QT 5/31/2022 Matt 28:1-8, God's design is still best

Matthew 28:1–8 (ESV) — 1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

 

NOTE: The women are the first to hear the good news that Jesus is alive. And the women will be the first to whom Jesus appears. In the kingdom of God there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free -- we are one in Christ. Yes, there are roles that God created, but he never created man to lord over women. He never created women to be property. In this new kingdom, the glory of the roles is to be restored. The church has had mixed success. Some went back to old patterns; some discarded the roles and embraced Satan's worldview, and some have found joy in experiencing fulfillment as God designed and created us. We are equal and different, two sexes, joined together in marriage. Whatever the evil one offers, it will never replace the goodness of God's plan.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we willing to trust God's plan for the sexes?
2. Do we really think our plan could be better than God's plan?

 

PRAYER: Forgive us for rebelling against everything you created for our good. My culture and people are hell-bent on doing everything against how God designed us. We need you Lord -- come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 5/30/2022 Matt 27:62-66, The Resurrection -- everyone must face the facts

Matthew 27:62–66 (ESV) — 62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

 

NOTE: I can just see the response of Pilate if this scene was played out in our culture. "Really, you are just telling me this now. This seems like a rather important detail." On the other hand, I'm sure Pilate was convinced that no one rose from the dead after a Roman crucifixion. The more interesting point is that even the Pharisees knew that Jesus planned to rise from the dead. We see Jesus say this clearly to his close disciples, and they did not even understand. We see Jesus say this obliquely to the crowds, "(no more signs) shall be given to this generation other than the sign of Jonah." So, it is rather surprising that the Pharisees knew Jesus' prophecy. And, it shows the hardness of their heart -- because they knew the truth and somehow did not believe. Of course, Jesus did not later appear to them, they only knew the body was gone. They would have to believe the uneducated fishermen and women that he was alive, and the 500-plus witnesses. Of the eleven main disciples, all would die rather than deny the fact of the resurrection. Why? Because it was true.

 

You know, even when something is true, you don't die for it. I would deny I was typing on this computer if that is what it meant to live. That truth or fact is not worth dying for. But Jesus' death was not only a fact, but its truth was the blessed hope of a resurrection and eternal life. It was a higher bar to cross, and they were eyewitnesses of the fact.

 

PONDER:

1. What would we do for? We are only "second"-generation believers. We were not eyewitnesses. We have the record of the eye-witnesses. And many of us have seen the miracle of transformation in our own lives. Would we die rather than deny Jesus? I believe I would.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that I am not blinded by religion. Thank you that my conversion was life-changing. I was a new creature. Changes occurred from the inside out. I had new desires. I had a new lifestyle. And while the change is not nearly as dramatic year by year, I still see you changing my life to be a different person than I was.

QT 5/26/2022 Matt 27:51-56, We sold our souls and bought spiritual bankruptcy

Matthew 27:51–56 (ESV) — 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

 

NOTE: The men fled, but the women remained --maybe because they were perceived as less a threat than the men. John apparently returns as well  (Jn 19:26-27).  I live in a generation where society is trying to define women as the same as men, and also defining new so-called sexes. Our problem is not appreciating or valuing the sex God has created us to be. Our wholeness is lost in a search for something else, that won't fulfill who we really are. Only when we embrace God and his design for us can we begin the healing that our souls require. We live in a sin-scarred society that no longer understands right from wrong. We commit great evils upon one another because we think we are animals, forgetting that we are told we are made in the image of God. We have lost our value because we don't understand our origin. The women at the cross used their unique freedom to minister to the human aspect of our Lord right up to his death. They had the privilege to be the last ones to see his ministry on earth. They loved their role and were blessed in it.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I appreciate my creation and design?
2. Am I dissatisfied because I refuse to rejoice in the person God created?

 

PRAYER: Father, the evil one is destroying people be creating lies everywhere. People refuse to believe your truth because they don't want you to be their God. And as a result are suffering in their souls. Please open our eyes to our sins. Our problem is not political, but spiritual. Open our eyes to our spiritual bankruptcy.

QT 5/25/2022 Matt 27:45-50, We are very sick and in need of a savior

Matthew 27:45–50 (ESV) — 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

 

NOTE: I am dumbfounded. Did someone really say, "wait and see if Elijah will come?" Really? What did they think was going on? Was this a first century version of a reality show? Were they there for the entertainment of death? Did all they care about was having their senses tickled with some excitement? And we are certainly no different today -- it's not interesting unless it is new. Horror films (which I don't watch so I could be wrong) have to turn up the degree of wickedness and outdo the last film. Realities show have to include "drama." What a wicked and perverse generation we are today as was the generation during Jesus' life! I realize that this has little to do with the crucifixion, but what has happened to the human spirit?

 

PONDER:

1. Am I more interested in being tickled than in doing the right thing?
2. Is doing the right thing boring?

 

PRAYER: Father, have mercy on us and transform our spirits. Wake us up to our humanity. Help us to see we have a sin problem. A man killed 18 people yesterday in an elementary school and all we want to talk about is gun control. We have a sick spiritual problem that won't go away with laws -- we need to be born again.

QT 5/24/2022 Matt 27:37-44, He died because he loved me

Matthew 27:37–44 (ESV) — 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

 

NOTE: Verse 43 is another rebuke to the skeptics who try to argue that Jesus never said he was the Son of God. Clearly, what he did say left no doubt in the Jewish mind that he was declaring himself the Son of God. The Romans sarcastically call him the King of the Jews, but ironically that also is true. He was the Son of God, and he was the King of the Jews, and he could bring himself down from the cross -- all these statements are true, but his love kept him there. The nails did not hold him to the cross but the love for us held him there. Paul would later write:

 

Galatians 2:20 (RSV) — 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

He love "ME" and gave himself for "ME." The cross was no accident but the plan of God to save us from our sin, and give eternal life to all those who would believe and receive him.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I received Jesus into my life?
2. Is he truly my Lord and Savior?

 

PRAYER: Father, like Paul, I can write that you loved me and you gave yourself for me. I am so unworthy of such love. I am so undeserving. Words cannot express my own feelings of unbelief that I could be saved. And words cannot express my thankfulness either.

 

QT 5/23/2022 Matt 27:32-36, Seeing beyond myself

Matthew 27:32–36 (ESV) — 32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

 

NOTE: We don't know much about Simon. He was forced to carry Jesus' cross part of the way -- probably because Jesus was too week from the flogging and beating. The drink, either intended to relieve the pain or poison him was rejected. The soldiers, as usual, gambled for the loot, his clothing. Little did most people know or understand that the Son of God-made-man was dying in their place. The most momentous death in human history -- the death that would save millions. It was just another day of executing criminals to all the participants. They missed the significance of the event because they were all consumed by their own world. It is easy to miss significant events that are happening all around us because we are too busy or too focused in the weeds. We need to daily step back and ask God what he is doing.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I ever stop and ask God what he is doing around me?
2. Do I every try to look for those signs?
3. Am I only focused on myself?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to not get so focused on myself that I miss what you are doing in other people's lives. Give me insight and sensitivity to the people I interact with.

QT 5/20/2022 Matt 27:27-31, Do we realize our unworthiness?

Matthew 27:27–31 (ESV) — 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

 

NOTE: It is quite possible, some of these soldiers become Christians. They have crucified many, so would this one have stood out? It certainly did to one of their commanders (a centurion at the cross). There were between 500-1000 soldiers stationed in Jerusalem, maybe more because of the visit of the governor. He usually stayed in Caesarea. How many of the soldiers would recall this crucifixion? How many would come to Christ? They would be a little like Paul, an enemy of the gospel up until his conversion, and then saved by grace -- absolutely unmerited. They would certainly recognize their unworthiness. Our problem is that we don't appreciate our salvation. We don't understand how unworthy we are. We don't appreciate the evil of our sinful nature that makes us unredeemable by human efforts. We think that we are better than so-and-so, but in God's eyes, we are worthless rags. Only Jesus' death can take away the stain.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we truly understand how unworthy we were of salvation -- if we are saved?
2. Yes, we were not the Roman soldiers torturing Jesus, but we are just as guilty -- do we realize it?

 

PRAYER: Father, we need to take a moment -- well, actually every moment -- to thank you for your incredible salvation. I am so unworthy. I don't know why your grace was showered on me. I don't know why your kindness was so great. I don't know why you showed me mercy. Thank you, … thank you for my new life in Christ.

