Why Were They Afraid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D1A0Kf-cRU

Above All ~ Michael W. Smith

 

Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ~ John 18:3 NKJV

 

Have you ever been so quick to read, that you missed things, which you later realized made a HUGE difference? After hearing a teacher read to her class the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion, Holy Spirit perked my ears at the fact that Judas brought men with weapons to arrest Jesus. If you’ve read any of the stories, Jesus was not a violent man. That begs the question, why did they need weapons. After doing some digging, the bigger question became: why did they need so many men, and weapons?

 

According to the different Bible commentaries, Judas brought with him between 600 and 1,000 men to arrest Jesus. They all agreed that the “detachment” included at least 240 cavalry men and at least 200 infantry. Judas didn’t gather all the drunks in a bar one night to go capture Jesus. No, these were trained, armed military men. Why so many men? Why were Judas and the Pharisees so afraid?

 

David Guzik said, “A sinless Man in an appointed garden was about to do battle with Satan’s representative. The first time this happened, the sinless man failed. The Second Adam would not fail,” (Blueletterbible.com, Study Guide for John 18). Satan knew what was at stake. He also knew the power and authority of Jesus, as did Judas and the Pharisees, and that made them afraid. But they didn’t expect Jesus. Because Satan knew of Jesus’ power and authority, he expected a battle, which was why there were so many men and weapons. What Satan failed to realize was that God’s battle plan included Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

 

As you go about your activities today and this weekend, whether your life is filled with family and fun, or loneliness and struggles, take some time to focus on Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s battle plan, remembering they did it for you, because they love you!

©Heather Potts 2022

In His Palms

https://youtu.be/nGncW_ueyHA Ain't No Grave ~ Bethel Music See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. ~ Isaiah 49:16 NIV As I was praying for a friend this morning, Holy Spirit reminded me of the significance of God's putting us in the palms of His hands. Hands have two primary purposes: carrying and working.  After my children were born, they were placed in my arms. The palms of my hands supported each girl's weak and fragile head and body. Don't you think that the God who fashioned us in His image holds and supports us there, too? And why not? Have you looked at your palms? In their relaxed state, they are bowl- or cup-shaped, perfectly designed to gently cradle the things we love and are precious to us. Your hands are also fashioned for working, molding, and shaping things. My kids love crafting dough and clay. They enjoy making beautiful and even silly things. They put a lot of effort into their art, similarly to how God delicately works to shape our hearts and lives to greater reflect His. As we prepare for the celebration of His Resurrection, take a moment to reflect on how Jesus was hung on the cross. He was held by nails in His hands. The nails left a lasting mark, forever engraving you—the one for whom He died—in the palms of His hands. He was bruised, beaten, and nailed - crucified - to bring us peace, healing, forgiveness, and life everlasting. The gentlest and most compassionate way Jesus did and does carry and care for you is in His hands. ©Heather Potts 2020

He has Risen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFra1mnIVE&list=RDhuFra1mnIVE&start_radio=1

Forever ~ Kari Jobe

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! ~ Luke 24:5-6 NIV

Yesterday, we took the girls and two of their second cousins on a “Journey with Jesus.” It was an opportunity for them to see the last 8 days of Jesus’ life, as well as his crucifixion, and victory over the grave. Over the years, I’ve heard and read the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection many times. But getting to view it through my girls’ perspective seems to bring me to a new level of understanding.

There are some people very dear to us who have been going through a lot. My heart has been breaking for them, even as I’ve been praying for them. The other morning, as I was driving to work, Forever by Kari Jobe began to play. God spoke to me in the bridge of the song:

We sing halleluiah / We sing halleluiah / We sing halleluiah / The Lamb has overcome!

He said not to worry about them, but continue to pray for them. This thing hasn’t overtaken them, because the Lamb has overcome!

What things are you facing or experiencing in your life? Is your focus on the pain or on Jesus? When we only look at the pain of the circumstances, we can miss Jesus walking with us. But when we shift our eyes, we can see that the pain is not the end for us, as it wasn’t for Jesus. Instead, His victory becomes our victory, because Jesus has risen!

©Heather Potts 2019