Caiaphas

In John 18 we read of Caiaphas' role in the trials of Jesus. He was the High Priest that year (v. 13). His actions remind us to guard our faith. I don't remember where I saw this but I think it serves as a good reminder of the care we should take regarding ourselves:

This was a man [Caiaphas (John 18:13-14)] was the guardian of hte nation's soul. He had been set apart to be the supreme interpreter and representative of the Most High. To him was committed the glorious privilege of entering once a year into the Holy of holies. Yet this was the man who condemned the Son of God. History provied no more startling illustration of the truth that the best religous opportunities in the world and the most promising environment will not guarantee a man's salvation or of themselves ennoble the soul. "Then I say," says Bunyan, closing his book [Pilgrim's Progress], "that there was a way to hell even from the gates of heaven.

From Grace, George

Cellular Suffering

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty? Dehydration can be a very painful and dangerous condition. With clean water easily avaible, we really don't have to worry about the kind of intense thirst that was often a reality in the arid Middle East.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was thirsty. You probably knew that, didn't you? But let's look a little closer at the exact words. John writes, "...knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.'" (John 1:28 -NIV)

Did you see something new in that verse? I did. Jesus said He was thirsty so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. That Scripture is the 22nd Psalm, one of the Messianic Psalms (take a moment to read it and you'll understand why it's called that). Psalm 22 begins with My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (that should sound familiar).

Verses 14 and 15 then say, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death." This describes the deepest of thirsts. Understanding the depth of Jesus' thirst should help us better grasp the signicance of His death for us.

The Agony of the Cell: Our bodies are 98% water. I have read that serious dehydration leads to a deep and profound burning from within. That is because each cell is crying out for more water. This is not a preference - this is a vital need. Without more water the cell ceases to be alive. In a very real sense, Jesus' suffering extended to every cell of His body. It wasn't just the brutal beatings; it was an internal (not just emotional) suffering - a 'cellular suffering.'

The Agony of the Soul: Now think about the spiritual reality behind this truth. Jesus' physical suffering reveals something about our spiritual needs and the inability to have those needs met. For this, I'd like to quote at length from an Easter devotional book I've been reading called Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. In it, Joseph Ryan writes:

Spiritually speaking, if God is not at the center of our souls, then we do not have that which can ultimately meet our thirst and quench it. The real danger of that thirst is eternal death in hell. Hell is the place where we get more and more of what we have been seeking to quench our thirst. Hell is the place where we get more than we ever wanted of of those things that we are trying to stuff into our souls.

Jesus tells the remarkable little parable in Luke 16 about a poor man, Lazarus, who is the servant of a wealthy man. Both of htem die within a short period of time; Lazarus goes to heaven, and the rich man goes to hell. From hell the rich man prays to Father Abraham, who is in heaven with Lazarus, "Father Abraham, would you send Lazarus down to dip his finger and give me just a littel taste of water, because it is so hot down here?" (see Luke 16:24).

When Jesus says "I am thristy," He is saying, "I am thristy with a thrist that every sinner deserves to experience forever." ...You and I deserve that unquenchable, unremitting, agonizing thrist because we have sought to fill our lives with anything and everything but Him.

At the cross, Jesus asks the question, what do you thirst after? Throughout Scripture, thirst is a metaphor for a deep, inward spiritual emptiness and need. Without God we will die, because the Bible says that what we most thirst for and need at the center of our lives is not stuff but God. The question always is, what do I drink to fill that deep and profound thirst within me?

If you run out of water, the last thing you want to do is drink salt water. It will only increase your thrist and accelerate the process of dehydration. Every one of us puts our mouth down into salt water of whatever we use to meet our deepest needs. Jesus Christ became for you the One who thirsted unto death. Look to Jesus and say, "You are the only One who can satisfy my deepest need.

From Grace, George.

