Daily Devotion for March 31, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 31

 

The Question

 

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.  "Crucify him!" they shouted.  Mark 15: 12-13

 

To his credit, Pilate did not give in immediately to the demands of the crowds. We cannot tell whether this was because of genuine compassion for the innocent man before him, or whether he just wanted to assert his authority over the troublesome priests. Pilate threw the question back to them, and in doing so reminded them that it was they themselves, the Jews leaders, who had been calling Him their King. If the common people had followed Him so gladly, surely their leaders would not wish to see the Carpenter done to death. It was a last appeal to popular opinion. As with Pilate’s other appeals, it failed.

 

In a slightly different form, Pilate’s question is still one of the central issues of anyone’s life. Not, "What would you have me do?" but "What will you do with the One who is called King of the Jews?" There was no easy alternative available to Pilate. To protect Jesus was to risk the wrath of the ungodly. To reject Jesus was to live knowing that one had condemned an innocent man. For us today, our life’s direction is determined by our answer to the question: "What will you do with the One who is called King of the Jews?" To choose Him is to take seriously His demands upon your life; to reject Him is to risk everything on the hope that Jesus was mistaken.

 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, choosing you means more than just talk, it means actions in all that I am and do.  Being a servant, loving my enemies, forsaking those things that the world considers important – accepting you and having eternal life.  Help me in my choices and in my walk.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 30, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 30

 

Stirring Up Trouble

 

"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.  Mark 15: 9-11

 

Putting his trust in the common sense of the crowd, Pilate asked them whom they would like to have released from prison, as his contribution to their celebration of the Passover. We can sense some sympathy for Jesus in his words, and he obviously realized that the chief priests and the scribes and Pharisees had something serious against this preacher from Galilee. Pilate called Jesus, "The King of the Jews," echoing the accusation. There may have been an element of sarcasm in his voice, but maybe not. Perhaps even he had heard of a parade where Jesus rode a donkey and they threw palms before his feet. If Pilate was jesting, he was more likely to have been having a joke at the expense of the Sanhedrin. "Look," he seemed to say to the crowds, "do I really have to put to death this poor, harmless preacher? Look at him! Those bullies in the Sanhedrin, who always know better than anyone else, are just picking on him. How about giving them one in the eye by releasing this Jesus?"

 

Pilate, for all his background in politics, did not realize that he was being blindsided by the chief priests. Even as he hatched his plan to get Jesus away from the clutches of the Sanhedrin, they were ‘stirring up trouble’ by manipulating the crowd. ‘Envy’ had brought them thus far, Mark tells us, meaning that they were envious of Jesus’ popularity and power. What better way to defeat their rival than by having the crowds choose someone else instead? Who else? Why, Barabbas, of course. And, by their own rights, the chief priests were right. Barabbas might have been the worst scoundrel in the nation, but, to them, he was far less dangerous than Jesus.  Barabbas wasn’t threatening their business, the Temple, the religious enterprise of Caiaphas and company!

 

Prayer:
Lord, life is full of choices.  I can make choices that may seem right for today, for my immediate situation, and not think of the implications they will have down the line.  Help me to have Your vision, help me not think of myself in making choices, but to think of YOU in my choices and plans.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 29, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 29

 

Barabbas

 

A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.  The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  Mark 15: 7-8

 

Lying, bound, in the gallows was ‘the so-called Barabbas’ who had been involved in rioting and was awaiting his fate. Who was he? The description of him in verse 7 could easily be translated ‘the notorious Barabbas’ so he was evidently reasonably well known. His name means ‘the son of the father’ or ‘the son of a rabbi’, which presumably indicates that his father was a respectable person. Indeed, it has been suggested that his father may have been a rabbi, given that religious leaders were often referred to as ‘abba’ or ‘father.’ So, Barabbas, the violent insurrectionist, had come from a good home, but he had become a felon. He had been involved in some terrible crimes and he was being readied to pay the price.

 

The text implies that Barabbas was not only one of those rioters with whom he was bound, he was the ringleader. Opportunity had arisen for a minor revolt against the Roman authorities, and Barabbas and his gang had taken it with both hands. In the confrontation, murder had been done and the Romans had had to use the garrison to quell the troublemakers. Barabbas had ended up in prison, having been arrested. He could not have expected to have long to live. Perhaps he styled himself as a popular revolutionary, or as a patriot; the common people probably regarded him as someone who disturbed their fragile peace; the Romans regarded him as a common thug.  It is also possible that Barabbas was viewed as a “Messiah” figure that would deliver his people (the Jews) from their enemies the Romans.  Whatever the case – he was a threat!

 

Pilate had no idea that a man like Barabbas would be the people’s choice to be released, but even as he reminded them of the custom, they asked that it be continued. They were preparing to choose evil over good, to usher in earth’s darkest hour, and so to send the Savior in sacrifice to die.

