Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: It’s important to appreciate the significance of this short passage: Jesus’ body was dead and buried. Anything short of death would fuel the conspiracy theorists who suggest that Jesus wasn’t actually dead, that somehow He survived the torture and cross. This is nonsense, of course. The Roman soldiers were good at completing their mission …
Read: The crucifixion of Jesus, the horrible torture to death invented by the Romans, was a public spectacle designed to deter people from breaking laws. It literally made no sense for Jesus, He did nothing to earn execution, except that it was required for our redemption. The gospel writers don’t provide a lot of detail …
Read: Luke provides a detailed account of the official process through which Jesus was tried and convicted. The Jewish leadership form an entourage and invade the courts of Pilate for the first pass. Pilate then passes the buck to Herod who passes it back to Pilate. Ultimately, he succumbs to political pressure from none other …
Continue reading “Luke: Trial by Pilate, Herod, and the People”
In the last post, our focus was on Peter’s denials and his reaction to the realization that what Jesus said previously was not symbolic–it was very real. During these pre-morning scenes, Jesus is aggressively questioned by the high priests who have already decided His fate. It seems the guards pick up the scent as they …
Read: Jesus’ prophecy about Peter’s denial is fulfilled in a handful of verses. The quick succession of events is definitely a one-two-three punch that takes my breath away. I’m reminded of mistakes I’ve made in the past that follow Peter’s pattern of behavior. I think the denial events are briefly covered to document the actions while emphasizing …
Read: The title of this section in most Bibles is something like Jesus Arrested. Luke covers the event in seven verses. Incredibly brief, yet powerfully heavy. I pray that you will turn off all your devices for 3 minutes and read the passage linked above, or have it read to you, whatever it takes to …
Read: Have you ever been exhausted from sorrow? In this passage, Luke provides a brief glimpse into the garden where Jesus often prayed. Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. For Jesus to go out an pray was not unusual. For His disciples to follow Him was …
Read: The second half of the Last Supper narrative in Luke is much more controversial. Jesus starts out by talking about the betrayal that has been planned for some time, then the disciples quibble over designated parking spots followed by Peter’s bold assertion, Jesus’ prediction of his denial, and then some final warnings. Whew! There’s …
Read: The first part of the Last Supper in today’s reading includes preparation for the meal and the serving of the bread and wine. The gospel writers each give us a different perspective on events during this significant evening and there is much to consider. I hope you find some time and space to linger …
Read: Luke describes this disturbing scene with a few words that should stop us in our tracks: Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. What has been going on in the mind of Judas for this seminal moment? What would be that last straw that convinced him that he would give …