TO READ: John 18:1-27

A Man Called Peter

But Jesus said to Peter, aPut your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?a John 18:11

You have to tip your cap to Simon Peter. Standing in a secluded olive grove in the middle of the night, he was suddenly confronted by athe leading priests and Pharisees . . . a battalion of Roman soldiers and Temple guards . . . with blazing torches, lanterns, and weaponsa (John 18:3). They had come for Jesus. Undaunted, Peter stepped forward and pulled out his sword. Remember, he was facing a battalion of tough, trained, and armed Roman soldiers. Undeterred by the impossible odds stacked against him, Peter took a swing at the nearest targeta"an unfortunate servant named Malchus, whose ear he promptly severed. Before he had time to turn his attention to anyone else, and before the startled guard could react, Jesus said, aPut your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?a (18:11).

Peter had an abundance of raw male courage but a marked lack of spiritual insight. On a scale of 1 to 10, Peter registered a ringing 10 in what pa.s.ses for real masculinity. No one was going to intimidate him, and no one was going to harm his friend. Sadly, though, he registered a 0 for spiritual insight in this instance.

Peter had been told repeatedly that Jesus would suffer. Only a little while earlier, he had eaten a farewell supper with Jesus during which the Master had carefully explained that he was about to be betrayed (14:18-30). In fact, Jesus had identified the betrayer, Judas Iscariot (13:26). Jesus had also told Peter, aIn just a little while I will be gone, and you wonat see me anymore. Then, just a little while after that, you will see me againa (16:16). But none of this apparently registered. Peter was more at home swinging a sword against overwhelming odds than unraveling the mysteries of spiritual truth. In our day men say, aNo guts, no glory.a Peter showed the guts but missed the glory.

Things didnat improve, either. As Jesus was led away, Peter afollowed along behinda and found himself in the courtyard of the high priestas house, standing by a fire (18:15-19.) When challenged about his a.s.sociation with the prisoner, he denied ita"three times. The man who had faced down a Roman battalion could not stand up to onlookersa questions.

Like many a man, Peteras courage was spotty. He would take a swing at anyone, but taking a stand was more problematic. Sometimes the challenge for the Christian is more in demonstrating moral and spiritual courage than in braving and fighting a physical confrontation.

May 27

TO READ: John 19:28-42

Secret Disciples

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take Jesusa body down. When Pilate gave him permission, he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes.

John 19:38-39

Itas amazing how different men will react to the same situation in totally different ways. For instance, put two men in prison for the same crime. One is deeply remorseful and serves his sentence as a model prisoner and, after his release, lives an exemplary life. The other man becomes hardened, embittered, spends his time in jail perfecting his criminal skills, and, when released, embarks on even more vicious criminal acts.

As soon as it became clear that their leader was being crucified, Peter and other high profile disciples of Jesus went into hiding. Fear and despair gripped them; self-preservation and survival dominated their thinking. They had publicly a.s.sociated with Jesus for over three years, but now out of fear they disowned him. Meanwhile, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus the Pharisee moved in the opposite direction. Previously in hiding as far as their commitment to Jesus was concerned, they came forward at last after Jesus was so egregiously mistreated.

Nicodemus is carefully identified as athe man who had come to Jesus at nighta (John 19:39). When he went to Jesus (John 3), he had apparently been intrigued by Jesus and desirous of knowing more. But he had difficulty understanding, or accepting, what Jesus told hima"namely, that aunless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of G.o.da (3:3). We donat know if Nicodemus made a definite response to Jesusa message at that time, but we do know that he subsequently took a bold stand in challenging the attempts to arrest Jesus being carried out by the ruling Council, of which Nicodemus was a member (7:50). We have every reason to believe that, by the time Jesus was put to death, Nicodemus was one of his disciples.

Joseph of Arimathea, also a member of the ruling Council, had been awaiting for the Kingdom of G.o.d to comea (Luke 23:51). In fact, he ahad been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders)a (19:38). Yet by the time of Jesusa death, he, too, was willing to take a standa"he refused to go along with athe decisions and actions of the other religious leadersa (Luke 23:51).

We know that the ruling Councilas hostility against Jesus was fierce and unrelenting and that their power was far-reaching. Anyone who publicly identified with Jesus was in danger of being excommunicated from the synagogue, and thus from Jewish social lifea"a punishment that few people were prepared to face. Councilmen Nicodemus and Joseph had even more to losea"their position on the Councila"by an open stand for Jesus. Not to mention the possibility of being put to death along with Jesus! This accounts for Joseph being a asecret disciple.a At what point these two men of conviction and character came to the point of commitment to Jesus we are not told. It is quite possible that Nicodemus and Joseph had discussed Jesusa startling teaching about the necessity of the new birth as the only entrance to the kingdom. There is evidence that Nicodemus and Joseph gradually came to recognize that their covert belief needed to be expressed in overt action. The dreadful events of Jesusa execution gave them that chance. They took it!

