“Just then a rooster crowed. Peter
remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny
me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.”
John 26:75
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The
Lenten Series
by Gail Keffer
This series
of devotionals is written in first person of the character as
he/she may have felt at that time.
These
were first designed for use on a church web site to offer a
weekly devotional. The questions are given to help develop
questioning in our minds and lead to a further understanding of
the way that particular character(s) applies to our everyday
life.
All of us are
tempted daily and sometimes we also deny Christ or do not take
the opportunity to spread the Good News. We are all
sinners. Sometimes we want to give and do so generously.
Sometimes we just take. Sometimes we run. The series
concentrates on, Peter, Pilate, a Roman Soldier, the thief on
the cross, Joseph of Arimathaea, Mary Magdalene, and Judas.
Peter
“I had been to the
mountain top. I knew Jesus as a personal friend and Lord. I
was sure that he was the Messiah. I had everything going for
me, but I still had that human weakness. Maybe I was really
afraid for my life, deep down. I felt sure the authorities were
going to kill Jesus. I didn’t know why exactly. I knew that
many people were following his teaching. I may have been so
stupid in my humanness to think that if I pretended I didn’t
know him, I wouldn’t be killed with him.
“On that eventful
night in Gethsemane, Jesus told us that things were going to get
tough, but that we did not have to worry. I immediately spoke
up and assured him that even if everyone else turned against
him, I would not. I would always believe. He told me that I
would deny him three times. This struck me deeply. I love him
as Lord and Saviour. I told him I would die with him and the
others agreed. Little did we know what would happen.
“Christ felt a need
to pray and asked us to watch. I fell asleep; I should have
been praying also. All he asked was for us to watch. What did
we have to watch for? Nothing was going to happen. When he
came back and saw us sleeping, he chastised me and told me I was
weak. He didn’t scold me, but he told me that a part of me was
willing, but a part of me was also weak. And, when he left to
pray again, I fell asleep again. Three times we fell asleep.
“Soon after he
prayed, the authorities came with swords and clubs. Jesus
didn’t even put up a fight. I drew my sword and cut the ear of
one of the Chief Priest’s servants. Jesus told me to put the
sword away, and then he healed the servant’s ear. I had acted
on impulse and been so foolish. I was afraid, and we ran for
our lives. I followed at a distance just to see what was
happening. I was a coward. They took him to Caiaphas the Chief
Priest. Jesus answered the questions with the truth and that
upset them even more.
“As I was sitting
there, one of the servant girls came up to me and asked me if I
had been with Jesus, the Galilean. I told her that I didn’t
know what she was saying. I denied him again and moved out of
her eye sight. But, then another person recognized me and asked
if I had been with Jesus the Galilean. Again I said that I had
never even seen him. I didn’t know what they were asking.
Others asked me and said that my accent gave me away. I said
again, ‘I don’t know the man.’ I know they knew me. I was so
afraid for myself, not for Jesus. Then the rooster crowed, and
I wept. Jesus had known my weaknesses. But he forgave me, and
I dedicated the rest of my life to telling others about this
magnificent man from Galilee.”
Prayer: God, we
know that you know our weaknesses, and we know that you know our
strengths. We know that you do not expect us to be super
humans, but only to do our best. Help us to stand up for you,
to realize that you will always give us the strength and wisdom
we need if we ask. Help us to lead our lives in daily
communication with you. Amen.
- Peter was the one
chosen by Jesus to lead many people to eternal life. Why was
Peter so weak when he needed to be strong?
- Do we ever deny
Christ? How?
- When we are asked
if we are a Christian, how do we respond?
- Are we blessed so
that we can be a blessing to others?
- Faith is believing
in what we cannot see or explain. Was that easy for Peter?
Is it easy for you? For me?
Pilate
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“Pilate went back out again
and said to them, "I present him to you, but I want you to know that I do
not find him guilty of any crime." Just then Jesus came out wearing the
thorn crown and purple robe.” John 19:4-5 THE MESSAGE
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“As Governor I, Pilate, had a lot of authority and yet I was
helpless when it came to releasing Jesus Christ from the men who
wanted to kill him. I had been following the speeches and
actions of this man as much as one could in my position, and my
wife felt that he was telling the truth. When the high priests
and religious leaders sent him to me, I was in an awkward
situation.
“First they took him to Herod for questioning. Herod he did not
want to make the decisions. He was brought to me. I asked him
if he was King of the Jews. He did not answer me directly; he
said “If you say so.” He put the whole thing on my shoulders.
I wanted him to deny it. Then I could set him free and tell the
religious leaders they didn’t have enough evidence to call for
his crucifixion.
“Again I asked him as we both heard the cry of accusations from
the high priests and leaders, “Do you hear that long list of
accusations? Aren’t you going to say something?” If he would
only defend himself. He said nothing. The more I tried to
escape the situation, the deeper I was involved.
“My wife had sent me a message that she had a
dream. She recommended that I get out of this someway.
She felt he was telling the
truth, and that he was a noble man. I only saw one chance to
set him free. It was the custom to release one prisoner at the
time of the Passover Feast. I asked them if they wanted to
release Jesus or a prisoner named Barabbas, who everyone knew
was guilty. I realized that I had been set up; I was stuck in a
very bad situation. The crowd had been coached by the high
priests and religious scholars. They called out that they
wanted me to release Barabbas. I asked what they wanted me to
do with Jesus. They all wanted him crucified on the cross. I
asked for what crime, but they only shouted louder. They had no
cause, no reason. I was afraid. I knew now that he was really
the one he claimed to be. He didn’t claim to be an earthly
king. He was not a threat to us.
“I
saw that I could not win; I washed my hands of the entire matter
and told the crowd my decision. I did as much as I could to
make them the judge for Jesus’ death. They weren’t concerned
about the responsibility. They were willing to take the blame.
I had only one choice – to release Barabbas and send Jesus to
the cross.
“When they took him to Goliath, I
made a sign saying “Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.”
It was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. The people would
see it because many thronged to the hill to see the
crucifixions. They tried to get me to change it to read that
Jesus said he was King of the Jews. Then I was strong. I said
“I have written what I have written.” I would not change it. I
tried to do one thing right, but I did so many things wrong.
Then they wanted to guard the tomb. I knew that he was safe, so
I told them to do what they needed to do. Through His amazing
grace I was forgiven.”
Prayer: Dear God
who knows all and cares for all of us, help us to be strong
enough to stand up for what we believe even though it may not be
popular. Amen
- Have you ever been
challenged to stand up for your belief when it was not
popular?
- Can the leader of
a country stand on his own personal belief? What if he is
governed by a higher authority in another country?
- What position do
you have that puts you in a place comparable to that of
Pilate?
A
Roman Soldier
“And
the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they
put on him a purple robe,” John 19:2
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“It must be known to all of you that a soldier does what he is
commanded to do, particularly a Roman soldier. I was with
John, who preached about his coming when some of us as
soldiers asked what we should do when people wronged us. He had
told us to do violence to no one, to never falsely accuse
someone, and to be content with our wages.
“I had been hearing a lot about Jesus from many people. And, I
was still unsure as to whether or not I believed what he was
saying. Then one evening, we were called to go to the Garden of
Gethsemane to seek out this man called Jesus. One of Jesus’ own
men had decided to turn him over for thirty pieces of silver.
The high priests and religious leaders were anxious to get him
out of their way because it was near time for the Passover
Feast, and they did not want any trouble with the crowds of
people that would be in town. They felt that Jesus was one that
could cause that trouble. We arrived with lanterns, torches and
swords. Jesus asked whom we had come to see. One of the other
soldiers said Jesus, the Nazarene. Jesus admitted that he was
the one we sought. At this point, I became a believer. Who
would openly and so freely admit that he was the one being
sought for death if he were not? But, what could I do? I was
only one of the soldiers. To admit my belief would have meant
death, and it would not have helped Jesus.
“We
tied him up and delivered him to Annas, father-in-law of
Caiaphas, the Chief Priest. From there we took him to the
Jewish Council and then to Pilate. I did not harm him in any
way. That was about all I could do.
“Pilate asked him if he was the king of the Jews. Christ said
“If you say so.” There was a storm of negative comments, and I
knew that Pilate also had some doubts about Jesus’ being a
criminal. I feel that Pilate thought they had only brought
Jesus to him for spite because they could not control this
gentle man who caused no trouble, but was followed everywhere he
went.
“The crowds would not release Christ. He was whipped, dressed
in a purple robe. They beat him with a club, spit on him, mocked
him and then put a crown of thorns on his head.
“We took Christ to
Goliath to be crucified; he offered no resistance. I stood by
and said nothing. I know I was a coward. One soldier pierced
his side with a sword. Another took his clothes and divided
them up four ways, but his robe was seamless. They decided to
throw dice for it; all this at the foot of the cross where Jesus
who was my Lord and Savior died. I have often wondered what I
could have done differently. I heard him forgive those who had
wronged him. I heard him ask for forgiveness for his enemies.
