There are many things we could focus our attention on in this section of scripture. One thing that I was reminded of while studying was the differences between Peter and Judas' failures.
Both men denied Christ, were remorseful and both wept. But one led to death and the other to restoration.
Luke 22:31-32 shows how Jesus was praying for Peter, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.
Notice, Jesus didn't pray that Peter wouldn't fail, but that his FAITH wouldn't fail. Peter denied Christ, but his faith remained and allowed for repentance and restoration.
Jesus gave Judas many chances to repent and showed great love and mercy to him. Even at the betrayal, Jesus calls him FRIEND! Yet Judas didn't have faith in Christ. He always called Jesus, "Teacher" or "Rabbi", not "Christ" or "Lord." Judas felt sorry for what he had done, but his faith failed and so did he. I believe strongly that Christ wanted Judas to repent and return, but instead, he killed himself.
May we grow our faith, knowing we will fail Christ many times in our lives. Our faith will make us strong and bring us to a place of repentance. So, be in the Word and grow your faith!
"Jesus, you have promised to pray for us too. I know your prayers are for our faith to not fail. We have failed You many times and will again fail you today. But let our faith be strong and help us to repent and return. Once you have restored us, help us to then strengthen the brethren. Amen."
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Matthew 26:47- 27:26 Outline
The plan is to cover quote a few verses this week.
- Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane (v:26:47-56)
- Mock Trial (26:57-68)
- Peter Denies Christ (26:69-75)
- Judas Failure and death (27:1-10)
- Jesus before Pilate (27:11-14)
- Barabbas vs Christ (27:25-26)
Friday, March 3, 2017
Matthew 26:1- 26:46 Thoughts
The next few chapters are packed full of examples of Jesus fulfilling prophecy and teaching through example.
The item that really stood out to me this week was in verses 36-46. Jesus is praying in the garden and desires His disciples to also pray. He finds them sleeping and exhorts them, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The first part shows how Jesus was almost surprised at their weakness. He couldn't believe they were unable to watch for even one hour. He then tells them why it is important to watch and pray; it helps us against temptation. James chapter 1 warns us of how temptation comes when we allow fleshly desires to overcome spiritual direction. The disciples were tired, and so was Jesus. Yet Jesus understood the significance of that night in the spiritual realm. The disciples did not.
Jesus then tells them why they failed, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The Spirit of God wants to do a work with us and through us. He wants us to overcome temptation and overcome the flesh, but we are often weak.
So how do I avoid this situation? How do I allow the Spirit to do His will and be "strong in the flesh." It is important to note that we are not to have a strong flesh, but strong power OVER the flesh.
The Bible talks much on this subject and Paul covers this in several of his letters; especially the one to the Galatians.
Galatians 5:16-18
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
The key here is a continuous walk and a continuous leading. Daily feeding the Spirit with prayer, fellowship and being in the Word. learning to follow the steps directed by the Spirit. Only then do we have a chance, by the grace of God, to overcome the desires of the flesh.
"Jesus, please teach us to walk in the Spirit. Help us to depend more and more on You each day. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us to surrender all of ourselves to Him. Amen."
The item that really stood out to me this week was in verses 36-46. Jesus is praying in the garden and desires His disciples to also pray. He finds them sleeping and exhorts them, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The first part shows how Jesus was almost surprised at their weakness. He couldn't believe they were unable to watch for even one hour. He then tells them why it is important to watch and pray; it helps us against temptation. James chapter 1 warns us of how temptation comes when we allow fleshly desires to overcome spiritual direction. The disciples were tired, and so was Jesus. Yet Jesus understood the significance of that night in the spiritual realm. The disciples did not.
Jesus then tells them why they failed, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The Spirit of God wants to do a work with us and through us. He wants us to overcome temptation and overcome the flesh, but we are often weak.
So how do I avoid this situation? How do I allow the Spirit to do His will and be "strong in the flesh." It is important to note that we are not to have a strong flesh, but strong power OVER the flesh.
The Bible talks much on this subject and Paul covers this in several of his letters; especially the one to the Galatians.
Galatians 5:16-18
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
The key here is a continuous walk and a continuous leading. Daily feeding the Spirit with prayer, fellowship and being in the Word. learning to follow the steps directed by the Spirit. Only then do we have a chance, by the grace of God, to overcome the desires of the flesh.
"Jesus, please teach us to walk in the Spirit. Help us to depend more and more on You each day. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us to surrender all of ourselves to Him. Amen."
Matthew 26:1- 26:46 Outline
We are now in the last section of Matthew. We don't get much detail on the Last Supper or any additional teachings from Christ. Matthew just reminds the reader over and over again of the fulfillment of prophecy and how Jesus was clearly the Messiah.
- Jesus Predicts Crucifixion ON Passover (26:1-2)
- Chief Priest Predicts Killing Jesus NOT on Passover (26:3-5)
Note: This is important to note. The religious leaders had no intention of trying to kill Jesus during the feast. But God had His plan.... who won? - Anointing for Burial (26:6-13)
- Judas' Plan (26:14-16)
- Last Supper (26:17-30)
- Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial (26:31-35)
- Prayer in the Garden (26:36-46)
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