We move into Luke 22 today (Thursday), and we'll be reading about Judas' and Peter's betrayal over the weekend. Almost every time I read this, I'm disgusted and annoyed with Judas, Peter and the other disciples as well (verse 24). (BTW, I doubt I would have responded any better). It shows that Satan is out there trying to get a hold of each one of us. Do you think about that very often or ever? Because we should. Satan and his army are actively out there scheming, plotting and targeting us, and frankly, that's a little scary.
So today and the rest of this week, would you try something with me? Right when you wake up, take a minute and remind yourself how Satan would like nothing more than to derail you. Then do something about it. Be proactive. Try reading Ephesians 6:10-20 (armor of God passage). Maybe have some focused prayer time where you ask God to give you the strength you need in all things that day to stand firm for Him. Let's be tuned in and on the offensive when it comes to Satan's attacks. Will you join me? Tami W.
P.S. I threw out a little challenge in my video blog, too. I know, it's extra, but a little more time in God's Word is never a waste. :) Have a good weekend!
I agree, it is scaring. I'm sure Judas didn't set out to fall for the devils schemes. He may have been an excited zelot looking for a king that would put the romans down and even take over the world. what could this Jesus not do. He may have even been convinced by the devil himself that Jesus would go to trial and then show His stuff to the world,(not a sheep for the slaughter). Once you're convinced by the devil you can walk in sin and believe it's from God. My best advice to myself is to stay in the knowledge of the lord,stay in fellowship, in prayer take a word of correction with consideration,sincerely. Don't be proud. I think satan left Judas after he was done with him and that that's when he realized the error of his actions "he shed innocent blood"
What interested me in this account is that, even though Jesus could have totally taken Satan OUT, and protected Peter from ever having to deal with such a "sifting", He only promises to PRAY for Peter! Sometimes when I tell another person I will pray for her, I feel as though I am not doing enough. But if JESUS felt that the BEST thing He could do for Peter was to PRAY that he would have strong faith, and that the effect of his trial might cause Peter to strengthen the faith of his brothers, I know I need to follow this example.
Tami,
Help..........For Saturday's reading, the question is asked "Why do you think He makes this change ?"
Would you give me a hint ?
Thanks.
PS........P4 is part of my daily walk. Thank you for being a blessing to me.
In Jesus' name.
Carole,
Thanks for your comment about prayer. It was a good reminder for me. I, too, many times feel like I'm not doing enough for people by simply praying. As Jesus shows us, that's not always the case.
I wonder about the "look" of Jesus, when Peter had just finished denying Him. If it had been me, I would have looked at Peter with an "I told you so" glint, or maybe resentment and anger. Since the Bible doesn't tell us what the "look" of Jesus represented, we have to ponder the response of Peter to help us. The "look" caused Peter to REMEMBER...to remember his own self-confident boasting, remember the Lord's prophetic words. I, too, need the "look" of Christ. In the Word, I feel His searching, hear His admonitions, compare my sinful behavior to His high & holy standards.
Then, the "look" caused Peter to "GO OUT" and "WEEP BITTERLY". So often I stay with the crowd because I don't have to deal with my sin. Peter was absolutely smitten by the "look" of Jesus...to the point He had to get away and grieve over his three-time failures. Do I ever just get away from the noise of life to ponder the words of Jesus, to compare my behavior with my earlier promises, to confess and even to "weep bitterly"? We know from later scriptures and from Peter's own writings that he found forgiveness and eventually was greatly used of God. That encourages me so much because I, too, am guilty of at least playing down the fact that I am a Christian to certain people. Yet the Lord convicts me with a "look" from the Word, and gives me the chance to "weep bitterly" in repentance and be restored to fellowship with Him.
Mark, Tami asked me to answer your question, and I'm glad to do so.
When Jesus sent out the seventy two (some translations say seventy) in Luke 10, Jesus was still a very popular rabbi. His followers would be treated with respect. They could look to the good will of those with whom they spoke to supply their needs. But by the time we get to Luke 22, the situation had changed drastically. Jesus was a hunted man. In only a short time, He would be arrested and crucified. His change in instructions reflected the change in the situation. Instead of being welcomed, His disciples could expect to be persecuted and rejected the same way as their Master was.
Allen, Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible