Day 40 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus - More of Jesus Devotional

The soldiers mock Jesus.

Micah Abeloe

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the

governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.” Matthew 27: 27-31.

This scripture is very troubling to me along with all the rest of the scriptures that talk about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. This bit talks about the soldiers mocking Jesus. These are Roman soldiers and their job was to disgrace and humiliate people before they hung them on a cross. They had also brought Him before 600 other soldiers as they performed these humiliating acts. Jesus does not try and defend Himself during this. Scripture tells us He is silent as they mock His claims of who He is and what He has come to earth to do. Jesus is left there, bloodied and beaten, mocked and scorned by many. It is hard for me to see the most powerful person in the entire history of the world in this state and not flexing an ounce muscle at all! This is the Creator of all, even the people who are mocking Him! All our hearts scream for justice on Jesus’ behalf! Jesus accepts His fate and does not resist. It is utterly super human. The fact that He is God is the most astonishing factor to me. It begs the question of why He did it?! What does He see in us to endure this amount of humiliation?! This is the Creator of everything being beaten and mocked for doing absolutely nothing wrong! I’m at a loss for words...

Questions:

• -  Jesus was silent through this humiliation. He didn’t speak up for Himself. Maybe in His silence, He was speaking in a language that words cannot convey. In His silence, He was telling of His great love for you. How does that affect you today?
  
  
• -  Knowing all of what you know about Jesus, if you could go back in time and be right there as this is situation is taking place, could you kneel next to Him, look at his bloodied, swollen and marred face, and, thank Him for what He is going through for you? Could you accept, right then and there, that He is going through this for you? Could you hug His battered, bloody body and tell Him you’re thankful that He’s accepting this punishment for you?
  
  
• -  Can you see yourself as Jesus does? Worth dying and going through a ridiculous amount of humiliation for?
  
  
• -  Would you be willing to endure this kind of humiliation or less, for Jesus’ sake? 

Day 39 - Chosen - More of Jesus Devotional

Chosen

Zema Chambers

In the throes of such an emotional week in the life of Jesus, there was a man sitting in the depths of a prison. He was certain he would rot there barring something unforeseen. Barabbas earned a sentence of murder and rebellion. He knew his days were numbered. Little did he know that soon his name would be forever associated with an epic experience. (Matt. 27:15-26)

Had Barabbas heard the commotion of the crowds through the week? Had he heard about Jesus coming into Jerusalem with the cheering crowds? The streets were busy with people, but could he hear from the depths of his dungeon? Suddenly, he was walking out of the cell and up into daylight.

“Give us Barabbas!” demanded the insatiable crowd. They knew what they wanted. I wonder if he realized the fervor wasn’t about him. What picture did Barabbas have in his mind as he watched the exchange between the guilty and the innocent? Did Barabbas have a clue in Whose presence he stood? Jesus knew Barabbas. Jesus knew the sin, the rebellion and the murderous acts of Barabbas. There he was, free to go, yet looking at the innocent One who took his place. Barabbas went free into the crowd, as Jesus was taken. So, looking forward, we are free because Jesus was taken. Barabbas was changed by this act. What was thought to be a decision of an angry mob actually was the plan of our loving God. God chose Barabbas for freedom. Guess what? He chose YOU as well.

There’s a song from years ago that says:

You’re chosen, chosen, a child of the King; Chosen, chosen, you have everything.

Think chosen, live chosen, the path is not so far; You’re chosen, chosen, remember Whose you are!

Questions:

What did you do the last time you were chosen for a job over other applicants?

Describe the value you attribute to being chosen. 

a. for a game

b. for a job 

c. by God

How would a person live who knew that they were chosen by God? 

Day 38 - The Denial - More of Jesus Devotional

The Denial.

Rachel Hanson

“And Peter remembered the word of Jesus [and] he went out and wept bitterly” 

(Matthew 26:75).

Peter. The Rock. He who holds the keys of the Kingdom. Peter. Also the one who needs to be reminded to stay focused on Jesus to keep from sinking, reprimanded for lacking faith.

Aware of His own impending arrest, Jesus warns Peter, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34). Peter responds, “Oh no, not me.” Yet he does. And each time he does he gets more and more agitated. The first time he is recognized as a disciple and denies Jesus he tries to remain casual, saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” By the third denial, he’s cursing and swearing (26:74). Listening to Peter I hear a child ridden with pride, guilt, and denial: “I can do it!” (In this case, be strong on his own, no matter the pressure) and “It wasn’t me!” Instead of asking for Jesus’ help when Jesus says he knows Peter’s character, Peter puts up a front, acting stronger than he is. Then he allows fear to overcome his relationship with and faithfulness to Jesus.

Instead of relying on himself and fearing men, Peter needed to draw closer to Jesus, asking for help and praying for more strength through Christ. He needed to listen more to Jesus who tried to warn him. He needed more faith that standing by Jesus would lead to the better ending. After he repents, after the Resurrection, he becomes strong and fearless, leading others to Christ, and more effective for the Kingdom.

Questions:

Do you need to listen more closely to Jesus or take what you hear from Him more seriously?

Have you denied a calling or a conviction out of fear or weakness?

Can you recall a time when you experienced increased fruit because you asked for more strength and grace instead of responding with, “I can do it! [on my own]” 

Day 37 - The Betrayal and Arrest in the Garden - More of Jesus Devotional

The Betrayal and Arrest in the Garden.

Tad Coit

Experiencing or watching betrayal is an action that causes a very painful emotion in us. Most of us have experienced some kind of

betrayal in our lives. Have you been betrayed by someone you thought was a friend or confidant? Unfortunately, some of us have experienced betrayal within the confines of the church community. Have you been wounded by someone in what should be a place of spiritual protection?

Jesus experienced the ultimate betrayal when his friend Judas brought the authorities to arrest Him. Matthew 26:48-50 describes how Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.

“Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”

and kissed Him.

But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.”

Jesus’ reaction to this arrest and to the trials that follow are a wonderful model for us all. Jesus does not act with anger or try to get revenge. He stays calm as His friend betrays Him and while He is verbally attacked by His accusers. How often do we try to get revenge on those who have wronged us? Noticeably, Jesus doesn’t go there.

The other powerful lesson for us is that this story makes it even easier for us to go to Jesus for help. After all, Jesus has already experienced this feeling of abandonment. He knows and understands what we are going through because He has already been there. Jesus can sympathize with us when we are feeling betrayed because He has known the feelings of being wronged by someone close.

So the next time you are going through that painful emotion of being betrayed, go to Jesus. He wants to comfort you and knows how to do so because He has gone through the pains of betrayal Himself. 

Verses: 1 Peter 3:9-11, Romans 12:17-21, Philippians 2:7, John 1:14

Questions:

1. How does Jesus model the behavior discussed in 1 Peter 3:9-11 and Romans 12:17-21?

2. How does Philippians 2:7 and John 1:14 give us encouragement to turn to Jesus?

3. Are there people who have betrayed you that you still need to

forgive? What are some things you can do to help you forgive Jesus’ reaction to this arrest and to the trials that follow are a them?

Day 36 - With this Cup - More of Jesus Devotional

With this Cup.

By Tina Pinson

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39b (ESV)

Before Christ’s betrayal and trial and sentence to the cross, He fell before the Father and asked for the cup to pass from Him. What was this Cup? Betrayal. Darkness. Separation. Poison. Sorrow. Death.

Jesus walked with His disciples for three years. And one of those dear friends from his inner circle, Judas, is about to betray Him. Have you ever been betrayed? Do you recall the pain? You didn’t know the betrayal was coming. Jesus did and He still walked with Judas.

He knew Judas would sell Him out for 30 pieces of silver, He knew He would be taken to trial and sentenced (falsely) to death. He knew as He hung on the cross all the poison from every sin -- before time through time’s end -- would be laid on His shoulders. Cloaked under sin’s mantle, He would for a time, a moment, an eternity, be cast into darkness and separated from His father.

