by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 22:47--71

He Who Was Called Judas

Listen to the manner in which Luke identifies Judas.

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him (Luk. 22:47).

We know who Judas was. We know him from Matthew and Mark. John was written later. We know Judas from earlier in Luke's account. Yet, you can detect something in Luke's attitude toward Judas. Here was this man coming, he was called Judas, and you know, he was one of the twelve, and he went and kissed Jesus.

Just the way that Luke refers to Judas lets us know that betrayal is no small matter. Anything that we do against the Lord is serious, costing our souls, if we do not repent. Let us never regard our actions, either for or against the Lord lightly, but see that it is the most significant thing that we do in life.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 23:1--25

Questioning Jesus

Pilate had a high position in the Roman government. Yet, his position was not so high that he could put Jesus on trial. Just think of what happened in the verse quoted below.

3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him and said, "It is as you say" (Luk. 23:3).

To voluntarily question Jesus in order to learn whether He is the King of the Jews so that one might submit to Him and not to another, is one thing, but that was not Pilate's intention. This was simply a civil matter that was thrust upon him. He did not intend to change his life. He was in Jerusalem to maintain the peace for his country. That was all. He was not seeking the religion of the Jews, but the religion of the Jews found him. Now, sometimes that happens to us, but when we meet with the truth, we change, although we never intended doing so. Pilate met the truth, and only disdained it.

What is also amazing about this whole thing is that Jesus allowed Himself to be put into the position where a puny governor might put Jesus on trial. Our Lord is awesome. He just wanted to save man, and was willing to do whatever it took to finish the job of saving man, which was started by God in the Garden of Eden when He promised to the serpent that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent.

What then shall you do with Jesus? Question Him to find out who He is. Then make a decision on what you are going to do with Him.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 22:24--46

They Did Continue with Jesus

We know that on the night Jesus was arrested, His disciples forsook Him. However, that was not their normal course of action. Even Jesus said to them,

28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials" (Luk. 22:28).

It was true. For three and a half years, the Jews persecuted Jesus, and the twelve apostles stayed with Him every time. He could always count on them. However, when He needed them the most, they failed Him. While that was the exception, it was a significant exception. We might lead 199 of the 200 laps of the Indianapolis 500, and then lose an engine. In that case, we do not win; we do not even get the credit of having finished the race.

Therefore, let us look deep within ourselves to make sure that we are filled with the mind of Jesus Christ that we might be faithful until death.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Kings 14 and 15

Casting God Away

Jeroboam really angered God. Therefore, God said to Jeroboam,

9 "but you have done more evil than all who were before you, for you have gone and made for yourself other gods and molded images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back" (1 Kin. 14:9).

Every time I read in the Bible that someone made for himself gods, it just cracks me up. Did they not see the irony, or more accurately, the contradiction of having to make their own gods? It is hilarious! Yet, God was highly offended when Jeroboam did this. The heavens and the earth cannot contain our God. Therefore, to reduce Him to a man-made image shows a gross ignorance of His true nature. Jeroboam went even further and cast God behind his back.

Listen, you do not cast the God of heaven away as you would trash. What is more insulting to Him than that?

This is precisely what the secular movement is attempting to do. God is not happy. Please pray for open hearts that people may receive the truth of God and that He not do to us as He did to Jeroboam.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 22:1--23

Spiritual Self-Examination

Jesus had just revealed that one of His apostles was going to betray Him.

23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing (Luk. 22:23).

It is good to look inside ourselves through the lenses of the word of God that we might see and understand what we are and what is in us. A time of great temptation was just about to hit the apostles. They had no idea of the severity of the moment, although the Lord tried to make them understand.

What lies ahead for each of us? There will be both very good and very bad times, both of which carry unique temptations. Therefore, we must prepare for those times now. It is too late when the temptations come. Ground yourself in Christ right now that you might always be faithful.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100