Betrayal & Rejection
Most people are betrayed behind their back but have you ever been betrayed right in your face, where the individual greets you nicely and then suddenly turns against you?
That is what happened to Jesus as Judas his disciple approached him with a kiss, with the temple guard behind him. Jesus was like Judas are you really going to betray me with a kiss?
Most often our reaction to opposition make matters worse because we were caught off guard and react abruptly without forethought. Jesus had warned the disciples to pray so they don't fall into temptation, He knew what was about to come, yet they chose rather to sleep.
What type of reaction do you have to a negative situation when you are woken from sleep?
So the disciples wanted to fight, they were outnumbered by men with weapons, not very smart, also they had no clue why this was taking place, for they didn't spend time in prayer. Our perspective on something means everything. When we pray we have foresight when we don't we are nearsighted. It is important to be able to see ahead and see what is before you, so you know how to handle the temporary in regard to the eternal.
So the disciples asked Jesus if they should fight but yet fought anyway, cutting off a guards ear before Jesus could even respond. I once responded to someone who was being rude and domineering towards my wife at our business, I choked him and pushed him against a wall, in which I was almost arrested. I came into the situation asking God how to respond but I had really made up my mind that I was going to be aggressive, to show my wife that I am her protector. It may sound like the right thing to do but I knew my heart was not right and I did not really wait on God's counsel.
Jesus was like enough of this, He knew this was part of God's plan, so He told His disciples to back off. Without prayer we can never understand how a bad thing can be turned around for good, and will always react negatively. God wants to prepare us for the challenges ahead but are we in position to gain His perspective?
A team's success is determined in practice for it is what prepares them for the game. They are challenged with drills of situations that may come up in a game and they go over their playbook so they can counter what their opponent throws at them. We are prepared for life's challenges through prayer and the study of God's word.
We need to ask ourselves daily, am I spiritually ready to face life's challenges in a godly way?
Jesus questions the guards, why now, and why in such a fashion? He says it is because now is the time that darkness is allowed to have it's way.
Have you ever asked the questions; Of all times, why do I have to go through this now? God's eternal plan is much bigger than our temporary circumstances. Satan thinks he actually is in control, yet God uses him for His divine purposes. We must choose to trust God, despite how things seem to appear, for what Satan meant for bad God will turn around for good, when we put our trust in Him.
Have you ever tried to outrun or hide from your problems, or just live in self-denial?
The disciples did not just back off from the guards, they fled, like, "man overboard, we are not going down with the ship."
Have you ever been close to someone with major problems that you didn't want nothing to do with? You were like not me, this is on you.
Peter we see in verses 54-65 gets to the point of denying three times when confronted by bystanders that he even knows Christ, just as had been foretold. Jesus was not just betrayed by Judas but rejected by the majority of his friends. So when Jesus was brought before the Council and false witness was presented He had nobody to speak up for Him. Not that it would have done any good, but it would have been for moral support, that Jesus friends were there for Him during His darkest time.
Now let's do a little self-examination. It is easy to look at others but how about ourselves. How have we betrayed and rejected Christ? Having surrendered our lives to the Lord and having the power to overcome our sinful nature through the Holy Spirit do we still sin right in the Lord's face, since he sees and knows all? Does our lifestyle sometimes deny that we are disciples of Jesus Christ? The majority of us can say yes, so let us repent, receive God's mercy, and yield more to the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.
That is what happened to Jesus as Judas his disciple approached him with a kiss, with the temple guard behind him. Jesus was like Judas are you really going to betray me with a kiss?
Most often our reaction to opposition make matters worse because we were caught off guard and react abruptly without forethought. Jesus had warned the disciples to pray so they don't fall into temptation, He knew what was about to come, yet they chose rather to sleep.
What type of reaction do you have to a negative situation when you are woken from sleep?
So the disciples wanted to fight, they were outnumbered by men with weapons, not very smart, also they had no clue why this was taking place, for they didn't spend time in prayer. Our perspective on something means everything. When we pray we have foresight when we don't we are nearsighted. It is important to be able to see ahead and see what is before you, so you know how to handle the temporary in regard to the eternal.
So the disciples asked Jesus if they should fight but yet fought anyway, cutting off a guards ear before Jesus could even respond. I once responded to someone who was being rude and domineering towards my wife at our business, I choked him and pushed him against a wall, in which I was almost arrested. I came into the situation asking God how to respond but I had really made up my mind that I was going to be aggressive, to show my wife that I am her protector. It may sound like the right thing to do but I knew my heart was not right and I did not really wait on God's counsel.
Jesus was like enough of this, He knew this was part of God's plan, so He told His disciples to back off. Without prayer we can never understand how a bad thing can be turned around for good, and will always react negatively. God wants to prepare us for the challenges ahead but are we in position to gain His perspective?
A team's success is determined in practice for it is what prepares them for the game. They are challenged with drills of situations that may come up in a game and they go over their playbook so they can counter what their opponent throws at them. We are prepared for life's challenges through prayer and the study of God's word.
We need to ask ourselves daily, am I spiritually ready to face life's challenges in a godly way?
Jesus questions the guards, why now, and why in such a fashion? He says it is because now is the time that darkness is allowed to have it's way.
Have you ever asked the questions; Of all times, why do I have to go through this now? God's eternal plan is much bigger than our temporary circumstances. Satan thinks he actually is in control, yet God uses him for His divine purposes. We must choose to trust God, despite how things seem to appear, for what Satan meant for bad God will turn around for good, when we put our trust in Him.
Have you ever tried to outrun or hide from your problems, or just live in self-denial?
The disciples did not just back off from the guards, they fled, like, "man overboard, we are not going down with the ship."
Have you ever been close to someone with major problems that you didn't want nothing to do with? You were like not me, this is on you.
Peter we see in verses 54-65 gets to the point of denying three times when confronted by bystanders that he even knows Christ, just as had been foretold. Jesus was not just betrayed by Judas but rejected by the majority of his friends. So when Jesus was brought before the Council and false witness was presented He had nobody to speak up for Him. Not that it would have done any good, but it would have been for moral support, that Jesus friends were there for Him during His darkest time.
Now let's do a little self-examination. It is easy to look at others but how about ourselves. How have we betrayed and rejected Christ? Having surrendered our lives to the Lord and having the power to overcome our sinful nature through the Holy Spirit do we still sin right in the Lord's face, since he sees and knows all? Does our lifestyle sometimes deny that we are disciples of Jesus Christ? The majority of us can say yes, so let us repent, receive God's mercy, and yield more to the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.
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