Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

Believing gives us hope and confidence.  But it is hard to fully believe while living in a world driven by getting by or getting ahead attitudes based on half-truths or almost truths as the way we see life now. Humans want to believe what we are told about a new product that will make us look good, smell better, give us confidence, and “make life easier.” But the product or person does not deliver so we have wasted time and funds pursuing it.

We want to believe in new and growing relationships.  We want to believe in the new friend who says they love us and would never betray us with talking smack behind our backs.  But then we soon learn of the gossip and are dismayed.  We want to believe family members who say they love and respect us but then betrayal occurs and our belief in them is challenged as our hearts break.  We may forgive, but our memories cause us to be cautious.

We want to believe institutions who hold and manage our investments to keep our hard-earned monies safe.  But then mismanagement causes losses and we lose trust in all institutions. We want to believe church people, knowing full well that no one is perfect.  We want to believe when they say they love us and simply want us to come be a part of their group—all for the sake of the Kingdom.  But then we discover some people just want to see what we can do for them with the goal of becoming like them, following in their imperfections, so they will feel condoned and justified. 

Jesus, The Great Physician has a diagnosis for this:  You have forgotten your “first love.”  (Revelation 2:4) Wounded but not destroyed, we look for a place to worship with those who simply believe with obedient hearts, eager to live Jesus.  We look for a gathering who know we are all a work in progress but at the same time we do not settle for merely condoning and getting by.  Instead, we strive and begin to thrive through continual examinations of our hearts, asking for God’s help to grow in His Truth while bearing the fruits of His Holy Spirit—His character traits developing in us.

We want to trust God in all life circumstances until—what we expected to happen didn’t happen.  We blame God when we do not understand.  We blame others in our pathway.  We blame circumstances and offer excuses because we humans think there is a solution for every problem, a reason for every occurrence, and an explanation that we must offer.

Hope, trust, faith and love are challenged.  For some hope is shattered.  Trust escapes.  Darkness overcomes the Light.  Love is lost.  And the greatest of these is love.

We have trouble simply believing because of betrayal, disillusionment, and despair coupled with the fear produced in our current circumstances that seem impossible to understand.  Panic sets in for what lies ahead in a world that is harsh and unkind and cannot be trusted.  We forget for a time Jesus’ words that warned us that this world is led by a dark prince who works overtime to distract and deceive, with the goal of destroying our faith in the One and Only who saved us and set us free from our sins.

But there is Good News!  Jesus appears to the dismayed, confused, and dishearten to bring understanding.  He turns dark back to Light.  He opens our eyes to see from His higher place with a Love that is deeper, greater, relentless, and completely reliable because He is The King of kings and The Lord of lords.  We recall all that Jesus taught us and with His help, we begin to put it all together.  Jesus is Truth.  There is no denying, Truth.  Truth accomplished exactly what God told Him to do.  Truth has come to set us free from this world of lies. Truth’s fire of faith and confidence burns once more within us and we simply believe.  And Hope is restored. 

Luke 24, The Message

The Road to Emmaus

^13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

^17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

^19-24 He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

^25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

^28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

³² Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

On the Emmaus Road—

Notice that Jesus didn’t jump into the conversation with “Surprise, here I am!”  Instead, He asked what was on their hearts and uppermost in the minds.  Jesus knew of course, but had them go back over the details so they could hear themselves speak of what just happened.  Maybe this was a way of measuring their belief barometers as they tried to unravel the events.

Jesus asks us where we are in our faith journey by prodding us to go over what we know currently so He can lead us to Truth.  He does that with these men. Notice how Jesus led them to tell the whole story.  They tell who Jesus was with who was against Jesus.  Then their belief barometer spikes when they tell Jesus who Jesus was to them.  These confused, perplexed, brokenhearted men shared how all their hope was in Jesus, but now He is gone—even His Body is gone!  They are not only confused; they are hopeless without Jesus!

Ah, a great place to begin! Jesus walks beside them and guides them back to Truth as written by the prophets.  Jesus began with Moses, showing them that ALL of scripture is and always has been about Jesus!  When Jesus speaks, we are drawn to the One who is Truth because we long for Truth—we’re empty without Jesus!

Upon breaking bread, their eyes are opened, and they see Jesus!  And there He is—The living, breathing Word of God, the Word who became flesh and walked among them, the One who died and rose again, defeating death and has the scars to prove it, is sitting and breaking bread at a meal with them.  They see Him as the One who saved them just as He said He would.  Hope is restored as Jesus reveals Truth. 

Ah, and when He spoke, “did you feel the fire within us as He opened up Scripture to us?”  Yes, Truth has a way of doing that.

“This is my Son with Whom I AM well pleased”— “Listen to Him.” –God (Matthew 17:5)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, (Turn from the world)

Look full in His wonderful face (Focus on Truth)

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim (Truth replaces confusion)

In the Light of His glory and grace. (Truth is revealed and forever is Truth)

Lord,

Thank you for Your Word. Thank you, Holy Spirit for opening our eyes to the Truth your Word reveals to us each day.  Cleanse our hearts.  Remove all obstacles between you and us.  Renew our minds.  Transform our behaviors as a result.  Turn all confusion to holy confidence in You.  Refresh our souls with your new mercies, fresh for each new day.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Thank you for saving our souls. Thank you for being with us always.  I believe.  I simply believe.

In Jesus Name, Amen

First thought:  What just happened? 

When death comes to someone we love dearly, I have noticed that a certain way about us takes over all our senses in those first moments as this life leaves earth. I believe God has built into a believers’ being a kind of “shock absorber” of strength, calm assurance, with a resolve to do what is necessary to take care of the circumstance at hand as the grief mounts in our broken hearts. 

God provided this for me when first my mom and then later my dad passed from this life to Jesus’ arms.  I held their hands until their lives left here and was restored for eternity there.  But then comes all the arrangements and paperwork detail that follow a death in the family.  This begins within the hour of a person’s death and most times in our country is not fully resolved for up to a year later.  The after-death care is almost as hard as the initial passing.  But God’s strength and wisdom mounts as the believer is assured and guided.  He provides more than we can imagine.

After a few months, with most end-of-life tasks completed, flashbacks flood memories.  We watch “movies” of their lives in our thoughts of all they used to say to us, all they did for us, with episodes of life with them that made us laugh and cry. We remember.  It is good to remember.  Memories honor the one missed.  But then the grief can grow to dishearten us as it begins to take up residence in our thoughts.  Grief comes in like waves hitting the shore.  We know it will come; but we are still surprised with it smacks us from behind, seemingly without notice.  When the waves try to overwhelm us as they do; believers must remember Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”  (Matthew 5:4)

God is there, softens the blow, and assures us once more, that He is with us always and will be our strength.  Those crashing waves are replaced by sacred moments of comfort from our God who so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son so that all who believed in Him would not perish but be saved for eternity.

We see this “shock absorber” built into the women who diligently sat or stood at the foot of the cross, unrattled from the earthquake and darkness, undeterred from the mocking of the passersby.  They remained until Jesus’ earthly body breathed His last breath.  Of course, they were mournful, fearful of the unknown, wondering what to do next.  Then they saw that God provided a merciful man of importance who was able to finally take the humbled, bloodied Body of Jesus down from the cross of shame.  With dignity this Joseph wrapped the Body in linen cloths.  The women did not walk away but followed close behind to see where the men would lay his Body.  Once they knew, they went home to not only prepare for Sabbath as commanded but to prepare the spices for His burial as an act of love. 

Soon, very soon, these women will experience a very sacred moment with their Savior and Lord.  They will begin to remember the words, among many, that Jesus taught that day on the mountain top and at other times and will resonant in their memories; “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

Luke 24, The Message

Looking for the Living One in a Cemetery

24 ^1-3 At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

^4-8 They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.

^9-11 They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn’t believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.

¹² But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God knows exactly what we need when we need it most.  Jesus’ sermon on the mount as theologians like to call it is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and comfort, along with life lessons that guide us in the ways of God that bring us peace and joy.  Jesus’ followers have these precious words in their memory banks. When will they remember?

Jesus suffered, died, and rose again, exactly what He said.  Jesus told his closest followers more than once; “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” Luke 9:22  And now it has happened.  But the mourning over his death and the fear of what a Roman soldier can do has taken over most of his followers’ thinking.  They have forgotten about the “third day,” the best part of the message!

On that third day, the women come to place where they knew they had laid Him.  They wonder how they will roll the heavy stone away from the entrance but they soon discover that it has been done for them.  God provides another gift to these faithful women who loved Jesus well.  They experienced a holy, sacred moment with the angels of God who reminded them of what Jesus had said; “and on the third day, I will rise up from the dead.”  Their mourning turned to joy for He has risen—just as He said! 

The “shock absorber” of comfort that attended their grief was now replaced by Jesus’ victory over death with an urgency to tell others this Good News!

God gives us sacred moments with Him when we need it most.  Jesus’ words on the mountain top show and tell us how He provides.  We must listen and watch expectantly for God who is always at work for us.  God provides sacred moments in our lives that turn to sacred delights as He teaches us when walk and talk with Him.  This wonderful relationship with God is fully provided for us by His Son, Jesus, who reconciled (reconnected) us back to the God who loved us first.

Concerning the words Jesus said on the Mountain, Max Lucado writes—

“Sacred delight is good news coming through the back door of your heart. It’s what you’d always dreamed but never expected. It’s the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It’s having God as your pinch-hitter, your lawyer, your dad, your biggest fan, and your best friend. God on your side, in your heart, out in front, and protecting your back. It’s hope where you least expected it: a flower in life’s sidewalk.

It is sacred because only God can grant it. It is a delight because it thrills. Since it is sacred, it can’t be stolen. And since it is delightful, it can’t be predicted.

It was this gladness that danced through the Red Sea. It was this joy that blew the trumpet at Jericho. It was this secret that made Mary sing. It was this surprise that put the springtime into Easter morning.

It is this sacred delight that Jesus promises in the Sermon on the Mount.

Nine times he promises it. And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:

“The poor in spirit . . . those who mourn . . . the meek . . . those who hunger and thirst . . . the merciful . . . the pure in heart . . . the peacemakers . . . those who are persecuted . . .” (Matthew 5:3–10).

It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.” –Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

Jesus, the Living One, lives forever as our advocate to God as Savior and Lord.  God gives us sacred moments of special delights as we trust in Him.  The women are the first to experience the sacred in the empty tomb.

Don’t forget the message God’s angels gave of great importance to all the women who came to serve; “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.”  Imagine the scene; Upon hearing the news, the women left immediately with bowls of spices left upturned and rolling aimlessly on the ground, to “go and tell”—Jesus is ALIVE!

Mark tells us Jesus appeared first to one the devoted, grateful women who had served Him with all her heart— “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.”  Mark 16:9 What a sacred moment for Mary who was healed and made whole by Jesus with whom she had placed her life.

So, our memories are given to us to remind us how God has brought us through it all on this journey on earth.  Memories are not a place to set up camp.  They are precious sacred moments of thoughts that comfort and challenge us to move forward to what God has next for us.  “He is our ever-present help,” the Psalmist reminds us. (Psalm 46:1)

I praise God for the memories of my grandparents, parents and others that affected my life in so many ways.  But I praise God most of all for the sacred moments with Him that only He can provide in the good times and the challenging times.  “And lo, I am with you always—until the end of the age.”—Jesus (Matthew 28:20)

Lord,

Thank you for your comfort, mercy, grace, and help that comes from a love that is limitless and unconditional.  You are God.  There is no one like you.  Thank you for helping us to remember your Word when we are faced with mourning over loss.  Thank you for your voice that whispers wisdom to our hearts as others clamor for our attention.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  You are Life everlasting!

In Jesus Name, Amen

In the minds of the Jesus’ accusers among the religious elite, the mission to kill him was completed.  No more talk of this Jesus who was making them feel uncomfortable, even guilty at times.  They could now go back to their daily religious debates, pious living, with an even greater, victorious pompousness. No one gets by with judging them and getting away with it!

In the minds of Pilate and Herod, this religious fiasco between the Jewish council and Jesus would finally be put to rest and they could move on with their political lives of oppression over people; bilking them for everything they could pay in taxes and more.  Their power, in their minds, was certainly expressed and royally demonstrated by killing the “King of the Jews” as their soldiers mocked. No one gets by with revolting against the Roman government!

In the minds of Jesus’ followers, they are dismayed and overcome with grief.  With Jesus dead, the Light has gone out.  In fact darkness fell over the earth for all to experience.  His followers were confused.  However, the faithful women instinctively do what they have always done, they continue to serve Jesus by first seeing where they took his body and laid him to rest; then they returned home to prepare the traditional spices for burial out of respect for their Lord.  It was Sabbath.  The women must rest as the Law of Sabbath commanded.

In the minds of some caught up in it all out of curiosity and most certainly indecision; not a part of Jesus’ followers but wondering about what just happened—saw, felt, and heard the voice of a Savior. A ranking official from the Jewish Council asked Pilate for Jesus’ body out of respect for Jesus.  One Roman captain, standing guard observing it all remarked, “This was a righteous man.” (KJV) The gospel of Matthew reports, “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:54

In the mind of God, The Plan of His Salvation has only just begun to be completed in full.  Removing all the sin placed upon Him was indeed finished and accounted for all of us with the debt of sin hanging over us.  Jesus carried our sin and died on that cross as the Son of Man who felt every skin tearing beating before the agonizing pain of nails being hammered into his flesh. But there is more to come!  Will all the sins of the world removed from His shoulders by dying in our place, Jesus will go to hell and back again to defeat the enemy who created sin!  While His followers rest of the Sabbath, The Lord of the Sabbath will then rise from death, once and for all, as the Son of God, victorious over death forever!  Jesus’ body will cast off the linen wrappings, just as Lazarus did, and come running out that grave!  The Light has gloriously returned!

The first people Jesus will see will be the women who loved Him and have returned to serve Him in the garden.  Ah, the garden…where the love of God began.

Luke 23, The Message

When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: “This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!”

^48-49 All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.

^50-54 There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.

^55-56 The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tombwhere Jesus’ body was placed. Then they went back to prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as commanded.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Merely an observation-not a review…

Randy and I just completed watching “Away,” a science fiction drama streaming television series starring Hilary Swank. The show portrays the sacrifices an international group of astronauts must make, as they prepare to be away from their families for three years on the first crewed spaceflight to Mars.  Away follows the first crewed expedition to Mars, the Mars Joint Initiative. It features an international crew: a Chinese chemist, a world-leading British botanist with no previous experience in space, a Russian cosmonaut with the most experience in space, an Indian medical officer who is second in command, and American commander Emma Green. The three-year mission launches from the Moon; however, several crew members do not trust Emma’s ability to command because of her response to a crisis at the very beginning of the mission.  The series is “about hope, humanity and how ultimately, we need one another if we are to achieve impossible things.”

After many trials, sickness, and other life and death challenges while on their way to their Mars destination, their loved ones along with the problem-solving Ground Crew wait on earth for a word from them.  Spoiler alert: The crew lands safely on Mars.  They immediately leave the space craft for the first photo of humans on Mars.  But the families and Ground Crew in Houston do not yet know they have safely landed!  Families and Ground Crew must wait in silence with hearts pounding, eyes fixed on screens, as there is a seven-minute delay in transmission. 

Finally, they hear the words of the Commander, “Houston, Atlas. Touchdown confirmed.” As intent, invested watchers of the show, we naturally joined in the victory of their safety, as we felt the emotional responses of their families and the victorious applause of the Ground Crew who supported these people who dared to go and complete this mission.

But then I think…

What happened the day that Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins as reported from eye witnesses by the gospel writers is greater, so much greater, than all the emotions a movie made by man can produce.  We can only imagine the applause of heaven, the embraces of the heavenlies, the choirs of angels singing as Jesus completed His mission to save the world of sin, then rise again from death on the third day—just as He said He would.

Imagine all of heaven standing silent with God waiting for word. “Father, this is Your Son Jesus.”  “It is finished.” 

Wow.  Just wow.

Lord,

Thank you is not enough, because these are mere human words.  May my soul sing your praises all day long for who you are and what you have done to save us from death.  Thank you for providing removal of my sins by your agonizing sacrificial work on a cruel cross of shame that should be mine.  You ask of me to merely, humbly repent of those sins.  I do.  May Your every present Holy Spirit lead me all day long to tell your story of your glory at work in me and in the world by my behavior in response to your work of salvation in me.  “It is finished” was merely the beginning of new life for all who believe in You.  Oh, how I love you, dear Jesus, and trust you with all that is in me.  Praise your Holy Name!

In Jesus Name, Amen

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Stainless. Selfless. Even on a sinner’s cross Jesus’ holiness illuminates heaven. 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus.

Many could have spoken on behalf of Jesus, but none did. Until now. Kind words come from the lips of a thief writhing in pain while hanging on the cross next to Him while the other thief joins in the taunting. The thief knows he is a sinner and makes his request. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  The Savior turns his heavy head toward the prodigal child and promises, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus.  I have the power to put an end to this agony, power to lay down my life and pick it up again.  Don’t cry for Me. I know what I am doing.

To those at the foot of the cross, this dialogue between Jesus and the thief was curious. But to those at the foot of the throne, the dialogue was outrageous. They couldn’t imagine it. How could the thief come to paradise? How could a soul speckled by sin go to heaven? How could a sinner be saved? They were about to see. 

Don’t cry for Me, cry for yourselves who don’t know me and believe me.

Did an angel move, did a demon stir as they witnessed the answering of the prayer? This is so bizarre!  The sins of the thief (and all us thieves!) leave his heart, mind, and soul and go to Jesus.  This sinner on the cross next to Jesus—saved from hell by the grace of Jesus? Yes! Layers of guilt and shame along with every evil thought and vile deed—his sins, all of is his sins now cover Jesus.  What nauseates God now covers his Son.  For a few excoriating moments in time, until it is finished, God must turn his back from His Son who is covered with the sins of the world—until grace wins.  The One with no sin becomes sin-filled. The one sin-filled becomes sinless. 

Don’t cry for Me…I know what I am doing to save you.

Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus fulfilled his earthly mission and atoned for sin—all the sins of the world—for those who believe on His Name and confess with their hearts that He is Lord—just as the thief did. 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus, cry for yourselves who do not believe in Me.

Luke 23, The Message

Skull Hill

^26-31 As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they’ll say, ‘Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!’ Then they’ll start calling to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us!’ calling to the hills, ‘Cover us up!’ If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they’ll do with deadwood?”

³² Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution.

³³ When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.

^34-35 Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!”

^36-37 The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: “So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!”

³⁸ Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!”

^40-41 But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”

⁴³ He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.”

^44-46 By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, Son of God, embodied God’s supreme love, compassionate mercy and outrageous grace that enabled Him to carry out God’s Plan of salvation for all who believe.  Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”  This statement of prayer alone reveals the passion and power of our Savior.

Jesus cherishes women.  A group of women openly wept and lamented as they sympathized with Jesus and contemplated the terrible spiritual condition of their nation. “Don’t cry for Me, cry for yourselves” says Jesus.  Behind these words we hear the echo of the words the crowd had just spoken, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25). How these words have been fulfilled through the centuries!

It has been pointed out that, as far as the gospel records are concerned, no woman was ever an enemy of Jesus. Nor was Jesus ever the enemy of womankind. His example, His teachings, and most of all, His redemption have done much to dignify and elevate women. The news of His birth was shared with a Jewish maiden, His death was witnessed by grieving women, and the good news of His resurrection was announced first to a woman who had been demon-possessed.

Stop crying over what Jesus did to save us.  Stop crying over our own sin.  Stop complaining about the sins of others.  Stop blaming others for our own sins.  Let’s own our sin then repent of our sin.  It woud be a disservice to Jesus to continue to be revolted and mournful over the atrocities of Jesus being tied and nailed to a cross of wooden planks without believing in why He did it.  Jesus came to earth for the lost without a relationship with God.  Mankind had a sin problem that was merely “covered over” sin for a time by putting the sins of man on an unblemished lamb but this religious act and ceremony didn’t remove sin completely.  But religion also had a sin problem. 

