Category Archives: Christian

Three days of battle (Matthew 27:46) July 1, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Ezekiel 19-24

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 27:46
In the middle of the dark afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.
Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani—My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

The sun was blotted out. This was no ordinary eclipse. Darkness fell over the earth for hours while the Son of God hung on the cross. It was as if evil finally won and blotted out all the light that God created and said was good. Jesus had taken on the sins of the world and as Satan thought he won the battle, God let darkness creep over the land showing everyone present just how evil men could become.

Throughout His ordeal, Jesus continued to pray from scriptures He’d learned throughout His life. He quoted from the Psalms and poured out His heart to His Father. He used David’ words to gain the strength He need to endure the pain and suffering inflicted on Him by those around Him who didn’t understand the meaning of the sacrifice He made for them or the actions they took against God Himself by hanging Him on that tree.

And now, as Jesus neared the end of His agonizing sacrifice, He cries out in one desperate plea, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.” Which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When the human side of Jesus needed the Father most, He turned His face away because of the darkness of the sins He bore for us. The Man who committed no sin. The One who served as the perfect sacrifice for us. The Father, turned away to let Him die alone on the cross as the penalty for us, separated from Him for a time.

Utter darkness. Complete separation. Total abandonment. We have never experienced it because God’s Spirit is alive and active in our world today. He does not leave us alone in this place. But He did with His Son for those moments as He carried the whole world’s sins on His shoulders.

We have no record of what happened from the time Jesus was laid in the tomb until He burst forth in resurrection power. We don’t know the struggle that took place between He and Satan. We don’t understand the realm of the after life and what happened to Jesus’ spirit after He took that last breath and left this world to enter the next. But I imagine the real battle took place then.

Satan thought he won when He killed the physical shell that housed the God/Man. He thought it was over when Jesus’ heart stopped its rhythmic beat and His lungs refused to release and accept air in them. Satan thought when the physiological processes ceased, it was over. But I think he and his minions found the battle had only begun when Jesus’ last breath passed His lips.

I think it was at that point, when Jesus had become sin for us and died for us that He entered the depths of hell for us. And there He engaged His enemy in full force. I expect Satan never expected God to visit his domain. God is holy and would never step foot into the bowels of hell which reeks of evil and vice and sin. But when Jesus, the Son of God, became sin for us, then gave His life, and as Paul tells us, descended into Hades, the battle was on. Now the Son of God, covered in our sins, took on the demons of hell in their domain.

What could they do? Here was God in their midst. Satan thought He was defeated, but through His death it gave Him entrance to the very place God would not go because of His holiness. Now carrying our sins into the pits of hell, that place reserved for us, Jesus faced the tormentor for us. And the tormentor could do nothing but bow at Jesus feet because He is Lord of lords, King of kings, Creator of all things. Even the demons bow before Him.

Those days between Jesus’ death and resurrection remain a mystery for us all. One day we can ask what happened in that interim. Until then we can only surmise what Jesus did during that time. But I expect He did not just sleep. I expect He did not just lay on that stone slab in the cave dug out for Joseph’s final burial place. I expect Jesus was busy letting Satan know He had the last word. Sin would not conquer God’s holiness then, now, or anytime in the future. Jesus died to conquer death. Jesus became sin to destroy sin. Jesus paid a visit to hell to take hell off our vacation list and make it possible for us to avoid its trap.

God, the Father, forsook the Man as Jesus hung on the cross. I think the reason was so He would never have to forsake us. Once and for all, Jesus made possible real life without the dominion of sin and death hanging over us. He conquered it all and three days later burst out of the tomb dressed in glory, the garment of victory for all who follow Him.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Why argue? We’ve won. (Matthew 27:11) June 30, 2016

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Proverbs 7

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 27:11
Jesus was standing before the governor, Pilate.
Pilate: Are You the King of the Jews?
Jesus: So you say.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Now it’s morning. The priests have been awake all night getting their plans together to take Jesus and the right charges to Pilate to make sure an execution happened on this day. The charges must stand up to the scrutiny of their governor so the punishment was swift and permanent. These priests wanted Jesus out of their hair forever. So what charge could they bring. The only answer? Changes against the emperor himself. This Man talked about the kingdom of heaven, let’s tell Pilate Jesus says He claims He is King of the Jews and wants to overthrow Caesar. That will work!

The sun isn’t up yet, but days start early in Judea. The sun gets hot early so business starts well before the sun comes up and stops when it gets high in the sky. It’s just too hot to do much. So before the sun rises, the priests are at Pilate’s palace knocking on the door. They can’t come in because this is Gentile territory and they can’t dirty themselves by entering. They won’t have time for the cleansing ritual before the Sabbath. Servants go to find the governor who reluctantly comes to the porch to speak with these crazy Jews. He doesn’t understand their customs, but after being their for several years he has grown accustomed to them and grants an audience on their terms. He must keep peace with them if he is to keep favor with the emperor.

I can imagine the crazy conversation. “Pilate, we want you to kill this man for us.” “Why? What has He done?” “He says he wants to be king of our people, that is insurrection against Rome.” “Do you recognize Him as king?” “Well, no.” “Then what’s the problem?” “I thought you priests were the authority in this place. So what if He says He wants to be king? He isn’t and He’s just one man without an army. What do I care?” “But you don’t understand. He’s also called Himself God.” “So, at least you can see Him, you can’t even see the God you guys say you worship. What do I care about that?”

Finally, they convince Pilate to take the case. And He questions Jesus. I expect that conversation went well, too. We only get a few of the words spoken, but I expect there were a lot more than those recorded in Matthew.

“So, Jesus, these guys put your life in my hands. What do you have to say for yourself?” No answer. “They say you want to be king. Is that right?” No answer. “They say you think you’re a god. Do you think you’re a god?” No answer. “So, are you deaf and dumb? You do understand I have the power to set you free, don’t you?” No answer. “Listen. You seem like a nice enough guy. I’ve heard you’re doing some good things for people out in the community. Why don’t you just fall in line with these priests of yours. Things will go a lot smoother for both of us. What do you say?” No answer. “Your refusal to talk to me isn’t getting you very far. I can have you executed on the spot if I want. You know that, don’t you?” No answer.

I think their conversation went on for a while like that. Eventually Pilate got tired of the questions with no answers and asked a final time. “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “So you say.” Notice it’s still Pilate’s words. Jesus is the King of kings, but it’s Pilate’s acclamation, not Jesus’ that brings His condemnation. But with those words, Pilate turns Him over to the crowd. He tries to wash his hands of the affair, but he, as is each of us, is culpable in Jesus death on the cross.

So what do we learn from this exchange? Once again we see Jesus is silent before His accuser. There is no need for argument. As victor over sin and death and the grave, Jesus needs no defense. He has already won the victory. Jesus won His personal human struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was about to win the cosmic struggle over sin in just a few hours. Defense just wasn’t required. He was on the offense now. It might not look like it from the world’s perspective, but that didn’t matter and Jesus knew it. The battle was won!

When we understand that when we are on His side, we are part of the victory team. We don’t need to defend the faith, we just need to live it. We don’t need to argue our position, we just need to stand on the truth of God’s word. We don’t need to cower in the face of the enemy, the battle is already won. The enemy has already been defeated. He just doesn’t know it yet. God has won! When we believe in Him, we are victorious, too. Defense? Not anymore. We’re on the offense and the very gates of hell cannot stand against the church on the offensive. Jesus didn’t argue. We don’t need to either. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Learn to be like Jesus (Matthew 26:64) June 29, 2016

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Psalms 75-77

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:64
Jesus: So you seem to be saying. I will say this: beginning now, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God’s power and glory and coming on heavenly clouds.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Everyone gather’s at Caiaphas’ house to figure out charges to bring against Jesus worthy of the death penalty. They all know He should die. He’s disrupted their playground. People don’t trust their teaching anymore. People turn to this Jesus for instruction on how they should follow God’s commands instead of listening to them. Jesus must die.

A few disreputable men come forward with evidence, paid by of chief priests to give their testimony. The problem is their testimonies don’t exactly agree, so Caiaphas doesn’t have what he needs to legally pass sentence against Jesus. So He questions Jesus himself. Don’t you have anything to say about these charges? Don’t you want to argue your own defense?

Nothing but silence.

Caiaphas tries something else. “Under oath, tell us right now, are you or are you not the Son of God?”

Jesus finally says something. “You seem to say so. But from this point on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God’s power and glory and coming on heavenly clouds.”

That was it. That was enough for Caiaphas. Sounded like blasphemy, even though it was Caiaphas who pronounced that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus just didn’t disagree with him. Funny how that kangaroo court happened, isn’t it. Liars as witnesses. Blasphemy that the high priest attributed to Jesus, but he is the one who said the words. And they would only have been blasphemy if they were untrue. But since Jesus was the Son of God, they were not blasphemy in the first place.

So now Caiaphas had his charge. Jesus found worthy of death in the eyes of the Jewish leaders. Now how will that translate for the Romans so they will find fit to crucify this religious criminal. Rome doesn’t care. The number of gods around doesn’t concern them. It won’t be until Domician declares himself god and demands universal worship of himself that nations will suffer significant religious persecution under the Romans. So what crime against the state can Caiaphas and his fellow priest turn up against Jesus?

So what do we learn from this exchange between the chief priests, the high priest, and Jesus?

