While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus’ arrest really wasn’t interesting material for tabloid television. It was fairly uneventful. Jesus wasn’t taken forcibly. There were no tazers. There were no handcuffs. While Jesus could have called in His own angelic SWAT team, He simply cooperated. Jesus had already surrendered Himself to the Father’s will back in the garden. It was a done deal. There was no need to protest. There was no need to struggle. God was in control.
Peter, being his impulsive self, picked up a sword and wildly swung. We can assume that his target wasn’t merely an ear. As Peter jabbed, Jesus’ thought wasn’t “don’t stop there,” or “seriously, dude, that’s pathetic.” Jesus simply instructed His disciples, “No more of this.” Violence was not on the agenda for that day.
Then, in a poignant moment, according to Luke, Jesus touched the man’s ear, and he was healed (Luke 22:51). You wonder what was going through the servant Malchus’ head at that point (John 18:10): “Are you SURE this isn’t the Messiah? My ear was on the ground. I was bleeding profusely. Now look. It’s like nothing ever happened.” But, nothing would deter their cause that day.
Jesus was able to calmly approach the arrest because things were settled between Him and the Father. He had surrendered Himself completely. Jesus was emotionally and spiritually prepared for that day.
What things are rocky inside of you today? What is unsettled? What answer or direction do you need? What reassurance could God provide? What is going on in you that is anything but calm today? I want to challenge you to carve out a short amount of time, even your daily commute, to surrender these things to God.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
When You Have to Go It Alone
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Matthew 26:39-46
At perhaps the most agonizing moment of Jesus’ life, he needed the support of the disciples. Even though He had come to earth with eyes wide open concerning His mission, the reality was almost too much to bear. As much as He desired to enlist His friends in this lament, Gethsemane was the starting point of a path that He had to walk alone.
Sure it would have been great to have the support and comfort of His companions, but they weren’t available to Him. Whether it was a very late night or they just couldn’t comprehend the weightiness of the matter, even Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James and John couldn’t hang with Him.
There alone with the Father in the garden, Jesus makes an impassioned plea, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus wasn’t trying to abort His mission at this point. His will wasn’t necessarily opposed to the Father’s will. He speaks with surrender. Considering the physical suffering of the cross, the emotional suffering for His people, and the spiritual suffering of separation from the Father, Jesus desired one last assurance before the arrest took place.
Jesus’ second prayer reaffirms His commitment to His mission: "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." The events that will in moments transpire are completely unavoidable if people are ever to be reconciled to God. Jesus wakes His disciples up in time for the arrest.
When we face trouble, it’s a blessing to have another person by our side. But, it’s also easy to depend on the other person and avoid seeking God about the problem. No one likes to go down any painful path alone. But, loneliness will lead us to the One who can answer our prayer. Even if the answer is to walk in obedience to our mission here on this earth, we have assurance that it’s God’s answer.
What are you facing these days that even the closest people around you don’t seem to understand? Most of us are overdriving our headlights emotionally. We simply can’t take on much more. But, there is One, our Father, who has the capacity to listen and to direct us. He never sleeps. He is never checked out. He is always available.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Matthew 26:39-46
At perhaps the most agonizing moment of Jesus’ life, he needed the support of the disciples. Even though He had come to earth with eyes wide open concerning His mission, the reality was almost too much to bear. As much as He desired to enlist His friends in this lament, Gethsemane was the starting point of a path that He had to walk alone.
Sure it would have been great to have the support and comfort of His companions, but they weren’t available to Him. Whether it was a very late night or they just couldn’t comprehend the weightiness of the matter, even Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James and John couldn’t hang with Him.
There alone with the Father in the garden, Jesus makes an impassioned plea, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus wasn’t trying to abort His mission at this point. His will wasn’t necessarily opposed to the Father’s will. He speaks with surrender. Considering the physical suffering of the cross, the emotional suffering for His people, and the spiritual suffering of separation from the Father, Jesus desired one last assurance before the arrest took place.
Jesus’ second prayer reaffirms His commitment to His mission: "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." The events that will in moments transpire are completely unavoidable if people are ever to be reconciled to God. Jesus wakes His disciples up in time for the arrest.
When we face trouble, it’s a blessing to have another person by our side. But, it’s also easy to depend on the other person and avoid seeking God about the problem. No one likes to go down any painful path alone. But, loneliness will lead us to the One who can answer our prayer. Even if the answer is to walk in obedience to our mission here on this earth, we have assurance that it’s God’s answer.
What are you facing these days that even the closest people around you don’t seem to understand? Most of us are overdriving our headlights emotionally. We simply can’t take on much more. But, there is One, our Father, who has the capacity to listen and to direct us. He never sleeps. He is never checked out. He is always available.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Overwhelmed with Sorrow
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Matthew 26:36-38
Jesus consented to His mission long before He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. As God, He knew that there was no other way to redeem anyone except that He would lay down His life.
One of the mysteries of faith is that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This is not a 50/50 equation. He is 100 percent God and 100 percent man. That is difficult to wrap our minds around, but that’s okay.
As His crucifixion neared, Jesus went to the Gethsemane to pray and to work through some intense feelings. One might think that the Son of Man who so brashly proclaimed His divinity to the religious leaders would approach His death with more of a “git ur done” attitude. But, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow.
As a man, Jesus had never experienced death, especially a death accompanied by such torture and humiliation. Anyone who can sit through the scenes in the movie, The Passion of the Christ, without falling apart, must have a heart of stone. The agony is overwhelming. Jesus knew what was coming.
As God, Jesus faced taking on “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). This may have brought more anguish than the prospect of physical pain. Jesus had never been separated from the Father, not even in a small degree. Now, the Holy One, who had always been set apart from evil, would take on all of it and face separation from the Father.
The driving aspect of Jesus’ sorrow was over the lostness of people. He viewed us as “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus knew that there was no other way for us to be reconciled with God. We certainly couldn’t save ourselves.
At Gethsemane, Jesus proves many things to us. He gives us the most extreme example of fully surrendering ourselves to God. Jesus doesn’t present obedience to the Father as the path to a problem-free life. He shows us that there is something better than a life devoid of troubles; namely, a blessed life.
Jesus expressed that real men experience real emotions. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s okay to feel sorrowful. It’s okay to take those things to the Father.
Jesus showed us how important we are to Him. At great personal sacrifice, He died for our sins. “God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son…” (John 3:16).
Where do these words intersect with your life today? What are you feeling deeply that you need to lay before God? What are you struggling with that you need might need to surrender to Him?
Jesus consented to His mission long before He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. As God, He knew that there was no other way to redeem anyone except that He would lay down His life.
One of the mysteries of faith is that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This is not a 50/50 equation. He is 100 percent God and 100 percent man. That is difficult to wrap our minds around, but that’s okay.
As His crucifixion neared, Jesus went to the Gethsemane to pray and to work through some intense feelings. One might think that the Son of Man who so brashly proclaimed His divinity to the religious leaders would approach His death with more of a “git ur done” attitude. But, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow.
As a man, Jesus had never experienced death, especially a death accompanied by such torture and humiliation. Anyone who can sit through the scenes in the movie, The Passion of the Christ, without falling apart, must have a heart of stone. The agony is overwhelming. Jesus knew what was coming.
As God, Jesus faced taking on “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). This may have brought more anguish than the prospect of physical pain. Jesus had never been separated from the Father, not even in a small degree. Now, the Holy One, who had always been set apart from evil, would take on all of it and face separation from the Father.
The driving aspect of Jesus’ sorrow was over the lostness of people. He viewed us as “harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus knew that there was no other way for us to be reconciled with God. We certainly couldn’t save ourselves.
At Gethsemane, Jesus proves many things to us. He gives us the most extreme example of fully surrendering ourselves to God. Jesus doesn’t present obedience to the Father as the path to a problem-free life. He shows us that there is something better than a life devoid of troubles; namely, a blessed life.
Jesus expressed that real men experience real emotions. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s okay to feel sorrowful. It’s okay to take those things to the Father.
Jesus showed us how important we are to Him. At great personal sacrifice, He died for our sins. “God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son…” (John 3:16).
Where do these words intersect with your life today? What are you feeling deeply that you need to lay before God? What are you struggling with that you need might need to surrender to Him?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Discussion Guides Available
Discussion Guides for the Daily Devotionals and the Sunday Messages at Brookwood Church are available as a free download at www.brookwoodchurch.org/discussionguide. These are written on Sunday morning each week (all 52!) and posted by 3 pm Eastern on Sunday.
The Discussion Guides can be used by individuals, small groups, or a couple of friends over coffee.
The Discussion Guides can be used by individuals, small groups, or a couple of friends over coffee.
