1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:10,960 Speaker 2: Well, hey there, friends, I'm Jody Nisnick and welcome to 3 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: these special Holy Week meditations for LINT. My prayer is 4 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 2: that these quiet moments will help you slow down to 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 2: contemplate the Cross and what it means for your life. 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: We'll begin our meditation after a brief word from our sponsors. 7 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 2: Before we begin our meditation, I want to invite you 8 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 2: to head into the show notes, where you will find 9 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 2: a link to download the free I Am Companion journal 10 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 2: that I've made for this series. It has each scripture 11 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 2: that we are meditating on, all of the reflection prompts, 12 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 2: and it gives you space to take notes on your 13 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 2: prayers and meditation time. I do hope you'll take advantage 14 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 2: of this free rec source. Well, with that, let's get started. 15 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 2: I want to invite you to begin by taking a 16 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 2: few deep in and out breaths. Slowly breathe in and exhale. 17 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 2: Do that again, thanking God for the gift of breath, 18 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 2: the gift of life. And as you do that one 19 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: more time, just notice how your body feels in this moment. 20 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: This is one of the ways that God designed us 21 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 2: to help us settle in, to help us be present 22 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 2: where we are keep taking those deep in and out breaths, 23 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 2: and let me pray for us. Gracious Lord, thank you, 24 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 2: Thank you for the gift of breath, thank you for 25 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 2: the gift of life. Now, as we enter in to 26 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 2: this mandy Thursday, to the final stretch before the cross, 27 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: we ask that you would help us notice what we 28 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 2: need to notice in this story, Lord, that you would 29 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 2: draw near to us, that you would help us enter 30 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 2: in however we need to today. Lord, we thank you 31 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 2: that your spirit will lead and guide us, help us listen. 32 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 2: We ask this in the name of Jesus. 33 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: Amen. 34 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 2: For these next few meditations, we're journeying alongside Jesus in 35 00:02:55,639 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 2: his final moments. This account happens on Thursday day evening, 36 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 2: the night before his crucifixion. But let me bring you 37 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: up to speed, because so much has already happened. 38 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 1: On this day. 39 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 2: Jesus has shared a final meal with his disciples, which 40 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 2: is the Passover meal, where he redefined the bread and 41 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 2: the cup, telling them this is my body, this is 42 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 2: my blood. He's also washed their feet, taking the posture 43 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 2: of a servant, showing them humility and love and action. 44 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 2: And now after singing a hymn together they have made 45 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 2: their way to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus will 46 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 2: pray and anguish as he faces what's coming. This night 47 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 2: is often called Mandy Thursday. The word mandy comes from 48 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 2: the Latin word mandatum, and it means command. It points 49 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: back to Jesus's words in John thirteen thirty four a 50 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:13,720 Speaker 2: new command. I give you love one another as I 51 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 2: have loved you, so you must love one another. This 52 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:23,279 Speaker 2: is the night where Jesus shows us what love looks 53 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 2: like as he serves, teaches, and ultimately surrenders himself for 54 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 2: those he loves. In this scene, Jesus has just finished praying, 55 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: and he and his disciples have set out toward the garden, 56 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 2: where Jesus will be arrested. As you listen, allow this 57 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: scene to begin to take shape in your imagination. Don't 58 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 2: worry about getting all the details right. That isn't the point. 59 00:04:56,440 --> 00:05:00,039 Speaker 2: The point is just noticing what God may bring to 60 00:04:59,839 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 2: you your attention as you're imagining this. Take special note 61 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: of who is in the passage. Our reading today is 62 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 2: John eighteen, verses one through eight from the New International Version. 63 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 2: When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples 64 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 2: and crossed the Kidrin Valley. On the other side there 65 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 2: was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 66 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 2: Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus 67 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came 68 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 2: to the garden guiding a detachment of soldiers and some 69 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 2: officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were 70 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was 71 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 2: going to happen to him, went out and asked them, 72 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 2: who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth. They replied, 73 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: I am he, Jesus said, and Judas, the trader, was 74 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 2: standing there with them. When Jesus said, I am he, 75 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 2: they drew back and fell to the ground. 76 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: Again. 77 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 2: He asked them, who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth, 78 00:06:45,760 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: they said, Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. Now, 79 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 2: as you listen a second time again, allow the scene 80 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 2: to come to life in your imagination, paying special attention 81 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 2: to Jesus's words and the soldier's reaction. When he had 82 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 2: finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the 83 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 2: Kidrin Valley on the other side there was a garden, 84 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 2: and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, 85 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 2: who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus had often 86 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the 87 00:07:55,520 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 2: garden guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from 88 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, 89 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 2: lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to 90 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 2: happen to him, went out and asked them, who is 91 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 2: it you want, Jesus of Nazareth. They replied, I am he, 92 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 2: Jesus said, and Judas, the trader, was standing there with them. 93 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 2: When Jesus said, I am he, they drew back and 94 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:47,479 Speaker 2: fell to the ground. 