First, like Jesus, we must keep our behavior above reproach so no one can bring charges against us unless they hire liars and thugs to drum up false charges. As hard as the religious leaders tried, they could find nothing in either the civil law or their own religious laws with which to charge Jesus. His record remained impecable. They tried everything they could to find something, anything, to bring a guilty sentence, but foud nothing. We should live like that. We should live such outstanding lives that we can live as open books and nothing be found that could bring any discredit to God because of our actions.

Second, we should recognize that if we are followers of Jesus we can expect unbelievers to try to find fault in our living. They will look hard to find the tiniest crack in our armor and exploit it. The world will look for a word or an act or an omission somewhere and splash it in front of everyone they can to show our ungodly character. Whether true or not, expect the world to exploit anything they can to discredit our faith.

Third, when those things happen, sometimes, like Jesus, it’s just best to keep our mouth shut. I’m sometimes amazed at the arguments Christians let themselves get trapped in that really are meaningless arguments. We know the world is baiting us, trying to find that chink in our armor, trying to exploit some phrase, trying to twist some defense. But we need no defense when we walk with Jesus. He is already the victor. Why does the victor need defending? He’s already won! We can just let the world keep talking to themselves and keep on loving them. We can keep showing God’s love and sharing His message.

Finally, what happens if the world trumps up false charges against us and punishes us unjustly for something we didn’t do? What happens if we are imprisoned, persecuted, libeled, discredited, humiliated because of following Jesus?

Well, we join a pretty significant crowd, don’t we. If you read Foxx Book of Martyrs, you’ll find you’re in pretty good company. Thousands have gone before you imprisoned, persecuted, humiliated, libeled, discredited, and killed for doing what God asked them to do. They broke no laws. They threatened no lives. They did good to others. Yet the world hated them just as Jesus promised.

I won’t tell you it’s pleasant to be in that crowd, but it sure is a pleasure to be in that number. Jesus teaches us even in His encounter with Caiaphas. Learn to be like Him. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

He gave Himself (Matthew 26:52-56) June 28, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – 1 Kings 19-22

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:52-56
Jesus: Put your sword back. People who live by the sword die by the sword. Surely you realize that if I called on My Father, He would send legions of messengers to rescue Me. But if I were to do that, I would be thwarting the scriptural story, wouldn’t I? And we must allow the story of God’s kingdom to unfold. (to the crowds) Why did you bring these weapons, these clubs and bats? Did you think I would fight you? That I would try to dodge and escape like a common criminal? You could have arrested Me any day when I was teaching in the temple, but you didn’t.
This scene has come together just so, so that the prophecies in the sacred Scripture could be fulfilled.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Did you ever stop to think about the resources Jesus had at his disposal to protect Him from those who would try to harm Him? If you look back through His ministry, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for His enemies to destroy Him but they didn’t. His home town elders wanted to push Him off a cliff, but He slipped through them. The chief priests went after Him several times, but failed in their attempts. Even Satan tried to get Jesus to fall, but he too failed in his schemes against the Son of God.

Time after time, Jesus slipped out through the crowd, confounded the leaders in front of crowds so they couldn’t take Him in front of them. Disappeared in the night as He walked across the water or to another town in the middle of the night. Jesus was elusive to the and just couldn’t be caught.

In fact, John describes this scene a little differently than the other gospels. He records that as the guards came forward to take Jesus, they fell back and fell to the ground. Only after Jesus asked as second time who they were looking for and Judas betrayed Him with a kiss did the soldiers come forward and take Him. The power and protection surrounding Jesus made it impossible for those Roman soldiers to arrest Him until He allowed them to come near and grab hold of Him.

Jesus knew no one could assault Him until He allowed the events to unfold. But He had already talked to His Father about the matter. He was ready to sacrifice Himself for our sins. He was ready to do the Father’s bidding and become the atonement for us. So Jesus gave Himself up to that crowd of soldiers and priests and the betrayer.

The spiritual battle ended in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus already prayed through on the matter. He settled everything with His Father and His Father’s will trumped His own. He would be the sacrifice for us. I think He could still call on the angels of heaven to rescue Him if He chose, but He willingly gave Himself us for us. The soldiers who took Him were helpless against Him as John records, and it was Jesus’ willingness to give Himself over to them that led to the brutality they inflicted against Him.

But we must remember Jesus could have called for relief at any time during that whole ordeal. At the first strike of the whip, He could have broken His chains and turned on the Roman guard with immediate justice at the hands of an avenging angel. When the crown of thorns was being woven by the soldiers, He could have escaped the pain inflicted on His brow by calling on His heavenly attendants to deliver Him and they would. Before He carried the beam for the cross to Golgatha, Jesus could have called for the army of heavenly hosts to come and destroy those who wanted to crucify Him and they would have done just that.

