38 – Straw for Bricks
Exodus 5:1 – 7:13
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says. ‘Let my people go into the wilderness for three days so they can worship me.’”
The Pharaoh was shocked and said, “Who does the God of the Hebrews think he is—telling me what to do? I don’t know him, and I’m certainly not going to let my slaves go into the wilderness.”
He then focused on Moses and Aaron. “All of your talk about worship is keeping my slaves from doing their work. Stop all this talk and get back to work!”
He then called for his slave drivers. “My slaves are lazy! They have so much time on their hands that they’re talking about going out into the wilderness and worshipping God.
“Well, I’ll fix that. From now on, stop giving them straw for the bricks. Let them go get it themselves. Still, they’re to make just as many bricks as before. That’ll teach them not to stand around and listen to these fools!”
The slave drivers went and told the Israelite foremen what the Pharaoh said. “We’re not going to give you any more straw. You have to get it yourselves. Still you’re to produce just as many bricks as before.”
So the people immediately went throughout Egypt gathering straw. Because of this, they weren’t able to fulfill their allotted quota for making bricks. Therefore the slave drivers beat the foremen. They said, “You aren’t doing your job. You aren’t making enough bricks.”
The foremen went to Pharaoh. “Why are you treating your slaves this way? If we don’t have the straw, we can’t make the same amount of bricks as before.”
Pharaoh yelled at them. “You’re lazy—Lazy, I say! You’ve got time to stand around and say, ‘we want to go worship the Lord.’ So now it’s time to work. Go get your own straw, and I want the same amount of bricks as before.”
Moses was waiting for the foremen when they left Pharaoh. They said to him, “You have made us stink before Pharaoh. You put a sword in his hand, and he’s going to kill us with it.”
Moses went to the Lord and said, “Why did you send me here? You haven’t delivered the people. You’ve only caused them more trouble.”
The Lord said, “Oh Moses. You’re about to see what I’m going to do with Pharaoh. When I’m done, he’ll beg you to take these people away.
“Go tell the people that I am the Lord. I have heard their groaning, and I’m about to take them back to the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Moses went to the people and gave them this message, but they wouldn’t listen to him. They were defeated and discouraged.
Then the Lord told Moses to go and talk to Pharaoh again. “Tell him to let my people leave this land.”
Moses said, “I’m not any good at this. If the people of Israel won’t listen to me, why would Pharaoh?”
The Lord said, “Moses, I have made you like a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your prophet. Go and I’ll give you the words to say.”
So Moses and his brother Aaron stood before Pharaoh and asked him to allow the people of Israel to go into the desert and worship. Pharaoh asked for a sign, so Aaron threw his staff on the ground and it became a snake. The court magicians and sorcerers threw their sticks on the ground and they also turned into snakes. Suddenly Aaron’s snake ate the rest of the snakes! Still, Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to them.
Gethsemane
220 – Gethsemane
Matthew 26:30-39, 26:52-57, Luke 22:42-51, John 18:3-10
As Jesus and his disciples walked out of the gates of Jerusalem, he said, “All of you will abandon me tonight… but after I rise from the dead, I’ll meet you in Galilee.”
Peter spoke up, “Lord, I’ll never desert you, even if everyone else does.”
Jesus stopped and looked at him. “Oh Peter, this very night you’ll deny you even know me— and not just once. Before the rooster crows in the morning, three times you’ll tell people you don’t know me.”
Peter was shocked, “Lord! Even if it means death, I’ll never deny you.” All the other disciples said the same thing.
They came to a grove of olive trees called the Garden of Gethsemane. At the entrance Jesus told his disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He then took Peter, James, and John into the garden. Once there, he started to agonize. He said, “I’m overcome with grief. Stay awake and pray with me.”
He then went a little farther and fell down. “Father, this cup of agony—do I have to drink it? You can do anything. Take it away from me! But if not, I’ll follow your plan for me.”
He went back to the three men and found them sleeping. He woke them up and said, “Peter, stay awake and pray with me. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He went back and once again he prayed in deep agony. “Oh Father, take this cup from me! Still I’ll drink it if it’s your will.”
Once again he saw that the three men were sleeping. He said, “Why are you sleeping?” They looked at him and didn’t know what to say.
When he prayed the third time, he started to sweat, but it was like drops of blood that fell to the ground. An angel appeared and gave him strength.
He went back to where his disciples were once again sleeping. Looking at them, he said, “Go ahead and sleep because the time is close.”
About then, Judas led a band of guards into the garden. He knew it was a place Jesus often went with his disciples. He said, “Watch me carefully. Jesus is the one I’ll kiss.”
They went into the garden carrying torches, swords, and clubs. Jesus turned to his disciples. “Get up! My betrayer is here.”
Judas walked up to him and said, “Hello Master.” And then gave him a kiss.
Jesus said, “Oh Judas, do you betray me with a kiss?” He then turned to the guards, “Who are you looking for?”
“Jesus of Nazareth!”
“I am he!”
Instantly, they were knocked back and fell to the ground. As they got up, Jesus said again, “Who are you looking for?”
They looked at one another and said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
“Well, I told you I am he. Now let these others go their way.”
Peter suddenly realized what was happening. He pulled out his sword and attacked a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Jesus stopped him and said, “Put your sword away. Don’t you understand? I could pray right now and my Father would send thousands of angels to protect me.” He then turned and touched the servant’s ear and healed it.
With that, all the disciples ran away. Then the guards took Jesus, tied him up, and led him out of the garden.
