April 06, 2014
Evening Service

Jesus has just completed His final Passover meal with his disciples (the Last Supper) and instituted the communion service we still observe every Sunday.  He continues to teach them right up to the end as He explains that the greatest among them will be called their servant.  He also revealed to them that they will sit upon thrones in judgment of the people of Israel. 

Jesus then informed Peter that Satan had desired to “sift you as wheat.”  Peter’s quick reply that he would never forsake the Lord was met with Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s soon denials of Him.  Jesus knew Peter would be tried, but He had prayed for him and also knew he would make it through this trial and surrender himself totally.

Jesus now again begins to warn them that change is coming quickly and they will need to adapt to it.

Luke 22:35-38 And He said to them, when I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals did you lack anything? And they said,” Nothing.”  (36)  And He said to them, “but now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he, who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  (37)  For I say to you that this which is written must yet be accomplished in Me, and he was numbered among the transgressors; for the things concerning Me have an end.”  (38)  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And He said to them, “It is enough.”

• As Jesus had sent them out the first time, they had found all they needed provided for them.  Things were about to change.  This time they would face poverty, hunger, and danger along the way.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53, which is about the suffering servant (Himself), and states all these things that were written were about to be fulfilled in Him.  He also taught the servant will suffer as the Master as well.

 

Luke 22:39-42 And going out, according to His custom, He went to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples also followed Him.  (40)  And when He was at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you do not enter into temptation.”  (41)  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw. And He kneeled down and prayed, (42) saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

• The task that awaited Jesus was a monumental one.  It would supersede any of the temptations Satan himself had presented to Him.  He faced the reality of paying the tremendous price for the sin of the whole world. 
• He spoke from His human side as He prayed for His Father to “remove this cup for Me.”  God in is infinite wisdom, compassion and love answered His only Son’s pleas with a “No”.
•   Jesus also spoke from His human side as He resolved for the final time to surrender His will to His Father’s.  There was no other way.  Notice the result.

 

 Luke 22:43-44 And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him.  (44)  And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

• At the point we surrender our all to God, He goes into action to “strengthen” us to drink the cup we have before us.  Paul stated it like this:

Phill. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

• Did the task now become easy?  No, Jesus continued to pray in “agony” and more “earnestly,” with sweat drops as it were drops of blood.
• We will all find ourselves in this place sometime in our lives.  We will face situations that seem impossible to overcome, just as Jesus faced here but His was on a far greater scale.  We will be asked to walk a path we would not choose, a valley that seems too dark and deep.  
• God did not fail Jesus; He gave Him the strength and resolve He needed to endure the cross.
•  Jesus will never fail us; He will strengthen us to endure “all things” that lie before us.  It does not say “some things,” it says “ALL THINGS!”
• Jesus did overcome, as can we with the Father’s help.

 

Luke 22:46-51 And He said to them,” Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.”  (47)  And as He was yet speaking, behold a crowd! And he who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, went before them. And he drew near Jesus to kiss Him.  (48)  But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”  (49) When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”  (50)  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  (51)  And Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this”. And touching his ear, He healed him.

• Betrayed by a kiss from one who He had invested greatly in.  It was just a few short hours ago that Jesus had washed Judas’ feet in humility and now he betrays Him with an act that should be done in love.
• The disciples sensed what was happening, but reacted as we all would; fight.  I have no doubt that they all would have fought valiantly and died defending their teacher.  This is not the way God had planned it.  Man’s ways are not God’s ways.
• How many times do we find ourselves in that place?  Our natural reaction is to fight or lash out, but that is totally opposite of what the Spirit would have us do.  We are called to be strong and courageous, but to do it with love.

 

1Co 16:13-14 Be on guard! Stand true to what you believe! Be courageous! Be strong!  (14)  Everything you do must be done with love.

• I tell you it takes more strength and courage to act as God wishes us to than to fight as our flesh calls us to.

 

Luke 22:52-54 And Jesus said to the chief priests and commanders of the temple, and the elders, who had come to Him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and staves?  (53)  When I was with you in the temple daily, you did not stretch out your hand on Me. But this is your hour, and the authority of the darkness.”  (54)  And laying hold on Him, they led Him away and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

• Jesus had not once raised His hand to anyone.  He taught only of love and devotion to God, yet they came to arrest Him as a common criminal with a great show of force and power.
• They would not arrest during the day (light), but came at night (darkness).
• This was the hour of the “power of darkness,” only because God allowed it to be so. 
• This is shown clearly in the account of this event in John’s gospel

 

John 18:1-11  Having spoken these words, Jesus went out with His disciples over the winter stream Kidron, where there was a garden. He and His disciples entered into it.  (2)  And Judas who betrayed Him also knew the place. For Jesus oftentimes went there with His disciples.  (3)  Then Judas, having received a band and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

 

 (4)  Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”  (5)  They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them,” I AM!” And Judas who betrayed Him also stood with them.  (6)  Then as soon as He had said to them, “I AM,” they went backward and fell to the ground.

 

 (7)  Then He asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.  (8)  Jesus answered, “I have told you that I AM. Therefore if you seek Me, let these go away;” (9)  (that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost not one of them").  (10)  Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. And the servant's name was Malchus.  (11)  Then Jesus said to Peter, Put up your sword into the sheath. The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it? 

• The power of a single word from Jesus knocked all those strong men to the ground.  He was taken only because He had given Himself over to do God’s Will.

 

God’s Will was for His only begotten Son to give His life for our sins.  Praise Him for His perfect plan.

 

Hebrews 12:2  looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

 

Lord, may we forever praise You for this wonderful gift of salvation that came at the ultimate price.