It’s Not Just a Story

Daily Thoughts – September 6^th  

One other place we visited in Jerusalem was the Palace of Caiaphas, the Church of St. Peter sits on the location today, but excavations have revealed the house of Caiaphas.  Caiaphas was the High Priest during the times of Jesus, and there are historical records from Josephus and others which identify that this is highly likely the location he would have resided. The Palace would have sat near the top of the hill adjacent to the temple mount and above the Mount of Olives.  There is a stone pathway leading directly up the hill from the Mount of Olives to the House of Caiaphas.  These stones were uncovered in early excavations, and provide a pathway that Jesus and the disciples most certainly descended as they left the last supper in the Upper Room on way to the Garden of Gethsemane near the Mount of Olives.  Likewise, those that arrested Jesus would have walked him along this path, shackled and beaten, on way back to the House of Caiaphas on the night that He was betrayed.

It’s Not Just a Story

“Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled” – Matthew 26:57 (in context)

On this night Judas betrayed Jesus, and turned Him over to be elders and soldiers.  They bound him, and led him back up the hill to the House of Caiaphas to begin the proceedings which would lead to His crucifixion.  As the chief priest, Caiaphas would have to see Jesus before He was sent to the Roman Pontiff – Pontius Pilot.  According to historical records, Caiaphas was High Priest from 26 AD to 37 AD.  As the High Priest of the Sanhedrin, it is safe to say that he was completely familiar with the prophetic messages from Isaiah 53, including – “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7  So why, then, didn’t Caiaphas immediately connect the dots. 

It is so easy for us to sit here 2000 (+/-) years later and see how it is all connected, but he, as the High Priest, could not see it.  Perhaps the Lord blinded him from the truth so that the Lord’s will could be completed.  Perhaps Caiaphas’ ego got in the way, and he couldn’t imagine that the Son of God would be in the form of this poverished, humble servant.  Perhaps Caiaphas wasn’t looking for the fulfillment, and simply wanted to be done with another counterfeit Messiah, led by the indictment of the Pharisees who had co-ordinated the whole thing.  We don’t know.  But what we do know, based on scripture, is that Caiaphas beat Jesus, treated him like a criminal, and kept him in the dungeon until the morning hours where they transported him to Pontius Pilot.  In doing so, he fulfilled prophecies written down 700 years prior.  This in and of itself is a topic for another blog, but let me share with you the emotional roller coaster Lisa and I felt during our visit.

In our trek following the footsteps of Jesus, this is one of those areas where you know, without a doubt, that you are standing and walking where our Savior walked (or was dragged).  The steps leading up the hill have been excavated as the only passage leading to and from the location of Caiaphas house.  As we ascended the hill from the Garden of Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives, we went down through the Kidron Valley and then up these steps. 

I remember removing my shoes, walking barefoot along these steps, touching every stone along the way.  My Savior had place his foot, likely sandaled, but perhaps barefoot, on these very stones.  His DNA, the oils from His flesh, the cells of His skin had been in this exact spot, where now my feet are placed.  Knowing that the smoothness of the stones had been eroded over the last 2000 years, I realized that I wasn’t actually touching His flesh particles, but the thought that I was walking in the exact same spot was overwhelming. 

My heart pounded in my chest, I was biting my lip to hold back the emotions.  Then the realization that Jesus had walked these steps on His very last night on the earth became convicting to me.  I knelt in prayer as the others in our group moved forward.  I asked that God fill me with His spirit, so that I could move forward in this life to share this with others.  Let the spirit of my Savior, which walked this very path, fill me, so that others may feel the same overwhelming love for His sacrifice.  At this moment in 2001, my recommitment to my Savior became very real in my life. 

I write because I need to tell the stories.  I write because God gifted me so I could share His word.  I write because there just might be someone out there that has never considered the reality of my Savior.  The bible is not a book of stories.  It is a historical record of events that took place, and for those that doubt it’s authenticity, all I can say is that I know without a doubt that it is real.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
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Judas Next Door

"“They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" ” - Matthew 26:22   

Why is it that we aren’t able to deliver on everything we commit to in life?  Perhaps it’s only me, and you have figured it out.  Often times with full intentions of good, I have committed something to someone, and not been able to live up to their expectations, or my commitment.    I hate making promises and then falling short of delivering on those promises, especially when it comes to my children and wife.  They deserve a father that is reliable, a man of his word and filled with integrity to always prioritize them before the trivial things in life.  Yet, often times the unforeseeable happens and the soccer game is missed, or they are late to an event because of me. 

