Evening Scripture

Luke, Chapter 22

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”

They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour — when darkness reigns.”

Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him.

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

Evening Reflection

In most movies, there’s a “darkest before the dawn” moment, where our hero really wants to give up. It seems hopeless. 

When my kids were young, I would often stop the film at the “darkest” moment and go, “Well, I guess it’s over.” 

My kids would revolt. “No! It’s not over yet!” 

God told me, “Don’t treat the middle of the story like the end of the story.” 

Here in Luke 22, it gets pretty dark. Jesus literally goes through the most tragic experience in history. All the bad things happen to him. Forsaken, betrayed, denied, beaten, scourged, crucified, mocked. 

Seems hopeless.

But it wasn’t the end of the story. 

Jesus predicted his death. Yet he also predicted his resurrection. That death wouldn’t be the end, for him or any who followed him. 

Christ, as our example, endured the darkness by placing himself in his Father’s hands. Even at the cross, in excruciating agony, he committed his Spirit to his Father upon death (Luke 23:46). 

Of course he wouldn’t stay dead. He is the resurrection and life. You can’t kill life himself. 

In Christ, and his Spirit in us, we have the same promises. We commit our lives to the Father through Jesus, as dark as the world may get, as painful as it might be when we are betrayed and persecuted. Because we have hope in the one who is the resurrection and the life. The same one who rightly predicted his own resurrection to glory does the same for us. 

Evening Prayer

Heavenly Father, 

When life grows dark and appears hopeless, remind me that the middle of the story isn’t the end. Keep me from judging your goodness by one painful season or chapter. Jesus endured betrayal, rejection, suffering, and death, yet he trusted you completely. Give me that same faith. When people fail me and circumstances overwhelm me, help me place myself fully in your hands. 

Fix my eyes on Jesus, the resurrection and the life. Remind me darkness can’t overcome light and death can’t defeat your will and purposes. Fill me with renewed hope through your Spirit. Give me courage and strength to endure, faith to keep going, and trust in your promises. Whatever chapter I face today, help me trust you with the end, for you are faithful and will do what you say. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Evening Scripture
Luke, Chapter 22
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, &ldquo;Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Where do you want us to prepare for it?&rdquo; they asked.
He replied, &ldquo;As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, &lsquo;The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?&rsquo; He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.&rdquo;
They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, &ldquo;I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.&rdquo;
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, &ldquo;Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.&rdquo;
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, &ldquo;This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.&rdquo; In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, &ldquo;This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!&rdquo;
They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, &ldquo;The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
&ldquo;Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.&rdquo;
But he replied, &ldquo;Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.&rdquo; Jesus answered, &ldquo;I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.&rdquo;
Then Jesus asked them, &ldquo;When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?&rdquo; &ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; they answered. He said to them, &ldquo;But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don&rsquo;t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: &lsquo;And he was numbered with the transgressors&rsquo;; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.&rdquo;
The disciples said, &ldquo;See, Lord, here are two swords.&rdquo; &ldquo;That&rsquo;s enough!&rdquo; he replied.
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, &ldquo;Pray that you will not fall into temptation.&rdquo;
He withdrew about a stone&rsquo;s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, &ldquo;Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.&rdquo; An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. &ldquo;Why are you sleeping?&rdquo; he asked them. &ldquo;Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.&rdquo;
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, &ldquo;Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?&rdquo;
When Jesus&rsquo; followers saw what was going to happen, they said, &ldquo;Lord, should we strike with our swords?&rdquo; And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, &ldquo;No more of this!&rdquo; And he touched the man&rsquo;s ear and healed him.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, &ldquo;Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour &mdash; when darkness reigns.&rdquo;
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, &ldquo;This man was with him.&rdquo; But he denied it. &ldquo;Woman, I don&rsquo;t know him,&rdquo; he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, &ldquo;You also are one of them.&rdquo; &ldquo;Man, I am not!&rdquo; Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, &ldquo;Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.&rdquo;
Peter replied, &ldquo;Man, I don&rsquo;t know what you&rsquo;re talking about!&rdquo; Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: &ldquo;Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.&rdquo; And he went outside and wept bitterly.
The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, &ldquo;Prophesy! Who hit you?&rdquo; And they said many other insulting things to him.
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. &ldquo;If you are the Messiah,&rdquo; they said, &ldquo;tell us.&rdquo; Jesus answered, &ldquo;If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.&rdquo;
They all asked, &ldquo;Are you then the Son of God?&rdquo; He replied, &ldquo;You say that I am.&rdquo; Then they said, &ldquo;Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.&rdquo;
Evening Reflection
In most movies, there&rsquo;s a &ldquo;darkest before the dawn&rdquo; moment, where our hero really wants to give up. It seems hopeless.&nbsp;
When my kids were young, I would often stop the film at the &ldquo;darkest&rdquo; moment and go, &ldquo;Well, I guess it&rsquo;s over.&rdquo;&nbsp;
My kids would revolt. &ldquo;No! It&rsquo;s not over yet!&rdquo;&nbsp;
God told me, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t treat the middle of the story like the end of the story.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Here in <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/22.html">Luke 22</a>, it gets pretty dark. Jesus literally goes through the most tragic experience in history. All the bad things happen to him. Forsaken, betrayed, denied, beaten, scourged, crucified, mocked.&nbsp;
Seems hopeless.
But it wasn&rsquo;t the end of the story.&nbsp;
Jesus predicted his death. Yet he also predicted his resurrection. That death wouldn&rsquo;t be the end, for him or any who followed him.&nbsp;
Christ, as our example, endured the darkness by placing himself in his Father&rsquo;s hands. Even at the cross, in excruciating agony, he committed his Spirit to his Father upon death (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/23-46.html">Luke 23:46</a>).&nbsp;
Of course he wouldn&rsquo;t stay dead. He is the resurrection and life. You can&rsquo;t kill life himself.&nbsp;
In Christ, and his Spirit in us, we have the same promises. We commit our lives to the Father through Jesus, as dark as the world may get, as painful as it might be when we are betrayed and persecuted. Because we have hope in the one who is the resurrection and the life. The same one who rightly predicted his own resurrection to glory does the same for us.&nbsp;
Evening Prayer
Heavenly Father,&nbsp;
When life grows dark and appears hopeless, remind me that the middle of the story isn&rsquo;t the end. Keep me from judging your goodness by one painful season or chapter. Jesus endured betrayal, rejection, suffering, and death, yet he trusted you completely. Give me that same faith. When people fail me and circumstances overwhelm me, help me place myself fully in your hands.&nbsp;
Fix my eyes on Jesus, the resurrection and the life. Remind me darkness can&rsquo;t overcome light and death can&rsquo;t defeat your will and purposes. Fill me with renewed hope through your Spirit. Give me courage and strength to endure, faith to keep going, and trust in your promises. Whatever chapter I face today, help me trust you with the end, for you are faithful and will do what you say.&nbsp;
In Jesus&rsquo; name,
Amen.
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Surrendering to God When the Road Is Difficult (Luke 22)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b72a3dfb-9e50-49a5-b3af-b4db00c57482/transcript