Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for being so close and personal. Thank you for not being far off and detached. Thank you for experiencing our earthly pain when Jesus was one of us. I now draw near to receive your grace and help in my time of need. In the name of Jesus, my faithful friend, Lord, and Savior I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus left the city (Jerusalem) and went to the Mount of Olives. His followers went with him. (Jesus went there often.) Jesus said to his followers, "Pray for strength against temptation." Then Jesus went about 50 steps away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, "Father, if it is what you want, then let me not have this cup {of suffering}. But do what you want, not what I want." Then an angel from heaven appeared. The angel was sent to help Jesus. Jesus was full of pain; he struggled hard in prayer. Sweat dripped from his face like he was bleeding. When Jesus finished praying, he went to his followers. They were asleep. (Their sadness had made them very tired.) Jesus said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray for strength against temptation." While Jesus was speaking, a group of people came. One of the twelve apostles was leading the group. He was Judas. Judas came close to Jesus so that he could kiss Jesus. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you using the kiss {of friendship} to give the Son of Man {to his enemies}?" The followers of Jesus were standing there too. They saw what was happening. The followers said to Jesus, "Lord, should we use our swords?" And one of the followers did use his sword. He cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said, "Stop!" Then Jesus touched the servant's ear and healed him. The group that came to arrest Jesus were the leading priests, the older Jewish leaders, and the Jewish soldiers. Jesus said to them, "Why did you come out here with swords and sticks? Do you think I am a criminal? I was with you every day in the temple area. Why didn't you try to arrest me there? But this is your time—the time when darkness (sin) rules."

Related Scripture Readings

I will call to God for help. And the Lord will answer me. I speak to God evening, morning, and noon. I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me! I have fought in many battles. But God has always rescued me and brought me back safely. God listens to me. The Eternal King will help me. SELAH [55:20] My enemies will not change their lives. They don't fear and respect God. [55:21] My enemies attack their own friends. They don't do the things they agree to do. [55:22] My enemies are really smooth talkers; they talk about peace, but they are really planning wars. Their words are as slick as oil, but those words cut like a knife. [55:23] Give your worries to the Lord, and he will care for you. The Lord will never let good people be defeated. [55:24] As your part of the agreement, God, send those liars and murderers to their grave before their life is half finished! As my part of the agreement, I will put my trust in you.

A friend might hurt you sometimes, but he does not want to do this. An enemy is different. Even when an enemy is kind to you, he wants to hurt you.

We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue strongly in the faith we have. Jesus, the high priest that we have, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways that we are tempted, but he never sinned. With Jesus as our high priest we can feel free to come before God's throne where there is grace (forgiveness). There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.