WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 2023
TEXT:
Mark 14:27-52
27:
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike
the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28:
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29:
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30:
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster
crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
31:
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never
disown you.” And all the others said the same.
32:
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit
here while I pray.”
33:
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply
distressed and troubled.
34:
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.
“Stay here and keep watch.”
35:
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the
hour might pass from him.
36:
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from
me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37:
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to
Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?
38:
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”
39:
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
40:
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
They did not know what to say to him.
41:
Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?
Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of
sinners.
42:
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
43:
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a
crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of
the law, and the elders.
44:
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man;
arrest him and lead him away under guard.”
45:
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
46:
The men seized Jesus and arrested him.
47:
Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the
high priest, cutting off his ear.
48:
“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and
clubs to capture me?
49:
Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest
me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
50:
Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51:
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When
they seized him,
52:
he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
DO NOT DEFEND UPON YOUR STRENGTH
Jesus
had just finished eating His last supper with the disciples where He demonstrated
that it was time for His sacrificial death. He also informed them that His
death would be orchestrated through the betrayal of a dear friend who was one
of them.
As
they left the upper room, Jesus disclosed that His disciples would abandon Him
when He is arrested. But Peter declared, "even if all fall away, I will
not" (verse 29), This demonstrated two things: first, either Peter felt
Jesus was not being fair to him and maybe He didn't understand his level of
devotion to Him or second, Peter was proud and not realistic about the state of
his mind and faith in Christ.
Remember,
the disciples were still growing. It takes courage and enduring faith that
overcomes to remain steadfast in your commitment to not deny Jesus in the face
of the danger of losing your life.
In
recent years, thousands of Christians have been kidnapped by Islamic terrorists
with some tortured and released while others were slaughtered or gunned down
because they refused to deny Jesus Christ. We celebrate these great martyrs and
pray for those in captivity to continue to stand firm and strong, like Leah
Sharibu and others.
QUESTION:
Assuming you are taken captive by terrorists, will you deny Jesus Christ in
order to live or chose otherwise and be killed?
PRAYER:
Focus your prayers for today on above question.
Remain
Blessed
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