The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 3: Christ’s Deliverance of His People: God’s Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King
Background Information: Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13
After years of close relationship and intense personal mentoring, Judas betrayed Jesus, and Peter denied him. Jesus knew this was coming, but it did not make it any easier for him. Jesus took on human form; he was tempted in every way just as we are, and therefore is able to sympathize with us in our weakness. All this means that his heart was deeply hurt by the wounds of these two men. Consider how you would feel, or how you have felt, when someone close to you turned on you. Jesus did not become bitter and angry. He did not call for a time-out to lick his wounds. He felt like we would feel in the depth of hurt that their betrayal caused him. Jesus did not chase Judas, for the Lord knew he had given himself over to Satan. Satan entered Judas, but Judas invited him in. Peter was a different story; he had made himself vulnerable to temptation, but he had not given himself over to evil. Satan prayed for permission to sift Peter like wheat. He wanted to take Peter through some terrible trials. Jesus did not say, “The answer is ‘no,’ you cannot do that.” What Jesus said was, “Satan prayed to test you, and I have prayed for you to have strength for the testing.” There is mystery in the work of Satan in the lives of believers and unbelievers. He clearly has power, but he is also clearly on a leash that God holds. We are not to fear him, but we are to fear inviting him into our lives. When someone does invite him in, the result isn’t a Hollywood horror movie scene, though the result is horrible. Judas traded eternal treasure for some temporary pleasure. In the end, he tossed away the coins because he knew they could not buy back what he had discarded. Jesus faced temptation from Satan without failure. Jesus endured the failure of his friends without becoming bitter and losing sight of his own calling. We can be, and must be, more like Jesus. In the midst of all that he was facing, he knelt and washed the feet of his disciples– even the feet of Peter and the feet of Judas. He then told them, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done.” This challenge was for them; this challenge is for us.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to give the staff at Onelink wisdom as application for Summer trips are due tomorrow. Pray for these teams that will be formed. Ask God to use these students to faithfully proclaim the gospel to the glory of God.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.