March 31- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:51-54, With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Observe what it is saying.
From other accounts, we know Peter was the one who drew his sword. As we might say it, Peter was packing! Peter had said earlier he was willing to go down with Jesus. Maybe, this was his way of attempting to do so. What was Peter actually trying to do? Was he a bad shot and missed the mark? Was he just trying to defend Jesus against this large crowd who was also armed? Whatever he was trying to do, Jesus told him to stop and sheath his sword. The way of the world is to retaliate against violence with violence. The usual consequence of championing violence is often a violent end. Jesus rejects the notion that God’s will is advanced or should be imposed on others through violent means. Jesus has come to carry out God’s plan of redemption as prophesied in Scripture as a Servant who will experience tremendous suffering and pain as prophesied in Isaiah 53.
Relate it to your life.
Jesus’ plan was to conquer the world through extravagant love, service, and sacrifice.
Do something.
“Jesus, may Your agape love wield its power through me for the advancement of Your kingdom. Amen.”
April 1- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:55-56, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus was absolutely dumbfounded that this armed mob had come to take Him away. He had never shown any violent tendencies. He taught openly so they could have arrested Him any time they wanted. However, Jesus also knew that this was the plan that had been prophesied in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and various other locations in Scripture. Even though Jesus was non-violent, they feared Him. They feared the crowds who loved Him. Jesus would willingly go with them, however, the disciples took off. They said they would never disown Jesus but go to the death with Him. Their best intentions were discovered only to be wishful thinking. All of them abandoned their Lord. Do we think we would have been loyal and stuck by His side in this intense moment? What about today? Can we think of a time when we abandoned Jesus because it was too difficult to stand with Him?
Relate it to your life.
I must admit I have the same urge to abandon my Lord in challenging times.
Do something.
“Jesus, I admit I have previously abandoned You. I am afraid I still have enough weakness to desert You. Please fill me with Holy Spirit strength to stand with You at all times and in all situations. Amen.”
April 2- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:57-63a, Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus’ interrogation began with the religious leaders. The whole Sanhedrin had gathered at the high priest’s home. Peter who fled the scene of Jesus’ arrest was now cautiously following at a distance so he would not be noticed. Yet he desired to know what was going to happen to Jesus. The whole Jewish court was looking for false evidence. Corruption was in the highest levels of the religious leadership. It seems strange that as they were looking for false evidence with false witnesses, they couldn’t find it until the two said, Jesus was going to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. This appears to be an intentional distortion when Jesus was asked for a sign, and he answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) Even though they had misrepresented what He said, Jesus did not offer a rebuttal. The One who was perfectly just experienced injustice at every step.
Relate it to your life.
Any time I act unjustly, I join Jesus’ opponents.
Do something.
“Jesus, please forgive me when I have acted or spoken unjustly and stood against you. Amen.”
April 3- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:63b-68, The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Observe what it is saying.
The high priest expected Jesus to tell the truth under oath while they were seeking lies to convict Him. The wheels of justice were not operating as God had expected when He set forth His law and order. Jesus did what they refused to do. He spoke the truth, but it was too much for them to accept. They declared His testimony to be blasphemy and agreed that they had enough evidence to convict Him. He should die. Then, the most humiliating and painful actions took place by the very ones who were entrusted to lead the nation spiritually. They spit in his face, struck and slapped him, and mocked him. Don’t rush by this scene too quickly. Sit and think about what our Lord endured out of love for you.
Relate it to your life.
The Lord’s love is absolutely amazing for what it did for me.
Do something.
“Jesus, praise be to Your name for all You have done for us to bring us back into the family. Amen.”
April 4- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:69-72, Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
Observe what it is saying.
Temptation came knocking quickly in the form of two servant girls. Peter first denied the servant girl’s words, and then denied Jesus with an oath. Jesus had warned about invoking these kinds of oaths because they are often attempts to hide deception. It’s interesting that servant girls in that culture would have been seen as the lowest and least, yet they were used to trip up one of Jesus’ core disciples. Fear is such a strong motivator that it caused Peter to not only deny he was Jesus’ disciple but that He even knew who Jesus was. We find Jesus’ admonition at Gethsemane for Peter to watch and pray was not an idle word but of the utmost urgency for him to stand strong in the midst of a fierce spiritual battle. We have evidence from spiritual failure that we need soul-searching, surrendering prayer to meet the ferocious spiritual attacks that inevitably come our way.
Relate it to your life.
I can’t expect to remain faithful without a persevering passionate prayer life.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close. Keep me faithful. Keep me strong. I surrender myself to You. Amen.”
April 5- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:73-75, After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter had been caught. His northern accent gave him away. Jesus’ denials had progressed from a dismissal of the first servant’s words to declaring an oath denying that he knew Jesus. Now, with several others approaching him, he goes further. He called down curses and swore to them. Peter was using graphic ungodly language to deny his Lord. This was such an ugly spiritual scene that caused Peter to remember how he had boasted he would never deny Jesus, but go with him to death. This monumental spiritual failure stood in such stark contrast to his best intentions. Peter’s only response was to go out and weep. He was quickly convicted and heart-broken that he had treated his friend and Messiah in such a vile way. Yet, Jesus would later come to him and give him the opportunity to declare three times his love for Him. Even in our worst failures, God’s grace is available and overflowing to forgive and restore our brokenness. We are never too far gone from God’s ability to rescue and redeem us.
Relate it to your life.
Even when I mess up terribly, God’s grace is abundantly available to forgive and restore me.
Do something.
Jesus, thank You for never giving up on me even when I fail you. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:51-54, With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Observe what it is saying.
