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.  

3/26                 Matthew 26:64 

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

PROCLAMATION

Jesus is coming back in judgment.  Everyone will know it when He does.  Jesus is coming soon.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Jesus loves you.  

3/25                 Matthew 26:62-63 

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

ASKED

The high priest asked Jesus something he didn’t believe.  Jesus knew this.  When in the presence of unbelievers, we often say nothing.  Jesus knew what was going on and he knew that anything he said would be ridiculed.  Why waste their time?  

3/24                 Matthew 26:58-61 

Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 

TRAVESTY

The trial of Jesus was a travesty.  So much like the way we often treat others.  It is a travesty the way we treat our children, out mates, our friends and our enemies.  People count with Jesus.  The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Lk 10:27

3/23                 Matthew 26:57 

Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 

RELIGIOUS

The Religious were consistently condemned by Jesus for their un-godliness.  They refused to love people first which is a direct commandment by the Father.  They subverted religious life to their own ends with caring for God’s people.  People count with God.  

3/22                 Matthew 26:55 

Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.  56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. 

JESUS

Jesus never hid who he was or why he came.  Do you know Him?  If you don’t know Jesus you need to by simply asking Him to forgive you of your sin and save you.  He will and He will guide you in your spiritual growth day by day.  Surrender to Him and trust Him and obey what He says.  His Word is truth, read it as if your life depended on it.  Get to know Jesus.  

3/21                 Matthew 26:50-54 

Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?  54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” 

MESSIAH

Jesus is the Messiah as foretold in the Scriptures.  He came to save us from our sin.  Now one day soon He is coming back to take us home with Him and to judge the World.  Follow Jesus.  He will save you from your sin.