God still loved us and had a plan to save us.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Jesus became the Lamb of God, who was without sin, to be the sacrifice for all sin.  Jesus’ sacrificial act removed sin once and for all.  God loved us so much He sent His Son to put an end to our sin problem so we could come boldly to God in relationship with Him—ALL because of Jesus.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Don’t cry for Jesus who died and rose again to save us, weep over the unrepented sin that stands in the way of our relationship with Him! 

By faith in Christ, we gain access to all of God’s treasures—joy, peace, and eternal life. Don’t wait another minute. Believe.  Repent of all sin and be saved from the sins that had a hold on you.  He removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west”!  Receive Christ as your Savior and Lord. Commit the rest of your life to following his teachings.

David, the King who sinned against God then later asked forgiveness.  This is his song of praise to the One who removed his sins (transgressions) as far as the east is from the west.  God does the same for us because what Jessus did for us. 

Psalm 103–Of David.

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Lord,

Thank you for removing our sins, cleansing our hearts, renewing our minds, refreshing our souls and restoring the joy of your salvation at work within us daily as we pray and call on your Name.  I cry for those not yet believing and pray that soon, very soon, all might call on your name and be saved for eternity.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Our son-in-law is a high ranking official of our city’s coliseum where crowds gather for concerts, exhibition shows, political along with sporting events. Over the years of employment, he has learned a great deal about crowd control.  Control is a must so no one gets hurt in the process of giving the people what they want in entertainment without the crowd banning together to do harm. Teams of people work together to maintain peace for the safety of all people.

A crowd has gathered outside Pilate’s place of judgement. Peace and safety for this crowd is not the concern for the religious leaders—getting their way is of most importance.  A few days earlier, this same crowd honored Jesus with palms and cheering.  They joyfully danced and sang, “Hosanna, which means “save us, rescue us”!  “Blessed is He who come in the Name of the Lord!”  This crowd knew nothing of the plot of the religious leaders vehemently opposed to Jesus brewing beneath the surface of their joy of seeing their Healer, Miracle Worker, and now Savior, as He rode in on a donkey.  The rejoicing crowd prompted the religious leaders to work more swiftly and diligently to gain control of this crowd and turn public opinion to their way of thinking.  They incited the crowd to now shout, “Crucify Him”!  The desperate leaders decided it was their right to rid the world of the One who was robbing them of their power over the people.   

God knew.  God loved.  God used the situation to carry out His Plan of salvation for all who would believe.  God is in control.  Jesus’ accusers think they are in complete control of the situation.  God uses each player in His Plan to redeem the world as Jesus is being mocked, tortured, and examined for wrong doing. Jesus is found blameless time after time—fulfilling scripture with each accusation. 

God’s Plan cannot be thwarted by man. The Enemy thinks he is in control as he uses people as pawns in his game to stop God and His Plan; but God’s Plan will be carried out exactly as God told His prophets, centuries earlier, that it would. 

At just the right time and place, Jesus came into the world with God’s purpose to seek and to save the lost, guiding all who will listen back to God—beginning with His Chosen people.  God promised a Messiah.  God fulfilled His Promise.  “The one who will save”—has come and walks among His people.  And His very own people rejected the Promised Messiah!

Luke 23, The Message

Pilate

^1-2 Then they all took Jesus to Pilate and began to bring up charges against him. They said, “We found this man undermining our law and order, forbidding taxes to be paid to Caesar, setting himself up as Messiah-King.”

³ Pilate asked him, “Is this true that you’re ‘King of the Jews’?”

“Those are your words, not mine,” Jesus replied.

⁴ Pilate told the high priests and the accompanying crowd, “I find nothing wrong here. He seems harmless enough to me.”

⁵ But they were vehement. “He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and now all through Judea. He’s a dangerous man, endangering the peace.”

^6-7 When Pilate heard that, he asked, “So, he’s a Galilean?” Realizing that he properly came under Herod’s jurisdiction, he passed the buck to Herod, who just happened to be in Jerusalem for a few days.

^8-10 Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he’d heard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. He peppered him with questions. Jesus didn’t answer—not one word. But the high priests and religion scholars were right there, saying their piece, strident and shrill in their accusations.

^11-12 Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.

^13-16 Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”

^18-20 At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.

²¹ But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²² He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”

^23-25 But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Pilate is caught in the middle, a political player who wants to diffuse trouble, washing his hands of putting a man to death for doing no wrong. Herod merely wants to be entertained and disappointed when he is not.  The Crowd follow the loudest voice in their ears.  God’s Chosen decide it is time to kill the Son who is disrupting the religious community with Truth.  All will play a part in God’s Plan without knowing the Truth.  Very soon Truth will rise and each person must decide individually; “what do we do with this Jesus?  The result of this decision is a matter of life or death.

Later, led by God’s Holy Spirit, Peter (“upon whom I will build my church”) will preach for the first time to a crowd numbering a few thousand.  He will remind the people of their sins of crucifying the One who came to save them.  “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” –Peter after Jesus’ ascension. Acts 2:22-24

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32-33

Peter, the once lowly fisherman, now is fulfilling what Jesus called him to be, “I will make you fishers of men.”  (Mark 1:17) Now filled with God’s Holy Spirit power with the words to speak, Peter confidently begins the work of Jesus called him to do.  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (Hell) will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Jesus is Peter’s confidence.  So Peter continues… “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:36-40

God’s Plan to save the world from sin’s hold on us was completed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  This question requires our response: what will we do with Jesus?  What must we do to reverse our sin problem?  Peter shows us the way to Jesus: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

Caught in the middle of the political pull is saying no to Jesus.  Following crowd opinion is a no to Jesus.  Wanting to be merely entertained is not following Jesus. 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” Acts 16:31  So, we ask, do I really believe what God says really real?  What we believe in our hearts and decide with our minds will be revealed in our behaviors.  Be reconciled (reconnected) to God through Jesus, His Son. Then be in communion (intimate conversation) with Him daily.  God promises to never leave us or forsake us.  God does not lie. God is faithful.  Always and forever.

Lord,

I believe.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul because You loved me first. Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me—daily.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

I don’t think anyone on the planet has avoided teasing with words that pick on what others judge about us as “weak” areas of our being.  I venture to guess; we have all done our fair share of teasing, too.  We seem to love seeing the arrogant “brought down to size” as we tease them.  Some of us take teasing on as a sport in which we must compete with fervor to win.  We love to “get someone’s goat” as the saying goes. 

Fun Fact:  Getting someone’s goat is defined as making someone annoyed or angry: “Gavin may seem unflappable, but I know a way to get his goat.” This expression comes from a tradition in horse racing. Thought to have a calming effect on high-strung thoroughbreds, a goat was placed in the horse’s stall on the night before the race. Unscrupulous opponents would then steal the goat in an effort to upset the horse and cause it to lose the race, thus “getting someone’s goat”. 

