The Way - Day 022 (Luke 22)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Luke 22:146
Since Jesus and his disciples had arrived at the upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover (22:1-13), many things had taken place. Judas had conspired with the religious leaders to betray Jesus (22:1-6) and then he attended the Passover celebration with the other disciples where Jesus revealed that He would become the sacrifice for sin (22:14-20). In the midst of all that was happening, Jesus also revealed that someone would betray Him, which caused the disciples to speculate who would do this thing (22:21-23). The disciples began to arrogantly discuss who was the greatest among them until Jesus finally put a stop to their shallow conversation by reminding them that greatness is not found in having authority, but in serving others (22:24-30). In a surprising twist to the story Jesus turns to Simon Peter, who was often the spokesman for the disciples, and warns against his overconfidence saying, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (22:31-32). Satan cannot bring trials or temptations upon believers unless God has given His consent and in this case it seems as if God allowed Satan test Peter's devotion. Jesus' words indicate that He knew Peter would fail the test, but He also provided hope of restoration after his denial. Peter reacted to Jesus' revelation saying, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death" (22:33), but Jesus responded saying, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me" (22:34). This conversation between Jesus and Peter should also serve as a warning to us - no matter how strong we think we are, we can fall in a moment.

After these conversations, Jesus and His disciples depart to the Mount of Olives and when they arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane He said, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation" (22:39-40). Jesus had already warned them of the coming trials and He took the time to warn them again knowing the pray would be the only thing which would sustain them through the next several hours. Jesus then withdrew from the disciples and prayed to God the Father, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (22:41-42). The cup Jesus referred to was the cup of God's divine wrath being poured out on sin. Sin had to be judged and the only way to satisfy God's wrath on sin was to put to death the sinner. God the Father was about to place the sins of mankind upon His own Son, Jesus Christ, and put Him to death for sins He did not commit; therefore, Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for sin so that human beings did not have to die to pay for their own sin. So when Jesus was praying for the cup to be taken away, He was asking God that if there was any other way to pay for the sins of mankind, that He would consider it; however, Jesus fully submitted to God's plan even though that meant suffering and death. Since Jesus was bearing the sins of man on His own, God sent an angel to strengthen Him during His time of tremendous burden (22:43). The burden Jesus was carrying was so great that even "His sweat became like great drops of blood..." (22:44). When Jesus finally arose from prayer, He found His disciples sleeping from so much emotional strain so He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (22:45-46). Jesus knew that they were about to face the greatest trial of their lives. Each day we also face trials and temptations from the forces of evil, but we must pray that God will sustain us during these times. Following Christ is not always an easy path to travel, but God promised not to allow us to face more than we can handle. Listen to the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Luke 22:47-71
At the conclusion of chapter 22, Luke gives an account of two betrayals: Judas (22:47-53) and Peter (22:54-62). Both of these men were part of Jesus' twelve disciples that He had spent most of His earthly ministry training and they had every opportunity to observe the heart of Jesus. Luke had already revealed that Judas had conspired together with the religious leaders who were seeking an opportune time to put Jesus to death (22:1-6) and the time had finally come. Following Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (22:39-46), Judas appears with a multitude and "drew near to Jesus to kiss Him" (22:47). The kiss was apparently a signal to the heavily armed soldiers accompanying Judas that He was the one. Jesus responds to Judas' betrayal by asking, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (22:48). The disciples, who were surprised by the appearance of Judas and the soldiers, asked Jesus, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (22:49). The gospel of John reveals that Peter took action immediately by cutting off the ear of one of the soldiers named Malchus (Luke 22:50; John 18:10), but Jesus told his disciples to allow the betrayal and arrest to take place (22:51a). Even though all four gospels document this incident, only Luke documents that Jesus healed the ear of Malchus (22:51b). Through this miracle, Jesus demonstrated His willingness to show grace to even His enemies. The demonstration of Jesus' power here did not gain the attention of those who had come to take Him captive. Jesus then questioned the necessity of bringing soldiers and a multitude saying, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (22:52-53). Judas' betrayal of Jesus was one of rebellion and a demonstration that his faith was not genuine.

After they had arrested Jesus, they took Him to the high priest's house and Luke reveals that Peter followed Him at a distance (22:54). Over the next couple hours, three different people recognized Peter as one of Jesus' disciples, but each time he denied that he even knew Jesus (22:55-60a). Peter's three denials fulfilled Jesus' words in Luke 22:31-34 and immediately after his third denial, the rooster crowed (22:60b). Only Luke records what happens next, "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So Peter went out and wept bitterly" (22:61-62). There is such a difference in the two betrayals. Judas betrayed Jesus because his faith was not real, while Peter betrayed Him because of fear and weakness. God shows mercy to those who deny Him in a moment of weakness, but those who willingly and continually deny Him with their words and lives will face judgment. Jesus is then mocked and beaten by the soldiers (22:63-65) before appearing before the religious leaders who ultimately find Him guilty of blasphemy because He claimed to be the Son of God (22:66-71). Jesus suffered through all of this to take away my sin and yours. The prophet Isaiah said it best hundreds of years earlier when he foretold the mission of the Messiah, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Dear God, even though Your Son experienced betrayal and suffering, thank You for loving me so much that You laid my sin on Him.