The CrowdsThe Crowds Arrest Jesus & ScatterMarch 17th

What is the response or reaction of the crowd?How are we often like the crowds?How does Jesus call the crowds to a radical level of discipleship? Will we take up our cross or reject it? Will we stay with Jesus or desert him?

C.J. Mahaney – Living the Cross Centered LifeI identify most with the angry mob screaming, “Crucify Him!” That’s who we should all identify with. Because apart from God’s grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we’re only flattering ourselves to think otherwise. Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don’t really understand the nature and depth of your sin.

Jesus Arrested - Matthew 2647 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Lessons from the life of Judas and the Crowds:1. Proximity to Jesus doesn’t equal transformation2. Willing to give Jesus something, but not everything3. Looked at worship as a waste4. They knew about Jesus, but they didn’t know him

Matthew 2655 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

God values the process as much as the outcome. In some ways, the journey is as important as the destination. God is not merely interested in taking you somewhere, He intends to make you someone in the process. The twists, and turns, the tempests and trials… In our bottom-line oriented society, it’s vitally important to remember: How we get to the end is every bit as important as that we get there, because how we get there-the choices we make and the way we live between now and then – will determine who we are when we arrive. Kenneth Boa & John Alan Turner

Do I have a rebellious spirit?Am I Judas?