I heard him say that we didn’t know what we were doing, and I
believed him. I know that he has forgiven me.”
Prayer: Amazing
God who forgives those who sin, those who seek, and those who
don’t realize what they are doing wrong, we know that you will
also forgive us for our sins. Dear Lord, please come into our
lives and guide us today and every day. Amen
-
Are we ever put in a position where our life depends on our
being a true witness for Christ?
-
Are we ever called on to forgive someone who has taken
advantage of us or mistreated us either emotionally or
physically? Do we ever need to forgive someone who tells
lies about us?
The Thief on the
Cross
“And
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me
in paradise.” Luke 23:43 KJV
|
“I had been a
sinner all of my adult life. I had robbed people, rich and
poor. I had taken advantage of people who tried to help me. I
never killed anyone, but I probably would have if they would
have been in my way. I needed their money, I thought. My
language was only used to help myself. I was the only important
person in the world. I had no friends. I had used them all. I
deserved to die.
“As I listened to
Jesus, I thought at first that I could use this man, just as I
had used so many others. He was so mild that I felt a new
feeling inside that I had never felt before. He truly seemed to
love people. I did not know what love meant. I had never loved
anyone except myself.
“There were two of
us, one on each side of him. They had wanted to make him the
prime target because getting rid of him was going to affect many
people. The people in charge of the government were afraid of
him. They misunderstood him.
“During the time
that we were all hanging there together, the other robber
started tormenting him by asking him to save himself and us if
he were really the true Christ. I had begun to believe that he
was the real Christ and I asked the other thief if he did not
fear God because we were all being condemned to death. I
realized from the people that were there and from hearing what
had happened in the high court that this man was indeed
innocent. No one came to try to save the other robber or me.
No one cared what happened to us. We were receiving what we
deserved. But this man was different. People were crying and
praying. They were not violent. The people were heart broken.
No one was breaking my heart, but I had broken the hearts of
many other people by my words and my actions. His were words of
kindness. He was concerned that someone take care of his
mother, and he forgave the people who had put him on the cross
saying that they did not realize what they were doing.
“I realized he
really was the Messiah, the one he said he was. His kingdom was
not of this small world, a much bigger world than any of us
could even imagine in our wildest dreams.
“I asked him to
remember me when he went to his Heavenly Kingdom. He didn’t
even ask my name. Now I know that he knew it because he knows
all of us. I know that he knows the flowers, the hair on our
head. He knows what is in our hearts. We don’t have to tell
him. He already knows. His answer was the sweetest words I
have ever heard. He said, “Today thou shalt be with me in
Paradise.” Through his loving grace he had saved a wretch like
me.”
Dear God, We know
that you alone are sinless. We have all sinned and fallen short
of your glory. But through your love and grace we can be
forgiven as long as we seek to put you first and ask you to help
us. We can overcome anything this earth has to offer, even
death. Help us, dear Lord, to be your servant today, tomorrow,
and always. Amen
- We may not be in
jail, but have we hurt anyone by our words or actions?
- How should we
approach people that we know we have wronged?
- How does the Bible
say we should approach someone after we have hurt them?
- Probably one of
the most common hurts between people is gossip. How can we
help this stop?
- What do we share
in common with the thief on the cross? If nothing else, do we
share his earnest seeking for forgiveness and acceptance by
Christ?
Joseph of
Arimathaea
“And
after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly
for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of
Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of
Jesus.” John 19:38
KJV
|
“I am Joseph of
Arimathaea. Much has been written about me, but I only did what
any one in my position, with my beliefs, would have done.
Before Christ was crucified, I had become a believer in what He
was saying. I did not often openly acknowledge this when I
should have because I, like many others, was afraid for my
life. But after I saw what they were doing to him and how they
treated him, I wanted to help in some way. By that time, the
only way I could help was to offer a new tomb that had been hewn
out of the rock for me.
“I knew Pilate, and
I was a member of the Jewish Council. I was fairly well off,
and I was not afraid to go to him. I felt that he had the same
sympathy that I did for this wonderful man, Jesus. I petitioned
Pilate to let me take the body and bury it in my own grave.
Pilate questioned on how he could have died so soon, but after
he received verification that what I said was true, he gave his
permission.
“Knowing I was old
and did not have much longer to live, I had also purchased a
linen robe in which to be buried. Nicodemus, another man who
believed Jesus was the Christ, came with a mixture of myrrh and
aloes to prepare the body for burial. I wrapped the body of
Jesus in the spices and the linen cloth and took it to my own
tomb. Several of the women who also loved Jesus, including Mary
Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James and Joses,
watched as I sealed the tomb with a large rock that had been cut
from the side of the hill. I knew that they had been followers
of Christ and so did not feel they were intruding. They, like
Nicodemus and myself, mourned his death.
