3/20                 Matthew 26:47-49 

And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 

EVIL

Evil often masquerades as a friend.  Check the spirits.  Think strategically.  Look at your situation with spiritual eyes and know the Lord.  He will save you.  He will walk you through every difficulty you face.  Too often we can’t change the events that overwhelm us but we can change our response to them.  Jesus loves you and wants you to follow Him.  

3/19                 Matthew 26:45-46 

Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” 

REALITY

Today you will face a real evil trying to destroy your life.  It is carelessness and sin.  Up let’s follow the Lord-surrender to Him and let Jesus lead you.  Spiritual strength comes from step by step obedience.  Jesus is Lord.  

3/18                 Matthew 26:42-44 

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.  44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 

PRAY

Pray for those around you especially for the lost and those who have mistreated you.  Pray for our government, your work, your family, your spiritual growth and your day to day actions.  Pray that we might increase our obedience to Jesus and share the Gospel-Jesus is alive and He is alive for you.  Pray.  

3/17                 Matthew 26:40-41

Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” 

TRUTH

Each of us face this type of situation every time we face temptation.  Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.  Pray that the Lord will grow stronger in your life day by day. 

3/16                 Matthew 26:39 

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 

OBEDIENCE

A beautiful example of obedience.  He knew what was going to happen and believed the Father for the end result and willingly submitted Himself to taking on our sin and suffering to provide for our salvation and return to the Family of God.  Perfect.  Jesus is Lord.  

3/15                 Matthew 26:36-38 

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”  37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

CONNECTED

JESUS was connected with the Father.  He knew what He was facing and He trusted the Father to carry Him through this difficulty.  You and I need to connect with Jesus and trust Him to carry us through every obstacle we face.   

3/14                 Matthew 26:34-35 

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. 

FUTURE

We do not know the future, but we do know Jesus.  Trust Him and obey Him and He will walk us through every obstacle we face.  He is Lord and is Lord of life and the living.  Trust Jesus and He will do it.  

3/13                 Matthew 26:33 

Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 

ME

That is me.  Self-focused and unaware of the obstacles that face me each and every day.  Unless Jesus is in control we will not succeed.  

3/12                 Matthew 26:31-32 

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 

JOURNEY

The Christ-like life is simple to understand and hard to do.  We are human and are great sinners.  Selfishness and sinfulness are difficult for us to deal with in our life.  Unless we surrender ourselves to Jesus we cannot overcome the inclination for sin.  Jesus is the only way.  Unless He is in control we are out of control.  

3/11                 Matthew 26:29-30 

Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” 30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

SURE

It is a sure thing that we will go to be with Jesus when we pass.  If we believe in Him and trust Him to save us and obey His command we will be with Him.  Trust and obey are the key.