Monthly Archives: January 2022

Luke 22- Merciful Savior

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And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. Luke 22:31-33

The Apostle Peter is probably one of the most famous people in the Bible, often most people refer to when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter meaning “Rock” in Hebrew. Peter was one of Jesus’ first disciples, an outspoken fisherman who had alot of passion and leadership qualities. However Jesus had a message to Peter “Satan has desired to sift you like wheat” This reminds me of the words Peter would eventually write “The devils walks around like a roaring lion, looking to whom to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

Notice Peter’s response to Jesus “I’m ready to go with You (Christ) to prison or death” Peter proclaimed he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus, sounds like very convincing words. However we know that it’s one thing to say something , its another thing to actually follow through with it. Peter was about to get tested as a disciple of Christ, will he pass the test or fall on hollow words?

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:34

Jesus gave Peter a shocking revelation, “You (Peter) will deny me 3 times before the day is over” These words must have been like daggers to the heart of Peter, especially coming from Christ. How can this happen? Well we need to remember that Peter and all the disciples were just sinful, mortal humans like us. Anything that they ever accomplished, whether it be diving revelation or healings, were because of the Holy Spirit living inside of them. 

Now lets give Peter some credit, he left everything behind to follow Christ. However when the time came for Peter to give up his life for Jesus, he wasn’t ready, he failed The Lord. He denied Jesus three times before others, just as The Lord had prophesied. However at the end of the gospel of John, we see how merciful and loving Christ is. Not only did he forgive Peter, but He pursued Peter to let him know everything was alright

We are going to fail Jesus also, even though we profess Christ is our Lord and we give our lives to him, we are mortal sinners also and will fall short from time to time. The good news is Christ is merciful and His love endures forever!  Peter went on to complete his race, to answer his calling, even eventually dying for The Lord. You can complete your race also, because our God will never fail, Amen!

Luke 22- Who Is The Greatest?

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And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Luke 22:24-27

While Jesus preached a message of humility and sacrifice, the disciples fought among themselves about who was the greatest disciple. This is the problem with our human nature, even the people who were in Jesus inner circle, were the students of the Son of God, still failed at denying their flesh. But Jesus was going to give his disciples and us, the true requirements to being considered “great” in the Kingdom of God

Jesus said “You should not be like them” When we think about how the world judges greatness, its usually based on popularity, money, looks, or athletic ability. It’s all carnal, it’s all driven by the flesh, there are no fruits of the Holy Spirit that are evident to the popularity of this fallen world. During this time of the Pandemic, people started to realize who the “real” heroes are in the world. They were people who actually helped or serviced other people. They were people who gave back and sacrificed for the greater good of humanity. 

Jesus said “If you want to be great , then be like a child” What did Christ mean by this? Well children typically are not driven by worldly things, they don’t have large egos where they will shun a specific population or refuse to lend a hand. When we look through the world in the eyes of a child, then we start to understand what it takes to be great in Gods Kingdom. Deny yourself, Carry your cross, and follow Jesus, (Matthew 16:24) 

Jesus also said “The One who leads is the One who serves” , Christ demonstrated this when he washed the feet of his disciples. Imagine the Son of God, washing the feet of sinful people. What would Jesus do? Follow his example in humility and leadership. You don’t have to be a dictator to be an effective leader, Jesus was the greatest leader of all time and died for our sins, think about that

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Luke 22:28-30

Now the lesson wasn’t all bad for the disciples, Jesus commended them for standing by him through all the trials and temptations. And notice the promise Christ gave them, to sit at the Lords Table in Gods Kingdom. This very same promise is extended to you also, all those who humble themselves, and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Amen!

Luke 22- The Lord’s Supper

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And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:14-20

 Christians might wonder, where did the sacrament of Communion originate? It originated right here at the Lord’s Supper. The day before Jesus went to the cross to be our Passover Lamb, he shared a meal with his disciples. Jesus took the bread, broke it , and distributed among his disciples and said “This is my body given for You, Do this in remembrance of Me” The bread is symbolic of Christ body broken on the cross for the penalty of our sins

Then Jesus took the cup, and said “This Cup is the New Covenant/Testament, which I shed for You” The cup of wine is symbolic of the blood of Christ shed for our sins, our sins washed by the blood of the Lamb. Also the blood of Christ is the sign of the New Covenant, the Better Covenant that makes us Children of God, Jew and Gentile , through Jesus Christ

Notice Jesus said “ Do this In Remembrance of Me” this was a commandment or sacrament Christ gave to us. Everytime we partake of the bread and cup, we are proclaiming The Lord’s death, resurrection, and His return. Jesus wants communion/fellowship with us, don’t neglect coming to The Lord’s table

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. Luke 22:21-23

Jesus again prophesies about his death, the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world (John 1:29) As Judas, the son of perdition, betrayed the Son of God to fulfill God’s will of redeeming humanity of their sins. When we partake in Communion/Lords Supper, we should reflect upon what Jesus has done for us and that Christ is returning again soon to establish His eternal Kingdom

We shouldn’t neglect coming to The Lord’s table, we do this in remembrance of Christ. We should mourn and rejoice everytime we come to The Table, knowing your a sinner but the sinless Lamb of God washed you clean by His sacrifice on the cross, Amen

Luke 22- Brotherhood Betrayal

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Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Luke 22:1-4

Betrayal sometimes comes from the place you least expect it. Its hard to believe Judas was  actually an Apostle of Christ. Judas was in the inner circle of the Son of God, heard all Christ teachings, he witnessed countless miracles, yet Judas still betrayed the Son of God. Why? Because it says “Satan entered into Judas” Was this literal or metaphorical, regardless Satan influenced Judas to give up his soul for 30 pieces of silver.This is why Jesus warned his disciples to beware and stay alert, keep yourself from sin

Satan wanted to kill off the Messiah, so he deceived and used anyone he could including chief priests and Apostles, don’t think Satan can’t deceive you also. These were all men who knew the scriptures, they have all witnessed the miracles, yet they were blinded by their sin. Let this be a dire warning to all of us, don’t be deceived, cling closely to The Lord and not of this world

And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Luke 22:5-6

Now at a quick glance, this might have seemed like a victory for Satan. He persuaded one of Christ’s own disciples to betray him. However God is always in complete control! God took the evil plot by Satan and used it for our good, (Romans 8:28) Judas became a fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11)

This obviously brings up the interesting debate between our free will and God’s sovereignty. Did Judas even have a choice to betray Jesus?  I think so, God never told Judas he needed to betray Christ, Judas chose to follow his lust for money and listen to Satan. However God already knew Judas was going to betray Christ, and used his evil to fulfill the requirements of the Messiah’s sacrifice for the atonement of our sins.

I know this is difficult for our human minds to comprehend, but remember God is outside of time, space, and matter. God is eternal and already knows the beginning and the end, He knows the days of your life , however you still have the free will to choose the way of life or death. Its a difficult topic to comprehend , that’s why Christians have spent centuries , even still today, arguing over soteriology.

Just know this, God is in complete control, God will take what was meant for your harm and use it for your good, you are saved through Jesus Christ Amen!