From other accounts, we know Peter was the one who drew his sword. As we might say it, Peter was packing! Peter had said earlier he was willing to go down with Jesus. Maybe, this was his way of attempting to do so. What was Peter actually trying to do? Was he a bad shot and missed the mark? Was he just trying to defend Jesus against this large crowd who was also armed? Whatever he was trying to do, Jesus told him to stop and sheath his sword. The way of the world is to retaliate against violence with violence. The usual consequence of championing violence is often a violent end. Jesus rejects the notion that God’s will is advanced or should be imposed on others through violent means. Jesus has come to carry out God’s plan of redemption as prophesied in Scripture as a Servant who will experience tremendous suffering and pain as prophesied in Isaiah 53.
Relate it to your life.
Jesus’ plan was to conquer the world through extravagant love, service, and sacrifice.
Do something.
“Jesus, may Your agape love wield its power through me for the advancement of Your kingdom. Amen.”
April 1- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:55-56, 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus was absolutely dumbfounded that this armed mob had come to take Him away. He had never shown any violent tendencies. He taught openly so they could have arrested Him any time they wanted. However, Jesus also knew that this was the plan that had been prophesied in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and various other locations in Scripture. Even though Jesus was non-violent, they feared Him. They feared the crowds who loved Him. Jesus would willingly go with them, however, the disciples took off. They said they would never disown Jesus but go to the death with Him. Their best intentions were discovered only to be wishful thinking. All of them abandoned their Lord. Do we think we would have been loyal and stuck by His side in this intense moment? What about today? Can we think of a time when we abandoned Jesus because it was too difficult to stand with Him?
Relate it to your life.
I must admit I have the same urge to abandon my Lord in challenging times.
Do something.
“Jesus, I admit I have previously abandoned You. I am afraid I still have enough weakness to desert You. Please fill me with Holy Spirit strength to stand with You at all times and in all situations. Amen.”
April 2- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:57-63a, Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus’ interrogation began with the religious leaders. The whole Sanhedrin had gathered at the high priest’s home. Peter who fled the scene of Jesus’ arrest was now cautiously following at a distance so he would not be noticed. Yet he desired to know what was going to happen to Jesus. The whole Jewish court was looking for false evidence. Corruption was in the highest levels of the religious leadership. It seems strange that as they were looking for false evidence with false witnesses, they couldn’t find it until the two said, Jesus was going to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. This appears to be an intentional distortion when Jesus was asked for a sign, and he answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) Even though they had misrepresented what He said, Jesus did not offer a rebuttal. The One who was perfectly just experienced injustice at every step.
Relate it to your life.
Any time I act unjustly, I join Jesus’ opponents.
Do something.
“Jesus, please forgive me when I have acted or spoken unjustly and stood against you. Amen.”
April 3- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:63b-68, The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Observe what it is saying.
The high priest expected Jesus to tell the truth under oath while they were seeking lies to convict Him. The wheels of justice were not operating as God had expected when He set forth His law and order. Jesus did what they refused to do. He spoke the truth, but it was too much for them to accept. They declared His testimony to be blasphemy and agreed that they had enough evidence to convict Him. He should die. Then, the most humiliating and painful actions took place by the very ones who were entrusted to lead the nation spiritually. They spit in his face, struck and slapped him, and mocked him. Don’t rush by this scene too quickly. Sit and think about what our Lord endured out of love for you.
Relate it to your life.
The Lord’s love is absolutely amazing for what it did for me.
Do something.
“Jesus, praise be to Your name for all You have done for us to bring us back into the family. Amen.”
April 4- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:69-72, Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
Observe what it is saying.
Temptation came knocking quickly in the form of two servant girls. Peter first denied the servant girl’s words, and then denied Jesus with an oath. Jesus had warned about invoking these kinds of oaths because they are often attempts to hide deception. It’s interesting that servant girls in that culture would have been seen as the lowest and least, yet they were used to trip up one of Jesus’ core disciples. Fear is such a strong motivator that it caused Peter to not only deny he was Jesus’ disciple but that He even knew who Jesus was. We find Jesus’ admonition at Gethsemane for Peter to watch and pray was not an idle word but of the utmost urgency for him to stand strong in the midst of a fierce spiritual battle. We have evidence from spiritual failure that we need soul-searching, surrendering prayer to meet the ferocious spiritual attacks that inevitably come our way.
Relate it to your life.
I can’t expect to remain faithful without a persevering passionate prayer life.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close. Keep me faithful. Keep me strong. I surrender myself to You. Amen.”
April 5- The Final Week
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 26:73-75, After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter had been caught. His northern accent gave him away. Jesus’ denials had progressed from a dismissal of the first servant’s words to declaring an oath denying that he knew Jesus. Now, with several others approaching him, he goes further. He called down curses and swore to them. Peter was using graphic ungodly language to deny his Lord. This was such an ugly spiritual scene that caused Peter to remember how he had boasted he would never deny Jesus, but go with him to death. This monumental spiritual failure stood in such stark contrast to his best intentions. Peter’s only response was to go out and weep. He was quickly convicted and heart-broken that he had treated his friend and Messiah in such a vile way. Yet, Jesus would later come to him and give him the opportunity to declare three times his love for Him. Even in our worst failures, God’s grace is available and overflowing to forgive and restore our brokenness. We are never too far gone from God’s ability to rescue and redeem us.
Relate it to your life.
Even when I mess up terribly, God’s grace is abundantly available to forgive and restore me.
Do something.
Jesus, thank You for never giving up on me even when I fail you. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals