Matthew 26
47 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.
48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
51 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.
52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
55 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.
56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
It struck me; what does "arrested" mean? To arrest also means "to cause to stop". This is not what happened. Jesus could have stopped all of it (I'm sure 12 legions of angels would have been able to 'arrest' the situation). But Jesus was willing to do His Father's will.
The writings of the prophets would be fulfilled. Thank you Jesus!
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Ant and the Elephant
I just finished reading this book by Vince Poscente, (the ant and the ELEPHANT).
For me, it was a powerful analogy for how my conscious and sub-conscious is designed. It's definitely time to harness the power of my own elephant.
This was another book recommended to me by the leadership development program I am a part of.
Ask yourself - if it takes years to realize my purpose, is it worth it?
I think so.
For me, it was a powerful analogy for how my conscious and sub-conscious is designed. It's definitely time to harness the power of my own elephant.
This was another book recommended to me by the leadership development program I am a part of.
Ask yourself - if it takes years to realize my purpose, is it worth it?
I think so.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Gethsemane
Matthew 26
36 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."
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 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."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42 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."
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 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.
46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
I'm still amazed how Jesus knew exactly what was happening, and still kept going. There were no surprises. He didn't want it to happen, but He accepted His Fathers' will.
No one stood with Him, no one prayed and watched with Him. No one else understood what was happening.
36 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."
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 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."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42 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."
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 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.
46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
I'm still amazed how Jesus knew exactly what was happening, and still kept going. There were no surprises. He didn't want it to happen, but He accepted His Fathers' will.
No one stood with Him, no one prayed and watched with Him. No one else understood what was happening.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Denial
Matthew 26 continued
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31 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.'
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35 But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
And all the other disciples said the same. How quickly we pledge our allegiance. How quickly we fall away. There is great hope though; "after I have risen..."
Jesus is saying; "listen to my statements - you will disown me, I will rise" We can continue to count on His words today.
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31 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.'
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35 But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
And all the other disciples said the same. How quickly we pledge our allegiance. How quickly we fall away. There is great hope though; "after I have risen..."
Jesus is saying; "listen to my statements - you will disown me, I will rise" We can continue to count on His words today.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Lord's Supper
During our Walk to Emmaus, the Lord's Supper took on a much greater meaning.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
The Lord's Supper (Matthew 26)
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24 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."
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 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."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 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."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus took the Passover meal and revealed its' full meaning.
Jesus' body and His blood. Broken. Shed. For me, and for you.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
The Lord's Supper (Matthew 26)
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24 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."
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 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."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 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."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus took the Passover meal and revealed its' full meaning.
Jesus' body and His blood. Broken. Shed. For me, and for you.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Passion
As Christmas approaches, I hear again; "Jesus is the reason for the season", and I'm reminded of His ultimate purpose.
Matthew 26 (NIV)
The Plot Against Jesus
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
When Jesus had finished saying all these things. Things like;
25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus knew the timing of his betrayal and crucifixion. The chief priests did not determine the timing.
We watched The Passion last night. We were suprised how long it had been since we watched it last. Somehow, I was afraid to watch again - like it would be too painful.
This was our third time. The first time, in the theater - I was deeply affected. Afterwards, I couldn't speak. The second time, at home - it was still hard to watch, and to keep from crying. Last night, we prayed before watching. I know that the movie is only an interpretation of the events. Somehow, even though it was hard to watch - I didn't cry. God has let me know that it's ok to accept His grace. I saw again the punishment I deserve, being paid for by Jesus. Tears, no. Not this time. A deep thankfulness, yes. Always.
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew how hard it would be. He told his disciples - it's going to happen!
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Judas watched for an opportunity. Again, the timing was not up to Judas.
Matthew 26 (NIV)
The Plot Against Jesus
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
When Jesus had finished saying all these things. Things like;
25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus knew the timing of his betrayal and crucifixion. The chief priests did not determine the timing.
We watched The Passion last night. We were suprised how long it had been since we watched it last. Somehow, I was afraid to watch again - like it would be too painful.
This was our third time. The first time, in the theater - I was deeply affected. Afterwards, I couldn't speak. The second time, at home - it was still hard to watch, and to keep from crying. Last night, we prayed before watching. I know that the movie is only an interpretation of the events. Somehow, even though it was hard to watch - I didn't cry. God has let me know that it's ok to accept His grace. I saw again the punishment I deserve, being paid for by Jesus. Tears, no. Not this time. A deep thankfulness, yes. Always.
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew how hard it would be. He told his disciples - it's going to happen!
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Judas watched for an opportunity. Again, the timing was not up to Judas.
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