I am so blessed with good friends from different areas of my life. Friends who care and love me. Some friends I see often, others not so much. I even have friends I communicate with that I haven't even met. I do have one group of friends who have been my friends for 25+ years. We used to meet monthly for a meal to just talk and visit or celebrate a birthday of a group member. As we age, we have even gotten busier and it's harder to get together. I remember many times one of our group would have something troubling them or their family--problems with parents, a spouse, or children and even a cancer diagnosis for one and the death of a spouse for another. I remember the times when the hearts of all the others would hurt for the person hurting. There was a certainty that we could confide in each other and trust each other for help and support and even celebration when celebration was the outcome. I have that with all my friends but I wanted to use this group as a lead in to today's post. I see Jesus and his disciples kind of like that.
The Passover time had come to Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. He gave them specific instructions to follow...go into the city, meet a man with a pitcher of water, follow him. Wherever he goes, ask the owner of the house where the guest chamber is. He will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared. Make it ready. Yes, Jesus knew all. It was as he said.
Jesus and the twelve disciples came together. I'm sure there was conversation among them. Jesus took bread and broke it, telling them to eat as it was his body and he gave them the cup saying it was his blood. He told to do it in remembrance of him. Did the disciples understand? Jesus had been preparing them for the day of his crucifixion but I'm not sure it really registered with them.
It was at this supper that Jesus told the group that one of them would betray him. Disbelief filled them and the question came from them of "is it me?" One of the gospels say that Satan entered into Judas again. Satan does have devices, I say again. The gospel of John 13:27 says that Jesus said to Judas, "That thou doest, do it quickly." And it says Judas ran out.
In all four gospels, after the supper, bold Peter told Jesus that he would never leave him and that he would "die for Jesus". Yeah right. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed twice, Peter will have denied him three times. A conversation with Peter also contains dialogue that I have found comforting in my own life. It comes from Luke 22:31-32 and says, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." To know the Lord has prayed for me gives me great joy. I believe what he did for his disciples, he did for me and all those before and after me.
I did find that the gospel of John's account after the supper was different from the other three gospels. In Chapters 14-16 there is some really good reading of advice and wisdom that Jesus gave his disciples before going to the garden. Take the time to take a read of that. It's really good.
Remembrance. Of Jesus.
Consider.....
The Passover time had come to Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. He gave them specific instructions to follow...go into the city, meet a man with a pitcher of water, follow him. Wherever he goes, ask the owner of the house where the guest chamber is. He will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared. Make it ready. Yes, Jesus knew all. It was as he said.
Jesus and the twelve disciples came together. I'm sure there was conversation among them. Jesus took bread and broke it, telling them to eat as it was his body and he gave them the cup saying it was his blood. He told to do it in remembrance of him. Did the disciples understand? Jesus had been preparing them for the day of his crucifixion but I'm not sure it really registered with them.
It was at this supper that Jesus told the group that one of them would betray him. Disbelief filled them and the question came from them of "is it me?" One of the gospels say that Satan entered into Judas again. Satan does have devices, I say again. The gospel of John 13:27 says that Jesus said to Judas, "That thou doest, do it quickly." And it says Judas ran out.
In all four gospels, after the supper, bold Peter told Jesus that he would never leave him and that he would "die for Jesus". Yeah right. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed twice, Peter will have denied him three times. A conversation with Peter also contains dialogue that I have found comforting in my own life. It comes from Luke 22:31-32 and says, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." To know the Lord has prayed for me gives me great joy. I believe what he did for his disciples, he did for me and all those before and after me.
I did find that the gospel of John's account after the supper was different from the other three gospels. In Chapters 14-16 there is some really good reading of advice and wisdom that Jesus gave his disciples before going to the garden. Take the time to take a read of that. It's really good.
Remembrance. Of Jesus.
Consider.....
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