Luke 22:63

Luke 22:63 says, And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.  The men who held Jesus thought they were in charge, so they mocked and beat Him.  Many people today believe they are in charge in their life, so they mock Jesus.  No matter how powerful we may feel, we will never be more powerful than Jesus.  Verse sixty-four adds, And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?  After blindfolding Jesus, they hit Him in the face, then told Him to tell by prophesy who had struck Him.  What they didn't realize was that He could have told them, blindfold or no blindfold.  Jesus can always see into our heart.  Verse sixty-five continues, And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.  Blasphemously speaking against Jesus was all they could do, and it is still all anyone can do today if they refuse to accept Him as their Savior and Lord.  Verse sixty-six states,And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,  As soon as it was day, the chief priests and scribes got together and led Jesus into their council.  They acted early, and it definitely was by their council, and not God's.  We will never speak against Jesus Christ by God's counsel, but we often will if we put our council above God's. Verse sixty-seven adds, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:  The chief priests and scribes asked Jesus if He was the Christ, and He said even if He answered them they would not believe Him.  This is ultimately the choice that everyone faces.  The fact that Jesus is the Christ is already established so the question is whether we believe Him or not.  Verse sixty-eight continues, And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.  Jesus said that if He asked these religious leaders who He was, they would not answer Him, nor would they let Him go.  When people have already made up their mind about Who Jesus is, and that He is not the Savior of mankind, they will not listen to Him, no matter what He says.  Verse sixty-nine says, Hereafter shall the Son of man  sit on the right hand of the power of God.  Jesus said soon He would sit on the righthand of the power of God.  Then, they would know Who He truly is.  Verse seventy adds, Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.  The chief priests and scribes then asked Jesus if He was the Son of God,  and He said that this was what they said.  Again, this is a question that every individual must answer for themself.  Verse seventy-one states, And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.  Even though Jesus had not said that He was the Son of God, they said they needed no other witnesses, because they had heard Jesus say this Himself.  Don't be surprised if people attempt to claim that Jesus has said something that He never said.

Luke 22:54

 Luke 22:54 says, Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.  After Jesus was taken by the high priest and scribes, Peter followed Him from afar off.  He was no longer concerned with who was going to be first in Jesus's kingdom.  Some people today are willing to follow Jesus as long as they expect Him to make life physically better for them, but at the first sign of trouble, they move far away from Him.  Verse fifty-five adds, And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.  When the people gathered around a fire away from where Jesus was, Peter joined them.  Sometimes today, we are more concerned about being physically comfortable than we are about following Jesus, even if that puts us in the midst of people who want to have nothing to do with Jesus.  Verse fifty-six states, But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  There was a certain maid there that looked at Peter as he sat by the fire and said that he had been with Jesus.  It would be wonderful if people could look at us today and know that we have been with Jesus.  Verse fifty-seven adds, And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. Bold and courageous Peter who had declared his undying devotion to Jesus denied ever knowing Him.  Verse fifty-eight says, And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.  A little later someone else said Peter was one of Jesus's disciples, and once again he denied it.  Hopefully, we will never be guilty of doing the same thing.  Verse fifty-nine adds, And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  Less than an hour later, someone else said that Peter was with Jesus, because he was a Galilaean.  Where we are from will never determine whether we are followers of Christ or not.  Verse sixty continues, And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. For the third time,  For the third time, Peter denied knowing Jesus, and then the cock crowed.  This is what Jesus had said Peter would do, and Peter had said it would never happen.  We can be certain that whatever Jesus says is going to happen will happen, no matter how much we may deny that it will.  Verse sixty-one declares, And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  Jesus turned and looked at Peter, and he remembered that Jesus had said that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed.  We may sometimes look back and realize that exactly what God has warned us about in our life has come to pass.  Verse sixty-two adds, And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.  When Peter realized what he had done, he wept bitterly.  If we realize that we have failed in our relationship to God as followers of Christ, we should also weep bitterly. 

Luke 22:39

Luke 22:39 says, And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.  Jesus went on His way to the mount of Olives, which was what He normally did, and His disciples followed Him.  Even if we know that we are to face persecution, or even death, we must continue to follow Jesus as we always have as Christians.  Verse forty adds, And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.  When Jesus arrived at the place that He was going, He told the disciples to pray, so that they would not fall into temptation.  This warning still applies to us as followers of Christ today.  Verse forty-one states, And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  Jesus went about a stone’s throw away from the disciples and knelt down and prayed.  Sometimes, we need to get alone by ourself, kneel down, and pray for God's continued guidance.  Verse forty-two adds, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  Jesus prayed that if there was any other way for people to have salvation that the Heavenly Father show Him before He went to the cross, but there was no other way.  There still is no other way to salvation than by faith in Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-three continues, And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  While Jesus was praying that if there was another way to let it be shown, an angel appeared to strengthen Him.  If we are faithful to God, He will always give us the spiritual strength to accomplish anything He calls us to do.  Verse forty-four declares, And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  Even though He was in agony, Jesus prayed even more earnestly, and it was as though He were sweating blood.  This was a real struggle for Jesus, and if there were any other way for people to have salvation, He wanted it to be revealed.  Faith in Jesus Christ is still the only way to salvation, and always has and always will be.  Verse forty-five adds, And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  When Jesus returned to His disciples after His agonizing time of prayer, He found them sleeping.  As God agonizes over the fate of lost people today, He does not need to find us, as followers of Christ, spiritually sleeping.  Verse forty-six adds, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  Jesus asked them why they were sleeping, then told them to rise and pray, lest they should fall into temptation.  We need to be doing the same thing today.  We certainly don't need Jesus to ask us why we are spiritually sleeping when there are so many people who need to hear His word. 

