March 13, 2016
Evening Service

This morning we heard how the common thread through the scriptures has been the blood.  It began with Cain and Abel was set into motion with the Passover lamb and was completed with Jesus upon the cross.  As the disciples ate the Passover meal with Jesus in the upper room, He explained to them that He was the Passover Lamb.

Luke 22:19-20 And He took bread and gave thanks, and He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me.”  (20)  In the same way He took the cup, after having dined, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is being poured out for you.”

·         It was His blood that bought this new covenant that is available, not only to the Israelite people, but to “whosoever will.”  That includes us.

·         There was very little time for the disciples to digest what Jesus had just told them as things begin to happen very quickly now.

 

Luke 22:21-23 “But, behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.  (22)  And truly the Son of Man goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”  (23)  And they began to inquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing.

·         According to John’s gospel, at the beginning of this meal Jesus had washed all the disciples’ feet.  This included Judas who already had plans to betray Him.  Have you ever been asked to do something good for someone who has hurt you?  Think of Jesus’ example here next time and learn from Him.

·         The disciples began questioning among themselves who the betrayer might be and this sparks another argument among them.

 

Luke 22:24-30 And there was also a dispute among them as to which of them seems to be greater.  (25)  And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them. And they who exercise authority on them are called benefactors.  (26)  But you shall not be so: but the greater among you, let him be as the lesser, and he who governs, as one who serves.  (27)  For which is the greater; he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who reclines? But I am among you as He who serves.  (28)  You are those who have continued with Me in My trials.  (29)  And I appoint a kingdom to you, as My Father has appointed to Me, (30)  that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

·         Jesus reveals to them that the definition of greatness for the world differs from God’s definition of greatness.  It is not the one with power and authority that is great, it is the greatest one who serves others.  Jesus’ words had just been backed up by His actions earlier when He had washed all of their feet.  This was a task always given to the lowest of the servants, yet Jesus had humbled Himself to do it.

·         There is no greater act of worship than to humble yourself and serve others.  There also is no greater feeling of contentment than when you do this.

·         Does this make you feel any different about the waitress you had for lunch today?

·         This should also make you feel very good about yourself when you do acts of service for others and no one notices (but God does).  That is greatness in action.

·         Jesus now turns to Peter (the leader of the apostles) and reveals to him what the night holds.

 

Luke 22:31-34  And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, that he may sift you as wheat.  (32)  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. And when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.”  (33)  And he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both into prison and into death.”  (34)  And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before you shall deny knowing Me three times.”

·         It is not by mistake that it is Peter who is singled out to deny Christ.  The others will see that if their leader can fail, so can they.  Jesus again shows a view that is different from the world when He tells the one who fails to strengthen the others.  It is often through our trials and weaknesses that our greatest testimonies are born.

·         Peter’s true understanding comes later after “bitter” tears.  He is still looking at things from a worldly perspective.  I believe if there had been a battle later in the garden, Peter would have fought to the death as he promised.  Again we see God’s ways are not man’s ways.

 

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 reckoned 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.”

·         Jesus certainly was not encouraging the disciples to act in violence.  He is warning them that from here on their ministry will be a battle and they need to be prepared for anything that comes their way.  Are we prepared for the spiritual battle that now faces all of us?  Jesus was about to make preparations for the battle He was about to face.

 

Luke 22:39-4 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.”  (43)  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.  (45)  And when He rose up from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping because of sorrow.  (46)  And He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.”

·         I don’t think there is a more powerful picture given of Jesus’ humanity than His time in the garden.  It was the ultimate surrender of His human emotions to God’s divine plan of salvation.  He asked for it to pass from Him, yet also surrenders His will to God’s.

·         We have never been faced with this degree of sacrifice, but we have all faced this on smaller scales.  We have prayed for a good report from the doctor, a healing, someone’s change of heart, or any number of other circumstances yet God said “No.”  We are then challenged to follow our faith and trust that God knows best.  We are forced to take a dark road that we would not have chosen on our own. God simply asks us to trust Him to carry us through.  Have you been there?

·         It takes our total surrender to be able to accept God’s will and walk willingly down that road.  We know that He promises to go with us.

·         Notice also that after Jesus’ surrender is when God sends an angel to strengthen Him (verse 43).  Here is another definition that is contrary to what the world thinks.  We are never stronger than when we surrender.

 

Luke 22:47-53  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)  And 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.  (52)  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.”

·         John’s gospel describes this scene in more detail and identifies Peter as the swordsman.  Jesus however deescalates the situation with the rebuke of Peter and the healing of the servants’ ear.  He allows Himself to be taken.

 

Luke 22:54-62 And laying hold on Him, they led Him away and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.  (55)  And lighting a fire in the middle of the court, and they sitting down, Peter sat in their midst.  (56)  But a certain slave-girl saw him as he sat by the fire and earnestly looked on him and said, “This man was with him also.”  (57)  And he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”  (58)  And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” And Peter said, “Man, I am not!”  (59)  And about an hour afterward, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this one was also with him, for he is a Galilean.”  (60)  And Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you say.” And immediately, while he still spoke, the cock crowed.  (61)  And the Lord turned and looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times.”  (62)  And Peter went out and wept bitterly.

·         Can you picture the scene as Jesus looks back at Peter?  How broken and ashamed he must have felt at that moment.

 

·         Have you been there?  Have you ever been tested and fallen flat on your face, denying Christ just as Peter did?  It is not a pleasant feeling, failure.  But when we are weak, then He is strong.  As we ask forgiveness, He grants it (I John 1:9).  Remember Jesus told Peter “after you have returned, strengthen the others.” 

·         Our biggest failures are often our greatest testimonies.

 

What a whirlwind of events have occurred today.  The last supper with the true revelation of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, prayer and surrender in the garden, betrayed by a friend, and denied by another. Jesus is now in the custody of those who will mock, scourge and crucify Him.

 

Lord help us to be great as we serve, surrender to Your will and always be ready to testify of our weakness and Your strength.