There comes a time when fear must be vanquished by love and trepidation overcome by conviction. Nicodemus and Joseph showed how, while sadly Peter and his friends failed to show up.

May 28

TO READ: Psalm 57

Waken the Dawn

My heart is confident in you, O G.o.d; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my soul! Wake up, O harp and lyre! I will waken the dawn with my song.

Psalm 57:7-8

After a long, lonely night in a dark, dank cave, nothing lifts the spirits more than the dawning of a new day. Darkness gives way to light, and the sun peers over the horizon, then bursts into blinding sight. Birds strike up their dawn chorus, rejoicing in a new day and a fresh start. Beauty, warmth, brightness, and hope banish the fear and uncertainty of the dark night.

Such an experience inspired David to write this psalm (Ps. 57:t.i.tLE). Davidas enemy, Saul, and three thousand special troops (see 1 Sam. 24:2) were hunting David like afierce lions who greedily devour human preya (Ps. 57:4). In the dim recesses of the cave, David had found cold and comfortless shelter, yet he greeted the dawn with a song (57:8). As he told the Lord, he had learned from long and bitter experience in similar circ.u.mstances to ahide beneath the shadow of [G.o.das] wings until this violent storm is pa.s.seda (57:1).

When all seemed lost, David focused on aG.o.d who will fulfill his purpose for mea (57:2). When Saulas treachery and insane jealousy made Davidas life one long night of misery, the fugitive psalmist reminded himself, aMy G.o.d will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulnessa (57:3). And when David considered his precarious situation, he stated, aMy heart is confident in you, O G.o.d; no wonder I can sing your praises!a (57:7).

A thousand years after this psalm was written, Davidas greatest descendant lay in a dark, dank cavea"a tomb, in fact. Jesus had been surrounded by alionsa who had roared for his destruction, whose bitter lies and wicked accusations had torn into his soul alike spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swordsa (Ps. 57:4). Jesus had suffered the aviolent storma of crucifixion until finally, confidently, he cried out, aFather I entrust my spirit into your handsa (Luke 23:46).

The lions thought they had succeeded in adevouringa Jesusa human flesh. They had succeeded in killing him. But on the Sunday morning after the dark weekend, aas the new day was dawninga (Matt. 28:1), there was a great earthquake, the stone guarding the tomb rolled away, and Jesus rose again from the dead. From that day to this, Davidas prayera"aMay your glory shine over all the eartha (Ps. 57:5, 11)a"has been gloriously fulfilled. When Jesus rose again, he banished the darkness of death and flooded our future with the light of hope.

The man who sits shivering in his cave should greet each dawn with a song and a prayera"a song of praise and a prayer that, during this day, the Lord will be aexalted above the highest heavensa (57:5, 11).

May 29

TO READ: Luke 24:1-12

No Nonsense

The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others. They told the apostles what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didnat believe it.

Luke 24:10-11

Gladys Aylward was a diminutive servant girl, poorly educated and lacking any marketable skills apart from the ability to do menial work. But she believed G.o.d had called her to be a missionary to China. So she made application to a mission board that was looking for potential recruits, was interviewed, and was summarily rejected. The august body who considered her and dismissed her made little attempt to hide their amazement that such an unsuitable young woman should think for a moment that they would be interested in sending her to China as a representative of Christ! Unperturbed, Gladys purchased a train ticket across Russia and Siberia, and after enough adventures to fill a travelogue, she finally arrived in China and embarked on a singularly effective missionary career characterized by untiring service and unbounded courage. The board may have dismissed her, but she was right about her calling!

aMary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several othersa (Luke 24:10) would have understood Miss Aylwardas experience with the mission board. They, too, stood before an august body, the apostles, and reported what they had seen and been told. They had been to the tomb of Jesus that morning, wondering how they would be able to move the stone guarding the entrance. On arrival, they discovered the stone already moved aside, the tomb empty, and the body gone. Deeply puzzled and distressed, the women were startled by angels, who asked them, aWhy are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?a (24:5). The angels reminded them that Jesus had repeatedly predicted that he would rise again from the dead, and they informed the women that that was precisely what had taken place.

The women understandably rushed back to atell his eleven disciplesa"and everybody elsea"what had happeneda (24:9), only to be unceremoniously rebuffed! To the apostles, their astory sounded like nonsense, so they didnat believe ita (24:11). Never mind that the disciples who had fled the scene were hardly in a position to criticize the women who had shown considerable courage and concern. But the women were right!

There is great danger in dismissing as nonsense what we do not understand. And there is great arrogance in dismissing as irrelevant the sincere testimony of a brother or a sister whose experience differs from our own. It is too easy to dismiss what we will not take the trouble to discover.

Peter, however, quietly slipped out of the room and ran to the tomb to see for himself. Good thing he did, for in seeing the empty tomb he began to rethink his position and, ultimately, he met the risen Lord (24:34).

As Peter discovered, it makes no sense to dismiss as nonsense what doesnat at first make sense. Instead, it makes sense to listen to what others say and see how it could make sense. Thatas common sense!

May 30

TO READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13a"5:11

After You Die

For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, G.o.d will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

There was a man who started exercising regularly when he was in his twenties, stopped smoking in his thirties, regulated his weight in his forties, and died anyway before he was fifty. So goes the tale told by men who donat like to exercise, donat want to stop smoking, and refuse to watch their weight. These men are ignoring well-doc.u.mented evidence that disciplined living can add to the length of a manas days. But they are right that, whatever precautions are taken, men ultimately adie anywaya!

Given the inevitability of death, it is surprising that men, who normally plan their lives carefully, pay scant attention to their dying and what lies beyond it. Many of them settle for vague hopes or lame jokes regarding the subject. But that is not wise. Men who major on five-, ten-, and fifteen-year plans as a matter of course should not neglect an infinite-year plana"as a matter of prudence.

Apparently, the Christians in Thessalonica were not ignoring the issue of death. In the church in that city, there was a great deal of consternation about death and what lies beyond it. So Paul pa.s.sed on to them some information he had received adirectly from the Lorda (1 Thess. 4:15). With Christas resurrection as his starting point, Paul told them, aSince we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, G.o.d will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have dieda (4:14). Contained in this statement are several powerful truths. One, Jesus rose from the dead. Two, he will return in great glory. Three, Christians go to be with Christ when they die. Four, when Christ returns he will bring with him those have gone to be with him.

These truths are intended to help those who mourn the loss of loved ones, so that they will avoid being afull of sorrow like people who have no hopea (4:13). It is natural for bereaved people to be anxious about their loved ones. Paul a.s.sured the Thessalonians that when the Lord returns awith a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of G.o.da (4:16), he will come with the believers who have died, and he will be coming for the believers who are still alive on earth. Then they will have a grand reunion with Christ and with each other.

The result of this teaching? aSo comfort and encourage each other with these wordsa (4:18). But remember, this is for those who prepare for eternity.

May 31

TO READ: 1 Timothy 6:11-21

The Art of Living

But you, Timothy, belong to G.o.d; so run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a G.o.dly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that G.o.d has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:11-12

Dr. Samuel Johnson, a renowned eighteenth-century writer and witty conversationalist, spent more than eight years working on a dictionary of the English language that, when completed, included definitions and examples of forty thousand words. This son of a bookseller had a lifelong love affair with books and words, and chief among his books were the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. At the end of his life, Johnson stated that the whole point of books is to teach the art of living. So perhaps it would be more accurate to say he had a lifelong love affair with learning the art of living.

Johnson insisted, aWhat is new is opposed, because most are unwilling to be taught; and what is known is rejected, because it is not sufficiently considered that men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.a23 While the search for new knowledge is commendable and important, the application of old knowledge is often more fruitful.

No doubt Johnson would have approved of Paulas reminders to Timothy, which were designed to a.s.sist the young man in the art of living. First and foremost, Timothy needed to be reminded, aYou belong to G.o.d.a To understand this is to grasp four points. First, if you belong to G.o.d you canat belong to yourselfa"you have handed over the control of your life to your Creator and Redeemer. Second, the concerns of your life are more G.o.das concerns than yours. Third, belonging to G.o.d inevitably and obviously leads to the need to arun from . . . evil things, and follow what is right and good.a Fourth, this need to run from evil in turn requires a disciplined approach to aa G.o.dly lifea made up of afaith, love, perseverance, and gentlenessa (1 Tim. 6:11).

Second, Timothy also needed to be reminded that living as a believer in an unbelieving environment would be a struggle, particularly as he went about fulfilling his calling to spread the Good News of the gospel. Paul called the struggle a afight,a but it was a agood fighta (6:12) in which Timothy was expected to partic.i.p.ate.

Third, Timothy was reminded that he must never loosen his hold on athe eternal life that G.o.d has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnessesa (6:12). Having previously professed faith in Christ and having solemnly testified about salvation that would lead to life eternal, Timothy must never forget that he had received new life, nor that he had taken a moral and spiritual stand for Christ.

No doubt there were many things for Timothy to learn that were new, but Paul decided that he needed to be reminded of the old things more! The apostle knew that constant reminders about fundamental lessons contribute greatly to the art of living.

June 1

TO READ: Philippians 3:4-11

Conversion

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey G.o.das law, but I trust Christ to save me. For G.o.das way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Philippians 3:8-9