Maundy Thursday Heartbreak

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” -Matthew 26:26-30

This dinner breaks my heart. Jesus knows. Jesus knows that Peter will deny him, Judas will betray him, the rest will abandon him, and he will be left to face torture and death completely alone. Jesus knows all that and he still has one last dinner with his friends who he knew would desert him. Jesus knows all that and still washes their feet, still encourages them, and still hands them the Cup.  Jesus was not surprised by his disciples’ failings. He came into the world because of their failings, to redeem them and to redeem us.

Challenge: Jesus wants you to know that he loves you no matter what. Go through your day today remembering that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, nothing can ever separate you from his love (Rom 8:38-39).

Jesus Predicts Peter's Betrayal

“Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

-John 13:36-38

I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it is to have your best friend look you in the eyes and say, with absolute certainty, that you will betray him. I'm sure it wasn't a fun conversation for Jesus either, but if you're going to follow Jesus you're going to learn quickly that you're not who you thought you were.

Challenge: What do you pride yourself on? Whether you think of yourself as smart, patient, or strong scripture says that our goodness, our righteousness, is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Confess your pride to God today, and be refreshed by his forgiveness. He is not surprised when we mess up, and he is not slow to forgive.

The Stones Will Cry Out

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

-Luke 19:37-40

“God will be glorified” seems to be an immutable law of the universe. Whether because of, or in spite of the efforts of man, God's greatness will be made proclaimed in all creation. That is part of why it is incredible and honoring that God bothers with humans at all. He doesn't need anything from us. He doesn't need our good works, our praise, or our generosity, but he asks for these things in order to include us.

Challenge: Keep your eyes open today. Look for the glory of God is scripture, creation, and in others. Praise God for what you've seen at the end of the day.

By This All Men Will Know That You Are My Disciples

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

Once I was hanging out with my friend Tara and she wanted to write something down in her Bible and asked, “David, can I borrow a pin?”

“A what?” I asked

“A pin!” she said

“Why do you need a pin?”

“For writin', duh!”

Tara is from Texas and cannot say the word “pen” to save her life. Having grown up in Texas she has never heard the word pronounced any differently, and she remains convinced that my way of saying the word “pen” is absurd and nasal. 

 

Accents are fun things. We've all got one and for the most part we don't notice them until we meet someone different from us. We usually grow up surrounded by one type of accent and when we meet a new one it is outlandish and grating. This is what it is like when folks meet disciples, it's startling and confusing. Jesus' Disciples are weird, and they're wired in the same ways Jesus is weird. Instead of looking out for their own interest they look out for others, they love freely and forgive joyfully. They repay evil with good and love their enemies, and most incredibly, they don't seem to notice they're doing it.

Challenge: Does this sound like you? Do people notice God's love in you? People will notice God in you if you're hooked into the source of love. Jesus is so radically and unconditionally in love with you that you could discover a new level of his love every day for your whole life and still not fully discovered the depth and width of his love for you. Confess to Jesus the ways you've failed to love perfectly, but don't dwell on those sins, Jesus sure won't. Instead dwell on the instant and joyful forgiveness God offers you every moment of every day.

Love & Curses

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

Jesus' message is good news, which he shared and preached with love and patience. He forgave and ate with sinners who society had rejected, he touched the unclean and gave hope to the hopeless. We Christians who know how good God is, can get very offended and angry with people who hate our Lord who we have every reason to love. Jesus however, does not lose patience so easily. When James and John wanted to call down curses Jesus rebuked them. Jesus knew that kindness, love, and the Holy Spirit draw people to faith, and that revenge and resentment have no place in a Christian's heart.

Challenge: Who makes you really mad? This could be a sibling, a political movement, an author, or anyone else. Take a moment to remember that Jesus died for their sin too; Jesus loves them as much as he loves you, and you are just as in need of forgiveness as they are. Let go of anger and resentment and allow God's love for you, and for them, to replace your hurt.

Human Concerns

The logical follow-up to yesterday; written by the only logical person.  Thanks again Beth.

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matt 16:21-23

I love this passage. I hate this passage. It’s been a strange relationship. I’m fascinated about when this happens. Just a couple verses ago, Jesus blessed Peter for speaking his faith boldly. Today, instead of seeing God speaking through Peter, Jesus sees Satan. That’s a pretty drastic change.

Peter can be so spot on one moment, and then out in left field the next. As a kid, I used to think he was stupid. The older I get, the more I see my face reflected in his foolishness. God has called this instance to my mind many, many times. I have a lot of ideas about what God wants. I think many of us do. We tell God that He does things this way, that His justice looks like this and that He wouldn’t do that. We put our ideas for us and for other people in His mouth.
Peter didn’t know that trying to keep his Jesus from death would have kept the world from the overwhelming Grace and Salvation that God had planned from the beginning. We don’t know what we may be trying to keep back by wanting God to do things our way.

Challenge:
What things are you trying to control today? Hand these things over to God, and let His Will be done. He has only the best for you.

Who do you say I am?

Today's thought has been brought to you by the lovely and vivacious Beth.

 

“Jesus...asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied “...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt. 16:13-16, 18
Peter’s statement is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. It’s such a simple thing. He just answered Jesus’ question with what he could see as the truth. He didn’t know that one day that answer would cost him his life. But I think, even if he knew, he still would have given the same answer.
A lot of people look at this scripture as a testament to Peter’s great faith. Jesus told him this was not from him, but from God. We don’t have the sense or the strength to see and speak truth on our own. Too many things intimidate us, distract us and dishearten us. Even if we know the truth, by ourselves, we can’t speak it. But God’s Spirit is one of His great gifts to us. By His Spirit, we know who our Savior is, and we have the courage to trust Him. May God renew that courage, not only to know who you say Jesus is, but to let God live it out in you.


Challenge:
How do you think you would have answered if Jesus asked you who you say he is? Why? Spend some time getting to know the person of Jesus today, and who that makes you.

Who Is The Greatest?

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” -Mark 9:33-35

Whenever the disciples do something stupid I'm tempted to say that I would have acted differently. Honestly though, John is my favorite, and I'd have argued that he was better than Peter until I was blue in the face. Jesus ended that insipid debate expertly. Jesus is impressed by humility and service, not by power or authority. He taught his disciples to honor service, and proceeded to set the greatest example of service.

Challenge: Who do you know that does an incredible job of serving? Thank them today. Find a way to serve them.