Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:1-75, Daniel 7:13-14, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
Some things never get old. My second-grade students love the Get-Out-of-Jail-Free cards they find while playing Monopoly every bit as much as my generation did when we were first introduced to the game. Without it, jail is an unnecessary evil that torments them. It requires them to wait and risk the possibility of losing the entire game. Their agony is especially arduous once they learn there is a card that could help them avoid it all.
I can’t help but think of Jesus when I see that Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card. The Son of Man is the only one who has ever had access to it when we consider our eternal destiny, and He could have pulled it out any time. When Peter struck the Roman soldier’s ear to cut it off, Jesus instructed Peter to put his sword away (Matthew 26:51–52). Furthermore, Jesus told the disciples and all those who had gathered that He could have called on His Father at any point and been provided with twelve legions (72,000) of angels. Jesus had a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card but resisted the urge to use it for our advantage.
Pointing out that He had sat in the temple day after day without being seized, Jesus surrendered His power and His privilege so that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled (vv.55–56).
Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man—a title from Daniel 7:13–14. There, Daniel prophesied that the Ancient of Days had given the Son of Man everlasting dominion that would be impossible to destroy. However, none of the Pharisees, scribes, or rulers understood what it truly meant (1 Corinthians 2:8). They expected their Savior to wield His power by exercising force and exacting revenge on their enemies. They did not expect Him to forfeit His power so that He could restore all people to relationship with the Father. Knowing He had a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card, our great God chose to ignore the opportunity to utilize it, and it was good.
As people, we have a limited capacity to understand what God calls good and what He chooses to use for His glory and ours. At the time, God’s people thought the best thing He could do for them was rescue them from Roman rule and the persecution that accompanied it. They rejected Christ’s claims when He appeared before the Sanhedrin. Crying, “Blasphemy!” they could not understand how Jesus’s claims could be good. Thankfully, God never confuses those things that will bring greater glory for what we call good.
Good in God’s kingdom often means surrendering our power, our privilege, and even our prayers to access the presence of God, just like the Son of Man modeled before us.
May we all follow the way the Son of Man, our Savior, submitted to for us.
Written by Liv Dooley
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35 thoughts on "Jesus Is Arrested"
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I always think of this old hymn on Good Friday. Blessings to all of you.
Where You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nail’d him to the cross? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they nail’d him to the cross?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they nail’d him to the cross?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?)
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Thank you for the cross, Lord!
Inspired by your fasting Mercy. May we spend this time focusing on what our Lord endured for our benefit. ❤️
Happy Good Friday shes,
“Good in God’s kingdom often means surrendering our power, our privilege”. I really love this. I remember watching Andrew Wommack (my beloved teacher in the Word of God) and he stared into the TV screen, and asked “have you surrendered ALL your rights to God?”. I laughed at the way Andrew did it, I just loved it. Being a Christian is a continual surrendering process, not my will but your will be done. The Good Friday service at our church today was so touching for me. I was in awe of the hymns that were sung. They sang the same ones last year too, and I fell in love. There is something so charming about old hymns. I don’t know most of the hymns shared today, but I know the one KELLY (NEO) shared, it was a beautiful one. Thanks Kelly, that brought back some sweet memories.
——-
DAY 2 FASTING:
True fasting: “SHOUT IT ALOUD, DO NOT HOLD BACK.” Isaiah 58:1
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, Is it not to share your food with the hungry, and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
Prayers: Lord, we thank you that Your Word is true. Give us grace to share our resources with the hungry, the homeless, the naked, and our family members. Help us to look outward and not inward for our needs only, but be open and helpful to the many needs around us. Bless the seed of our tithing and multiply it for the glory of Your Name. Let healing quickly appear (for… list names of people you seek healing for during the fast). Let Your glory be our rear guard, where we cannot see, in areas of blind spots and our true vulnerability, let your great glory guard us against any potential betrayals and attacks of the enemies. Cancel those betrayals and attacks on our behalf. Break the yoke of evil and injustice in our families, our workplaces, our communities and nations. Take up your sword and strike down our enemies. We invite you to fight our battles and scatter all enemies.
“Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.”
