This chapter raises a yellow flag over our behaviour and thinking. It’s a warning about choosing what’s right in peacetime…
READ LUKE 23 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The spring of 2015 heralded in the 70th anniversary of VE Day—the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Looking back, I’m certain that choosing rightly in peacetime had a direct effect on the human ability to choose what’s right in a time of war. But today’s chapter shows what people will pay for the price of peace, even in the 1st Century AD – and it’s clear that the goal posts are changeable.
Yesterday’s chapter ended with the issue over Jesus’ identity[a], but in the time it took to walk to the Roman HQ, the issue moved to “keeping the peace”. [v1-5] When the ends justify the means, and in order to keep their peaceful lives, they’re willing to compromise even their own rules. Then, in order for Pilate to keep the peace – even though it was against Roman Law to sentence someone to death when no specific reason could be found [v13-16] – the voice of the mob prevailed. [v23-24]
“For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” [v31]
We all have it in us to freely choose what’s right. But if God’s Story isn’t part of our story and maintaining the price for peace is a high priority, a question comes to my mind: If we don’t choose what’s right in peacetime, at what point will we choose it?
Read More? …CLICK on “09 April – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wondering how to speak directly with the God of Truth? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
I’ve thought on Your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of Your temple. As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth! Your right hand is full of righteousness. [Psalm 48:9-10]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for Government decisions in China[c]
Your Country: Campus Ministries
Yourself: Health and Strength to Serve God
Your concerns for today
When I lay out my list of one-sided prayers before You today, Lord, may I remember that You are standing at the door knocking. If I hear Your voice and open the door, You will come in and eat with me and I with You. [Revelation 3:20]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
I know that You, Lord, are my God – the faithful God. You keep Your covenant and Your loving-kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love You and keep Your commandments. [Deuteronomy 7:9]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
Lord may You bless me, and keep me. May You make Your face to shine upon me, and be gracious to me. [Numbers 6:24-25]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[d] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: An Assured Future
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die…” [John 11:25-26]
[c] Luke 22:70-71
[b] Matthew 6:5-15
[c] http://www.operationworld.org/country/chna/owtext.html
[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31