Family teasing seems inevitable and unavoidable as we gather to celebrate various life events.  It hurts the most when carried too far and crosses the line into sheer meanness.  It seems they ones we love the most take pleasure in this sport.  We have a few relatives in our family who would take on this sport as a way to deflect what could be said about them.  Over the years I have discovered that hurting people hurt people.  Frustrated people escalate teasing into mocking of those who are (or appear to be) at peace.

Our beloved church families can be and are guilty of this as well because we are imperfect people who gather seeking perfect forgiveness.  Wonder why visitors don’t return?  Our teasing of each other “in fun” makes it awkward for those watching and listening who don’t know the inside jokes and feel left out.  We must realize that this newcomer has thought long and hard about getting up the nerve to come seeking Jesus and those who know Him.  And what do we do—tease and mock each other—just like the world.

Why are my thoughts leading me here?  Because, when I read about the teasing that turns to ugly mocking, spitting, and physical abuse of our dear Savior, Jesus, my heart aches, and the tears flow.  He stood there and took it for you and for me.  No one was able to “get his goat” or force Jesus from finishing the mission God sent Him to accomplish—for us!

Luke 22, The Message

Slapping Him Around

^63-65 The men in charge of Jesus began poking fun at him, slapping him around. They put a blindfold on him and taunted, “Who hit you that time?” They were having a grand time with him.

^66-67 When it was morning, the religious leaders of the people and the high priests and scholars all got together and brought him before their High Council. They said, “Are you the Messiah?”

^67-69 He answered, “If I said yes, you wouldn’t believe me. If I asked what you meant by your question, you wouldn’t answer me. So here’s what I have to say: From here on the Son of Man takes his place at God’s right hand, the place of power.”

⁷⁰ They all said, “So you admit your claim to be the Son of God?”

“You’re the ones who keep saying it,” he said.

⁷¹ But they had made up their minds, “Why do we need any more evidence? We’ve all heard him as good as say it himself.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Satan is having the time of his life as he uses people to mock the One who he wanted to be—God.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” I Peter 5:8-9, NIV

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8, KJV

Simon Peter had many battles with the devil while transforming to Jesus’ way of thinking.  When Peter thought he was saying all the right things, Jesus rebuked (confronted) him.  “Get behind me, Satan” … (See Matthew 16:23), for example.

So, listen to Peter’s words written after all his messes became messages that preach truth!  He had many lessons from Jesus Himself!  Satan worked hard on Peter to “get his goat” throughout his life until Jesus came and changed Peter’s mind.  Spend some time reading all the words of Peter!

Satan is a dangerous enemy. He is a serpent who can bite us when we least expect it. He is a distracter, deceiver, deflector, destroyer and an accuser (Zechariah 3:1–5; Revelations 12:9–11). He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God’s people (Ephesians 6:10). He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must “be vigilant” and have our minds and our mouths under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan.  Because who we believe and follow is reflected in our behavior. 

However, Satan’s power is limited by God.  Jesus tells all believers to remember; “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Paul advises all believers with ways to live for God: 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

(I’ve never known teasing which leads to mocking and eventually bullying to be helpful.)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Those who believe, are humbled, and cherish the forgiveness of Jesus—forgive.

Believers who remember how Jesus was mocked—encourage.

Believers who know God know love and—love.

Oh Lord,

Help me not to be the one who teases and mocks but rather encourages and helps. And when we are teased, especially when it is about who we believe, may we stand firm and love our accusers anyway—”for they know not what they’re doing”—yet.  Thank you for taking it, even though sinless, while standing in the place I deserve for my sins.  Put your power in us to defeat the one who wants to destroy us. Help us to remember the war has already been won!

In Jesus Name, Amen

As I grew up I was blessed with grandparents and parents who loved the Lord.  They were dedicated to teaching me “in the way to live so I would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) with discipline and examples that were appropriate.  Sometimes it was loudly appropriate but needed to keep this inquisitive, curious child from getting hurt or hurting someone else.  I didn’t require loads of reprimanding as I was a child because I wanted to please those I loved dearly.  If fact, I was that weirdly complacent child who after doing wrong and would punish myself before my parents could intervene!  Doing wrong things brought immediate guilt that I didn’t want to live with for very long.

I remember a tool of discipline that was developed and perfected.  It was “The Look” that brought me to my knees most times.  You know “the look” if you went to elementary school.  The best teachers I knew could discipline a room full of chatty kids with “the look” without saying a word.  As I became a teacher, as well as parent, I developed “the look” and used this tool often.  (Maybe, still do!)

But as I think more deeply about “the look,” I realize that “the look” affects only those who have developed a loving relationship with each other. Each one in the relationship knows, really knows, each other well.  They know what is expected, what each other are thinking, how they will react in certain circumstances, because of this knowing. 

I loved my Grandpa Lacquement dearly.  I loved how he took care of Grandma and related to his family and friends by serving them well.  He showed me all the things he loved to do on his farm full of animals while I tagged along behind him. Grandpa made his work seem like play as he sang while milking a cow or feeding a sow.  As a child, I believed this man, who was also a gifted carpenter, could do anything.  So, that day I decided to mock Grandma (what was I thinking?!), all Grandpa had to do was turn to me and give me “the Look”, without saying a word!  I felt the pain of guilt in the pit of my stomach and immediately gave Grandma a hug, telling her, “I’m sorry.”  We never spoke of it again.  The Look took care of my behavior.  All was well.  Love never left the building of my soul or my relationship with Grandpa and Grandma.

Jesus told Peter what he would do before he did it.  Jesus knew Peter from the inside out and outside in.  Jesus saw his heart of passion, his boldness in protecting those he loved along with the often, inappropriate behavior of acting without first thinking it through. Peter knew enough about Jesus to love Him like a brother.  Peter left everything to follow Jesus.  Peter hung on every word Jesus said.  Peter declared Jesus, Son of God.  Peter also deemed himself the protector of Jesus. 

But in the heat of the moment, around a campfire; Peter forgets.  Peter denies.  Peter gets “The Look” of Jesus.

Luke 22, The Message

A Rooster Crowed

^54-56 Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!”

⁵⁷ He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.”

⁵⁸ A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.”

But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.”

⁵⁹ About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.”

^60-62 Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

THE LOOK

When the rooster crowed immediately after Peter’s third denial, Peter begins to recall what Jesus had predicted. But it is “The Look” that brought him to his knees.  “Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter.” 

What was going through Peter’s mind?  Peter, the impetuous, loved Jesus so much he could not stay away from him.  On impulse, Peter didn’t flee the area as did the other disciples, but found a way into the courtyard.  He didn’t sell Jesus out as Judas had done, but was caught up in lying to protect himself while staying close to the “action”.  Was his denying of knowing Jesus a ploy of manipulation?  Did Peter think he could save the Savior?  Was he thinking of a way to rescue the One who would rescue him?  So much is happening at once.  Yes, Jesus told them what would happen but Peter just could not accept it or allow this torture to happen to his Master.  He must do something, but what?