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 'But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:31-35
How many times in a moment of emotion have we pledged our undying commitment to something? If we can just get one more chance, we will never ________ or we will always ________. Fill in the blank.
Why couldn’t it be that easy? We could just declare what we wanted to be, and boom, it would happen. We could be thinner, smarter and better looking all in one fell swoop.
Peter’s sentiment bore some truth. While he expressed this in an idealistic and impulsive way, according to history, Peter did die for Jesus and never disowned him, later on. But, for now, there were a few things Peter needed to work out.
His heart was in the right place. The problem was that the rest of him just wasn’t quite there. For any of us that have made a new year’s resolution, we can certainly relate.
Sure enough, while Peter waited in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial, three different people ask him if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Three times Peter denied belonging to Jesus. Then, the rooster crowed, and Jesus’ words sunk in. (Matthew 26:69-75). At times it would certainly seem easier to die for Christ than to live for Him. Peter probably felt that Jesus would be done with Him at this point.
But, a remarkable thing happened. Not 60 days from those denials, Peter stood up and spoke to thousands on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). As his sermon concluded, about 3000 accepted the message and were baptized (Acts 2:41). Apparently, Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter.
What are the things that you would like to be, but just aren’t? What would you like to stand up and declare? Don’t give up on it. Just don’t expect everything to happen all at once. Maybe you’ve even made a complete fool of yourself like Peter, if you’re humble about it, God can even use your foolishness (and mine) to help you grow.
Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:31-35
How many times in a moment of emotion have we pledged our undying commitment to something? If we can just get one more chance, we will never ________ or we will always ________. Fill in the blank.
Why couldn’t it be that easy? We could just declare what we wanted to be, and boom, it would happen. We could be thinner, smarter and better looking all in one fell swoop.
Peter’s sentiment bore some truth. While he expressed this in an idealistic and impulsive way, according to history, Peter did die for Jesus and never disowned him, later on. But, for now, there were a few things Peter needed to work out.
His heart was in the right place. The problem was that the rest of him just wasn’t quite there. For any of us that have made a new year’s resolution, we can certainly relate.
Sure enough, while Peter waited in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial, three different people ask him if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Three times Peter denied belonging to Jesus. Then, the rooster crowed, and Jesus’ words sunk in. (Matthew 26:69-75). At times it would certainly seem easier to die for Christ than to live for Him. Peter probably felt that Jesus would be done with Him at this point.
But, a remarkable thing happened. Not 60 days from those denials, Peter stood up and spoke to thousands on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). As his sermon concluded, about 3000 accepted the message and were baptized (Acts 2:41). Apparently, Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter.
What are the things that you would like to be, but just aren’t? What would you like to stand up and declare? Don’t give up on it. Just don’t expect everything to happen all at once. Maybe you’ve even made a complete fool of yourself like Peter, if you’re humble about it, God can even use your foolishness (and mine) to help you grow.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
You Are What You Eat
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30
It’s interesting that Jesus chose food as the lingering symbol of His death. Most people are remembered with a memorial service and a final resting place. The resurrected Christ had neither.
Why food? Well, food is readily available. Most of us encounter it several times a day. Unless we choose, we are never really without food.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Our physical life depends on nutrition and nourishment.
After His 40 day fast in the desert, the Devil tempted Jesus by asking Him to turn stones into bread. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus replied, “'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
Jesus went further by telling the Jews, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:50-51). Just as our physical life depends on physical food, our spiritual life depends on Christ’s sacrifice. Our goal is not necessarily to take communion every day, but to recognize that our wellbeing, physically and spiritually, is tied to Christ.
Food is also personal. When we eat something, it literally becomes part of us. “You are what you eat,” you know. Jesus’ hope for us was never that we would try hard enough and live up to His example. Our hope comes from that fact that Jesus is present in us. The only way that we can truly live a Christian life is for Jesus to live His life through us. Our job is to avoid getting in His way. As we surrender ourselves, our plans, and our ways to Him, He is able to come shining through.
For today, I want to encourage you to do something that’s perhaps a bit unorthodox. When you pick up your sandwich and drink a soda or sweet tea, thank Him for providing all that you need to live – physically and spiritually. This won’t replace an official communion service, but it is a daily reminder of how good God is to us – all the way around.
