Category: Uncategorized

36: This special place was a garden of olive trees just across the Kidron and at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his disciples had come here before. Though it would have likely hidden him from the Jewish officials, Judas knew the spot well. Being a garden, it would have been easy for Jesus’ group to be divided up, and yet be within a good line of sight.

Personal Journal Entry #12004
Prayer Journal Entry #12004
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 10:1-12:20

33: The boldness and devotion of Peter are here overshadowed by his self-righteousness. He is, in effect, saying that he would remain faithful to his Lord, even if all of the other disciples stumbled spiritually. This reminds one of the earlier conversation of the disciples concerning who was to be the greatest in the kingdom. Pride is never flattering.
34: Jesus, of course, knows what will happen before it happens. The cock would crow twice, once at midnight, and once at the dawn of the new day. Jesus was telling Peter that, before the second crowing of the rooster, he would deny Christ three times.
35: Peter’s reaction was strong for various reasons. He had to save face before the other disciples. Jesus statement was strong, there was no confusion as to what he meant. To deny someone is to claim no knowledge of that person, as if they don’t exist in your memory. It is sad that Peter and the others seem to have missed Jesus’ words about his resurrection, but were apparently catching on about his death. They did not want to accept either, but his death was obviously likely at that point.

Personal Journal Entry #12003
Prayer Journal Entry #12003
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 7:1-9:29

31: Jesus words here must have been disturbing to the disciples. At this point, remember, only the eleven were with him. He is quoting from Zechariah’s prophecy concerning the Shepherd and the sheep. His use of the word ‘offended’ would have been offensive. It means to stumble spiritually. This may explain the disciple’s strong reaction. They all, being concerned about their status in his kingdom, went on the defensive.
32: Though Jesus states plainly that he would rise again, it seems the disciples missed it somehow. We often filter out what is not acceptable to out way of thinking.
Jesus words concerning Galilee bring up an interesting point. Why Galilee? Why not meet them in the temple? Why not show himself to the men who had him crucified? Why not stick around for awhile and let everybody know that you are risen? There are more answers to these questions than we can deal with here. One answer is very important, however. God expects people to believe Christ is risen whether they have personally met him in the flesh or not. Those who fail to accept him, though they have never actually seen the scars in his hands, are without excuse.

Personal Journal Entry #12003
Prayer Journal Entry #12002
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1-6:22

26: As they were eating the Passover, Jesus does something special with the bread. This is the special unleavened bread used in the Passover, and as such had special significance anyway. The disciples should have immediately understood the symbolism here. The bread being blessed and broken shows the death of Christ according to God’s purpose. The disciples would have understood that, in the midst of a meal in which food represents various things, ‘this is my body’ means that the bread represents the body of Christ.
27: Several times during the meal the cup would have been involved. However, Jesus waits until the end, and the last, or next to the last, cup, to explain his blood in relation to the new covenant. He gives thanks for it and instructs each of them to drink from it.
28: Once again they would know that he is saying his blood is represented by that cup. The new covenant, under which God would write his law on their hearts, had to be put into force by blood. Without it, sin could not be remitted. Jesus makes it clear that his blood meets this requirement.
29: Many have tried to spiritualize this passage by saying that he is not actually referring to literally drinking something. But, it is clear that Jesus really means what he says. He has not partaken of that particular fruit of the vine since that day. He will do so next with the saints after the renewing of things in his millennial reign on earth.
30: The song here sung was likely Psalm 116-118, usually done at the end of the Passover.

Personal Journal Entry #12001
Prayer Journal Entry #12001
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1-3:24

1: God wants people to submit to the higher powers. The ‘higher powers’ refers to human government. Although God is the almighty, the key here is authority. No authority can come from anyone but God. God has ordained human government. In other words, human governments have authority because God gave it to them. Legitimate governments may only rule by appealing to this God-given authority. Illegitimate governments, though not recognizing his supreme authority, get their authority from their might, which is totally in his hand.
2: To resist the authority that God has ordained is disobedience. There are consequences to disobedience.
3: Rulers here refers to those who oversee the laws of the land. Good law and order has never hampered good works. If you want to live free from fear of breaking the law, keep the law. Those who do good will be praised by the lawmakers.
4: God uses rulers for the benefit of the individual. The sword here refers to the judicial ability of the ruler. Execution is possible. The Romans used swords to carry out executions. God has given human governments the authority to carry out the law as an expression of his wrath. This includes capital punishment against evildoers.
5: These are good reasons to obey human authorities. Christians, as keepers of the law, should have no cause to be the recipients of wrath on the part of human governments. Conscience also is a good motive. It is good sense to have a government for the safety and well-being of all.
6: Therefore, tribute, or tax, is to be paid for the sake of conscience. It is similar to the pay of a minister of the gospel. Lawmakers must have a living. They work constantly for the welfare of all.
7: Tribute and custom refer to all taxes, customs, levies, etc. that might be charged. The word ‘render’ here is helpful. Not just paying these things, but giving them, with the protection and order that they afford in mind. Fear and honor are the reverence due to officials. Christians, though free to think and speak, are not free to speak rudely to God’s ministers.
8: Any kind of debt, whether to the government or otherwise, should be paid on time and in full. The only debt to have is to love others. This means simply that the need to love others continues. One can never love another enough. This love for others fulfills the law.
9: All of these commandments, and any other good and sensible law, may be summarized by the need to love one’s fellow man.
10: Thus, love for others and law and order are in complete agreement with each other.
11: While loving others, Christians are to be mindful of the time. Every day brings closer the return of Christ. The salvation of the saints from this world of woe comes closer every passing hour. It is more than time to do what must be done to live for the benefit of the souls of lost men the world over.
12: The apostles all were under the impression that the Lord would be returning soon. And, they were not mistaken. He will return soon. Some will find it too soon and not be ready. Thus Christians are to work good works, not evil.
13: Here is described the actions of dishonest men who break all sorts of the laws of men very easily.
14: Christians are to wear Jesus like a garment. He must be what others see. The flesh must not be given the chance to do as it wills.

