God Issues Today: "Swarms In Our Sleep"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

While you slept last night, an "earthquake swarm" continued in southeastern California. According to today's New York Times, there's been no damage so far; most have gone undetected even by locals. Most of us had no idea that more than 400 quakes have rattled the area in the last month, but our ignorance makes them no less real or threatening.

Today is "Maundy Thursday," from the Latin word for "mandated," though none but Jesus knew its true significance at the time. This night, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and called them to love each other in humble service (John 13:31-35). So that we would remember his love for us, he then initiated the Lord's Supper. After Judas slipped away to bring the authorities, Jesus encouraged his disciples (John 14-16) and prayed for their faith (John 17). Then he retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray for himself.

Tonight Jesus would be arrested and tried under cover of darkness. His trials before the Jewish authorities were conducted illegally in at least these ways:

● Jesus was arrested without a formal charge.
● He was given no opportunity to prepare a defense.
● The proceedings began with a private examination by Annas, not the public trial required by law.
● The Sanhedrin were not permitted to initiate charges, only consider them.
● The proceedings were conducted at night, which was against the law (Mishna Sanhedrin 4:1).
● Witnesses could not be solicited once a trial began.
● Witnesses could not be paid for their testimony.
● The Sanhedrin discovered that their witnesses were false, but did not punish them.
● Jesus was put under oath to incriminate himself (Matthew 26:63).
● The witness was condemned only on the basis of his personal testimony.
● No discussion of the blasphemy charge was permitted.
● The Sanhedrin had no authority to pronounce the sentence of death.
● The charge was changed from blasphemy to insurrection before Pilate.

Waiting in the Garden, our Savior knew that he faced such persecution. He could have escaped from the approaching soldiers with ease. But he chose to bear the punishment we deserved, so that "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). No matter what comes your way this morning, remember that the Son of God decided to die for you. How will you live for him today? Will this be a Holy Thursday for you?