AM April 6th Luke 23

April 6th

Jesus servants wont lack

35: And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36: Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37: For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38: And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Prayer in the Garden

39: And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41: And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42: Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43: And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45: And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46: And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Betrayal

47: And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48: But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49: When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50: And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51: And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52: Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53: When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

There are those who say that today evangelists should go without money. However, while it is true that evangelists can trust in Gods provision, we must remember that the apostolic mission during the ministry of Christ was quite unique. The Apostles were sent out relying of the hospitality of Israel. Now that their mission is at an end Christ instructs the Apostles to resume normal financial arrangements. He says, ‘When you went out without money, did you have any lack? They answered, ‘Nothing’. So then, he says, ‘take your purse, script and if you have no sword sell you coat and buy one’. (This is exactly what Peter did, which is why he had a sword when Christ was betrayed) They answered Lord here are two swords. The Disciples thought that Christ was advocating armed resistance. However Christ ended this conversation by saying, ‘This is enough’. They went to the Mount of Olives, a place often frequented by Christ as a place of prayer. Here Christ came face to face with his destiny and he shrank back from it. It was not his will but he was prepared to do the Fathers will. Angels strengthened unto him in his hour of need. The agony of the garden was the struggle of his will and the fearful prospect of the cross. Eventually Judas arrived with a crowd and soldiers. Peter stepped forward to defend Christ and he swung at Malcus who ducked his head but loosing his ear. Christ stopped this action and headed the man. Then Christ questioned Judas’s betrayal with the sign of affection. Then Christ said why have you come against me with swords and staves like a thief l was daily teaching in the temple? Christ is asking to make then think about their actions. Then he said, this is your hour and the power of darkness. This was the time when Israel would make a decision that would affect all their subsequent history. And this was the hour in which the prince of this world would do his worst. Christ was taken to the High Priests house but Peter followed a far off.

Steve