Study Desk

For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again.

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

And he said to them, "This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God."

On the way, Jesus told them, "All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

Then at three o'clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!"

Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.

Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,

"Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

For the word of God will never fail."

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.

How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.