95 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: Again. 96 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 2: He asked them, who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth, 97 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:04,319 Speaker 2: They said, Jesus and soard I told you that I 98 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 2: am He. Take a moment to reflect on what you've 99 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 2: noticed and ask how does this apply to my life? 100 00:09:17,640 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 1: Right now? 101 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 2: As I read a third time, allow the scene to 102 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 2: play again in your imagination. At the end of the reading, 103 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: imagine time stops and you are allowed to have a 104 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 2: conversation with Jesus. I'll give you space after the reading 105 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:44,680 Speaker 2: to do this. When he had finished praying, Jesus left 106 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 2: with his disciples and crossed the Kidrin Valley. On the 107 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 2: other side there was a garden, and he and his 108 00:10:53,920 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 2: disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew 109 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 2: the place because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 110 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 2: So Judas came to the garden guiding a detachment of 111 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 2: soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. 112 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 2: They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all 113 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 2: that was going to happen to him, went out and 114 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:38,319 Speaker 2: asked them, who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth. 115 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 2: They replied, I am he, Jesus said, and Judas, the trader, 116 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: was standing there with them. When Jesus said I am he, 117 00:11:55,120 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 2: they drew back and fell to the ground. And he 118 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 2: asks them, who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth, 119 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 2: They said, Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. 120 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 2: Stay in this moment with Jesus, what do you want 121 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 2: to say to him as he surrenders himself over and 122 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 2: enters these last moments of his earthly life. 123 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 3: The day. 124 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 4: By day the b B. 125 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 2: Now, as we move to the final reading, rest in 126 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 2: the truth of how much God loves you. Rest in 127 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 2: knowing that you were on Jesus's heart as he entered 128 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 2: these difficult moments that led to the cross. Allow his 129 00:14:53,000 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: sacrificial love to fill you with hope and courage. When 130 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 2: he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and 131 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 2: crossed the Kidrin Valley. On the other side there was 132 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 2: a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 133 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 2: Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus 134 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 2: had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came 135 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 2: to the garden guiding a detachment of soldiers and some 136 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 2: officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were 137 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 2: carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was 138 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 2: going to happen to him, went out and asked them, 139 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 2: who is it you want, Jesus of Nazareth. They replied, 140 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 2: I am he, Jesus said, and Judas, the trader, was 141 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 2: standing there with them. When Jesus said, I am he, 142 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 2: they drew back and fell to the ground. Again. He 143 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 2: asked them, who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth, 144 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 2: they said. Jesus answered, I told you that I am 145 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 2: he Lord, Jesus, thank you, thank you that you went 146 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 2: willingly into the hands of the enemy on this Thursday 147 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: night so long ago. Lord. We can only imagine what 148 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 2: this was like for you. But we see the courage, 149 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 2: We see your extravagant love, and we hold that today. Lord, 150 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 2: whatever it is that you helped us, notice, would you 151 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 2: help us carry that today? And we pray that you 152 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 2: would guide and lead us into tomorrow Good Friday. We 153 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 2: asked this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Well friends, 154 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 2: If you are new to the So Much More podcast, 155 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 2: or if you're new to the season of LENT, I 156 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 2: want to invite you head into the show notes and 157 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 2: grab the free I AM Meditation journal. I unpack a 158 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:19,920 Speaker 2: little bit more about what LNT is and why Christians 159 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 2: have been practicing it for a very long time. You'll 160 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 2: also see in the notes my partner Life Audio, and 161 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 2: I encourage you to check them out at lifeaudio dot com. Finally, 162 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 2: if you are enjoying these meditations, one of the greatest 163 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 2: things you can do for me is either share these 164 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:46,159 Speaker 2: with a friend or follow on Apple Podcasts. And Spotify 165 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 2: and if you're able leave a review all of those things, 166 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,679 Speaker 2: they just go a really long way and spreading the 167 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 2: word and helping get these meditations into the hands of 168 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 2: those who might need them. As always, my friend, thanks 169 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 2: for joining me on so much more because we really 170 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 2: do believe Jesus has so much more to say to us, 171 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: and this is one way we are creating space to listen.