1. Jesus Before Pilate

The climax scene of the St John Passion, which is one of two surviving settings of the Passion written by Bach,
is based on the inquisition of Pilate against Jesus. John opens the scene this way at the beginning of Chapter 18 ; - “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.(John 18:37-38)- (³¤­…)

# Today’s lecturer is the co-pastor Mizuguchi.

1. Message about the end of the world

We are reading the Gospel by Mark following the church lecturing program and today’s passage of the chapter 13 is the last session. From next Sunday we begin a new series as the preparation of the Advent and Christmas. Its principal texts will be the Gospel according to Luke.Christmas is the time when we await the bright light which come will through dark sky. Those who long for the light must recognize the darkness of the earthy world. Today’s lecturing portion is about the end of the world*, which symbolizes chaotic human universe. (³¤­…)

1. Jesus came to offer all

We are continuing the lecture the Gospel according to Mark. In the Palm Sunday Jesus entered into Jerusalem and gave teachings to the crowd inside the Temple. Thought Pharisees and Sadducees there challenged him with debates none of them could prevail over. Even a law teacher, strongly impressed by Jesus’ wisdom, finally concurred with by saying ;- “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."(Mark 12:33-33) (³¤­…)

1 Most important commandment

Today we celebrate the 40th foundation day of this church. However we won’t organize any special ceremony, or publish commemorating brochure because we think that it is better that we focus on the future than on the past. The 40th anniversary is a passing point for the church.Just we give thanks God for preserving this flock and for according us the lecturing portion “Most important commandment” for the very day. Because we consider that passage to be the fundamental directive of the formation of the church. (³¤­…)