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Facing Our Betrayer
Have you ever been deeply let down by someone in your life? Ever felt betrayed and experienced the pain of that? It’s as near a physical pain as any I think we could endure. There’s something to our connection with fellow human beings that sort of gives us a sense of completion…and when that gets severed, the fallout can sometimes be crippling.
Jesus was no stranger to betrayal. Neither is God for that matter; one only has to think back to the Garden of Eden and a tree God’s precious image bearers were not to eat from.
We’re going to read Luke 22:47-53 this Sunday.
We know he anticipated it, but how do you think Jesus felt when he saw Judas’ face with all the people who had come to arrest him? You can tell by their reaction how the disciples felt. Suddenly there is shouting and screaming and an ear spinning through the night air.
The disciples were ready for defense…but what was Jesus’ reaction to that? How does that square with your normal reaction to being betrayed or mistreated?
In contrast to lashing out to do harm….what action did Jesus do, and to whom? Do you think this becomes an example for us – why or why not? How difficult is it for you to follow this lead? Are there ways you’ve learned to be forgiving and do good to those who abuse you? If so, share them with us.
This should be a good topic to consider Sunday morning…and then discuss at a home group later on!
Home group leaders – here’s your guide for this week! leaders guide 22-47-53
No Privatized Faith
Did you grow up in a family with siblings? Did you ever disagree on anything with your brothers or sisters? Ever get into an all-out brawl over anything? If you were part of a family with siblings, and you answered no on any of the other questions, you are A) in total denial and unable to process reality correctly; or B) an alien for whom Scully and Mulder have been searching in vain for these two score years.
Point is…families fight. They just do. The Christian church is oft described as the family of God…and we shouldn’t be surprised that as God’s family, we fight too! Jesus is going to give us some instruction concerning this, in a series of sayings that require us to engage in some serious self-inspection.
We’ll be reading Luke 17:1-10 this Sunday (Father’s Day…happy happy! – then it’s off to the beach for Surf N Grill!!!!)
It’s my consideration that v1-2 are a transition, where Jesus is still talking about the bad behavior and attitudes of the Pharisees. We aren’t told to judge them back…but that’s not to say that judgement is non-existent. With eternity in view…what should we feel for those who try to put a stumbling block in our path of faith?
V3-4 change the focus to US. How are WE supposed to deal with offenses within our community of faith? Sluff things off, tell white lies that “nothing’s wrong”….or what does Jesus instruct?
If someone wrongs us, we’re commanded to forgive. Not just once…but open-endedly. How does that work for you?
By v5-10, the disciples are in a panic because this seems like impossible stuff to live out. They need more faith…they really want superpowers to accomplish this change in reaction. But Jesus doesn’t seem to indicate that more faith is the answer. What DOES Jesus indicate as the key to living out this forgiving love in real life?
Should be an interesting read this Sunday…hope to see you there!
