Jul2025
The soldiers’ challenge
by Emma Strelan
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ they said (Matthew 27:28,29).
Jul2025
Standing firm in truth
by Emma Strelan
Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor (Matthew 27:13,14).
Jul2025
Judas’ failure
by Emma Strelan
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders (Matthew 27:3).
Jul2025
No-one flops like Peter
by Emma Strelan
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
Jul2025
The high priest’s challenge
by Emma Strelan
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God’ (Matthew 26:63).
Jul2025
Who’s on neighbouring this week?
by Emma Strelan
‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’ (Luke 10:36,37).
