Milo

AUGUST 24

Reading 236

THE LAMB OF GOD John 1:19–2:25

“Then John gave this testimony: ’I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. . . . I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God’ ” (John 1:32, 34).Discipleship calls us to be ever aware of the power of God and to live confidently we are as in His presence.

Overview

John explained his mission (1:19–28) denying that he was the Christ and identified Jesus as the Son of God (vv. 29–34). Several future disciples, including Andrew and Peter, met Jesus for the first time (vv. 35–42) and returned with Him to Galilee (vv. 43–51). There Jesus prefigured His ministry of transformation by changing water into wine (2:1–11), and later His ministry of purification by driving money changers from the temple (vv. 12–17). At that time Jesus spoke of His coming death and resurrection (vv. 18–25).

Understanding the Text

“Who are you?” John 1:19–28

An official delegation questioned John the Baptist concerning his identity. Who did he claim to be? The Messiah? Elijah, returned from the dead? (cf. Mal. 4:5) The Prophet predicted by Moses? (cf. Deut. 18:18) John refused each of these important titles, and spoke of himself simply as a “road builder.” His mission was to make it easier for folks to meet the “One who comes after me.” And, John added, he himself was “not worthy” to untie the thongs of that One’s sandals. What’s significant here is that the lowest servant in the house was given the task of stooping to untie a guest’s sandals. John was saying, “I’m a nobody.” Yet later Jesus Himself said that John was greater than any of the mighty prophets of the Old Testament! (Matt. 11:11) John was a “nobody” only in comparison to the One he announced, who towered so much above him. I can think of nothing more fulfilling than to be “road builders” today. The “nobody” who introduces somebody to Jesus has become important indeed. “I myself did not know Him” John 1:29–34. John’s confession is one of the most interesting sidelights on Jesus to be found in the Bible. You see, John was Jesus’ cousin, and undoubtedly knew Him well. In fact, the other Gospels tell us that when Christ came to be baptized, John didn’t want to do it! The reason is simple. John knew Jesus as a truly righteous and good Jew. John called on people to be baptized as a sign of repentance of sins and recommitment to God. John didn’t think it was right for Jesus to “recommit,” when He had been committed all along! But why then didn’t John recognize Him? Probably because John, like all of us, had an image in his mind of what the Messiah would be like. And “a truly good man” wasn’t a major element of that image. Hopefully, folks around us will be surprised when they learn we’re Christians. No, not because we’ve tried to hide the fact, or failed to speak of Jesus. But because we won’t fit the image portrayed on TV and in the movies of narrow, bigoted, insensitive people who never have any fun, and hate to see others enjoy themselves either. How delightful when someone says, “Oh, you’re a born-again Christian? But you’re so friendly!” Or, “You’re such a good listener!” Or, “You’re so understanding!” Or best of all, “But you really care!” “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” John 1:34. John fulfilled his mission in life by preparing folks to meet the Son of God, and then identifying Jesus as God’s Son. This also brings our ministry of road building into perspective. “I have seen,” John said. It’s very little help to others to engage in arguments over their beliefs, or over the interpretation of a verse in the Bible. What we need to do is to testify, as John did, to our experience of God’s truth. I don’t mean we shouldn’t share Scripture. I simply mean we should share Scripture through our experience. A good friend of mine, Dr. Paul Johnson of Seattle, had life-threatening cancer a few years ago. As he was going under the anesthetic before his operation, Paul felt himself falling, falling, falling. And then suddenly, he felt himself caught and held, and he realized he was being held in Jesus’ arms. Paul tells the story today, not as some mystic experience, but as an illustration of Scripture’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Josh. 1:5), and especially of the phrase, “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). Paul’s faith in Jesus provided peace and hope in the darkest time of his life. You and I needn’t argue about the Bible. All we need to do is to share it, and say with John, “I have seen and I testify.” “Come . . . and you will see” John 1:35–39. John could and did point his followers to Jesus. But as today, each person must find out who Jesus is for himself. Curiosity may lead some to approach Jesus; a sense of need or desperation may move others. Yet each person must then come, and see for himself if Christianity “works.” Each person must meet Jesus for himself, listen to His teachings, observe His actions, and respond to His voice. One of the most important things we can do to help any inquirer is to encourage him or her to read the Bible—especially a Gospel like Luke or John. We can do so confidently. As Christ told the questioning pair so long ago, “Come, and you will see!” “The first thing Andrew did” John 1:40–42. This too follows a basic pattern. Evangelism is the spread, not just the sharing, of the Good News. Often sharing our salvation is one of the first things that happens to us as new Christians. Too often the failure of others to respond surprises and hurts us. For all too many, a negative first experience stops witnessing altogether. There’s a special word here, however, that will encourage us to keep on sharing Christ. Andrew told his brother, Peter. And Peter later became the chief of the apostles; the outspoken, enthusiastic and especially human disciple whom God used to preach the first Christian sermon to the Jews (Acts 2) and to the Gentiles (Acts 10–11), and to write two of the epistles in our New Testament. How is that encouraging? This way. You never know when you share Christ with someone how important that person may become! “He . . . drove all from the temple area” John 2:12–14. John’s failure to follow chronology in his report of events makes it difficult to place this incident. The other Gospel writers report that a similiar incident took place the last week of Christ’s life. John, however, organized events out of sequence, to impress his readers with their significance. And this event truly is significant. Christ, who transformed water into wine, also purified the temple. He drove out corruption, and insisted that the worship of God be holy and clean. He does this in our lives too. As He transforms He cleanses, until, purified, we exhibit a holiness which is appropriate to those who worship and honor God. Perhaps this is why John also places a reference to the Cross in this passage. The transforming and purifying ministry of Christ is costly. There is no cheap salvation. The price of our renewal was the sacrificial death of God’s unique and only Son.

DEVOTIONAL

I Saw You!(John 1:43–51)

I’ve always liked this passage, ever since as a young seminary graduate working with preschoolers I wrote a lesson for three and four-year-olds based on it. It illustrates how a simple story can convey the most profound theological concepts. The lesson I wrote was called, “Jesus Always Sees Me.” That’s another way of talking about the doctrine of omnipresence, which states that God can be and is everywhere in the created universe at once. He is always present with us: He sees us at all times. While Jesus did not exercise this attribute at all times, a number of biblical stories show that He was aware of events that took place beyond the range of sight. For instance, Jesus in Galilee knew that His friend Lazarus had died in Bethany, near Jerusalem in Judea (John 11). Nathanael, obviously accurate theologically, knew that there was no way Jesus could have seen him under that fig tree before Philip arrived, and came to the conclusion that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. And of course Nathanael had reasoned correctly. None of this, however, was important to the preschoolers for whom I wrote. They weren’t interested in solving the mystery of the theantropic person (God/Man). They didn’t care to debate to what extent Jesus surrendered exercise of the attributes of Deity when He took on humanity. But they did care that “Jesus always sees me.” They did care that even when Mommy and Daddy were out of sight, Jesus was watching over them. They did care that whether they were riding in a car, sleeping in the dark, or playing outdoors, Jesus was there, and could see. What a lesson for us today. Yes, theology is profound. But relationship with God is far greater than the most profound depiction of doctrine. And our relationship with God can be expressed in words just as simple as “I saw you.” And can be understood in the comforting terms of “Jesus always sees me.”

Personal Application

Let the assurance that Jesus is with you bring you peace.

Quotable

“In all thy actions think God sees thee; and in all His actions labor to see Him; that will make thee fear Him; this will move thee to love Him. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, and the knowledge of God is the perfection of love.”—Francis Quarles

John

AUGUST 23

Reading 235

THE LIVING WORD John 1:1–18

“No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known” (John 1:18).John introduced the ultimate mystery. God had somehow taken on human nature and become flesh.

Background

The Word.

In both Testaments “word” is a pivotal and complex concept. The Greek logos appears over 300 times in the New Testament, with a variety of meanings. Jesus’ identification as the “Word” has great theological significance. As the Word, Jesus is the expression of God’s person and character in the world: the One who reveals the Father. And as the Word, Jesus is also the powerful, active presence of God in the world: the One with ultimate authority over all natural and supernatural forces, able through infusions of grace not only to make alive but also to transform the inner nature of human beings to fit them for fellowship with God. While theologians tend to wax eloquent over the philosophical implications of logos, as we read John’s Gospel we can have a simpler, more direct meaning in mind. Jesus, the Word of God, is the One through whom we hear God’s voice. He is the One in whom we meet God, and welcome God into our lives.

Overview

The “Word”—the Creator and source of our life—preexisted with and as God (1:1–5). John the Baptist announced His coming (vv. 6–9), yet when He arrived His own people rejected Him (vv. 10–11). But all who do receive Him become children of God (vv. 12–14). He is the source of grace, the Son who, being God, reveals the Father to mankind (vv. 15–18).