Luke 22:31

Luke 22:31 says, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  Jesus told Simon Peter than Satan was ready to sift him like wheat because he, Satan, desired to have him.  Satan still wants people today, especially those who are close to putting their faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse thirty-two adds, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  Jesus said that He had prayed for Peter, that his faith might be strengthened, and that after he was converted he would be a source of strength for the other disciples.  What we  may sometimes forget is that the disciples did not truly understand Who Jesus really was, but Jesus was praying for them.  Jesus will always be praying for people to be converted and to grow in faith after they are.  Verse thirty-three states, And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.   Peter declared his unwavering faith to Jesus, saying he was ready to follow Him to prison or death, but he was speaking from faith in himself and not faith in Jesus.  We may make bold claims about our faith in Christ, but the question is whether or not we are making it based on self pride or true faith.  Verse thirty-four adds, And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.  Jesus told Peter that in spite of his bold statement that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.  Our statements made based on self pride will not always keep us faithful to Christ.  Verse thirty-five says, And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.  Jesus reminded the disciples of when He had sent them out without money, and asked if they lacked anything, and they answered that they lacked nothing.  When God sends us out today to do whatever He has called us to do, He will provide for our needs and we will lack nothing that we need to accomplish whatever we are sent to do.  Verse thirty-six adds, Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  Jesus warned the disciples that once He was gone that they would not have it as easy.  Real persecution was coming, and this is something that we must be prepared to face today as Christians.  Still, if we remain faithful to Christ, we will always have everything that we need to remain victorious spiritually.  Verse thirty-seven declares, For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  Jesus warned them of His coming death on the cross where He would be counted among the transgressors.  Some people still see Him the same way today, because they have not put their faith in Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.  The disciples took inventory of their weapons, and said thay only had two swords.  Jesus said that was enough.  Whatever we have today when we put our faith in Jesus Christ will be enough to keep us spiritually safe forever.  The things of this world will never save us.

Luke 22:21

Luke 22:21 says. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  While celebrating passover with His disciples, also to become known as the Lord’s Supper or the Last Supper, Jesus said that the one who would betray Him was at the table.  One of Jesus's closest followers, at least in name, was the one who would betray Him.  There are still many people who profess to be close followers of Christ today whose actions betray Him.  Verse twenty-two adds, And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!  Jesus said He was going where it was determined that He had to go, but He still pronounced woe on the one who betrayed Him.  Those who profess to follow Christ but betray Him by their actions will still find themselves in a woeful situation.  Verse twenty-three states, And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.  The disciples began to ask amongst themselves who would do this.  Eleven were unsure, only knowing that it wasn't them, but one, Judas, knew he was the one.  All we can ever be sure of is our own relationship with Jesus Christ, and if anyone is going to betray Him, we need to make certain that it isn't us.  Verse twenty-four adds, And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.  While questioning who would betray Jesus, the disciples then got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest.  They quit thinking about the betrayal and let self pride take over, focusing on their own role in relationship to the other disciples instead of focusing on what was about to happen with Jesus.  We as Christians should never attempt to declare ourselves greater than any other Christian, but should always focus on Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-five says, And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  Jesus used the example of earthly kings and the fact that those who exercised power on his subjects were called benefactors, even though he is in a position of power over his subjects.  Jesus is the benefactor of all who put their faith in Him, but He is also in authority over them.  Verse twenty-six adds, But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  Jesus told the disciples that they were not to be as earthly kings, seeking to be in power and to be seen as benefactors to those that they witnessed to.  Jesus tells us if we want to be great in His kingdom that we must see ourselves as the least.  Jesus Himself is the benefactor, and we will always be simply sinners saved by grace, and there is no room for self pride or a feeling of superiority to others in our life.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Jesus then asked them who was greater, the one being served at the table or the one who served him.  He said that the one being served was greater, but even though He was greater than all, He came to serve.  We are never to feel superior to other Christians, but we are simply to remain servants of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-eight declares, Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  Jesus told the disciples they had been with Him during His temptations, and we must remain close to Him today when the world tempts people to ignore or deny Him. Verse twenty-nine adds, And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  Just as the disciples were appointed to be a part of God's kingdom and do His work in the world, so are we as followers of Christ.  Verse thirty continues, That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Like the disciples, if we are faithful to Jesus Christ, one day we will sit at His table. 