 

Prayer:
Dear Lord, we, like the Temple crowd that day, often make the wrong choices. We let our “personal” desires, our “immediate” circumstances over ride what is good and right to do.  Forgive us and help us to see things as You see them, not to focus on “today” but on “eternity”.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 28, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 28

 

A Custom of the Feast

 

Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested.  Mark 15:6

 

There was a local custom, much valued by the population of Jerusalem, that gave them the ability to petition the Governor every Passover for the release of a prisoner. We do not know that the request was always granted; probably, it was not. But we do know that at the time of the feast the people had a unique opportunity. Pilate, possibly following a tradition established by those who held the office before him, ‘was accustomed to release’ a prisoner, as a sign of nobility.

 

We might wonder why this was so. What is the point in having a judicial system if it is arbitrary? Surely it was open to a great deal of abuse, for if those who had the loudest voices always achieved their ends, those criminals with the greatest influence could expect to be released. In our day, death row inmates are sometimes pardoned at the last moment by an appeal to the Governor, but they are not released to go back to their previous, illegal activities, they remain incarcerated. Pilate’s tradition, however, seems to have involved a complete pardon, and to have been without bounds. We can imagine that it began as a goodwill gesture to release harmless political prisoners, but it had obviously degenerated into a free for all.

 

As Pilate felt sympathy for the Carpenter from Nazareth, judging Him a pawn within a dangerous game, he remembered that it was Passover, and wondered whether he could not save the man’s life. He meant it to be good for Jesus; only his plan backfired because he did not fully understand the intensity of the hatred of the Jewish Leadership.  He was not to know that he was dealing with men who would stop at nothing less than blood.  Little did Pilate know that what happened was ALL part of God’s plan and that it would work out for good in the end.

 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, many times my good intentions do not work out as I wish they would.  What I meant to be good ended up appearing to be bad.  Help me always to remember, that even in what appears to be bad, You can work all situations to good for those who love You.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 27, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 27

 

The Silence of the Lamb

 

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.  Mark 15: 5

 

Jesus’ only response was to Pilate’s initial question. When asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He replied, "As you say." Much has been made of this reply. Some consider it to be an intentionally ambiguous statement, as though Jesus was leaving His options open. Underlying the Greek, however, is a strong, though unusual, idiomatic expression indicating affirmation. In short, Jesus said, "I am."

 

Doubtless the members of the Sanhedrin were almost as annoyed by this response as by that given to Caiaphas’ question (14: 62). The schemers, however, must have been secretly ecstatic. Jesus had sealed His own fate with a simple admission. But when the chief priests began to press on by accusing Him of many other things, Jesus fell silent. They made a lot of noise and a “great ado” but Jesus did not lower Himself by screaming in response. He had answered the organ grinder; He did not need to bother with the monkeys.

 

Pilate, however, was greatly surprised that Jesus did not appear to want to defend Himself. He was probably used to trials where the volatile local crowds and characters would indulge in stormy scenes of fierce recrimination. Pilate was curious to know why this northern rabbi remained restrained in the presence of such a merciless mob. At that moment the Roman began to have some sympathy for the underdog.

 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when falsely accused, help me to rise above the circumstances as You did.  Help me to remain loving, sincere, and confident of my eternal destiny.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 26, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 26

 

Are You the King of the Jews?

 

"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.  The chief priests accused him of many things.  So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."  Mark 15: 2-4

 

We are correct to note an element of sarcasm in Pilate’s question, as if he had been disturbed from some other, pleasant task by his responsibilities as dispenser of Roman justice. The question might be translated, "Oh, so you’re the King of the Jews are you?" Pilate was not inclined to believe, yet he had about him enough of the Roman sense of justice that he was at least going to question the accused. We cannot denounce Pilate for meting out summary justice. He was not a rubber stamp, but then, neither was he brave enough to withstand the howls of protest coming from the Sanhedrin.

 

Pilate was trying Jesus on the charge of treason. The Sanhedrin had evidently informed the Romans that the Carpenter was calling Himself a King, and that He was a threat to established authority. Two things should be noted: first, this is a different charge to the one brought in their extraordinary overnight meeting. There, Jesus was charged as a heretic, one who was a blasphemer. Second, the charge Jesus answered before Pilate was extremely serious. There had been a series of violent upstarts who had encouraged insurrection. Their rebellions were generally short-lived, but they were also bloody. Too many Roman soldiers had felt a blade between their ribs in darkened alleys. Too many innocent lives had been lost because of the activities of false messiahs, claiming to be kings. Was Jesus in the same mold? Did this Galilean actually pose a threat to his kingdom?  What had this Jesus done that caused such hatred among the Jewish leadership?  He did not seem like the other “Messiahs” that had come along.  At least the others had pretended to be lions; this one looked like a lamb, which is, of course, exactly what He was.

 

Prayer:
Jesus, you are King, but King of the Universe.  Your Kingdom is much larger than the earthly kingdoms so many wanted.  Help me always to see the big picture – your Eternal Kingdom!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 25, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 25

 

Handed Over to Pilate

 

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.  Mark 15:1

 

Mark’s account of the Passion is about as straightforward as it could be; there is no pause for theologizing. There is breathlessness about his account, as if it had just happened, as if the embers still burned in the grate.

 

‘Immediately’ is one of Mark’s favorite words; he means that they went to the see Pilate straight away. The extraordinary interrogation had lasted through the night. Morning was breaking as they bundled Him off to see the Roman Governor.

 

To formalize affairs, or at least to give them the appearance of formality, the priests and scribes and elders met in the council of the Sanhedrin and agreed to what they were about to do. Caiaphas covered his tracks: it needed to look ‘official.’ Those Romans were sticklers for doing things by the book. Then, duly condemned, Jesus was bound, most likely with heavy manacles, and carried off to Pilate. The carrying was not gentle, however. The phrase conveys the idea of considerable force.

 

There could be little doubt concerning their purpose in bringing Jesus to Pilate, (John 18:31). They did not have the authority to put a person to death, though they would have liked it. Pilate did have that authority, and so they coveted it.

 

Pontius Pilate, suddenly the center of attention, was a relatively obscure Roman official, a political animal serving a term as the fifth procurator of the province of Syria. We would probably not even know his name, were it not for his part in the drama about to unfold.  There is archeological evidence however that tells us the fact of his existence.  See below.

 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, as you were handed over to those who wanted to get rid of you, I can learn from this that I should hand over TO YOU all the things that I carry around and worry about – I need to place them with You and trust You IN and FOR all circumstances.  Amen

 

Historical Background for Pontius Pilate

 

Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, a sub province of Syria, who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

As prefect, Pilate commanded Roman military units, authorized construction projects, arranged for the collection of imperial taxes, and decided civil and criminal cases. 

 

During his ten-year tenure as prefect, Pilate had numerous confrontations with his Jewish subjects.  According to Jewish historian Josephus, Pilate's decision to bring into the holy city of Jerusalem "by night and under cover effigies of Caesar" outraged Jews who considered the images idolatrous.  Jews carried their protest to Pilate's base in Caesarea.  Pilate threatened the protesters with death, but when they appeared willing to accept martyrdom he relented and removed the offending images.  Again according to Josephus, Pilate provoked another outcry from his Jewish subjects when he used Temple funds to build an aqueduct.  It seems likely that at the time of the trial of Jesus, civil unrest had again broken out in Jerusalem.

 

Pilate's lack of concern for Jewish sensibilities was accompanied, according to Philo writing in 41 C.E, by corruption and brutality.  Philo wrote that Pilate's tenure was associated with "briberies, insults, robberies, outrages, wanton injustices, constantly repeated executions without trial, and ceaseless and grievous cruelty."  Philo may have overstated the case, but there is little to suggest that Pilate would have any serious reservations about executing a Jewish rabble-rouser such as Jesus.

 

Although Pilate spent most of his time in the coastal town of Caesarea, he traveled to Jerusalem for important Jewish festivals.  While in Jerusalem, he stayed in the praetorian, which--there is a debate about this--was either a former palace of Herod the Great or a fortress located at the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.  (Josephus reported that Pilate resided at the palace.)

 

Christian accounts of the trial of Jesus suggest either that Pilate played no direct role in the decision to execute Jesus (Peter), or that he ordered the crucifixion of Jesus with some reluctance (Mark) or with great reluctance (Luke, John).  Many historians attribute these accounts to efforts by early Christians to make their message more palatable to Roman audiences.  It is clear that prefects had a variety of options available for dealing with a potential source of trouble such as Jesus.  These options included flogging, sending the matter back to the Sanhedrin, or referring the case to Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee.

 

Pilate's repeated difficulties with his Jewish subjects was the apparent cause of his removal from office in 36 C.E. by Syrian governor Vitellius.  Following his removal from office, Pilate was ordered to Rome to face complaints of excessive cruelty.  He was exiled in Vienne, France.

 

 

The first of these is the inscription on a block of limestone, which was found at Caesarea in 1961. One half of the stone is badly damaged, but we can still read the other half of it:

 

. . . . . . S TIBERIEVM
. . [PO]NTIVS PILATVS
[PRA]ECTVS IVDA[EA]E

 

Among scholars, this inscription caused some sensation, because it proves that Pilate's title was praefectus Judaea, and not procurator Judaea, as the Roman historian Tacitus states in his Annals 15.44.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 24, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 24

 

A Cock Crowed

 

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.  Mark 14:72

 

As the cock crowed a second time, Peter was forcibly reminded of his Master’s words, that before it should crow twice, he would deny Jesus three times. And so it had proved to be. When he thought of it, Peter wept.

 

Mark’s original words are hard to understand at this point. He does not just tell us that Peter wept, but that he added tears. A long forgotten phrase in the idiom of the people of New Testament days probably lies behind the remark. Mark seems to mean that, on top of all of his other burdens, Peter added tears. He buried his head down further into his cloak and, to the painful recollection of Jesus’ prophecy, he added tears. Luke tells us that Peter could see Jesus being interrogated. Not only had Peter lost his Lord, he had also lost his integrity. No wonder he wept.