Understanding the Text

“In the beginning was the Word” John 1:1–2.

Like the first verses of Genesis, John 1:1–2 catapult us back beyond the origins of time, into the mystery of God Himself. Christians have affirmed the New Testament’s teaching that the One God of the Old Testament exists in three Persons: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. John launched his Gospel with a powerful statement that the Man Jesus is God the Son, the eternal Word through whom God has always expressed Himself (see DEVOTIONAL). “In Him was life” John 1:3–5. In John’s Gospel “life” sometimes indicates biological vitality, but more often indicates spiritual life. John often described the life he spoke of as “eternal.” The life available to us in Christ has a supernatural quality and power, as well as endless extent. It is this eternal life which Christ offers that shines in our world as a bright light. Like a beacon to a lost traveler, the light shining in Jesus offers all men hope. Not only hope for life after death, but hope for a rich and meaningful life here and now. “The darkness has not understood it” John 1:5. The specific intent of the Greek verb, katelaben, has been much debated. Is it simply saying that men in darkness haven’t realized the nature of the shining light? Or does the word mean “overcome,” as in other passages in John? (6:17; 8:3–4; 12:35) Soon John would develop his theme of a basic conflict between good and evil, darkness and light. The world of men is not just ignorant of the character of the light, but hostile to it! An invisible war rages on Planet Earth. God and Satan are in perpetual conflict, and knowingly or not every human being takes sides. The light shed by the Son’s offer of eternal life makes the issues of the war more clear, and challenges everyone to take sides. How good to know that no matter how hostile men and women may be, they can never overcome Christ’s light. “A man who was sent from God” John 1:6–9. Luke told the Baptist’s background; John emphasized his mission. The fact that he was “sent from God” established his authority. His mission was summed up in the word “witness” (v. 8). Throughout this Gospel John would assemble evidence that established Jesus as the Son of God. The Baptist was the first witness, identifying Jesus for the Jewish men and women of the first century. Today too God sends men and women to witness of His Son. While Jesus Himself is the light, you and I must give testimony about the benefits of coming to Him for eternal life. “The right to become children of God” John 1:10–13. These verses, like much of John’s writing, are packed full of information. The “world” in verse 10 is first earth itself as the environment for life, and second a sinful social order which refused to acknowledge the Creator. While Jesus’ own people and nation would not receive Him, He continues to hold out the divine offer of eternal life to individuals. Those who do receive Him are given the right to become sons of God. The verses clarify two issues. First, are all human beings God’s children? While all human beings are His creations, and objects of His love, John reminds us that not all are spiritually related to God. Only the special gift of eternal life in Christ changes our nature, so that we become God’s tekna; His “born ones” who by spiritual rebirth share His divine nature. Second, what does it mean to “believe”? John began his explanation by equating “believe” with “receive.” New life in Christ is offered as a gift. Just as one who reaches out and takes a gift shows by his accepting it that he believes in the reality of the gift and the trustworthiness of the person who offers it, so in receiving Christ as Saviour, we demonstrate belief in the gift and in the trustworthiness of God the Giver. How simple it is. We hear the Gospel’s Good News, our heart welcomes Christ, and in a grand supernatural transaction we are forgiven and flooded with new life. We become God’s children, born anew by an act of God Himself. “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” John 1:15–17. The Law of Moses established a standard of righteousness for humankind. Jesus revealed God’s gracious attitude toward all mankind. Looking at the Law we see what we should be, and feel ashamed. Looking at Jesus, we realize God loves us despite our sins, and rejoice. “God the only Son” John 1:18. The essence of Deity is unseen because our eyes cannot detect Him. So God took on a form that we could see. “Only” here has the essential meaning of “unique.” Jesus is the Son of God in a way that we can never be, for He preexisted time itself. We become God’s children. Jesus is and has always been God’s only Son.

