# 714 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:48-50, “Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.
Okay, what's happened so far? When the arresting party came, and Jesus asked, “Who do you seek?” and they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth,” He said “I am He.” and immediately they were all knocked on their butts.
Then Peter slices off Malchus' ear with his sword, and Jesus immediately heals it. Now Jesus asks them to consider again whom they are dealing with. I find it amazing that the arresting party didn't fill their Roman armor and flee after these incidents!
“Do you guys really know who you are dealing with? “Does what you have just witnessed put Me in the category of an ordinary robber? Why didn't you arrest me when I was in the temple?” “You tried but you couldn't because I Am He!”
Oh, listen to Jesus as He keeps trying to reach these people.
He says, “can't you see? God is behind all this!” And I am only allowing this, indeed, I am orchestrating it! It's the only reason, My disciples beat feet and you (the mob) didn't! The Scriptures must be fulfilled!”
God was orchestrating it all.
Learn from this beloved, and turn to Jesus, and the Scriptures, because He is trying to reach you as well. He orchestrated everything about His life, death, and resurrection, that you and I might live.
Father, thank You for supplying more evidence of Your heart for the lost. Thank You for Your relentless love and pursuit of sinners like me.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Conquering With Sheer Holiness
# 714 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:46,47 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Mark affirms this incident of the use of the sword, but he chooses to leave out all the details. Let's fill you in with some of those details. We know from Luke 22:38. that the eleven disciples had taken two swords from the upper room with them.
Luke also tells us that when the disciples figured out what was going down, they asked Jesus if they should defend Him with their swords, “Lord shall we strike with the sword?” (Lu 22:49) but one of them didn't wait for an answer, he pulled out his sword and aiming for the skull of the servant of the high priest, he missed and cut off his ear.
John tells us that it was Peter who started swinging and even identifies the servant as Malchus. Luke also informs us that Jesus miraculously and immediately touched the ear of Malcus and healed Him, then sternly told His disciples, “No more of this.”
You know what? These eleven were braver than we give them credit for. Two swords against these Roman soldiers, and the rest of the mob? Are you kidding me?
Yes they were brave, but a little slow in understanding. For John also tells that before the swords came out Jesus had knocked the entire arresting party on their keesters, by simply saying, “I Am He.”. . “When Jesus said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground.” (Jn 18:6)
The disciples didn't understand yet that Jesus conquers with His sheer holiness and the sword of the Spirit, (the Word) not the swords of men.
Father, teach us to wield the sword of Your Word, that souls may be conquered for Christ.
Mark affirms this incident of the use of the sword, but he chooses to leave out all the details. Let's fill you in with some of those details. We know from Luke 22:38. that the eleven disciples had taken two swords from the upper room with them.
Luke also tells us that when the disciples figured out what was going down, they asked Jesus if they should defend Him with their swords, “Lord shall we strike with the sword?” (Lu 22:49) but one of them didn't wait for an answer, he pulled out his sword and aiming for the skull of the servant of the high priest, he missed and cut off his ear.
John tells us that it was Peter who started swinging and even identifies the servant as Malchus. Luke also informs us that Jesus miraculously and immediately touched the ear of Malcus and healed Him, then sternly told His disciples, “No more of this.”
You know what? These eleven were braver than we give them credit for. Two swords against these Roman soldiers, and the rest of the mob? Are you kidding me?
Yes they were brave, but a little slow in understanding. For John also tells that before the swords came out Jesus had knocked the entire arresting party on their keesters, by simply saying, “I Am He.”. . “When Jesus said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground.” (Jn 18:6)
The disciples didn't understand yet that Jesus conquers with His sheer holiness and the sword of the Spirit, (the Word) not the swords of men.
Father, teach us to wield the sword of Your Word, that souls may be conquered for Christ.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Is He Just A Great Teacher?