 

One more thing: the verb is in the imperfect tense. Peter not only wept, he kept on weeping. He was devastated in his distress. The accusers parted at the sight of this cursing, crying man. They would let him go. He was obviously crazy. Perhaps they said as much; if they did, Peter must have wondered if they were not, in fact, telling the truth.

 

Prayer
Lord, when I think of all the times I said I would never do something, and ended up doing it anyway – I am heart sunk.  I also think of the times I said I would do something for you, and never did.  Forgive me, and please change me to be faithful to you.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 23, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 23

 

Third Denial

 

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."  He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."  Mark 14: 70b-71

 

They gathered around Peter, in the shadows of that dreadful night, growing in confidence as their eyes grew accustomed to the dark and as their numbers increased. "Surely," they said. The word is hard; there is very little room for uncertainty in such a term. This is the man. They are sure now. For one thing there is the matter of his accent.

 

As distinctive as a Texas drawl, Peter had given himself away with his speech. So what was a northerner like this fellow doing hanging around the high priest’s house if he was not a follower of that northern rabbi? Did anyone know him? It was looking more and more as though they had cornered one of those wild, religious nuts, right there in the palace. Would you believe it? What a nerve!

 

Peter was frightened now, frightened of his accusers and frightened of himself. If he was arrested, he could face an unpleasant fate as the one who had struck and wounded the high priest’s servant. More than this, he was frightened by the quickness with which he had twice denied Jesus, who had meant so much to him for the last three plus years. Perhaps it had all been a delusion. If Jesus really was the Messiah, would he be treated so badly by those who should have welcomed Him? So, Peter denied Him again, and the tongue which was made for praise uttered such curses that his accusers drew back with their severity. Peter swore, "I do not know the man of whom you speak."

 

Did the curtains part with the breath of night, and did their eyes meet, the Savior and his disciple? I wonder who wept the most?

 

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.  Luke 22:60b-62 

 

Prayer
Dear Lord, the pain of deception, the pain of being deceived – I am not sure which is worse.  Forgive me for the times that I too, like Peter, have denied you, times I have not stood up as “one of Yours”.  Thank you for your love, mercy, and fatherly understanding that continues to stare me in the face.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 22, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 22

Second Denial

 

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."  Again he denied it. Mark 14:69-70a

 

Matthew tells us that it was another maid who found Peter in the portico (Matthew 26:71), Luke refers to males who were present (Luke 22:58). Doubtless a small group, including his first accuser, followed Peter out of the courtyard to confront him further. Their interest was aroused. If this was, indeed, one of the followers of the Nazarene, then their master might be pleased to hear it. And there had been violence done in the Garden when they arrested Jesus, but the perpetrators had gotten away. Maybe this man was one of those who had resisted; maybe he was even the one who had lashed out with his sword. If so, he must be a dangerous and hardened criminal. It was their duty to expose him and to see him arrested.

 

The maid was adamant, so she said to those who had come with her that this was indeed the man. Perhaps she had seen him in the temple court with Jesus, or as He entered Jerusalem. Did they try to hold him, but hesitated when they saw that he was a hefty fisherman? Peter drew back further into the shadows, but any observer would probably have been able to see the guilt of association written on his face. If he did not know this Jesus, why had he run away from them? He was obviously from the north. She was sure.

 

Then Peter denied Him again, and the big fisherman was caught fast in the net of his own deceit.

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, when we deny the truth, we sink deeper and deeper in our deception.  Help me to recognize my sins, but more than just recognize them, to change and not go deeper and farther from you. Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 21, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 21

First Denial

 

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.  When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.  But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.  Mark 14: 66-68

 

Our attention is turned from Jesus, suffering before His accusers, to Peter, waiting by the brazier in the courtyard.

 

A servant girl, a member of the high priest’s household, came by. Quite likely she was excited by the events that night and was heading off to discuss them with other servants. On her way she noticed Peter warming himself by the fire. Something about him reminded her of another time, another place, and she recognized him as one of those Galileans. "You were with Jesus of Nazareth," she said. We may imagine a hush falling upon those others who stood, waiting, in that corner of the courtyard. Was there a spy in their midst? Now was the time for Peter to play the hero’s part, to stand up for what he believed, as he had promised he would. But …

 

‘But he denied, saying, "I know not".’ Peter meant to say "I know him not," but he was so agitated he fell over his words. "And I don’t know what you’re talking about," he continued. The original is brusque, rough, in the idiom of the north. It is as though Peter reverted to the dialect of Galilee to cover his embarrassment. Cocky, assured Simon Peter, the self proclaimed leader of the disciples was suddenly reduced to the status of a tongue-tied country bumpkin by a question from a young girl.

 

He hurried out onto the porch, trembling both at his narrow escape and at his denial of his Lord. We can picture him, in the shaded archways of the entrance portico, gathering his breath. At that moment a cock crowed.

 

Have we ever denied Jesus, not only by our words, but by our actions?  Have we failed to stand up and be numbered as one of “Jesus” very own?

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive me for also denying you like Peter.  Give me the courage to stand up for you and be known as one of Yours.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 20, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 20

Worthy of Death

 

They all condemned him as worthy of death.  Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.  Mark 14: 64b-65

 

So, Jesus was condemned. The Sanhedrin did not have the authority to put Jesus to death, especially since they were not in a regularly constituted meeting, but they judged that He was worthy of death. He would be handed over to the Romans. They would know what to do.

 

In their eyes He was ‘guilty.’ The word is distantly related to ‘gilding’ or ‘gold.’ Originally it meant ‘precious.’ Guilt was, in some respects, a price. A person offending had a ‘price to pay.’ The price was a penalty. A guilty man is one who is liable to pay a penalty. Jesus was liable to pay the penalty of death.

 

We should not be surprised that the baser elements within the gathered assembly began to assert themselves. Some spat at Him. Others blindfolded Him and began to push Him around, taunting Him and asking Him to prophesy and to tell who had hit Him. Then the guards came and beat Him with the flats of their hands. We might say that they ‘slapped Him around.’ It could be that they were imitating their leaders, or it could possibly be that they had sympathy with Him, and they took Him, roughly, in order to protect Him from further danger.

 

Why would the Roman guards beat Jesus?  What had He done to them?  He posed no threat to them, in fact He loved them.  Answer:  The Romans knew that the Jews hated them, and that the Jews were waiting for “their” Messiah to come who would reclaim their land and authority and would annihilate “their” enemies, namely them!  Now, here they had at their disposal the “Jewish” Messiah, so even though Jesus posed no threat to them, their fears and anger towards the Jewish leadership was taken out on Jesus.  He bore the brunt of their actions!   He bore the brunt of OUR actions also! 

 

Prayer
Dear Jesus, you took the punishment that I should have taken.  Forgive me for the times I want to forget this.  What I am really trying to forget is how sinful I am!  Thank you Jesus for paying the price for my actions so that I can have eternity with You.  “No Greater Love….” Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 19, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 19

Blasphemy

 

The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.  "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" Mark 14: 63-64a

 

No wonder the high priest tore his robes at the blasphemy he had heard. The wonder of it was that Jesus was not lynched then and there. It was probably an indication of Caiaphas’ fear of the Romans that Jesus survived, but not for long.

 

In Jewish society to tear the clothes as Caiaphas did, was to convey the impression that something dreadful had happened. There were carefully crafted rules of decorum, which probably required that Caiaphas did not tear his clothes too much, but the message given was clear. Jesus had blasphemed and was worthy only of death. There were also carefully crafted rules of procedure for the examination of those accused, but Caiaphas took no notice of them whatsoever.

 

Slipping completely from his role as arbiter to that of accuser, Caiaphas asked the others present why they had any need of further witnesses. They themselves were witnesses to Jesus’ unmistakable blasphemy. Or were they?

 

In his zeal, Caiaphas failed to recognize the distinction between a claim to be the Messiah, and a false claim. He simply assumed that the claim was false, without considering any evidence at all. In fact, if he had cared to examine the evidence he would have seen plenty to suggest that Jesus’ claims should be taken seriously. As high priest, and defender of the Hebrew Scriptures, Caiaphas believed in the Messiah. He just could not see that Jesus might be the One.  You see, they were looking for a Messiah who would establish an earthly Kingdom and would do away with their enemies.  Jesus was going to do no such thing!

 

Prayer
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times that I too see you differently than for what you are.  Help me to understand your Kingdom, Your Eternal Kingdom, Your message of love and forgiveness to enemies!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 18, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 18

 

I Am

 

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."  Mark 14: 62

 

There was silence as the accused One prepared to speak. Caiaphas, the high priest, had asked Him some questions, and Caiaphas was not to be crossed. Surely the Galilean would reply? For the first time, Jesus looked as though He was going to open His lips. What would He say?

 

Jesus said, "I am." He declared, in an unequivocal fashion, that He was the Messiah, God’s Anointed One. No one could mistake the intention and meaning of His reply. He was the long-awaited One, the One whom the prophets foretold. In Him, the hopes of the ages were realized.

 

Jesus’ response would also have been seen in connection with Moses and the burning bush where he is talking with God.  Moses asks God what he should tell the Israelites if they ask for the name of who was talking to him.  God’s response:

God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I Am has sent me to you.'"  Exodus 3:14 

Christ represented Himself as the divine ‘Son of Man,’ seated at the right hand of almighty power, by the throne of God Himself, the Sovereign of the universe. In these words, Caiaphas would have recognized a reference to Psalm 110 with its high imagery of the Ruler, exercising power through God’s authority. He would also have known that that Psalm was taken by scholars to refer to the Messiah. Jesus continued by speaking of Himself as coming in the clouds of heaven. Coming, that is, in judgment. Jesus is the One before whom all must give an account, even Caiaphas. Even us!

 

Prayer
Heavenly Jesus, you are the Great “I AM”, the holy one.  Help me to always bear witness to others that You are more than a man, but are in fact the true God.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 17, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 17

Are you the Christ?

