Holy Week II
(The Plot Thickens)


“But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen and to stand before the Son of Man. So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives. And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. They were delighted and arranged to give him money. So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.”
(Luke 21:36-22:6 NET)

All the while Jesus is preparing for His last days on earth; the plot thickens in Jerusalem as Satan is preparing his part as well. As Jesus sits with His friends, about to share His last Passover meal on this earth, the devil is busy seeking players for his scheme. He seeks out Judas and the religious rulers to use for his trickery. His plan is to have Jesus arrested in the dark while no one can witness it; working in darkness and planning to ruin God’s plans. Has the enemy ever changed? Working on the troubled Judas and power hungry Jewish leaders, Satan identifies those who the public would never suspect: a friend and church leaders! We can never be too comfortable! He is still lying, deceiving, and working under the cover of darkness today.

Is Jesus worried? Is He unsuspecting? Does He run and hide? Does He give instruction to stop witnessing or be tolerant? No! He gives us a wonderful example of how to persevere through anticipated and actual threats.

“Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself. Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him,
‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’”
(John 13:3-6)

It’s as if Jesus was saying, “I know things look bleak right now, but it’s time to gird ourselves and get busy serving one another and others.” As is the case with Jesus, He set the example. Of course, Peter thought this was embarrassing for the Savior to do this. Jesus reminded Him and us today (John 13:8-11), that we all need to be washed completely by the Savior, by His blood, to be cleansed from head to toe, inside and out, for today and for all eternity!

None of us are above serving another. Our motive is to please God, do His will, and not to draw attention to our work. Even the disciples struggled with popularity and position, but as Christ showed through submission to the Father’s will; even going to the cross, they saw and understood the role of a servant and the value and power of sacrificial love. It starts with a personal commitment to Christ.

So be encouraged! Things will get tough as we commit to follow His ways. THE PLOT THICKENS the more we commit to Christ’s plan for us. As Satan bears down and pressures us, perhaps causing doubt to sneak in, hold fast! If you don’t believe Jesus is capable or willing to lead your life, ask God where that uncertainty comes from, and ask Him to help you believe.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
(Mark 9:24 NKJV).

We must stay focused on the finish line. We must keep our focus on Christ and others. We must keep one another encouraged. It’s not over until we hear “It is finished…well done…welcome home good and faithful servant!” All we need to do is look around and find God at work. There is always work to be done and people to serve. Let’s gird up our belts, get down on our knees and at the people’s level of need and serve! We must stay alert!!!!