Just then, while all these thoughts and questions swirl madly in Peter’s mind, his beloved Master Teacher, bound by His accusers, turns his head and looks at Peter.  The Look broke Peter’s heart.  Peter’s tears flow as he remembers all the words Jesus had said.  The Look of Jesus probably reminded Peter of the love Jesus had for him.  The Look may have reminded Peter of all the plans Jesus had for him but now Peter thinks all is lost.

But we know that what seems like the end is only the beginning of what Jesus will do for all who believe and follow Him.  Jesus is not finished with Peter yet.  Jesus knows Peter’s heart and sees his potential.  Jesus sees our hearts and is not finished with us either!

Turn to look at Jesus!  He is looking for us!

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace…”  This childhood chorus reminds me this morning that “the look” of Jesus is something to be desired.  We need Jesus every hour of every day. Jesus is our Savior and Lord of our lives.  Jesus’ sacrifice, willingly taking the punishment for our sins, is God’s Plan to bring us into a rock solid, intimately loving relationship with God forever.  When we believe in Jesus, we are rescued, forgiven, restored, and renewed with new life!  Hallelujah, oh, what a Savior!

Believe, repent, follow, and tell others. 

Thank you, dear Jesus. 

Help us to look up and live expectantly for you!

In Jesus Name, Amen!

There are times in all our lives when we face problem-solving dilemmas.  These dilemmas most often occur as we arrive at a crossroads of decision making that tests our resolve and faith. It is like stepping into the rushing waters of a river of problems that have been plaguing us for a long time and now the time comes when we must forge ahead, through the high waters, to resolve these problems whether anyone goes with us or not.

We know that God is leading, but we want to verify before entering dangerous territory.  We realize that we must stand firm as we rise up against the enemy of the problem. We want to make sure this is what God wants before we make the leap into the unknown with His light shining as we go to a dark place we have never been before. 

It is not a lack of trust in God but a slight wondering about our own strength and abilities to handle what lies ahead. So, we pray, asking God for His “ever present help in times of trouble” as the Psalmist teaches. (Psalm 46) We soon discover that God goes before us, is behind us, and is with us.  He is the God of angel armies and is always by our side.  Whom then, shall we fear?

Then there’s our Savior’s agonizing prayer, which goes beyond what our human minds can grasp. 

Luke 22, The Message

A Dark Night

^39-40 Leaving there, he went, as he so often did, to Mount Olives. The disciples followed him. When they arrived at the place, he said, “Pray that you don’t give in to temptation.”

^41-44 He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.

^45-46 He got up from prayer, went back to the disciples and found them asleep, drugged by grief. He said, “What business do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won’t give in to temptation.”

^47-48 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, “Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

^49-50 When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ Jesus said, “Let them be. Even in this.” Then, touching the servant’s ear, he healed him.

^52-53 Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: “What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I’ve been with you in the Temple and you’ve not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way—it’s a dark night, a dark hour.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Pray so you won’t give in to temptation.”

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. His followers tagged along as He asked. Jesus warns and advises them to pray so they won’t give in to temptation but they fall asleep instead.  Jesus also realizes the enemy is there in the garden, ready for his schemes through Judas to be accomplished. 

Jesus talks things over with the Father who sent Him to earth to accomplish God’s Plan of salvation.  Jesus is going over the details of what He alone must do. As he prays for God’s will to be done in the ways God has planned and foretold over the ages, Jesus asks, “but what do you want?” Jesus knows the answer.  God knows He knows.  So, our compassionate God responds to the Son of Man’s need and sends an angel to strengthen Jesus.  God is there with Him in the garden and attends to the agony of our Lord!  This powerful strength and encouragement from God, the Father caused Jesus to pray all the harder through blood, sweat and tears.

The Cup

The cup Jesus is referring to is the cup of suffering on the Passover Table that signifies the coming of the Messiah, “the one who will save us.”  Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is the One God’s people have been waiting for!Jesus knew that He alone must drink this cup of sacrifice as the Messiah who has come to redeem the world from sin. 

Jesus came out of eternity knowing that the cross was at the end of the road, for He knew that He was coming as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. As a man, He left Galilee and went to Jerusalem with determined “face set” on walking this road, never wavering or faltering. (Luke 9:51)

But now He had come to the end of the road, and there stood that ghastly thing of death. Jesus knew that He not only was called to die a physical death, but more importantly, was also required to die a spiritual death. Spiritual death meant separation from God, the ultimate sacrifice for this divine man who had never known sin. THIS is what caused the agony of crying out to God, His Father.

Jesus went to hell and back for us!

Jesus knew that He was required to take on the sin of mankind, which required separation from His Father and a descent into the depths of hell. This prompted the question from Jesus the Son of God to ask, “Lord, if there is any other way, take this cup from me.” However, Jesus knew that there was no other way. He alone was the way, and His mission was clear. He was to conquer death and pay the penalty so that all of mankind could be reunited with God.

As the two or three or four hours of fervent, agonizing prayer passed, His resolve strengthened by God’s angel, He got up ready to do God’s will to save mankind.  Our human minds cannot comprehend the immensity of His task and His sacrifice. We simply know that it was to save us and that Jesus’ suffering is the most blessed influence the world has ever known. 

Believe and be saved for eternity.  The price for salvation has been paid in full!

Interesting to note:

It is noteworthy that Jesus could have merely taken a 15-minute walk eastward, over the top of the mountain, and vanished into the Judean desert. Yet He chose not to flee, but to stay and be captured, tried, tortured, humiliated, and crucified on our behalf.

Believe, repent of sins that have been paid in full.  Be saved for forever! 

Sometimes, when faced with doubt we ask, why? It is the love of God for us that sent Jesus to defeat death and rise again to life with hope of eternity.  It is God’s desire that no one perish.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

THE GARDEN

Jesus, the Last Adam, obeyed the Father in a garden and conquered Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12–21).  The human race started in a garden. The first Adam sinned in a garden and was condemned to living by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19). Jesus suffered His agony in a garden. He was crucified near a garden and buried in a garden (John 19:41). Paradise will be a garden.  And, Jesus is coming back, you know…

Lord,

There are not enough words to tell you how grateful I am that you came to save us by removing the sin that separates us from you.  The agony you endured is beyond my thinking and humbles my worthiness.  So, I will live gratefully today as I meditate on all you have provided all because of your great love. May your love expand and grow every believer so the world may know you, too! Help us to love like you love us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Mama said there’d be days like this, there’d be days like this, mama said…” is an old song of the sixties that comes to mind as I read this next passage. 

Jesus’ best trainees, His beloved disciples, who have traveled with him day and night for three years, who should know Jesus’ way of life, His character, and His mission to seek and to save the lost, now argue over who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God.  They still don’t have a clue about the real trouble that lies ahead. 

The disciples, who have given up their former way of life to follow Jesus, have had a good share of challenges and wary experiences along the way.  But it seems they have settled in to know that no matter what Jesus, Son of God, will get them out of trouble, provide healing, and rescue them.  But now, a few have settled into a “human confidence” that leads to arrogance of association.  Wait, what? 

They are sure that Jesus will take away all the trouble because of who they are.  Pride has seeped into their being merely because of who they associate with but not necessarily with whom they serve.  If fact, the serving attitude is leaving the station in exchange for who is the greatest! Should I dare say, they have become a bit “entitled” in their thinking?  As believers, we don’t argue over being the best or greatest or think that we need to be served instead of serving—do we?

Jesus sets them straight with God’s unchanging Truth.  “A leader is a servant” with great responsibilities for the souls Jesus has come to save and redeem for life eternal.

And by the way, says Jesus, real trouble is coming…a test—beyond what your wildest imaginations, my beloved friends.  Who’s the greatest now?

Luke 22, The Message

Get Ready for Trouble

^24-26 Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.

^27-30 “Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people.

^31-32 “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”

³³ Peter said, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!”

³⁴ Jesus said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.”

³⁵ Then Jesus said, “When I sent you out and told you to travel light, to take only the bare necessities, did you get along all right?”

“Certainly,” they said, “we got along just fine.”

^36-37 He said, “This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you’ll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, ‘He was lumped in with the criminals,’ gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion.”

³⁸ They said, “Look, Master, two swords!”

But he said, “Enough of that; no more sword talk!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus had to explain that the disciples were thinking like the unsaved and not like God’s children. The Romans vied for honors and did all they could, legally and illegally, to win promotion and recognition, but they are not the examples for us to follow. As in all things, Jesus is our example, and He has completely reversed the measure of true greatness.  “I have come not to be served, but to serve.”  (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17).

Along with the betrayer, Judas, Jesus must also “handle” what Satan is planning to do in Peter!  Peter’s strengths lie in natural leadership with the pride of human confidence who sees a problem and must “fix it” immediately no matter what.  That was Peter then, but Peter later will be transformed and become the servant of God Jesus is longing for him to be. Jesus loves Peter and knows there is so much more potential in Peter.  In the testing of Peter, it will look like the evil one is in control, but evil is limited and still under God’s dominion.  Max Lucado explains this dilemma and helps us understand the power of God over all the demons who are against God:

“This passage gives us a glimpse into an unseen world. It raises many questions, but it also affords many assurances, the chief of which is the chain of command. God is clearly in control, and the devil is on a short leash. Did you notice the verb that followed Satan’s name? Ask. “Satan has asked . . .”

The devil didn’t demand, resolve, or decide. He asked. Just as he requested permission to tempt Job, he requested permission to tempt Simon Peter. Sort of recasts our image of the old snake, doesn’t it? Instead of the mighty Darth Vader of Gloom, a better caricature is a skinny, back-alley punk who acts tough, but ducks fast when God flexes. “Uh, uh . . . I’d . . . uh . . . like to do a number on Peter—that is, if you don’t mind.” The chain of command is clear. Satan does nothing outside of God’s domain, and God uses Satan to advance the cause of his kingdom.”  –Lucado, Study Bible

But what about Judas’ betrayal?  Jesus prayed to God before choosing The Twelve for His will.  We assume then that choosing Judas was within the will of God.  God in His sovereignty had determined that His Son would be betrayed by a friend, but divine foreknowledge does not destroy human responsibility or accountability. Judas made each decision freely and would be judged accordingly, even though He still fulfilled the decree of God.  Peter will choose to deny Jesus of His own free will but will be repentant of this act. Fear led to Peter’s denial.  Greed led to the betrayal of Judas.  Peter repented.  Judas was merely regretful he got caught. Pride, arrogance, and greed destroyed Judas.  Peter was restored, revived, and renewed through forgiveness. 

If mama said “there’d be days like this”, she got this message from Jesus.  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” –Jesus, John 16:33.  How and with Whom we walk through our troubles on earth will reveal our true faith and trust in our Overcomer!

THE SWORD?

The disciples still didn’t grasp the full understand of what Jesus was saying.  We don’t always get it, either, so we cannot judge.  His followers interpreted the “sword talk” quite literally. (And some still do today!)  Peter’s use of the sword in the garden, later, when Jesus is arrested, is evidence of this. The point Jesus was making was: “You are now moving into a whole new situation. If they arrest Me, they will one day arrest you. If they treat Me like a common criminal, they will do the same to you; so, be prepared!”  (See Isaiah 53:12).

No doubt, the evil one wants to distract, deceive, and ultimately destroy our relationship with God.  We are in a daily battle with the loser who thinks he still has a chance to lure us away because he does accomplishes this often in this world.  But we who believe and follow Jesus are overcomers with Him!  When troubles come, we have “backup” that does not let up!  But we must be ready and prepared.

The Apostle Paul will use the “sword” analogy to teach us how to be prepared for battle against our real enemy.  Notice how Paul teaches with action words that give direction and clarity:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:11-18, NIV

Don’t miss this! Jesus told Simon Peter, “When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” 

Our messes become messages of Truth for others!  Troubles will come.  Lessons will be learned.  What we go through and learn can and will help others grow and learn, too, in their times of testing and troubles.  Look forward to it instead of being fearful of it.  God was, is and always will be in control.  He will use everything past, present, and future to keep moving us forward in His love, mercy, and grace.  He’s done it and is still doing it for me—I’m sure He will do it over and over again for you! 

Ah, that reminds me of another song!  Do It Again by Elevation Worship…

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Oh, oh-oh

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again…

 Lord,

Continue to cleanse our hearts, remove what does not belong and hinders our relationship with you.  Renew our minds, transform our behaviors as you did with Peter.  Refresh our souls and make us holy before you as only you can do.  Restore the eternal joy of your salvation at work within us that give us peace in good times and through the challenging times on earth.

In Jesus Name, Amen

If you knew you would be taken from your family and friends tomorrow, what would be your last meal with them?  Would the meal include all your favorites or their favorite food?  Would the food trigger memories of your past lives together?  Would it include a celebration of significance and hope for when you are gone?

“This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.”       —Jesus

When Jesus sent some of his disciples to prepare the Passover Meal for the group, it was much more than “go get some burgers and find a place for us to sit together to eat them”!  This last meal together was steeped in symbolism and fulfillment.  Jesus was fulfilling what the prophets foretold as well as commemorating the experiences of God’s provision for His people.

Luke 22, The Message

The Passover Meal

22 ^1-2 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.

^3-6 That’s when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve. Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them. They couldn’t believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well. He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.

^7-8 The Day of Unleavened Bread came, the day the Passover lamb was butchered. Jesus sent Peter and John off, saying, “Go prepare the Passover for us so we can eat it together.”

⁹ They said, “Where do you want us to do this?”

^10-12 He said, “Keep your eyes open as you enter the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him home. Then speak with the owner of the house: The Teacher wants to know, ‘Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there.”

