by Whitey | Apr 21, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
This passage shows us Jesus’ so-called trial before Pilate. Pilate appears weak, panders to the crowd, wants to keep them happy or at least shut them up. He is supposedly the authority but is easy swayed.
Jesus makes no attempt to defend Himself. For the most part, He says nothing. He doesn’t care what the religious leaders or the mob they’ve gathered think about Him. He willingly allows Himself to be condemned to death.
For us. For me.
Jesus, thank you for Your willingness to die for me. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You that You were not swayed by the crowd, but did what was right, what needed to be done.
Father, make me more like Jesus.
by Whitey | Apr 20, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Peter followed him at a distance…” (vs. 54)
Peter followed the captive Jesus right into the high priest’s court yard? Why? He obviously didn’t come to Jesus’ defense, and in fact ended up denying he even knew Christ. The other disciples had run away, but Peter followed… at a distance.
Sometimes we want to follow Christ at a distance, too. We want Him to be part of our lives, but not have all of our lives. We serve Him on Sunday, but deny Him with our lives the rest of the week. We don’t talk about Him outside of church, or we don’t let Him guide our decisions in everyday life. Why?
Lord, sometimes I am like Peter. I want to follow You, but I want to keep a safe distance, too. And when cornered, I deny You. Jesus, I want You to have all of my life, not just be a part of it.
by Whitey | Apr 19, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.” (vs. 50)
How often does this describe me? How often do I keep my mouth shut when I should speak up? Or run away from Christ instead of to Him in my time if need?
The amazing thing is that Jesus didn’t hold it against them. The disciples all ran away and deserted Him in His darkest hour. But after His resurrection, He returned to them. He kept on loving them. And He sent them out as His representatives.
That’s grace.
Lord, may I not take Your grace for granted today. By Your grace, may I not desert You, deny You, betray You or run away.
by Whitey | Apr 16, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
マルコによる福音書 14:31
“ペテロは力をこめて言った、「たといあなたと一緒に死なねばならなくなっても、あなたを知らないなどとは、決して申しません」。みんなの者もまた、同じようなことを言った。”
このような話を気をつけなければなりません。弟子たちのもんだいは、自分の弱点を見ることができません。プライドですね。難しさも見ることができません。自分の強さで、失敗をします。
私たちもそうです。自分の強さじゃなくて神様の強さでイエス様を守って行きましょう。神様、助けて導いてください。
“But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same.” (vs. 31)
We should be very careful about making these kinds of statements. The problem with Peter and the other disciples here is that they don’t see their own weaknesses. Their emphatic declaration of loyalty is a kind of pride. They don’t seem to realize how hard it will be to keep their word, and that in their own strength they will fail.
And so will we. So will I.
Lord, keep me from becoming proud and stubborn. May my confidence be in YOU, not in myself. By YOUR strength, I will not deny you. May I not stop depending on YOU.
by Whitey | Apr 16, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (vs. 21)
Sometimes God works through and with us, as we willingly partner with Him. On the other hand, sometimes He works through us, in spite of us. God used Judas’ betrayal for the greater good. But that does not make Judas’ betrayal, in itself, a good thing. Judas still had a choice. He chose to do wrong. And he suffered for it, as Jesus predicted in this passage.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather be a willing participant in God’s plans. Instead of Judas, may I be like Isaiah, who said “Here am I. Send me.”
by Whitey | Apr 14, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
将来を見ることができません。今日、死ぬかもしれません。それとも、イエス様は帰るかもしれません。それを知っています。でも、よく覚えません。今日、一生懸命イエス様を見て生きたいです。神様、導いてください。
I can not see the future. I might die today, or Jesus may return. I know this. But I don’t always live in light of these truths. May I not waste this day, but keep my eyes focused on Jesus and follow His leading in my life today.