Silence of the Lamb

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaugher, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." -Isaiah 53:7 [NIV]

The Prophet Isaiah foretold of Jesus' remarkable ability to control His tongue in the most difficult of circumstances. Jesus spoke only a few times in the final days of His life while shouts and accusations were showered toward Him with great passion. When He did speak, it seems that He did so at great personal cost. But, after all, that is what Easter is all about.

Jesus asked the soldiers in Gethsemane, "Who is it you want?" (John 18:4, 7) and He identified Himself as the One they sought to arrest by stating, "I am" (18:5-6, 8). These words led to Jesus' being bound and His followers released. He spoke again when He told Peter to put away his sword, explaining that He must drink the cup the Father has given Him. (18:11). Later in John 18, Jesus speaks again but only to answer legal questions. Again, His answers (and questions) only seem to dig the hole deeper.

What is missing in Jesus' few words is any sign of defensiveness or blaming or making excuses. He doesn't threaten or strike back. He doesn't do what I would do! How different is He than me?! In the midst of false accusations, scoffing, spitting, beatings, and ridicule - He kept mostly quite. Through six unjust trials He did not open his mouth.

A quick look at the gospels confirms this: In Matthew 26 (and Mark 14) we're told that Jesus remained silent when false witnesses accused Him before. He did speak when they charged Him under oath by the living God to tell them if He was the Christ, the Son of God. (vv.62-63) He responded by simply telling the truth - and they declared that He was worthy of death. (v. 66)

Over and over, Jesus was falsely accused, unjustly convicted and brutally beaten even though He had been declared innocent. Again - not the way I would have reacted. I am quick to defend myself over the more insignificant offense or unfair treatment! Are you? I suspect you are just like me - and unlike Jesus.

Let's let that sink in for awhile. Think about specific times you've sought to defend, excuse, blame, or retaliate in the past...or even right now as you read these words.

Why did Jesus keep silent? Isaiah 53:10 tells us: It was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of hte Lord will prosper in the land. Isaiah goes on to say that His soul suffered and that he bore the sin of many. This includes the shame of false accusations, unjust treatment, and ridicule.

Jesus did not defend Himself precisely because He did not die for Himself. He took all our sin and all of the punishment that goes with that sin. A part of the punishment we deserve is the shame that comes from our sin. I know that I've been saved the shame of public exposer for many sins I've committed. Some of those false accusations lobbed at Jesus were true of me - and He took it becuase I deserved it! I cannot tell you how much that means. I think I would rather die (which I also deserve) than to be fully and publicly exposed, wouldn't you?

Also, had Jesus spoke up and defended Himself - had He spoken with the same power He used in the garden and those who heard Him fell down in reverent fear - He would not have been condemned and crucified. He would have been exhonerated and we would have been (justly) executed. Join me in praising God and thanking Jesus for the silence of the Lamb.

From Grace, George.

Who Is It You Want?

Still in the Garden of Gethsemane, we read in John's Gospel (18:1-11) that Jesus asked the same question twice: Who is it you want? Have you ever wondered why did Jesus ask this question? Let me suggest three reasons:

First, Jesus wanted His adversaries to Declare their intent. By making them state their intentions, Jesus got them 'on the record.' There would be no mistaking the fact that they were there to arrest Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, God's only Son, was the One who would be arrested and killed. Like the arresting officers, we must acknowledge that our sin cost the life of God's one and only Son. When asked who should die for our sins, we too must reply, Jesus of Nazareth. The only other option is that we will be charged and condemned - not the innocent man who, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked, 'Who is it you want?'

Secondly, Jesus wanted to Display His identity. Three times Jesus admits that He is Jesus of Nazareth. Specifically, He says, "I am he." Actually, in the Greek, He simply says, "I am." By identifying Himself as the I AM, Jesus is making a claim to deity. This is the name Moses heard in Exodus 3:14 when he encountered God at the burning bush. For a moment, perhaps offering Judas and those with him one last chance to repent, Jesus revealed His majesty. John tells us that when Jesus said this, they drew back and fell to the ground. (v6) When we see the true, uncloaked majesty of Jesus and hear His powerful word we will fall down too!