“That was all that
I did. I saw my Lord being mistreated, and was not able to help
in any other way. Much has been written about me.
“Some say I was a
member of the Sanhedrin and had voted for the death of Christ.
Some say I had been imprisoned on Friday because of my beliefs
in Christ and then miraculously escaped from prison to ask for
the body of Christ. Some authorities believe that I took the
Holy Grail, the cup which Christ used at the last supper he had
with his disciples. Some say I took it to England and started
the church there. Whatever, they say; I know that for too long
I was silent. I realized that this man was truly Jesus Christ
our Redeemer and Lord.”
Prayer: Lord
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross and giving your life for
us. Help us to realize that only because of your love for us did
you come and suffer and die for us. Amen
- As Joseph had been
a secret admirer, do we sometimes believe in secret? Why are
we afraid to let others know of our love for Christ?
- Should we use our
influence to spread the Gospel of Christ?
- Does it have to be
a rich person that comes to Christ’s aid?
- How can we help
after his death to let others know of his love?
Mary Magdalene
“Now when Jesus was risen
early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out
of whom he had cast seven devils.”
Mark 16:9 KJV
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“I had been filled
with what they called evil demons; I knew no good. I saw people
throng around this gentle man who was speaking about a new
heaven where all would be right; I wanted to know more. The
more I listened to him, the more I realized that he was telling
the truth. He was really not like anyone else I had ever seen.
And believe me, I knew many people. I had used everyone I could
just as they used me. One day I asked him to cast the evil
spirits out of my body as he had done for others. That day I
knew that he was the Son of God. He was the Messiah, the only
one that could heal me.
“I continued to
follow as many others did. We wanted to hear more. We all
wanted to know as much as possible about this man who was so
wonderful, who told us how we too could become a part of his
Heavenly Kingdom. He healed people; he removed evil spirits.
He made the lame to walk; he made the blind to see.
“When the
authorities seized him and wanted to put him to death, we were
all devastated. There was nothing we could do. He had told the
disciples this would happen. They didn’t understand any more
than the rest of us. He had taught us to be gentle, to forgive,
as he had forgiven us.
“As I stood at the
foot of the cross with the other people who also loved Jesus, I
heard one of the centurions admit that he felt this man was
truly the Son of God, but he also could do nothing to prevent
what was happening. There were many of us there, both men and
women.
“When he died, they
cut the body down. A man named Joseph asked to have Christ’s
body put into his own tomb. He and Nicodemus anointed the body
with the proper oils, put him in linen clothes, and laid him in
a tomb that had been recently hewn from the rock for Joseph. I
along with a couple other women stood off and watched them as
they took care of his body and then sealed the tomb.
“On Sabbath
morning, I, along with the other Mary, went to the tomb. There
was a great earthquake and the stone had rolled away. We were
afraid. As we cried an angel told us not to be afraid. He
told us that Jesus had risen from the dead. What a joy. Then
I heard that familiar voice say “Mary”. The dimness from my
eyes was lifted as I saw our risen Lord standing beside me.
Tears returned to my eyes, but this time they were joyful
tears. Jesus told us to not be afraid and to go and tell his
disciples that he would see them in Galilee. The disciples also
were shy, uncertain and confused when I told them. We had such
great news. None of us would ever be the same again.”
Prayer: Heavenly
Father, you have told us that you are always with us. In times
of loss, we sometimes forget that you are still there. When we
are frightened, we know in our hearts that you are there. Help
us to be strong like Mary Magdalene and the disciples and be
willing to do all that we can to help others know about you by
our actions as well as our words. Amen
- How are we like
Mary Magdalene? How can we be a witness to others?
- Is it right for us
to seek to know the truth even though we may not feel we are
good enough to be in the places where God’s word is taught
because we do not have the right clothes or know the right
people?
- Do we ever turn
others away by treating them like they are not good enough to
be a part of our church?
“No sooner were the words out
of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in
the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, ‘Judas, you
would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’” Luke 22:47 & 48 THE MESSAGE
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Judas
“Why?
Why? Men will ask, and I don’t know the answer, or do I. I had
been with Jesus. I had seen him do miracles. I had been the
one who wanted to help him buy this kingdom he was preaching. I
wanted to be a part of the new life that was going to be better
than anything any of us had ever known. One time when Mary
anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive aromatic oil, I
scolded her for using something so expensive to wash feet. I
said it could have been sold and the money used to feed the
poor, but I knew in my heart that it would bring as much as 300
pieces of silver, and I knew at that time that I was going to
betray this man to the authorities in return for money. Money
seemed to be my prime goal in live. It wasn’t the fault of the
money, it was my over zealous love of money. I thought it held
all the answers. Yes, I sounded as though I was concerned for
the poor, but my only concern was for myself.
“Just a few days later, I had my chance. I knew that we were
all going to meet for dinner. I had told the authorities that I
would make sure there was an appropriate time for them to seize
Jesus. I knew that we often went to pray in the garden, so
putting all these things together, I knew the timing was right.
“As we were
sitting at the dinner, Jesus told us that one of us would betray
him. He knew and yet I still thought I could get away with it.
Jesus said “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I
have dipped it will betray me.” He handed it to me. I knew
that he knew, but I was helpless. My greed was so great. Then
in a very quiet voice he told me to go and do what I had to do
and get it over with. If any of them did hear they would have
thought that I was going to do something like buying food.
They knew I was the treasurer, but everyone trusted me, except
myself.
“I went to the
authorities and led a gang of soldiers and police that had been
sent by the high priests and Pharisees. We all arrived with
lanterns and torches and swords. We didn’t need any of those
things.
“I went to Jesus
and kissed him as I had told the authorities I would do. “Jesus
asked who we were looking for and the authorities said “Jesus
the Nazarene.” Jesus said he was the one and then they bound
him and took him away. I stood out in the crowd as the one that
had betrayed Jesus. I wanted to give the money back, but they
wouldn’t take it. Sometimes we can’t undo what we have done.
We need to think beforehand. I had committed an unpardonable
sin as far as I was concerned. I was through.”
Prayer: Amazing
God. You only ask that we believe in you, and yet sometimes it
is hard. We want to think that we know what is best. We want
to think that we can do it by our self. Help us to know that
with you all things are possible, and that without you, we are
lost. Amen.
1.
Why did Jesus pick Judas as
one of the disciples? Why did he allow him to handle the
money?
2.
We can say that Satan was in
his heart, but do we have to allow Satan into our hearts. Can
we keep him out? How?
3.
Are we ever tempted to be
like Judas?
4.
Did Judas have free will to
make his choice? Do we have free will?
5.
If we do not have free will
are those that have not accepted Christ doomed?
Notes:
These references are given to help continuance of study for a
particular person, and although the verse is given with the
particular reference, the reader will find a need to read some
verses on either side of the reference to put the name into
context. Many books have been written on the people in the
Bible and many sources are quoted every day. Some are
mentioned very briefly, but they had a tremendous impact. I
have tried to just list the Scripture references. Also, since
this is written as monologues, I have taken a few liberties in
their speeches.
Peter: (This is
limited to his reference to the crucifixion) The main references
to Peter and his time when Christ was crucified are found in the
four Gospels. Matthew 26:33-75; Mark 14: 29-72; Luke 11:8-62
and Luke 24:12; and John 18:10-27 and John 20:2-6.
Pilate:
Pilate’s involvement in the crucifixion is chronicled in Matt
27:2-65; Mark 15: 1-44; Luke 23: 1-52; and John 18:29-38 and
John 19:1-38. Paul makes reference to him in Acts 13:28 and I
Timothy 6:13.
A Roman
Soldier: Most information on the part of a Roman soldier in the
crucifixion is based on what has been passed on. It may be true,
it may not be. The only references to the soldiers at the time
of the crucifixion are found in Matthew 8:9, Matthew 27:27;
Matthew 28:12 and in Mark 15:16; Luke 3:4; and Luke 7:8; Luke
23:36, and in John 19:2-34.
The Thief on the
Cross: These references are also scarce. The most information
is found in Luke 23:30-43; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; John 19:28
and John 19:32. However, in John they are not referred to as
thieves, but it does tell about their legs being broken by the
soldiers.
Joseph of
Arimathaea: References to Joseph are found in all four Gospels
Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; and John
19:38-42.
Mary Magdalene:
Mary Magdalene with references to the crucifixion are found in
all four Gospels also. Matthew 27:56-61; Matthew 28:1; Mark
15:40-47; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:10; John 19:25; and John
20:1-18.
Judas:
References to Judas and his part during the crucifixion are
found mainly in Matthew 26:14-47; Matthew 27:3; Mark 3:19; Mark
14:43; Luke 22:3-48; John 13:2-29; and John 18:2-5. |