Luke 22:7

Luke 22:7 says, Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.  The time for the passover lamb to be killed was at hand, and Jesus is the only Passover Lamb that will ever suffice.  Verse eight adds, And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.  Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare a passover meal for Jesus and the twelve disciples.   As followers of Christ today, we are sent to prepare those who will listen to our testimony about Jesus Christ for the coming passover when Jesus returns or when we depart this old sinful world.  Verse nine asks, And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?  Peter and James asked Jesus where they should prepare the passover. As followers of Christ, we must look to God for guidance in all that we do.  Verse ten states, And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.  Jesus told Peter and James that when they got into the city they would see a man carrying a picture of water, and they were to follow him to his house.  Since men didn't normally carry the water, the man would be easy to spot.  God is not going to send us to do anything where there could be confusion about what we are to do.  Verse eleven adds, And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?  Jesus told them to say to the goodman of the house that the Master, Jesus Himself, wanted to know where the guestchamber was so they could prepare the passover to eat with His disciples.  Jesus did not send them into the situation unprepared, and we will not be sent into any situation by God that He does not prepare us to be ready to handle.  Also, God had to prepare the man to be ready to receive them and grant their request.  Verse twelve continues, And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.  Jesus said the master of the house would show them a large furnished upper room, and they were to make ready the passover there.  God already had everything ready for them, and He will have things ready for us today if we go in obedience to Him. Verse thirteen concludes, And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. When they went, they found things to be as Jesus said they would be, and they did as He instructed them to do.  When we go where God sends us today, we must do what He sends us to do if we are truly followers Christ. Verse fourteen says, And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  When the time was right, Jesus sat down with His twelve disciples.  There is never a better place to be than where God wants us to be at the time He wants us to be there.  Verse fifteen adds, And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  Jesus said He very strongly desired to eat this passover meal with them.  It would be His last and their last with Jesus physically present with them,  and it was shortly before He would unjustly suffer for the sins of all mankind.  Verse sixteen continues, For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  Jesus said this was to be His last meal on earth, before everything was fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  One day, we too as followers of Christ will have our last meal here on earth, then we will go on to live forever in the kingdom of God.  Verse seventeen declares, And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:   Jesus took the cup, Blessed it, and told the disciples to divide it amongst themselves.  There was no need for hogging it, because there was enough for them all, just as there is no need for attempting to hog salvation today, because there is enough for everyone.  Verse eighteen adds, For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.  Jesus said He Himself would not be drinking of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God should come.  There was no need for Him to drink of the cup which He would say represented His shed blood, because He was the One Who shed His blood for the redemption of all mankind.  Verse nineteen continues, And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Jesus took the bread, broke it,and said that it represented His body, and that they were to eat it in remembrance of Him.  We are still to do this today.  Verse twenty concludes, Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  After supper, Jesus took  the cup, Blessed it, and said that it represented His blood which was shed for them, and for everyone who has ever put their faith in Him.

Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1 says, Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.  The time of the feast of Passover was near.  This is a very important celebration for the Jewish people, since it commemorates the angel passing over their children when the Egyptian children were killed by God as a judgment of Pharoah.  Verse two adds, And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.  The chief priests and scribes were still trying to figure out how they could kill Jesus without suffering the wrath of the people who were following Him.  These were the most powerful religions people of that day, and they were trying to figure out how to kill Jesus safely.  Though many people are attempting to deny that Jesus Christ lived, died and was rose from the dead to be the everlasting Passover for all who believe in Him, let's hope that religions leaders aren't doing so.  Verse three states, Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.  Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples, those closest to Jesus.  I am not sure if he started following Jesus in sincerity and then found that He was not Who Judas wanted Him to be or not, but whatever his reasons, Judas now gave in to the influence of Satan.  He had not put his faith in Jesus alone.  People may attempt to follow Jesus without totally putting their faith in Him, but they will always fail by giving in to the influence of Satan.  There can be no followers of Christ who only partially believe in Him.  Verse four adds, And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.  Judas went to the chief priests and captains, the religious leaders, to see how he could best betray Jesus.  Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot serve God, and some religious leaders may even try to lead us away from Jesus Christ.  If they pronounce that Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation, and we believe them, they are leading us away from Him and into following Satan.  Verse five continues, And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.  The chief priests and captains were glad to have one of Jesus's closest disciples to be willing to betray Him, so they paid Judas.  Too many professed Christians today are willing to sell out Jesus and what He teaches us if the price is right.  We cannot allow material gain to be more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ and faithfully follow Him.  Verse six adds, And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Judas promised these religious leaders that he would find a time to betray Jesus when the crowds weren't around.  He was in an ideal place to do this, and so are some today who claim to be followers of Christ in an ideal position to betray Him and even to lead others away from Him.