April 9, 2025
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Lent 2025 – Day 20 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.41 through 5.42 (pages 169-171)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
Lent Day 20
Every time Jesus went to pray he came back to them sleeping. We are to pray for strength against temptation. The Spirit want us to do what is right but our body is weak. He pointed out judas as being the one to betray him and then Judas actually kisses Jesus to be arrested by the soldiers. Jesus had the powers to be able to get away but still wanted to bring truth of what the prophets wrote.
Can you imagine the physical pain. I can’t. Can you imagine the Holy Spirit leaving you without a relationship with our father. Unbearable. Can you imagine inside you all the ugly sins the world has ever committed. Beyond unbearable. That was what Jesus had in the next few hours. And he carried out His Father’s will. Because???? Of me and you!!! Beyond overwhelmed!!! I can’t fathom love like that. And from God?? Hallelujah!! Asking Peter Keep watch for one hour so that you won’t fall into temptation. Great definition of spiritual warfare. The flesh is weak. But the spirit is strong. Amen to that, 30 years I tried without the Holy Spirit. Defeated every time. With the Holy Spirit I can overcome with prayer and the holy word and focus. Every time I read Peter cutting off soldiers ear and scripture mentions his name. Jesus restores his ear back to perfection. Bet you he became a believer and we will meet him in glory
I have cried out to God in many dark hours of my life; times of deep hurt, rejection, and anguish. But never could I imagine the pain in Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Take this cup if it is your will is the ask knowing full well He will not, knowing full well what He was about to endure on our behalf. I imagine that if His disciples really understood what was about to happen they would not have fallen asleep. It does show how often we think we put others first but do we really? The anguish Jesus was experiencing had to have been visible to them and yet they still fell asleep and how often do we fall asleep in the face of people’s pain in our lives instead of really being there for them.
Jesus is so peaceful even when taken by the guards. He wants no chaos, He heals the ear of the guard, and asks why the weapons are even needed. He knew what was happening, where He was going, and He had peace knowing He was doing the work of His Father.
Lent 2025 – Day 20
Day 15-20.
“My heart is so heavy with grief, I feel as if I am dying …..”
How grieved our Jesus’ feelings were is hard to fathom and yet He was just as human as we are. Such heaviness on his heart. Praying in pain….sweating blood asking His Father to spare Him of the inevitable. And yet, knowing He would have to fulfill this prophecy, He ultimately gave it over to His Fathers will.
How often do we come upon difficulties or circumstances totally trusting God to take care of the outcome, letting it be Gods will.
The old saying, “Let go and Let God’.
Oh, to be more like Jesus!
Day 20
Lent 2025 Day 20
Lent Day 20
Lent 2025 – Day 20
The anticipation of something coming at times can be worse than the thing itself, and but for the horrific suffering that Jesus will go through, we can imagine that being the case for Jesus here. Jesus has been committed to doing the Father’s will all along, but the interaction between them here shows that Jesus did have a choice in the matter and yet submitted to His Father knowing full well why His sacrifice was necessary. And how often do we find our spirit willing but our flesh weak and what comfort Jesus was seeking from His disciples and they just didn’t deliver. But Judas does deliver Jesus to the Jewish authorities and I love that Jesus points out, really, a kiss? And although such an unjust thing is happening to Him, Jesus maintains control of Himself and all those involved, even healing the ear of one of those who had come to arrest Him. He truly shines throughout the debacle of everything that will happen to Him in the next few hours.
Jesus was greatly troubled that he would suffer such a terrible death, but he had us in mind and his Father’s will. He knew what was coming, and he knew what the end result would be – the gift of salvation to all who believe. The greatest love of all is to die for one’s friends. We are Jesus’ friends. And he will forever be praised and glorified. Hallelujah!