SATURDAY, July 26th, 2008

Hey everyone! Great job on the devotions yesterday! I am very excited about all of you that are faithfully doing them! Keep up the good work! If you havent gone to the prayer blog take a moment and ceck it out today... When you go there, make sure that you leave a comment telling us that you prayed for some or all of the prayer request. If you have anything that you want us to add to the list then just let me know; I will add it on! Stay faithful! See you in church tomorrow! It is going to be a great day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARY!

John 18

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”
9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

So from the beginning of this book to the oassage today was the length of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. It doesnt seem very long! Christ earthly ministry lasted about 3 years. So Jesus and His disciples finished "the Lords Supper" and they listened to Jesus give some final words to them, and then they listened to Jesus pray. As soon as Christ finished praying this passage explains to us that He got up and went with the disciples to "the garden" of gethsemene. Pastor Chip has actually been to this spot. How cool is that.

As Jesus and His disciples were spending time in the garden guess who shows up?? You better believe it, Judas and a small "detachment of troops". WHAT?!?!?!?! Jesus has never been aggressive, never hurt ANYONE, He has only saved and healed; yet Judas braught a troop of soldiers with torches, lanterns and WEAPONS?!?! It is clear that Judas did not know Christ. If he had known Christ, then He would have known that there would be no need for weapons with the "prince of peace". If Judas had known Christ then he might have known that Christ actually came for this moment, to die for the sins of man... Christ would not stop them from taking Him although as Michael mentioned two days ago: " He could have called 10,000 angels to save him" but he chose to go to the cross for us.

Peter, Peter, Peter... I have told you before, I am a sanguine just like Peter. My default mode is to think before I speak or act... It takes a lot of self control to restrain this part of my temperment. I say that, because I can relate to Peter here. I would have been ready to fight. Ok, Jesus, there are 20 of themand 11 of us... With my sword and a few of your miracles I think we can take them!!! I will start by... chopping this guys ear off??? Well, Peter had the passion, but not the right actions in this moment... No fear! We are stanging next to Jesus, the miracle worker, who created that ear. He can fix it!

My two applications for this passage would be:
1. Jesus willingly went to the cross for me, nothing forced Him, He simply chose to go there for you and me! What have I chose to do for Him in return. He gave His life for us, maybe we should give our life back to Him.
2. Like Peter, often times we jump and do something before we really thing about what we are doing. Peter responded in the moment, and very possibly in the flesh. However Jesus explains to Him, Hey! This is what I have had planned from before the foundation of the earth. I planned to save you from your sins. We, like Peter, should think! before we act!:)

Don't forget to pray for your friends today:
http://www.praywithsuncoastyouth.blogspot.com/

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is surprising to see Judas bringing weapons to fight Jesus, yet like Pastor Lee said if he knew Jesus, he would not have brought weapons. Deep down maybe Judas feared the Government and thought the Government would kill him for taking sides with Jesus. Like they say "Love will defeat all fear." So, if Judas knew Jesus and loved Him, he would have stayed by His side.

Anonymous said...

...uh... why hasn't anyone put a devotion on yet? I figured someone would have put one on a minute after Pastor Lee posted the passage.

Amy :) said...

That would be kinda scary if u were a disciple and u went to the garden w/ jesus and then like soldiers come and take Him to crucify Him. He could have called 10,000 angels to save him" but he chose to go to the cross for us.- this is such a cool thought u pointed out pastor lee. He could have saved Himself but instead He saved us.

Rachel☺; said...

be back later; promise (:

RYAN said...

i think it is awesome how jesus could have just stood there and let them take him away like that even if they didnt have weopons he would have gon. i think its awesome that he did all of that for me. wow its indescribable. i also like how when peter cut off one of the soldiers ear. Jesus put it back on even though he new what they were about to do to them.

Tylermon33 said...

this starts out by Jesus and His disciples going to a garden and judas new were they would be so he got some troops with swords and went to the garden to get Jesus. even though Jesus new everything that was going to happen He played along with it anyway. so He asked them who are you guys looking for and they said Jesus, so He said I am He and they were suprised. so He asked them again and they said Jesus again and He said again I am He. so after that peter got his sword and chopped off one of the guards ears. then Jesus said for peter to put away his sword and the troops arrested Him and took Him away to see caiaphas. (i thought that the person judas was to kiss the guards would take Him away and i though that after peter cut off the guards ear Jesus put the ear back on the guard). so Jesus knows everything and He willingly gave Himself up to die on the cross for our sins, so we should be thankful for that and we should thank Jesus also.

weird high school kid said...

Hey guess what my half-nephew and my X-half-nephew-in-law came over today and in fact they're still here as I type. Wanna know something else they are a major pain in the rear. They broke a plate on the floor, cracked 7 new glowsticks for my tricks, and joey(the younger one) pulled all my clothes that were hanging in my closet. AARGH they are lucky that it is a sin to kill others otherwise they would be dead... JK, but seriously its so hard to study for my CLEP exam while I'm afriad of what they will do next.

Wow stupid foolish Judas, even though you are doing the world the greatest good in the world you are selfish enough to ignorantly send jesus to the cross so that he may pay for our sins. Tsk tsk Peter why are you so quick to act? don't you ever think before you begin to take action against others? Oh dear and almighty jesus I thank you for all you have done and especially willingly going on the cross so that I might be able to go to heaven.

So things to get out of this passage number 1: don't act before thinking of the consequences, number 2: Remember the great things that jesus has unslefishly done for us people, and for number 3: Do not do a citizens arrest on someone when s/he has a gang behind him/her with a weapon like a gun, knife, or sword, you might get hurt.

Anonymous said...

in this passage Jesus sacrificed his life for us purposely.he could have fought even with simon peter on his side...i mean he was Jesus he could have fought them off in any way he wanted to but he chose not to so he could die for our sins.Jesus knew he would be taken away,he knew he would be tortured ,he knew he would be crucified and he knew after all of that he would rise from the dead and prove a miracle.but he died out of love for us.the least we can do for His Holy Spirit is devote our life to spreadig the word of gospel...seems like a small sacrifice to me.

im sorry everyone,but unfortunately i wont be able to make it to church tomorrow morning,im gonna be in fort myers.you all will be on my mind and i will be there in spirit.but on the bright side i am totally pumped about the wilds...ya i pretty uch cant contain myself=)

Anonymous said...

Josh what up with your #3, hua?
you be crazy man.
Pastor Lee, what on earth is a oassage? I bet its a big people word I just dont know yet.

I think I would also go ninja on these group of guys coming to get my Jesus. I found it interesting when the clan came to get Jesus and Jesus said "I am he" they drew back and fell to the ground,wow. What happened to them in that moment? I cant imagine that those guys would get up and try it again. I think Jesus knowing he was going to go through with his plan, decided to flex his muscles a little. So many times Jesus could of changed his mind, but he loved us all so much that he couldn't help but pay our way. Thank you Jesus..

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. only 9 people did there devotions today(so far)!!! WHERE IS EVERYBODY!?!?!
I may be late but I am still doing them! better late than never! lol
So Jesus is talking to his disiples in a garden, and Judas knew the place also. But Judas doesn't go there anymore because he betrayed Jesus.
So Judas comes with a whole group of troops, officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, they come with lanterns, torches, and weapons. So Jesus knew all of this was going to happen so he is cool about it, he just goes up to them and asks them who they are looking for? and they said Jesus of Nazareth. and when Jesus said he's what there looking for they fell. Then Jesus asked them if they are looking for again and they said Jesus and he says "I TOLD YOU THATS ME!!!" then simon goes nuts and doesn't know what to do but defend Jesus choppes the guy's ear off...poor ear=( lol

Anonymous said...

MY TWO CENTS pastor Lee probably meant to say passage oassage is not a grown up word.. it's not even a word!!!

Anonymous said...

ya i think lucy is right about that my two cents!!!well i am sooooooooo tired so i will make mine up tomorrow sorry!!!!!

Rachel☺; said...

So, my plan worked (;

& for anyone wanting to see bat man;;

i Saw The Dark Knight tonight and it was kinda scary, and not so fantabulous.
The joker guy is so sick and demented; hes a weirdo.
It wasnt as amazing as said to be, but alright if you like long movies with neverending problems in them.

Ok...
Did Jesus really put that guys ear back on?
i missed it if He did cause, i cant find it...
Well idk, but verse eleven is the most important to me.
Jesus had the power to do anything when those men were there to capture Him for the killing. He couldve dealt with that situation and made it so that He wouldnt have been crucified; but He chose to let it happen.
I think it not only was because He loved us, but because He loved His father enough to do as He was sent for.
As in verse eleven it says Shall i not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?, seeming to me that Jesus was willing to be crucified because He loved His father enough to obey Him and go with what He was dealt.
Thats kind of crazy because if my mom today told me that she wanted me to be crucified when im thirty-something and to trust her its for the better of others, i dont think id be so chill with it.
We should have the love for God like Jesus and be willing to do as He tells us, especialy since its so small in comparison to what Jesus was commanded!

Kacey! said...

Happy birthday Cary!

Wow, Jesus knew that all that was going to happen and He just stayed there. If it were me I would have gone to a different town. That's why He is so amazing! He knew what was going to happen to Him and how painful it would be and He still did. He basically said 'Hello, you found me, now take me.' Wow, He is amazing and He loves us so much! That's all I can say.

See ya'll tomorrow, (:

Anonymous said...

sorry its so late that im doing these...i was busy all day & i had 2 wait 4 this kud im babysittin 2 fall asleep b4 i was allowed 2 get on 2 do devos...

so that's amazin how Christ chose 2 save US when he coulda EASILY saved himself!!!

im surprised judas had them come w/weapons cuz Christ is never hostile...he heals & stuff...not fight...

idk...but this is pretty cool...Christ choosing us...

i wish i woulda done these earlier cuz im like 99.9999999999999999999999999% outa it...

hey my friend dani's movin in down the road-ish on FRI!!! shes like 10 min away so we DEF gotta pick her up4 youth so se can check it out "]

later taters!!!

Aznricerunr[PN] said...

WOW this is amazing what Jesus goes through for us!! Jesus came to the garden and there he saw Judas and troops to come and take Jesus and Jesus loving us let them take him because he knew that he had to die for us. Jesus could have stopped them with one breathe but chose to suffer and die all for a chance at heaven WOW!!!! Peter saw that Jesus was being taken away and tried to defend Jesus but Jesus told him no and that he had to this. That is amazing that Jesus would do that. How would you feel if one of your friends died for you just so that you could have a better life. Well thats what he did for us and we owe our lives to him by devoting ourselfs to him and his word!

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