So, He prayed. “Father, if it be possible...” Father please, oh please... Can you hear him? Crying, praying so hard He sweat blood. I have never sweated blood, but I remember nights before my father died (and before my mother’s death) I would get up and cry and pray, cry until I had no tears, pray until words escaped me. “God to let this cup of death, pass. Heal them. Please. But not as I will, but as you will God.”

Here is the beautiful part about the Cup? Sure, it came with the dark gruesome mixture of sorrow, blood, sin, and loss. But it was also filled with the life-giving elixir of grace, forgiveness, mercy, hope, and life. And Love. Christ could have said no, but He chose to go.

You see if Christ hadn’t gone to the cross and conquered death, I would forever be separated from God. I wouldn’t know the beauty of life and the true meaning of grace or mercy. I would be stuck in a cold dark existence, separated from light and love. So would you.

Because of His sacrifice on the Cross I have an assurance and hope of life eternal, and in that life, I will see my parents again.

With this Cup, He bought my future. Your future. Take a drink.

Questions:

What is the cup that Christ drank from? What elements in that cup mean the most to you?

Did Christ really need to drink from the cup? Why?

The world would like you to believe that the cup and the cross don’t mean a thing? Christ didn’t have to die to save us. We can save ourselves. What do you think? Could you have taken the cup on your own? Could you have saved yourselves and the world?

Take a couple moments to consider what Christ’s death means for your life. For your future and the future of those you love. Write down some of those thoughts.

Food for thought – Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22: 39-46 

Day 35 - Jesus Identifies His Betrayer - More of Jesus Devotional

Jesus Identifies His Betrayer

Craig Droskin

Matthew 26:24 -25 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it.”

Only God is the final judge, but most biblical scholars seem to agree that Judas, above all others, assuredly chose to spend eternity in hell. Judas committed a horrific sin when he betrayed the Son of God.

What does this mean to us? We have all sinned, and some of those sins would be counted as horrific. All fall short of earning God’s gifts on our own accord. (Romans 3:23) But, it is Satan’s lie to you and me that any of us are unworthy of God’s Grace. Even Judas, the son of perdition, was offered salvation, forgiveness, and life in Christ. Remember, Jesus Himself washed Judas’ feet, and Jesus Himself gave Judas the bread and wine at the last supper. What is true, however, is that we all have free will to accept Jesus or to reject him, and Judas chose to reject and betray Him.

A great contrast to Judas is Peter who also sinned directly to Jesus. Jesus foretold Judas’ betrayal. He also foretold Peter’s denial. Luke 22:61 “Before the rooster crows, you (Peter) will deny me three times.” And Peter did deny Jesus three times just as Jesus had said. The difference, however, between Judas and Peter is that there is no clear biblical indication of Judas’ repentance while Peter was immediately remorseful and lived the remainder of his life for Christ. Peter was forgiven and we can be too. We just have to ask.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (Note the word all)

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (Note the word all)

Questions:

Do you ever feel unworthy of God’s Forgiveness?

Does Satan want us to believe our sins can’t be forgiven?

Is God our merciful King, and is Satan a liar? 

Day 34 - The Water of the Word - More of Jesus Devotional

“The water of the word”

Tim Munyan John 13:1-17

It was the evening before Jesus would be captured and face trial. As the meal was finished we learn that Jesus got up from the table, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Peter was shocked to think how One so great could take on such a humble and humiliating role.

Peter didn’t yet realize that this physical act would have such spiritual significance. When Peter complained, Jesus said to him: “You are not going to understand what I’m doing now, but soon you will.”

Here is a point to consider: Revelation always follows obedience!

Then Peter said “No! You shall never wash my feet.“ Jesus replied “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Then Peter replied,”Not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet.”

When we as believers walk through the world each day we come in contact with the dirt from the world we live in and are going to get our spiritual feet dirty. Our hearts and minds can become contaminated from people around us, from what we watch and what we hear. The water represents the word of God. It’s His truth that cleanses us from the evil influences around us. Those influences affect our minds, our walk and our service to the Lord.

When Jesus said, “You have no part in me,” He wasn’t talking about salvation, but illustrating that we must be continually washed with the word, His truth and His presence in order to maintain our intimacy with him.

Salvation is the initial bath we receive when we accept Jesus as our savior and we are washed clean by His blood and forgiven. We don’t need another one. But in order to wash off the everyday pollution of the world we must constantly come to Jesus by reading His word, in prayer, in worship and by confessing any sin we may have committed. It is in those times, that whatever may be hindering our relationship with Him can be cleansed and washed away.

Our hearts and minds need a continual cleansing in order to hear God’s voice clearly and maintain constant communion with Him.

Questions:

1. What does “Revelation always follows obedience” mean to you?

2. Why is it important to constantly be cleansed by the word of God?

3. What do you have still sticking to your spiritual feet that needs to be cleansed by God’s truth? 

Day 33 - Triumph - More of Jesus Devotional

Triumph

Sandra Dubois

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation;

lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9 (WEB)

Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ,

and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (WEB)

Imaginethetriumphthedisciplesmusthavefeltas they saw their Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem through the vast crowd (maybe as large as three million people), that was whooping it up with joy over Him! This was the one who had brought Lazarus back to life! What a celebration of hope in their dark world! (Matthew 21:1-11)

The donkey, in Jesus’ time, wasn’t just a cheapo ride. They were often used for ceremonial purposes, and were seen as a symbol of peace; so much so, that donkeys were often used to enact peace treaties. The donkey on which Jesus rode had never been sat on by anyone before; this animal was planned by the Father for just this moment, when He brought His triumphant peace treaty into His holy city for all to see.

Jesus’ peace envelops more than our cultural understanding; it is His shalom, which means that nothing good in our lives is missing, or taken away. It is a completion, a perfection of life.

The jubilation from the raising of Lazarus from the dead was known throughout the palm-waving multitudes. There’s nothing like a good dead-raising to get attention. This Jesus must hold real power! Most everyone (well, except for the sanctimonious-pants Pharisees and Sadducees) wanted a part of Him, and of the promise of life He held.

When Jesus enters into our life, He always leads us in peaceful triumph! And that is a sweet, sweet smell.

Questions:

1) What did this triumphal entry signify for the people?

2) How has the triumphal entry of Christ in to your life changed you?

3) What things in your life need to be brought back to life? 

Day 32 - Help my Unbelief - More of Jesus Devotional

Help my unbelief!

Rachel Hanson

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

This plea to Jesus to increase faith is one of my favorite verses, one that is quick to come to my mind and heart in times of need. It is such an honest, vulnerable confession and prayer.

The man has come to Jesus asking for healing for his mute son. He already asked the disciples for help, but they were unable to perform the healing. The man begins his request to Jesus by saying, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us,” to which Jesus replies, “If you can believe, all things are possible” (Mark 9:22-23). Jesus makes it clear that He can complete the healing, can and will perform miracles–when we believe. We just need a little faith, and all things become possible. When our small faith begets miracles, our faith grows and we believe in the possibility of more and bigger miracles. And when we believe, those become possible, and our faith grows. And the cycle continues.

At the end of the story, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why did it work for You, but not for us?” Jesus answers, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (9:29). Prayer and fasting are two of the best known spiritual disciplines. Bill Donohue, on Bible.org, gives a great overview of the spiritual disciplines and refers to the works of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. Donohue explains that the disciplines are “modeled in the life of Christ” and “organized into two categories: the disciplines of abstinence (or ‘letting go’) and the disciplines of activity.” Here, Jesus mentions the need for both. Engaging in these disciplines helps us to know Jesus better and gives us more power in His name. A disciplined life should have some of both - responsible abstinence and a commitment to spiritual activity.

Questions:

When is a time when your small or unbelief became increased or full belief?

Common spiritual disciplines include prayer, Bible reading, fasting, worship, service, giving, quiet time with God, and simplicity. What discipline is Jesus calling you to in order to draw you closer to Him?

Day 31 - Healing in the Midst of Chaos - More of Jesus Devotional

Healing in the midst of chaos.

Micah Abeloe

Luke 22:47-53

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

Luke 22:50-51.

This miracle is kind of tucked away in scripture. It’s only found in the Gospel according to Luke and it’s only two verses long. This miracle spoke a great deal to me about how steadfast and constant Jesus is no matter what the situation or circumstance is.

Jesus is at his most vulnerable state of being since the forty- day fast at the beginning of His ministry. Jesus has been up for most of the day and night. He just came under the most excruciating event of His life in the garden as He prepares to take on all the sin of the world and was so grieved and sorrowed from it, that He sweat blood from every pore in His body! Judas, a friend and one of the twelve disciples, has just betrayed Him. Jesus has been through a lot at this point of the day and would understandably be physically and emotional drained.

As the guards come to seize Him, one of His disciples cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. The situation is very emotional and intense. Jesus, being the Healer that He is, touches the man and his ear is completely restored. Jesus acts true to His nature and character, keeps the peace, and controls the situation. Everyone there must have been astonished at what had just happened right before their eyes!

No matter the situation in all of scripture, Jesus stays true to His pure character and nature. You can see the love that He has for the priest’s servant and what this miracle must have done for his faith! I want to have this sort of situational awareness and mercy for people no matter what the situation is and, to also keep true to where my faith and hope are found: in God the Father.

Questions:

- What situations in your life do you need this sort of peace and love?

- What are some of the “triggers” in your life that maybe cause you to act irrationally? How can you plan to make sure you don’t allow those “triggers” to rule over you?

- Who in your life could you show this sort of compassion to? 

Day 30 - Your faith has healed you - More of Jesus Devotional

“Your faith has healed you”

Tim Munyan Luke 18:35-43

In this story, a blind beggar realized that Jesus was near and continually cried out to him for mercy and wouldn’t take no for an answer. His desire for healing overcame his shame, rebuke and embarrassment. Jesus took notice of his faith! “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Lord, I want to see” was his reply. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight, your faith has healed you.”

The story of Blind Bartimaeus is an example of how faith combined with humility and tenacity gets the Lord’s attention and invites miracles.

On a trip to England early in my ministry, we were holding a healing conference and for several days people would gather from everywhere in the region to come learn about and experience the gift of healing.

One day, in preparation for the evening service the Lord highlighted this scripture about the blind beggar. As I meditated on the scripture the Lord began to speak to me about praying specifically for faith and boldness. That evening after worship, the presence of God was so thick you could almost see it.

A group of ladies approached me asking if I would pray for the friend they had brought for healing. As I approached their friend “Jilly” I could see that she was partially blind and I asked the obvious, “What is it you want Jesus to do for you?” She said that she had a degenerative eye disease that allowed her to only see peripherally and could no longer distinguish colors. I was led by the Spirit to ask if she believed God could heal her. As she said yes, I gathered her friends to join in prayer and I specifically asked for the gift of faith and boldness to be given to each of us as we prayed for her healing.

The power of God fell upon her and after each successive prayer she began to see more and more clearly. At one point she turned to each of us and began to tell us what color clothes we had on, something she wasn’t able to do for quite some time. Someone even had a multi-colored knit hat and she was going around telling everyone what colors were in it.

Finally, I turned to her and said, “You need some rest,” and knowing she had come a long way I asked her friends if they had a blanket for her for the ride home. “Jilly” turned to me and said, “I’ll get some rest, but only after I tell them what color their blanket is!”

Nothing is impossible when our faith is in God! 

Questions:

1. What was the importance of Jesus asking the man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

2. Why must shame or embarrassment be overcome for healing to sometimes take place?

3. How much of a part did the man’s faith play in his healing?