THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS

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Listen to Luke's account of the crucifixion and the death of Jesus. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then "'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

So, we've heard the story of Jesus' crucifixion and His resulting death so many times. But I think these events require a simple explanation in order to understand why Jesus had to die in the first place.

You see, it's like this. Every one of us has something innate, built-in to our psyche. We just know deep down, inside that we must pay for whatever we do wrong or don't do right. There must be a payment. So, I feel guilty whenever I do anything wrong. That sense of guilt can only be satisfied when I pay for it, like when I do some compensation or penance that makes up for this wrong.

This payment concept is inherent in the sacrificial system that God established with Moses. A most vivid illustration of this is the Passover. Each family was required to kill a lamb, putting the blood of the lamb over the door of their home. When the death angel saw the blood of the lamb, it passed over that home. The lamb was sacrificed as a payment. The lamb died, so that the families might live. The lamb paid the price of death so that the family didn't have to die.

This same concept is what the entire sacrificial system is all about. A lamb or some other kind of animal was sacrificed to pay for certain sins. This occurred frequently for the Jewish family-daily, weekly monthly and annually. In the minds of the Jewish people the sacrifice of an animal substituted as a payment for the one who offered the sacrifice. The greatest payment ever received through the sacrificial system was a year's payment for their sins. Once the sacrifice has been made successfully by the high priest, then the people were absolved of their sins for one more year. This annual sacrifice is called Yom Kippur.

Then the Lord through His prophets made it clear that He was going to send His lamb some day to be the ultimate payment for any and all things that anyone has done wrong. This lamb was God's Messiah who was to die for the sins of the whole world. This is why John the Baptist, when recognizing Jesus, said, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." He knew Jesus was God's lamb.

You see, Jesus died as your lamb-the lamb of God, so that you don't have to pay for anything any longer. You don't have to feel guilty, because your account is all paid up.

There is only one catch to it all. You must personally identify with the lamb by placing your hands on the lamb sacrifice. This was the way to put personal trust in the payment. Well, today you must place your personal trust in God's lamb sacrifice for your sins-for all you ever did wrong or for whatever you will do wrong. Jesus has truly paid it all!

And, just as the Passover feast is a celebration of freedom from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, you can be eternally free. There are two verses in Acts that say it all: "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39).

Do you get it? Through Jesus' death you have FORGIVENESS of sins (all you do wrong), so that you don't have to pay any longer. In fact, you can't make any payment that satisfies. And, through Jesus' death you have FREEDOM from it all, IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD. Forgiveness and freedom form the bottom line of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. So, Jesus' death is not some religious or theological belief; it's the spiritual and psychological dynamic that every human being needs to find true satisfaction. Do you know what that means for you personally?

THE ROMAN TRIALS OF JESUS

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Now in the 23rd chapter of Luke we come to the Roman trials Jesus faced: Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king." So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends-before this they had been enemies.

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The trials before the Roman authorities started with Pilate (John 18:23) after Jesus was beaten. The charges brought against Him were very different from the charges in His religious trials. He was charged with inciting people to riot, forbidding the people to pay their taxes, and claiming to be King. Pilate found no reason to kill Jesus so he sent Him to Herod (Luke 23:7). Herod had Jesus ridiculed, but wanting to avoid the political liability, sent Jesus back to Pilate (Luke 23:11-12). This was the last trial as Pilate tried to appease the animosity of the Jews by having Jesus scourged. The Roman scourge is a terrible whipping of 39 lashes. In a final effort to have Jesus released, Pilate offered the prisoner Barabbas to be crucified and Jesus released, but to no avail. The crowds called for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified. Pilate granted their demand and surrendered Jesus to their will (Luke 23:25). The trials of Jesus represent the ultimate mockery of justice. Jesus, the most innocent man in the history of the world, was found guilty of crimes and sentenced to death by crucifixion. Talk about going along with the herd!

All those who go on pilgrimage to Israel will visit the site of Caesarea by the Sea. And at that site archaeologists found an inscription naming Pontius Pilate as the Prefect of Judea. This was a military title for a commander of 500 to 1000 troops. He is mentioned by Josephus, Philo, and Tacitus, and, of course, in the Gospels. He is appointed in 26 AD with the support of his mentor, Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard. Pilate quickly builds a reputation of contempt for Jewish customs and beliefs. He is dismissed by Emperor Tiberius in 36 or 37 AD.

One of my professors, Dr. Hoehner, suggests a motive for Pilate being so pliable under the pressure of the Jewish leadership. He says, "If Jesus is crucified in 33 AD, as many believe, Pilate has only recently received news of the execution of his mentor Sejanus, and may realize that, with his lack of political support in Rome, he must be more compliant with Jewish demands than he had been in the past."

