Wednesday Holy Week 2018: Judas, You, and Me

John 13:21-32 New International Version (NIV)

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” ²² His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” ²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹ Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival or to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹ When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him,^[a] God will glorify the Son in himself and will glorify him at once.

Judas You And Me

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however, it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter, it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas, it could have been doubting. What I’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason, I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all. Secondly I apologize to Judas because it is possible he truly believed the Jeshua would not allow his demise to come like this. In some wa,ys, he may have been working to force Jeshua to claim his throne as Israel’s new king. Unfortunately the kingdom Jeshua came to introduce was not of this world.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. We are all like Judas, impatient, reckless, selfish from time to time.  As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig

PRAYER: LORD too often we have betrayed you. We have been too gullible and receptive to the schemes of the devil. Help us to be more aware of your presence and more patient with your Divine delays.

Point To Ponder: How have you betrayed Yeshua? How have you connected with your weaknesses? What will you do about it?

Good Friday: Finished

Our Scripture today is John 18:1-19:42
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+18%3A1-19%3A42&version=NIV

Reflect on a time when you have done all you could do and you know your work is finished. When you reflect on this time, ask yourself, did you really do all you could do, Or all you had to do? There is a difference. Often times we do just enough to get by. We do just enough to get a job done emphasizing the product more than the process. Jesus, has given it all, and when he says, “It is Finished”, his entire being can be at peace, without wondering could he have done more.

In our text, we see the lengths people will go through to maintain their false sense of power and superiority. We see how humanity can stoop to its darkest level in the presence of its brightest light. In our text we find, betrayal, denial, deception, and depravity. Judas, a disciple and follower of Jesus, for what ever reason, betrays Jesus into the hands of those who sought to harm him. Once Jesus is taken into custody, Peter who is lingering to see how things turned out, denies three times that he too was one of the disciples. We find the Chief Priests, the religious Jewish leaders deceive the Roman government bringing Jesus in on trumped up charges, and finally we see the depravity of humanity in the method of ending another humans life called crucifixion. This all plays out in less than 24 hours. Humans can be cruel, and far too often we shrink in the presence of fear and uncertainty. We often are willing to only go as far as we can see, and when we are up against the unknown, we can allow fear to overtake our faith. Humanity can choose to let a killer go in Barabbas and have an innocent man executed. Barabbas was a known entity, yet the implications of allowing Jesus to continue was far more frightening. If Jesus were to continue, people would no longer be able to be comfortable in their mess. People could no longer deceive without conscious. Liars would be confronted with their lying, and a whole way of being would have to be learned. A way that called humans to love each other unconditionally. A way that changed governments and economies, and legal structures, and religion. A way that highlighted relationship with GOD without having to go through middle men. We humans chose Barabbas. Barabbas makes us feel good about ourselves because we can at least say, “well I am better than him”. But we are not better.

It is finished. I don’t know what you will do today, but one thing i suggest is commit to doing the best you can, all the time, every time. When you do this, like Jesus you will be able to say, “It is Finished” and know you have given your all. #livebig

PRAYER: Divine Creator, today we recognize your extreme sacrifice and expression of love. It is through your pain and shame that we receive eternal gain. Thank you for giving your all. Thank you for choosing to stand up for humanity by laying down your life. May we forever give you the glory and honor you deserve.

Point To Ponder: What will be the legacy you leave? What are you willing to sacrifice to leave it? What did Jeshua save you from and save you to?

Wednesday Holy Week: Judas, You, and Me

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A21-32&version=NIV

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas it could have been doubting. What i’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all. Secondly I apologize to Judas because it is possible he truly believed the Jeshua would not allow his demise to come like this. In some ways he may have been working to force Jeshua to claim his throne as Israels new king. Unfortunately the kingdom Jeshua came to introduce was not of this world.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. We are all like Judas, impatient, reckless, selfish from time to time.  As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig

PRAYER: LORD too often we have betrayed you. We have been too gullible and receptive to the schemes of the devil. Help us to be more aware of your presence and more patient with your Divine delays.

Point To Ponder: How have you betrayed Jeshua? How have you connected with your weaknesses? What will you do about it?

