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Tension Builds in Jerusalem

Jesus had been in Jerusalem since Sunday, riding in to cheers from the crowds. By the time Thursday rolled around that week, things were very tense in Jerusalem.

Only days before, Jesus had been in the temple, angrily driving out all of the “snakes” and clearing out what he called a “den of thieves.” He had been openly antagonizing the religious leaders, calling out their hypocrisy and angering them further day by day. The fervor in the city must have been palpable.

Amid the turmoil, he sits down Thursday evening to eat one more time before he is betrayed and led away to his death.

What Would You Say If You Knew?

What would you say to your best friends if you knew by that time tomorrow you would be dead, and that one of them would be the cause?

What if all the things you wanted to say, the tears you wanted to cry, the memories you wanted to call up with them, had to be set aside so that you could give them the last pieces of wisdom they would need to go forward without you—because there was nothing you could do to stop what was coming?

Jesus knew that in their hearts they were still not ready, and he was trying his best to prepare them.

Luke tells us that the disciples squabbled over who among them would be the greatest that night, but Jesus was washing their feet, trying to give them an example of humility and service to others that might get their attention.

As if that wasn’t making things awkward enough, he then comes out with the revelation that one of them will betray him.

This was not a peaceful evening of lighthearted comradery; certainly not how you’d want to spend your last moments with loved ones before you die. Our most trying holiday dinners with family don’t hold a candle to the dramatic events unfolding at this table.

A Sacred Supper with Heavy Words

Luke 22:
(19) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
(20) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
(21) But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
(22) The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”

Simon prompted John to ask Jesus who would betray him, and Jesus responded to him in a way that made clear it was Judas.

Before John (or Simon, if he overheard) could react, Jesus immediately sends Judas away to carry out his task:

John 13:
(26) Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”
Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
(27) As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
… (30) As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.
And it was night.

Free Will at the Table

Indeed, darkness had fallen. So much just happened in that fraction of a conversation.

I would imagine that John, and also Simon, would have wanted to immediately try to stop Judas, but Jesus made it clear that Judas should be allowed to leave… that he be allowed to choose.

Jesus, having described what the bread and wine were—symbols of his broken body, of his very own blood given for the sake of a new covenant, and forgiveness of sin—HANDED it to Judas!

It was a gesture of immense magnitude, demonstrating divine forgiveness, even for the man who was headed away to betray him to his suffering. Judas still had free will, and a choice to make in the same way that we ourselves still have a choice.

We Still Have a Choice to Make

• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or not.
  
• Share the news to others so they can know the same freedom we know, or not.
  
• Obey his commands and strive to live without sin, or not.
  
• Love one another and forgive our enemies, or not.
  
• Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven… or not.
  

The breaking of bread and sharing of wine at The Last Supper symbolized the ultimate act of selfless love.

We, too, can give of ourselves—whether it’s time, resources, or empathy—to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Or not.

A Prayer of Surrender and Love

Lord, I pray you will give me a heart like yours.

I ask you to let me see all your children the way you see them.

I want walk on my journey with you, leaving the baggage of past grudges and hurts behind. I want to let go so I can live wholly in step with your purpose for my life.

I know that hurt, and fear, and anger are not of you Lord, but are afflictions set upon us in this world through our struggles with sin.

You are the only path to redemption… the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Please Lord, let the lessons you gave your disciples reach our hearts today, so we can live in earnest and pure alignment with your greatest command – to love one another.

By this Lord, let them know me as your disciple.

In Jesus’ Holy and Precious name I pray. Amen.

Misty Surine is a Local Ministerial Candidate (LMC), a worship leader, and a member of the Least of These Riders Microchurch.

Holding the Weight of a Secret

Have you ever held a secret? A BIG one? Maybe it was an upcoming surprise for a friend, or perhaps you knew something that was going to devastate someone when they found out.

Can you imagine holding the secret that Jesus was keeping as he entered the final week of his life?

In John 12, we are given a glimpse into the scene in Jerusalem as Jesus, whose fame had spread far and wide, came riding in on a donkey, moving steadily toward the climax of a beautiful redemption for all mankind.

(12) The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. (13) They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

A King Welcomed, Yet Misunderstood

In Matthew 21, we learn that as Jesus made his way through the city streets, huge crowds scrambled to see him, throwing their cloaks on the road before him—cloaks that were likely among their most valuable possessions.

The people cheered in adoration, shouting Hosanna!—calling on him to save them.

But how his heart must have broken, knowing what was to come.

Many believed the Messiah would be a military leader, one who would overthrow the occupying Romans. Perhaps it would have been easier to fight a battle of swords than to ride through those crowds, knowing that though many would be saved through his sacrifice, others would not.

Some would not understand.
Some would not believe.

Jesus knew that soon, a choice would be put before them. He understood well the danger he was heading into—so that they would HAVE that choice. This is surely the heaviest burden the world has ever seen.

Are We Any Different Today?

I wonder, how different are we today from the crowds in Jerusalem?

We still shout and pray to God for salvation… but are we actually taking that final, required step to truly be saved?

If there is one lesson mankind should have learned from biblical history, it’s that our relationship with God is exactly that—a relationship. And relationships require commitment from both sides to be healthy.

As we head into this week, remembering the amazing sacrifice that our Lord Jesus Christ made for us, I want to reflect on the health of my relationship with Him.

• Is my commitment as strong as His?
  
• Is my relationship with God one-sided, or is it a healthy representation of a Savior, Provider, Protector, Redeemer—and his loyal servant?
  
• What can I do to honor His sacrifice—not just in my heart, but through action?
  

Faith in Action: A Call to Live Differently

(14) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (15) Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. (16) If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? (17) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2 reminds us that faith without action is dead.

What is dead has surely not been born again through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is the equivalent of standing on the side of the street in Jerusalem, calling out for salvation to the Lord—but never bringing our faith to life through action.

A Prayer for Reflection and Action

Lord, I pray that you will give me eyes to see how my life may not be in alignment with your will.

Help me to know you more, day by day, so that I might reflect your loving light into this world in all its fullness. Show me where I can take action on behalf of your kingdom, bringing boldness to my heart and divine truth to the words I speak on your behalf.

Light a fire in my heart that will burn brightly in the darkness. Above all, please don’t ever let me forget the Holy Sacrifice that was made so that I could know your love.

I do not want to be a bystander, Lord, but an active participant in your kingdom and in your plans.

Thank you for your patience and your kindness as I reflect on my actions this week.

I pray these things in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Misty Surine is a Local Ministerial Candidate (LMC), a worship leader, and a member of the Least of These Riders Microchurch.