Gonna try and get better at this...

I know it has been awhile since I have taken the time to share thoughts and write - which is kinda sad for me, because I really love to write and enjoy blogging, so I am gonna try and do a better job (at least for a little while)

This morning, I woke up kinda early, and I actually felt refreshed and renewed from sleep (not waking up feeling tired is AWESOME).  I made some coffee, let the dog outside, and decided that instead of going for a run, or heading off to the gym - I was gonna dive into the Word and just spend some time with Jesus.  And man, was it EPIC this morning.  I love when I get an opportunity to be obedient and His faithfulness blows my mind...

This morning, as I was reading in the book of Luke, God showed me many different things, and caused me to wonder about a few things that I would like to share.  I have been slowly making my way through this wonderful Gospel, and today I am in Luke 22.

In vs. 2 we see that the chief priests and scribes (think church staff people and pastors) are looking for a way to put Jesus to death.  I know in my own study, a lot of times I think of these guys and immediately begin to judge their hatred of Jesus and desire to put him to death.  I think of these evil, sneaky, black cloak-wearing, "Boris from Bullwinkle" type bad guys.  But - as I pondered their hearts this morning, 2 things occurred to me: 1) these are pastors who think they are protecting there people from a heretic. 2) They have become consumed with their kingdom and not God's.

Allow me to ellaborate a bit... First of all, these are not evil guys who set out to do bad things.  These are men who loved God, and wanted to be obedient to His Law.  They wanted to keep people safe and make sure that they didn't fall prey to false teaching.  Their desire to kill Jesus, while terrible and heart breaking, I don't think means that these guys are EXTRA evil.  I think that I have been wrong in my judgment and harsh thoughts towards these guys.

But, they don't get excused from all wrong doing, in vs. 2 it says that they want to put him to death, because they "feared the people". But, at this point, every one is in love with Jesus - the tide has not yet turned, and their "fear" is of losing the peoples respect and affection.  They don't want to lose their position and power in society.  As a result - they fear losing their kingdom for God's.

Needless to say, this was convicting and something I had never seen in this passage before - it really hit home with me, that more often than not, I find myself fearing that God's plan, and Kingdom is going to invade my own - and just like these chief priests and scribes, I decide (subconsciously) that I am going to look for ways to put God's will and way to death, so that my kingdom can reign.

As if that wasn't enough to chew on, in this same chapter - a few other things happen...

1) While in the garden, Jesus asks his disciples to pray - not for him and the journey he is about to go on, but for themselves and the temptation they are about to face.  That Jesus, while in his most desperate and trying hours on earth - would care for the lives and spirits of his friends, was/is inspirational to say the least.  It goes to show you that Jesus' concern while on earth, truly was not for himself, but for those around him.  Something we could all stand to practice a little more.

2) A question arose for me out of Judas' betrayal.  Why did Judas need to betray Jesus?  I know it fulfilled prophecy and everything, but have you ever stopped to think about why it happened?  Was Jesus wearing an Abraham Lincoln mask?  Was he sporting a fake 'stache and black rimmed glasses?  Was he like Superman, and when he wasn't wearing the "jesus-frock" people didn't know who he was?  I doubt it... Jesus spent time with lots of people, and in vs. 53 he acknowledges that he has spent time with those who come to capture him.  I really doubt that Judas NEEDED to identify Jesus in the crowd.  I think people knew who Jesus was.  I wonder, was this a part of Jesus' suffering and identifying with humanity?  Did he suffer, not just physically and emotionally from those who hated his message - but also, suffer betrayal from a close friend - just because he knew that you and I would suffer betrayal from friends and loved ones?  Did his love and desire to identify with His Creation in every way, extend to being betrayed by a brother - for no other reason that he loves His people and wanted to know us that intimately?

Maybe, maybe not - there may be a deeper theological reasoning that I don't know why Judas had to betray Jesus.  Maybe historically there is something that I don't get.  But, I know that I am comforted in knowing that Jesus suffered everything I would suffer, and whether its the primary purpose or not, he even endured betrayal from a brother and a close friend - and can identify when I am hurt by loved ones and friends.

Thank you Jesus, you really went to great lengths for me!