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/