DEVOTIONAL

No Greater Love (John 1:1–2)

“Three gods! You’ve got three gods!” That misunderstanding of Christian faith is common in both Muslim and Jewish circles. And yet Christians claim, “No. We have one God, the God of the Old Testament, who is shown in the New Testament to exist in three Persons.” It’s nonsense to many, of course. And yet as we read John’s first verses, we see that this is just what the Bible teaches. The Word, a few verses later on identified as the Son incarnate, Jesus Christ, was there in the beginning. He was with God. And He was God. Many attempts have been made to find an analogy that will help us better grasp the mystery of the Trinity: the Three-in- Oneness of Scripture’s one God. All fall short. The Trinity remains a mystery. Perhaps the best suggestion though was made in the fourth century of our era by Saint Augustine. Augustine argued that God must be a Trinity, for God is love. Before the Creation of the world, God must have had someone to love, and some way to convey love. It follows, Augustine taught, that there must be Three within the oneness of God: a Father to love, a Son to be the object of that love, and a Holy Spirit to convey and express love. What a thought. Before God created, God was a Person who loved. Because He existed as a Trinity, God has always been able to express that love fully within His own being. And yet God’s love is so great that it overflowed beyond His own self. In love God created the world and populated it with persons in His own image. In love God gave those persons freedom of choice. And, in love, God sacrificed the Son He loved to preserve all who believe from the disastrous and eternal consequences of the choices they have made. The Gospel of John is not only the Gospel of belief and faith, as most empha-size. John is the Gospel of unimaginable love.

Personal Application

Considering who Jesus is can deepen your love for Him.

Quotable

“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but on what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”—Napoleon Bonaparte

John

INTRODUCTION

John is the fourth and last-written of the New Testament’s portraits of Jesus Christ. Most believe it was composed between A.D. 70 and 100 by John, son of Zebedee, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. This is the most theological of the Gospels. It grew out of the need of second and third-generation Christians for an authoritative answer to the questions about Christ’s nature which then troubled the church. John said of his work, “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (20:31). Unlike the other Gospels, which follow a chronological sequence, John related separate incidents and teachings which help us better understand Jesus’ universal mission. Much of what John shared is not found, or is only briefly mentioned, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Through John’s clear portrayal of Jesus and His teaching, we do come to a much deeper appreciation of Jesus and what it means to have faith in Him.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Prologue	John 1:1–18
II.	Jesus, the Life Giver	John 1:19–4:42
III.	Jesus, Healer and Judge	John 4:43–5:47
IV.	Jesus, the Bread of Life	John 6
V.	Jesus, Water and Light of Life	John 7–8
VI.	Jesus, Shepherd of Mankind	John 9–10
VII.	Jesus, Resurrection and Life	John 11:1–54
VIII.	Jesus, the Triumphant King	John 11:55–12:50
IX.	Jesus, Life of the Church	John 13–17
X.	Jesus, Life from Death	John 18–21

AUGUST 22

Reading 234

ALIVE AGAIN Luke 24

“Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” (Luke 24:26)We share today the glory into which the resurrected Christ has entered.

Background

Resurrection.

The Gospels report several incidents where Jesus brought the dead back to life. This was not resurrection, but resuscitation. In resuscitation biological life is restored. But the individual remains mortal, and must experience biological death again. On the other hand resurrection is not a restoration of biological life. It is a transformation of the individual; a transmutation from mortality to immortality. The resurrected never again die, but live forever with the Lord. The resurrected are not subject to suffering or pain, or to the limitations that restrict mere men. Christ entered into the glory of the resurrected life when He burst triumphant from His tomb.

Overview

The first day of the week angels told awed women that Jesus had risen (24:1–8). Peter and John hurried to view the empty tomb (vv. 9–12). Jesus revealed Himself to two followers He met on the road to Emmaus (vv. 13–35). He met with all the disciples and “opened their minds” to the Scriptures (vv. 36–49) before being taken up into heaven (vv. 50–53).

Understanding the Text

“On the first day of the week” Luke 24:1.

