Today's reading is Luke's version of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane after his last supper with his disciples. We'll hear Mark's version tonight at the close of our Maundy Thursday service. That service begins at 6 with a potluck supper in Christler Hall. All are welcome. I love that in Jesus prayer, he doesn't get what he asks for first (God to spare him from the cross), but he does gain strength from the prayer. He also prays that, no matter what, God's will be done. That's a good model for us to remember too.
Jesus is also a model in his arrest. He goes peacefully and tells his disciples not to fight. He also forces the guards and leaders who arrest him to confront their actions. He reminds them that he's never been a threat, that he always acted openly, but they are arresting him in secret instead of in public. Most of the great non-violent protest is similar. It doesn't attack injustice on its own terms, but it does expose it to the light and call it wrong.
May our day be filled with integrity as well,
Sam
Luke 22:39-53
39He came out
and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed
him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you
may not come into the time of trial.” 41Then he withdrew from them
about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42“Father, if you are
willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” 43Then
an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his
anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of
blood falling down on the ground. 45When he got up from prayer, he
came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and
he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come
into the time of trial.”
47While he was
still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the
twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but
Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of
Man?” 49When those who were around him saw what was coming, they
asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50Then one of them
struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But
Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then
Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the
elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I
were a bandit? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple,
you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
Sam Picard
Pastor, Laurelton United Presbyterian Church
Daily Bible readings in interactive format: laureltonpastor.blogspot.com
Sermons: laureltonsermons.blogspot.com
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