Finally, Jesus wanted to Defend His followers: By making the officials single Him out as the person they were looking for, Jesus was able to say, "If you are looking for me, then let these men go. (v8) Notice that Jesus is calling the shots! As they are picking themselves up off the ground and dusting off their robes and weapons, they find themselves outmatched by the one man they came to arrest. Jesus' command to let the disciples go serves two purposes. He is protecting them from harm by the officers. Even after Peter takes an ill-advised swipe at Malchus' head (v 10), they are all allowed to leave. "This happened so that the words [Jesus] had spoken would be fulfilled: 'I have not lost one of those you [God, the Father] gave me.'" (v9) Like those earliest disciples, we are safe in the hands of Jesus.

I believe Jesus also saved them from themselves. I believe He knew that they would not have been able to stand up under the strain of arrest, imprisonment, and perhaps execution. It would be more than they could handle and I think He knew that. Remember, they were not yet indwelt with the Holy Spirit and they were vulnerable to shrinking back. So are we when we live by our own strength. Spend time in God's Word, in prayer, and with other believers so that God's Spirit will be able to keep you strong in the face of danger and opposition.

Jesus, the Great Shepherd, when His life was at stake, laid down His life for His Sheep - exactly as He had said (John 10:11-18):

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. They hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.

From Grace, George.

Ironic, Don't You Think?

John's gospel records the intimate details of Jesus' arrest in the garden called Gethsemane (see John 18:1-11). In the third verse we read, "Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying tourches, lanterns, and weapons."

Can you picture the parade of torch and lantern carrying soldiers making their way at night down from Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, and up the Mount of Olives. I was fortunate to visit Israel a few years ago. One of the things I most remember is how close these places are to one another (see picture above). Jesus could have easily watched the string of lights make their way toward Him.

And please don't think this detachment of soldiers was in any way like the Keystone Cops or Barney Fife. These were serious soldiers sent on a serious mission. And there were a lot of them! A detachment of Roman solders could number anywhere from 200 to 1,000 men. They were well trained and they were armed.

Think of the irony of this entire scene: The armed soldiers were on their way to arrest the Prince of Peace. To do so, they were using laterns and torches to apprehend the Light of the World. Ironic, don't you think?

There is irony in a larger sense, as well. Jesus, who knew no sin, was made sin for us (sinners). Jesus died to overcome death. Satan lost by killing the Son of God. And we live only by dying to ourselves and living for Him. Ironic, don't you think?

Irony probably isn't the best word for the truth of the gospel. Let's try another: grace.

From Grace, George

Knowing All, He Went Out

John 18:1-11 gives us an insider's account of what happened on the night Jesus was arrested. We read there that Jesus, after he had finished praying, left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. He was headed to one of His favorite places to pray, Gethsemane (meaning "olive press"). There He would soon be arrested.

We read that Jesus and His disciples went into the garden. This suggests that the garden was an enclosed setting, probably with a gate. If you visit there today, you'll find this to be the case. One way in and one way out. Jesus entered this garden at night and would have certainly been able to see the detachment of soldiers Judas was leading across the valley with their torches and lanterns...and weapons. They were on a serious mission and they were ready for resistance. But they'd find none.

John then writes (v. 4), "Knowing all that was going to happen to him..." This is a nice way to say that Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by a friend, harshly bound, unfairly tried, beaten mercilessly, and crucified on the cruelness of the cross. Knowing all this, you would think that Jesus, under the dark of night could easily jump the wall (remember it's night) and escape. But John tells a different story. "Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out."

Think about what this says about our Savior! He chose to go to the cross for us. He was in complete control of the situation and of His emotions. He meant it when He said that no one takes His life from Him but that He laid it down - for us.

Matthew Henry writes concerning the fact that Jesus stepped forward to offer Himself for us: "Our Lord, like a bold champion, took the field first." When you think of it, that's what He always did. Not only did He step out of the garden, He stepped out of glory. Though He is God, He became Man so that He could take our place as the punishment for our sin.

Today, take a moment to thank your Savior for stepping out of the garden... and glory.

From Grace, George

"I Will Come Back and Take You to Be with Me"

In John 14:3 we hear Jesus tell His followers, "...if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me..." Two thoughts: First, Jesus is coming back. He could come back years from now or before you finish reading these words. We are not told exactly when this will occur only that we are to be prepared when He does. At His return He is to find us busy serving Him. Are you actively serving? Second, should we die before His return (the reality for most of us, perhaps), I am convinced that His promise to come and take us still stands. Sadly, as a pastor, I see more people in their dying days than I'd like. With each passing saint, I become more convinced that Jesus meets those who are His own as they pass from this life to their eternal home with God. A brief example will help illustrate what I'm saying: Manuel was a young man several of us met in El Salvador. With physical and mental limitations, Manuel spent his life in the dark and dirty confines of his home along the abandoned railroad tracks near Santa Ana. He was cared for by his aging grandmother who spent her time trying to find food for her and Manuel. As you consider how difficult it would be to live such a life, remember that this is also the situation in which Manuel recently died. No sterile hospital bed with trained medical staff. Just Manuel, his gradmother, and... Jesus. Manuel had heard the gospel - that Jesus loved Him and had died in His place on the cross. And I believe that Manuel accepted Jesus' offer of forgiveness and peace with God. I believe this because I'm told that as he passed away, Manuel raised his hands, his eyes, his voice, and his hopes to Heaven and called out "Senor" as if Jesus Himself had come to take him home. I believe that is exactly what happened. True to His word, Jesus came back to take Manuel with Him - to be where He is. This is the same hope that we have in Christ. From Grace, George

If It Were Not So...

Today a simple thought from John 14:2. After encouraging His disciples as they prepare to face His departure, Jesus tells them, "If it were not so, I would have told you." As I type these words, our nations is hearing from a multitude of politician and commenators telling us many different things about proposed Health Care reforms. I won't to pretend to know all the answers but I do know this - they cannot all be telling us the truth. Some must be either misled or misleading. All, I fear, are trying to tell us what they think we want to hear or what they believe will lead us to agree (or at least accept) with them. Jesus was not a politician! He was never misled (he knew all things) and He never misled. When He says that He is going to prepare a place for us and that He is coming back to take us there so that we can be with Him - He's telling us the truth. If it were not so, He would have told us. On this particular day, I find this tremendously refreshing. Don't you? From Grace, George

There's No Place Like Home

I'm sitting in my den enjoying the beauty of a late-season snow. The falling snow and the white blanket outside my window offer a pretty picture but I'm happy to be sitting inside right now. In John 14:2, Jesus promises those who trust in Him all the comforts of home. He says, "In my Father's house are many rooms." To His followers, who are anxious about His departure, this would come as welcome news. Perhaps you, too, are anxious and could use a reminder of what Christ offers those who place their trust in Him. As we explore a few of these realities of our future home, think about how you feel (or long to feel) when you settle down in your home. Home means security: I feel safe at home. I don't worry about the unknown. In our eternal home we'll feel safe and secure. Home means provision: At home I can grab clothes out of my closet, food out of my fridge or tools out of my shed. I can find books on my shelves and water from my faucet. In Heaven we'll have everything we need for life and joy. Home means permanence: Unlike a hotel room, I won't live out of a suitcase. I'll will be able to settle down and settle in. And I'll never have to worry about mortage payments (or foreclosures)because Jesus has paid it off in full. That is one part of what it means when He said, "I am going to prepare a place for you." (v. 2) Home means peace: There's something nice about just sinking in to my couch and enjoying the peace of being home. Sometimes it's not peace and quiet (like right now), but it's peace nonetheless. We'll have eternal peace with God and peace with others in our future home. Home means rest: I come home at the end of the day when I'm done working. In Heaven we'll have things to do but the toil of work here will be over. We'll be serving our King out of love. Home means family: Those I love the most are here with me at home. This, too, is a gracious glimpse of our eternal home. We'll be surrounded by those we love and those who love us. Home means being with Jesus: This is the best part of what Jesus told His disciples in John 14. He told them (and us), "I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (v. 3) We'll be forever in the prsence of our Savior! Not only is this the greatest blessing of Heaven, it's what Jesus wants. He longs to live in intimate relationship with us and He offers that to those who trust in Him. From Grace, George.