From the very beginning of the church, Christians have held services on the first day of the week rather than the seventh. The Sabbath (Saturday) memorialized Creation and God’s rest. The first day (Sunday) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, and our victory over sin in Him. Each Sunday as we worship let’s commit ourselves to live in the newness of life that Jesus brings. “Then they remembered” Luke 24:2–8. It was only when the women saw the angel and were reminded by him that Jesus had promised to rise again that they remembered. If they had remembered earlier, how differently they would have felt during the nights and days Jesus’ body lay in the grave. If they had remembered earlier, they would have come to the tomb with hope and expectation. When a loved one dies, those who are left behind always grieve. But if we remember the empty tomb—and what it promises to us—we will come to the graveside of our believing dead weeping tears that glisten with the promise of joy. Jesus arose. And so will we. Many believe that the first-century tomb shown here is similar to that in which Jesus lay. The track in which a massive stone rolled (24:2); the low cut door at which Peter stooped (v. 12); the tiny window through which dawn’s light fell on the empty graveclothes (v. 12); all fit the details of the Gospel account. And the Garden Tomb lies near a mount that some identify as Calvary. Whether or not this is like the actual tomb is unimportant. What is important is that Jesus arose! “You are witnesses of these things” Luke 24:36–49. Later Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples. Seeing His hands and His feet, hearing His familiar voice, every doubt was overcome, and His disciples believed. It was then, after faith had come, that they were able to understand the Scriptures. Verses that had been familiar suddenly were filled with a meaning they had not grasped before. And then Jesus said a strange thing. The disciples were to “be witnesses” to all the things the Scripture had predicted would happen. They were to confirm the Word of God by testifying to its truth! In one sense, of course, nothing you or I can say can confirm or detract from the Word of God. God’s Word is truth, whatever men say about it. Yet in another sense we do bear witness to its trustworthiness. The 11 Jesus chose would preach the prophecies, and then would say, “I saw them fulfilled.” Even as today you and I share the Gospel and say, “I know it’s true. I have seen God’s promises fulfilled in my own life. I have experienced God’s forgiveness, and seen Jesus Christ change me.”

DEVOTIONAL

Downcast Disciples (Luke 24:13–35)

That Resurrection morning, as two of Jesus’ disciples trudged along the dusty road to Emmaus, a town about seven miles from Jerusalem, their faces were downcast. Mournful and gloomy, they undoubtedly made dreary companions that Easter morn. Yet when Jesus joined them in the guise of a stranger, the two disciples revealed they had a host of Resurrection facts! They even told the friendly Stranger about the empty tomb. Yes, some of their company had talked with angels, who said Jesus had risen from the dead. Yes, two disciples had gone to the tomb, and found it empty. But they hadn’t seen Him. So as these disciples trudged along, their faces sad, their hearts burdened, mourning the triumph they thought a tragedy, Jesus traced the Old Testament passages which predicted the Messiah’s death and foretold His resurrection. And even then the two disciples couldn’t shake their gloom. Downcast disciples. Downcast disciples, walking along the road with Jesus by their side. Downcast disciples, mourning as though their God really were dead rather than with them, and triumphantly alive. If you think that this is strange, think for a moment about your own life. Have you forgotten what the two on the road to Emmaus didn’t know? Do you find that you have a downcast mood that slips up on all of us now and then. But when it does, that’s the time to remember the lesson of the road to Emmaus. Our feelings do not fit the facts! We’re not alone anymore. Jesus lives, and our resurrected Lord walks our road with us. When we focus our attention on Him, and realize how close beside us He is, that downcast mood will be replaced by joy.

Personal Application

Resurrection means the risen Christ is with you and me today.

Quotable

“The Lord who took on our life had to die to give us His divine life. But death could not keep Him, so He rose again on the third day. My deepest rejoicing is in the living Word of God assuring us of the victory of Jesus over death, for I know that the little Child who was born in Bethlehem had to suffer before I could be saved. I cannot therefore be grateful enough to Him. I pray that I daily may know Him more and more, that I do not harden my heart when He speaks to me, that when He clearly speaks to me, I may obey Him, and that above all I may adore Him as my God and Saviour. “If we love Him above everything else in life, He will give us power to master our problems, overcome our fears and rise above every temptation and every sin. And then we shall be granted a foretaste of life eternal even in this mortal life.”—Charles H. Malik

AUGUST 21

Reading 233

THE FINAL HOURS Luke 22–23

“With loud shouts they insistently demanded that He be crucified, and their shouts prevailed” (Luke 23:23).Carefully Luke, like each of the evangelists, traced Jesus’ final hours from betrayal to burial.

Overview

Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money (22:1–6). At the Last Supper Jesus spoke of a New Covenant in His blood (vv. 7–23), spoke again on greatness (vv. 24–30), and predicted Peter’s denial (vv. 31–38). Events now moved quickly. Jesus prayed (vv. 39–46), was arrested (vv. 47–53), disowned by Peter (vv. 54–62), and mocked by His guards (vv. 63–65). He was taken before Pilate and Herod (v. 66–23:16), condemned (vv. 17–25), crucified (vv. 26–43), died (vv. 44–49), and was buried (vv. 50–56).

