Christ Cares for His Disciples
With attention to details, Luke
provides a full account of the
arrest, trial and crucifixion of
the Son of Man. He describes the
plot of Judas, the warm fellowship
of the Last Supper, the mental
anguish at Gethsemane, the tragic
denial by Peter, the miscarriage
of justice at the trials & the brutal
agony of the Roman execution.
But the dark days in Jerusalem
give way to the brilliant dawning
of that first Easter morning when
angels announce: He’s risen.
Lord, help Strengthen our Faith:
Then Jesus & the 12 apostles sat
together at the table. Jesus said:
I have looked forward to this hour
with deep longing, anxious to eat
this Passover meal with You before
my suffering begins (Lk 22:14-15)
And the Lord said: Simon Simon!
Indeed Satan has asked for you,
that he may sift you as wheat,
But I have prayed for you that your
faith may not fail. And when you
have turned back, strengthen
your brothers (Luke 22:31-32).
(Jesus prayed): Father if you
are willing, please take this cup
of suffering away from me.
Yet I want your will, not mine.
Then an angel strengthened him.
He prayed more fervently & he
was in such agony of spirit that
His sweat fell to the ground like
great drops of blood (L22:41-44).
Lord, You have done so much
for us; yet sometimes we think
we have nothing to offer You.
The thought that You long for my
friendship is quite overwhelming
for You have given so much and
I have given so little. I love to be
in your presence. I rejoice that
You want to be with me. Help me
to devote a portion of each day
to communion with You. Amen.
Lord, I pray my faith will not
fail when I am put to the test.
Help me to resist doubt and fear
so that my foundation will be
built solidly in Christ & therefore
will not crumble. Enable me to
be a person who strengthens
the faith of others because my
faith in You is so strong. Amen.
Lord Jesus,Thank you for following
Father’s wishes that night at
Gethsemane. Sometimes we need
to be reminded that we share in
your suffering just as we share in
your joy. Realise the road U choose
for me will not always be easy.
Help me to remember that to love
you is to obey you. And help me
to choose the Father’s will in my
life as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.