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30
It’s interesting that Jesus chose food as the lingering symbol of His death. Most people are remembered with a memorial service and a final resting place. The resurrected Christ had neither.
Why food? Well, food is readily available. Most of us encounter it several times a day. Unless we choose, we are never really without food.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Our physical life depends on nutrition and nourishment.
After His 40 day fast in the desert, the Devil tempted Jesus by asking Him to turn stones into bread. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus replied, “'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
Jesus went further by telling the Jews, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:50-51). Just as our physical life depends on physical food, our spiritual life depends on Christ’s sacrifice. Our goal is not necessarily to take communion every day, but to recognize that our wellbeing, physically and spiritually, is tied to Christ.
Food is also personal. When we eat something, it literally becomes part of us. “You are what you eat,” you know. Jesus’ hope for us was never that we would try hard enough and live up to His example. Our hope comes from that fact that Jesus is present in us. The only way that we can truly live a Christian life is for Jesus to live His life through us. Our job is to avoid getting in His way. As we surrender ourselves, our plans, and our ways to Him, He is able to come shining through.
For today, I want to encourage you to do something that’s perhaps a bit unorthodox. When you pick up your sandwich and drink a soda or sweet tea, thank Him for providing all that you need to live – physically and spiritually. This won’t replace an official communion service, but it is a daily reminder of how good God is to us – all the way around.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Bad Baby Names
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." Matthew 26:20-25
I don’t know of anyone who has ever named their child “Judas.” Jerry Seinfeld used to joke that if people named their child “Jeeves,” that child would inevitably turn out to be someone’s butler. “To the Peace Center, Jeeves.”
“Judas” really isn’t the name recognition that any of us want. Judas was driven by greed. As the disciples treasurer, he tended to help himself (John 12:4-6).
Judas’ specific actions of betrayal were prophesied hundreds of years before they happened. Psalm 41:9 foretells that “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” We find the fulfillment in Luke 22:3-4. Zechariah predicted the exact price of 30 pieces of silver that would be paid, 500 years before it happened (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15). Both Jeremiah and Zechariah revealed that the money would be returned and would be used to purchase a Potter’s field (Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9; Matthew 27:3-10).
Was Judas’ wickedness a part of God’s plan? Judas plays a unique, if undesirable, role in the days leading to Jesus’ death. It would be easy to turn Judas into some sort of detestable beast, a Hannibal Lecter-type disciple. Certainly he was something that we could never become. Yet Judas’ sin and ours drove Jesus to the cross of Calvary. We’re not so innocent. Fortunately, through Christ’s death and His forgiveness, we are redeemed.
Judas regretted his actions to the point of taking his own life (Matthew 27:5). If only he had known that even his actions were forgivable. No one is unredeemable.
There is no sin bigger than God’s ability to forgive. What is dragging you down these days? Wouldn’t you like to be free? Give what is binding you to God and seek His forgiveness. He’d love to forgive you.
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." Matthew 26:20-25
I don’t know of anyone who has ever named their child “Judas.” Jerry Seinfeld used to joke that if people named their child “Jeeves,” that child would inevitably turn out to be someone’s butler. “To the Peace Center, Jeeves.”
“Judas” really isn’t the name recognition that any of us want. Judas was driven by greed. As the disciples treasurer, he tended to help himself (John 12:4-6).
Judas’ specific actions of betrayal were prophesied hundreds of years before they happened. Psalm 41:9 foretells that “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” We find the fulfillment in Luke 22:3-4. Zechariah predicted the exact price of 30 pieces of silver that would be paid, 500 years before it happened (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15). Both Jeremiah and Zechariah revealed that the money would be returned and would be used to purchase a Potter’s field (Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9; Matthew 27:3-10).
Was Judas’ wickedness a part of God’s plan? Judas plays a unique, if undesirable, role in the days leading to Jesus’ death. It would be easy to turn Judas into some sort of detestable beast, a Hannibal Lecter-type disciple. Certainly he was something that we could never become. Yet Judas’ sin and ours drove Jesus to the cross of Calvary. We’re not so innocent. Fortunately, through Christ’s death and His forgiveness, we are redeemed.
Judas regretted his actions to the point of taking his own life (Matthew 27:5). If only he had known that even his actions were forgivable. No one is unredeemable.
There is no sin bigger than God’s ability to forgive. What is dragging you down these days? Wouldn’t you like to be free? Give what is binding you to God and seek His forgiveness. He’d love to forgive you.
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