Preemptive Peace

Returning to John 14:1-4, let's see three more truths from this conversation between Jesus and his troubled disciples. Remember, Jesus was troubled Himself (see John 12:27) but He was more concerned about those He loved than in focusing on Himself. Here's what I see: Jesus Anticipates our Troubled Hearts: Jesus knows what is abou to happen and that it will bring great distress to His followers (see previous post: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled). But He doesn't wait until everything falls apart before He seeks to prepare them for the difficultes to come. I believe it's the same with us. Jesus invites us to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word today so that we will be better able to trust in Him when trials come. Too often I find myself wondering why God isn't speaking to me in a tough time. More often than not He has spoken to me (or would have had I listened) in the past. Let's remember to pay attention to God today for we may need His Word to us today tomorrow. Jesus Addressed our Troubled Hearts: Jesus doesn't avoid their troubled hearts. He knows what they are worried about - and He knows what you are worried about, too! Christ notices your troubled heart even if others don't. Matthew Henry puts it this way, "Jesus sees the wounds that bleed inwardly." Do you have 'internal bleeding'? Those are the wounds that can be deadly if not addressed. Won't you take them to the Great Physician for healing today? Jesus Answers our Troubled Hearts: Jesus offers what no one else can - a real solution to our real problems. Others may be able to listen to our troubles and even suggest remedies. But only peace with God will bring true peace on earth. His answer to our troubles is that He has gone to the cross for us and has gone ahead of us to the grave. He has also gone to prepare a place for us (a topic for another post). Do you have the answer for your troubled heart - Jesus? I hope these truths are as encouraging to you as they are to me. From Grace.

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

In John 14, Jesus comforts his disciples. I'd like to pick apart His words over the next few posts. Verse 1a: Do not let your hearts be troubled...

First notice that we appear to have a choice. Jesus is telling us that we are not the let our hearts be troubled. I sometimes forget that I have a choice in how I respond to the world around me (and the world within me). This is much more than self-talk, however. Jesus will go on to say that trusting in God and in Him is the key to avoiding a troubled heart. A trusting heart or a troubled heart - what's your choice today?

Secondly, remember that you are responsible for your hearts. Even if those around us are troubled, we must tend to our own heart. Regardless of what bothers others, I can have an untroubled heart.

Next, we are to focus on our hearts, not our circumstances. A heart that trusts in Christ is anchored even in the stormiest sea.

Finally, don't let your heart be troubled. This is a strong term meaning stirred-up, anxious, or aggitated. It's worth noting that Jesus was troubled Himself at the impending suffering (see John 12:27). As He is apt to do, Jesus puts His trouble aside to help us in ours.

Why might the disciples' hearts be troubled? I believe it was a combination of several things:

Disappointments: Jesus was letting them know that things weren't all they had hoped. He was not, at that time, going to usher in the kingdom of God. They were not going to be ruling with Him here and now. They would have to wait. We also get disappointed when we realize that things aren't always going to work out as we'd like. If you are disappointed today in God's current plan for your life - do not let your heart be troubled.