Psalm 35:1-2
Father, take up your weapons and rise up against every enemies of myself, my families, my future generations. Strike down the enemies of suicide, sickness, mental illness, strife, discord, spiritual blindness and laziness, complacency… (list out the issues that have been oppressing you, your kids, husband, loved ones, etc). Let my family be set free, and let our future generations be set free from the schemes of demonic entities and wicked people. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
(behind the scene notes: fasting is the affliction of the soul guys. It is not pleasant. Some issues are coming up, as they are designed to come up. But prayers do wonders, and I thank God for His grace. Because the grace of God when our strength comes to an end is just amazing, powerful and tangible. I encourage you to document your fast when you fast, write down symptoms of health issues the Lord is revealing to you that need treatment. Write down prayers and requests in notebook/ journals with date, to look back and expect His answers. My husband sadly could not go through with the fast. He was attacked by a wicked back pain -while shoveling snow of all things- that shot pain down one leg, chiropractor adjustment made it worse, the pain was angered, and he had to be on pain killer and need food to take with the medicine, would appreciate your prayers for his recovery).
Lifting up your requests of our dear she’s to God during my fast.
I am very encouraged by Esther, as she called for a fast, a small group of people fasted and prayed, and the nation, a larger collective group got delivered and benefited.
May we be the Esther’s of our days to bring deliverance to our nations through fasting and prayers.
Perhaps we are called for a time like this.
Be blessed dear sisters.
What a great reminder on Good Friday. Praying for you all today.
❤
Today the weather(gloomy and cold) makes me think of how it must of looked like on GOOD FRIDAY when Jesus was crucified. As a mom, I feel sad that He cried out to God in agony, and yet HE obeyed the Father and here we are. It is a Good Friday! I’m off today and taking my time to read through all your comments. LOVE you ALL SO much! I’m so grateful for our community here!
♥️
Good Friday always breaks me. It is a day that has always broken me, even when I was a child. I think this it is because our Hispanic culture pays great attention to remembering the significance and solemnity of this day, including actual processions reenacting the passion of Christ. So there was always an outward expression of the heartbreaking nature of this day.
And while there is an incredibly heartbreaking aspect of the day, it is a day full of thanksgiving. THANK YOU, GOD. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son, Jesus, to atone for our transgressions. He was the only one who could do it— completely perfect and unblemished.
WE ARE NOT ENOUGH– that is the main point of Good Friday. We are not but Jesus was, in his perfect humanity and perfect divinity.
Today I keep thinking of Advent, and the journey that started nine months prior when the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, God’s chosen one to carry His Son. A little baby with the collective debt of the world— past, current and future— on his shoulders. And on Sunday, when we celebrate His Resurrection, it is like a second Advent, and with it we get to be part of the body of Christ.
✝️ That is the Good in God Friday— it is the fulfillment of the Gospel. The Good News.” ✝️
Thank you for your grace, mercy and forgiveness. We do not deserve it, but you love us so much, that you gave it to us, at the highest price ever paid in human history. Because of your Son’s sacrifice, the veil separating us from you, Lord, tore and made it possible for us to now commune with you directly, and be known as people of God. A million thank yous will never be enough. THANK YOU, God. Because of this immense sacrifice, we are yours and nothing will ever change that.
I did not want to get out of bed this morning, knowing that today is very sad, but also very “good”. I appreciated your comment, KELLY (NEO), “ May I encourage you to stay in the day. Don’t be too quick to rush into Sunday, instead sit with Jesus in His suffering.” We know how the story ends, and we all like happy endings. But, I agree, stay here today, sweet sisters.
I am always so sad for Peter and Judas also. I often think, “Oh, Peter.” And thank you, MICHELLE PATIRE, for the connection to Psalm 41 and Judas/the bowl. I often think how I wouldn’t want to dip my hand in the bowl, after Jesus told us who it is that would betray Him. (Could you even imagine?) Is it I, Lord? He would have to answer me, “Ummm… yes.” So, unfortunately, I have a some Peter and some Judas in me.
Sorrow and love meet… thank you, TINA.
Thank you for the reminder, MEME FAYE. I had forgotten to sign up for the “Finished” texts.
Be blessed on this sad, sad day. His death was because of us and also for us.
Amen. I have been listening to older Easter music like Via Dolorosa and remembering All He did for us…it’s amazing. He is so good! I can’t wait to celebrate this weekend with my family, church family, friends! I pray we all see.Jesus truly and those that don’t know Him.will be drawn to Him this weekend!
