22 November 2015
Two-Minute Features | 29 November 2015 | 15 November 2015

The Disciples Deserted Jesus (TMF:300)

Friday, November 27, 2015
Peace to Live By: The Disciples Deserted Jesus (TMF:300) - Daniel Litton
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       Peter and John did follow Jesus and the crowd from a distance, but they really had deserted him. They hadn’t been arrested with him. And they hadn’t stood up for Jesus. So, John was able to get himself and Peter inside the courtyard to watch what would happen to Jesus (see John 18:15-16). And, as I am sure many of you know the story, Peter ends up denying Jesus multiple times. The rooster crows, and Jesus’ earlier prophecy about Peter’s denial for him becomes fulfilled. And as Luke penned about Peter: “And he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62, ESV). I am sure that many of us today in our lives have failed someone or a group of people. Perhaps we promised we’d do something, only to fail at doing it. Or, perhaps we promised we wouldn’t do something, only to do it (see James 5:12). Maybe we didn’t stand up for a friend when he or she needed help, or when others were attacking that person. Maybe we let the person burn at the mercy of others (see James 4:17). Whatever the case, the good news here is that while Peter did deny Jesus, he later found restitution with him. Jesus forgave him, and their relationship was restored to an even better place than before (see John 21:15-19). And indeed, Jesus will forgive us when we fail ourselves and fail others (see 1 John 1:9).

Jesus Entrusted Himself to God (TMF:299)

Thursday, November 26, 2015
Peace to Live By: Jesus Entrusted Himself to God (TMF:299) - Daniel Litton
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       But Jesus, even in the midst of being unjustly arrested, didn’t fight back. He entrusted himself to God in the midst of the terribly unjust circumstances (see 1 Peter 2:23). And I think we can all take a lesson out of this. When we are faced with situations in life that aren’t fair, we need to learn to trust in God, as God is always in control (see Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14, 1 Corinthians 10:13). This is much easier said than done. It requires constant submission, or yielding, to God (see Romans 6:12-14, 1 Corinthians 9:27). Sometimes we just don’t understand why things happen in our lives, but we can know for sure that God is in control. He allowed whatever has happened to happen, and he will lead us through it (see Psalm 23:4). After Jesus was arrested, his disciples deserted him. They fled (see Matthew 26:56). Undoubtedly, this had to break Jesus’ heart, as they had all earlier at dinner swore they would die with him if necessary (see Matthew 26:35). But push came to shove, and the disciples didn’t keep their word. Peter and John did follow Jesus and the crowd from a distance, but they really had deserted him. They hadn’t been arrested with him. And they hadn’t stood up for Jesus.

God Works in Mysterious Ways (TMF:298)

Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Peace to Live By: God Works in Mysterious Ways (TMF:298) - Daniel Litton
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       The disciples realized what was going to happen, and they thought the time had come from them to fight back. But they didn’t realize that God’s earthly kingdom was still a long ways off, at least in earthly time. First, Jesus had to die for the sins of the whole world, and be raised to life again. But they didn’t understand that at the time. I think often times in our own lives God is working, and we think he’s about to do something. He does do something, but it’s not the something we thought he was going to do. Or, maybe he has let us in on something that is going to happen, but hasn’t said when it’s going to happen. God works in mysterious ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33-34). We should not be overconfident and do our own thing, like Peter did with drawing the sword and injuring the servant (see 1 Corinthians 10:12, Galatians 5:26). We have to wait for the Lord’s help. If we don’t, we may end up in a mess. God is leading, we just have to follow. We need to be strong and brave, and wait for God’s help (see Psalm 27:14). Peter ended up striking the person with a sword, probably in an attempt to kill the person, since he was aiming at his head (see John 18:10). But Jesus, even in the midst of being unjustly arrested, didn’t fight back. He entrusted himself to God in the midst of the terribly unjust circumstances (see 1 Peter 2:23).

The Disciples Thought the Kingdom Had Come (TMF:297)

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Peace to Live By: The Disciples Thought the Kingdom Had Come (TMF:297) - Daniel Litton
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       The disciples knew they had found the Messiah, Jesus, and they thought now the time had come to establish his earthly kingdom. Fast forward with me to the scene at the Mount of Olives shortly thereafter. Here, Jesus is standing with his disciples, and the band of soldiers with the chief priest and Pharisees—the Jewish leaders at the time—were coming to arrest Jesus, just as he had earlier prophesied. Luke again reports the following. He is talking about Jesus here: “While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him” (Luke 22:47-51, ESV). The disciples realized what was going to happen, and they thought the time had come from them to fight back. But they didn’t realize that God’s earthly kingdom was still a long ways off, at least in earthly time. First, Jesus had to die for the sins of the whole world, and be raised life to again.

The Disciples Believed Christ was Taking Jerusalem (TMF:296)

Monday, November 23, 2015
Peace to Live By: The Disciples Believed Christ was Taking Jerusalem (TMF:296) - Daniel Litton
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       But the disciples believed that this event was the beginning of Christ taking Jerusalem and becoming king of Israel. This can be further seen when the disciples took swords, after the Passover Supper, the Last Supper, as they were leaving with Jesus. Luke records the following in his Gospel: “He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough”” (Luke 22:36-38, ESV). Now, the disciples thought they were going out for battle. They believed that Jesus was going to take his seat as king. The disciples knew they had found the Messiah, Jesus, and they thought now the time had come to establish his earthly kingdom.