INSPIRATIONAL Blog

The Week of the Cross – The Crucifixion

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death and the final desertions and betrayals, and unjust conviction of Jesus.

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b]  47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”  48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”  50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.  54 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 27:45-54.

1. Beaten, Mocked, Taunted in Final Hours. There remains no doubt as to who are the enemies of Jesus, and thus, of God, in his trial and now in his crucifixion. The Jews mocked him, and challenged him to save himself.

2. Redemption for Repentance, even from the Cross.  Jesus had two criminals crucified with him.  To the one, he joined the mocking.  But to the other, he recognized who Jesus was, requested forgiveness and redemption, and Jesus responded with one of the sweetest and most affirming statements of redemption to him.

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”  43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:40-43.

3. Almost Incomprehensible Separation and Grief from God the Father and God the Son.  I can’t pretend to fully understand these words.  

“Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

What we can understand is that the very Godhead themselves rallied to the redemption of those made in His image, who were dead in their trespasses and sins, but were made alive by the taking of our sin on Jesus, at the cross.  No wonder John would later quote Jesus: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6.

John Newton said it well: ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I can see.’  Blessings on you this week. 

The Week of the Cross – A Sham Trial

(“Christ before Pilate” by Mihály Munkácsy, 1881 from Wikipedia)

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death and the final desertions and betrayals, and unjust conviction of Jesus.

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.  “Barabbas,” they answered.  22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.  They all answered, “Crucify him!”  23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”  24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”  25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”  26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:21-26.

1. Nothing about Justice. Jesus, having now predicted his death numerous times during his life, and predicted his betrayal by Israel and even the desertion of the disciples, now faces a mob trial, really a mob lynching that only wanted to pass the sniff test of Roman approval. Despite pressure from the mob, and from his wife, he attempts to skirt his responsibility – though in sham fashion, not in reality. He released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to the mob, after a beating – all of which was punishment applied to innocent Jesus.

2. Everything about Hatred. Pilate, to his credit, warned the crowd, it is your responsibility. Without hesitation, the crowd said, let his blood be on us and on our children. Short of redemption, how true those words were to those who hated and escorted him to the cross.

3. Affirmation without Equivocation. Jesus only had six words in his defense at his trial.  ‘Yes, it is as you say’, to the question, are you the king of the Jews?  While the crowd considered this heresy, in fact, it was Truth.  Predicted as far back as the garden of Eden, affirmed as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and proclaimed as the Prince of Peace and Son of God. 

In sum, nothing about the gospel and the Christian message is attractive or powerful on its surface. If we are looking for physical, financial, or status standing, Jesus is not the answer. But if we understand that we were created by God to be in relationship with Him, and to both love him, and learn to follow the Kingdom with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and live among others loving them even as God has loved us, then Jesus and the Christian message is for you, and for me. As we follow Jesus to the cross in the next few weeks, spend some time in quiet meditation about the gratitude we have for God who has redeemed us and given us the deepest purposes in life. Best to you this week.

The Week of the Cross – Blood Money – Prophecies Fulfilled

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death and the final desertions and betrayals.

27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.  3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.  5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.  6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me. Matthew 27:1-10

1. Betrayal, Traitor, Treachery, Remorse, Suicide. The story of Judas is sordid even in the midst of the life and ministry of Jesus. For a man that traveling with Jesus and the disciples, he always had a nefarious agenda. With consequences that sent him to his grave and to hell.

• He was a thief.  John 12:3-6.
• He was a traitor, prophecies as such.  John 17:12.He
• He was a hypocrite.  Mark 14:43-46.
• He was a betrayer. 
• Money was his god.  Luke 22:2-5.

2. Consequences of Sin. Judas stands as an example of those who reject the message of Jesus.  He lost his standing with the disciples, his ill-gotten gold, and his life. 

3. Prophetic Conclusion. Prophecy is a strong verification of Jesus as from God and God Himself.  Thirty Seven prophecies wee fulfilled in the life and death of Christ.  Three illustrate these facts, culminating in the life and death of Jesus.

• The Sick Will Be Healed – Seven hundred years before Jesus began His ministry, Isaiah prophesied that God would come to save His people, and when He comes, He will heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and the mute (Isaiah 35:5-6). Later, Isaiah says the Messiah will be weighed down by our sicknesses and diseases (Isaiah 53:4). So according to Isaiah, the Messiah would heal the sick. So did Jesus do this? On many occasions. In one such instance, Jesus healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4). On other occasions, He healed a man with a deformed hand (Matthew 12:9-14). He cured Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of her fever and healed many people who were sick with varying diseases (Mark 1:29-34). He healed a woman who suffered bleeding for 12 years (Mark 5:24-34). He cured a woman who had been crippled for 18 years (Luke 13:10-17). He healed ten lepers simultaneously (Luke 17:11-19), and He healed the dying son of a government official from Capernaum (John 4:46-54). And there are many other instances where Jesus healed the sick.
• He Will Raise The Dead – 2,500 years ago, the prophet Zechariah revealed that the Messiah would resurrect the dead (Zechariah 9:11). Did Jesus do this? Yes. He not only raised Himself from the dead, but the Gospels also record several instances where He raised others from the dead. For instance, Jairus’ 12 year-old daughter was pronounced dead, but when Jesus entered her home, took hold of her hand, and said “Little girl, get up,” she immediately stood up and started walking around (Mark 5:21-43). Outside the village of Nain, Jesus encountered a funeral procession for a widow’s only son. He approached the coffin and told the boy, “get up!” And the dead boy sat up and talked (Luke 7:11-17). Although Lazarus had been dead in his grave for four days, Jesus ordered his tomb opened and said, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus walked out of : Betrayed by a Friend – Over 3,000 years ago, King David prophesied that the Messiah would be betrayed by a trusted best friend, a person so close they shared each other’s food (Psalm 41:9). Did this happen to Jesus? Yes. A thousand years later, David’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus predicted His betrayal at the last supper. He told the disciples He would dip His bread in a bowl and hand it to the one who would betray Him. He did so and handed the bread to Judas (John 13:21-30). Judas then left the room and went off to betray Jesus. 
• Betrayed for 30 Pieces of Silver – Five hundred years before it happened, the prophet Zechariah foretold the exact price for which the Messiah would be betrayed – 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12). After Jesus dipped His bread in the bowl and handed it to Judas, Judas went to the Jewish priests and elders and betrayed Jesus for the exact sum of 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15).  Thrown into the Potter’s Field – Five hundred years before Judas betrayed Jesus, God told the prophet Zechariah that the 30 pieces of silver, the great sum at which He was valued, would be thrown in the potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13).

Only God and the Scriptures could verify the Person and Work of God in Jesus, as seen in these prophecies. 

Also these Scriptures not only illustrate the chaos of this week, even though all was proceeding within the Plan and Purpose of God, the seeming disarray of the work and ministry of Jesus – though the opposite was true – and redemption soon-coming in the shadow and events of the cross.  It remains for Jesus to have a last meal with his disciples, who were reassembled after their wholesale desertion.  Stay well.

The Week of the Cross – Failure and Forgiveness

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death and the final desertions and betrayals.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:31-32.

1. Understanding Forgiveness in The Context of My Failures. We always learn our most important lessons after failures in life.  It is nice to ride the crest of successes. But life is a lesson in series of failures. And we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, meaning we have a fatal disease called sin which starts at birth and is only cured by the blood of Christ and the cross. For Peter, even before he denied Christ, Jesus both predicts his failure and provides the promise of recovery and forgiveness. Amazing, especially in the context of the shadow of the cross merely hours away!

2. Our Human Condition Includes Vulnerability to Spiritual Warfare. There is no other way to say it.  Satan, as our adversary, is always looking for openings. Remember Satan roaming around the earth during the lifetime of Job, looking to do damage to God’s people. Job 1:6-7. Two realities here. First, Satan has designs on you and me to destroy us, but God is our protector.  And secondly, the amazing promise in Job that even Satan acknowledges that ‘have you not put a hedge around him and his household?  Job 1:9. We are not left without defenses.

3. The Promise of Recovery from Failure. This is probably one of the most touching promises of Jesus, especially in the context of even his own human struggle with the realities of the cross. This does not say ‘if’ you recover. It says ‘when’ you recover. Peter will recover from this failure, and there will be work for him to do that counts for eternity. "Go and strengthen your brothers."  Amazing! 

Even in the sunset of Peter’s life, as he again is reminded of his past failures, Jesus promises both that the end of his life will not be easy, but that he will have the opportunity to reach out to others for ministry and encouragement.

5 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:15-19.

Do you find yourself thinking that you are useless, that your failures keep you from God, that there is nothing left for you to do that counts for eternity, because of the way your life has gone? Based on this, you are being distracted by things not true. As you are drawing breath, God is not finished with you yet.  And His grace and love covers a multitude of sins, and sets our feet back on the rock to do work that pleases Him. Don’t give us. You are needed and valuable to God, even like the lessons learned by Peter.  Stay well.

