April 11, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Lent 2025 – Day 22 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.47 through 5.48 (pages 173-175)
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.
There is a great lesson on what true repentance looks like when you read the accounts of Peter and Judas. Peter betrayed Jesus by denying Him three times. This was not a premeditated act like Judas but his confidence that he wouldn’t was grounded in pride thinking he could handle that situation on his own. The reality was that fear took over and he could not be strong without God. Judas also betrayed Jesus but he did this by choice and with planning. Both were truly sad and guilty after they saw what they had done but only Peter took that guilt and shame and moved to true repentance. Judas selfishly killed himself in a vain attempt to avoid his problems, while Peter gave his life and died in service to Jesus. We all fall and make mistakes but when we realize what we have done do we just say we are sorry or do we truly repent, do we turn away from that thing and never go back. Like Peter, our actions speak louder than words when it come to true repentance.
The hour of darkness. Satan’s hour. The Pharisees night court against everyone of their own laws. No trial at night. No trial outside of the great hall No trial before the day of a feast. Has to be at least 2 witnessed in agreement. They paid liars for that. No defense for Jesus. Everyone of these unlawful. But this is satan’s hour. He entered Judas and definitely had entered these so called men. Jesus was a threat to their position, a threat to take away the minds and hearts of the Jewish people. A miracle worker. But they have to get rid of him quick. On their timetable. Or satan’s. No, God’s timetable. What a circus. Confusion. Anus and Caiaphas are completely frustrated. Jesus piercing through them as he looks straight at them with no answers Between them and Pilate 6 different court scenes. Because he is not guilty!!. He is the messiah, the Son of God!! . I can’t get enough of this truth!!!
Judas. What will you give me if I hand him over to you. That unfortunately tells who Judas is!! We all know people that are only interested what they can get out of a situation. Judas the outmost. Full of remorse he returns to the chief priests. Are you kidding me!! Wouldn’t you run to Jesus the one person that could absolve you of this terrible decision.!! And there it is. The picture of a dying world. Run out and hang yourself instead of bowing before our living savior. Like Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of vegan soup. Should make us want to tell others more
Lent 2025 – Day 22
Lent Days 21 and 22
Well said, Kelly and Mark. Judas was taken over by Satan, but I wonder if he had truly repented and turned to Jesus instead of only being sorry and hanging himself; he might have seen the risen Savior and died for the cause of Christ. It seems that after Jesus wasn’t going to be the king but, instead a dying Savior, that he was not interested in that. So maybe there was never hope for him. But the scripture is clear that God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. This grieved Jesus when he knew that Judas would betray Him. This shows the heart of God for each of us, and He leaves it up to us to decide to come before Him in repentance and trusting Him fully for our salvation. And after that to follow Him wherever He leads. If we only make Him Savior and don`t follow Him, we are hurting ourselves. He wants the best for us. Seek Him, Serve Him.