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Jesus' Final Human Thoughts (Part Two)
Article by StaffIn His final hours as a human, Jesus Christ's thoughts and prayers reveal His profound focus during unimaginable suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed about the cup He was to drink, asking if it might pass from Him, yet only if it aligned with His Father's will. This cup represented a spiritual drink, a mixture of the world's sin and the agonizing separation from His Father, which was to Him a deadly poison racking His body and mind with stinging agony. He sought for the time of this awful drink to pass as quickly as possible, demonstrating His submission to His Father's perfect plan. Jesus knew the necessity of this spiritual poison entering Him so it could be poured out with His life-blood, as the sins of the world were laid upon Him by His Father, contaminating Him until they were released with His shed blood. He expressed unwavering resolve, declaring to Peter after His Gethsemane prayer that He must drink the cup His Father had given Him. He was fully aware that He could call upon His Father for rescue with more than twelve legions of angels, yet He forced this knowledge aside, knowing that choosing physical deliverance would mean eternal death for humanity. Even in His delirium on the stake, Jesus quoted His own inspired words through David, crying out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" fulfilling prophecy at the peak of His agony. This separation from His Father, though brief, felt like an eternity to Them both, with His last human day stretching like a thousand years. His patience was tried as never before, waiting for reunification with His Father. After Gethsemane, Jesus showed quiet resignation through the barbarous events of His final hours, offering no further complaint during the unjust trials and inhuman torture, until His final cries of agony at the separation from His Father. His thoughts were not on individual sins but on overcoming the physical torture and spiritual poison He carried, sustained by the hope of soon reuniting with His Father and the vision of His enemies one day seeing Him seated at the right hand of Power.
Jesus' Final Human Thoughts (Part One)
Article by StaffIn His final hours as a human being, Jesus Christ's thoughts were not focused on the individual sins laid upon Him, but on deeper, more profound matters. Scripture provides insight into what occupied His mind during this time, from Gethsemane to the stake. Jesus knew the exact timing of His suffering and death, understanding that it must occur on the Passover Day in the year we call AD 31, and that He must be entombed as that day ended. Aware of the limited time before His arrest and separation from His beloved Father, He chose to spend His last moments of human freedom in close communication with His heavenly Parent, praying earnestly in Gethsemane as recorded in the gospel accounts. Despite His earlier welcome into Jerusalem, Jesus was fully aware that He was despised and rejected by many, a rejection that extended across generations. He also knew the spiritual weakness of His closest friends, foreseeing that they would stumble, forsake Him, and scatter in fear. Worse still, He was conscious of the betrayal by one of His own, already in progress during the Passover dinner. Upon arriving at Gethsemane, a sudden and intense sorrow overwhelmed Him, a distress so profound that it surpassed any human experience before or since. His agony was evident as He prayed more earnestly, His sweat becoming like great drops of blood falling to the ground. The reasons for this overwhelming sorrow likely included the rejection by mankind across generations, the betrayal and abandonment by His friends, and the dread of impending physical torture and death. However, the evidence suggests a deeper cause: the impending separation from His perfect, loving, and eternal Father. This pain of being cut off from His Father culminated in His cry from the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" expressing the anguish of feeling deserted in His final moments.

Christ's Responsibility, Resurrections, and All in All
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist's resurrection was bodily. He will destroy death before returning control back to the Father, at which time the entire creation would be all in all.
The Intercessory Character of Christ
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus demonstrated the importance of intercessory prayer, a practice urged by Paul for spiritual siblings, family members, rulers, and even enemies.
Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere is a direct relationship between loving Christ and doing the right works. God's love for us places us under a compelling obligation to reciprocate.
The Glory of God (Part 2): In Christ
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we (following Jesus' example) display the way of God in our lives, bearing His name, and keeping His commandments, God's glory radiates in our lives.
God In Us
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamThe force of the preposition 'in' reveals that the Father loves us to the same degree that He loves Jesus Christ. We must reciprocate their love.
Glory and Oneness
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeIn Christ's Passover prayer, He states that the glory the Father had given Him had also been given to the disciples. Christ's glory is the key to being one.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe unity Jesus appeals for with His disciples is not organizational unity, but unity within the divine nature, exampled in the unity between He and the Father.
Carefully Tending and Keeping God's Extraordinary Blessings
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's Sabbaths are inestimable blessings which should not be squandered; we must tend and keep these blessings, avoiding the careless use of hallowed time.
Knowing God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo fulfill one's purpose, one must be singularly focused on what one wants to accomplish. Divided minds result in no productivity or even devastation.
John (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEternal life is to know God, seeking Him to imitate Him, living as He does, and developing an intimate relationship with Him. This brings an abundant life.
Understanding Unity
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must separate ourselves from the world, sacrificing ourselves to God's purpose to become at one with God, waiting for Him to unify us to others.
Unity and Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs members of Christ's body, we must function for the good of the whole body, not competing with other parts. We must continually function as a son of God.
Unity
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEach member of Christ's body must choose to function in the role God has ordained to produce unity, emulating Christ in striving to please the Father

Unifying Behaviors
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEvery righteous, selfless act of outgoing concern we perform promotes unity within the church, drawing brethren closer together, suggesting a spiritual law.
John (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWhile the other accounts of Jesus' trial and crucifixion seem to show passivity, John shows Jesus totally in charge, purposefully and courageously moving.
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe will be subject to Satan's attempt to destroy our faith through being sifted like wheat. Jesus allows this to strengthen our faith yet also oversees it.

The Mystery of the Church
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod desires to know whether the spiritual remnants will choose His teaching or assimilating into the world, biting and devouring one another.
Of One Accord
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.
Glorify You Me
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidThe purpose of our calling is not the place of safety, but that we glorify God, following the example of Jesus Christ.
Don't Meddle and Always Be Ready to Answer
Sermon by Mark SchindlerSatan seeks to distract God's people by enticing them to meddle in governmental matters, thereby endangering their relationship with God.
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has placed us all in the body where it has pleased Him. We dare not imitate Satan by letting self-centered goals eclipse God's purpose.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe seriously err if we rely on the secular media to give us spiritual understanding. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth.