Like so many of the others we've talked about, this passage contains so much. I'd love to hear which part resonated with you...and why. Was it the sleeping disciples? Peter? The Sanhedrin? What jumped out at you and why?
There are two pieces that spoke to me today:
1. Jesus' prayer. I love that Jesus was wrestling with what He was facing. It is one thing for us to look at the life of Jesus and think, "Well, He's Jesus - He's perfect and doesn't have to face what we have to face." Jesus was facing death for crimes He didn't commit. Those that He spoke into existence were going to nail Him to a cross. And He had the power to stop it all. Yet His simple prayer was, "Not my will, but Yours be done." I want to have the courage and peace and mindset to say those words with all my heart. And then I want to live them out.
2. In the midst of Jesus' arrest, Peter pulled his sword and was ready to fight. I believe that this is a mistake many of us make. We believe that we are called to fight in the same ways the world fights - with swords. Some of the greatest setbacks of the Kingdom have to do with those who have choosen the physical weapons of our world. I believe Jesus looks at us and says, "Put away your sword." We are not fighting against flesh and blood. We are fighting against darkness and the subtle yet powerful presence of evil in this world. The only means we have that will prevail is our choice to love.
Now it's your turn. I talk and type too much. I want to hear what is on your mind as you read these scriptures. What is God stirring in you? Don't be shy...let's hear it.
2.10.2009
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The anointing of Jesus by the woman as described in verses 6-13 has always struck me as odd, given the scriptural reference from the Old through the New Testaments of the importance of attending to the poor. On the one hand it appears that Christ is somehow advancing his own agenda, his own comfort, encouraging the honoring of himself over the disciples suggestion that this ointment/perfume, might best be sold to provide for the poor. The commentaries I have read point out that in the context of the Passover, the disciples would have been particularly attuned to “caring for the poor”, as this was the custom and culture of the both the season (Passover) and the Jewish religious tradition.
ReplyDeleteThey were, shall we say, predisposed to this type of observation. Beyond the facile and incorrect, conclusion that Jesus was being callous, there is the much deeper and powerful truth. The ointment or perfume that was likely being applied was very expensive as it is speculated that it was nard, which came from India. It was speculated that this might have been an heirloom of some description and to the woman who came to Jesus to express her love, it was enormously sacrificial. This brought to my mind the cost of being a true and committed follower of Jesus. A disciple that is fully committed is prepared to make a sacrificial investment of time, money and talent. It is, at its very essence and “all in” proposition. Contrast this to the betrayal which is referred to in the following passages, which clearly shows that Judas, in the face of possibly facing punishment and perhaps even death for being a follower, sells out his Savior for the price of a slave. There appeared to be nothing in it for him, therefore he “cashed out” so that at least a monetary return was realized.
The cost in truly and sincerely following Christ is high and I am reminded that I must count the cost and embrace it. It is a decision that demands full commitment, not otherwise.
Right after Judas kisses Jesus, in v. 50, Jesus says, "Friend, do what you came for."
ReplyDeleteI'm stuck on the thought that Jesus still calls Judas his friend (or "companion"...using what little Greek i know!) while knowing completely what is about to happen and that Judas was betraying him.
As i put myself in Jesus' shoes, i wonder, "Would i refer to someone in my close circle who has back-stabbed me as 'friend'?" yikes...
and as i put myself in Judas' shoes, i wonder, "How many times have I betrayed Jesus...yet he still calls me 'friend'?" wow...
so soft is the heart of our Lord and Savior...
I view Gethsemane as being as torturous to the soul and Spirit of Jesus as the cross was physically. Here for the first time I see his will diverge from our Father's. (Not my will but Yours). This desire/temptation to not want to do what Father wanted had to be excruciating. And yet He still remained obedient. Paul wrote in Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." All Jesus could do here was "come boldly to the throne of Grace,". And Paul gives us a promise in the next verse that when we do this "we will obtain mercy and grace in our time of need", just as Jesus was strengthened in His ordeal. I pray daily for myself, our church, and the entire Body of Christ to continually come boldly to that throne of God's grace so that we will embrace that kind of reliance on, trust in, love of and obedience to our Father as Jesus did in the Garden that night.
ReplyDeleteAll power and love in His name
Kris
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ReplyDeleteWhat hit me the most was in the garden when Jesus was praying and the struggle He was going through. but in the end He said not my will but thy will be done wow what a God we serve have any of us been that sacrificial? I feel that for me I need to keep those words in my forefront not my will but Gods!
ReplyDeleteI think the prophecy in II Samuel 7:16 "Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before Me, and your throne will be secure forever." or one like it told the religious leaders that they would not lose control before the Messiah arrived. They did lose the right to corporal punishment around the time Jesus was born. It was 33 years before He arrived on the public scene. I've heard that many lost hope for the Messiah during those years (not knowing He was already here).
ReplyDeleteI also see Peter's denial as a result of a paradigm shift. He said in v. 35 "Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny You!" John tells us it was Peter that cut off the servant's ear at the arrest. That's the way he pictured it going down. He'd risk his life to start a battle. When Jesus corrected him... he was lost. No frame of reference for this one.