Month: January 2016

01 31 Luke 22.66-23.25 This passage raises perhaps the single most important question that can be asked.  It was raised by those who should have known the answer given the overwhelming evidence in what they knew from Old Testament prophesy, what they were witness to, and in what they heard.  They posed it to a man they had arrested the previous night.  The answer to this question has eternal ramifications.  Speaking to Jesus they asked “are you the Christ?”  The religious leaders questioning Jesus had rejected the possibility that He was the Christ, the Messiah.  They had all the proof, but ignored it.

Matthew Henry writes “there are none so blind as those who will not see.”   Former US Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson said that “the real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can’t believe in Him – but that they won’t believe in Him.”

The question about Christ is one we will all face and must all answer.  How we answer it will determine where we spend eternity.  Do you believe He was just a man or that He was in fact God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14) who died for our sin that by faith in Him we can everlasting life?

01 24 Luke 22.47-65 Our passage takes us to three scenes familiar because they are part of the remaining hours of Jesus’ life before the cross.  They are the betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, and the mockery by the guards.  Each scene has any number of characters involved and in each scene there is a common thread that running throughout.  What is clear is the demonstration of Jesus’ compassion to each of the characters in each scene.  Did they need compassion?  Did they receive it?  Ultimately, the answer is yes, they received it then and also on the cross.  In compassion Jesus without any retaliation or judgment they may have otherwise been deserving.  They all needed compassion – as do we.  Do we deserve?  Will we receive it?  How can we show compassion to those around us?

01 17 Luke 22.39-46 Jesus gives an example of prayer in times of great stress.  He prayed all the more fervently when He was sorrowful and troubled just before the cross.  But in that desperate hour and angel came and ministered to Him and strengthened Him.  He’ll do the same for us. 

01 10 16 Luke 22.7-38 During what is arguably the most selfless act to be demonstrated in the upcoming sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the disciples spent time during the Passover meal arguing about who was the greatest among them.  Jesus denounces this pride and then tells them how to destroy this sin in their life.  He says that if you want to be great you must become a servant.  Humility is essential to serve and to be humble you need to begin with making sure God is on the throne of your life.

01 10 16 Luke 22.7-38

01 03 Luke 22.1-6 When considering a passage such as the one this message, it is important to keep in mind that God is sovereign in all things, even when it concerns His Son – Jesus Christ.  We can look around us and become overwhelmed by a deplorable plot or a diabolical person.  The comfort comes in believing that God has a definitive plan that encompasses His sovereignty, His salvation, and His solution.  When things don’t make sense and when bad things happen, we need to implicitly trust God and hold onto His sovereignty.