How miserable Judas must have felt, at the last supper with Jesus in the upper room, when Jesus dipped his hand at the same time.  Judas reaction in Matthew 26:25, was one of surprise – “Surely, not I, Rabbi?”  Yet, we read on in scriptures that Judas indeed was the one who betrayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders, for a sum of 30 pieces of silver.  We later learn that Judas gave the money back and committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree.  What about the other disciples though?  I would propose that they abandoned Jesus as well in His hour of need.  Peter denied him three times, John and James could not stay awake while Christ prayed.  Where were the disciples while Christ was being beaten, scourged and carrying His cross through the streets of Jerusalem?  Why was a foreigner, Simon from Cyrene, chosen to carry the cross of Christ after He had fallen?  Where was Matthew, Peter or John during that stage of Jesus suffering?

How are you doing with your walk then?  Has there been a time in your life where you also turned your back upon the Lord?  Daily we must wake and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our risen Savior and Lord.  Daily we must recommit our lives to His path and plan of salvation.  Daily we must choose to do what’s righteous and avoid the temptations that surround us.  Living the life of a Christian is not something to be taken lightly.  I believe there are many that would say they accepted Christ and put a check mark in that area of their life, yet, will never step up and share that faith with another person.  They are completely comfortable in their own salvation without worrying about those around them – their spouse, their children or friends.  This is no different than the disciples we look at on the night of Jesus betrayal.  To Christ’s face, in our prayer times, we will boldly state “I Love You Lord”, yet those words get stuck in our throat when confronted with a challenge from someone else.

We must learn as the body of Christ to take a bold stand for our Savior in all circumstances – work, play, at the dinner table, doing chores, in our finances, on the ball field or in the gym.  For, if we are not willing to stand up for Him at the crossroads of our life, we are nothing more than betraying Him and turning our back on Him.  I pray that you are not in this state my friend and that you are fully committed and on board with the Savior and Lord of the world.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ.  For Your incredible plan of salvation through His death on that cross and the glorious resurrection.  Thank You for Your forgiving grace and mercy for our clumsiness in evangelizing Your word.  Help us Lord, to be stronger, more confident and filled with Your Spirit during those times of faith challenges in our life.  Where our flesh is weak Lord, give us strength; where our mind is distracted Lord, give us purpose; where we are hesitant to follow Your Spirit within us, give us courage and swift feet.  We long to live for Your purpose and spread Your good news to the world.  In Your precious name I pray – Amen.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Judas in the 21st Century

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.  Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”   – Matthew 26:48-49

The traitor, the betrayer and the evil one sitting at the table next to Jesus at the Last Supper.  We observe thousands of years later and still look upon him with disdain and accusation for what he did to our Savior Jesus Christ.  What was behind his motivation and decision to betray the Son of God?  Within the scriptures it clearly states in several passages that Satan had entered into Judas (of Iscariot), and therefore provides the real motivation behind his actions.  Judas had displayed worldly views throughout the writings of the Disciples.  Greed, selfishness, stealing, covetness and murder; just to name a few.  All of these are sins of this world, which led to Judas being prey to Satan’s control.

Jesus called Judas as a disciple though.  Because He was all God and all man, He must have known from the time of this calling that Judas would serve a purpose later in His life.  I propose that Judas, like many Jewish people at that time, was waiting for a King to come and save them from the persecution and oppression under Roman control at that time.  When Jesus came upon him and asked him to follow, his mind must have immediately jumped to the conclusion.  “This is it, this is the time we have been waiting for.  Our freedom is at hand after all of these years.” 

He acted as their treasurer, and condemned Mary’s use of expensive perfume to wash Jesus feet, and said “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (John 12:5)  His interests were in material things, not things of the kingdom of God.  Based on his worldly view, I propose that Judas was looking for his self interest in being part of an overthrow of the Roman authority, and was excited to go along.  At some point over the few years he walked with Jesus though, he came to realize that Jesus intentions were not an overthrow of this world’s authority and he took things into his own hands (or shall I say Satan took control).  He negotiated a price for the head of Jesus Christ, with an intention of bringing the whole thing to an end.  Satan used Judas to exercise his will in this world and to murder Jesus once and for all.  For thirty pieces of silver, and with a kiss, Judas betrayed the Son of God.  Satan’s work had been done, Judas was no longer needed.  Regret sets in when Judas realizes what he has done.  He gives back the thirty pieces of silver, and hangs himself. 