 

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"  Mark 14: 60-61

 

Growing frustrated with the incompetence of the witnesses, the high priest rose from his chair and stepped forward toward Jesus. Cutting to the quick, he asked a series of questions of the Carpenter. We cannot judge his motives in asking these questions, but we can use them, and the answers, to deepen our own understanding of who Jesus was, and is.

 

‘Why don’t you answer?’ was a question born out of frustration. No judge should ask it. If the prosecution is doing a good job of shooting itself in the foot, the accused is not obliged to give them any assistance!  But the High Priests’ question was also a test.  According to Jewish law, anyone who had dined with a tax collector disqualified themselves from ever being a witness in a Jewish court of law.  Earlier, Jesus had dined with Zacchaeus in Jericho (Luke 19:1-10).  Jesus knew that by doing so he would not be able to testify.  But that didn’t matter to Jesus, Zacchaeus was more important to him.  Jesus would have to rely on the testimony of others.  He still does!

 

‘What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ Again, the high priest was asking Jesus to aid the prosecution by cutting through the fog of conflicting accounts. It was not his business to ask, and it was not Jesus’ business to reply. There was a certain dignity about Jesus’ silence in the midst of the Babel of voices.

 

‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ At last, the high priest found a justifiable question, though he should probably not have been the person to ask it. The question is based upon the messianic passages from Psalm 2. The high priest knew what he was asking. He used the form of ‘blessed’ employed in Psalm 2:7 which was regarded by Bible scholars as referring to God, the Blessed One. This was a question that Jesus could not avoid. Everyone should be prepared to tell who and what he is. For Jesus, this was the moment of truth.

 

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to give testimony for you – true testimony – not only in my actions but in my words.  Help me be bold in telling others who you are and what you mean to me.  Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 16, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 16

 

We Heard Him Say

 

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:  "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'"  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.  Mark 14: 57-59

 

The problem with half-truths is that, if you are not careful, you get hold of the wrong half. These witnesses had, perhaps, heard the words of Jesus at third or fourth hand, or they had not been paying close attention. Either way, the testimony they gave was false. The verb in the Greek is imperfect, meaning that they kept on giving testimony. Of course, if you say something often enough, and loudly enough, it just has to be true, doesn’t it!

 

They had heard Him say that He would destroy the temple, made with human hands, and build another within three days built not with human hands. Yes, Jesus did say that he was going to destroy the temple (Mark 13:2-3; Matthew 24:1-2), but he did not say that he would rebuild it.  The temple would be destroyed and a true temple would be built – meaning HIMSELF and HIS resurrection.  The physical temple in Jerusalem had become an idol to the Jewish people.  What was most important to them was not God, but the Temple.  In fact, according to their law, if one talked against the Temple (not God) it was punishable by death.  The building was more important than God!

 

We think, how could they have been so mislead as to replace God with a building?  But think about how easily that can be done today.  One does not have to look long and far to see the same thing in the Christian church.  The upkeep and the expansion of the building (church that is) becomes more important than the Building of God’s Kingdom – His TRUE CHUCH!

 

Yes they did not understand Jesus. They did not understand Jesus and the TRUE nature of HIS KINGDOM.  What they did understand, however, was the need for a conviction.  They didn’t want to be confused by the Truth.

 

Throughout it all, Jesus stood, silently awaiting His fate.

 

Prayer
Dear Lord, it would be easy to blame the Jewish leadership for not understanding the message and meaning of Jesus and God’s Kingdom.  But I have to confess that I also misunderstand at times the nature of God’s Kingdom – an eternal Kingdom, and can be easily deceived to think that Your Kingdom has to do with church buildings (which will all one day come to nothing) and that your Kingdom is all that will last. People are more important than buildings!  Forgive me.  Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 15, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 15

 

False Testimony

 

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.  Mark 14: 55-56

 

The ‘kangaroo court’ that met in the high priest’s palace that night was really an informal gathering of the Sanhedrin, the major religious and political council of the Jews. It had a certain degree of autonomy, but Israel was still occupied by the Romans, so it did not have absolute power. It certainly should not have been meeting in this manner, without proper procedure; one wonders whether Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, members sympathetic to the preacher from Galilee, had been invited. Mark tells us that ‘all the council’ sought witnesses against Jesus. There can have been few friendly faces amongst those who faced Him that night. Jesus’ fate had already been decided (John 11:47-50). Nothing less than death would do.

 

In a normal court, impartial judges seek the evidence of witnesses. The prosecution and the defense bring people who can sway the judge’s opinion one way or the other. But this was not a normal court. In the high priest’s palace the judges themselves were trying to find witnesses against Jesus. They found none.

 

So, they created witnesses! A succession of scoundrels came to bear false testimony against Jesus, but they had been so poorly prepared that they contradicted one another. Under Jewish law, the evidence of two witnesses was required to convict (Deuteronomy 17:6). It is strange that they should try hard to fulfill this aspect of the law, when they were busily breaking the ninth commandment (Exodus 20: 16).

