Category: Bible Studies

Jesus Arrested

Luke 22:47-53
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

God so loved the world, that He gave His only son for our salvation. Betrayed by a friend, Jesus is arrested. He tells them that they had seen Him many times before, but tonight they chose To arrest Him because darkness has overtaken them.

Jesus, at this very moment. A very real and scary moment for any man,  is allowing Himself to be arrested and eventually killed. All this for you and I.

Amen.
DK

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Being in anguish, His prayer was strengthened! In anguish, our prayers are stronger. It is at the point of brokenness that we are at our most powerful.

There is a purity which overtakes us when we are in the process of a trial. Yes, they do hurt, but something more happens. Clarity of mind and purpose cloaks our every thought, and if you are faithful and believe, your trial will be turned to triumph. Have faith in God, and when you are in the midst of trial turn to Jesus and ask Him to take from you what has already been taken.

ASK…Ask, Seek, Knock. Jesus has told us that we must ask God for the things that we want and need. Continue to ask. Continue to seek Him. Continue to knock. He is not ignoring you, but rather He is strengthening you in the waiting.

Don’t stop. He is just on the other side. Persevere! Have Faith, for He is with you. Always!

Thank you Jesus! Amen.
DK

Jesus knew His time had come. He loved His disciples so much…

Luke 22:35-38
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

Prepare. Jesus was always ready for what was to come next. Jesus was fulfilling all prophecy so that we would be forgiven.

Amen.
DK

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Give it all to Jesus.

Luke 22:24-34
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

To serve. Simply to serve. That is the teaching of Jesus. If we don’t, then this world will grab us. We will have conformed. We will fall.

But Jesus says, if we serve we will be served when it matters. I know, I know, this world is beautiful, after all God made it. It presses us to go for more. So much that it overflows from our cups. Then we throw it away when we should be giving away.

Imagine a world that says that, “I would rather throw this away than to give it someone who needs it.” That is the American way, or so it seems. Perhaps it’s just the human condition. Whatever it is, I am not saying that is what you are doing.

Bott line…if you say Yes to something, you are saying No to something else. Say yes to Jesus, then watch this world change before your eyes.

Amen.
DK

The table is set…

Luke 22:14-23
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

The beauty of the last supper, and the realization that betrayal was at that same table, is incredible. Jesus loves us so much, that He sat and ate His last meal with the very man that would turn Him in. With those that would betray Him physically and emotionally He ate and loved. Jesus truly is our example for grace, humility, service, and mercy.

To live as Jesus lived! That should be our battle cry. Every day that we walk into hostility and trials, we should ask to handle the situation the way that our Savior Jesus Christ did.

In these verses, Jesus breaks bread and drinks wine with us. He let’s us know that He will not take it again until He comes again. And when He comes, we will feast with Him and celebrate the opportunity to worship and honor Him forever.

Lord, I receive your unmerited favor. I receive your gifts and promises, all 6000 of them. Abba Father, although we have betrayed you, and we have sinned, and have not lived pure and Holy lives the way that Jesus did, I know that I am forgiven. It is through this confession and repentance that change will occur. Lord, you have made it very clear to us that my debt is paid, that my sins have been forgiven forever, that I will be with you in Heaven forever. God help me to continue to press into you daily, to become more and more like Jesus. To live the way He lived, and to sacrifice and serve whomever you place in front of me. Father, allow my life to be a living prayer for all to see your love, so that You will be glorified.

Amen.
DK

There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind how this was going to happen…

Luke 22:7-13
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

His friends. His followers. His brothers, followed His direction and found just what Jesus told them that they would find. He directs them to where they would find what was needed to complete any task ahead of them, which in this case would be their last meal together.

Jesus has done the same for us. He has left us instructions in order to prepare for the feast to come with our Redeemer and Creator. He will welcome us with open arms on that faithful day. Until then, we must travel to strange places, to new territory, to never before known locale, even in our homes and work places, that will bring us closer to His plan for our lives. We must trust in Him.

Do not try to go ahead of the Holy Spirit and do it your way. Instead, pray and ask that God’s will be done in your life, with His perfect timing, through His perfect plan. When you do, that which you thought was impossible becomes not only possible, but magnified and revealing for so many. It is through the gifts of patience and a discerning mentality that you will begin to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you with instruction. This is done through reading the written word, speaking that written word, then living the word and becoming a living, breathing, walking prayer that will bless with even your shadow.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your instructions you have left us in the Holy Bible, and for your gift of the Holy Spirit that walks with us and lives in us. Oh Emmanuel, we love you and are humbly thankful for all the many riches that you have so gratefully bestowed upon us. We are only worthy because of your gift of salvation and redemption that is found in only you. We love you.

Amen!
DK

Betrayal…

Luke 22:1-6
22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Friendship is a beautiful thing. And like all beauty, it is fleeting if not taken care on a consistent basis. In this passage, Jesus is betrayed by His friend by Judas, who hands Him to authorities for money.

Now, what would you? Would you take the money and turn in Jesus? Now know this. Jesus loved Judas, even after the betrayal. Jesus Saves!

Amen.
DK

Continued…

Luke 21:12-38
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

This is beautiful. Jesus Saves!

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

Luke 21:5-11
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Feels like it’s happening now. We pray for the will of God to be done. Tonight, ask God to reveal your sin, both seen and unseen, known and unknown, so that we may be cleansed. Made pure by the blood of Jesus.

Amen
DK

God is good. He knows every hair on our heads…

Luke 21:1-4
The Widow’s Offering

1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

To give from the heart. To give when there is not much to give. To give, even when the world tells you not to. To love, even when hatred stares you in the face. This is the blessing from God.

Jesus gave us His life as a gift. From nothing, He gave everything. From baby born in a barn, to King of salvation. Jesus gave all. When we think there is nothing to give, Jesus has shown us there is more. The blessings and gifts that He has given us to share are numerous. They are meant to be given as blessings. The longer we hold on to them, the less they can do.

Let us be like the widow, and give from all that we have been given. God will know. He knows everything about you. Now go be His messenger of love. Even when the world tells you to hate.

Amen.
DK