Lent Day 8: Know Your Idols

 

^{Deuteronomy 9:21} Also I took that sinful thing of yours, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust and threw the dust into a stream that flowed down the mountain.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+9%3A12-21&version=NIV

Disappointment is real. Everyone at some time or another will have to deal with life when something happens that causes them to be disappointed. It may be a child that disappoints you. After all you did changing diapers, sitting up late night while they coughed, baseball, basketball, track meets and soccer games , and now they tell you after one semester in college just how wrong you were. Disappointment. You put your hope and trust in someone, they seemed so nice and polite and then they drop an emotional bomb on you or act highly inappropriately, Disappointment. You study hard for a test you need to pass, only to see a “F” or a “D”. Disappointment. Of all the disappointments in this life I don’t think there is a disappointment greater than having an expectation of GOD that isn’t met.

When we feel GOD has disappointed us, when we go through a season when our prayers seem to go no further than the room we are in, when sickness and pain are an ever present reminder that GOD has not answered our prayer for healing, when these and countless other things happen, what do we do? How do we navigate the minefield of broken dreams and dreams deferred? Some of us, I dare say most of us look for the quick fix. It is easier to find something, anything that feels good and familiar, than it is to wrestle with our situation until we recognize GOD is an ever present help in our time of trouble, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Our challenge today is to recognize the idols in our life. When I reference idols I am referencing those things that take the place of GOD. I am not simply referencing the obvious golden calves in life, like alcohol or sex, and food. I am challenged today to even think how it may be possible to make an idol out of the Bible and other faith practices. I sense at times that we engage in an act of “bibliolitry”. By this I mean we pick and choose aspects of scripture that make us feel good and limit ourselves to those texts. We look to the given (Bible) and not the giver (GOD). As such our understandings remain static, comfortable, and in some ways devoid of their power. GOD is dynamic. The word of GOD is described as the “Living Word”. If the word is living how does our interpretation of it remain static? We are challenged each time we encounter scripture to dig deeper and ask GOD, “what are you saying to me today”? We run a risk when we assume a meaning and become spiritually lazy. This laziness leads to idols which remain static. The golden claf had no life and could give no life, but it made the people feel better.

As you go and grow through this season of Lent I invite you to examine your life and rid yourself of any idols.

Prayer: Creator GOD, forgive us for our idols. We realize that we have become distracted by disappointment and chosen ways to self soothe that are not in line with your intent for our lives. We apologize for making golden calves to take you place. Help us through our Lenten disciplines to increase our faith in the midst of our failure. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jeshua we pray, AMEN

Application for today: Read Psalm 23:1 nine times placing emphasis on a different word each time. Call a loved one and say Happy Wednesday, see how they respond.

Additional Scriptures

Hebrews 3:12-19     https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+9%3A12-21&version=NIV

Psalm 49    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+49&version=NIV

Wednesday Holy Week “Betrayal, We Are All Judas”

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A21-32&version=NIV

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas it could have been doubting. What i’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig

Wednesday Holy Week “Betrayal, We are All Judas”

Our scripture today is John 13:21-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A21-32&version=NIV

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? Have you ever sensed something was about to happen that made you feel uneasy? There are times when GOD allows us to feel when there is a shift in our spiritual atmosphere. We may not know when, where, or why, but we do know something’s up. In times like these, Be alert, for your adversary, the devil is lurking like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

In our text today Jesus feels something is about to happen. After saying “whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”Jesus was troubled in his spirit.” He senses that someone has been giving lip service to following him, but inwardly they are not totally committed to the cause. Jesus senses betrayal is in the air. What follows is a cautionary tale for all of us. I begin by saying, I apologize to Judas. I know he was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus, however it could have been any of the disciples, just like it could have been any of us. We like to believe we wouldn’t let the Master down, yet even the disciples paused and wondered who it was. I contend if we could have gone into each of their minds we would have heard each of them playing the blame game. They could have found fault with any one. For Judas it was money, but for Peter it could have been cussing, or violence. For Thomas it could have been doubting. What i’m driving at is we are all capable of letting our Savior down. Each of us is guilty of betrayal in one way or another. This scene of betrayal with Judas could have played out with any human of any time in history, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S glory. For this reason I apologize to Judas because that would totally absolve me for any part I have played in the betrayal. I apologize to Judas because he takes the fall for fallen humanity, and we see how he couldn’t handle the stress of it all.

Recognizing the ways that we all have betrayed Jesus is a sobering thought for me. As we go through today, let us reflect on being more aware of our opportunities to be more forgiving, and loving, for there but by the grace of GOD, We ARE JUDAS. #livebig