Understanding the Text

“They were afraid of the people” Luke 22:1–6.

During major religious festivals Jerusalem overflowed with pilgrims. Excited and volatile during these times, both the Roman government and the Jewish leaders kept close watch, hoping to avoid a spontaneous riot. Luke pictured the religious leaders, desperate to get rid of Jesus, actively “looking for” some way to dispose of Him. When Judas appeared to bargain for money they were delighted: What they feared to do openly they would gladly do in secret! What a simple test this suggests for us to apply to our own lives. If afraid or ashamed to do anything openly—don’t do it at all! “Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve” Luke 22:1–6. The expression does not imply Satan entered against Judas’ will. Instead it suggests that Judas’ own openness to evil gave Satan an opportunity to work through him. If you have ever feared Satan’s power, this passage in Luke indicates how fallible the ruler of evil is. Satan inspired Jesus’ betrayal. He eagerly choreographed Christ’s steps to the cross. And all along Satan was ignorant of the fact that the cross would be the instrument of his own defeat! Satan is powerful, yes. But he is not a god. His struggle against God is destined for utter defeat, and God is able to transform the most evil acts along the way into instruments of His good. “This cup is the New Covenant in My blood” Luke 22:1–23. The term “covenant” is one of the most significant in Scripture. In Old Testament times a covenant was a binding legal agreement, whose nature was determined by the parties involved. Between two businessmen it was a contract. Between nations it was a treaty. Between ruler and people it was a constitution. But between God and human beings, the basic force of “covenant” is a commitment. God’s ancient covenant with Abraham is marked by His statement of what “I will” do. God’s temporary covenant with Israel established through Moses, the Law, specified what God would do if Israel obeyed—or disobeyed. The “New Covenant” Jesus spoke of at the Last Supper, instituted at His death and sealed by His own shed blood, is God’s commitment to forgive the sins of those who believe in His Son, and to transform their character from within (cf. Jer. 31:31–34; Heb. 10:16–18). As we read the chapters which trace Jesus’ last day, we need to remember that Christ went to the cross knowing what His death would mean for you and me. Jesus suffered willingly. And He Himself is our guarantee: He is Himself the divine commitment to forgive us, and to make us new. “Which of them was considered to be greatest?” Luke 22:24–30 Some, noting that Matthew’s Gospel placed this dispute at a different time and place, cry “discrepancy,” and so “prove” the Bible is not without error after all. Such folks have never had children. I don’t know how many dozens of times I’ve heard the same argument between Sarah and our Matthew. Or how many times Sarah has asked the same question, blithely forgetting or ignoring the answer she’s been given again and again. The necessary assumption underlying the cry of “discrepancy,” that any human being will talk about something important to him once, and only once, seems utterly amazing to me. So I’m not surprised that the disciples, still unaware of Jesus’ imminent death, went back to arguing about who would be greatest in Christ’s kingdom. And I’m not surprised that Jesus once again contrasted the “greatness” of secular rulers with that servanthood which makes a man great in the eyes of the Lord. A discrepancy in Scripture? No. A flaw in the disciples? Yes. And a flaw in us if, like the Twelve, we expend our energies in the pursuit of status—while a dying world cries out for help and hope. “I confer on you a kingdom” Luke 22:28–30. Luke now added something not found in Matthew. At the Last Supper Jesus added these words, and the promise that one day the 12 disciples would sit on thrones to judge Israel’s 12 tribes. There’s plenty of “greatness” ahead for us all. But that’s for history’s end, not for now. Today there’s servanthood. And the greater our willingness to serve, the greater our future reward will be. “That is enough” Luke 22:35–38. Earlier the Twelve and also 72 were sent out to minister, and told to take no money or extra clothing with them. Jesus mentioned this, and reminded His disciples that when they did go, they lacked nothing. He then seemed to revise His instructions. Most take this unexpected reversal either as sarcasm, or as a way of emphasizing the seriousness of the immediate crisis. Surely His saying, “Buy a sword,” suggests imminent danger. But when the disciples showed Him two blades, He said, “That is enough.” Today, two are still enough. They are enough to symbolize the dangers of this present world. Yet they are not enough to protect us from those dangers, any more than two swords in the hands of untrained disciples could protect Jesus from the approaching mob. It’s important for us to recognize the danger to be found in the world. But it is just as important, in our helplessness, to realize that we cannot rely on worldly means for our defense. “He touched the man’s ear and healed him” Luke 22:47–53. When the mob arrived, a disciple tried to use one of the two swords. He swung (wildly?) and succeeded in slicing off one man’s ear! Jesus, saying, “No more of this!” touched the man and restored his ear. At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry He had said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Now, about to go to the cross, He took love a step further. Even as your enemies seek to destroy you, make them whole. “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter” Luke 22:54–62. Only Luke added this detail. It was not the crowing of the cock that made Peter realize what he had done in disowning Jesus. It was the fact that, as the cock crowed a third time, Peter glanced up and met Christ’s eye. Later Peter wrote an epistle that quotes Psalm 34:14: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” (1 Peter 3:12). The meaning is that God is watching over His own, eager to do them good. God watches us, as Christ looked at Peter, with love! The guilt Peter suddenly felt was not in Christ’s look, but reflected from Peter’s own eyes. Sin has a peculiar impact on us. It makes us look away from God, trying to forget that He always sees us. Thus sin keeps us away from the one Person we most need when we fail. Let’s learn two things from Peter’s experience. First, after doing wrong, look quickly to the Lord. The love you see in His eyes may move you too to weep bitterly. But in that process you will be healed. And second, look unceasingly to the Lord. If you never look away, the love in Christ’s eyes will keep you from sin. “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” Luke 23:26–42. The thief on the cross is healthy corrective to the superficial treatment of Jesus by Pilate and Herod (see DEVOTIONAL). At first both thieves mocked Jesus. But in time one asked Jesus, “Remember me.” There’s no guarantee that facing death will bring a person to consider eternity. There were two thieves, but only one stopped his ridicule after a time. Only one said, “Remember me.” Still, that one thief reminds us that as long as life lasts, it’s not too late to appeal to God in Jesus’ name. And that because the longest life is but a brief moment compared with eternity, we must call on Jesus while we can. After all, He did die to save us. As the Crucifixion account reminds us, it’s a matter of Jesus’ death—and our eternal life. “Wrapped it in a linen cloth” Luke 23:50–56. Jesus died. He was buried. And there these chapters—but not His story (or history) end.

DEVOTIONAL

Hoping for a Miracle (Luke 22:66–23:25)

The trial of Jesus was a disappointment to everyone. Pilate kept on saying, “There’s no basis for a charge against this Man” (23:4). The Jewish leaders kept on desperately trying to find something that would move Pilate to order Christ’s execution (vv. 2, 5, 10, 14). The carefully recruited crowd got hoarse shouting out, “Crucify Him!” on cue. And poor Herod, who’d wanted to see Jesus for a long time, was upset because when Jesus was brought to him in chains, Christ wouldn’t perform a miracle for his entertainment! Barabbas, a convicted insurrectionist and murderer, was satisfied. He was released instead of Jesus and slipped away, never to be mentioned again. But I’m sorriest of all for poor, superficial Herod. I imagine he sulked for hours. All those months hoping to see a miracle, and then—nothing! What in the world would Herod talk about at his next dinner party? How he finally saw Jesus, and Jesus wouldn’t perform? Actually, Herod reminds me of a lot of Christians. One recent survey suggests that people shop for churches as for a commodity. They check out agencies. They ask about the preaching. They find out who goes to the church. They listen critically to the choir. Are there enough activities for children? For teens? Even then all too many come on Sunday and go away disappointed, because for some reason God or the preacher didn’t perform well that day. Like Herod, they came to be entertained. They came “hoping for a miracle,” and God wasn’t putting on a special performance for them that day. We can see clearly what was wrong with Herod’s attitude. The Son of God was about to go to the cross, and all that Herod cared about was being entertained! But can we see this flaw in ourselves? Have we ever stopped to think that church isn’t supposed to be entertaining? Church is to be a gathering place for a community of faith; a company of men and women who worship the crucified Saviour, and who commit themselves to minister to a lost and suffering mankind.

Personal Application

What you come to church for determines what you take away.

Quotable

“It’s hard to imagine—Paul having the gift of entertainment.—Barnabas being the minister of entertainment rather than the minister of encouragement.—Jesus selling tickets to the feeding of the 5,000.—Peter peddling his ’Feed My Sheep’ seminars. “Far too often, we’ve tried to bring ministry, music, and entertainment together, and in so doing we’ve lost the integrity and true meaning of the church. No one can honestly say they’ve been called by God to entertain.”—Glenn W. Harrell