Matthew 26:1-5
Mark 14:1-2
Luke 22:1-2
In these verses, the chief priests and elders gather to agree they must stop Jesus. But they put this off until after the Passover. The scripture indicates they were afraid of the people. Ironically, it was these same people who turned quickly on Jesus and shouted, “Crucify him!” What were God’s thoughts when this played out? Human beings, although marvelous and capable of so much good, can be so fickle and cruel. I hope I could never be swayed to turn my back on God. I believe my faith is too strong for that. If I have God living in me, I cannot separate myself from Him, ever.
Father God, Help me to keep my heart clean, and to focus on you. Help my decisions to be in line with your will, always. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
2021-0331 Wednesday, Daily Devotion - Passion Week
Matthew 26:23-25 (NIV)
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
What struck my mind in today’s scriptures were “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” and “You have said so.” When I think I am not a bad one Jesus talks about, which indicates…
Matthew 26:1-5
Jesus' journey through the Cross and his return to his Father is his unbelievable control of these events. Jesus' crucifixion is not some horrible mistake. Jesus' death is not some horrible miscalculation on his part. The Cross is Jesus' commitment to our redemption and God's will. Jesus does not face death blindly. He knows he is about to be rejected and treated with scorn. He knows he will be abandoned by those he loves most. He knows that he will face heartless cruelty alone. Yet he does it at his own pace, by his own will, and because of his deep love for us. At the same time the chief priests and elders are scheming to arrest Jes…
Mark 14:1-2, Matthew 26:1-5, Luke 22:1-2 Two things are clear in these readings. The religious leaders are very threatened by Jesus and his teachings and they are not beneath plotting his murder to keep their status and power. Such evil. It is hard to understand how this was part of God’s plan. And yet—look what we have because of their actions. We have been saved from our sins because of Jesus sacrifice. We have evidence of the wonderful lessons he taught and, therefore, a guide to living a wonderful life. These morning readings and written devotions help keep us using this guide to living that he left behind. Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your wisdom. Help us see…
Mark 14: 1-2, Matthew 26: 1-5, Luke 22: 1-2
2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Jesus is making it clear to his Apostles that His aim is the cross. They thought perhaps he would attempt to defy the Jewish authorities. He would not attempt to get out of what was to come. As Passion Week goes by I find myself thinking more and more about the pain and suffering Jesus took on for us. This wonderful gift from God is one that I will never forget as long as I live.
Dearest Lord you gave your Son up for me. I didn’t deserve this wonderful…
Matthew 26:2 - “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
in Matthew‘s Gospel Jesus actually says to the disciples what was in store, but no reaction is described. Mark and Luke make no mention of this. Was it dramatic license on Matthew’s part just to set the stage? If Jesus really said this what was the response of the 12? Perhaps they did not understand. It would not be the first time. Only later at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane are any objections raised to this scenario. Reality was creeping too close to remain unrecognized.
Prayer - Jesus, I want to…