Detractors: Judas had just been dismissed from their presence. He was on his way to betray Jesus. Do you sometimes become troubled when others work against God? Does it sometimes seem as if you're the only one trying to honor Him? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Denials: Jesus had just been informed that, despite his zeal, he would deny His Lord three times. Like us, he was unable to live out his desire to follow Jesus even to the cross. Have you denied Christ in your words or in your walk? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Difficulties: Soon, the disciples would find themselves scattered and confused. They would be persecuted and ridiculed. When your service to the Lord becomes difficult - do not let your heart be troubled.

Deserted: Jesus would be leaving them soon. They had given three years of their life following Him and now He tells that that He would be leaving them alone. They did not yet understand that He must go in order to prepare a place for them and that He would send His Holy Spirit back to encourage them. We, however, do know this - but we sometimes forget it. Does God seem to have deserted you? Does God seem distant? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God...

From Grace, George

A New Command

After Judas left Jesus and the disciples, Jesus begins to reveal what was to come in greater detail (read John 13:31-38). He begins to describe what we might call "the end." We know, and so did He, that is was just the beginning. He would be glorified through the cross.

In fact, God would be glorified in Him. The cross magnifies the attributes of God that we love so much. It magnifies His love, His holiness, His justice, etc. Jesus knew this and "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scourning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:2).

After telling His 'dear children' (v33) that He will be leaving them, Jesus then explains that, while His work is coming to an end, their (and our) work is just beginning. He says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (vv34-35).

Before we consider why this command is new, take a moment to think about how men know you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to a life of love - a different, new kind of love. He never says "wear a cross around your neck and Christian t-shirts" or "put a fish sticker on your car." He says that we are to be distinguished by this 'new' kind of love.

But why is this a 'new command?' After all, hadn't God already said that we are to love others? Leviticus 19:18 says that you are to 'love your neighbor as yourself." So how is Jesus saying anything new? Let me suggest three things about this new command:

First, we are to follow the Example of Christ. Jesus says in verse 34 for that we are to love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Moses writes we are to love 'as ourselves' - Jesus says, "as I have love you." And how did Jesus love us? By laying down His life for us. By dying in our place. In a word, Jesus calls us to love 'sacrificially.' To help live out this kind of love ask yourself whether you are acting 'sacrificially' or 'selfishly.'

Secondly, we are to love our Enemies. This is certainly a 'new' way to love. In fact, Jesus said as much in Matthew 5:43-45a when He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Sound familiar? Sound difficult? It does to me. Remember, though, that this is how Jesus loved us. Paul reminds us that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Also remember that we are not called to love like this from our own strength. We don't have this kind of love within us - unless we have the Holy Spirit in us.

Which brings us to our final thought; we are to be Empower by Christ. Before the departure of Christ and the sending of Holy Spirit, we did not have it within us to live this kind of love. This love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) that finds its motivation and strength as we yield our life to the Spirit's leading.

Recently, I found myself asking God to give me the grace I needed to love someone who had upset me. I simply asked, "Lord, I need your help here because I really don't want to love right now." God is faithful, grace was given, and I believe I was able to honor God rather than defend myself.

By loving like this, may all men know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and may God be glorified in us as He was in His Son.

Overcoming Three Barriers to Loving Service

In John 13:1-17 you'll find Jesus eating dinner with His disciples. In this passage I see three things that would tempt me to avoid serving others: Agendas: In verse 1 we see that Jesus 'knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.' He could have easily had His mind on other, more important things (like I usually do). Instead of thinking about Himself, however, He proceded to 'show them the full extent of His love' by taking on the role of a menial servant and washing His followers' feet. Unlike me, His agenda was one of humble, loving service. Adversaries: Verse 2 tells us that 'the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot ... to betray Jesus.' That seems like an open invitation to skip Judas' feet as He made His way around the table. Can you imagine washing the feet of the person who would soon betray you with a kiss? Not me! But, again (and thankfully), that's not what we see Jesus do. Arrogance: Jesus, we read in verse 3, 'knew that the Father had put all things under His power.' I don't know about you, but that would seem to exclude me from such dirty work. I'd order someone else to do it. But that wasn't the way Jesus lived. He used His power to serve. I'm afraid we use our power to avoid such service. John records the challenging words of Jesus in verses 12-17: "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. So, how can you follow the example of your Savior today? Who can you serve even though you don't have time (agenda); even though they don't deserve it after what they've done (adversary); even though you don't have to (arrogance)? Jesus says you'll be blessed if you do this - do you believe Him?

