them we find Jesus not only expressing His intimate knowledge of that which would indeed come to pass in the coming days but we also find Jesus teaching and preparing His disciples those things which would come to pass in the coming days. Within these chapters we encounter and come face to face with the incredible surrounding the Lord Jesus teaching and preparing His disciples for the things which would indeed come to to pass in the coming days. Jesus taught and prepared His disciples for the reality that He would indeed depart from this world and would ascend unto the right hand of the Father. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to suffer many things, for Him to be glorified and for Him to return unto the Father from whom he had come and been manifested in the earth. Jesus knew that he had indeed come from the Father and that the time and hour had come that he might return unto the Father who was in heaven. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to return unto the Father and that as a direct result of His returning unto the Father which was in heaven the promise of the Father would indeed be manifested in the midst of the earth. Jesus knew that until and unless He returned unto the Father which was in heaven the promise of the Father which was the person of the Holy Spirit would not and could not be manifested in the midst of the earth. Jesus knew that so long as He was with them and did not return unto the Father who was in heaven the promise of the Father would and could not come and therefore He would declare unto them how it was expedient for Him to depart from this world and to return unto the Father who was in heaven. In all reality the words which we find in these passages of Scripture must needs be carefully considered for they call and draw our attention to the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding those things which the Lord Jesus did indeed and did in fact teach His disciples during those days. The Lord Jesus taught and showed unto His disciples those things that would soon come to pass that they might not be offended—and not only that they might be offended but also that they might be prepared and ready for that which would come unto them. Jesus had indeed taught and showed unto them those things which would come to pass unto them in the days ahead that they might indeed be ready and prepared for absolutely everything that would come in the days which they were about to face. The Lord Jesus knew that although the person of the Holy Spirit would indeed be manifested in the midst of the earth the days of the Spirit would indeed be marked by tremendous affliction, suffering, persecution and even being put out of the synagogues and put to death. Jesus knew that the days of the Holy Spirit would indeed be incredibly difficult days for those who killed them would believe they were doing a service unto and before the living God—something that was indeed proven and demonstrated by and through the person of Saul of Tarsus. Saul of Tarsus vehemently persecuted the church of the Lord Jesus Christ thinking and believing that what he was doing was indeed a service before and unto the living God. What He would ultimately find and discover, however, was that the church and the Christians he persecuted would indeed be an assault and persecution against the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus taught and prepared His disciples for the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth that in the days which were ahead they would not only experience the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit but would indeed experience the presence of the Father and the Son by and through the person of the Holy Spirit. Moreover the Lord Jesus taught and prepared His disciples for the fact that by and through His departure He would indeed prepare and make them ready for the affliction, the suffering, the persecution and the tremendous trials and tribulations they would face during those days. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize the words which are found within these chapters for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the intimate knowledge which the person of the Lord Jesus Christ had during those days. What’s more is that the closer Jesus came to and approached the hour of His suffering the more He would teach and reveal unto His disciples those things which were to come to pass. What I so absolutely love about the words presented in this passage is how it begins and opens up with Jesus hanging there upon the cross. What’s more is that not only do we find the person of the Lord Jesus Christ hanging upon the cross but there upon the cross knowing that all things were accomplished. Not only did Jesus know that all things had been accomplished but Jesus knew that all things had been fulfilled in that moment as He hung there upon the cross. It’s actually quite interesting to think about and consider this particular truth for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that while it was indeed true Jesus hung there upon the cross it was also true that He hung there upon the cross for a specific period of time. Scripture reveals how it was from the sixth hour unto the ninth hour when darkness covered the land—a darkness which I am convinced was a spiritual darkness as the forces of hell itself ascended and descended upon the cross as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God hung there suspended between earth and sky. There is not a doubt in my mind when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture that the darkness which covered the face of the earth during those days that it was indeed a spiritual darkness as all the unclean spirits, all the devils, all the principalities, all the rulers of darkness, and perhaps even Satan himself came unto the sight of the crucifixion of Jesus to revel in the death of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. What we must needs recognize and understand is that in the New Testament epistle written by the apostle John, in the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Colossians saints as well as the epistle written unto the Hebrews. Within these particular sections we know that Jesus’ hanging there upon the cross was about more than simply offering a sacrifice for sins as He was the substitutionary Lamb that was upon the cross. There upon the cross there was indeed a wonderful and powerful work that was completed in the supernatural and spiritual realm as Jesus and all of heaven would wage a war on the unseen and spiritual realm. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something to be said about the darkness that would descend upon the site of the cross and Calvary where the Lord Jesus was hanging there suspended between earth and sky. In all reality I would dare say that the cross was perhaps one of the greatest traps and snares that was set by heaven itself as it would lure all of hell itself unto the place of the cross that the first triumph and victory might be obtained and achieved. We do in fact know that when Jesus was raised from death to life He was raised with the keys of death, hell and the grave, however, it is also true that there upon the cross Jesus would put to shame and make an open spectacle the rulers of darkness and the principalities which were present on this particular day. The Lord Jesus would indeed set a trap for all of hell itself as they would indeed gather together to gloat, to jeer, to mock and to ridicule the death of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God. Undoubtedly hell itself thought that they had conquered and defeated the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God as they had persuaded the chief priests, the scribes, the elders of the people and the people themselves to cry out for His being crucified. There is not a doubt in my mind that the unclean spirits, the principalities, the rulers of darkness and even Satan himself gloated and boasted over the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. What we find, however, is that Jesus’ death upon the cross was more than simply an earthly and natural death but was indeed a triumph and victory over the rulers of darkness and the principalities. I absolutely love the words which are found in the nineteenth chapter of this gospel for within it we find the apostle John once more writing concerning Jesus and the knowledge which He had within himself. There upon the cross Jesus knew that all things had been accomplished and that the Scripture had indeed been fulfilled—all that had been written concerning Jesus in both the Law and the prophets. Upon the cross as Jesus hung there suspended between earth and sky He would accomplish and fulfill everything that was ordained and appointed concerning Him for He would indeed be a sacrifice and an offering for sin. He who knew no sin would indeed become and be made sin that He might make an atonement and propitiation for our sins that we might indeed be the righteousness of the living God. Oh there is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus hung there suspended between earth and sky hanging upon the cross for the exact amount of time that was needed to accomplish what was ordained and appointed for Him. I firmly believe that it wasn’t enough for Jesus to merely be nailed to the cross and then immediately die for there would be a suffering which would take place upon the cross that needed to be accomplished. Oh we know there was indeed a suffering that would take place leading up to being nailed to the cross as Jesus was crucified by the Romans and sinners, however, with this being said I would also dare say that there was the suffering upon the cross that would need to be accomplished and fulfilled. I am convinced that there was the suffering which led up to the crucifixion and being nailed to the cross, however, there was a suffering that would take place upon the cross that would accomplish and fulfill that which the eternal Father and living God had ordained and appointed in the Law and the prophets. There is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus hung there upon the cross—and even spoke the very words He spoke from the cross—in order to fulfill that which was ordained and appointed by the eternal Father which was in heaven. I sit here today thinking about and considering this and how absolutely incredible it is when you find the knowledge Jesus had as He hung there upon the cross suspended between earth and sky. It was true Jesus would have an intimate knowledge that His hour had indeed come for Him to depart from this earth and return unto the Father. It was indeed true that Jesus would have an intimate knowledge of those things which He would suffer in the flesh at the hands of the religious leaders and even at the hands of sinners before being crucified and put to death. With that being said the apostle John made it absolutely clear that while Jesus hung there upon the cross He knew that all things had been accomplished and that the Scripture had indeed been fulfilled. It would be shortly after that we find Jesus committing His spirit into the hands of the Father, yielding up the ghost and breathing His last. Even when the Roman soldiers came to Jesus hanging there upon the cross looking to potentially break His legs they would see that He was indeed and was in fact already dead. In order to confirm that He was dead they would take a spear and pierce His side from which blood and water would flow. Oh we must needs recognize and pay close attention to this for even though Jesus was nailed to the cross and hung there suspended between earth and sky He would indeed accomplish and fulfill that for which He had been sent by the eternal Father. There upon the cross the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be such who would accomplish that which the Father had which would indeed be the sacrificial Lamb of the living God. Although Jesus would indeed be nailed to the cross and crucified by the Romans—not even the Romans could take the life of Jesus. Although the Romans had nailed Jesus to the cross they would not be permitted to break a single bone in His body—and not only were they unable to break a single bone in His body but they were unable to put Him to death. Even when the Roman soldiers came to break the legs of those who were hanging upon the cross and did in fact break the legs of the other two thieves who were crucified along with Jesus they were unable to break the legs of Jesus. If there is one thing I absolutely love about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture it’s that although the Roman soldiers were indeed given power and authority to scourge Jesus, although they were given power and authority to plate a crown of thorns and place it upon His brow and although they were able to nail Him to the cross and crucify Him they were unable to break a single bone in His body. What’s more is they were completely and utterly unable to actually take the life of the Lord Jesus according to the scripture and what had been prophesied and foretold in the Law and the prophets. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the fact that the Roman soldiers could not do anything that was not permitted by the divine will of the Father nor could they do anything contrary to that which had been prophesied by the prophets and written in the Law. There is something truly captivating and powerful about the words and language found in these passages of Scripture for they bring us face to face with the absolutely powerful truth that the Roman soldiers were given some power and authority over Jesus to nail Him to the cross and to crucify Him but when it came to His own death He alone had the power and authority over it. Even though the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus’ physical body and person to the cross they were absolutely and utterly powerless to actually take His life. I would dare say that it was not Roman soldiers nor even the cross that brought about the death of the Lord Jesus but the divine will of the Father and even Jesus’ own authority over Himself to offer His life as a sacrifice. Remember that it was Jesus who would declare that no man takes His life from Him but that He gives His life willingly and voluntarily as a ransom and sacrifice before and unto the eternal Father which was in heaven. This is something we must needs acknowledge and understand for when we look at the time Jesus spent on the cross we must understand that he had full and complete authority over His own death and would and could not yield up the ghost and breathe His last until all had been accomplished and fulfilled. Jesus was given power and authority to yield up the ghost unto the Father and commit His spirit into His hands but that would and could not take place until all had been accomplished and all had been fulfilled. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to make the declaration that not only did Jesus make an open and public spectacle of the principalities, the rulers of darkness, the unclean spirits and the forces of hell upon the cross but He also exercised full and complete authority and control over His life and death. Despite the fact that Roman soldiers were given power and authority to scourge Him and effectively strip His flesh from His physical body and despite the fact that He was indeed nailed to the cruel Roman tree and hung there suspended between earth and sky they could only do what they were permitted to do. Even Jesus declared unto Pilate that he had no authority over Him except it were given to Him by the Father who was in heaven. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when we think about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ hanging there upon the cross of Calvary we must recognize that the Roman soldiers had absolutely no authority over the physical body of Jesus to break His bones because it had been written in the Law and the prophets that not a bone of His body would be broken. Although the Roman soldiers would indeed be given power and authority to nail Jesus to the cross they could not break a single bone in His body for they could not operate outside the parameters and boundaries of that which was written in the eternal word of the living God. What’s more is they thought they pierced Him because of making sure He was dead, however, they didn’t realize that even their piercing Him would indeed fulfill Scripture and bring about that which had been prophesied in the Law and the prophets. If there is one thing we must needs recognize concerning the death of the Lord Jesus Christ it’s that He did indeed and did in fact have full and complete authority over Himself and would and could not die until the appointed time. Once Jesus knew and was aware of the fact that all things were accomplished and that the Scripture had been fulfilled He would and could then yield up the ghost, commit His spirit into the hands of the Father and breathe His last. Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to consider it for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful authority Jesus had to accomplish and fulfill that which was written concerning Him in the Law and the prophets. If there is one thing that makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it it’s that throughout the gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will read of the Jews and their religious leaders seeking to lay hold of Jesus and even seek to destroy and put Him to death. The apostle John time and time again within this gospel wrote how despite their best efforts and their intentions they would be entirely and altogether unable to because His hour had not yet come. This is something we must needs recognize for neither the religious leaders nor sinners could do anything to the person of the Lord Jesus until the hour had indeed and had in fact come. It wouldn’t be until the thirteenth chapter of this gospel when we read of Jesus knowing that His hour had indeed come and that He would depart from this earth and return unto the Father. Not only did Jesus know when the hour had come for Him to depart from this world and return unto the Father but Jesus also knew when the hour had come for Him to suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, the scribes and the elders of the people. What makes this even more intriguing when you think about it is when you consider that even in the narrative of Job found in the Old Testament Satan could only touch Job if he had permission to do so by the eternal Father which was in heaven. Although Satan assaulted and targeted Job’s possessions, his kids and even his physical body he could only operate within the parameters of the divine will and eternal purpose of the living God. This is something we must needs recognize for it calls and draws our attention to the truly wonderful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and how the Lord Jesus had full authority over Himself to lay His life down—and even to die upon the cross after yielding up the ghost Himself. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it brings us face to face with the tremendous power surrounding the divine will of the eternal Father and how there is absolutely nothing that can take place outside of and apart from the divine will of the Father which is in heaven. The eternal Father has absolutely everything under control and there is nothing that takes Him by surprise nor is there anything that takes place without His intimate knowledge and permitting it to be so.