QT 5/19/2022 Matt 27:24-26, The amazing blood

Matthew 27:24–26 (ESV) — 24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

 

NOTE: Pilate washes his hands of the blood and the people verbally accept the blood, but the blood is really upon everyone, and for good measure. The blood is what washes away the guilt of our sin upon believing. Pilate's hand-washing does not relieve him of the responsibility or authority he exercised. He is a sort-of "federal" head representing all of mankind. And yet God was the true authority and Jesus was the one who accepted his role as the Passover lamb. And it is Jesus' blood that washes our guilty conscience clean.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize what a wonderful thing it was for me that I am cleansed of every guilty thought by the blood of the lamb?
2. Have I understand the wonderful cleansing? Do I know that no soap exists that can make me feel so clean than the blood shed on the cross for me?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that I am truly clean. Thank you for the blood that washes away the guilt of my sin. Thank you for the future and the hope I have in Christ.

QT 5/17/2022 Matt 27:17-19, Crucified for our sins and saved by his death

Matthew 27:17–19 (ESV) — 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

 

NOTE: In verse 19, Matthew adds another unique aspect to the story, Pilate's wife's nightmare on account of Jesus. Now Pilate has two reasons to release Jesus, the first is natural -- Jesus is not guilty of any crime by Roman law, and the second is supernatural -- his wife is given a dream warning of Jesus' innocence. In Roman culture, there was a lot of weight placed on dreams. They had a spiritual superstition. Why does God give the wife a dream? By clearly establishing Jesus' innocence, it highlights the evil of men, and it shows both Gentile (Roman) and Jewish involvement in the crucifixion of Jesus. Yes, Jesus had to die for our sins to bring us salvation, but there was no legal requirement for him to die. He had no sin. If he did, he could not have died for our sins, he could only die for his sins. The Jews did not kill Jesus -- mankind (all of us) killed Jesus.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I really recognize the depth of my sinful self? If so, then I will see myself as a partner in Jesus' crucifixion.

 

PRAYER: Father, "WE" rejected the messiah. We, mankind, sought to kill him. We were represented by the Romans and the Chief Priests. If we had no sin, we would not be guilty, but we all have sinned. And Jesus had to die for our sins, so we are guilty of his death. But, gloriously so: we who believe are now saved by his death and resurrection. Thank you!

QT 5/16/2022 Matt 27:11-18, Pilate's foolishness

Matthew 27:11–18 (ESV) — 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

 

NOTE: The only question or charge that Jesus replies to is the question of his identity. John adds a little more detail to Jesus' reply where Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world, and that angels are his servants. As the Roman authority, Pilate's only concern is insurrection and riot. He finds Jesus innocent and yet chooses to go forward with the execution believing that the crowd will free Jesus. I think there is a lesson here. Pilate could have chosen to do the right thing and free Jesus on the basis of his innocence. But he tries to play both sides, to appease the leaders, to appease the crowd, and to fulfill his judicial role. He fails. Ultimately it is God's plan that he fail, for Jesus' death is the ultimate goal, salvation for the world.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I try to shirk a duty or responsibility by passing it off onto someone else or onto events I believe will alleviate the problem?
2. Am I willing to courageously face the decisions that are mine to make?

 

PRAYER: Father, while this passage shows your sovereignty and the fulfillment of your plan, it also gives an example of failed leadership, where a leader does not do the right thing but tries to game the result. Help me to have the courage to do the right thing at work and not to "game" the system.

QT 5/12/2022 Matt 27:1-2, The most momentous moment in history

Matthew 27:1–2 (ESV) — 1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

 

NOTE: I wonder if this was the perfunctory meeting to dot the "i's" and cross the "t's." Legally, the middle of the night meeting at a home was not legal. Now they meet in the morning to officially vote during the day in the official chamber, but the decision was already made earlier at the High Priest's home. Technically, they did not have the authority to put Jesus to death unless he had desecrated the temple. They did have a lot of temple testimony, but none of it related to desecration. The best they could do was a charge of blasphemy (Jesus' claim to be the Son of God), but they could not execute a person for that charge under Roman rule. If they were an independent power, they could have executed Jesus, but Roman rule required Roman involvement. Therefore, Jesus was killed by Jew and Gentile. What was the Gentile charge? Pilate never saw a sufficient charge although the Jews pressed the idea of insurrection, and "another king like Caesar." In the end, only a potential riot forced Pilate's hand. Pilate out-thought himself. He knew there was no charge worth of death but assumed when Barabbas and Jesus were put side by side on Passover, the Jewish crowd would free Jesus. Consequently, Jesus is sentenced to death for no charge (from the Romans -- Gentiles). His only charge (from the Jews) was that He claimed to be God, which he was, so that charge was not punishable by death.

 

PONDER:

1. The coincidences of events are quite amazing. Are they really just coincidences or was a Sovereign God directing the events of the most momentous moment in human history?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray we would not be dull to your incredible involvement in human history. I pray we would not miss the significance because of familiarity.

QT 5/11/2022 Matt 26:69-75, Real change begins with real repentance

Matthew 26:69–75 (ESV) — 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

 

NOTE: Blomberg's comments on this passage are quite interesting. In the preceding verses, Jesus stands before the most powerful men in Israel in a trial that will decide his death. In contrast, Peter is question by a couple of servant girls concerning associating with Jesus and he wilts more quickly than lettuce in the hot sun. In fairness to Peter, his life could be at risk if he is associated with Jesus -- at least that is what he thinks -- also, he drew the sword in the garden. But later this same year in history, in the power of the Holy Spirit, before these same men Jesus is facing, he will declare that he must obey God not men in direct defiance to their authority. So, a lot changes in Peter's life in a little less than a year. He is transformed and it is visible. And I believe that his tears are the first step. It is as if Peter is saying, "I am such a failure -- I can't do what I want to do -- I am weak and afraid -- God, forgive me." This is the starting point for any real spiritual change, realizing you can't do it on your own, but also desiring to see real change in your life.

 

PONDER:

1. Real change starts with real repentance. Half-hearted attempts only fool ourselves. Am I truly desiring real change in my life, or does God only play a peripheral role in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems like failure is the path to real change. And yet, no one wants to suffer failure. But sometimes it takes failure to get serious. I pray we would hear you speak in your word and we would act on your guidance without having to experience failure, if that is at all possible.

QT 5/9/2022 Matt 26:55-62, You must be born again

Matthew 26:55–62 (ESV) — 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. 57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ”

 

NOTE: There are many things "wrong" with this passage. Fruchtenbaum counts over 20 infractions of the procedures or rules that were used by the Sanhedrin -- a trial by night, in a private home, false witnesses, and many more actions. The Jews were clearly at fault in this action because they had no real evidence of a crime. The Romans had the real authority for capital punishment, and while Pilate found him innocent, Pilate gives the order to crucify him in order to avoid a riot. The conclusion is abundantly clear, Jew and Gentile crucified the savior -- it really could be no other way. The world was Jew or Gentile, and together they kill their savior. Ironically, Jesus' death offers them salvation from sin and the hope of eternal life. God uses man's evil to bring about salvation for the world. But, Jesus's death and resurrection does not save mankind alone, each of us must choose to believe and receive. You cannot be born into the faith, another cannot believe for you, nor can you be forced (John 1:12-13). Salvation requires a willing heart that repents of their sin, and believes that Jesus' death and resurrection frees them from the slavery to sin -- this is what "new birth" means.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I experienced the new birth or am I trusting in my good works (I'm better than others) for my salvation at the end of life? Good works CANNOT save.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you than I have experienced a new birth. Thank you that is was "noticeable" and a point in time. Thank you that I have seen so many clear signs of your work in my life, that I can have confidence that I have been saved. And my salvation is entirely based on Jesus' death on the cross. I look forward to my resurrection from the dead and my new eternal body.

QT 5/5/2022 Matt 26:45-59, Paying God lip service is a form of rebellion

Matthew 26:45–49 (ESV) — 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

 

NOTE: Jesus knows even before Judas arrives who is coming and what is happening. Originally the Jewish leaders decided not to arrest Jesus during the festival in order to avoid a riot. But the timing is God's time and not man's time -- the "hour" that God the Father has chosen has come. Jesus does not run or hide, although one of the disciples draws a sword which Jesus immediately rebukes. Jesus is betrayed by a friend and a kiss, the final act of rebellion. Man pretends to serve God, but only in formality, not from the heart. Judas' actions are the actions of every human being throughout history. We don't want God as our Lord. We want to rule our own lives and throw God a fake kiss of obedience from time to time. In our age, some are even more overt. They curse the name of God as their Lord. They care not to obey his rules and openly flaunt his power. The day of judgment is coming.

