F O O T H O L D
READING
51 HOW DOES JESUS REACT?
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PRAY Open your word to me
today, loving Lord.
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READ Luke 22:39-65.
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THINK What does this passage
teach about Jesus' character?
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FOCUS JESUS - AT PRAYER (39-46).
Jesus was human and he was facing a
cruel death. Of course he
shrank from it. He knew also that in
his death he would be
bearing the punishment for our sins which
meant separation from God. (37).
That is why he prayed as he did
(42).
Do your prayers have this
attitude?
JESUS - ARRESTED (47-53).
When Christ's enemies came to arrest
him, Peter resisted them (49,50).
But that was not Jesus' way
(51). Look up 6:27,28 and
Matthew 5:39, and see how in today's
verses Christ practised what
he preached. It is not easy to meet
hostility with love, and
bitterness with the healing power of
Jesus Christ. However this
is the way of Jesus - and the way we
ought to follow.
JESUS - DISOWNED (54-62).
Jesus was aware that Peter had failed
him. We don't know exactly
what was in his look (61), but there's
no hint of anger. From what
had gone before and what happened
later it seems that Jesus
would have been patient and loving even
though he had been hurt. It
is important to remember Jesus'
example, when we feel
tempted to condemn others who let us down.
JESUS - MOCKED (63-65).
Notice the ways the guards mocked Jesus?
Jesus met their mockery with
silence. Laughter and insults can be
hardest things to bear. We
shout back other insults and get
involved in a slanging match.
But not Jesus. He refused to get
into pointless arguments.
His quiet dignity shows us how to deal
with situations like that.
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PRAY Look again at the
passage and your answers to the THINK question.
Note especially Jesus'
patience, love and courage. Take the time
to worship him. Then ask for
the grace to follow his example.
