God's Sovereign Plan

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”  (Matthew 26:27-29)

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”...“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”...He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:36-46)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:50-54)

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. (Matthew 27:12-14)

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Jesus set an amazing example as He stood before His enemies. He willingly surrendered His right to defend Himself, even against outright lies. Jesus’ quiet dignity was not weakness but surrendered strength. He did not veer off God’s course for Him to find an easier path. 

What do you do when obeying the Lord becomes difficult? Do you question God’s goodness? Do you compromise or complain? How can you trust God for the strength you need to obey Him in a difficult place? 

God’s sovereign plan took Jesus to the cross. God’s sovereign plan for your life can be trusted.

Self-Righteousness Destroys

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled...The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward...The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him. (Matthew 26:57-67)

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:19-26)

The Jewish leaders declared their own version of Messiah and Jesus did not measure up. They steadfastly believed they were right as they pursued Jesus’ arrest, hearings, and death. They elevated their opinions and view of themselves and refused to examine and yield to the truth. They failed to recognize Jesus’ wisdom and all He had done that revealed He had come from God.

In a similar way, pride and self-focus lead us down a dangerous path. Weaponizing the opinions we judge right is acceptable in today’s world. People who think they are right draw bold lines on social media, in news broadcasts, and even within churches. Even Christians who desire to hold up God’s truth can do so in an unloving and unkind way. 

The only way to truly be right is to pursue the One who is fully righteous: Jesus. Is there an area of your life in which you insist upon being right? How might God judge your heart as you relate to others? How will you give up human “rightness” to pursue righteousness in Jesus? 

(From Bible Study Fellowship International)

His Sorrow Didn't Lead to Repentance

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him (Jesus) over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew 26:14-16)

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. (Matthew 26:47-50)

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” 

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:1-5)

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He greeted Jesus with a kiss in the garden and called Him “Rabbi” instead of Lord. 

Judas did not find peace because he refused to seek Jesus. His life ended in tragic suicide. If he had confessed his sins to Jesus Christ...if he had waited just a few days...I believe Jesus would have forgiven him the way He forgave Peter. 

In what situation are you struggling to find peace? Will you seek the Lord and trust Him with what you cannot understand? His peace passes all understanding and gives us hope in the midst of uncertainty. 

What decision will you make today regarding Jesus? He stands close and calls you “friend.” Will you look to Him or turn away?

(From Bible Study Fellowship International)

Peter's Failure Wasn't Final

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me...But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)

(Just a few hours later) Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.   (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter followed Jesus at a distance. He was confused, fearful, grieved, and utterly in anguish over the loss of his beloved Master. Peter’s denial, failure, and bitter tears reveal human vulnerability in a real and raw way. Peter recklessly ignored Jesus’ warnings, fell asleep rather than to his knees in prayer, and denied Jesus three times. He wept bitter tears.

Striving in his own strength, Peter failed miserably. The same is true for us today. We can never be strong enough to overcome life’s challenges by trying harder.

Only when we come to the end of ourselves and turn to Jesus can we persevere. What difficulties do you face? In what ways are you trying to power through in your own strength? How has God exposed your weakness and allowed failure to draw you to Himself? Will you fall on your knees in fervent prayer to the One who hears your cries for help?  

Peter did and it made all the difference. 

(Lesson from Bible Study Fellowship International)