Herod has tried to see Jesus before (9:7-9), understanding him as a sort of John-the-Baptist figure. Now he gets his wish. Unfortunately, Herod isn't interested in truth but in entertainment. He wants to see Jesus perform one of those miracles he has heard about. But Herod takes neither John the Baptist or Jesus seriously. The picture of Herod painted by the New Testament as well as contemporary historians such as Josephus is one of a vain, selfish, and ruthless king. But Herod receives no amusement this day. He asks Jesus numerous questions, but Jesus says nothing.

So, Pilate gave in to the crowd's demands. As was the custom, the Roman authority would release a prisoner during Passover. What is incredible is that Jesus was charged with insurrection and being a rebel against the Roman government. Yet, when Pilate released Barabbas, he was releasing a man who truly was an insurrectionist and a rebel against the government.

This all reminds me of what Peter says about Jesus' actions in the face of these accusations. "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

Jesus suffered in the following manner: · He committed no sin · No deceit was found in His mouth · He did not retaliate · He made no threats · He entrusted Himself to God · He was willing to hurt in order to heal!

We are to suffer injustice in the same way. Peter says, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS. This seems difficult and maybe even impossible, but we'll uncover the bottom line reason for all of this suffering and death to bring about healing to the world tomorrow, when we discuss the crucifixion. Don't miss it!

THE RELIGIOUS TRIALS OF JESUS

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The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" And they said many other insulting things to him. At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Messiah," they said, "tell us."

SJesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You say that I am." Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

There were six different trials Jesus faced. The first three were in a religious court and the second three were in a Roman court. In the Jewish court Jesus was tried before Annas, the former high priest, then the current high priest, Caiaphas and finally here in this passage He is tried before the Sanhedrin. The primary charge in the religious court was blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God, the Messiah.

As we come to the final trial within the Jewish court of the Sanhedrin-the supreme court for the Jews. All of the religious trials were riddled with illegalities. I want to list out a few:

FIRST-If a man was arrested for a capital crime, he could never be arrested at night. It had to be in broad daylight. Jesus' arrest took place between 1 and 2 o'clock at night.

SECOND-If a man was arrested for a capital crime, no one cooperating in the arrest could be in any way connected to the one who is accused. No arrest for a capital crime could be made based upon information given by a follower or colleague of the accused. Because they felt if the accused was guilty, so were his followers. But the entire plot revolved around Judas, one of the followers. This law was blatantly and openly ignored.

THIRD-No Jewish trial could ever be held at night. The law stated that it must be held in the daytime. Listen to the code, which is taken from the Talmud: "The members of the court may not alertly and intelligently hear the testimony against the accused during the hours of darkness." But, if you check the record, both before Annas and before Caiaphas, these trials were held in darkness.

FOURTH-The members of the Jewish court, after hearing the testimony of true witnesses (none of which were ever brought before Jesus) in a capital crime, could not immediately act and judge. They were to go home and remain alone and separate from one another for two days (at the least, one full day), thinking about the testimonies they had heard. During that time, here's what they were to do. They didn't do that. They never left the presence of Caiaphas!

FIFTH-Even the method of voting was specified. They never took an "all in favor say I, all opposed say no" kind of vote. Their vote was supposed to be taken from the youngest to the oldest so that the youngest wouldn't be intimidated or influenced by the older votes. This never happened.

SIXTH-No trial could be held before only one judge, and never without a defense attorney. All of that was overlooked and ignored. Even though they were people of the book, they didn't follow their own rules.

According to the Gregorian calendar, the arrest and trials of Jesus took place on April 6th, 32AD, during a nine hour period. The Jews put together a plan that was illegal, fallacious, unfair, and unwarranted. No man was ever more innocent, and no man ever stood before six more illegal and unfair trials than Jesus.

Why were all of these illegalities committed? It simply goes back to Jesus in His revolutionary ways works with the heart. Jesus goes to the heart of the matter. His revolution makes everyone feel a little uncomfortable, because it threatens the prideful stance and position of so many-especially the leadership. The spiritual revolution of Jesus is all about turning you inside out and turning your world upside down. If you are not willing for Him to work on your heart, then you must do anything you can to destroy His work in your life-even if it means to destroy Him. Give it up and let Jesus do His surgery on you.

THE JESUS FACTOR-Study Notes #10

MATTHEW 6:19-33

I. The Photograph of Kingdom Righteousness (5:1-16)
a. 8 qualities that move to a different beat altogether
b. 2 roles—salt (being) and light (doing)

II. The Precepts of Kingdom Righteousness (5:17-48)
a. KR requires that your righteousness surpasses all
b. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fill it full

III. The Practices of Kingdom Righteousness
⇒THE PRINCIPLE OF PRIVATE FOCUS…

After an understanding that Kingdom Righteousness includes the principle of private focus—some things are only to the Lord alone, we now come to what Jesus says is the priority of Kingdom Righteousness—your stuff and how you handle it.

There are many nerves in the human body, but none so sensitive as the nerve that goes from the brain to the checkbook. We go to school to learn about how to make money and build up our treasures. We spend 40-60 hours per week earning it. Countless thoughts are spent on planning how to handle it best. We spend hours in shopping malls and online in order to spend it. We dream and scheme to find ways to acquire more of it. We argue over it. Despair over losing it has led to suicide and an array of self-destructive actions. Greed continues to be a leading factor in crime. And, the absence of money leads to despair and depression.

This is why money and wealth occupy most of Jesus’ teachings—2 out of 3 parables—and over 2000 verses in the Bible make reference to it. It’s on our minds more than most anything else.

There are also lots of wealthy characters in the Scriptures—Abraham, Isaac, Solomon, Sheba and Job. The women of who were followers of Jesus did much of the underwriting of Jesus’ ministry. Women like Phoebe served in leadership within local assemblies. And, one of the most celebrated of Jesus’ parables—the parable of the talents—demonstrates that the Lord loves the practice of investment what you have.

What is Jesus saying about money and wealth in Luke 16?
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:10-13




I see Jesus making a strong statement regarding a spiritual connection between how you handle your money and how you handle your spiritual wealth. If you are trustworthy in handling worldly wealth—money, then you prove yourself trustworthy enough to be entrusted with God’s true riches—spiritual riches. Given this as a spiritual truth, then the discussion of money and wealth is most important.

There is a challenging statement that I have enjoyed over the years: An unexamined life is not worth living. Without personal examination it’s too easy to be overcome by one of the following:

1. Insecurity—too many followers of Jesus talk about standing on the rock of ages, but their actions speak about clinging to a piece of driftwood.

2. Inaction—too many followers of Jesus are into hot-tub mentality rather
than a weight room for action.

3. Incomplete—too many followers of Jesus make Jesus Lord in general while they are lord of the specifics.

4. Ineffective—followers of Jesus are everywhere, but are not what they should be where they are.

Which of these has been your greatest struggle?







IV. The Priority of Kingdom Righteousness

Jesus first contrasts two treasures and two masters:

TWO TREASURES
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
How would you define and/or describe the two treasures? And, how does each treasure translate into your personal life?

1. Treasures on earth…
⇒Definition:



⇒Translation:



2. Treasures in heaven…
⇒Definition:



⇒Translation:



Jesus continues...

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


What you treasure leads the way to your heart. Your treasure is what you value most. And, what you value most becomes your passion. Eventually, this treasure becomes your god.


Then Jesus presents an interesting visual...

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

What does Jesus mean here about the eye?






It seems to me that the eye is illustrating your life’s focus. It’s the lamp of the body. When it is focused on the right thing—Kingdom Righteousness, you are considered healthy. This healthy focus produces inner health to the body as well. When you are properly focused, you experience a physical and psychological fullness throughout your entire being. This special focus on Kingdom Righteousness is all about heavenly treasures.

On the contrary, when your eye is focused on earthly treasures away from Kingdom Righteousness, your entire physical and psychological being is filled with darkness.

TWO MASTERS
24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Jesus continues His contrast between earthly and heavenly treasures. As He continues, Jesus makes it even more serious than the focus of your eye. Focusing on earthly treasures (away from Kingdom Righteousness) is actually becoming a servant of money and wealth as your god. Focusing on heavenly treasures (everything to do with Kingdom Righteousness) is actually becoming a servant of God.

What do you think Jesus means when He says, “You cannot serve both God and Money?”






This statement takes us back to the Ten Commandments where God says: “You shall not have other gods before Me.” There are three possible meanings to the phrase “before Me”:

1. INSTEAD OF ME—This is making anything a substitute for God. It’s like taking on a counterfeit.
2. IN ADDITION TO ME—This a smothering of God with all of your others gods. It’s a practice of convenience.
3. IN FRONT OF ME—This is more of a snubbing of God—right in His face. It’s like taking a 2nd wife while still married to the 1st—a covenant breaker.

Which of these is the greatest personal struggle for you?








You see, God wants to be your God...
1. ENTIRELY—No substitute allowed.
2. EXPLICITLY—No snubbing allowed.
3. EXCLUSIVELY—No smothering of Him with other gods.

Anything less, you not only risk something, you risk everything!


NEXT, Jesus gives some practical application of His teachings about two treasures and two masters. This is why He says THEREFORE...

FIRST—STOP WORRYING ABOUT EARTHLY TREASURES
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

What is your relationship with worry?





Jesus gives some great logic about the futility of worrying. NOTE how He outlines worry into two areas...

1. Don’t worry about your LIFE (Eating & Drinking)
a. Look at the birds...
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
b. Worry is useless...(going in circles—preoccupation)
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?


2. Don’t worry about your BODY (clothing)
a. Observe the lilies...
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
b. Worry is faithless…(thoughts controlled by something else)
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Since you can’t handle your life better than God can, then why not let Him. Replace your wasted effort of worrying earthly treasures with seeking His Kingdom Righteousness of heavenly treasures.

SECOND—SEEK HIS KINGDOM OF HEAVENLY TREASURES
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In light of what Jesus is teaching what does this mean to you today?

The principle of primary focus means a single-mindedness
toward God which requires that you
stop your worry
& seek His Kingdom Righteousness...
and, He’ll give you His full, undivided attention.

3 PRACTICAL STEPS for your consideration:
#1—Release your earthly treasures.

#2—Refocus on your heavenly treasures.
Only one life, twill soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What are you doing that will count forever?


#3—Relax...rest in God’s hands.
I hold on to these three truths in order to relax:
God is interested.

God is interested in me and mine.

God is more interested in me and mine than I am.

PETER DENIES JESUS

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Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus has just been arrested by temple troops in the Garden of Gethsemane and his disciples have fled for their lives. Peter has just had a traumatic experience attempting to chop a man’s head off, missed and sliced off his ear, only to have Jesus heal the ear completely. It is a real night of terror for Jesus and His disciples in Jerusalem.

The temple troops took Jesus over to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The high priest was usually selected from among the Sadducees, however the selection process may have been actually performed by Herod at this time. So, he was Herod’s appointment.

Peter went along with the soldiers and tried to blend in with the little crowd of curious people. This in itself is quite courageous. He had followed Jesus for over 3 years and he was sticking with him, even at a distance. He’s got to be scared personally for what might happen to him, too.

Fear overcame him as he was discovered by the servant girl and he quickly denied being one of Jesus’ band of men. Later he was recognized by another person and Peter again blurts out that he is not one of Jesus’ people. Finally, about an hour or so later as it was turning closer to morning Peter was recognized as a Galilean which he quickly turned into the third denial. And, just as he denies Jesus for the third time, the rooster crows and Jesus is able to see Peter, looking straight at him.

Talk about “I told you so!”; this had to be most debilitating to Peter. This is the Peter who claimed he was willing to go to prison or death for Jesus. This is why Peter quietly leaves the compound weeping bitterly. He is overwhelmed with guilt and shame.

Have you ever caught yourself in this kind of situation? Have you ever denied that you are a follower of Jesus either by your words or your actions? The lessons here are many and here are a few:

FIRST—Don’t ever think you are above being a coward when it comes to identifying yourself with Jesus. This is why we must humbly follow after Him and humbly deal with one another.

SECOND—Prayer does matter in preparing our hearts for difficult times. Peter had just left a night of a little praying and a lot of nodding off.

THIRD—Fear and faith can’t coexist easily. It’s too easy to give into our fears. I like the saying, “When fear knocks, I must send faith over to answer the door.”

FOURTH—Jesus is always looking. This use to scare me to death, when I was sure that Jesus was mad at me. Now, I understand that His look, though sometimes disappointed in me, is still filled with unconditional love, concern and forgiveness for me. More than anything else Jesus wants me to “get it” and “get through it.”

ABOVE ALL I think this scene in Peter’s life is indicative of our own lives as we move in and out of highly stressful and fearful moments. The most devastating thing of all is the look on Jesus’ face when I screw up. When my parents gave me that disappointed look, that was worse than any spanking or grounding ever. I never wanted to disappoint them. And when I did, that’s what hurt me the most. It’s the same way with our relationship with Jesus. We don’t want to disappoint Him, but we do. But OH THAT LOOK ON HIS FACE.

I am comforted by a passage in II Timothy that says, “And when we are faithless and deny Him, He remains faithful.” Now that’s why Jesus is worthy of our faith and trust and worship. HE REMAINS FAITHFUL!