Judas was called by the Son of God to follow Him.  He had every opportunity possible to live a life serving God and helping others come to know Jesus Christ.  But, he wanted the immediate satisfaction, the power himself, the fame and fortune that this world can bring.  I then have to ask the hard question: How different are we?

We are given every opportunity to live a life for and to serve the almighty God, but we let our lives, our desires, our greed, selfishness and lusts get in the way.  These sins of Judas, are they greater than our sins?  Does not every sin take us farther from Christ, who is sinless and perfect, and bring us closer to a worldly view?  Is Satan no longer alive in this realm and capable of turning a man’s heart away from God and towards the world?  Was Judas just a weak man, unable to resist the temptations, and we are so much stronger today that temptations of this world are of no concern? 

Perhaps, we are much more like Judas than we are like Jesus.  That should concern each and every one of you reading this today.  For you see, every sin, every temptation, every desire that draws you away from Christ, draws you closer to Satan.  Judas had a purpose in God’s plan of salvation for mankind.  He was to betray the Son of God, to set in motion the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  This was done once, so that our sins could be forgiven by His grace.  But, make no mistake about it, sin is still sin, and is still of the world and therefor of the devil.  Flee from it, resist temptation and turn toward the Lord, for we do not need another Judas.

Be Blessed,

Rich

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Who is Judas?

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

"“They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" ” - Matthew 26:22   

Why is it that we aren’t able to deliver on everything we commit to in life?  Perhaps it’s only me, and you have figured it out.  Often times with full intentions of good, I have committed something to someone, and not been able to live up to their expectations, or my commitment.    I hate making promises and then falling short of delivering on those promises, especially when it comes to my children and wife.  They deserve a father that is reliable, a man of his word and filled with integrity to always prioritize them before the trivial things in life.  Yet, often times the unforeseeable happens and the soccer game is missed, or they are late to an event because of me. 

How miserable Judas must have felt, at the last supper with Jesus in the upper room, when Jesus dipped his hand at the same time.  Judas reaction in Matthew 26:25, was one of surprise – “Surely, not I, Rabbi?”  Yet, we read on in scriptures that Judas indeed was the one who betrayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders, for a sum of 30 pieces of silver.  We later learn that Judas gave the money back and committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree.  What about the other disciples though?  I would propose that they abandoned Jesus as well in His hour of need.  Peter denied him three times, John and James could not stay awake while Christ prayed.  Where were the disciples while Christ was being beaten, scourged and carrying His cross through the streets of Jerusalem?  Why was a foreigner, Simon from Cyrene, chosen to carry the cross of Christ after He had fallen?  Where was Matthew, Peter or John during that stage of Jesus suffering?

How are you doing with your walk then?  Has there been a time in your life where you also turned your back upon the Lord?  Daily we must wake and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our risen Savior and Lord.  Daily we must recommit our lives to His path and plan of salvation.  Daily we must choose to do what’s righteous and avoid the temptations that surround us.  Living the life of a Christian is not something to be taken lightly.  I believe there are many that would say they accepted Christ and put a check mark in that area of their life, yet, will never step up and share that faith with another person.  They are completely comfortable in their own salvation without worrying about those around them – their spouse, their children or friends.  This is no different than the disciples we look at on the night of Jesus betrayal.  To Christ’s face, in our prayer times, we will boldly state “I Love You Lord”, yet those words get stuck in our throat when confronted with a challenge from someone else.

We must learn as the body of Christ to take a bold stand for our Savior in all circumstances – work, play, at the dinner table, doing chores, in our finances, on the ball field or in the gym.  For, if we are not willing to stand up for Him at the crossroads of our life, we are nothing more than betraying Him and turning our back on Him.  I pray that you are not in this state my friend and that you are fully committed and on board with the Savior and Lord of the world.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ.  For Your incredible plan of salvation through His death on that cross and the glorious resurrection.  Thank You for Your forgiving grace and mercy for our clumsiness in evangelizing Your word.  Help us Lord, to be stronger, more confident and filled with Your Spirit during those times of faith challenges in our life.  Where our flesh is weak Lord, give us strength; where our mind is distracted Lord, give us purpose; where we are hesitant to follow Your Spirit within us, give us courage and swift feet.  We long to live for Your purpose and spread Your good news to the world.  In Your precious name I pray – Amen.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com