¹³ They left, found everything just as he told them, and prepared the Passover meal.

^14-16 When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, “You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.”

^17-18 Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.”

¹⁹ Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”

²⁰ He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.

^21-22 “Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table? It’s true that the Son of Man is going down a path already marked out—no surprises there. But for the one who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man, this is doomsday.”

²³ They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

First God.  What did God do and what is He doing now?  Today we remember with grateful humility for all Jesus did to save us.  We come to the Communion Table to honor God’s gift of salvation, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice that redeemed us of all our sins.  “I am the Bread of Life; I am the Living Water so you will thirst no more.” These words of Jesus immediately come to mind as we partake of the bread, signifying his body; the fruit of the vine, signifying his blood shed for us.

But there is so much more…Let’s go back to the Exodus experience so we can gain greater insight and understanding of this last directed meal together!

The Last Supper was a traditional Passover Seder meal that Jesus Christ and his disciples ate to celebrate the Exodus of God’s people as He delivered them from slavery to Pharoah in Egypt. Jesus now taught his disciples that the wine and the bread at the meal signified that he would become the sacrificial lamb by which sins are forgiven and reconciliation with God can occur.

The Passover meal that the Israelites held in Egypt was unique from all the Passover meals held since. Before the first one, they were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and lintel, and they were to eat it in haste. It has since evolved, maintaining many of the same customs, as well as adding a few. You are familiar with the one in Exodus 11-12. This is how it is celebrated in devout Jewish homes today—

The SEDER (SADER) – the Passover meal – is the central celebration of the Passover.  Every detail of the meal was orchestrated and directed by God to Moses.  See Exodus 10-11. Today the entire extended family is to come together. They go through the meal and the retelling of the story in first person as if they had been one of the slaves freed from Pharaoh’s bondage in Egypt. 

Everyone assembles around table but they don’t eat yet. All recline around the SEDER table, because reclining around the table was a sign of a freed person. Everything on the table has a significance.

On the SEDER plate there is:

• Hard boiled egg – symbol of the suffering and oppression in Egypt. Everything else in boiling water becomes soft or disintegrates. But an egg becomes hard, like the Israelites. The more it is boiled, the harder it becomes. An egg also symbolizes New Life.
• Roasted shankbone of lamb – reminds people there had to be blood sacrificed to save their lives.
• Bitter herbs – horseradish – reminds them they were servants to slavery.
• Greens – parsley, celery – symbol of coming of Spring which brings hope.
• Salt water – reminds them of the tears they cried in Egypt.
• Haroset – nut, apple, cinnamon, wine mixture which has the appearance of straw in remembrance of the mortar used to build the Treasure Cities for Pharaoh. It is symbolic of the hope of freedom that enabled their ancestors to withstand the bitterness of slavery.
• Matzah – the unleavened bread that reminds them of the haste with which they left Egypt.
• After the drinking of wine and washing of the hands the greens are dipped into the salt water and eaten.  The meal ends and Psalm 126 is read. The ceremony goes on with more reading, singing, and praising God.

Symbolism and Significance of the Last Supper of Passover for Christian believers—

 Jesus initiated our Lord’s Supper from this first Passover meal, fulfilling every detail of God’s Word. For example:

1. God initiated this Passover meal before the events took place that it was to commemorate. Jesus initiated the Lord’s Supper commemorating His death and looking forward to His resurrection before the events took place.
2. God told Moses for them to take a lamb four days before its slaughter. Christ entered Jerusalem on Sunday – four days before His crucifixion. Both took place on the 14th day of the month Abib.
3. Israelites were to sacrifice a male lamb one year old – in the prime of his life – when he was at his strongest. Jesus was about 33 years old – pinnacle of earthly strength and maturity.
4. Male lamb was to be without blemish. Jesus is our example of perfection and sinlessness – without blemish.
5. Lamb is patient, noiseless and submissive to death as was Christ.
6. Exodus 12:6 – whole assembly of the congregation of Israel were to kill their lambs. This was not done by a priest. Everyone was to witness and be responsible for the death of the lamb. Just as we are all responsible for the death of Christ on the cross. It was our sins that crucified Him.
7. The blood of the lamb was to be put on the two doorposts and lintel so that they might be passed over when death came to Egypt. It is the blood of Christ that keeps us from everlasting death.
8. Lamb was to be roasted whole – no broken bones. Christ was crucified and died with no broken bones – even though the soldiers were sent out to break His leg bones to hasten His death.
9. The meal was to be eaten with bitter herbs to remember the bitter slavery, suffering and hardships in Egypt. During the Lord’s Supper we are to remember Christ’s hardships and suffering.
10. Eaten with unleaven bread. Leavening is a form of corruption, sin, impurity. Paul gives us the spiritual application in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. We are to be unleavened – clean out malice and evil from us. Jesus alludes to this in Matthew 16:6-12 when He says beware of the leaven of Pharisees and Sadducees.
11. The Israelites were to eat in haste with their shoes on, staff in their hand and ready to go, looking forward to their future as free men. We as believers in Jesus are to be ready to go – watching and waiting for Christ to come – looking forward to our future in heaven as men and women free from sin.

The Israelites put the blood on their doorposts several hours before midnight. The passing Egyptians must have thought that peculiar and ridiculous. It made them vulnerable to the spiteful Egyptians. But the blood of the lamb protected them from death.

When we accept Christ as our Passover Lamb, His blood protects us. We are perpetually being saved from the hand of the destroying angel when we have Christ’s blood on the doorposts of our lives!

THE CUPS

Four cups are typically consumed at a Passover, a custom that ties back to Exodus 6:5–7. The first is the Cup of Sanctification (“I will bring you out”). The second is the Cup of Deliverance (“I will free you”). After eating, Jesus and His friends drink a third time from the Cup of Redemption (“I will bless you”). This is the cup that we observe today when taking Communion—the one with which Jesus sets up the New Covenant.

The fourth is the Cup of Restoration (“I will protect you”). Jesus does not drink from this cup and tells His followers that He will not drink from it until He drinks it new with us in His Father’s kingdom.

There is also a fifth cup—the Cup of Wrath. Jesus is the only one who can drink from this cup. When He is on the cross and says, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28), He is saying, “Give me the fifth cup that I might drink all of it.”

Our response:  Stay in Communion with God daily. 

The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember what Jesus did for us, and it’s a time for anticipating His return. As we walk by faith in Christ, we remember what He has done for us with grateful, humbled hearts.  We live expectantly for all that is to come—just as He said. Great is His faithfulness!

Lord,

Help me to remember your faithfulness in my life, just as you were faithful to bring your people out of Egypt. Thank you for delivering me from my sins. I want to live with anticipation and expectation for the time when I will be with you forever. I look forward to sharing the fourth Cup with you in heaven!

In Jesus Name, Amen—I believe!