 

PONDER:

1. Is Jesus truly my Lord or am I my true master?

 

PRAYER: Lord forgive us for the rebellion that started in the garden. Forgive us for believing Satan's lie that "we could be like God." The pains and failures of life are a constant reminder of the rebellion from you that we chose in the garden. Forgive us our rebellion. Bring us back to you and the original rule in the garden.

QT 5/4/2022 Matt 26:40-44 , Our actions tell us what we really believe about prayer

Matthew 26:40–44 (ESV) — 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.

 

NOTE: Jesus is praying, fervently, for one hour, for the cup to pass. I wonder what the discussion with the Father was like. After finding the disciples sleeping, he returns to prayer, but this time, his prayer -- "if this cannot pass" -- seems more resigned to the fact that it is the Father's will and there really is no other option. Again he returns and finds them sleeping. For Jesus, prayer was more important than sleep in this last day of his life. There are a lot more reasons than tiredness to skip prayer, and our flesh seems to find them all. But besides the physical aspects, there is the mental / psychological aspect of not believing that our prayers make a difference. Certainly, we don't say that, but we live like it and we act it out (by not praying). If we believed in answered prayer, we would pray without fault. So, our lack of prayer says more about our belief about prayer (a mental state) than anything else.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I really believe about prayer?
2. What is the evidence of my life in my belief about prayer?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my prayerlessness. For whatever I say, my actions show my little regard. I know I need it and yet I am so weak in it. Renew my faith and love for you.

QT 5/3/2022 Matt 26:36-39, Believing in the "NO"

Matthew 26:36–39 (ESV) — 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

 

NOTE: Here is a true example of prayer and the agony between what is desired and what is God's will. Jesus honestly prayed for the cup to pass. Jesus was in great anguish and pain (Weymouth's translation says "crushed with pain"). Jesus opened himself up fully to the father. And Jesus was also obedient, willing to accept God's will, even when it was not what his flesh desired. This is where "name it-claim it" fails and shows itself as a false doctrine. Jesus was sinless and Jesus had full faith, and yet his prayer is not fulfilled. The cup did not pass.

 

God does not answer all of our prayers as we desire, and there is a reason for every single unanswered one. Most of the time, you cannot figure it out at that time. You might understand years from now, but some reasons may never be clear until eternity with God (when it probably won't matter). Unanswered prayers do have an answer -- "no" or "wait, not now." Will we have the faith and obedience, like Jesus, to accept those answers?

 

PONDER:

1. Do I truly have such faith in God that I can accept "no" or "wait" to my prayers?
2. Or do I demand my own way from God?

 

PRAYER: Father, help us in our struggle to accept your will when the answer to our prayers is "no." Let us remember the great struggle Jesus endured and the obedience he displayed when faced with a "no."

QT 5/2/2022 Matt 26:30-35, Never let sin reign

Matthew 26:30–35 (ESV) — 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

 

NOTE: The Passover ceremony closes with the typical Jewish singing of the praise Psalms. As they are walking to the Mount of Olives at night, Jesus tells them -- either on the walk, or at the mount of Olives -- that they will all fall away, similar to what he said about the one (Judas) betraying him. But this time, there are two differences. First, everyone will fail. And two, Jesus will rise up, and go before them to Galilee. It is not as bleak as what was said at dinner about the one. Peter, always more impulsive than thinking, denies he could ever betray the Jesus, and Jesus makes it clear that it is everyone by singling out Peter with a prophecy about a rooster. One commentator suggests that the third cock crow was at 0130 (1:30a), while the dinner probably ended a 2200 (10pm). Since Passover was the same day every year, and the Jewish month always started with a new moon, this would have been a full moon evening, and probably the cock crowed at the full moon. Everyone would fall as Zech 13:7 predicted.

 

We all fall in many ways. None of us are perfect. The longer a person walks with God, the more the person realizes their frailties and sinful nature. Even though our lives are being changed from one degree of glory to another, sin remains as a struggle. And we increasingly recognize each day how ugly our sin is to God. But every time we fall, we must repent, ask forgiveness, and seek God again. We must never give in to sin or give up against any sin.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I given up in my fight against sin? Do I excuse any sin as just me? Then I need to repent, ask forgiveness, and start again.

 

PRAYER: Father, protect us from the ruinous effect of sin. May we never give up in our battle until we are given our new bodies and become like Christ. Oh what a glorious day to be freed from sin's control.