From Suffering to Glory
Hey Church!
This past Sunday, we reflected together on all that God has been teaching us through the book of Luke and the History Maker series.
It’s so beautiful that as we come to the end of this sermon series, we come to the end of our reading through the book of Luke together. This week’s readings take us through the story of Jesus last days on earth as He celebrates His last Passover supper with His disciples and then is handed over to be crucified, dies, is buried, and then a few days later is resurrected from the dead.
As you read through this week, I encourage you to “Selah” (stop and think upon) all that is happening in these 3 chapters, just like we did together on Sunday. I’ll give you a few pointers and exercise along the way to help you do just that.
The first practice that I recommend doing each day is to spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before you even open your Bible. So often, we rush to the Scriptures so that we can tick that off our to do list and get on with our day. But friends, I really don’t recommend that approach. I encourage you to make your quiet time with God each day I priority. Don’t leave it for “when you have time.” Make the time. Don’t rush through. Treat Him like your most beloved friend. Hang on His every Word. Make Him your priority. You won’t be disappointed.
Lastly, feel free to check out these great Gospel Project videos. They will give you a helpful overview of Chapters 22-24 and some of the themes we will be digging into together this week:
Day 1 – Luke 22:1-38
Spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before the Lord. If you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, try taking a deep breath and quietly praying, “God, please take this into your hands” as any thoughts come to mind.
Today’s passage starts off with the announcement of Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus. We are then quickly taken to the Passover supper where Jesus celebrates a final meal with His disciples.
- Slowly read through the passage for today. As you do, take note of the stories surrounding Judas and Peter – two of Jesus’ 12 disciples.
- The disciples can’t seem to figure out who Jesus is referring to in verses 20-23, meanwhile Jesus knows Judas’s heart.
- What’s interesting is that both Judas and Peter will break loyalty to Jesus. Judas will betray Jesus by handing Him over to His enemies, and Peter will abandon Jesus in His moment of suffering. Yet, while Jesus speaks a “woe” (sorrow and distress) over Judas, He tells Peter that He has prayed for Him.
- Why this contrast? What separates Judas and Peter in Jesus’ eyes?
- Ask the Lord to speak to you through the contrast present in the story of these two men. Once you’ve landed on something, take a moment of “Selah” to stop and think upon whatever He has brought to your attention. Is there something in your heart He wants to reveal? Pride or greed that might be lying beneath the surface of a curated exterior? Or does He desire to call you to repentance, and to remind you that He has prayed for you, that your faith may not fail?
- Finish off your time today praying or journaling a prayer for response.
Day 2 – Luke 22:39-65
Spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before the Lord. If you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, try taking a deep breath and quietly praying, “God, please take this into your hands” as any thoughts come to mind.
Today’s passage takes us through the night of Jesus’ betrayal. He goes to a garden to pray that His coming suffering could be taken away, but ultimately leaves His life in His Father’s hands.
- Slowly read through the passage for today. As you read, take note of Jesus’ attitude to His coming suffering. What is Jesus feeling and doing? How does he react to his enemies?
- In light of what you have read today, ask God these 2 questions (which I learned from Jennie Allen):
- Who are you, Lord?
- What do you want for me?
- As Jesus reveals things, take a moment of “Selah” to stop and think upon whatever He has brought to your attention.
- Finish off your time today praying or journaling a prayer for response.
Day 3 – Luke 22:66- 23:25
Spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before the Lord. If you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, try taking a deep breath and quietly praying, “God, please take this into your hands” as any thoughts come to mind.
- Slowly read through the passage for today. As you read, what do you notice?
- Today we will ask ourselves some hard questions:
- Where do I see myself in this story? Ask God to reveal the deep layers of your heart.
- Am I like the elders and chief priests, wanting to silence someone else because their words or way of life threatened my sense of pride or power (whether real or perceived)?
- Am I like Pilot, having gone against my conscience or better judgement and given into the “crowd” even if I knew it wasn’t right?
- We do not ask these questions to heap shame, but rather because we know and rejoice in the fact that where our sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20). Pray a prayer in your own words, asking Jesus to forgive you for your sins (He surely will) and make you humble. Ask Him to give you His courage and wisdom to stand up for what you know is right, even in the face of much opposition.
Day 4 – Luke 23:26-56
Spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before the Lord. If you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, try taking a deep breath and quietly praying, “God, please take this into your hands” as any thoughts come to mind.
- Slowly read through the passage for today. As you read, take note of the things Jesus says as He suffers.
- Once again, ask the Lord these questions:
- Who are you, Lord?
- What do you want for me?
- If He reveals something, then take a moment of “Selah” to stop and think upon whatever He has brought to your attention.
- Finish off your time today praying or journaling a prayer for response.
Day 5 – Luke 24
Spend 2 minutes in quiet and stillness before the Lord. If you find it difficult to settle your thoughts, try taking a deep breath and quietly praying, “God, please take this into your hands” as any thoughts come to mind.
Today we come to the end of the book of Luke and read a story that I hope never gets old or stale for us.
- Slowly read through the passage for today. While it is a bit long, I encourage you to slow down and savor every morsel of what is said here.
Everything Jesus said would happen has happened. God’s promises and covenant are fulfilled. The wisdom of God’s upside-down Kingdom is proven right by these results.
- Sometimes we miss God at work because of our preconceived notions about Him. Here, Jesus takes His followers through the Scriptures and shows them all they had missed: that the entire history of their people had been pointing to this exact moment of death and resurrection; suffering and glory. How does reading this passage move you towards humility? Are there any preconceived notions you have about who God is that Jesus might want to address today? Ask Him to show you.
- Lastly, this event is the most celebrated event in Christian history. Jesus resurrection is the definitive sign of God’s perfect, generous, and complete redemptive plan. How does reading this passage spark joy or praise in your heart? Take some time to sing a song of praise to our God, for all that He has done and continues to do!!! Pray that this story, HIS story, would continue to change and transform your own. Forever and AMEN!
Songs of Resurrection Praise: