4/05                 Matthew 27:15-18 

Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 

SIN

This whole murder trial of Jesus was evil at work in the world.  Now the religious leaders had whipped up the foolish populace to demand Jesus be murdered.  We were there with them and just as they did we too nailed the nails into His hands and feet.  Evil killed Jesus.  God raised Him from the dead.  He paid the price for our sin and offers us entrée to His kingdom.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  

4/04                 Matthew 27:13 

“Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. 

FATHER

Jesus listened to the Father and kept quiet.  There was nothing these people could do that would change the outcome.  He was going to the Cross for us.  His mission was an amazing mission and He would complete it.  Christ is King.  

4/03                 Matthew 27:11-12 

Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.”  12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.

REPLY

What would you do?  Jesus, the Son of God, knew what they were going to do, kill him.  He denied himself and under the direction of the Father walked straight to the Cross.  He did that for you and for me.  He knew our great need and made His great sacrifice.  Jesus is Lord.  

4/02                 Matthew 27:3-10 

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.  4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”  7After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, 10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the LORD directed. ” 

PROPHECY

Jeremiah prophesied this very act about 600 years ago.  God knew what was going on.  He always knows what is going on and out of what we call darkness the Lord speaks.  He knows all things and uses all things for His purpose.  There is a day coming when this vary same Jesus will return in judgment.  Stand fast.  Let the characters of darkness go their way but you follow the Lord.  

4/01                 Matthew 27:1-2 

Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 

CONTINUES

Evil continues and continues.  The drama is disgusting.  Those who operate in darkness think they are destroying the light.  They find their actions to be right and they are totally wrong.  Evil controls the moment and yet is playing right into God’s hands.  Christ will suffer and bleed for us.  The darkness of sin is overwhelming.  But the dawn will come and come soon.  

3/31                 Matthew 26:75 

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

FAILURE

Failure destroys us.  It abuses us.  But what we need to do is to take our failure to Jesus and let Him show us how to succeed.  Stay away from the negativity of life and let Christ guide you in the positive way to go.  Jesus is Lord and He loves you.  

3/30                 Matthew 26:73-74 

A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 

FEAR

Fear is a loathsome mistress.  It takes us farther away than we ever thought we would go and dumps at the place where we feel totally unusable.  Go to Jesus with your sin, whatever it is and He will reconcile your life.  Christ is King.  He has won the victory.  Go to Him. 

3/29                 Matthew 26:71-72 

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”  72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 

CAUGHT

Peter is caught by his own words.  We too get caught by our own words.  We lie.  We sin.  We walk our own way.  Christ is calling us to surrender.  Walk with Him.  Read His Word.  Claim its promises.  Remember its directives.  Do what Jesus says.  When you mess up go to Jesus, confess, read, pray, do and keep doing.  

3/28                 Matthew 26:69-70 

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 

OOPS

Ooops-we boast of what we are going to do and find in a pinch most often we fail to perform.  This is sin.  We do it and do it and yet Jesus forgives our sin.  Don’t walk away from the Lord when you mess up-run to Him.  He will forgive and set you on the right course.  Obedience is learned at the side of Jesus.  Spend time with Him and you will discover the power you need to obey.  

3/27                 Matthew 26:65-68 

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” 

WINS

Evil thinks it wins.  It is destroying the King of the Universe.  The Son of God.  Yet it’s win is for God because out of the destruction of the death of Jesus on the Cross, victory for you and me is born.  Jesus is Lord.  He is alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father and He is here with each one of us bringing victory into our lives.  Jesus is Lord.