24: The fact that Jesus would die on the coming day was already established. God had predetermined it, promised it, and prophesied it. The betrayer is still at fault, however. This shows the balance between Divine will and human will. God has determined the way of things in this evil world, but will offer mercy to each individual. Judas chose to betray Christ. It was an act of his own will.
Woe is pronounced only when great judgement is due. Indeed, Jesus, by his words, shows that Judas bears the greatest blame for his being brought to the point of crucifixion. The saying Jesus uses here concerning Judas was common among the Jews. It expressed a more complicated concept than might first be recognized. One who was never born would be a miscarriage. Such persons, never having the chance to enter this world in force, are presumably better off than those who, having been born, make a mess of their lives. The implication is that a miscarriage would have hope for the future, whereas Judas could look forward to nothing but eternal torment.
25: Judas seems to be trying to cover his bases before the other disciples. However, he may also have sincerely wondered if Jesus knew who would betray him. Either way, he did not expect the answer he received.
Judas called Jesus Rabbi rather than Lord, possibly trying to sound more respectful. Instead, he succeeded in being different from men who were obviously innocent. Jesus’ answer here is another common expression. Rather than saying yes, you say that the person has said it, but it means yes. Apparently, none but Judas heard his answer.

23: There were dishes near each group of men there. In other words, he was not referring to one dish that they all dipped into. Instead, there might have been only two or three that dipped in this same dish. Thus, this would have narrowed things down considerably. This fulfills prophecy in that one who was close to Christ, and shared fellowship with him, betrayed him.

21: During the meal there would be very specific foods and an order in which things were to be done. Therefore Jesus words, besides being surprising by themselves, would have come as a bolt out of the blue. Of course, Judas would ultimately have betrayed Christ anyway. But, Jesus words set the ball rolling. He instigated the timing, knowing the importance of the next day, and his Father’s timetable.
22: Although the disciples were not always the best examples spiritually speaking, their sorrow here was genuine. At least, that is, for the eleven. It is easy to imagine how they felt. Their question is interesting. Apparently none of them denied being a traitor. In the case of the eleven, it seems they realized that Jesus might know about a betrayal before the betrayer knew. Though weak at times, none of them were traitors.

18: It has been suggested that Jesus had already made contact with this man he mentions. Although he may have met the man, it seems very unlikely that he had already contacted him about the Passover in particular. This is yet another example of Jesus’ omniscience. He knew what this particular man’s response would be, and that he would have a room available. This is why he tells the disciples in detail what to say to the man. If the man already knew what to expect, this much explanation would be unnecessary.
Jesus’ reference to his ‘time’ is here very interesting. He must have known that this man would understand to what he referred. Thus, he may have met him and spoken with him in the past. This is not the only instance in which Jesus makes a reference to the relative timing of God’s plan.
19: The disciples obeyed their Master. The preparations for the Passover included the preparation of the location, purification from all leaven, procuring of the lamb, and preparation of the lamb, among other things.
20: The Passover would commence when the stars appeared. It was generally observed with one’s family only.

17: The beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread would have taken place on Friday, the 3rd of April, A.D. 33, the 14th of Nisan in the Hebrew Calendar. This was referred to as the Day of Preparation. This day would have begun on the evening of Thursday by Jewish reckoning. Thus, this verse occurs on Thursday evening, the 2nd of April, and 13th of Nisan. Much debate has ensued over whether Jesus actually ate the Passover on this evening. Two things, however, can be stated with certainty if one takes the words of all the gospel writers literally. First, Jesus did eat the Passover meal with his disciples. Second, though it is unclear how this worked, some Jews ate the Passover when Jesus did, and some waited until Friday evening around the time that it became the 15th of Nisan.
The disciples new that the preparations made for this meal were somewhat elaborate, and wanted to know where they could find to make things ready.