 

Ever been falsely accused by someone?  It can be painful and can lead to many hours of trying to defend yourself, many times with the damage already done.  Jesus does not even try and defend himself, He know that what was happening was all part of what must take place to go to the cross. 

 

Prayer
Lord, help me to always bear true witness of you to all that I meet and talk to.  Silence is not witness, so help me defend you and tell others about you!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Deovtion for March 14, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 14

 

At a Distance

 

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together.  Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.  Mark 14: 53-54

 

They took Jesus to see the high priest, Caiaphas (Matt. 26:54), following a detour to the house of Annas (John 18:13). The fact that so many were assembled in the middle of the night shows that it had all been pre-arranged. From the moment of His arrest, the authorities had it all mapped out. He was not going to get out of their grasp again. They had decided what was going to happen to Jesus, and were not about to let the truth get in the way of what they wanted. With respect to the charges, Jesus was an innocent man.

 

Peter followed from a distance, bravely in a way, considering what he had done. He managed to get into the quadrangle, or inner hall, of the high priest’s palace.   Mark’s Gospel doesn’t tell us how Peter managed to get in, which is interesting since he is the one who had cut off the servant’s ear earlier.  Perhaps the crowd was still there and Peter was able to mingle, anonymously, a cloak pulled over his head and face. It was cold, so a cloak was not out of place. Peter drew near to the courtyard fire, probably in an iron brazier, and sat among the servants and assorted hangers-on.

 

There is another explanation that the Gospel of John provides that helps us understand.

 

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.  John 18:15-16 

 

Who could this other un-named disciple be who would be known to the High Priest and who would also be close to Peter?  Could it be Judas? 

 

As Peter faced the flames his face was exposed, for the fire gave off light as well as heat. Later, someone recognized him, and Peter was forced to make the first of the denials that would haunt him for the rest of his days.

 

Interestingly, the original text says that Peter turned towards the ‘light’, not towards the fire. Light not only shows us the way, it can also show up our failings. Meanwhile, the Light of the World faced His accusers.

 

Prayer
Lord I want to know more about You – I want to follow, I want to be in the Light that You give, but I am afraid of what may be exposed in my life.  Help me to accept Your love, Your grace, Your forgiveness as I change from being “at a distance” to being “Your disciple”.  Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 13, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 13

 

A Young Man

 

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.  Mark 14: 51-52

 

In these verses, Mark includes an aside, which seems to have little bearing on the story as a whole. Except that the tale of the young man running away naked adds color and atmosphere to the scene, it seems superfluous. Is it? Who was he? Various suggestions have been made.

 

Some say that he was James the Just, the brother of Jesus, the reason being that he was known for wearing a single cloth garment. Others have suggested John, as the youngest apostle, or a youth that had served them in the upper room, or the son of the gardener of Gethsemane. By far the most likely suggestion, however, is that Mark is referring to himself.

 

Mark was not one of the first disciples; he was of the next generation, as we can tell from the story of his exploits in mission, recorded in the Book of the Acts. His Gospel is, according to tradition, based upon the remembrances of the elderly Peter, just before his martyrdom. In verses 51 and 52, is Mark adding a personal note, an "I was there"?

 

The young man was following Jesus, not the crowd. We can imagine that he had been in bed, at his Jerusalem home, where he lived with his mother (Acts 12:12). He heard the disciples passing by and recognized them as followers of the great teacher whom he had listened to in the temple. So he put on the loose robe beneath which he had slept and ‘followed’ them. Then, having witnessed the great and terrifying events, he ran for cover, only to be stopped by the mob and the robe torn from his back.

 

Mark is grounding the story in his own experience. It is something we all need to do.

 

Prayer
Lord, I, like the young man, many times run away when things get tense.  I am afraid in some situations to be identified as one of Your disciples because I am afraid of what might happen to me.  Help me have the courage to stand with You!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 12, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 12

 

Desertion

 

Then everyone deserted him and fled.  Mark 14: 50

 

Overcome by the size and violence of the opposition, and possibly disarmed by Jesus’ own stance, the disciples turned and fled. Although the subject of the sentence is not mentioned, it is clear that Mark means that those who had followed Jesus, the three in the Garden with Him, and those who had waited a little further off, they all deserted Him. Jesus’ predictions had proved to be correct (v.27); His disciples stumbled in their faith and disappeared into the night. Despite His warnings, they could not yet grasp that the Messiah would have to be arrested and suffer in such a manner. They did not recognize in Jesus the Suffering Servant foretold in the prophecies of Isaiah (e.g. Isaiah 53).

 

The word Mark uses to describe the disciples’ actions is ‘forsaking.’ Deliberately abandoning Him they protected their own interests; they ran for their lives. This can be the only reasonable explanation for why Peter was not also arrested at the same time, considering his attack on the high priest’s servant. This would explain why he was so afraid of being recognized later that night.

 

Although the Jewish Gospel writers (Mark, Matthew, John) do not mention Jesus healing the servant’s ear, Luke the gentile does mention this important fact!  And he touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)  Could it be that after witnessing Jesus healing of what they perceived as their enemy, they fled?  The reality of the type of Messiah Jesus is certainly was made clear to them when he healed the man that Peter had tried to kill.  Jesus comes to seek and to save ALL people – including those WE see as enemies, those WE see as obstructionists of Christ’s cause, and those WE see as no good. 

 

How many times have we wanted to run from the reality of who and what Jesus is – and who HE loves?

 

So, the same word is used of the disciples as Jesus uttered on the Cross. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But whereas the disciples really did run away, God did not, as we shall see.

 

Prayer
Help me Lord to bring hope and healing, as You did, to those who stand opposed to You.  Help me to make a difference by being loving to those who try to hurt me.  Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 11, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 11

 

Scriptures Fulfilled

 

Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Mark 14: 49

 

It would have been the easiest thing in the world for the authorities to have taken Jesus while He was in the temple teaching. Most recently, at least, He had been there ‘day by day.’ Instead, the chief priests and scribes made their move in the middle of the night, in an olive grove. Why? Two reasons are apparent.

 

"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."  Matthew 26:5 and Mark 14:2

 

First, they were afraid of the crowds. Palm Sunday was apparently not an abnormality. Jesus did enjoy enormous popular respect, especially from those that were outcasts. Many people followed Him and paid attention to His teachings. Rather than face the very real possibility of a riot in the temple courts, they decided to move against Him when the crowds would be absent. Fear drove them.

 

Second, it happened as it did because it was part of God’s plan for it to happen that way.  When Judas went to arrange for Jesus to be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law, they specifically told him that they did not want it to take place during the Feast! (Mark 14:2)  But man’s plans are not God’s plans, and HIS plans always win out.  It was in the upper room, when Jesus was with the disciples, that he told Judas that now was the time (John 13:27). 

 

As much as each of us likes to think that we are in control, that we are in charge of things, that we can determine our destiny – we are painfully confronted with the reality that the only plans that matter, the only plans that will come to fulfillment, are the plans that God has.  His WILL BE DONE!

 

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me be submissive to Your will, to Your way, to Your walk.  Only in You, will I find fulfillment and happiness and eternity for my life – life with You!  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 10, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 10

 

Rebellion?

 

"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Mark 14: 48

 

Jesus answered them. His accusers had not spoken to Him with words, but they had used violent actions, and their actions spoke every bit as loudly as a thousand words. They took Him to be a criminal, and the situation was beginning to get out of hand. With a few words, Jesus was able to re-establish control, particularly over His disciples. Once again we are reminded of His majesty in the midst of an unseemly and grubby squabble.

 

It was worse than it had seemed at first. They did not even come against Jesus as a thief. They would not have needed such a large band of people, or such a wide array of weapons, if He had only been a thief. Rather, they brought swords and clubs, as if they were out to apprehend the leader of an armed band. The word Jesus used, which is often translated ‘thief’ is really a much stronger term. It means ‘robber’ or ‘cutthroat.’ Martin Luther translated it as ‘murderer.’

 

Have you ever been misunderstood and treated like someone evil?  Imagine how Jesus, who was without sin, felt with this treatment. 

 

So, they came to arrest the Savior, and to add insult to injury they armed themselves as if He was… Barabbas! How ironic, then, that they should later release the murderer and slay the Prince of Peace. Jesus must have wept within His heart as He saw how He was being rejected by His own people. Nevertheless, He knew that the Scriptures were being fulfilled. God can use even the crass stupidity of men to bring about His own, saving purposes.

 

Prayer
Lord, help me to have Your character in the midst of adversity; to love rather than hate, to forgive rather than hold a grudge.  Forgive me when I fail.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
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At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom

Daily Devotion for March 9, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ
Day 9

 

Resisting Arrest

 

The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  Mark 14: 46-47

 

We are told that they ‘laid hands on Him.’ But this was no gentle arrest, there was no deference given to Jesus. In the original, the word means ‘they clapped hands on Him.’ There is more than a hint of violence involved. Despite His reputation as a preacher of peace, Jesus was treated like a common, dangerous criminal. It was, of course, a taste of things to come.

 

One of those present was so outraged by the treatment that Jesus was receiving that he drew his sword and lashed out, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant. The Gospel of John, writing later, tells us that this was impetuous Peter; the other Gospel-writers, wisely, decide not to give the name. We should notice that he had a sword, in fact there were two swords amongst the disciples, indeed, just before His death, Jesus had advised His disciples to take swords.

 

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.  It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."  The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.  Luke 22:36-38 

 

However, Jesus also said that those who take up the sword would die by it. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:52)   Perhaps Jesus’ point to the disciples was to be a test, would they allow to happen what he had told them repeatedly MUST take place….

 

"The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."  Luke 9:22

 

Or would they act in the same way as those coming to arrest Jesus?  Obviously, at least one of them failed the test. 

 

Prayer
Jesus, help me to handle opposition in the same way You faced opposition, with love and forgiveness.  Let me trust You in all situations.  Help me to “turn the other cheek” as you taught me to do.  Amen

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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