Luke 24:17-24

Luke 24:17-24

And He said to them, “What are these words that you are throwing around with one another while walking around?”  And they stood fast, dejected.  And the one named Cleopas answered, saying, “You alone are a stranger to Jerusalem and you did not know the things that became in there on this day?”  And He said to them, “What sort of things?”  And they said to Him, “These things regarding Jesus of Nazareth, who became a powerful man and prophet in work and word in the estimation of God and all the people, how the high priests and our officials handed Him over into a judgment of death, and how they crucified Him. And we were hoping that He was the one who was about to release Israel for a ransom.  But indeed even with all this it is this third day from when this became.  But even some women out of us astonished us after coming at daybreak upon the tomb.  And after not finding his body they came while also saying to have seen a vision of angels, who were saying for Him to live.  And some of the ones with us went out upon the tomb and found similarly just as even the women said.  And they did not see Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus plays a little coy here.  Jesus asks the disciples what they are talking about.  When they respond, Jesus asks them specifically what they are talking about.  Of course Jesus knows what they are talking about.  He is God, He knows everything.  He was also there, living it out.  So if Jesus knows what they are talking about, then what is He up to in this passage?  Jesus is giving the disciples some time to express themselves and process.  He’s giving them some time to show their character to themselves.  He’s giving them time to get comfortable in who they are in the events of what has happened.  Jesus is willing to play a humbler role and allow the gifts of the disciples to rise to the surface.

What can we learn in this passage about how God works?  What does this say about how much God understands humanity and what makes us work?

Second Thought:

Look at the confession of the disciples.  They call Jesus a powerful man who is a prophet.  They confess that the religious authorities didn’t like Him, had Him arrested, and then had Him killed.  They confess that they were hoping that He would be the Messiah.  Think about the context.  From their perspective, this is a complete stranger in their midst.  They don’t have to so much in favor of Jesus, especially with this stranger.  However, they are.  Even though Jesus was crucified, they still speak about Jesus with affirming words.  They aren’t embarrassed that Jesus was arrested and crucified.  They declare what happened with confidence.

What can we learn hear about these disciples?  If you were three days following the crucifixion of Jesus, would you be so willing to speak so highly of Him knowing that He had just been crucified?

Third Thought:

Finally, these disciples confess that Jesus was unable to be found.  In fact, they confess that women went to the tomb, met some angels, and they were told that Jesus was alive.  Talk about quite a story to tell a stranger!  This actually takes guts to confess, because on the surface this story seems absolutely absurd.  However, this really shows the courage and faith of these disciples.  They aren’t ashamed of the story.  They aren’t ashamed of how people will hear their story.  They speak what they believe to be true, allowing this stranger in their midst to reach his own conclusion about what they say.

Do you think you could talk about the resurrection of someone you knew was dead to a complete stranger?  What does this part of the story reveal to us about the character of these disciples?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 24:25-27

Luke 24:13-16

Luke 24:13-16

And behold!  That same day, two out of them were traveling into a village named Emmaus, being a full sixty stadia from Jerusalem.  And they were conversing with one another regarding all the things that have come out of these days.  And it happened – in the midst of their conversing and inquiry – after Jesus himself drew near He was accompanying them.  And their eyes were being restrained to not discern Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The disciples talk as they walk.  They can’t believe what they have seen in the past week.  They saw Jesus welcomed and celebrated.  They saw Jesus teach.  They experienced the Passover with Him.  Then they saw Jesus get arrested.  They saw Him die.  And then they heard that His body couldn’t be found because He was raised from the dead.  (We’ll hear that they know this in tomorrow’s reading)  They needed to talk to one another to process what happened, to share their excitement, and to confirm their thinking with one another.  This shows that we are social beings. We need one another to process the world around us, to expand our perspective, and to truly navigate our life.

Who do you process your life with?  Where do you go to confirm your thoughts or gain wisdom?  Who comes to you to process their life and gain wisdom?

Second Thought:

Jesus comes among them.  Jesus does not leave His disciples abandoned.  He promises to be with us, and even a few hours after the resurrection He is living out that very promise.  He is trustworthy and reliable.

What does the reliability of Jesus mean to you?  Where has Jesus walked with you through life?

Third Thought:

Their eyes were being restrained so as to not perceive Jesus.  In other words, they were unable to recognize Jesus.  Why would they be unable to recognize Jesus?  Sometimes the goal is not the destination but the journey.  God wants to teach these disciples a lesson, and to accomplish this lesson He needs them to not understand that Jesus is among them until the time is right.  In this we see that God is a master teacher. He knows how to reveal things in the right order to teach the lesson that needs to be taught.  He knows how to portray the information in such a way as to draw in His disciples.

How has God revealed Himself as a master teacher in your life?  How can you learn to imitate this aspect of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 24:17-24

Luke 24:4-12

Luke 24:4-12

And it happened in their hesitation regarding this thing.  And behold!  Two men stood near to them in clothing while flashing like lightning.  And after they became terrified, bending their faces down into the ground, they said to them, “Why do you all seek the one who lives with the dead ones?  He is not here, but He was being raised.  Remember as He called out to you all yet while being in Galilee, saying, “Since it is necessary for the Son of Man to be handed over into the hands of sinful mankind, to be crucified, and by the third day to stand up.”  And they were remembering His sayings. And after turning back from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the remaining ones.  And Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary – the one of James, and the remaining ones were with them.  They were saying to the apostles these things.  And these sayings were being shone in their presence as if idle talk, and they were unbelieving to them.  And after Peter stood up he ran upon the tomb and after stooping over to see he sees only the pieces of linen.  And he departed while marveling to himself the things that has become.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The women continue into the tomb.  The stone had been rolled away.  As we said yesterday, God opened up the door for a new ministry that they could not foresee.  They become afraid as God opens a new door.  They meet God’s messengers who begin to unveil God’s plan for them.  The reality is that God does open up new doors.  He does send people into our midst to reveal His plan.  Sometimes this message does frighten us or cause us to doubt.  This is natural and important for us to understand.  When God is unveiling His plan to these women, they experience fear and unknown.

When have you experienced God unveiling His plan in your life?  Has that ever caused you to experience fear of the unknown?

Second Thought:

Once God’s messengers convince the women about the truth of Jesus, they remember that what they are saying is consistent with Jesus’ words.  Jesus had told them that He would be raised up from the dead after dying.  When the women finally figure it out, they go out and do the work of God with incredible pleasure.  They run to the other disciples to share God’s Good News.  Their fear of the unknown is quickly replaced with confidence and excitement.

Have you ever been afraid to do something new?  Have you ever experienced that fear be replaced by excitement as you figure out the new thing?  What is it in your life that helps the fear be turned into excitement?

Third Thought:

The women aren’t the only ones who don’t understand.  The women go to the disciples and share the news.  The only problem is that the disciples doubt.  They don’t understand.  They think the women are just sharing idle gossip.  They struggle to grasp what is going on.  Peter wrestles with it so much that he needs to and see for himself.  He can’t believe the women until he sees with his own eyes.  Then he is willing to believe.

Have you ever doubted someone who is telling you good news?  Why is it easy to doubt when people are telling us good things?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 24:4-12

Luke 24:1-3

Luke 24:1-3

And by the first moment of the Sabbath – very early in the morning – they came upon the tomb while bringing what spices they prepared.  And they found the stone having been rolled away from the tomb.  And after going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

These are committed women.  They are coming at daybreak to the tom once the Sabbath is over.  They don’t want to violate their religious sensibilities, especially since the Sabbath was a law ordained by God.  But they also didn’t want to dishonor Jesus and what He meant in their life.  They come as soon as they can.  Their focus is clear.  Their response to Jesus’ death isn’t embarrassment or abandonment.  Their response to Jesus’ death is still obedience.

What point do you think that Luke is trying to make about the obedience of the women?  What role do you think their gender is playing in Luke’s recollection of the story?

Second Thought:

The stone has been moved.  They don’t know it yet, but God took care of their need.  He paved the way for them to get their work done.  When God calls us, He makes His work possible.  We can count on God.

Where have you been able to count on God?  Where is God calling you and opening doors for the work of the kingdom?  Do you live like you can trust Him?

Third Thought:

The women don’t find Jesus.  Naturally, they don’t realize what is going on.  However, God is opening up their eyes to the fact that the act to which they believed they had been called is not the act to which God is calling them.  The Father doesn’t want them to prepare His dead Son’s body.  He has something far greater for them to accomplish.  God often works like this. We think we know the mind of God.  But often God opens doors that we can’t foresee being opened.  It is important for us to continue to have an open mind.

