Category Archives: Devotions from the Gospels

No Longer Following at a Distance

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Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:54 ESV1

Read Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75; Mark 14:27-31, 66-72; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; John 13:36-38, 18:15-18, 25-27, 21:15-19; Acts 2:14, 22-24, 36-41

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus because he was only in a relationship with Jesus for what he could gain.2 Peter denied Jesus, but his fault was for a totally different reason. Peter dearly loved Jesus and wasn’t shy about proclaiming his devotion to Him. But Peter didn’t have what it took to keep his promises to Jesus.

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What Will You Give Me?

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Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?”  Matthew 26:14-15 ESV1

Read Matthew 26:14-16, 20-25, 47-50 & 27:3-9; Mark 14:10-11, 17-21, 43-46; Luke 22:3-6, 47-48; John 13:18-30 & 18:1-6

I fear many of us who consider ourselves Christians have chosen Jesus but with false information and inaccurate expectations. We haven’t been given the full Gospel nor considered the whole cost. We may have said a special prayer, tried to sneak into the Kingdom as we raised our hands when every head was bowed and eye closed, or even boldly responded to an altar call. But that doesn’t mean much if we did it to please others or solely for personal gain. Some well-meaning people might have assured us we have free tickets to Heaven or eternal safety with our spiritual fire insurance. But if we chose Jesus for the wrong reasons, our commitment to Him is fraudulent. If our Christianity is self-focused, our following of Jesus is much like Judas Iscariot’s.

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Thirty Musts of the Messiah

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 “I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you may believe that I am He.” John 13:19 ESV1

Read John 13:18-20

At the Last Supper in the presence of His closest disciples, Jesus said these words:

“‘I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you may believe that I am He’” (John 13:19).

This statement was made in context of His upcoming betrayal. This disloyalty had been predicted centuries before. Right before His comment, Jesus referenced the prophesy (see John 13:18 and Psalm 41:9).

Before too long, the disciples would be thrown into much confusion. Because the soon-to-occur events wouldn’t fit their preconceived ideas of how the Messiah would defeat their enemy, they would be tempted to doubt the Master they had followed for three and a half years was Who He said He was. So, Jesus reminded them of this Messianic prophesy.

As Jesus Himself explained:

“‘Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled’” (Luke 24:44b).

If even one of the prophesies concerning the Messiah didn’t match Jesus, He would not be the promised Anointed One. So, let’s look at thirty specific Messianic prophesies and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

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Knowing What You’ve Got

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Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, that He had come from God, and was going back to God … John 13:3 ESV1

Read John 13:1-17

If you had a money tree in your room that produced $100 bills and every time you picked one, two more grew back in its place, would you be stingy with your spending? Wouldn’t there be something seriously wrong with your thinking if you lived in poverty? Likewise, wouldn’t you be incredibly selfish if you refused to be generous?

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Just When You Need It

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And they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.  Luke 22:13 ESV1

Read Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16 & Luke 22:7-13

I was tired and eagerly anticipated my arrival at my destination where I planned to take a few moments to close my eyes and rest. I had traveled for sixteen hours across the country to serve at a ministry. My vehicle was packed with everything I would need for the next five weeks. With much prayer, I had planned spiritually for the role I would be filling. As I composed and checked off items on a list, I worked out all the conceivable physical details for my time away from home and my work in the ministry. I felt abundantly prepared for this opportunity.

But when I got to the vacation rental I had reserved months before, it wasn’t available! The owner was living there. She had no idea I was scheduled to arrive nor that I had reserved her home for the next five weeks. She didn’t even realize the listing for her home was active; she thought she had removed it almost a year before when she moved into their rental after she and her husband became separated.

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Trying to Stay on the Fence

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They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:43 ESV1

Read John 12:42-50

Sitting on the fence is a common English idiom to describe the actions or thoughts of one who is indecisive or refuses to choose between two opposing sides. This inability to decide is usually due to a lack of courage. When one weighs the options and the potential losses involved in making a firm commitment to either side, sitting on the fence often seems like the safest place. However, assumptions often do not agree with reality.

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Cheering You Down the Narrow Way

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Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him. John 12:41 ESV1

Read John 12:37-41

I stole the title for this article from the line my friend, Nathan,2 uses to end many of his correspondences. This message is reminiscent of Jesus’ direction:

“‘Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few’” (Matthew 7:13-14).

My friend’s often-used closing remark is a reminder but it is also a reassurance. Anyone who enters the Narrow Gate onto the Road to Jesus’ Kingdom will find that the Way contains some significantly challenging sections. Therefore, those who travel this Road need some cheering on along the way. May this article encourage you to continue on the Hard Way, particularly if you find yourself on an incredibly difficult section of the Road.

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Seeing Jesus in Difficult Circumstances

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“Now is My soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour.” John 12:27 ESV1

Read John 12:20-37

If you are reading this, you are either one of my faithful followers who reads nearly everything I write or you are going through a difficult time right now and you desperately want the powerful working of God in it. What I have to say here is Biblical but it may not be easy to swallow. I am not going to wallow with you in self-pity, feed your doubts, or allow you to blame God. But I will walk with you through a process that actually works. If I had not in the past and if I were not currently going through a difficult situation in this way, I would have no right to tell you what to do. But since I have and am traveling along a challenging path, I can offer you a helping hand. If you are ready to traverse this trail, let’s both get on our spiritual hiking boots and climb this mountain together.

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Am I a Friend of Jesus?

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“She has done a beautiful thing to Me.” Mark 14:6b ESV1

Read Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11 & John 12:1-11

One of my favorite hymns is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1819-1886). Mr. Scriven suffered much loss in his life. He penned the words of this hymn in 1855 after the tragic loss of his second fiancée. The trouble in his life drove Mr. Scriven into a deeper relationship with the only One he could never lose. Thus, the words of this hymn are especially encouraging to anyone struggling in any manner. Likewise, singing this hymn is particularly moving to many who know Jesus intimately because of the times He has met them in their need. The powerful words of this hymn are as follows:

“What a Friend we have in Jesus; all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a Friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our Refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms, He’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

What a Friend we have in Jesus; take it to the Lord in prayer.”2

Indeed, Jesus has been a tremendous Friend to me, but have I reciprocated? I have been looking at a well-known and often referenced passage of Scripture in the light of friendship with Jesus.

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According to God’s Plan

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“You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” John 11:49b-50 ESV1

Read Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2 & John 11:45-53

In elementary school gym class, we sometimes got to use scooters to aid us in our physical exercise. Whenever the gym teacher brought the scooters out of the supply closet, cheers of excitement filled the gymnasium. For us children, it was exhilarating to roll all over the smooth floor playing games while either sitting or lying on these 12” x 12” x 1” pieces of wood supported by four caster wheels, one in each corner.

I absolutely loved the gym class scooters. So, one day I decided to make one for myself. In my dad’s workshop, I found a beautiful piece of wood, just the right size, and one caster wheel. I worked hard sanding the wood and screwing the wheel to the center of the board. This was a sizable accomplishment for a child but it was the joy I expected to receive from my very own scooter that kept me diligently working.

When my scooter was finished, the wood was smooth and the wheel was secure and turned easily. But when I tried out my scooter, my joy disappeared into frustration. Every time I tried to sit or lie on my scooter, it would tip to one side, strike the ground, and become completely unmovable.

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