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.
We are given two examples in Judas and Peter of betrayal. The stories are very similar, but the hearts are different. It is interesting to compare the two and our own hearts and actions to them as well. Satan enters Judas. Peter has been trying to function in his own righteousness. He didn’t have the benefit of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus did pray for him. Satan asked to sift him! Thank you, Jesus for your prayers for us, for your death, and your indwelling Spirit.
Lent Day 22
These leaders are hell bent to kill Jesus and are looking for any justification to do so. The witnesses cannot agree which invalidates their claims and when asked a question Jesus should answer, He speaks the truth of who He is. I love that He even put an exclamation point on it by describing what He would do in the end that the Pharisees could understand would be a divine thing. And it is just like satan to lead someone to do wrong and then have them regret it. Judas knew exactly what that was like but makes the wrong choice to kill himself. And the hypocrisy of the leaders runs thick here. First they don’t care what Judas is going through…he had given them what they wanted. They don’t except the money back and will not mix it with the temple money because it was used to kill someone which they were the exact ones who paid the money and set the wheels in motion to kill Him. And so they us it to buy and field…and how amazing that even that detail is prophesied by Jeremiah. All these people acting in the way that they saw fit, but still orchestrated by the Lord of the universe. It is amazing and points further to His glory!
There are stark differences between Peter and Judas. Peter denies Jesus out of fear for his own life. He immediately realizes he did wrong, he weeps about it, he stays close to his friends and continues to be a follower of Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus out of discontentment with his ministry. He immediately realizes he did wrong, he returns the money and he ends his life. There was no place for him to go with his guilt and shame because in his mind, Jesus could do nothing about it. True repentence is realizing we did wrong and feeling sorrowful about it but it does not stop there. We say we are sorry to the people we hurt, we turn away from the sin that destroys, and we do everything possible to not let it continue. We allow God to step into our lives, walking with him, listening to him and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. It is by no means easy, but with God all things are possible. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Amen, Shelly!