# 713 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:45 As soon as He had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
“Rabbi, Rabbi” The conversion of Judas to the camp of the devil is complete. One “Rabbi” would be enough here, but the repeating of the term is included for emphasis. The word “Rabbi” means teacher, and in saying, “teacher, teacher, Judas has not only betrayed Jesus, but he has also betrayed his true faith. Judas no longer considers Jesus as God, but merely a great teacher.
Remember when Jesus asked His disciples who they believed He was, and Peter replied, “the Christ, the Son of the Living God?” Well Judas' response to that question has become, “You are a great teacher and nothing more.”
In this day and age of easy believism and that “all roads lead to heaven” mindset, we would do well to pay attention to this passage. Do you believe that you and others are saved simply because you try to adhere to the teachings of Jesus? Then you are in trouble my friend. You are seeing Jesus as only Rabbi, Rabbi. Pray that God will give you a change of heart.
Joh 14:6 says, “ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” It's not what you do, it's what Jesus has done
And Ro 10:9 says. “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
He must be confessed (agreed upon) as Lord of your life and Savior of your soul, not just Teacher!
Father, let me ever lean upon Jesus alone, grace alone, for my salvation.
“Rabbi, Rabbi” The conversion of Judas to the camp of the devil is complete. One “Rabbi” would be enough here, but the repeating of the term is included for emphasis. The word “Rabbi” means teacher, and in saying, “teacher, teacher, Judas has not only betrayed Jesus, but he has also betrayed his true faith. Judas no longer considers Jesus as God, but merely a great teacher.
Remember when Jesus asked His disciples who they believed He was, and Peter replied, “the Christ, the Son of the Living God?” Well Judas' response to that question has become, “You are a great teacher and nothing more.”
In this day and age of easy believism and that “all roads lead to heaven” mindset, we would do well to pay attention to this passage. Do you believe that you and others are saved simply because you try to adhere to the teachings of Jesus? Then you are in trouble my friend. You are seeing Jesus as only Rabbi, Rabbi. Pray that God will give you a change of heart.
Joh 14:6 says, “ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” It's not what you do, it's what Jesus has done
And Ro 10:9 says. “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
He must be confessed (agreed upon) as Lord of your life and Savior of your soul, not just Teacher!
Father, let me ever lean upon Jesus alone, grace alone, for my salvation.
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Most Painful Smiting Ever
# 712 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."
Judas arrives with the sword carrying soldiers, and the billy club carrying temple police, and a throng of ambulance chasers. John adds the fact that they were also carrying torches. Sounds like a lynch mob to me, and if we put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples, it must've been a fairly frightening experience.
Judas is necessary here for the fulfillment of prophecy, and he knew the likely location of Jesus and His disciples. He is the paid leader, the informant if you will and naturally would be in the lead as they approached Christ. The Roman police wouldn't necessarily know who Jesus was and so it was necessary for Judas to identify Him, and he does so with a most unusual gesture. He kisses Him.
Let the words, “whomever I kiss,” sink in for a while. Think of the years that Judas spent with Jesus, and consider that exact moment of time when He kissed Jesus on the cheek.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus found in Mt 5:39, “But I say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;” Has there ever been a more painful smiting of the cheek, than this kiss of betrayal?
Yet Jesus offered His cheek, He received the most painful of all smitings. The betrayal of a close loved one. Yet, He did not retaliate, let us learn to do the same. And when we struggle with forgiveness, ask for Jesus' help. He has been there and done that and can help you through your struggles as well.
Judas arrives with the sword carrying soldiers, and the billy club carrying temple police, and a throng of ambulance chasers. John adds the fact that they were also carrying torches. Sounds like a lynch mob to me, and if we put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples, it must've been a fairly frightening experience.
Judas is necessary here for the fulfillment of prophecy, and he knew the likely location of Jesus and His disciples. He is the paid leader, the informant if you will and naturally would be in the lead as they approached Christ. The Roman police wouldn't necessarily know who Jesus was and so it was necessary for Judas to identify Him, and he does so with a most unusual gesture. He kisses Him.
Let the words, “whomever I kiss,” sink in for a while. Think of the years that Judas spent with Jesus, and consider that exact moment of time when He kissed Jesus on the cheek.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus found in Mt 5:39, “But I say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;” Has there ever been a more painful smiting of the cheek, than this kiss of betrayal?
Yet Jesus offered His cheek, He received the most painful of all smitings. The betrayal of a close loved one. Yet, He did not retaliate, let us learn to do the same. And when we struggle with forgiveness, ask for Jesus' help. He has been there and done that and can help you through your struggles as well.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
God's Perfect Timing
# 711 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:41b-43, “The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 "Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand." 43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
This was not the first time these leaders had sought the arrest of Jesus. In Jn 7:30 we read, “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”
Well, guess what, now, here in the garden, His hour had come. It was God's timing that mattered, not the timing of the religious leaders of the day. And as the arresting party comes to the entrance of the Garden Jesus singles out Judas as His betrayer.
Why single out Judas here? Because it was going to be necessary for the disciples to remember this incident later on. It was this incident that the Holy Spirit would use to trigger the action of the Apostles to find a replacement for Judas.
In Ac 1:16 we read, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;”
What was going on here? Peter recalled that Judas had become the guide to those who arrested Jesus. The Holy Spirit brought the incident to Peter's mind and this caused the disciples to see the necessity of choosing a replacement according to the OT prophecies. “ may another take his office “ (Ps 109:8)
Why was this replacement important? Because twelve is the number of the church, and it wouldn't do to have a partial Pentecost on eleven. The Holy Spirit was to be given to the whole church. Look what happened!
Once the twelfth Apostle was in place, the NT church was ready for the gifting of the Holy Spirit, and that's exactly what occurred on Pentecost. Once again we see God's sovereignty, in action through His perfect timing.
This was not the first time these leaders had sought the arrest of Jesus. In Jn 7:30 we read, “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”
Well, guess what, now, here in the garden, His hour had come. It was God's timing that mattered, not the timing of the religious leaders of the day. And as the arresting party comes to the entrance of the Garden Jesus singles out Judas as His betrayer.
Why single out Judas here? Because it was going to be necessary for the disciples to remember this incident later on. It was this incident that the Holy Spirit would use to trigger the action of the Apostles to find a replacement for Judas.
In Ac 1:16 we read, "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;”
What was going on here? Peter recalled that Judas had become the guide to those who arrested Jesus. The Holy Spirit brought the incident to Peter's mind and this caused the disciples to see the necessity of choosing a replacement according to the OT prophecies. “ may another take his office “ (Ps 109:8)
Why was this replacement important? Because twelve is the number of the church, and it wouldn't do to have a partial Pentecost on eleven. The Holy Spirit was to be given to the whole church. Look what happened!
Once the twelfth Apostle was in place, the NT church was ready for the gifting of the Holy Spirit, and that's exactly what occurred on Pentecost. Once again we see God's sovereignty, in action through His perfect timing.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Spiritual Slumber
# 711 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:40-41, “And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Have you ever fallen asleep while someone is speaking to you? I know I have, and as a pastor, I know I have put a few people to sleep in my time as well. Sleep happens! And sometimes, important words from the pulpit or from a loved one are missed because a kind of stupor takes over our mind and eyes, and we nod off.
Don't beat yourself up about it. Sleep happens and sometimes it happens at inopportune times. Remember Eutychus? He dropped off to sleep as the Apostle Paul preached, literally dropping three stories to his death, only to be miraculously raised by Paul.(Acts 20:8-10)
No amount of “want to” can stave off sleep, but it can be dangerous, like falling off a balcony, or the modern day problem of dozing off and driving into a ditch, or worse! A word of caution here, whenever you feel drowsy behind the wheel, pull over somewhere and catch a nap, get reinvigorated before hitting the road again.
But let's talk about spiritual drowsiness! Spiritual sleep is also very dangerous. Pr 6:10, 11 says, “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”
Sometimes we doze off in our spiritual lives and find ourselves in a spiritual ditch where we get “roughed up” by the enemy. Stay alert! Keep in the Word! Seek to live in the promises of God and according to His Word.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Have you ever fallen asleep while someone is speaking to you? I know I have, and as a pastor, I know I have put a few people to sleep in my time as well. Sleep happens! And sometimes, important words from the pulpit or from a loved one are missed because a kind of stupor takes over our mind and eyes, and we nod off.
Don't beat yourself up about it. Sleep happens and sometimes it happens at inopportune times. Remember Eutychus? He dropped off to sleep as the Apostle Paul preached, literally dropping three stories to his death, only to be miraculously raised by Paul.(Acts 20:8-10)
No amount of “want to” can stave off sleep, but it can be dangerous, like falling off a balcony, or the modern day problem of dozing off and driving into a ditch, or worse! A word of caution here, whenever you feel drowsy behind the wheel, pull over somewhere and catch a nap, get reinvigorated before hitting the road again.
But let's talk about spiritual drowsiness! Spiritual sleep is also very dangerous. Pr 6:10, 11 says, “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”
Sometimes we doze off in our spiritual lives and find ourselves in a spiritual ditch where we get “roughed up” by the enemy. Stay alert! Keep in the Word! Seek to live in the promises of God and according to His Word.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Praying the Our Father
# 709 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 14:39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.”
What? He prayed the same words? Isn't that a canned prayer? Isn't that praying rotely? (Actually, in Matthew's account of this event, we are told that Jesus prayed something very similar, but not exactly the same words,) but it brings up a good point. What if He did prayed the exact same words? Would that make His prayer of no effect?
I have heard rumblings of disdain sometimes against the liturgical church who use a repetitious format for worship. Among other things, this format almost always includes the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Many are the Christians who have prayed this prayer word for word when they have found themselves in their own personal Gethsemane.
On the other hand, I have also heard disdain from the liturgical camp who complain of those who just use the Lord's Prayer as a model, or a guide to follow as they pray. Who's right? The answer is both!
When Jesus first taught His followers this prayer He said in Mt 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray:” (use the Lord's prayer as a model) Still another time when he taught this prayer in Luke 11:2 He said, “"When you pray, say: (use it word for word)
When Jesus prayed in the Garden or anywhere else for that matter. His prayers were always perfectly led by the Holy Spirit, and that's the real issue isn't it? Are we praying from our flesh or are we praying from the Spirit? Pray as the Spirit leads!
Roteness is not determined by the words we speak to our Father, it is determined by the condition of our hearts. As far as the Lord's Prayer is concerned, when spoken from the heart, you will never say a better prayer, and you'll also never find a better model.
Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
What? He prayed the same words? Isn't that a canned prayer? Isn't that praying rotely? (Actually, in Matthew's account of this event, we are told that Jesus prayed something very similar, but not exactly the same words,) but it brings up a good point. What if He did prayed the exact same words? Would that make His prayer of no effect?
I have heard rumblings of disdain sometimes against the liturgical church who use a repetitious format for worship. Among other things, this format almost always includes the recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Many are the Christians who have prayed this prayer word for word when they have found themselves in their own personal Gethsemane.
On the other hand, I have also heard disdain from the liturgical camp who complain of those who just use the Lord's Prayer as a model, or a guide to follow as they pray. Who's right? The answer is both!
When Jesus first taught His followers this prayer He said in Mt 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray:” (use the Lord's prayer as a model) Still another time when he taught this prayer in Luke 11:2 He said, “"When you pray, say: (use it word for word)
When Jesus prayed in the Garden or anywhere else for that matter. His prayers were always perfectly led by the Holy Spirit, and that's the real issue isn't it? Are we praying from our flesh or are we praying from the Spirit? Pray as the Spirit leads!
Roteness is not determined by the words we speak to our Father, it is determined by the condition of our hearts. As far as the Lord's Prayer is concerned, when spoken from the heart, you will never say a better prayer, and you'll also never find a better model.
Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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