1 00:00:10,230 --> 00:00:14,350 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, a calming, 2 00:00:14,790 --> 00:00:19,300 Speaker 1: scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day 3 00:00:19,770 --> 00:00:22,579 Speaker 1: with God's Word in your mind and on your heart. 4 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,660 Speaker 1: Right after this short word from our sponsors, we'll reflect 5 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:42,820 Speaker 1: on tonight's scripture, Luke chapter 22. Tonight's scripture reflection is 6 00:00:42,860 --> 00:00:47,460 Speaker 1: written by Britt Mooney and read by Leah Gerard. Luke 7 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:54,060 Speaker 1: chapter 22. Now the festival of unleavened bread called the 8 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:58,630 Speaker 1: Passover was approaching, and the chief priest's and the teachers 9 00:00:58,670 --> 00:01:00,910 Speaker 1: of the law were looking for some way to get 10 00:01:01,010 --> 00:01:03,900 Speaker 1: rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 11 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve. 12 00:01:11,420 --> 00:01:14,060 Speaker 1: Then Judas went to the chief priests and the officers 13 00:01:14,100 --> 00:01:16,919 Speaker 1: of the temple guard and discussed with them how he 14 00:01:16,980 --> 00:01:21,060 Speaker 1: might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give 15 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to 16 00:01:25,709 --> 00:01:28,810 Speaker 1: to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 17 00:01:30,230 --> 00:01:33,550 Speaker 1: Then came the day of unleavened bread, on which the 18 00:01:33,590 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, 19 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover. 20 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:46,420 Speaker 1: Where do you want us to prepare for it? they asked. 21 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:51,500 Speaker 1: He replied, As you enter the city, a man carrying 22 00:01:51,550 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. to 23 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:57,740 Speaker 1: the house that he enters and say to the owner 24 00:01:57,780 --> 00:02:02,580 Speaker 1: of the house, The teacher asks, Where is the guest 25 00:02:02,620 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 26 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:10,419 Speaker 1: He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. 27 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:15,780 Speaker 1: Make preparations there. They left and found things just as 28 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: Jesus had told them, so they prepared the Passover. When 29 00:02:19,860 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table, 30 00:02:23,860 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: and he said to them, I have eagerly desired to 31 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:30,500 Speaker 1: eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I 32 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,100 Speaker 1: tell you, I will not eat it again until it 33 00:02:33,139 --> 00:02:37,810 Speaker 1: finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. After taking the cup, 34 00:02:38,380 --> 00:02:42,170 Speaker 1: he gave thanks and said, Take this and divide it 35 00:02:42,230 --> 00:02:44,790 Speaker 1: among you. For I tell you, I will not drink 36 00:02:44,870 --> 00:02:47,670 Speaker 1: again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom 37 00:02:47,710 --> 00:02:53,180 Speaker 1: of God comes. And he took bread, gave thanks, and 38 00:02:53,220 --> 00:02:56,410 Speaker 1: broke it. and gave it to them, saying, This is 39 00:02:56,530 --> 00:03:00,929 Speaker 1: my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 40 00:03:02,530 --> 00:03:06,139 Speaker 1: In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying, 41 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:10,179 Speaker 1: This cup is the new covenant in my blood which 42 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,859 Speaker 1: is poured out for you. But the hand of him 43 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: who is going to betray me is with mine on 44 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:20,540 Speaker 1: the table. The Son of Man will go as it 45 00:03:20,590 --> 00:03:25,070 Speaker 1: has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him. 46 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: They began to question among themselves which of them it 47 00:03:29,980 --> 00:03:33,620 Speaker 1: might be who would do this. A dispute also arose 48 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:36,380 Speaker 1: among them as to which of them was considered to 49 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:41,300 Speaker 1: be greatest. Jesus said to them, The kings of the 50 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: Gentiles lorded over them, and those who exercise authority over 51 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,700 Speaker 1: them call themselves benefactors, but you are not to be 52 00:03:48,780 --> 00:03:53,650 Speaker 1: like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like 53 00:03:53,710 --> 00:03:57,390 Speaker 1: the youngest, and the one who rules like the one 54 00:03:57,430 --> 00:04:01,170 Speaker 1: who serves. For who is greater, the one who is 55 00:04:01,210 --> 00:04:04,260 Speaker 1: at the table or the one who serves? Is it 56 00:04:04,290 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: not the one who is at the table? But I 57 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: am among you as one who serves. You are those 58 00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: who have stood by me in my trials, and I 59 00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:18,470 Speaker 1: confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred 60 00:04:18,529 --> 00:04:21,150 Speaker 1: one on me, so that you may eat and drink 61 00:04:21,210 --> 00:04:23,799 Speaker 1: at my table in my kingdom. and sit on thrones, 62 00:04:24,380 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, Satan has 63 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:31,340 Speaker 1: asked to sift. 64 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 2: All of you as wheat. 65 00:04:33,390 --> 00:04:36,330 Speaker 1: But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith 66 00:04:36,390 --> 00:04:40,409 Speaker 1: may not fail, and when you have turned back, strengthen 67 00:04:40,430 --> 00:04:44,990 Speaker 1: your brothers. But he replied, Lord, I am ready to 68 00:04:45,029 --> 00:04:48,580 Speaker 1: go with you to prison and to death. Jesus answered, 69 00:04:49,779 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: I tell you, Peter, Before the rooster crows today, you 70 00:04:53,580 --> 00:04:58,380 Speaker 1: will deny three times that you know me. Then Jesus 71 00:04:58,540 --> 00:05:02,859 Speaker 1: asked them, When I sent you without purse, bag, or sandals, 72 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:08,460 Speaker 1: did you lack anything? Nothing, they answered. He said to them, 73 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,099 Speaker 1: But now, if you have a purse, take it, and 74 00:05:12,140 --> 00:05:14,580 Speaker 1: also a bag. And if you don't have a sword, 75 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,180 Speaker 1: sell your cloak and buy one. It is written, and 76 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,810 Speaker 1: he was numbered with the transgressors. and I tell you 77 00:05:22,250 --> 00:05:26,089 Speaker 1: that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is 78 00:05:26,130 --> 00:05:32,730 Speaker 1: written about me is reaching its fulfillment. The disciples said, See, Lord, 79 00:05:32,770 --> 00:05:37,950 Speaker 1: here are two sorts. That's enough, he replied. Jesus went 80 00:05:38,070 --> 00:05:40,420 Speaker 1: out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his 81 00:05:40,450 --> 00:05:44,780 Speaker 1: disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 82 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,940 Speaker 1: Pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew. 83 00:05:50,380 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, Father, 84 00:05:55,540 --> 00:05:59,409 Speaker 1: if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet 85 00:05:59,470 --> 00:06:03,990 Speaker 1: not my will, but yours be done. An angel from 86 00:06:04,029 --> 00:06:07,690 Speaker 1: heaven appeared to him and strengthened him, and being in anguish, 87 00:06:07,730 --> 00:06:11,089 Speaker 1: he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops 88 00:06:11,150 --> 00:06:15,190 Speaker 1: of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from 89 00:06:15,250 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 1: prayer and went back to the disciples' He found them asleep, 90 00:06:19,020 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: exhausted from sorrow. Why are you sleeping? 91 00:06:22,620 --> 00:06:23,300 Speaker 2: He asked them. 92 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,859 Speaker 1: Get up and pray so that you will not fall 93 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: into temptation. While he was still speaking, a crowd came up, 94 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,940 Speaker 1: and the man who was called Judas, one of the twelve, 95 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:37,460 Speaker 1: was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but 96 00:06:37,500 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: Jesus asked him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of 97 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:46,170 Speaker 1: Man with a kiss? When Jesus' followers saw what was 98 00:06:46,210 --> 00:06:48,890 Speaker 1: going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with 99 00:06:48,950 --> 00:06:51,430 Speaker 1: our swords? And one of them struck the servant of 100 00:06:51,470 --> 00:06:54,990 Speaker 1: the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, 101 00:06:55,430 --> 00:06:58,170 Speaker 1: No more of this. And he touched the man's ear 102 00:06:58,589 --> 00:07:03,049 Speaker 1: and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, 103 00:07:03,630 --> 00:07:06,370 Speaker 1: the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who 104 00:07:06,390 --> 00:07:10,850 Speaker 1: had come for him, Am I leading a rebellion that 105 00:07:10,870 --> 00:07:14,450 Speaker 1: you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I 106 00:07:14,490 --> 00:07:16,670 Speaker 1: was with you in the temple courts and You do 107 00:07:16,710 --> 00:07:19,790 Speaker 1: not lay a hand on me, but this is your 108 00:07:19,830 --> 00:07:25,980 Speaker 1: hour when darkness reigns. Then seizing him, they led him 109 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: away and took him into the house of the high priest. 110 00:07:29,380 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had 111 00:07:33,740 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and 112 00:07:35,820 --> 00:07:39,670 Speaker 1: had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A 113 00:07:39,710 --> 00:07:42,630 Speaker 1: servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She 114 00:07:42,650 --> 00:07:46,050 Speaker 1: looked closely at him and said, This man was with him. 115 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:50,310 Speaker 1: but he denied it. Woman, I don't know him, he said. 116 00:07:51,770 --> 00:07:55,170 Speaker 1: A little later, someone else saw him and said, You 117 00:07:55,290 --> 00:07:59,310 Speaker 1: also are one of them. Man, I am not, Peter replied. 118 00:08:00,610 --> 00:08:04,930 Speaker 1: About an hour later, another asserted, Certainly this fellow was 119 00:08:05,010 --> 00:08:09,170 Speaker 1: with him, for he is a Galilean. Peter replied, Man, 120 00:08:09,230 --> 00:08:12,050 Speaker 1: I don't know what you're talking about. Just as he 121 00:08:12,090 --> 00:08:16,730 Speaker 1: was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked 122 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:21,310 Speaker 1: straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord 123 00:08:21,330 --> 00:08:25,770 Speaker 1: had spoken to him. Before the rooster crows today, you 124 00:08:25,790 --> 00:08:28,690 Speaker 1: will disown me three times. And he went outside and 125 00:08:28,750 --> 00:08:34,150 Speaker 1: wept bitterly. The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking 126 00:08:34,650 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, Prophesy, who 127 00:08:39,820 --> 00:08:43,860 Speaker 1: hit you? And they said many other insulting things to him. 128 00:08:45,500 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: At daybreak, the council of the elders of the people, 129 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,220 Speaker 1: both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, 130 00:08:51,540 --> 00:08:55,569 Speaker 1: met together and Jesus was led before them. If you 131 00:08:55,690 --> 00:09:00,510 Speaker 1: are the Messiah, they said, tell us. Jesus answered, If 132 00:09:00,570 --> 00:09:03,610 Speaker 1: I tell you, you will not believe me, and if 133 00:09:03,690 --> 00:09:07,050 Speaker 1: I ask to you, you would not answer. But from 134 00:09:07,150 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: now on, the Son of Man will be seated at 135 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: the right hand of the mighty God. They all asked, 136 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:18,699 Speaker 1: Are you then the Son of God? He replied, You 137 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:23,140 Speaker 1: say that I am. Then they said, Why do we 138 00:09:23,179 --> 00:09:26,220 Speaker 1: need any more testimony? We have heard it from his 139 00:09:26,380 --> 00:09:34,710 Speaker 1: own lips. In most movies, there's a darkest before the 140 00:09:34,750 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: dawn moment where our hero really wants to give up. 141 00:09:38,670 --> 00:09:42,210 Speaker 1: It seems hopeless. When my kids were young, I would 142 00:09:42,250 --> 00:09:45,170 Speaker 1: often stop the film at the darkest moment and go, Well, 143 00:09:45,270 --> 00:09:47,850 Speaker 1: I guess it's over. My kids would revolt. No, it's 144 00:09:47,910 --> 00:09:51,500 Speaker 1: not over yet. God told me, Here in Luke 22, 145 00:09:51,480 --> 00:10:01,260 Speaker 1: it gets pretty dark. Jesus says, literally goes through the 146 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 1: most tragic experience in history. All the bad things happened 147 00:10:06,780 --> 00:10:16,310 Speaker 1: to him. Forsaken, betrayed, denied, beaten, scourged, crucified, mocked. It 148 00:10:16,390 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: seems hopeless, but it wasn't. the end of the story. 149 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:27,059 Speaker 1: Jesus predicted his death, yet he also predicted his resurrection. 150 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:31,370 Speaker 1: That death wouldn't be the end for him or any 151 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:37,370 Speaker 1: who followed him. Christ, as our example, endured the darkness 152 00:10:37,429 --> 00:10:42,610 Speaker 1: by placing himself in his Father's hands. Even at the cross, 153 00:10:42,690 --> 00:10:47,110 Speaker 1: in excruciating agony, he committed his spirit to his Father 154 00:10:47,610 --> 00:10:52,449 Speaker 1: upon death. in Luke 23, 46. Of course, He wouldn't 155 00:10:52,890 --> 00:10:57,990 Speaker 1: stay dead. He is the resurrection and life. You can't 156 00:10:58,150 --> 00:11:03,699 Speaker 1: kill life Himself. In Christ and His Spirit in us, 157 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:07,780 Speaker 1: we have the same promises. We commit our lives to 158 00:11:07,820 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: the Father through Jesus, as dark as the world may get, 159 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:16,220 Speaker 1: as painful as it might be when we're betrayed and persecuted, 160 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 1: because we have hope in the one who is the 161 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 1: resurrection and the life. The same one who rightly predicted 162 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: his own resurrection to glory does the same for us. 163 00:11:34,910 --> 00:11:39,870 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, when life grows dark and appears hopeless, remind 164 00:11:39,929 --> 00:11:43,189 Speaker 1: me that the middle of the story isn't the end. 165 00:11:43,710 --> 00:11:47,270 Speaker 1: Keep me from judging your goodness by one painful season 166 00:11:47,330 --> 00:11:53,790 Speaker 1: or chapter. Jesus endured betrayal, rejection, suffering, death, yet he 167 00:11:53,890 --> 00:11:58,970 Speaker 1: trusted you completely. Give me that same faith. When people 168 00:11:59,050 --> 00:12:03,370 Speaker 1: fail me and circumstances overwhelm me, help me place myself 169 00:12:03,590 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: fully in your hands. Fix my eyes on Jesus, the resurrection, 170 00:12:08,540 --> 00:12:13,620 Speaker 1: and the life. Remind me, darkness can't overcome light, and 171 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:19,210 Speaker 1: death can't defeat your will and purposes. Fill me with 172 00:12:19,270 --> 00:12:24,010 Speaker 1: renewed hope through your Spirit. Give me courage and strength 173 00:12:24,070 --> 00:12:28,449 Speaker 1: to endure, faith to keep going, and trust in your promises. 174 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:34,300 Speaker 1: Whatever chapter I face today, help me trust you with 175 00:12:34,340 --> 00:12:39,380 Speaker 1: the end, for you are faithful and will do what 176 00:12:39,420 --> 00:12:46,630 Speaker 1: you say. In Jesus' name, amen. How did tonight's scripture 177 00:12:46,690 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 1: speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly 178 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:51,959 Speaker 1: Scripture Forum discussion. 179 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 180 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 2: was read from the New International Version by Biblica. All 181 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:16,460 Speaker 2: rights reserved. Be sure to follow our sister show, your 182 00:13:16,540 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 2: daily Bible verse on Apple or Spotify. By following your 183 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:26,190 Speaker 2: daily Bible verse and your nightly scripture, you can be 184 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:30,550 Speaker 2: sure that your day begins and ends centered on the 185 00:13:30,590 --> 00:13:31,209 Speaker 2: Word of God. 186 00:13:43,350 --> 00:13:43,740 Speaker 1: Thank you.