The Week of the Cross – Desertions and Betrayals

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death and the final desertions and betrayals.

60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”

63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him

68 and said, “Prophecy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:60-75.

1. Colossal Life Failures.  Nothing really compares to these denials by Peter coupled with the wholesale desertion of Jesus by ALL of the disciples.  Incredible.  Three years of 24/7 training, teaching, loving, warning, demonstrations of work only done by god, affirmations of the heavenly Father, fulfillment of prophecies, miracles, raising the dead.  Incredible. 

2. Results of Failure.  Simply, Pete was crushed.  He wept bitterly.  If ever you think one would not recover from personal failure, it would be Peter.

3. Life after Failure.  But not so with the grace and forgiveness of God.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:31-32.

Yet in one of the most powerful expressions of grace, redemptions and recovery, Jesus affirms that Peter and God had unfinished business. This is incredible.  What have you done that you believe is not now forgivable?  There are consequences, but forgiveness and grace are always there.  This is so powerful we will spend next week on it also.  Stay well.

The Week of the Cross – the Sham Trial and Conviction and Death Sentence (Part Six)

“Christ before Pilate” by Mihály Munkácsy, 1881 from Wikipedia

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death.

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.  The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”  64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[a]  65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”  “He is worthy of death,” they answered.  67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you? Matthew 26:62-29.

1. False Charges, Phony Witnesses, Perjured Testimony. Everything about this trial was wrong. It was not legal nor religious by any Roman or Jewish standard. Accusations went unchallenged. Jesus remains silent until His authority and relationship to the Father was challenged. Jesus knew this trial was ‘going the way it was predicted and was written’ and the greater redemptive purpose was hours away.

2. Prediction of Future Vindication. Everything about the Kingdom of heaven and Jesus’ standing with the Father was heavenly, not earthly. There would be a time of verification.  The Son of Man sitting at the hand of God and coming in the clouds. Remember His words?  He could have the Father call down 72,000 angelic warriors.  But this was not time or place.  The heavenly scenes were coming in the future.

3. Condemnation and Assault and Battery. Nothing about this ‘trial’ justified He is worthy of death. He has blasphemed. Being spit on and struck. But as the Scriptures, He was a lamb being led to the slaughter, and was submitted to the will of God and the heavenly hosts.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:7-9.

Yet in this crucible of suffering and testing, the betrayal of Jesus by his disciples was not complete.  Peter’s failure next, and what we can learn from it.  Stay well.

The Week of the Cross – Jesus’ Preparation for Suffering – A Kingdom from Heaven and not from Earth (Part Five)

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death.

55 In that hour 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.  Matthew 25:55-56.

1. Betrayal and Raising the Sword. Everything nailed down seems to be coming loose in these final hours. Judas comes, and with a kiss, betrays Jesus. Friend, do what you came for. Amazing the grace of Jesus to this betrayal, all the while in extreme distress about the prospect of the cross. Now Peter raises a sword to defend Jesus. And Jesus rebukes Peter and the disciples for thinking the power in this world is a measure of heaven.

2. 72,000 Angelic Warriors! By contrast, Jesus assures his followers that His heavenly Father could send legions – thousands, an innumerable number – of angelic warriors to assist him if needed. But the cross was necessary for God’s redemptive purpose through Jesus to be completed, for the Scriptures of the OT as to the Lamb of God, to be fulfilled. 

“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty.“Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered,  and I will turn my hand against the little ones. 8 In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
“two-thirds will be struck down and perish;  yet one-third will be left in it.9 This third I will put into the fire; 
I will refine them like silver and test them like gold.  They will call on my name and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’  and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zech 13:7-9.

3. Yet Fear and Desertion was the Result. Despite all the teaching of Jesus about the suffering and persecutions which were to come, all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt 5:10-12.

At this hour the success of God through Jesus seems in shambles. Fear, failure, denial, desertion. But from a heavenly observation, everything in time and eternity is posed for redemptive success in the next hours – the death of Jesus, the taking of the sins of the world on Him, the culmination of the salvation promises, the defeat of Satan, the proclamation in hell that death is defeated, and the verification through the resurrection. Treat this week like your Easter week with thanks to God for His great work on our behalf. Next, the sham trial, all to fulfill the purposes of God.

The Week of the Cross – Jesus’ Preparation for Suffering – The Right Way to Pray (Part Four)

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death.

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.”  Matthew 26:39

1. Real Prayers Expressing Hope for the Future. My Father, if it is possible, let this cup be taken from me. This prayer of Jesus is almost beyond comprehension. AS God, He knew full well the unavoidable necessity of the cross. It was the whole redemptive purpose, from Genesis to Revelation. Yet this prayer says to us – first, God is our heavenly Father. Go to him when in a dilemma. Second, make your request known to Him. Don’t hold back.  Ask and you shall receive. The Luke 18 widow who never stopped asking the judge for relief. And her prayer was answered! And the parable taught us, we should always pray. As fully man, Jesus was devastated – my soul is overwhelmed. And in that state and dilemma, he brought his request back before God the Father.

2. Real Prayers Kneeling in Submission to God’s Will. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Regardless of the dilemma, the confusion, the fear, the doubt, a true disciple kneels at the throne of God and says, not my will but yours be done. Every true saint has the regular course and pattern of, in the midst of a crisis, trusting and leaving the results to God.  

Two passages well summarize the lessons of what is true prayer in the Bible. 

First, the instruction to lay your request before God:

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:2-5.

Second, to leave the results to God:

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Matthew 6:9-13

We can’t improve on the life and model of Jesus in this third stage of preparation for His suffering and death on the cross. Blessings to you this week. Fourth stage next week.

The Week of the Cross – Life’s Biggest Failures – Getting Into and Out of Trouble – Forgiveness and Service (Part Three)

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death.

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men 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 flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41.

1. Patterns of Failure in Life. Could you men not keep watch with me?  In one sense, the disciples did not disappoint. They consistently missed some if not most of Jesus’ teachings on his death and resurrection, they deserted him at his trial and after, and though he predicted Pete’s failure while clearly troubled and distressed (Matt 26:37), even so, they lost any message about vigilance.

2. Guarding against Failure. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. In Jesus’ final hours, he still instructs on spiritual life and being a disciple and follower. The warning is that vigilance and prayer are the guards against failure and temptation. Lessons not learned now, but later, by the disciples.  

3. Explaining the Life of a Disciple. The spirit is willing but the body is weak. In one sentence Jesus summarizes the spiritual life – the writings of Paul in Romans 7.  Thee is for every disciple the draw of God through the Spirit and the resistance which comes from the flesh, from our sinful nature.  We will never be relieved from this spiritual conflict on this planet; hence, watch and pray.

The spiritual life of a disciple begins with believing in and receiving the offer of salvation in Jesus. 

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:10-13.

That spiritual life continues with the commitment and vigilance of right decisions and spiritual growth, regular asking God for wisdom for right living and perseverance during hard times.  

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:2-5.

The spiritual life is as simple and as profound as that. Best to you this week. 

The Week of the Cross – Jesus’ Preparation for Suffering – Overwhelmed with Sorrow (Part One)

We are now in the last week of Jesus’ life. His entry into Jerusalem, his final instructions to the crowds and to the disciples. In this final week, Jesus predicts his death by crucifixion in two days. This is followed by the details of the sham trial to be conducted by the religious leaders to trap and murder Jesus. Now Jesus makes two shocking predictions – the one who will betray Him, and the one who will deny knowing him! If ever a spiritual movement looked destined for failure, it would be this last week of Jesus – the leader killed, the followings betraying Him or denying him as they scatter. Three shock waves in this final week. Now the cross is in full view and we see Jesus in preparation for his death.

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.”  Matthew 26:36-39.

1. Jesus preparing for the cross with prayer. After the prediction of Peter’s denial, Jesus took his disciples into the garden of Gethsemane. Leaving them, he moved to a different place nearby and began to pray to his Father.  This is a moving and touching picture of the relationship of God the Father and God the Son. Three persons yet one. Jesus as fully man and fully God

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:6-8.

2. The Humanity of Jesus Before his Death. Rarely have the Scriptures been more honest in the life of Jesus ‘my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death'. This poignant picture of Jesus was shared with his disciples. Yet, they would not hear this and did not stay vigilant. More on that next week.

3. Jesus’ prayer despite the Inevitability of the Cross – ‘if possible, may this cup be taken from me, yet not as I will, but as you will.’  Again, an incredible glimpse into the trauma of the One who would bear the sins of the world on his Righteous being, and moreover, his submission to the will of the Father.

Huge lessons here about life, about prayer, and about trusting God for our future, even contrary to what we want.  God’s blessing to you this week as you meditate on these concepts. They are worth some quiet time between you and your God. Best.