"Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." (John 16:32)
Read John 18.
The Pharisees were so determined to follow through with their evil plan, and the disciples so full of fear, that not even an earthquake (verse 6) could shake their minds in to right thinking. This was the Christ! They would have been better served to stay on their knees and worship!
Instead, following Jesus' betrayal, His disciples "deserted Him and ran away" (Matthew 26:56).
Alone he faced Annas. Alone he faced Caiphas. Alone he faced Pilate. Even his right-hand man, Peter, denied him out of fear.
For Jesus, it was only the beginning of the suffering he would endure over the next 24 hours. Yet, the same Shepherd heart seen in John 17 is here in John 18, and beyond. The same King's power, as much as Pilate doubted it, remained. This God-man, the Truth, would remain true to his Father and His mission to the end.
“You are a king then?” Pilate asked.
Daniel 7:13-14 - "I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away,and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed."
“What is truth?” said Pilate.
John 14:6 - “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
Thank you for enduring your suffering.
Thank you for regarding the good of all mankind as worth suffering for.
We don't deserve it!
By adhering to your truth,
By submitting to you as our King,
May we not fear for our own lives or well-being.
May we be willing to obey!
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Join fellow Christ-followers in prayer and fasting during Lent (February 13 through March 31, 2013). Use the "prayer starters" each day and feel free to click "comments" to see how others are doing and share your own journey.
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Posts
What is "Lent?"
"Lent" has been celebrated by Christians for many generations. It is a time set aside for preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally Lent is the forty-day period preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, this is actually 46 days because the western church doesn't count Sundays (as we are to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday).
How should I keep Lent?
We are asking the church family to spend time in prayer each day of Lent, thanking Christ for what He has done. In addition, many Christians practice some form of fasting during Lent.
What is "fasting?"
Fasting is a way to say "no" to self and to give renewed attention on Christ. If we simply do without food, we're only half-way there. We need to replace the time that we would have spent eating and instead spend that time in prayer.
Here are some ideas, but don't be limited to these:
Take 15 minutes out of each day reading the devotional on this blog and getting on your knees to pray to God.
Agree together in your Connection Group how you are going to celebrate Lent. Encourage each other to take a step of faith and talk each week about how it is going.
Take one meal a week and decide to deny yourself, spending the time, instead, reading the Word and praying. Maybe your Connection Group could divide up the lunches through the week - each taking a day. Or maybe you could each pick one day per week that you will all do it.
Fast from a specific food for the whole Lent season. Make it something that will trigger you to pray each time you reach for it. Don't "fast" from food to lose weight or from caffeine for your health. Those may be good ideas, but that is something you're doing for you, not with Christ in mind.
Fast from sunrise until sunset.
Fast from TV or something else that you'll give up and replace with seeking God.
Now get creative and talk with the other Christ-followers in your life for help, encouragement, and accountability ... and to share your joy!
Should I consider an extended fast?
For some, the season of Lent can be a time to surrender even more to God through an extended fast. This can be a 3, 7, 14, or 40 day experience (it is up to you and your readiness). If this is something that God is calling you toward, check out this site to learn more:
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are all types of extended fasts that you can get involved in. Make sure you choose the right one for you, considering your health, schedule, and support system.
Jesus,
ReplyDeleteApply Your obedience, confidence and courage in the face of great difficulty to my wayward, insecure and cowardly heart that finds myself more like Peter than I am comfortable. May it not be for obtaining comfort with myself, but peace with God through You.
Amen.
Heavenly, Father, So many aspects of our humanity in this chapter. The blind, selfish push of the Pharisees to kill Jesus' ministry of truth, the fear of the disciples, the wonder of Pilate, and still Your beckoning heart of mercy as You began Your steps to the cross.
ReplyDeletePlease strengthen my heart to walk in Your mercy. Help me to see around me the many aspects of my humanity that I personally struggle with in order to follow You and help others to follow You to Your heavenly kingdom where no unrighteousness dwells.