Are you willing to be open to the Father?  When have you set out to do one act of obedience for God and found yourself having to adjust to a new plan?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 24:4-12

Luke 23:50-56

Luke 23:50-56

And behold!  A man – by name Joseph, while existing as a member of the Sanhedrin, a good and righteous man, one who was not having assented to the counsel and their works – from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, was looking for the kingdom of God.  This one, coming to Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. And after taking Him, he enveloped Him in a linen cloth and he put him in a tomb cut in stone where nobody was yet lying.  And it was the day of preparation and the Sabbath was commencing.  And after the women – who were having come with him out of Galilee – followed they saw with their eyes the tomb and as his body was being put.  And after turning back they prepared spices and ointment, but as it was the Sabbath they kept still according to the commandment.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Joseph of Arimathea comes to take down the body of Christ.  Luke doesn’t mention it, but John also tells us in His Gospel that Nicodemus came with Joseph.  Remember to put this into context.  Here is a Jewish leader who is voluntarily coming in contact with a dead body.  Even more significantly, this is a dead body that is a convicted criminal from the perspective of the other religious leaders in the Sanhedrin.  Talk about committing political suicide!  However, we know that Joseph did not assent to the counsel to kill Jesus.  Joseph stands up and does the right thing when nobody else would.  Jesus’ own disciples fled – although not permanently.  Pilate tried to do the right thing, but the crowd wouldn’t allow it.  Now that Jesus is dead, and God’s plan is accomplished, a man rises up and does the right thing, willing to sacrifice everything to return the love of the Son.  For this reason, Joseph (and Nicodemus, too!) is one of my favorite people in the Bible.

What does the obedience of Joseph show you?  Can you imitate this obedience in your life?

Second Thought:

I think that it truly goes deeper than obedience, though.  I think there is love in this act.  Joseph could have had the bodies taken down.  But that is not what happens.  Joseph takes the bodies down himself.  Joseph wraps the body in linen.  Joseph places the body with care into a tomb that had never been used.  This isn’t a man going through motions.  This is a man caring for someone who had a horrible thing happen to him, a thing that Joseph disagreed with entirely.  Joseph couldn’t save His life just like Pilate couldn’t save it.  But Joseph can show love to the Son of God.  I am amazed at the care that Joseph shows in this passage.

What is the difference between obedience and obedience done in love?  Why is that an important distinction to comprehend?

Third Thought:

The women follow Joseph (and Nicodemus).  They knew their duty.  They loved Jesus.  He needed a proper burial.  It would be their job to rub Him in oils and spices to keep the body from becoming diseased and smelling too terrible.  In wasn’t the most pleasant act; but it is an act of loyalty and obedience.  Here again we see people willing to do the difficult task just because it is what God desires of them.

Are you surprised that Luke is once again mindful of the work of the women?  What does the witness of their obedience say to you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 24:1-3

Luke 23:44-49

Luke 23:44-49

And it was now in the sixth hour.  Darkness became over the whole earth until the ninth hour.  The sun failed, and the curtain of the temple was being split in the middle.  After calling out in a great voice, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I place my spirit.”  And after saying this thing He breathed out.  And after the centurion saw this thing that happened, he was glorifying God, saying, “Truly this man was righteous.”  And all the crowd who came together upon this spectacle – after watching with the eyes the things that became and while striking their breasts, they were turning back.  And all the ones known to Him, even the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, had sat from a distance while seeing these things.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Jesus dies, darkness ensues.  The earth becomes black.  As Jesus takes on the sin of the world and dies for the sin, the world darkens.  The darkest hour is surprisingly the brightest indicator of our future.  Out of this darkness will come the salvation of the world and relationship with God.  The centurion gives us the witness.  Truly this was righteous.

Why did God take on this sin of the world?  What does this story tell us about righteousness?  Where in your life to you emulate this understanding of righteousness?

Second Thought:

There has been much said about Jesus words as He died.  “Into Your hands I place my spirit.”  I don’t believe that I can add anything more than what has already been said.  This is the epitome of humble righteousness.  This is the essence of faith.  Jesus models true relationship with the Father in this statement.  What can any of us do other than put all of our faith and trust into the hands of the Father?  Is our spirit ever in any safer place than the hands of the one who breathed life into us in the first place?

How readily do you trust in the Father?  How does this trust show up in your life?

