Year 3 Day 193

Thursday, March 18

Read Luke 22

Think About It:

1. It was the religious leaders who wanted to get rid of Jesus. He was upsetting their political agenda. The common people loved Him. So, the plan was made to capture Him in the absence of a crowd. It’s interesting to read in verse 3 how Satan entered into Judas. Judas was weak willed, which gave opportunity to Satan, but the betrayal was certainly the work of Jesus’ true adversary. Evil spirits are real. In this case it was Satan himself.
2. Jesus was full of zeal and passion for God’s will to be done. (verse 15) He knew the fulfillment of the Passover would soon happen, He himself was the Lamb to be slain. The ‘drama’ played out in front of His disciples and others who were there. In the garden Peter, James, and John fell asleep during this time of intense prayer. They obviously heard Jesus’ prayers since we have this biblical account. Peter tried to stand up for Jesus but ended up denying Him three times. After the third time, Jesus turned and looked at him. (verse 61) Was he close enough for Jesus to hear his profane denials? Did their eyes meet? What did Jesus’ look convey to Peter? He went out and wept bitterly. The answer is to always stay close to Jesus, close enough to look into His eyes by faith. Don’t go out from Him. He is always looking at us, but it takes some time for us to understand how He looks at us. Sometimes we think we know what He’s thinking about us, but we need to know what He’s really thinking about us. His love is amazing!

Family Time:

1. The disciples were arguing about who was better in verses 24-30. Have you ever argued with someone about who was better? Did arguing about that make you feel good? Does it really matter who is better at something? What about in your heart? You don’t always have to argue out loud. Sometimes we look at others and think we are better. We may not say it, but our actions will show it, and everyone can see. Or maybe we look at someone and think they are better than us. That might make us feel bad. As long as we do our best, other people do not matter. What does Jesus tell His disciples about this?
2. We have heard a lot about watching and being ready. Were the disciples ‘watching and ready’ while Jesus went aside to pray? What were they doing when He came back?
3. Read verses 50-51. The servant of the high priest was there to arrest Jesus. Jesus healed his ear. Stop and think what that moment must have been like for this man, this enemy of Jesus. How can we learn from this? How should we treat our enemies?