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Lenten Devotional: March 9, 2026

by Ginny Cannon



And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.


The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.


Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”


Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.


But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.


“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”


Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.


Reflection:


From Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to Jesus’ crucifixion, the events transpired all too fast. Following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was bound and taken to the house of Caiaphas for interrogation by the Sanhedrin. He was mocked and physically abused throughout the night while awaiting trial before the Roman authorities. He was held for roughly 6–9 hours before His 9 a.m. crucifixion. The progression of these events could have terrified anyone due to the evilness of human beings. But in the midst of suffering, Jesus never revealed His personal sentiment. He was ready to drink the cup of suffering, even though He is the King.


The Pharisees did not like Jesus, as He did not play by their rules. He extended salvation beyond the Jewish people. They had plotted several times to kill Him. The events leading up to Jesus’ arrest and His death did not surprise Him. Jesus’ unfair arrest happened without a justifiable cause. The religious leaders looked for a reason to kill Jesus but could not find one. When Jesus confirmed He was the Son of God, they called it blasphemy, which gave them reason to kill Him. Our perfect, sinless Lamb, Jesus, was committed to doing God’s will. Regardless of being undermined, humiliated, spat on, physically whipped, and beaten, He stayed His course.


His will to do God’s will won!!

 

Call to Action:


Jesus’s crucifixion was not only unjust; it was torturous. The Romans were famous for their punishing, public executions. Additionally, here’s the awful, terrible truth: Jesus was completely humiliated. He was mocked, taunted, and denounced. He heard every biting word, and one by one those words sliced open His heart.


Jesus knows our humiliation because He was humiliated. He is able to sympathize with every one of our conditions and weaknesses. This is why we can draw near to His throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we’ll find all the mercy we need. Jesus also calls us to willingly suffer humiliation for others. As we lower ourselves, giving up money or time or status, we elevate others. In this, we embrace the pattern of Jesus, who suffered to save His enemies, including us.


We also depend on (and demonstrate) the power of Jesus. Embracing humiliation for others is not natural; only after we have been changed can we seek out the lower place by the gracious work of the Spirit.


In this season of Lent, let’s take time to review our personal inventory. Are we committed to the right people and projects for the right reason? Can we see and feel God’s will at work and at play in all we do? Can we feel Him close at hand and in our hearts? Through His will, let’s pray and evaluate so we can be “in the world but not of this world.”


Prayer:


Dear Lord, help us always to strive to do Your will. Jesus, our Example, showed us how to have unwavering resolve and to rise after every fall.


And rise again He did! As we pray…

 “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Amen!!



A Lenten Invitation from Pastor Bob


  • Set aside time each Monday for prayer. Step away from distractions and enter into God’s presence, remembering that apart from Him we are lost. Spend time not only in confession, but also in quiet listening for God’s voice.

  • Loosen the grip of sin through generosity. Release your attachment to the riches of this world and return your treasures to God. This is not to earn favor, but to free your heart from the hold the world can have on you.

  • Practice fasting on Mondays. Set aside the things that normally claim your attention and instead focus fully on God, offering Him your time, your thoughts, and your devotion.

 
 
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