Third Thought:

The final verses tell us an interesting story.  Remember the Garden of Gethsemane?  The soldiers come and the disciples fled.  Chaos ensued as Jesus’ followers fled for their lives.  But they didn’t run far.  They didn’t abandon their faith.  They are still there, waiting for God to act.  They are afraid, but watching from a distance.  They are faithful, just cautious.  I’m not trying to excuse them.  In their arrogance they promised to die with Jesus if necessary.  Their humanity showed when life became tough.  But after their flight reflex waned, their logic and their heart took over.  They came back.

How do you feel about the humanity of the followers of Jesus?  Where can you relate to what they are going through?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:50-56

Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:39-43

And one of the ones who was being suspended on the cross because of doing evil was blaspheming Him, saying, “Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us.”  And answering, the other said, rebuking him, “Are you not afraid of God, since you are in the same judgment?”  In our case we received justly for it is worthy of what we did.  But in His case this one did nothing out of place.”  And he was saying to Jesus, “Be reminded of me when you should come into your kingdom.”  And He said to him, “Amen, I say to you this day you will be with me in paradise.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This is a very important section of scripture for Christians.  It is in this section of scripture that we find the fundamental truth of humanity with respect to how we respond to our sinfulness.  In one case, we can embrace our sinfulness and be self-centered.  One of the criminals looks to Jesus and angrily demands that Jesus save Himself and each of the criminals.  That criminal doesn’t care about Jesus at all!  That criminal just wants to be saved himself!  Our human nature wants to be self-centered, focusing in on ourselves and our own desires and our own ambition.

When are you self-centered?  When do you encourage other people to act selfishly so that you can get a benefit of their action?

Second Thought:

We turn next to the second criminal.  This criminal understands his sinfulness and repents of it.  He acknowledges that they are getting the punishment that they deserve.  He doesn’t ask Jesus to do anything other than remember him.  This is a humble response to sin.  Acknowledge our guilt.  Remorsefully own our fallen nature.  Know that we cannot save ourselves and therefore we rely fully upon God’s forgiveness.

Where are you willing to humbly acknowledge your sinful nature?  Where are you remorseful about the sin that you have done?

Third Thought:

Jesus’ response is telling.  He doesn’t even acknowledge the demands of the self-centered one.  However, the humble one is acknowledged.  Jesus tells Him that he has found salvation on this day.  Humbleness leads to repentance; repentance leads to forgiveness.

Where are you forgiven?  How does the forgiveness that you receive influence your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:44-49

Luke 23:32-38

Luke 23:32-38

And two other evil-doers were being led with Him to be killed.  And when they came upon the place – the one that is being called the skull – they crucified Him and the evil-doers there, in one case out of the right and in the other case out of the left.  And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do.”  And while dividing His clothing they threw lots.  And the people had sat while watching with their eyes.  And also the rulers were mocking while saying, “He saved others, let him save himself if this one is the Christ of God – the chosen one.”  And the soldiers also ridiculed him while coming to him, while bringing vinegar to him and while saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  And an inscription was also upon him, “This is the king of the Jews.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Naturally, Jesus is crucified among the criminals.  This would simply add to the public opinion that Jesus was deserving of this fate, even though we know that He was not.  Seeing that they had won, the religious leaders make it a point to show that they were right.  They announce that Jesus had saved others but was incapable of saving Himself.  They don’t think that perhaps Jesus is obediently following the will of the Father and that the Father would save Him instead.

Are you surprised by the arrogant short-sightedness of the people – especially the religious elite?  Do you ever see this kind of arrogance in the world around you in religious leaders?

Second Thought:

The secular authorities have nothing polite to add to this event.  Not only do they crucify Him, nailing Him to the cross and lifting Him up, but they also divide His clothing.  They mock Him.  They hang a sign over His head, using Him as a means to continue to infuriate the religious leaders.  They doubt His claim to be God’s Messiah.  The secular leadership of the world at that time rejected Jesus thoroughly.

Are you surprised that the secular leadership rejects Jesus?  Are you surprised by what the Roman soldiers do to Jesus as a part of their rejection of Him?

Third Thought:

In the midst of it all, Jesus pronounces His wisdom.  He could have said any scathing critique and people would have understood.  In fact, I’m pretty sure that His followers would have supported a scathing curse upon the religious leaders and the Romans.  Notice, however, that Jesus gives no such thing.  Jesus pronounces forgiveness.  This is honestly as it should be.  This completes the story.  We walked away from God.  We forsook His commandments and His ways.  He could have condemned us, but He came to forgive and make relationship possible.  In this moment, we see that God is consistent.  Even when judgment would have been expected, God offers up forgiveness.

What does it say about God that He can offer grace in a moment when wrath is expected?  How can you imitate this behavior in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:26-31

Luke 23:26-31

And as they led him away – after seizing Simon, a Cyrenian coming from a field – they laid the cross upon him to bring it behind Jesus.  And a great multitude of people, even women, were following him, who were lamenting and they were wailing for him.  And after turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep upon me.  But weep upon them and upon your children.  After all, look, days come in which they will say that the barren women, the wombs that did not beget, and the breasts that did not feed are blessed.  Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Conceal us.’  Since if in the time of green wood they do these things, what should become in the dry times?”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this passage we have the very famous passage about Simon, who is drafted to help carry the cross.  I truly find this intriguing.  After all, Jesus is the Son of God.  There is nothing that He couldn’t do.  He has the power of God behind Him!  However, Jesus’ death on the cross is about humbleness.  The redemption of humanity is about the power of God; but the actual death on the cross is about submission and humbleness.  It makes even more sense that the humbleness of Jesus would be magnified by not even being able to carry His own cross to the site of crucifixion.

Why do you think Jesus would voluntarily endure the humbleness of the cross?  What does it say about Jesus that He would also endure the help of sinful human beings as He is on His way to die for their sake?

Second Thought:

Notice the attention that Luke draws around the crowd.  Luke makes a very specific point to comment that even women were weeping and wailing for Jesus.  The fact that Luke tells us this gives us two reflections.  First of all, public crucifixions were typically a male event.  Crucifying criminals was a bloody and gory event that wouldn’t usually be attended by women.  This isn’t true about Jesus.  When we search to ask why, we come to the second realization.  Luke is telling us this because there must be something drawing these women out to an event they would not normally witness.  That thing is relationship.  Jesus had reached women.  He had included them in ministry.  He had empowered them.  He had witnessed to them and given them a new place in society.  Of course they would come out and mourn His crucifixion!

Where has Jesus empowered you?  Where have you seen other people drawn out of their place in society and called into something new and unexpected?

Third Thought:

Returning back to the theme of humbleness, I love Jesus words.  Here is a man beaten and mocked.  Here is a man so wounded that He cannot even carry His own cross.  Yet look at what He says.  He tells the women to not mourn for Him.  How can He do this?  His eye is not on the pain or the humiliation.  His eye is on the redemption that He is winning for mankind.  There is little reason to mourn when that is our perspective.  Instead, Jesus tells them to mourn for the people who will find themselves persecuted in the future.  He tells them to mourn for people who will look for an escape to life but be unable to find it.  I believe these words are the epitome of humbleness and righteous perspective.

Are you surprised by Jesus’ words here?  Have you ever imitated Jesus’ perspective in your own life?  When has that happened?  How were you able to accomplish a humble and righteous perspective?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:32-37

Luke 23:18-25

Luke 23:18-25

And all at once they cried out, saying, “Take this one us, and set free to us Barabbas.”  He was thrown in the prison after some insurrection and a murder happened in the city.  And again Pilate called out to them while desiring to release Jesus.  And they were crying out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!”  And a third time he said to them, “For what evil did this one do?  I found no cause of death in Him.  Therefore, after admonishing him I will release him.”  And by a great voice they urged upon him while asking for Him to be crucified.  And their voices were overpowering.  And Pilate judged for their request to happen.  And he released the one who has been thrown into prison for the sake of insurrection and murder – for whom they were asking.  And he handed over Jesus to their desires.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we get to see the fulfillment of the religious leaders’ desires.  Pilate wants to free Jesus because he cannot find a reason to kill Him.  However, the people yell for Pilate to reconsider.  Pilate has no reason to hold Jesus, much less crucify Him.  However, due to the mob mentality of the people and their incredible propensity to see Jesus killed in a violent manner, they win.  The anger and threatening nature of the religious leader overcomes the sensibility of Pilate.

When have you ever witnessed a victory due to mob mentality?  Why does mob mentality often win in situations?  What does this tell us about human beings?

Second Thought:

I find it fascinating that the crowd is given three opportunities by Pilate to reconsider.  The number three is a very reoccurring number in the crucifixion story.  Perhaps most poignant to this story is the story of Peter’s denial.  Remember that Peter denied Christ three times.  However, at the third denial, Peter realized his error.  He feels sorrow.  He repents.  He finds forgiveness, eventually.  The crowd does none of these such things.  They scream for Jesus’ death three times, making sure that Pilate’s opinion is overruled.  There is no repentance.  There is no humble understanding of a mistake being made.  Instead, there is only increased fervor as the mob mentality takes over.

Why do you think it is easier for Peter to come to repentance over his action than the mob?  What can this teach us about the dangers of being a part of a mob mentality situation?

Third Thought:

We should talk a little bit about the fact that the crowd wants Barabbas instead of Jesus.  Here is a known insurrectionist.  Here is a known murderer.  Here is a proven criminal.  Yet, the crowd will take this criminal rather than take Pilate’s discernment.  The crowd will listen to its own rationale rather than listening to proven reason.

Why do you think mob mentality can so readily overlook reason?  Why is it so hard for Pilate to speak against the mob?  Why do you think the crowd is willing to accept the release of a known criminal instead of Jesus?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:26-31

Luke 23:13-16

Luke 23:13-16

And after Pilate called together the high priests, the rulers, and the people, he said to them, “You all brought to me this man as while turning away the people.  And look, after I examined Him in your presence I found no cause in this man for which you all make accusation against him.  But neither did Herod, for he sent him up to me.  And look, he has done nothing worthy of death to him.  Therefore, after admonishing Him I will release Him.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Pilate reminds the religious leaders of their testimony.  They accused Jesus of turning the people away.  However, Pilate cannot find any truth in their claim.  Jesus has not been anti-God.  For that record, Jesus hasn’t even been anti-Rome!  Granted, He’s not been pro-Rome; but Pilate knows that He hasn’t been guilty of trying to start a rebellion, either.  Pilate has sniffed out the lies of the religious leaders.

What do you think that Jesus’ main goal was in coming to earth, especially with respect to His preaching?  What might we be able to gain in the reflection that Jesus was neither pro-Rome or anti-Rome?

Second Thought:

Pilate also reminds the religious leaders that Herod found no guilt in Him, either.  In other words, the person in charge of Jerusalem, the place where Jesus was arrested, finds no reason to kill Him.  At the same time, the person in charge of the geographic location where Jesus lived and did most of His ministry can’t find any charge against Him.  There is truly no reason to kill Jesus.  There is nobody left to whom the religious people can appeal.

Why is this an important point?  How will this point help to create the turn of events that we see in the beginning of tomorrow’s reading?

Third Thought:

For a brief moment, the fate of Jesus hangs in the balance.  Will He be crucified?  Pilate doesn’t seem to see the need.  He tells the Jewish leaders that he plans on admonishing Him – which is probably more like a discussion to tell Him to get away from Jerusalem because the religious leaders hate Him – and then releasing Him.  But before you get too caught up in this, remember that Jesus’ life is not nearly as important as His death.  God’s plan of redemption hangs in the balance as well.  It is Jesus’ death that opens the door for forgiveness and redemption.  So why do we have this moment?  I believe that what Luke is trying to do is show Pilate’s heart.  Pilate didn’t want to kill Jesus.  But I also believe that Luke is trying to show us God’s power, too.  God can count on human depravity so much that His plan for salvation can even encompass human sinfulness.  Pilate doesn’t want to kill Jesus, but God can count on human sinfulness so much that Jesus will still die in spite of Pilate’s better thoughts.

Do you find it strange to think that a story of great human depravity can actually lead us into a discussion on God’s omnipotence?  How does this paradox help us understand our inability to know God fully?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:17-25

