Monthly Archives: August 2022

Matthew 26- The Rooster Crowed

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Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75

 As we read previously, the religious leaders rejected the Messiah Jesus, but now comes the rejection from his own disciples. Imagine how Jesus felt, his hand picked disciples, who spent the past 3 years with him, ran for the hills once trouble came their way. Even though everyone abandoned Jesus, Christ never abandoned us, he still went to the cross to pay for our sins, because He loves us!

As Jesus prophesied, Peter would eventually deny Christ three times before the Rooster crows, meaning before the morning. Remember Peters first response “Lord I will never fall away” He was confident in his faith, however when persecution came, Peter failed and rejected The Lord three times. I’m sure there are times in our own walk, where we let The Lord down, but remember his response to Peter, after the resurrection Christ came looking for Peter!

Think about this from Peter’s perspective, he denied Jesus and then Christ went to the cross and died. Even though Jesus told his disciples multiple times that He would rise after 3 days, they didn’t seem to comprehend or remember his words. So Peter, feeling ashamed of how he responded to Christ, thought it was all over. Peter was probably unsure of what his next steps were in his life, he left everything behind to follow Jesus and then felt like a failure in the end

But image that glorious day, when Peter heard Jesus calling for him on the shoreline (John 21) Imagine the hope and joy Peter must have felt, to hear and know Jesus never left or forsake him. Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me” ? Isn’t it interesting how Peter denied Christ three times , then The Lord asks him if he loves him three times, redemption?

The fact is Jesus always knew Peter loved him, but gave him a chance to redeem himself. Jesus told him to “Feed My Sheep” Christ didn’t reject Peter for his failures, Christ forgave him and used Peter to build the Church (Acts 2, Matthew 16:18) 

Remember in your failures, Jesus is standing on the shore, with open arms never leaving or forsaken you! Amen

Matthew 26- Rejection of The Messiah

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And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? Matthew 26- 57-62

The religious leaders made-up a fake trial with false charges against Jesus, so they can justify to the people , to execute him. Imagine these men, who were the spiritual leaders of Israel, who dedicated their lives to studying the Word of God, are plotting to execute the Son of God. Satan has blinded them, and the hardness of their hearts and the scales over their eyes, they are working for Satan to kill the Messiah

Of course, Jesus is sinless, therefor they needed to create fake charges, they quoted Jesus when he said “Destroy this temple in 3 days, and I’ll raise it up” (John 2:19) Of course the religious leaders had no idea what Jesus was talking about, Christ was prophesying about his death and resurrection, which ironically they are fulfilling with their wicked deeds

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?  Matthew 26:63-68

So the question was asked to Jesus “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God”? Jesus answered directly “Yes and You will see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds” obviously referring to Daniel 7, the religious leaders knew exactly who Jesus was saying He is, the Son of Man in Daniel. It’s clear by their response of charging Christ is Blasphemy , they understood what he was saying they rejected the Son of God

The religious leaders had witnesses many of Jesus miracles and heard many of his teachings, they had clear evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, yet they still choose to reject him, why? Because the religious leaders didn’t truly love God, they loved their religion, their money, their power, they wanted a god in their own image

The hour has come for Christ to go to the cross, at the hands of wicked men, to pay for the sins of the world, defeating death and Satan forever! Amen!

Matthew 26- Brotherhood Betrayal

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And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. Matthew 26:47-50

The Hour has come for the Son of Man to be betrayed and killed at the hands of sinners. Jesus foretold this would happen to his disciples multiple times, but they didn’t understand at the moment. The son of perdition, Judas, came to betray his Lord for 30 pieces of silver, what does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul (Matthew 16:26)

Judas betrayed The Lord with a kiss, imagine the wickedness of Judas to betray Christ , it’s obvious Judas was never Born Again, it’s obvious he has no real love or understanding of who Jesus is. Satan has entered him, and used him to do evil for the Kingdom of Darkness. However the wickedness of this world was used for our eternal victory, as Jesus Christ , the Lamb of God, paid the atonement for our sins by the wickedness of this world

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?  Matthew 26:51-54

When they went to seize Christ, Peter actually drew his sword and slashed, struck one of the High Priests servants and cut off his ear (John 18:10) Jesus rebuked him saying “Whoever lives by the sword, will die by the sword” Was Christ rebuking self defense? No, as Jesus said “the scriptures must be fulfilled” Jesus already knew he was going to the cross, to die for the sins of the world, this was being fulfilled by the wickedness of men

As Jesus said “ Don’t you think I can pray to my Father and he will send twelve legions of Angels”?  God is always in control, Christ willingly went to the cross to be the Lamb of God. Satan believed he defeated Jesus at the cross, but Christ actually defeated Satan, Sin, and Death forevermore!

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Matthew 26:55-56

Jesus said “All this was done, that the scripture of the prophets might be fulfilled” Everything Christ endured at the hands of evil men, was for your salvation! But notice the response of the disciples “the disciples forsook him and fled”

The scriptures have been fulfilled, Christ went to the cross for our sins and defeated Satan, Sin, and Death forevermore! Amen!

