John 18:1-12 KJV
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

Starting with the bottom passage today, as far as the will of God in the story of Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem and then turning over the money changers table. Here we see nothing serious wrong, that my friend is why Mark's account is important, but what I want to point out is God's side of the story, Jesus had his disciples go get a colt that all they had to say was their Lord was in need of it. Then other disciples were telling the daughters of Zion what "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass". The crowd gather to see Jesus come riding. No one ever ask where did the crowd come from, the crowd that came probably were part of the people that were from the feeding of the loaves of bread and fish. However that speculation. What occurs is people and crowd came with palm branches. Who is in charge of him coming in to the Triumphal city. It is the disciples in charge, it is Christ saying go and do this and bring the ass back to me. Then when he goes into the city of Jerusalem he has words with the Priest when after he turns over the money tables. Why was their celebration after the money tables being turn over. It is because Jesus had kicked the thieves out of the temple. Yet nothing hear says Barabbas was involved yet if we study Barabbas name we find out who he truly was. It is hidden information in scripture. There more going on at these events then fully seen or realized, but here is the simple side of it, rejoicing occurred no doubt in a form of victory and yet it quiet in the Gospel, why? Perhaps if we see the full story in black in white, we looking on the cross a bit different, but Mark does carry one verse that says it all, often over looked Mark 15:7 KJV, "7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection". Who in charge of the insurrection? "Jesus". But Who killed Barabbas. Who wants Jesus crucify the Priest who thinks Jesus was the man that took away his son, and caused him to murder.

God's story he is in charge, but who also is running a side story, the devil, the same devil that thinks he is in control and he got this all plotted out. That were we come to the first scripture you read today entering the devotional time. The soldiers come to arrest Jesus and what happens. The Soldiers fall backwards. Who is in charge Jesus is, he declares his God authority as Son of God, knowing all things in heaven and in earth. He knows what fixing to happen. Even to Peter slicing off the soldiers ear, that gets Jesus bound by ropes perhaps. We don't want to think of it happening like that. Jesus says to Peter, "put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it"? God's will being performed in Christ life as part of God's story. The line now drawn of who in charge and what happen is God's allowing the devil to do his part in crucifying Jesus. Blinders of Jews and the disciples so the devil gets his story written for the world to see him defeated him with the resurrection.

God in the garden said to Adam that he would surely die if he ate from the tree of Knowledge of good and evil, but what he did not tell Adam at that time, he had the power to raise him back up, to restore him. If he had what would he had done, he immediately tried the fruit just out of curiousity of what God meant. True that opinion, but in reality Devil persuaded no harm would come to Eve if she ate the fruit, and with that temptation, Eve seen the fruit was pleasing to the eye and good for food and decided to taste it.

Devil is aware how temptation effects us. Yet are we aware how temptation effects us. Depends on how old you are. Yet we know our response to temptation is either yeah or nay. In the garden it was God's will completely or the devil's will. No man made the choice of whether he yield to God or the serpent. Yet God had the power to defeat the serpent for he is a created being. God in the garden it was God's will to allow his Son to suffer for you and I. God's will for Christ to come off the mountain as king, cause an insurrection that lead to the devil murdering someone and then celebrate the victory of casting the money changers out. In one place concerning the insurrection in the four Gospels, that they would not even allow the money changers to pass through the temple. The Holiness of God being protected, but this did not make the Priesthood happy. Caiaphas would prophesy one man would die for the nation, choosing the devil and not God. This all happening because God blinded them to his truth and who Christ was, though some scribes and Pharisees did believe, like Nicodemus and man name Joseph of Armithaea(owner of the tomb where Jesus is laid), who would participate in the initial burial of Jesus. Part of the duties of the Priesthood and scribes.(John 19:38-39).

God in charge but to demonstrate it those who arrest Jesus, would fall backwards, demonstrating who was in charge. Yet they were allowed to take him, but also asked for the release of those around him, his very own disciples. When God's story begins it begins with his authority to create and his authority to do and enable his word to become. When His story is told in the crucifixion he shows his word his able to be taken and his word is able to be cruxified, but what does not happen is his word can not be destoryed. He said his Son would rise on the third day and Christ did. God is saying I not going to surrender one life to Satan. Jesus said I am not going to let you go, once you are my child, you mine to keep and to hold. Your my bride. You are my people. I dying for you so you can understand it. Jesus would go to his cup that his Father offered him to prove the point of his love.

Dear Heavenly Father, you are my Lord and my King. You are the great I Am, and you are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, thank you for saving my soul. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Matthew 21:1-17 KJV
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.