Verse of the Day 4/30

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 2-3, Luke 23:1-25

 

Good morning,

As you read through the New Testament accounts of the life of Jesus you see how he maintained control in a wide variety of circumstances.  You can think of his feeding of the thousands, healing people while thronged by curiosity seekers, facing questions from lawyers, Pharisees and Sadducees and even dealing with storms while accompanying frightened disciples.

 

In yesterday's passage Jesus told His listeners to love, do good, and lend .... to our enemies.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Luke's account of Jesus' arrest.  The population in Jerusalem swelled during the Passover festivities.  Jesus had retreated to the Mount of Olives, but as opposed to other times of solitude it was probably being occupied by some of the overflow crowd.  If you've ever been to one of the "taste of Chicago" or similar event, the parks are full of people.  Those seeking to arrest Jesus needed the help of Judas to track Him down.

 

For today's verse we see Jesus putting yesterday's verses into action.

 

 Luke 22:49  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
⁵¹ But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. NKJV

Far from Jesus losing control in the situation, He took control.  Wansbrough writes, "Jesus, even now continues his mission of healing, as indeed he will continue it right up to the end by his forgiveness of the "good thief".  Secondly, Jesus continues his mission for forgiveness.  While Judas is still approaching, Jesus offers him a last chance, asking him whether he really intends what he is about to do, and again, with the juxtaposition of "betray" and "kiss", stressing the treachery of the deed."

 

The next time you face opposition, an enemy, perhaps in the work environment, competitive sports, or a combative relationship how will you respond?  Will you bring peace, forgiveness, perhaps healing to a relationship when someone is out to get you?  It is a tall order.

 

Instead of posting the passage from Luke, I thought I'd share a passage from Ephesians 1 from Moody's "Today in the Word" devotional.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 3:14-21 (New King James Version)Appreciation of the Mystery  ¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen