Date: 3 February 2009 D - 9 days
Events:
Events:
This two for 1’s becoming a habit :(.
1 February: Matt left this morning to go to church at Austin Stone, we said what may be our final goodbye’s and went to our Church. Our service at Redeemer was outstanding from the music to the sermon about the hope that is found in the classic benediction, “ 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. After Church, I read and wrote while Marla took a nap, then we went to a Yoga class (see pic’s) and a super bowl party at our neighbors. We have some great neighbors here and I have very happy that Marla will be here throughout my deployment. I was rooting for the stealers and they pulled out a very exciting victory in the last few minutes.
2 February: We woke up early and Marla and I drove up to Fort Hood to take care of some final pre-deployment business. Marla got a new Military ID, I completed some paperwork, got my deployment orders and perscirbed myself some meds for my Aid Bag. We moved out of my office (included some pics) and went to a going away lunch for the 4 captains that are leaving next week. At the lunch we all got an award for the time we served in the Rear Detachment and I received an update on our deployment. The flight for 11 Feb has been canceled (no real surprise) so it looks like we will be taking a civilian flight out of DFW around the same date. This is actually a very good thing because I was dreading the formal military ceremony that accompanies the military flight. Instead of going out with a big group, the plan now is for us four captains to take a van up to DFW and fly out on our own around 11 Feb, more to follow about specific times/dates. After accomplishing our tasks at Fort Hood drove home by way of Georgetown and looked at some new areas that we may move to over the summer/fall. Got home late to a puppy that is still sore but at least able to get up and around on her own. I am taking her to the vet today to get evaluated, I’m praying the films are normal and it’s just a pulled muscle. She has been so sad these last few days as I have not taken her out for any walks/plays.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
Judas to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."
Institution of the Lord's Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
Ps 26:3
1 February: Matt left this morning to go to church at Austin Stone, we said what may be our final goodbye’s and went to our Church. Our service at Redeemer was outstanding from the music to the sermon about the hope that is found in the classic benediction, “ 24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. After Church, I read and wrote while Marla took a nap, then we went to a Yoga class (see pic’s) and a super bowl party at our neighbors. We have some great neighbors here and I have very happy that Marla will be here throughout my deployment. I was rooting for the stealers and they pulled out a very exciting victory in the last few minutes.
2 February: We woke up early and Marla and I drove up to Fort Hood to take care of some final pre-deployment business. Marla got a new Military ID, I completed some paperwork, got my deployment orders and perscirbed myself some meds for my Aid Bag. We moved out of my office (included some pics) and went to a going away lunch for the 4 captains that are leaving next week. At the lunch we all got an award for the time we served in the Rear Detachment and I received an update on our deployment. The flight for 11 Feb has been canceled (no real surprise) so it looks like we will be taking a civilian flight out of DFW around the same date. This is actually a very good thing because I was dreading the formal military ceremony that accompanies the military flight. Instead of going out with a big group, the plan now is for us four captains to take a van up to DFW and fly out on our own around 11 Feb, more to follow about specific times/dates. After accomplishing our tasks at Fort Hood drove home by way of Georgetown and looked at some new areas that we may move to over the summer/fall. Got home late to a puppy that is still sore but at least able to get up and around on her own. I am taking her to the vet today to get evaluated, I’m praying the films are normal and it’s just a pulled muscle. She has been so sad these last few days as I have not taken her out for any walks/plays.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
Judas to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."
Institution of the Lord's Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
Ps 26:3
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
Bible Thoughts:
Bible Thoughts:
1. My first thought is…that was a really long chapter!
2. 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Passover is the chosen time for the institution of the sacrament of Communion and Christ’s Crucifixion. At the celebration of Passover, the Jewish people remember the final blow dealt to Egypt as Israel tried to escape Pharaoh’s slavery. A lamb was slaughtered by every Jewish family and the blood placed over the door. The Lord passed through Egypt and killed the first born man and animal in every household without the blood. The blood sign is not evidence of a deist God ignorant his chosen people, but a foreshadowing of Christ’s (the Lamb of God) blood that will ultimately quench the wrath of God for his people. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The ability of the “flawed” lamb to turn God’s wrath at Passover was a prophesy to our “unflawed” Lamb’s (Christ) ability to save us from the wrath of God.
3. 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. Jesus is, of course, not denying the virtue of charity. There are too many other verses that support charity (“let scripture interpret scripture”). This is not a question of charity but priority. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” Matt 19:29-30. Truly, there is virtue in loving our family and serving the poor, if not what of the preceding statement, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” Matt 25:40? What Christ desires is correct priority. That we serve the poor not for our own gain, or even the gain of the poor, but the gain of the kingdom. That we serve the poor not for his/her eternal pleasure but that there be one more voice in heaven praising our Christ for eternity. This in no way diminishes the love that we are to have for our neighbor, on the contrary when we cloth them in the eternal salvation that comes from Christ’s accomplished mission, we exhibit far greater love than simply clothing them in whatever garment this perfume may have purchased. As in the military where the mission takes precedence over the individual, if we wish to be truly kingdom minded, we must place Christ’s eternal mission over the worldly comfort/likes/dislikes of the individual. Easy to say, hard to live.
4. "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." That no one may claim Christ’s inability to sustain his chosen people to the end (preservation of the saints), the gospels make it abundantly clear that the betrayal of Judas was not only foreseen but actually predestined. As the gospel of John recounts, during the Passover meal just before Jesus identifies Judas as the betrayer and sends him out to bring the authorities, Christ says, “18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.” John 13:18-19. Whether we look at this verse in the typical election way and say that Christ choose the 11 and left Judas without true faith and thus he followed his own evil desires for money over Christ, or the “double election” way so to say that Judas was predestined not to a saving faith but to betray Christ and to ultimate condemnation, the effect is the same, Judas became the Betrayer within the will of God, in order that scripture may be fulfilled. These are purely intellectual arguments, I just wanted to introduce the terms single election/double election, to me they are distinctions without a difference. The single election folks just try not to charge God with choosing those who will be condemned by only choosing and imparting faith to his chosen and (only by default) leaving the rest of the world to their own fallen will that will never seek/choose Christ. While the double election folks say that God chooses both to impart saving faith and to withhold saving faith. That’s all beside the point though; the point is that the Betrayal of Jesus was the will of God, that scripture may be fulfilled, that the Christ may experience the entire gamut of human emotion and suffering. That Christ’s ultimate victory over death may be the most exciting and greatest story ever told.
5. "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” Oh the mysteries of the sacraments! I will stick to what we know and touch on the controversies. We can see clearly that the Lords supper both in timing and in effect is replacing the Passover meal. As above, we have seen that the blood of the lamb at Passover as temporarily appeasing God’s wrath foreshadowed Christ’s blood as the permanent appeasement of God’s wrath. Thus, we no longer remember the lamb’s blood in Egypt (pretty cool) but Christ’s blood on Calvary (infinitely more cool). As the Passover meal served as a physical reminder of the Jews salvation from bondage to Egypt, the communion now serves as a physical reminder of the world’s bondage to death. Some (myself include) would leave is as a physical reminder. This physical reminder imparts grace as it is a tangible gospel that we can touch and taste as opposed to simply preached word, but ultimately it is the gospel that it rests upon and reminds us of that is given for the forgiveness of sins. It is obvious (to me anyway) from this passage that though Jesus says explicitly, “this is my body” that the elements (bread and wine) are still bread and wine. Fore, if the disciples freaked out over even the prospect of Christ’s death (Mt 16), how much more would they respond to actually putting His flesh and blood into their mouths. No, they seem to understand the sacrament as I understand it, as Christ has spoken in symbols and throughout his ministry, this is yet one more symbol but to this symbol is attached a ritual. The weekly bodily return to earth of Christ seems to contradict Acts, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:11. No, Jesus second coming will truly be his 2nd coming not his gigalionth (each communion has been celebrated). While this point does not deserve much discussion, the following point does. There are people that think that the forgiveness of sin is achieved through the physical consumption of the communion/mass. Live as a heathen all week long but go to church , eat the bread, drink the wine and you will be saved. This is a heresy; the bible in no instance refers to such works as meriting forgiveness. Again, it is the promise the sacrament rests upon that grants forgiveness. It is Christ’s true bodily suffering and death that appeases the wrath of God not any chewing or drinking that we may do. No, just as there is no physical act bad enough that is beyond the forgiveness of Christ’s blood, there is no physical act good enough that can earn forgiveness equivalent to Christ’s blood
6. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." The cup is referring to the wrath of God. Christ is not afraid of his bodily suffering, instead, as the only one who lived without sin throughout his life and enjoyed a perfect relationship with God the father from eternity past, Christ was about to have the sin of the human race laid upon his shoulders, experiencing more sinfulness than any human or demon since the creation of the world and feel not only divine separation but the full fury of divine wrath as not even Satan will deserve to suffer. Christ does not shutter from the physical death the gospel required, but the spiritual death he would suffer as the Lord turned his back on his beloved son and punished every sin ever committed in his slow, utterly lonely death. Jesus would not be the Christ if he did not willingly go to the Cross, nor would he be the Christ if he happily took on sin and separation from the father. We see in this passage equal submission to the divine will and resistance to the imputed sin that enabled Jesus to be the Christ, the savior of the world.
7. "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ”Live by the sword, die by the sword…” I have strong emotions toward this verse as I prepare to enter a war zone. I have been forced to realize that by putting on my uniform, I am marking myself externally with the sign of the US Army. When I dawn the Army uniform, I take on everything the US Army represents, everything the US Army has done or failed to do. There will be those justly desire my blood as I am externally identified with soldiers who have killed their fathers, sons and brothers innocent or guilty. I am externally identified with a nation that has invaded, occupied and changed the homeland of a people who did not ask for such change. I understand the people’s resistance and can only imagine what I would do in a similar situation. If, for instance, China invaded and occupied America and set up a communist regime simply because they thought it was better for the occupied people. I would certainly rise up like many Iraqis and resist this foreign powers imposed government. I am not saying that I oppose the war, quite the contrary; I feel that the security of my family and the chance for a free Iraq is worth fighting for. I am, however, saying that I understand the Iraqis position, resistance and desire for retribution. I willingly put my life on the line in putting dawning my uniform and hold no Iraqi personally responsible for my death as I can never know or understand the life circumstance that has led him/her to such a hatred of the US Army. Perhaps one of our “smart bombs” killed his wife or child, perhaps he has been forced, against his will, to carry and shoot a gun for a religion that does not value human life or perhaps he has been so indoctrinated into terrorism that it is not even him pulling the trigger but the establishment that reared him. Whatever the reason, I do not hold the man personally responsible for my death. As I would hope he does not hold me. I will be caring for enemy wounded and families in the same way that I will care for American wounded but if forced to draw my weapon, I will shoot for the same reason that he will shoot. I will kill for the prospect of a world without terror, a free Iraq and for my fellow soldiers who have fought and fallen before me for such a hope. I hope that no soldier puts on their US Army Uniform flippantly but always with the recognition that we are called to kill and to die for a higher purpose. If we choose to live by the sword we must be prepared to die by it otherwise the mission will be lost.
8. " Then all the disciples left him and fled. Jesus came not only to live a perfect life (active obedience) meriting all of the blessing of heaven for us and die a perfect death (passive obedience), paying the penalty of the law due us but also to experience the full range of human emotion. From his sweet love for his mother and friends to his friends bitter betrayal and ultimately his separation from God. In his life, Christ gives us the reassurance that there is no path we will walk that he has not taken first. No pain that we may suffer that he has not suffered first. Thereby, “…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. Heb 4:15-16. We can never accuse Christ as a teenager saying, “you just don’t understand.” He does understand, he understands more physical and emotional pain than we can ever imaging. Far from “a do as I do not as I say God”, we serve a God who has walked the walk.
9. "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes. The priest understood Christ’s claim to be God clearly. Truly, our Christ is a Liar, Lunatic or actually Lord. A prophet would not claim to be God, a teacher would not be so stupid as to confuse himself with God, and if either did, why would we listened to them? We would stone the prophet and shun the teacher. No, Christ is either to be followed a Lord or discounted as a lunatic, to be placed in the same category as David Koresh, but not honored as a “great man, prophet, teacher etc…”
10. " 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same”. ..”Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. In his flesh, Peter, “the stone upon which I (Christ) built my church,” denies Christ. Why then does he not suffer the same condemnation as Judas? It is Christ who sustained Peter and chose to bring him back into the faith, look at the dialogue in Luke just before Simon Peter’s betrayal, “31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." 34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31-34. We see that, as Satan demanded Judas and was given him, he also demanded Peter and it was only the prayer of Christ that kept Peter and turned him “again.” The good that we do, even our faith, is not on our own accord, but the intervention and divine gift of God.
11. Psalms: I just get a kick out of the word “lovingkindness.” It is true, remember Romans 8, “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Rom 8:31-36 In light of God’s lovingkindness what are we to fear? We are children of the king and he has promised to care for us in his lovingkindness, thus we walk confidently forward in this truth. (just trying to use lovingkindness as much as possible)
Sun Tzu:
“Therefore, those who are not thoroughly aware of the disadvantages in the use of arms cannot be thoroughly aware of the advantages in the use of arms”
“If you do not first think about the calamities of danger and destruction, you will not be able to reap any advantage.”
“If you do not first think about the calamities of danger and destruction, you will not be able to reap any advantage.”
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):
Homer is credited with authorship of two famous Greek epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Homer’s actual role in their creation is uncertain. They are thought to have been created around 800 BC in Ionia (present day turkey) and memorized in their entirety by story tellers and retold for centuries before being transcribed. The Iliad tells of the exploits of Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector and other hero’s during the Trojan War between Achaea (Greece) and Troy. According to myth, the war began when the Trojan prince Paris kidnapped Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful woman in the world. The Iliad’s sequel, the Odyssey, recounts the trails of the Greek Hero Odysseus as the attempts to sail home from the Trojan War to rejoin his wife, Penelope. The journey take ten years because he angers the sea god, Poseidon.
