Luke 22:47-62
Still in the same day that Jesus had observed the Passover with his apostles, and spoken of them to come to be, he was betrayed by Judas, and later denied by Peter. The time for his death, burial, and resurrection, had come. Already the burden of the sins of the world was beginning to be bearing down upon him. It was almost more than he could bear, thus his great agony as he prayed to his Father on the Mount of Olives. He had been sent from Heaven for this very purpose. (John 3:16)
BETRAYAL
It is difficult to believe that this, probably by our standards, the most promising of the twelve, would betray the one who came to offer salvation. How often, we are mistaken for we judge character by appearances, actions, and presentation. Jesus chose Judas, knowing full well that this man was not what he appeared to be, and he would be the one to betray him when the right time had come. God looks at the inner person. Did you ever look at your “Year-Book” and who people have written there, was the most likely to succeed? Were they right? Sometimes, that is the last time you have ever heard of them.
47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. Probably, greeting one another with a holy kiss, spoken elsewhere in scripture, was a common greeting among believers, but to choose that as a way of pointing out the one you came to betray!.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Even Jesus questioned his choice. He knew Judas’ weakness was the love of money. Nothing is ever hidden from God, whether God the Father, God the Son, or God’s Holy Spirit.
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
This is where the other eleven, new what was happening and Peter sprang forward with his sword. He was a better fisherman than swordsman. He nearly missed altogether.
(Luke 22:38)
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far, And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Our Lord does not want violence on His behalf. Christianity is not a religion of violence.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
(Luke 22:4, Luke 22:37)
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
“The power of darkness,” is of Satan, not of God.
54 Then took they him, and brought him to the high priest’s house.
And Peter followed afar off.
The fact that Peter followed “afar off” is the reason he was tempted and fell.
(Matthew 26:57, Mark 14:53, Matthew 26:58, Mark 14:54, John 18:15)
DENIAL
The second evil was, Peter’s denial. A few days before he had quickly responded to the question, “Who say ye that I am?” with a prompt, and correct answer.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
(John 18:16-18, John 18:25-27, Matthew 26:3)
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
(John 18:26)
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.
(Matthew 26:73, Mark 14:70)
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, hie he yet spake, the cock crew.
In every detail Jesus had said this is what would happen. Let us learn this lesson from Peter. Do not deliberately put yourself in a place where you are certain to be tempted. Choose, unless you are striving to reach those about you for the Lord, make your close friends among those of the faith. One of my mother’ favorite quotations, it is not of the Bible, “Birds of a feather flock together.”
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
(Luke 7:13, Luke 22:34)
62 And Peter went out and wept bitterly.
If we sin, and we most certainly will, may we follow Peter’s remorseful response. Peter set the example. He wept in repentance, and turned to the Lord.
Judas when out and killed himself. That is “defeatist.” But Peter repented and turned back to the Lord so closely that when he was taken to be crucified he asked, and was, crucified head down!
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR
APRIL
28th Sunday - Joshua 20, 21, Luke 23:26-56, Psalm 52
29th Monday - Joshua 22, 23, Luke 24:1-27, Psalm 53
30th Tuesday - Joshua 24, Luke 24:28-53, Proverbs 11:1-6
MAY
1 st Wednesday - Judges 1:1-2:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 54
2 nd Thursday - Judges 2:16-3:31, John 1:29-51, Psalm 55:1-11
3 rd Friday - Judges 4, 5, John 2, Psalm 55:12-23
4th Saturday - Judges 6, John 3, Proverbs 11:7-12
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A MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY
“And said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” - Luke 24:46-47
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DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many people learned to drive on a model of a vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle.
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