Bloody Valley

Just a quick picture of Christ's journey toward the cross from John's Gospel: John 18:1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. R. Kent Hughes writes, "A drain ran from the temple altar down to the Kidron revine to drain away the blood of sacrifices. At this time of year more than 200,000 lambs were slain. So when Jesus and his band crossed the Kidron, it was red with teh blood of sacrifice." Jesus would have been reminded of the price He was about to pay. After all, He was the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:29) In the days between now and Easter, we will do well to think of our Savior's intentional march to the cross - for us. Maybe one way to do this is to think of the bloody Kidron stream each cross a river or stream. Whether the Platte River in Smithville or the Missouri River on our way into Kansas City or smaller, unnamed streams - let them be a moment to reflect on the price paid for our salvation. One more thought: Reading on in John you'll see that Judas led the Romans to Jesus along this same route. To do so he too would have crossed the same blood-red stream. I wonder what he thought... if he noticed it at all?

Staggering Silence

Two words to consider today: 'stagger' and 'silence.' Matthew records Jesus' cry in the garden like this, "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.'" (Matt. 26:39) Jesus was familiar with the Scriptures and His prayer came from that knowledge. He would have known that Isaiah the cup of God's wrath was the goblet that makes men stagger. (Isa. 57:17). He understood (better than we do) the crushing consequence of sin - our sin. And yet, He still said, "Yet not as I will, but as you will." So that's the first word, 'stagger.' God's response brings us to the second word, 'silence.' Of this, C. J. Mahaney writes:

What Jesus recoils from here is not an anticipation of the physical pain associated with the crucifixion. Rather it's a pain infinitely greater - the agony of being abandoned by his Father.

As one Bible commentary notes, Jesus entered the garden 'to be with teh Father for an interlude before his betrayal, but found Hell rather than Heaven open before him.' Knowing the hour for his death is fast approaching, Jesus has come here in need as never before of his Father's comfort and strength. Instead, hell - utter separation from God - is thrust in his face.

The silence is the result of God's love, the love that made Him give His Son. In this, our Savior's darkest hour...do you recognize His love for you?

Eternal Palm Sunday

Today's thoughts concerning Easter are prompted by John Piper's Sermon, He Set His Face to Go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). An Eternal Perspective: As Jesus neared Jerusalem and sat upon a donkey, his disciples, perhaps remembering Zechariah's prophesy (Zec 9:9-10) hoped that their Messiah had come to set up His earthly kingdom. In fact, they were arguing about who would get to sit beside Him. What they didn't understand was that there would be a delay. Even though Jesus was going to win the decisive victory over sin and death, the time had not yet come for full, earthly fulfillment. Piper writes, "To be sure the disciples' understanding of Jesus' kingship at this point is flawed. But hastening events will correct that soon enough. In essence they are correct. Jesus is the king of Israel, and the kingdom he is inaugurating will bring peace to all nations and spread from sea to sea. The book of Revelation pictures the final fulfillment of Palm Sunday in the age to come like this:

'I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, stading before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Rev. 7:9-10)

