13.04.25 Luke 22:1-6

Prepare

Lord Jesus, as we read your journey to the cross, may your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us curious.

Help us examine your example and in doing so, be moved to worship.

Amen

Read

“Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Reflect

Our passage today is unfortunately ironic. The Jewish community are preparing to celebrate the passover, a meal where they are reminded of God liberating them from Egypt.

As they prepare to celebrate freedom, they are revealed to be captives themselves. The characters have changed but the slavery remains. The slave Master is no longer Pharaoh but Satan, who has entered Judas’ heart.

Judas and the chief priests are bound not by physical chains but by fear of man and love of money.

Instead of ridding themselves of these things, they chose to get rid of Jesus, who is the only one who can truly offer us freedom

Be

Father, thank you for your desire to liberate and free your people. Thank you that who the son sets free is free indeed.

Jesus, thank you that in you, we can know freedom from the chains that bind us and hold us captive

Holy Spirit, thank you that you offer to make Jesus promise of freedom our experience

Become

Unlike the teachers of the law, we must ensure we do not become slaves to our fear of others

Jesus encourages his followers to replace any fear of man with a fear of God.

Take a moment to examine your life and consider where your fear of others might lead you to be unfaithful to God

Be encouraged that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Do

For Judas the door to his heart that the enemy used was money. Despite having the faith to follow Jesus initially, he became corrupted, he began stealing money from the disciples purse.

Spend a moment relinquishing any love for money in your heart. Ask that God may protect us as a church for falling prey to the temptation of money

Practice

This passage reminds me of the parable of the sower, where the seed of God’s word is choked by the deceitfulness of wealth.

Allow the spirit to reveal you could be deceived by wealth. What steps can you take to break the grip of materialism and embrace God as provider and as the one who witholds no good thing from those he loves