Welcome to Fellowship! We're glad you're here! Please fill out our CONNECT CARD.
Join us for the journey! Check out more info OR register HERE.
Join us as we eat breakfast, sing to the King, have a short devotion, and then go to our community and LOVE LOUD! We will wash car windows, cook food for 1st responders, clean yards, visit nursing homes, serve at laundromat, plant spring flowers around mailboxes, pray for folks, and share the love of Jesus.
Celebrate Recovery is a safe place with kind people who are working together to deal with hurts, habits, and hangups. Have questions? Contact our CR Leader - Tim Hughey
Check our website for upcoming events and over lots of past teachings on many different topics.
Help us forward the mission of Fellowship to share Jesus with young and old, with people across the street and people across the ocean. GIVE ONLINE or at the Giving Boxes at each exit.
TODAY'S TEACHING
Everything Jesus had said would happen, was now happening. Jesus was betrayed to fulfill what the Scriptures said, as the Passover Lamb surrenders His life to save ours.
Judas had a good idea where Jesus was going as he had been to the garden with Him many times (Jn 18:2). Now the enemies of Jesus can arrest him far away from the crowds under the cover of darkness.
Many of these men were likely part of the Levitical Temple police force (The captain of the temple guard later arrested Peter & John, and put them in jail. - Acts 4:1). It is unlikely that Roman soldiers were involved in the story yet.
These guys wanted to make sure to arrest the right man, and Judas had a plan for that - a kiss of friendship.
John gives us some insight that none of the other gospels mention, that Jesus approached them first and asked who they were looking for. They told Him, “Jesus of Nazareth” and when Jesus said, “I AM” they fell to the ground! (Jn 18:6)
Judas kissed him. Even today this is the greeting in many middle eastern cultures - kissing both sides of the face - a sign of greeting & peace. So, once again, Judas is SAYING one thing and DOING something different. Dr. Luke notes that Jesus responded by saying, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)
- Craig Keener: “An ancient audience might grasp something of the depth of such betrayal’s pain.”
Guess who this is - it’s Rocky - Simon who Jesus nicknamed “Peter” or “Rocky”. John’s gospel is very specific here even naming the man that Simon Peter cuts. John even says that Peter cut off his right ear (Jn 18:10). Simon Peter wasn’t aiming for an ear. Remember that time when Peter said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Mt 26:35)? He meant it!
One legion was 5,000-6,000 Roman troops; 12 legions could be 72,000 angels. What kind of protection do you think they might give? BUT…Jesus didn’t ask for that. Jesus had already decided to follow the plan, and that plan was mentioned in the Scriptures (i.e. Old Testament writings).
Maybe Jesus was thinking of this:
Isaiah 53:7a (NIV)
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter…
Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him (Lk 22:51). Why would you do that for your enemies?
This is Jesus practicing what He was preaching - loving your enemies (Mt 5:44).
SUBMIT TO THE FATHER’S PLAN.
PRAY & OBEY. Pray, “You’re will above mine” & be ready to do what’s right even when it’s tough. There is an eternal purpose that will far outweigh the temporary pain.
Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!
Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.
- Read Matthew 26:47-50. Even though Jesus knew this was coming, how do you think Jesus felt when Judas kissed him? Have you ever experienced betrayal? How did you handle it, and what can we learn from Jesus' response?
- Read Matthew 26:51-54. Why do you think Jesus chose not to resist arrest or call on the angels for protection?
- Read 41:9 & Isaiah 57:3. How do these Old Testament passages point to what Jesus meant when He said, “The Scriptures…say it must happen this way.”? How do these fulfilled prophecies give you evidence that trusting in Jesus is reasonable?
- Read Luke 22:51. Jesus healed the servant’s ear, even while being arrested. What does this teach us about loving our enemies?
- Read Matthew 26:55 & John 10:17-18. What does this tell you about Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice His life…for YOU?
- Read Matthew 26:31-32 & 26:56. Based on the rest of the story, is Jesus willing to forgive those who at some point had abandoned Him? What would you tell someone who feels like they’ve gone to far to come back to Jesus?
- We had 2 FEET2FAITH Challenges today: 1) Submit to the Father’s Plan. In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to submit to God's will? How can we support each other in this? 2) APPRECIATE THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. What are some helpful ways to read & apply the Scriptures in our daily lives. Honestly, what role does reading the Scriptures play in your life? Do you need help finding what to read?
- Do you have someone to check-in on what you are reading and what you are learning/applying? If not, choose a same-sex person in the group to (or your spouse) to check in of each other throughout the week.
- How can we pray for/care for one another this week? (Pray for one another.)