Matthew 26- Garden of Gethsemane

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Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:36-41

Gethsemane is where Jesus came to die, the cross is only the evidence – Leonard Ravenhill

What did Ravenhill mean by this? Well this is where Christ knew His hour has come, to go to the cross, and pay for the sins of the world. We must remember Jesus is fully God and fully Human, He knew He was going to be tortured and put to death, however Christ did it because He loves us. Jesus went to the cross, as a demonstration of his love towards us,(Romans 5:8) there is no greater act of love than what Christ did on the cross for us!

Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake while He prayed to The Father, but the disciples repeatedly fell asleep. This is the same as the Church today, Jesus has continually told us to “Watch and Pray” however the Church is asleep. We have lost our focus on Christ, we have forgotten our mission to share the good news and be the hands and feet of Christ. 

Christ said “Watch and Pray , You don’t enter into temptation, the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (v41) The warning by Jesus, Don’t fall asleep! Don’t fall into the temptations of this world! Watch and Pray! Keep your lamps lit for the return of Christ!

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. Matthew 26:42-46

While Jesus agonized over going to the cross, he sweated blood (Luke 22:44) Think about that! The Lord in anguish, continued in obedience and love to the cross! As Christ said “Thy Will Be Done”, Jesus was obedient to our Heavenly Father, even to the point of death on the cross! Reminds me of Philippians 2:6-11

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 26- The Sheep Are Scattered

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Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Matthew 26:31-33

Jesus warns his Apostles, now that Christ is going to the cross, many Sheep are  going to be scattered and fall away because many will be offended of Jesus. This was prophesied in Zechariah 13:7, which Jesus quotes “Strike The Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” As we know Christ is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and we the Church (Christians) are his Sheep (John 10:14) As Christ prophesied in John 10, “I am the Good Shepherd , the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11)

Peter makes a bold statement “I will never fall away or be offended, because of you” As we know Peter failed, as the majority of the Apostles hid for their lives while The Lord went to the cross. How many Sheep still today fall away to preserve their own lives? We see the Church scattering as the Liberal agendas are taking over our denominations, where are the Holy Spirit filled brothers and sisters to fight the takeover? Most of them have scattered and are hiding , or many have fallen away all together, and have abandoned the faith

Jesus said “Anyone who doesn’t take up their cross and follow me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38) Those who are not willing to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) those who are not willing to lose their life for Christ , will never find eternal life (Matthew 10:39) Jesus then gave the good news “But after I am risen again, I will go before you” (v32)  Christ is Risen and defeated sin and death forever, this is the good news that we are already victorious through Jesus Christ (John 16:33)

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matthew 26:34-35

Jesus prophecies to Peter, before the end of the night Peter will deny Christ three times. For Peter to hear this was shocking, and even after that, Peter vowed to never deny The Lord to even be willing to die for Christ, and the rest of the disciples said the same thing. But we know how the story goes, when push comes to shove, Peter denies he even knows Jesus three times.

Now before we keep beating up on Peter, we need to examine and ask ourselves, if we were in Peter’s shoes, would we have denied Christ also? It’s easy for us to say from our couch, No I would never deny Jesus, but when the sword is at your throat, will you still not fall away? Testing of our faith is a part of life, and as true Sheep of Christ, we need to get ready to endure it. 

If even its on a small scale in your daily life, how many co-workers or family members do you share your faith in Jesus with? Or if you see somebody on the street , do you share the gospel with them? Why not? Because you might offend someone? Or because your family might disown you? If you neglect to share Christ at these moments, then we are no better than Peter was, think about it!

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we the Sheep know his voice and we follow him, the Shepherd laid down his life for the Sheep, never be ashamed of your Lord and Savior, Amen!

Matthew 26- The Lords Supper

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And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30

The Lords Supper, also known as The Last Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist, is a supernatural event. Now I’m not talking about transubstantiation, I’m talking about Christ revealing his salvation by his body and blood, and the unity of the body of Christ through Communion. 

Jesus said “Do This in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19) Christ commanded us as Born Again believers to partake in Communion, however there are many Christians who neglect to come to The Lords table, why? Many theological differences and traditions of men, sidetrack Christians in enjoying the beauty of The Lords Supper. When you have a group of believers , fellowshipping and worshiping together with Christ at the center, it’s a beautiful thing for the Body of Christ

Notice Jesus says “ I eagerly desire to eat this Passover with you before my suffering” This was not only a Passover meal this was THE Passover meal. Christ is The Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) And Christ has fulfilled The Passover at this meal, as Jesus said of the cup “My Blood of The New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (v28)

The bread, symbolic of the body of Christ, broken on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins. Remember the sacrifice Christ made for your soul, everytime you come to The Lords Table to partake in Communion. The cup is symbolic of Christ’s blood which was shed to wash us clean from our sins. This is the foundation of your faith, this is why Communion should be central to your worship. 

The Apostle Paul said “Each one of us must examine ourselves before you eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28) Communion is not only a good time to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but it’s a time to examine ourselves spiritually and repent of our sins. Don’t partake in Communion until you examine yourself, as Paul warns “whoever partakes in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:27)

Jesus said “Do This In Remembrance of Me” Don’t neglect coming to The Lords table, examine yourself daily, give Thanks to God for the salvation through Christ our Lord Amen!