Luke 23:6-12

Luke 23:6-12

And after Pilate heard, he inquired if the man is a Galilean.  After understanding that He is under the authority of Herod, he sent Him to Herod, while He is also in Jerusalem in these days.  And after Herod saw Jesus he rejoiced greatly, for a sufficient time he was desiring to see Him for the sake of hearing about Him.  And he was hoping to see some sign while being in His presence.  And he was asking Him in a sufficient amount words.  But He did not answer to him.  And the high priests and the scribes had sat while they intensely accused him. And after Herod, with his army, also treated Him with contempt, after mocking Him, after dressing him in resplendent clothing, he sent Him back up to Pilate.  And Herod and Pilate became beloved ones with one another in the same day.  For formerly they were being in a feud between them.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When Pilate hears that Jesus is a Galilean, He sees an opportunity.  I believe that this is a double-sided opportunity, and Pilate was smart enough to understand both sides of the opportunity.  First of all, Jesus would fall under Herod’s jurisdiction.  That means that Herod would be on the hook for dealing with Jesus rather than him.  Thus, he sends Jesus off to Herod in an attempt to pass the buck.  Second, and perhaps more importantly in the long run, Pilate sees an opportunity to turn a feud into a political alliance.  Pilate knows that Herod has been wanting to see a miracle from Jesus for a very long time.  Pilate gives him that very opportunity.  This puts Herod in his debt socially and politically.  Pilate turns Jesus into an opportunity for political advancement.

Have you ever been used by another person?  How does that feel?  What does this tell us about the mindset of Pilate at this particular time in his life?

Second Thought:

Herod is pleased to receive Jesus.  He invited Jesus in for a long conversation.  Luke is clear that Herod interrogated Jesus with a very sufficient amount of words.  In other words, this was a very thorough conversation.  Herod took advantage of the opportunity that Pilate had provided for him.  We also get the idea that the religious leaders were present for this interrogation as well.  This was no pleasant conversation for Jesus.  He endured it because it was a part of the trial that would be necessary to lead Him to the cross, which was His ultimate goal.

Have you ever been in a position where you simply needed to endure something just to get through it?  What does that mindset feel like?  What does this tell us about Jesus?  What does this also tell us about Herod in that he forced Jesus to endure him at this moment?

Third Thought:

In the end, Jesus didn’t reply.  He didn’t give Herod a satisfactory answer.  He didn’t play Herod’s games.  He didn’t perform the miracle that Herod was hoping to see.  He didn’t give Herod the audience that Herod desired.  It would have no doubt been a very frustrating experience for Herod, especially with all of the religious leaders in his presence.  Therefore, Herod takes his soldiers, mocks Jesus, and physically torments Him.  Herod doesn’t get his way.  Therefore, he feels it is in his right to mistreat someone who socially is in a class below him.

What can we learn about Herod in this passage?  What can we learn about God in this passage?  What does this passage teach us about Jesus and His focus at this moment in His life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:13-16

Luke 23:1-5

Luke 23:1-5

And after standing up, all of their multitude led Him to Pilate.  And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this one while perverting our nation, while hindering to pay tributes to Caesar, and while saying himself to be Christ – a king.”  And Pilate interrogated Him while saying, “You are the king of the Jews?”  And He answered him saying, “You say.”  And Pilate said to the high priests and the crowd, “I find no cause in this man.”  And they were growing strong, saying that, “He agitates the people while teaching according to the whole of Judea, beginning from Galilee to here.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus is accused of perverting the nation.  From the perspective of the Jewish leaders, this would be a true accusation.  Jesus was subverting the culture that they had created.  Granted, we would argue that Jesus was teaching people truth and exposing the religious fallacy of the religious leaders.  It shouldn’t surprise us that one person’s truth garners the label “perversion” from the world.

Have you ever been accused of subverting others when you were just trying to be obedient to God?  Why is there such kind of divergence, even among people who claim to be following the same God?

Second Thought:

Jesus is accused of refusing to pay taxes to Caesar, which is an outright lie.  In fact, we know that Jesus told Peter to go and get a coin out of the mouth of a fish in order to pay His tax and the taxes of His disciples.  Whereas the first accusation may have been true from a certain perspective, this accusation is an outright lie.  Here we can see that people are willing to lie to strengthen their own point.

Have you ever been lied about?  How does that feel?  Why do other people do this?

Third Thought:

The religious leaders play their final card.  They accuse Jesus of claiming Himself to be a king.  This would be a direct offense against Caesar.  This would be the charge that Pilate would really care about.  What did it matter to him if he claimed to be a god in a religion that he didn’t care about?  If He was trying to be king, however, this would be treason and it would need to be dealt with.  He couldn’t risk word getting back to Caesar that he let an insurrection start in this highly volatile area of the Roman Empire.  I am certain that the Jewish leaders say this, especially because it is a charge that has no truth with respect to Jesus.

Have you ever been accused falsely?  Why would people want to accuse other people of false accusations?  What does it teach us about the religious leaders that they would behave this way?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:6-12