The entry into Jerusalem with waving palms (John 12:13) was a short-lived preview of the eternal Palm Sunday to come. But if Jesu had taken his throne on the first day of palms, none of us would ever be robed in white or waving palms of praise in the age to come. There had to be the cross, and that is what the disciples had not yet understood." The Expected Pain: Jesus' death in Jerusalem was not an accident. God's eternal purpose planned it. Furthermore, Jesus understood that His death would be difficult and painful. Luke tells us that he 'set his face to go to Jerusalem' (Lk. 9:51). Our Savior understood that His trip to Jerusalem involved His being 'delivered into the hands of men (Lk. 9:44). These men would kill Him in the most painful and shameful way - crucifixion. We understand this today but did Jesus know what He was getting Himself into? Yes! Luke writes, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests, and be killed..." (Lk. 9:22). He also knew that "...on the third day [He would] be raised." Later, in Luke 18:31-33, we read Jesus saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him..." As Easter nears, remember that Jesus' most difficult death was what our sins deserved. He died like this for us! An Example to Pursue: The disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is the same misunderstanding we must be careful to avoid. Jesus' journey is our journey. There is no quick victory that bypasses Calvary. Jesus' path is the path of discipleship. And to misunderstand His path is to misunderstand our discipleship. Let me quote Piper at length here:

"Here is a question put to every believer by this text: does discipleship mean deploying God's missiles against the enemy in righteous indignation? Or does discipleship man following him on the Calvary road which leads to suffering and death? The answer of the whole New Testament is this: the surprise about Jesus the Messiah in that he caome to live a life of sacrificial, dying service before he come a second time to reign in glory. And the surprise about discipleship is that it demands a life of sacrificial, dying service before we can reign with Christ in glory.

One might be tempted to reason in just the opposite way: that since Jesus suffered so much and died in our place, therefore, we are free to go straight to the head of the class, as it were, and skip all the exams. He suffered so we could have comfort. He died so we could live. He bore abuse so we could be esteemed. He gave up the treasures of heaven so we could lay up treasures on earth. He brought the kingdom and paid for our entrance, and now we live in it with all its earthly privileges. But all this is not biblical reasoning. It goes against the plain teaching in this very context. Luke 9:23-24 reads: 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever woule save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his lfe for my sake will save it.'"

When Jesus set his face to walk this Calvary road, he was not merely taking our place; he was setting our pattern. He is substitute and pacesetter. If we seek to secure our life through returning evil for evil or surrounding ourselves with luxury in the face of human need, we will lose our life. We can save our life only if we follow Christ on the Calvary road.

The Most Important Day of the Year (Easter)

In Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, Nancy Guthrie remarks that many churches make more of Mother's Day than Easter. This challenged me to spend the next few weeks to considering him who endured the cross (see Hebrews 12:2-3). Toward this end, I am reading the abovementioned book of devotions between now and April 4th (Easter). I will share these with you in hopes that you will also condering him who endured the cross. First up, Martin Luther (True Contemplation of the Cross)... "You must be overwhelmed by the frightful wrath of God who so hated sin that he spared not his only begotten Son. What can the sinner expect if the beloved Son was so afflicted? Ponder this and you will tremble, and the more you ponder, the deeper you will tremble." "When you see the nails driven through his hands, be sure that you are pounding, and when the thorns pierce his brow, know that they are your evil thoughts. Consider that if on thorn pierces Christ, you deserve one hundred thousand." "When tribulation and sickness assail you, think how slight these are compared to the thorns and nails of Christ. If you are twarted, remember how he was bound and dragged. If pride besets you, see how the Lord was mocked and with robbers despised. If unchastity incites your flesh, recall how his fless was scourged, pierced and smitte. If hate, envy, and vengeance tempt you, think how Christ for you and all his enemies interceded with tears, though he might rather have avenged himself. If you are afflicted and cannot have your way, take heart and say, "Why should I not suffer when my Lord sweat blood for very anguish?" "Astounding it is that the cross of Christ has so fallen into forgetfulness, for is it not forgetfulness of the cross when one wishes not to suffer but rather to enjoy himself and evade the cross?"