I am humbled.
Love,
Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 23:3-61
The insults. The abuses. The comments about how you should save yourself. The criminals with you. Ridiculous. You endured all of that. For us.
Just the whole thing. The darkness. Everything that happened... what you said and did and what happened around you. The curtain (shiver :-). The women who stayed. They stayed. For you. Thank you women, for doing that... since I could not be there... He deserves it.
Joseph comes and honors you with a tomb of his. The women make note of it for after the Sabbath so they can properly bury you. (little do they know...)
Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-38; John 14-16:33; Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46
ok backing up.
How sad would that Last Supper be? Everything is coming to a head, and Jesus says someone will betray him, and says it's Judas when Judas asks. Just bittersweet. And full of foreboding.
And of course, beautiful! I love the breaking of bread. It's so symbolic and wonderful.
And don't forget the beautiful representation of how we need to be. (Which personally I'm having a hard time with.) We need to be humble, willing to serve and wash each other's feet. Beautiful.
Love one another. That's really the whole key. Love God, love people, love yourself last. How impossible is that?! Very. When you're alone. With God, it's possible.
Jesus is going ahead--but he's coming back to take us with him. Ah what a day! I know the way. Now I just have to follow it. If you love God, you will obey him. Me, do you love him?
I know the Spirit. I can honestly say that. So that's something I'm growing in. Whether I listen to him is another thing altogether, but you and me, we're working on it.
I think I'm trying to bear fruit without clinging to the vine. Which is definitely not good. I'm even trying to cling to the vine by myself. It's hard to do by oneself. But so much easier when you actually remember God's got your back.
Thank you for choosing me. I definitely could not pick you without you picking me first.
John 15:19 YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO FIT IN!!!! (Thank you TS)
Everybody knows at this point that he's going somewhere. He's going to his Father. Yet their eyes were not opened to everything that meant. But it's so... refreshing to read these words. I don't know why. But they are. Just to think of Jesus going to the Father, sending the Holy Spirit, knowing that all this is still going on.
John 16:11
because the prince of this world now stands condemned. Hallelujah! That gives me chills. So amazing.
Oh won't that be a blessed relief! When Jesus no longer talks figuratively but speaks plainly! He does some... but once we're up there... it'll be so clear!
I'm with A on John 16:33! "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Thank you Jesus.
Matthew 26:47-27:26; Mark 14:43-15:15; Luke 22:47-23:25; John 18:2-19:16
And here is where it is all heading. And it's ridiculous. I mean really, better than any novel. And the best part? It really happened, and it was for all of humanity, so we can be a part of this story. This is the epic tale of all epic tales.
Jesus still calls Judas friend. Even though he just kissed him to betray him. And Jesus knew it. And he still called Judas friend. The ultimate love right there.
After praying with his father, and everything, Jesus was willing to do what he needed to do with as little bloodshed on anyone else's part.
Poor Peter. Lord. I don't know what to say. He walked with you for 3 years and yet when things are getting really rough, he backs out. I mean, I'm not saying that I would never do that (I never want to do that, but I doubt Peter wanted to either), but it's just sad. And what's just as sad is that it's happening a lot still. Teens who grew up in the church are turning their backs to You. Lord, use me to chase after them.
Poor Judas.
The shame and humiliation just for people to decide if they're going to crucify you or not is sobering. This is just the start and already I'm cringing for you. For what should have been me. You didn't do anything wrong. I did. I have. I will. And yet I would not be behaving so well as you. You didn't sin. Not even at the end. I wonder how much Satan toyed with your mind during that last 24 hours of your life. Or how much you just shut out and pushed him away. You definitely did not give in. If you have that power, so do I. (How amazing is it to be able to say that?!)
I love you Lord.