But instead, Jesus endured the pain, the humiliation, the agony of the cross to pay the death penalty required by our sins. He didn’t ask for relief, but instead sacrificed Himself for us. He didn’t have to, but He did. He could have escaped it all, but He remained for each of us.

Where is the so what in there for us today, though? First, we recognize His indescribable love for us. The fact that He would allow all of these things to happen to Him when He could easily escape them and get full retribution against those who tried to harm Him demonstrates just how much He cares for us. Second, We owe Him a great deal, more than we can every repay. He gave His life that we might live. Paul tells us our reasonable worship is to give ourselves as living sacrifices for Him. Anything less than that is unacceptable. It is out reasonable sacrifice for Him.

Third, when we walk with Him and He adopts us into His family, those legions of angels are also at our disposal. We need not fear circumstance around us. We need not feaar the things going on in the world or the politics and trends that seem so evil. God is still in charge. He will take care of His children. We can call on Him and He will be there. Will He immediately transport us from the problem and let us escape the pain and ridicule and persecution we might be under? Maybe not. But He will be right there with us to the end.

Finally, Jesus went through more than most of us will ever endure in our lifetime. He voluntarily gave Himself to the agony for us. When we suffer the slings and arrows society throws at us because we follow Him, it’s nothing compared to what Jesus went through. So when you think you’re under pressure, stress and strain for you faith, think about the cross. If Jesus could endure the cross, surely we can endure the little suffering the world gives us for His sake. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Do what you’ve come to do (Matthew 26:50) June 27, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Leviticus 7-9

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:50
Jesus: My friend, do what you have come to do.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

We know the scene well. Judas’ name is more familiar than Hitler’s. He followed Jesus and was part of the inner circle, one of the twelve. He knew Jesus better than most as the Master shared intimate information with those twelve. But something went wrong. Judas let greed or idiology or something get to him and he sold out his loyalty to the Master for just thirty pieces of silver. Despite all he had seen and heard from this man he traveled side by side with for three years, Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priest who wanted Him dead.

Jesus knew he would do it. He identified him as the one, though the other disiciples had no idea it was Judas until it was too late to stop him. Judas slipped out of the Passover supper with the Jesus and the other disciples thought he was going on some mission as the treasurer of the group. Instead, he headed to the chief priest and gave him the sign he would use to betray Jesus in the garden. A company of soldiers accompanied him to the garden where Jesus prayed. Judas approaches Jesus and places the kiss of betrayal on His cheek. The greeting between friends. The betrayal that would begin the most excruciating ordeal of Jesus short life.

Jesus greets Judas with just a few words, “My friend, do what you have come to do.”

There are a couple of things to notice in this very short exchange between Jesus and Judas. First, Jesus called Judas friend. Jesus knew what he did and why. He knew his heart. He knew all that was about to transpire because of that betrayal. Yet Jesus still called him My friend, and I’m sure Jesus meant the words. He counted Judas as His friend.

That tells me Jesus loves us all. Saint and sinner alike, Jesus loves us. He gave His life for all of us. If He calls Judas His friend, He calls all of us friend. We are part of His creation and so He cares for us. He loves us and would do anything for our good. In fact, He did. He gave Himself to pay the penalty we should pay for our sins. Jesus doesn’t count anyone as His enemy, only His friend.

So what does that say to us? How can we spew the vitriol that sometimes comes from the mouths of so-called Christians against this group or that group when Jesus taught us to love our enemies? Does that mean Jesus condoned their actions? Never. Does it mean we condone a sinner’s actions? Never. But how can you win someone to Jesus unless they understand that you see them as a friend, not an enemy? Jesus gave us the example to follow when Judas came to Him in the garden and placed the betrayal kiss on cheek.

Is it easy for us to call everyone friend or to treat everyone as a friend? No. It’s not something we can do in our own strength. We need something beyond ourselves to demonstrate that kind of love. We need God’s Spirit living in us to enable us to love like He loves. We can’t do it alone. We need the resurrection power of that first Easter morning helping us see others as God sees them before we can truly call every person our friend. But it’s possible to do so and Jesus teaches us by His example in the garden with Judas.

The other thing I see in this short exchange is Jesus’ desire that we not procrastinate in our business with Him. Judas was a betrayer and would give His identity to those who would carry Him away to be humiliated, flogged, and crucified. We would probably want to delay the betrayal. Buy ourselves time to avoid the pain and the cross. We would try to push away the agony that was coming. But Jesus just said, get on with it. Stop playing around. Quit trying to pretend things are okay. Stand up and be counted. You are either with Me or against Me. Just own up to who you are. See, it’s only then you can see yourself and let God change you. It’s only then you can truly repent and turn toward Him for forgiveness.

For those who have come to know Jesus as Savior and asked for forgiveness of sins past, for those who have given themselves to Him as Lord of life, His words still carry an important message. Don’t procrastinate in our business with Him. He gave us a mission to do. Go make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them. Don’t wait around for all the stars to align before you do something about it. Get to it. Do His work and don’t dawdle.

Remember His words, “My friend, do what you’ve come to do.” He’s talking to all of us.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Get up, the betrayer is coming (Matthew 26:45-46) June 26, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Philippians 1-2

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:45-46
Jesus: Well, you are still sleeping; are you getting a good long rest? Now the time has come; the Son of Man is just about to be given over to the betrayers and the sinners. Get up; we have to be going. Look, here comes the one who’s going to betray Me.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

I look around at all the rhetoric from every circle about what’s happening in our society today and wonder if Jesus would say the same to us if He were to come to our time. The news is filled with violence and acts of terrorism. Every group cries out for its rights. Whether it’s people in the country without legal status, those demanding acceptance of gender rights, those whose skin pigments differ, those with varied religious beliefs, those screaming their political affiliation and defaming opposing views.

We have come to the point in our country where disagreement means hatred in too many circles. If I don’t agree with your position, I must hate you and therefore I should be marked as an instigator of hate and hate crimes. How did we get to the point in our society that only complete agreement with idiology meant love? I think the answer comes from the last fifty years in which we slipped from relishing the title “Christian Nation” and living those principles, to somehow feeling we were ostracizing some and so we allowed ourselves as Christians to be pushed into the background not just voluntarily, but sometimes eagerly so we would not have to share the message God gave us and hear the abuse of the world.

So now here we are. We live the promise Jesus made, “The world will hate you because of Me.” Yet within the church, those who should be following and looking for His coming, we seem to be asleep. At least in this country we are. You might disagree with me and that’s your privilege, but let me ask a few questions to make my point.

When is the last time you share the gospel with anyone outside the walls of your church? When is the last time you prayed with someone as they gave their life to God? When is the last time you confronted one of your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ with wrongdoing to help them stay on the narrow path and keep the church the spotless bride Christ wants her to be at His coming? When is the last time you spent more than an hour in earnest prayer for something that didn’t involve you or your family? In fact, when is the last time you spent an hour in earnest prayer for anything?

I’m convinced the time is getting short for us to fulfill the mission He gave His disciples that is passed to each of us who call ourselves His followers. He told us to go and make disciples. We cannot do that by sitting within the four walls of our churches. We must share the good news of His sacrificial death for our sins and His resurrection power that demonstrates the truth of His ability to forgive us. We must bring others to Him so they might find forgiveness and enjoy the peace only Jesus can give in these days of evil and violence and terror.

Expect when we share and stand on the truth contained in God’s word that others will hate us. When you tell someone their lifestyle doesn’t stand up to the test of God’s sovereign command, they will hate you. When you share with the world that their end is eternal punishment unless they repent and turn from their evil ways, they will hate you.

And yet there is another problem the early church encountered and we will encounter as the end of time draws near. Did you hear it in Jesus’ words to His sleeping disciples? “…here comes the one who’s going to betray me.” I’m pretty convinced that as the end draws near, many who call themselves Christian will be happy to betray those who are Christian to save their skin. They will be happy to shed the label and reveal who they really belong to so they can live another day. Brother will turn against brother and fathers against sons. Jesus predicts it because we live in an evil world and labels really don’t mean anything. It’s what’s inside that counts.

So as the special interest groups continue to make their case that they are an exception to God’s call to holy living, expect to be hated. As wickedness grows more common and more accepted in society, expect to be hated. As you stand for right and justice according to God’s word, not man’s, expect to be hated.

Jesus told His disciples that night the words we can expect fulfilled now as well. “Now the time has come; the Son of Man (and His followers) are just about to be given over to the betrayers and the sinners.” It’s about time we wake up and get to work. The betrayers are at the door and we still have a lot of work to do before Jesus returns. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

His will, not mine (Matthew 26:42) June 25, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Luke 15-16

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:42
Jesus: Father, if there is no other way for this cup to pass without My drinking it—then not My will, but Yours be done.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Sometimes those are really hard words to mean. They’re easy to say, but hard to live up to. Jesus knew what was coming and didn’t want to go through it. He knew the agony the Romans could inflict on the human body. He’d seen it enough as His countrymen hung on crosses for the crimes they committed against the state. But He was innocent of those crimes, yet knew He would soon face the executioners punishments soon Himself. He didn’t want to pass through that ordeal.

I’m sure if you’ve listened to God long enough, you’ve faced some of those times, too. Things come into our lives we just don’t want to go through. We would rather skip those chapters of our lives and take the easier road if it’s possible. Sometimes it’s just not possible and still be in the Father’s will, though. I remember when I first told my father, that I was called to preach. His answer to me was, “If you can do anything else and be in God’s will, do it.”

I didn’t understand then why he would give me that advice. I do now as I’ve lived under the pressures of ministry and the burden of watching men and women you know are under the conviction of God’s Spirit walk away from Him. But that feeling, is nothing compared to the burden Jesus carried to the cross for us. He carried our sins on His shoulders. In fact, the Father for a short time turned His back on His Son because of the filth of sin He carried for us. Forsaken by His Father. Jesus didn’t want to do it. But it wasn’t His will He was concerned about. It was His Father’s will He would carry out, no matter what.

You can point to situations, circumstance, events in you life you’d not walk through if you could avoid them. I know I would. Painful times that I want to forget. Yet it’s in those painful, almost unbearable times that God seems to call to us and makes us stronger, like iron forged in the furnace. Tempered by the heat it becomes stronger and more durable. That’s what God often does to us in those difficult times we sometimes face.

At other times, I think God takes us through those valleys to prepare us for the next challenge we might face or to give us the tools we need to help someone we will meet on our journey of life. My first three promotions in the Army happened on time, but only after a my name didn’t appear on the promotion list and a multitude of errors were corrected in my records. I felt what it was like to be “passed over” because my name wasn’t on the list. No one knew what to say. Some treated me like a leper. Some knew I must have done some terrible thing in the past to deserve results. Few recognized the possibility of mismanagement of information when the Army transferred from paper to microfiche to electronic records.

But those promotion problems helped me empathize with other officers and NCOs not selected for promotion or schools or commands. I knew what it felt like. I knew what the possibilities might be, also. I knew how to help and how to keep spirits up even in the face of what could be career ending decisions. I’d been there. It took six to nine months to get to the bottom of the problem each time and then end up with a point–5 promotion number. So even when the problem was solved, until the magic day arrived and my name came out on orders, no public documents listed me as promotable during those interim months.

We go through those difficult times for a reason. We may never know this side of eternity in many cases why God let us endure those things. But looking back with 20/20 hindsight, I can almost always see where God has drawn me closer to Him, helped me grow spiritually through the ordeal, or taught me lessons I could use to share with others once I’d been through the problems myself.

It’s easy to say the word, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” It’s much harder to live through the reality of those words as we actually sojourn through life. But the rewards of letting God have His way in our life always turns out best. For His Son, it meant death on the cross, but it also meant experiencing resurrection power three days later. For my promotion debacles it meant a few months of investigative work figuring out what disappeared in records, reconstructing reports, awards, certificates, schools, and so forth. But in the end, promotions came, I could help so many others along the rest of my thirty year career that I would never have known how to help had I not gone through that experience.

As a child of God, there is a reason you face the troubled times you face. Only God knows how you fit into His perfect plan. But you do. Trust Him and know a resurrection morning is coming. Just wait and be amazed at His power released in you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The body is weak! (Matthew 26:40-41) June 24, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Ezekiel 13-18

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:40-41
When He came back to the disciples, He saw that they were asleep. Peter awoke a little less confident and slightly chagrined.
Jesus (to Peter): So you couldn’t keep watch with Me for just one short hour? Now maybe you’re learning: the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Watch and pray and take care that you are not pulled down during a time of testing.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Caught with his hand in the cookie jar! Jesus asked his closest friends to help Him pray during this darkest hour of His life. One of His own was about to betray Him. Jesus knew the guards were on their way to arrest Him. The cross loomed in the distance. His death was imminent.

“Please, watch and pray with me for the next hour to help Me through this awful time in my life.”

Sounds like a simple request, doesn’t it? But Peter, James and John didn’t fulfill their mission. They let the food in their stomachs and the late hour of the evening get to them and they slept while their Master prayed. He comes back and the sound of His sandals on the gravel path arouses Peter. Oops! I was supposed to be praying, not sleeping. Caught!

We’re all guilty. We all get caught. No matter how stealthy you think you might be in covering your actions or hiding your schemes, you can’t. Everything eventually comes out in the open. Just take a look at what happens in the media today with our political candidates. If you think you can hide your past, just look at what comes out from the past on these men and women that want to lead our country. The opposing party is pulling out dirt from every aspect of each others lives. From the time they were young adults to yesterday’s twitter post, the latest misstatement, misaligned thought, maligned look, point of arrogance, or down right bad action for which each never takes ownership pops up in the news.

Nothing is ever really hidden. And so Peter, James, and John get caught. But that’s okay. Jesus understands. I think He’s a little disappointed that these three closest friends didn’t have the stamina to pray with Him for even an hour, but even at this late hour of His life, Jesus uses the incident as a teaching point for them. “Now maybe you’re learning: the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Watch and pray and take care that you are not pulled down during a time of testing.”

So what is the Master telling these three? I’m sure they were thoroughly embarrassed by their inability to stay awake with Jesus. I’m sure they fell over themselves with apologies and truly were sorry for not praying with Him during this hour. I’m sure they promised never to do it again and asked for another chance to redeem themselves even as the night grew longer and darker.

But Jesus understood their position before the coming of the Holy Spirit to live in them and not just with them. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. There are times that we just can’t go on any more. His words remind me of the day I came back from Iraq into our rear headquarters in Dharhan in Saudi Arabia after coalition forces were ordered back in Operation Desert Storm. I told my boss I needed a short nap before I would be much good to him for the next planning phase. I went into the hut several of the medical operations team shared and fell fully clothed into the cot I hadn’t seen in several months to take that short nap. In what a thought was a few minutes, I woke up and discover to my dismay the clock was two hours later than when I laid down. What I didn’t know was a full day had also passed. What I thought was a long two hour nap, was a twenty-six hour exhausted sleep. The spirit was willing, but the body was weak.

I learned that some of the team who held down the rear headquarters while the tactical operations center moved forward checked on me every few hours to make sure I was still breathing, but assumed I needed the sleep and didn’t wake me. I wanted to work as soon as I returned because there was a lot of work to do. But my body said shut down and repair itself after months of twenty-hour days. It just said no more and quit.

God understands our physical limitations. But He also helps us even with those physical limitations. I’m convinced it was His hand on me physically that let me work the grueling schedule I worked in Desert Storm without collapsing until after our return from the front. His sustaining power gave me the strength to endure all those months until my planning skills were no longer immediate concerns for medical support on the battlefield.

We will all face times of testing as the disciples did in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus and as I did with the constant pressures of planning in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. But prayer was high on my list and I felt the prayers of those who were home lifting me to God both for my safety and my ability to perform my tasks well not even knowing what my tasks might be. I knew friends and family were on their knees with my name on their lips.

Now twenty-five years after that conflict, I lift those planners and service members in my prayers daily. Some of them I know by name. Most are nameless to me, but not to God. Are there times my body fails me? Yes. Just passing my sixty-second anniversary of my birth, my body fails more often than I’d like, but I’ve learned to lean more on God so He can empower my spirit to keep at the fight. How about you? 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Does God answer prayer? (Matthew 26:39) June 23, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Proverbs 5-6

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:39
He walked a little farther and finally fell prostrate and prayed.
Jesus: Father, this is the last thing I want. If there is any way, please take this bitter cup from Me. Not My will, but Yours be done.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Have you ever had God not answer your prayers the way you wanted Him to answer them? If you haven’t, then you probably haven’t prayed…ever! I’m pretty positive that everyone who ever prayed more than once has asked God for something He didn’t grant. You see, God isn’t in the business of being a cosmic Santa as too many want to believe. Instead, we need to recognize God as our heavenly Father. Jesus talked about the fact that a father gives good gifts to his children, so if a son asks for a fish, he wouldn’t give him a snake, right?

But we never stop to think that the reverse is also true. When my kids were little, if they asked for a race car, I would probably give them a toy race car. But if they wanted a real one, there is no way, that as a good father I would give them real race car. That would have been foolish. Granting them that request would mean injury or death. They certainly didn’t need a race car and to give it to them would have been a cruel gift to them as their father.

The same is true with many of the things we ask from God. He knows what is best for us. We do not. Sometimes we think we are smarter than God and know all the answers, but we don’t God answers our prayers in a way that is best for us and brings glory to Him. He knows the right answers in every circumstance. He knows how to make every bad situation turn for our best. It may not seem like it at the time, but as a good Father, He gives good things to His children. Always.

When I don’t get what I ask, I often come to this passage and remember that even Jesus, the very Son of God, asked something of His Father and did not receive what He asked. If anyone deserved to get what He asked it would be Jesus. He was God incarnate. The heavenly Father’s Son. He was sinless. He did everything the Father asked of Him. Yet, when it came to asking for relief from the agony of the cross, the Father said, “No. I won’t let you off the hook. You must die for the sins of the world. I know what you have done so far. I know what you ask. I know you don’t deserve this. But the answer is still no.”

So should I feel bad when God turns down my request? I admit sometimes I do, but I try to remember God knows me best and He is my Father. As when my kids were growing up, I don’t always know what is best when I ask for something. God does. I need to stop and remember that when I ask for a fish, He will never give me a snake. Likewise, if I ask for a snake not understanding the danger it holds, He will give me a fish instead because He is a wise and good Father.

The other pattern we see in Jesus’ prayer we here often in Christian circles. Non-believers see it as our excuse for God not doing what we ask of Him, but Jesus’ pattern is clear. “Not My will, but Your will be done.” It’s not the first time Jesus prayed that prayer. He taught His disciples to ask for God’s will to be done when shared a model prayer. He wanted us to realize God’s plan, His will, His desires take precedence over ours. He is God. We are not.

When we figure out that God is God and a perfect Father for His children we can accept, as Jesus did, whatever response we get from our requests to Him. We know He will give us what we need to grow closer to Him. We know He will help us grow and mature in our spiritual life. We know He will prepare us to perform the tasks He has in store for us. We know as a loving, wise Father, He will give us His best since He has already given us His best by giving us His Son for our deliverance.

So does God answer prayer? You bet! Does He always give us what we want? I hope not. Does He give us what’s best for us? Every time. He has our best in mind. If we will remember that one simple fact, like Jesus, we can accept His answers, not matter what they might be. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Prayer partners, good and bad (Matthew 26:36-38) June 22, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Psalms 72-74

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:36-38
Jesus: I am going over there to pray. You sit here while I’m at prayer.
Then He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and He grew sorrowful and deeply distressed.
Jesus: My soul is overwhelmed with grief, to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

Prayer was such an important part of Jesus’ life. We see Him getting away from the crowd and even from His disciples whenever He had important decisions to make. We find Him alone on hillsides, in the mountains, in gardens, slipping away in the night, rising early in the morning. Jesus got away to pray by Himself. He wanted time alone with His Father to discern the best course to take at critical junctures in His life.

In this scene just before Judas comes with a squad of soldiers to place the kiss of betrayal on the Master, Jesus once again slips away to pray alone. But in this instance, as He did when Peter, James, and John witnessed His transfiguration, He asks these three to watch with Him and pray. They cannot understand the incredible strain Jesus is enduring at the moment, but they can still join with Him in prayer…if they will.

They just finished a meal. They consumed some wine. It’s getting late. They’re not sure what they’re praying about. We know what’s about to happen. Have you ever had that problem? Jesus asks them to watch and wait, but their eyes get heavy and they don’t watch very well. But there are a couple of things I think we can learn from the small exchange we see in the first part of this garden scene with Jesus and His closest friends.

First, with Jesus as our pattern, we should go to the Father with every major decision and many if not most of the minor ones we face every day. God is interested in our lives. He wants to help us through the mundane as well as the spectacular. He wants to talk with us and give us the guidance we need to make the best choices in life, not just the good choices. We can’t do that unless we talk with Him regularly about our lives.

Second, when you face difficult times, whether it’s tough decisions, distress, or sorrow as Jesus faced that night, it’s good to have partners in prayer. Jesus took His three closest friends with Him to the deepest part of the garden to pray with Him about this monumental moment that soon would forever change not just history, but the very heart of men and women throughout the rest of time. Jesus wanted His closest friends, those He thought He could count on to help Him pray to help shoulder the spiritual burden He carried that night, to lift their hearts and prayers to His Father along with His own to help Him in this great time of need.

The third thing I learn from these few verses is that Jesus didn’t take all His disciples into this deeper part of the garden. He took only three of His disciples. Did that mean He didn’t have confidence in the others? Not necessarily. But just like each of us have some friends that are closer than others, so did Jesus. Just like we have some friends we can pour our heart out to and know we will not be judged for our thoughts, Jesus probably felt the same way about Peter, James and John. These three were His inner circle. They were His confidants. We need some of those in our lives.

You probably have a lot of associates around you. People who will do things for you and with you. You know their names and a little about them and they know you in the same way. You see them around at church or work or in the neighborhood, but you probably would not list them among your list of friends if you had to start making a list of friends. You probably do have a list of friends. People you invite over to your house often. You know all about them. You might even go on vacations with them. You know you could pick up the phone and ask them for help and they would be there for you. But you don’t tell them your deep dark secrets, because they are not that close. You trust them, but not with your inner secrets. But hopefully, you have two or three people on your list that are like that. You can confide in them. You can pour your heart out to them without judgment. You know they will listen and still be there at the end of the crisis. These confidants are rare in the journey of life and I think Jesus held Peter, James, and John in this last category. We all need just a few of those kinds of folks also.

Finally, even though those close friends, those confidants, those intimate prayer partners may let you down, it’s still good to ask them to help you pray. I think Peter, James, and John probably tried to prayer for a while when Jesus first asked and if they had known the gravity of the situation would have stayed awake longer and prayed better. But even so, it set their mind on the issues that Jesus would soon face. And God probably used this time to make them great prayer warriors later as He reminded them of their failure in the garden. So don’t be afraid to ask partners to pray with you, even if they forget, fail to follow up, fall asleep, or don’t respond in the way you might like. It could be a growing period for all of you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.