God is good to us!!!!
Something interesting that my study Bible pointed out today was in verse 25. It mentioned that the disciples at the table that evening were referring to Jesus as “Lord” and Judas referred to him as “Rabbi”. It went on to say that there is not a written account of Judas ever calling Jesus “Lord”.
Good Friday is heavy. I sit here with tears and heartache. I don’t deserve the love that Christ showed and continues to show us. BUT I am so thankful for that cross. So thankful for His love. Let me bow to the cross. Heal me Lord. Break my bad habits. Let me remember the CROSS and Your Love every single day. To keep my eyes up!
Thankful that we know the full story. Sunday is coming!
Even though Jesus knew He must drink of the cup of suffering, He asked Peter, James and John to pray with Him — but they were tired and fell asleep. It’s 8:56 a.m., I’m up since 5:30 and I had a good nights sleep. But still, I find myself very tired and it’s been hard to keep my eyes open as I do this study this morning…what if it were me that Jesus asked to “keep watch” and pray? At this very crucial hour would I have? Or would I have fallen asleep just like the disciples. Probably the later. It stood out to me that 3 x’s Jesus prayed that the cup be taken away and it was also 3x’s that Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away his thorn in the flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) And to both, God said no. Why? Because it was needful, and God’s grace is sufficient. I am so thankful that Jesus was obedient to the Father and drank the cup of suffering, to pay the price for my sin. It was so painful for Jesus and so needful for us. Thank you Jesus for your shed blood that washed me white.
May we be mindful throughout our day of the greatest sacrifice ever made.
Y’all, KLove has a video series posted on their website called “Finshed”, a soliloquy in 4 parts about the 4 days of Easter, starting with the Garden of Gethsemane… i am not tech savvy enough to post a link, but check it out… it is very moving!
It’s Friday, But Sunday’s coming!
Hallelujah!
Oh man…I had written out all my thoughts and it got erased by hitting the wrong keys :(
boo..I don’t want to write all out again.
But Tina’s comment said it all for me. Everything about our faith is because of the CROSS! What Jesus came for and did for us- before there was no hope, and now we have a living hope! (Living Hope by Phil Wickham is good) Friday was sorrow, but Sunday’s coming. It’s what we live by and preach and give the good news.
Thank you Tina, I sang quietly as I read your comment. It is a powerful hymn. I wonder why today’s reading wasn’t yesterday and tomorrow’s today? Thank you Jesus for the cross and your blood that washed me clean.
Amen❤️
Just popping in quickly to say a blessed Good Friday to y’all and thank you
SEARCHING
JULIA C.
and any others praying for my family member. Improving daily, but pretty long recovery ahead with close attention at all times. It’s been a very stressful week! ❤
Hopefully I can read through comments tonight.I know there will be lots of good stuff! Praying for each of you! ❤
Amen Michelle
Time and reflection of the cross, of my Jesus and His humility and sacrifice on this Good Friday! We can never know the fullness of what He did; what He gave! But what a gift! What a free gift to anyone who admits, believes and confesses that He is Lord! May my life point to the cross! Forgive me Lord for my passive walk. For You are all that matters and You are are the only One who deserves my praise! Lifting our She’s in prayer as the Lord knows your needs. Sunday’s Coming!!!!
Reading all of your insights and thoughts this morning (Tina, Kristina, Searching, Esthera, Kelly Neo) added additional layers and understandings to my devotion time this morning – thank you for your sharing. Peace and love to all this very Good Friday ❤️
When the disciples were together in the upper room, eating the Passover, Jesus says in verse 23 that, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray me.” It is a mirror of Psalm 41:9 NKJV, “Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted his heal against me.”
Jesus seems to be making room for Judas to repent. It is interesting that in Matthew 26:50, Jesus calls him “friend” when He is being betrayed.
The story of Judas always hurts to read. We read in Matthew 26:24, it would have been better if he wasn’t born. That is a heavy statement.
Lord God, help us love people, like You loved Judas. It is hard to love those are not willing to hear or see you, though You spent much time pouring into them (Judas). Lord God, help us be patient and kind, respectful and honest. You did not hide the truth. You gave Judas room to repent. I pray and thank you Jesus that you died for Judas and every person who lived and breathed. We love you, Jesus. Thank you! Amen. ❤️
Proud of you @Taylor – your waiting is God’s best for you. He loves you so much!! ❤️
@Julia C ❤️
@Mercy ❤️
God bless you, Shes. ❤️
What a sacrifice, what a Savior! Thank you, Jesus! As a child said to me last Easter, “we never even deserved a love like that.” From the mouths of babes …
Tears this morning as I read the devo, thinking about Christ’s choice to die a painful death for me, for you – so that we would have the option to choose eternal life with Him, or to reject or ridicule that option and Him. No, we never even deserved a love like that.
TINA ❤️ and KELLY (NEO) – amen and amen and amen. Thank you, sisters.
CEE GEE ❤️ praying for your family member
MERCY ❤️
RHONDA J ❤️
JULIA C – good to see you
SHARON JERSEY GIRL- congrats!
GRAMSIESUE- praying for Mari & baby, and for Steve’s continued recovery. Thankful to hear of his progress.
KIM BUTTONBERRY – praying for husband’s continued recovery. And for you on Saturday, and that your friend’s family would come to know the Lord
TAYLOR – so proud of you! What a wise young woman, to recognize that people are (typically) showing you their best during the dating phase, hoping to make a good impression – and realizing that this relationship was not God’s best for you.
Amen
The words in Matthew somehow fail to fully portray the utter chaos that must have been happening. The confusion and betrayal. The accusations and physical violence and sham of a trial. The desperation as Peter waited for news, the devastation as he realized he had betrayed his Rabbi. And then the tender moments – the anointing of feet, Jesus’s quiet sigh when he realizes his friends have fallen asleep again. How amazing would it have been if those legions of angels have showed up! And yet we know why Jesus didn’t call for the reinforcements. Everything- every lesson, every parable, every miracle – had been hurtling towards this one night. Amazing grace.
Oh, Tina, so, so true.
From the song, “Via Dolorosa”
Down the Via Dolorosa in
Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the
narrow street
But the crowd pressed into see
A man condemned to die on
Calvary.
He was bleeding from a beating –
there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown upon his
head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those of those of
those who cried out for his
death.
Down the Via Dolorosa called the
way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah
Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road
out of His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa all the
way to Calvary.
The blood that would cleanse the
souls of all men
Made its way through the heart of
Jerusalem.
Down the Via Dolorosa called the
way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah,
Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road
out of his love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the
way to Calvary.
GRAMSIESUE – praying for a safe delivery for Madi and the baby.
May I encourage you to stay in the day. Don’t be too quick to rush into Sunday, instead sit with Jesus in His suffering.
Shalom
“As people, we have a limited capacity to understand what God calls good and what He chooses to use for His glory and ours.” – the miracle, the grace, the goodness of Good Friday
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Looking for the words to the hymn, that causes my heart to hurt each time I hear it, I found these words I had written some years ago..
There are many hymns that floor me, but this one..
When I survey the wondrous cross, has me fall to My knees..
I have come to believe that everything, EVERYTHING, begins and ends at the cross. The Wondrous Cross. We come to the Cross realizing
We repent at the Cross, and know forgiveness.
We hand over our burdens at the Cross, and we are lightened.
We find love, amazing, pure and true at the Cross.
We praise, at the Cross.
We live and have a tomorrow because of the Cross.
We have Salvation, Redemption, Eternity.. because of the Cross..
And because of the Cross we have hope, everlasting HOPE..
When I Tina, survey the wondrous Cross, I am thankful, thankful that my Lord Jesus loved(loves) me, this much( outstretched arms), and more, much more than I can ever imagine in this lifetime, that He died for me, for us, my family, your family, my friends… My enemies.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Every bit of Jesus was struck, hurt, and bled, broken for me, my sins past, have and continue to do..
BUT GOD,
KNOWING THAT, oh God, still knowing that..
As tears roll down my face, all I can say is this hymn, the words truly hit home, right to the core of my soul, what the Cross means to me. What Jesus gave.. for me..
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that would STILL be a gift too small,
Love so so amazing, so divine, RIGHTLY DEMANDS my soul, my life, my all..
And even then..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.
Lifting you all in prayers as we realise the magnitude of His love for us.
Much love to all.❤
❤️
@Tina, love the words God has given you to share! This hymn is also one of my favorites, leading to,”Up from the grave He Arose”…
Amen